Chap 47:

(Warnings-angst, mature sexual situations...)

Sedrick's strong arms enveloped Annabelle and Kevin as they rode the horse from the Keep across the darkened field into the stand of trees; the place where Erik had told Annabelle to run. No, had ordered her to run. She clutched Sedrick's arm tightly, pushing herself back against his chest. His arm held her tighter and she felt his head press against hers.

"Anna," she felt his wide chest rumble, "I thank the heavens that you sill draw breath." Anna was unable to answer through her tears.

They rode into the darkness of the forest's edge, the relief of their escape shattered by a shout and the metallic clang of weapons. They were not yet through their tempest.

"Nate," Sedrick gasped as he leapt down from behind her and ran ahead of her, pulling the horse behind him. Anna gripped at the horse's mane, hugging her boy against her tightly. She saw the scuffle ahead, and tried in vain to shield Kevin's eyes from the violence before them.

In the little clearing, a stocky man, Nate, she assumed, was fighting two gypsies, putting himself between them and three horses that were rearing with the disturbance. Several other gypsies bearing arms soon entered the clearing. Annabelle's blood ran cold as she saw her husband run into the danger of battle again. She held her breath and prayed.

Sedrick made quick work of the men who surrounded him, turning to assist Nate, who was obviously not as well versed in fighting. He attacked the gypsy closest to him, the one at Nate's back, pulling him off and ramming the hilt of sword at his head, shattering his face.

It happened so quickly; a gypsy that had been lying on the ground leapt up with a guttural yell, winding up and sinking a long knife into Nate's shoulder. Seconds later, a shot rang out in the relative quiet of the scuffle, making everyone freeze in their position.

"Nate!"

The pained yell pierced the quiet. Annabelle whipped her head around. Adolph and Erik stood as disheveled statues at the edge of the clearing. A tendril of smoke rose from the pistol at the end of Adolph's outstretched arm.

The man behind Nate dropped to the ground with a thud. Nate looked as if stunned. He turned to the knife protruding from his shoulder and dropped to his knees, gasping. Sedrick rushed at the gypsy that remained standing. The man cowered and ran away. Adolph and Erik ran to Nate's side as Roland, appearing from out of the bushes, eyes wide, face reddened by the blood flowing through his young veins, ran to the horse bearing Annabelle. She leaned down and gripped the frightened boy's hand.

All attention was turned to the man hunched over, his knees on the ground. Roland inched closer.

Erik pulled aside Nate's dark coat, revealing a shiny, dark swatch of crimson emanating from the wound below his shoulder, spreading by the second. His friend's eyes rose to meet his. A deep dread spread through Erik's chest. Nate gripped Erik's arm, his face filled with pain, collapsing against him. Erik's strong arms held the wounded man, lowering him gently to lie on the ground.

"It is bad, isn't it?" he asked. Nate took one look at Erik's horrified expression and knew. Sedrick gathered the horses, including the one with Annabelle and Kevin, then went over to the fallen man.

Adolph and he examined the path of the knife; it entered from the back and protruded out from under the collar bone. It had severed the important structures located there. The blood from the wound now covered much of the front of his shirt. Sedrick looked back at Adolph. Adolph shook his head at the two men, his expression one of intense concern. Erik read the other men's expressions and his became bitter. Sedrick stood up and held onto the horses, looking into the darkened forest around him.

"We have one problem: They will be back," Sedrick said. Roland walked around Sedrick slowly, and gasped when he saw Nate sprawled on the ground.

"Nate? Nate! Oh no!" Said Roland, approaching him. Nate closed his cloak, not wanting the boy to see the grave injury.

"Roland, my boy. I am so glad to see you…" he said, struggling with breath. Roland's eyes were wide and he looked with fear into Adolph and Erik's eyes.

"Nate! I know you were stabbed. He will be alright, won't he?" Roland questioned, looking back at Nate.

