Dedicated to my fave gal on fanfiction trinitylefaye. She has given me priceless support, I wouldn't have continued without her. I hope you like this chapter Hun. And If I ever finish I book you are going on the dedication Page. 3
"Looking up from underneath Fractured moonlight on the sea Reflections still look the same to me As before I went under"
You cannot undo five years of damage, you cannot undo your selfish mistakes. But you can learn that when you have wronged someone in such a way, it will eventually come back to you.
They called her a monster. A murder without feeling or mercy. Why? because she was different from them. It made her stand out. That's what they wanted, something or someone who they could hate and cast out. It made them feel powerful. Well now they were going to see the real monster.
After five long years in the same stinking hell hole they called prison, a man finally decided she was worth breaking out. She wasn't sure whether to be pleased or wary.
Trin learnt that her savior's name was Archer, he didn't speak much but he helped her off the horse and smiled kindly at her. She didn't trust him.
Why had he rescued her? It could get him killed. She watched him, frowning, he was busily placing bits of branch on their rather sad looking fire, it was dim and gave off hardly any warmth. She didn't blame it, the ground was damp and cold.
Trin shivered, this was all very surreal feeling, seeing the trees again and the sky scattered with stars. The beauty of nature that she had been deprived of for five long years. She gritted her teeth, they would pay.
"Do you need another blanket." The man...Archer, spoke with his back to her.
"Yes."
He rustled around in his saddlebags and pulled out a blanket, tossing it to her. She pulled it around her shoulders gratefully. "We will arrive around midday, then everything will become... clearer." He paused and turned around to look at her. "I'm sorry I can't explain, I'm just asking you to try and trust me a little longer."
What, did he think she was gonna run away? She was smarter than that, she knew how to play it just right and get exactly what she wanted. "Yes." She nodded meekly.
He looked at her for a second then nodded, satisfied. Trin frowned, she had to admit, she was rather curious what was in store for her. She sat and watched the sparks darting through the air and then disappearing into the dark sky.
Then suddenly she saw something...a little fae dancing with the tiny flecks of hot ash, trying to catch the light. She tried to get a closer look holding her breath she moved forwards, then it was gone. Her heart fell, she didn't realize how much she wanted to see them again, it gave her something. Something to hold onto in her lonely life.
Her face felt hot from the heat of the flames, but she didn't move away, it was too cold a night, she was glad that the fire was warming her up, it made her feel so much better. she missed home, or the idea of home, since the only one she ever had was long gone.
After what seemed like hours Trin finally began to drift off to sleep She was running, filled with panic. It was almost upon her, a wolf. Her heart pounded in her throat, it would kill her. She jumped over logs and roots of trees, her feet flying.
She could still hear its steady running behind her, the soft growl as he gradually caught up with her. Then suddenly she tripped over her own feet and landed flat on her back, she felt a scream rise in her throat as the wolf advanced on her. Its eyes were the brightest green. Like the ocean they seemed to swirl and she could look at them forever, they were beautiful.
They just stared at each other, then the wolf flicked his ears, hearing something he ran into the forest.
Trin woke drenched in sweat, the familiar memories of the wolf dream still fresh with had started having that dream when she first was put in jail, and nearly every night since. It sometimes changed, he didn't always run away sometimes he stayed and just stared at her. She always woke up before anything else happened.
Trin shivered, it was a cold morning, the sun just coming up, hints of gold hitting the trees. It was beautiful, she had missed it so much. Archer was already up, Trin gave him an odd look. How long he had been awake? He was folding his blankets and putting supplies in the saddlebag. "How did you get me here?"
He paused. "I cannot explain until we get to our destination." "How much further is it?" "We will be there in just under an hour." He snapped the saddle bag shut. Trin hoped she would have strength for what was to come.
The tavern was a dark and dank hole. The lowest of the low congregated there. Trin sniffed, the whole place stank of bad man smell and old alcohol breath. She sat down quietly, they were all mumbling to each other in the incomprehensible language men drunk out of their minds. After she had arrived at the strange hideout of Archer and his men. They made her a deal. She do this one job for them and she would have her freedom. They knew of her, when she went by the name Hawk. That seemed like such a long time ago, then again it was five years ago.
"Lassie, what are you doing in a place like this?" The bartender was an elderly man with a strong nose and jaw line.
"Oh." She smirked. "Just passing through."
He nodded, pouring foaming mead into her glass. "Though this isn't the nicest place to be." He spoke in a hushed tone. "It tends to attract very...disagreeable sorts."