"We need to get him back to Capellen," Erik said, anger and concern shading his voice. He was quite successful in ignoring the pain in his side that had grown in intensity since the run across the fields. He had spent so much of his life ignoring his own pain, that it was a relatively effortless task. To see the pain of another, one he considered a friend, was excruciating.

"Oh, yes! Grandfather will fix it! Quick, we must hurry!" Roland said. Nate held out his hand and pulled the boy to him, hugging him close. Nate forced a smile upon his face.

"Yes, Roland, I will be all better when I get to Cappellen. We must go, your mother is waiting for you, son." Nate said, with quick breaths.

"Come, boy. You must take to your mount. We have much traveling to do." Sedrick said, with the command of a father. Roland followed, head lowered. Adolph turned away from his gaze looking at Erik. "I know." Nate said, looking at Erik and Adolph intensely once their eyes rested on him again.

After a few moments of discussion between the men, the decision was made to remove the blade from Nate's shoulder for the trip home. It was their hope that they would better control the bleeding with the blade removed, even thought they knew it might make it worse. He would be unable to tolerate the rough ride to Capellen with such a large knife coming out of him. Adolph tore up the rest of the lining of his cloak to make a compress and tourniquet. With Roland huddled by Annabelle, they proceeded.

Nate sucked in hard, fingers digging into Erik's shoulder during the ordeal. He released a muted growl as the knife was pulled free; Sedrick and Adolph pressed into the wounds hard, wrapping the fabric around his chest to keep pressure on the wound. Still, the blood oozed through the bandages within minutes. Sedrick let out a gasp of disappointment. Nate held up his hand, silencing Sedrick. With a deep breath, Nate turned to look at Erik, his face visibly paler.

"I will get you home in time." Erik said, fighting back the lump growing in his throat. Nate gripped Erik's arm strongly and nodded.

"Help me up, brother," Nate said softly. Erik's grief sliced through him.

With much effort, Adolph and Erik helped Nate up, getting him astride Caesar. Adolph stood close to Erik.

"He will need someone to ride with him, he will soon grow weak and…" started Adolph.

"I will take him. Please see to Roland for me," Erik snapped, his face strained with distress. Adolph shook his head.

"You are wounded yourself, Erik. I should…" Erik shot Adolph a stony, cold stare that made Adolph silent. "As you wish." Adolph acquiesced, his face agonized as he walked past Sedrick. Sedrick turned to him as Erik was busy helping Nate get as comfortable as possible on the horse. Adolph spoke to Sedrick in a hushed voice,

"Erik is wounded; he took a knife in his side. Please, ride close. He refuses to let anyone else help Nate."

"He is stubborn, that one, yet strong. I have faith." Sedrick replied, shooting a glance at the two men astride the big black stallion. "We ride with hearts and mounts heavy this night." Adolph grunted his agreement.

Adolph mounted behind Roland and Sedrick gave his wife the reins of her horse, along with a kiss on her hand before mounting the remaining horse. Every one was somber. Everyone was troubled. The four horses and their riders left Useldange in silence, unhindered by any more gypsies.

The way back to Cappellen was relatively flat, but contorted with paths through the thick forestland. Erik pushed Caesar hard, the extra load making the horse pant heavily. The riders behind had difficulty keeping up at first. Sedrick stayed close to Erik and Nate, keeping a close eye on the two riders. Erik was wincing after the first hour. Nate's strength failed, his directives at how to get back to Capellen becoming quieter and quieter.

Erik's hold on Nate grew tighter and tighter as time went on. Under his breath, he cursed the distance that kept his friend from the helpful hands of Capellen. The dread forming a hole in his chest magnified as he felt Nate's breath become shallow.

"Erik, you should leave me here; I will be nothing but baggage too soon," he uttered in a horse voice as they rode.

"Save your strength, my friend," Erik replied, sorrow washing over him. He feared Nate would not survive this journey. They rode on in silence.

Erik fought back the pain that had spread from his side, which was crossing his belly, shooting down his leg and up his back at this point. The effort of holding Nate was taking its toll. A bolt of pain made him stiffen, his body shuddering.

The watchful eyes behind him saw it. He heard the horse bearing Sedrick come alongside. He glanced over at Sedrick's worried face. Erik shook his head. Sedrick lowered his head with a sigh and looked away, back at the other riders. He fell back into position behind Erik.

Erik gritted his teeth and bore into the ride. Eventually, they turned from the forest to a wide, smooth, tree lined road. The earliest light of morning was hinting on the edges of the night sky, the twinkling stars starting to fade ever so slightly. Erik's vision became slightly blurred.

"The sun is rising, Nate. We will be home soon." Erik said, his breathing now becoming labored.

"This road, Erik," Nate whispered through agonal breaths, "leads straight to Capellen, a few…miles…" Nate went silent, as if taken by an irresistible urge to sleep. A short while later, Erik could no longer feel Nate's chest move, or feel the weak, rapid beating of his heart. His body became limp and heavy. The wave of realization hit Erik like a spear to his heart. Anger welled up within him.

It soon became a struggle for Erik to hold onto Nate. Ahead, the faint image of men on horses approached.

"Nate? Erik? Adolph?" Shouted a voice from the distance; it was Bruno. The horses carrying them seemed to sense the liberation ahead, and picked up the pace, despite their exhaustion. Adolph rode forward from behind, taking a quick glance at Erik and Nate as he broke into a gallop. He grimaced, knowing full well what had transpired.

He met up with Bruno and broke the news of the injuries sustained. A rider broke from the pack and rode back to Capellen in a fast gallop. Adolph followed along towards Capellen at a slower pace, looking back with worry as the fresh riders approached the road weary warriors. He wanted Elaine to see her son before having to deal with the aftermath of the battle at Useldange.

Erik was too weak to refuse the help of the men of Capellen who soon surrounded them. Erik practically fell off of Ceasar, his vision swimming before him as he was helped onto a fresh horse, Sedrick climbing on behind him.

"I can ride alone," Erik muttered, the images growing dark before him.

"Erik, your clothing is soaked with blood, and I do not believe it is all from Nate," Sedrick said tersely. "Your dressings are soiled, and your body is weak. This once, I refuse to listen to you."

Erik's mind became clouded and he lost sense of time. He felt Sedrick's strong arms keeping him upright astride the horse. The gates of Capellen seemed shady and dark, even though he knew the sun was rising to meet the horizon. He closed his eyes. The sound of the hooves on the trodden earth below stopped and the movement of the horse ceased.

"Erik! Oh my god, Erik!" He heard the anguished cried of an angel as if she were miles away. He opened his eyes as he felt his body lowered off the horse. Sweet consciousness returned briefly as he was laid down flat on a stretcher. He struggled to open the leaded weights that had become his lids.

Elaine's sweet features floated before him, and he felt her soft hands on his face. Tears glistened in her eyes, and a smile flitted across her lips.

"Why do you weep, dear one? I return with your son, alive as promised," Erik said weakly, touching the soft face before him. Another shot of pain down his side made him wince and his eyes close. A warm, soft hand wrapped around his hand and soft lips touched his.

"Hush now, Erik. Let me take care of you, love," the angel said. He sighed and felt his body being lifted up...

Annabelle's soft footfalls hardly made a sound as she walked down the darkened hall on the second story of Elaine's house in Capellen. She looked back at the cozy little child's bedroom and sighed. This was her third attempt at putting Kevin to bed this night, the little boy's sleep interrupted mercilessly by nightmares. She assured him yet again that the monsters would stay away for good. He seemed more comfortable now, after his new best friend, Roland, had crawled into bed with him. She paused briefly, assuring herself that the boys were indeed asleep, and then turned towards the room Sedrick and she currently inhabited. She rubbed her now dirt-free face, and ran her hands through her freshly washed hair.

Even though several days had already passed, their trip to Capellen remained fresh in her mind, the details vivid. Leaning with her back against the hallway wall, she allowed the events to replay in her mind. It had been a whirlwind.