Trin grabbed her glass. "I guessed as much." She took a sip. "I'm just on my way to Nottingham castle, I needed to stop for a drink, been on the road all week."
The old man nodded. "Just be careful."
Trin smiled. She was always careful. "Thank you." Then she quickly left the tavern, it was best to avoid trouble. She had a job to get done. Even though it was rather tempting to humiliate the men at the bar, who were giving her dark looks. She wandered out into the cold night air, her cloak hugged tightly around her. The streets were damp and busy, a few dim lanterns gave off enough light to see where everything was, but not enough that you were comfortable nobody could sneak up on you.
Trin grabbed her horses reins. Of all the jobs she had done, this had to be the most difficult. She smirked, although the first part would be clockwork. Going undercover was always her favorite part of the job, it gave her an escape from her life, let her experience something different.
The rain roared and battered at the trees, the weather had been unyielding and freezing for weeks, it was frustrating to be inside so long. But going outside with the weather so deathly. Well... only a fool would try to. So she would have to be content with her activities inside the house.
She pressed her hand to the window, water streamed down the outside. She sighed, it was probably just the weather but everything seemed so dreary. Well today was a little better. She had been shopping and there were a few visitors to the house. But she found herself missing the busy activities of the sheriff had accepted that she needed time off as he didn't want to catch her sickness.
Marion's arm was tightly wrapped and squeezed into the sleeve of her dress, it looked very odd. Like she was some strange scarecrow with a wooden arm. She would probably never get used to it. But she was starting to master the art of doing everything with one arm.
Marian sighed, the candles in her room cast odd black shadows on her face. Who was this new girl? with her bad arm sticking outwards and dressed in a pale blue dress, she really wasn't sure what to think. Lady Elliot had very kindly invited Marian to the ball she was hosting. It was a medium sized gathering of all her important friends and allies.
Marian had no idea how to act in such a situation. For gods sake she didn't even know how to dance! but there was still a little girl in her crying out that she wanted to see a real life ball. So she decided to accept the invitation, primarily because of curiosity. Anyway, who said she couldn't have a little fun now and then?
Marian eyed herself in the mirror again. She was made up with elegant eye shadow that matched the colour of her dress, it felt funny. The makeup of her day was so much lighter. This was almost like face paint. It made her look like a porcelain doll.
The ball was beautiful, the scented candles and intricate lanterns cast the whole scene in a warm orange glow. Lady Elliot stood in the center of the action looking as proud as a peacock. The guests slowly arrived, once they were all there, Marian counted about twenty of them.
They filled the room with the loud chattering and clinking of glasses. At first Marian was excited and hurriedly dancing with all the male guests. But as the night progressed she slowly grew more and more tired, the lights seemed to be glaring her in the eyes making her head ache.
Lady Elliot was happy to excuse her from the ball. Marian sighed in relief. It would be so good to relax in her bed. Her whole body seemed to be aching. Her feet had a deep bruised feeling that made it very unpleasant to walk. So she slipped out the loud creaking double doors and breathed a deep sigh of relief. Socialising was not really her scene. But surprisingly she had actually rather enjoyed herself, it was a good distraction.
She didn't want to think about how the sandman had come into her life again. She didn't understand how she herself was here. If she was imagining this whole place, then why in the world would she add him to it?
She pulled a large wooden pin from her hair. Sleep. It was time for sleep. She would think about everything in the morning.
"Hello Lady."
Marian spun round, there was a tall woman with her chestnut brown hair tied back in a severe ponytail. "Hello." Marian smiled.
"Are you Lady Marian?"
Marian nodded confused. "Yes."
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear thank you." She rustled around under her cloak "I'm afraid, you are coming with me."
Marian tensed, taking a step back. "Why?"
She didn't answer. But instead advanced on Marian.
Marian growled. "Don't even think about it."
The woman ran lighting fast and twisted Marian's arm behind her back.
"Don't touch her Trin." A voice whispered dangerously.
Marian cried out. "Someone help, please!"
The woman's hand clamped over her mouth.
Marian whimpered, she twisted her head just enough to see who was behind them. Her eyes widened in shock.
Once again the sandman was standing before her, but this time he had a knife poised behind her assailants back.
"Trin you don't have to do this."
The woman growled. "Yes I bloody do."
Marian felt a sharp stabbing pain on her skull. She heard swearing and yelling. Then her whole body went limp.
Was there no peace from this nightmare?