After their arrival, Anna had clung to her husband for the first few hours in shock; it was hard for her to believe that her torture was finally over. They could no longer call the lands of Castle Boursheid home, however. They no longer had a home. Even in the midst of chaos, the amazing people of Capellen welcomed them with warmth, providing to their every need. Annabelle was in awe of how they treated her family; as their own, and her Sedrick; as a hero.

Once she was able to release him, Sedrick had insisted upon helping his newfound friends through the tense morning. Annabelle maintained her position of taking care of the boys as she had at the Keep while the buzz of activity continued with the rise of the sun.

They had indeed lost Nate to his mortal wound, whilst Erik's life was saved by Dr. Dyson and Elaine. The anguish of Nate's wife hung in the air, her wails a woeful awakening for much of the manor. Annabelle looked on with sadness and wonder as the grieving woman was surrounded by a multitude of people, an immense group, friends indistinguishable from family.

Despite the tragedies that had come to pass, several hours after the sun rose high, her gracious hosts provided them with lovely rooms to stay and graced both her and Sedrick with hot, private baths. Hers was filled with lovely smelling soaps. She had been eternally grateful for that precious bit of normality during this time of chaos.

The realization that she had indeed been saved finally hit as she felt the burn of the water against her skin. At first, she cried tears of release, her filth floating from her in the hot waters. She was thankful for the chance to finally be alone. Her strong spirit had been taxed, denied any respite or chance to show weakness for the safety of her child. She had buried her fear and worry. The strain flowed from her as she cried. Much to her surprise, she was able to scrub the dirt from her skin without making her skin raw and in short order, she felt like a woman reborn. Now, she ached only a little from the old injuries inflicted on her by her now dead gypsy captors. That reality in itself warmed her heart.

With her son sleeping peacefully, and the events of the day behind her, she continued down the hall to their room. Elaine met her in the hall. The women shared looks of understanding; they had both been through their own trials. Anabelle was in awe of the woman before her. She knew her only as Erik's lover and Roland's mother, they had not had time to sit and chat.

"Annabelle, can you keep watch over Roland for me? I am sorry to bother you for this, but I need to go to the main house to check on Erik," Elaine said.

"Of course Elaine, it will be no problem at all. And, thank you for everything," she said, hugging Elaine as if they had been friends for years.

"It is I who must thank you. Roland told me what you did for him. You are a remarkable woman, Annabelle." The sad gratitude was shining from her soft hazel eyes.

"It is a mother's duty to watch over another mother's child," said Annabelle. "You would have done the same, that I know." Elaine smiled and held her hand.

"Your husband was so kind to me, a mere stranger. Without his bravery, I do not want to think of where we would all be." Elaine said.

"Your Erik also deserves a world of thanks. He saved us all, if I am correct." Annabelle looked down as Elaine looked away, melancholy playing across her face. "When will he be well enough so that I may thank him personally?"

"I am afraid he is not handling these recent events very well. He has become withdrawn. Even from me. I think he blames himself for Nate," Elaine said, gloom coloring her features.

"One life lost but four lives saved. Surely he must realize that," Annabelle reasoned. Elaine smiled.

"I hope he will see it that way, eventually. I am so glad you and Sedrick have been reunited. Good night." Elaine gave her a glance of admiration and proceeded down the stairs.

Annabelle continued on to her room and opened the door silently. She paused for a second to admire the handsome man sitting in a chair by the window. Sedrick stared out of the window with a despondent expression, the beautiful view of the river failing to improve the sadness in his eyes. At her gentle entry, Sedrick turned to look at her, gasping, a small smile erupting on his face. He reached out his hand, signaling her to join him.

Her nightdress flowed against her petite but womanly curves, his eyes capturing the sight. She walked over to him and slid into his lap, wrapping her arms around his strong neck, molding her body against his. So diminutive in comparison to him, she looked small in his big arms. She kissed his face, moving herself before him to catch his saddened glance. He stroked her cheek as a tear rolled from his eyes. She kissed it, and he gripped her tightly, sobbing against her neck. She held him, stroking his hair, rocking with him until he regained composure.

"Will you tell me what troubles you so, my love?" She whispered softly in his ear, a look of concern on her features. He held her delicate face in his large hand, so powerful yet so gentle when he caressed her, and kissed her deeply. He looked into her eyes.

"I still do not believe you are here with me now. I am afraid I will awaken to find this is just a dream," he said softly, his low voice rumbling. "I struggle to allow you to venture out of my sight each time you do."

"I am here, Sedrick, with you now, and forever. Believe what your eyes see," she said, holding his beard-roughened chin between her small hands. He breathed in and held her hand in his.

"When I thought you and our son dead, Anna, I cared not to live anymore. I had a death wish, and I am certain I would have accomplished my goal had not these fine people stopped me. I would have abandoned you unknowingly, Annabelle." He said, resting his forehead against hers in anguish. "I was burning in hell that night. He told me he had raped you to death. I could not forgive myself for letting that happen to you."

"Oh, Sedrick. No one touched me in that way. I never even saw Montague at the gypsy camp," she said, stroking his face gently. His eyes fluttered closed as her touch warmed him. "It was fate that they were there to save you from yourself. How were you to know I was still alive, but existing in a dungeon? That he had lied just to hurt you?" She asked. He looked down.

"I failed you, my darling. I should have done more," he confessed. "I should have tried to force the information from Montague." She pulled his chin up and silenced him with a slender finger. She looked at him with a serious expression.

"And what if you did not succeed? You would have blamed yourself for our deaths. I would rather remain in captivity forever rather than risk that on your conscience. Erik, well, he has special abilities, he is versed in…those skills." A small shudder raced over her shoulders. Sedrick's eyes moved over her face.

"I would do anything for you. Face the devil if needed." Annabelle became impatient.

"Sedrick, I will not have you take any blame for this situation. We were just pawns in the game of a sick bastard, the man you rid this world of, and for that you will forever be my hero. Do not forget that, love."

"I will most likely have to pay for that rather justifiable deed. I do not know how much longer I will be with you, love." He said, stroking her cheek.

"What do you mean?"

"One cannot just kill the King's son and go unpunished, Annabelle. I am with you now, but will most likely have to leave you. Will you ever forgive me, Anna?" he said, still mired in guilt.

"I will hear no more of this talk, my dearest," she said, holding back her own tears. She knew he was right. "One thing is true, though. Let us enjoy what we have been gifted for as long as we can; each other." She said, stroking his strong chin. She kissed his neck and ran her hands along his shoulders as he breathed deeply with her touch.

"Anna, please stop," he said. "We are guests…" Annabelle silenced him with a deep kiss, her tongue invading his mouth, her arms wrapping around his neck. He felt a wave of arousal hit him hard, making him forget his reservations.

"I think Elaine will understand completely," Annabelle whispered.

He gripped her slender back urgently and kissed her passionately. She turned around in his lap, placing her legs on either side of his hips, stopping only to untie the delicate fabric of her nightdress, pulling it off of her shoulders as he looked on hungrily. He was powerless to deny her advances.

"I need my lover now, Sedrick," she whispered in his ear as she nibbled his lobe. "My body longs for you…"

"It has been too long since I have felt your soft skin…" he said, running his hands over her shoulders, following with his lips, groaning with desire. "Or tasted you, Anna." He smiled as she gasped at the suggestion. He pulled her up, his face and mouth taking possession of her now very sensitive breasts. She gasped loudly as his tongue teased her nipples, firm with arousal. The healing rise of sexual tension had begun. She threw her head back and gripped his hair, pulling his hungry mouth against her chest. His rough beard against her skin made her skin tingle, feel all the more wild. He wrapped his arms around her waist and stood up with her. She clamped her legs around his wide chest, her arms around his neck. The anticipation made her grow hotter and wetter than before.

He lowered her gently on the bed nearby, pausing briefly to allow her to rip off his shirt and wrestle his pants off. She pushed away his clothing urgently, her eyes feasting upon the rugged masculinity of his body. Her belly quivered, and instantly her body recalled the pleasure his body so often bestowed upon her. She wrapped her arms around his muscular build, her soft hands exploring him, her arousal heightening by just this close contact. He closed his eyes and groaned, melting with her caresses. Annabelle kissed the solid muscles of his chest as her hands found his member. His musky, distinctly male scent filled her nose, setting fire to those primitive impulses within her.

Sedrick responded heartily, inhaling noisily. He became rock hard instantly within her grasp. Hungry animal kisses covered her lips as he pushed her gently back into the bed. Finally free of his clothing, he hovered over her; she clung desperately onto him as her body arched to contact his. He shifted to her side and his large hands made quick work of pushing aside the remainder of her pretty garments. He splayed his hand possessively over her bare skin, provoking moans from her throat as his touch sent shivers through her body. A growl rose in his chest.

His hands pushed her legs apart gently, and he ran his fingers up her inner thigh to her impatiently awaiting body. She gasped, knowing the pleasure that was in her future with his further wanderings. He opened his eyes and hers fluttered closed as he slid his fingers between her intimate folds. Just his fingers made her shudder; a deep ache began deep in her pelvis as she opened her eyes to see him licking his lips in anticipation. He moved his body between her legs, carpeting her skin with kisses from her breasts, across her belly, to her awaiting core. The tension built within her body and she longed for lips upon her, she longed to feel him deep within her…

He opened her legs and dipped his head low. She threw her head back, panting as he devoured her, his tongue caressing that firm node between her thighs as she clamped her hand over her mouth, preventing her cries of pleasure from waking up the entire house. Her sweet body convulsed against him as his tongue and lips explored every inch of that sensitive, hot flesh. She struggled not to shake as the waves of intense pleasure flooded her senses, tears coming to her eyes. She had missed this. She nearly came undone when he put his tongue into her; her body clenched and her juices ran. Finally, she could stand no more teasing.

"Please, release me…" She moaned, breathlessly.

"I want to so badly I am afraid I may hurt you," he panted, crawling back up her body. Her nails clawed his chest.

"If you don't take me now, Sedrick…" she growled, looking at him with fire in her eyes. She knew he could not resist her. Her excitement grew as he clamped his hand across her mouth. A second later, he pushed into her body firmly, his hand silencing her yell. The burning and stretching she felt deep within her converted instantly into molten pleasure.

He lost his breath as he slid into her, the tight muscles surrounding his painfully hard arousal, his body shuddering each time he moved. Losing all control, he pushed into her roughly; she opened wider to accept him, her body responding to his thrusts by gripping him tightly. He bit his lip as her nails tore at his skin. She arched and became lost in a world of sweet pain, her body shaking with the force of a hard, fast climax. The intense, convultions of her body made him explode with her in unison.

For that blessed moment, all of the occurrences in the past weeks disappeared as they celebrated their reunion in bliss. They spent the remainder of the night releasing pent up frustration, making up for time lost. Annabelle lost count of how many times he propelled her into ecstasy. Sedrick spent as little time as possible away from her sweet body, making love to her more times than he thought he could physically manage in a single night. Their lovemaking changed from urgent and deep to slow and tender. They laughed and cried in each other's arms, kissing until their lips were swollen. They were soon soaked in sweat, tears and lover's nectar.

They lay facing each other, breathing heavily, stroking each other tenderly as sleep washed over them, demanding they surrender. Sedrick kissed her little chin as his finger traced the line down to her delicate nape, her neck arching in response. A genuine, satisfied smile covered his flushed, masculine features.

"I am afraid you will find it difficult to walk tomorrow, darling," he said, with a smirk.

"Then you will just have to carry me. I consider it a job well done, lover," she said, tracing his lips. "I love seeing you smile, husband."

"And I love you, wife," He said, covering her luscious lips with his.