Brave the Wild Wind [Open]

[Ethalina Elros]

The darkening of the sky was the only thing that could pull the young woman away from her dear friends cottage. Ethalina Elros gave one last farewel to her closest friend Alys. A sorceress who's true calling was medicine. Ethalina walked to her silver grey mare and patted the muzzle as she easily swung up into the saddle. She decided that there was enough light left that she could make a quick visit to her hidden glade before she would have to return to her small one room home. It may appear as a tiny shack yet to her it was all her own. Something she had managed to get all on her own. A small gust of wind knocked the dark green hood of her cloak off of her head to reveil the light auburn locks that cascaded down her back in shimmering curls as the color seemed to reflect the sunlight. Little did the young woman know that she was being watched as well as followed. The only thing that was on her mind was that she going to get to relax completly. Usually Ethalina could relax wth Alys yet something was holding her back this day. Though what that thing was she hadn't a clue. Something had her on edge yet she couldn't think of what it could be. So the oblivious young woman continued on her way the sound of her horses hooves makes a wonderful clopping sound as they left the dirt road and found themselves walking of the grass toward the edge of the woods which would lead to her secret place. Ethalina was lost in her thoughts that at first she didn't she didn't hear the other hooves of horses. But when they finally caught her attention and she turned she was shocked to see a band of poorly dressed men leaving the road after her.

The bright blue eyes of the woman widened in fear as she knew that they where not simply going in the same direction as her but after her. Ethalina dug her heels into the flanks of her mare and soon she was at a gallop riding away from them and towards the edge of the woods. She kept a good distance from them at first and she should have known to turn and go back toward the road where someone might come along but her fear ridden mind did nothing to note those facts. Ethalina leaned low against the mare's neck so not to hinder the speed of her horse. She knew that her mare was not built for speed and couldn't keep up this pace for a long while but she hoped that they didn't know these woods as she did. As she entered the forest she could already hear the breathing of her mare begin to quicken. Ethalina felt pity for the poor creature but when she could still hear the hooves behind her her fear instantly returned and the pity for the animal which she loved dearly was replaced only with that. Ethalina hadn't realized that they where heading straight for a rotting log until her mare sailed over it and Ethalina lost her seat and fell from the saddle into a pile of leaves. She rolled for a moment and her horse continued to run unbeknowest that her rider had fallen. In only a matter of moments four men where sailing over the log and one past her by before the second caught sight of her. In the next instant she was on her feet and began to run. She didn't get very far before her escape was cut off by a man still astride his horse. Ethalina's eyes searched helplessly for another way of escape before an arm snaked its way about her slim waist and she was pulled forcefully against the chest of a second man.

"Help!" Ethalina managed to get out before a hand was pressed over her mouth. Her fear increased even more as she began to shake as the man who had cut off her escape dismounted from his horse. Ethalina could hear the other two men doing the exact same and she knew that she was in terrible trouble. She should have left earlier from Alys's. She blamed her own stupidity for what was now happening to her. Tears leaked from her eyes as she began to struggle against the arm that held her in doing so the man began to fondle her breast making her struggle even more. A laugh escaped the man who held her so tightly she was sure her ribs would break. His touch was not gentle and she was sure she would have marks to show for what he was now doing to her. The laugh from the man who was holding her was mirrored by the other three though she had only seen the man who had cut her off she knew that the other two where watching her hungrily. As if they where starving dogs about to have their first meal in days. In the next moment a voice sounded. "Hurry up Patrick, some of us want to play too." The mans voice came out in a sneer as if Ethalina was a simple piece of meat that was about to be passed around. "Aww look Duncan we mad the poor little girl cry." The same voice said again.

The man who was in front of her was apparently who the man had addressed for he grinned and took yet another step forward. Ethalina didn't think she just reacted, everything happened so fast. One moment the man behind her was laughing as fondeling her as if it would bring her pleasure and stop her struggles against him. But her struggles only seemed to enflame him more which she could feel being pressed into her lower back as he pulled her even closer. In the next moment Ethalina made her move though she would regret it after word. She managed to bite the man and he instantly pulled his hand away. She took that moment to scream as loud as she could desperatly hoping that someone would hear her. But instead of the hand she expected to return to her mouth a slap to her face sent her to the ground. "The little witch bit me Duncan!" The man who had been holding her was no very much angry which she knew was going to cause her even more pain. After Ethalina had hit the ground her cload had come undone and the man grabbed her by her arm twisting it painfully and she got her first look at the man. His nose seemed far too big for his face and his breath smelled rancid. He looked as if he had not bathed in weeks. Unlike the man who had cut her off. He was not handsome but plain of face but this man repelled her not only by looks but by the look in his eyes that said he would take whatever he wanted no matter who he hurt.

Words: 1176
Tags: Open
Muse: Hella high
Notes: First post for Ethalina <333

[Artamir]

Artamir had been riding swiftly. Night was quickly approaching, and he had hoped to reach the City before nightfall. It would be a close call to make it before the gates closed. As much as he was used to camping in the wild with the rest of the company, doing it this close to the City and the comforts of his father's house was a less than appealing prospect.

A call for help suddenly halted his haste, though, and Artamir brough the horse to a stop in a moment, listening. The call had been that of a woman, and short, and since he had been taken by surprise, and riding with his thoughts ahead, guessing at the direction was difficult. He dismounted and the horse, weary from a long journey, gladly accepted the rest and started grazing. Artair knew she would not run away. On foot, he went to investigate, keeping his steps silent and listening for anything out of the ordinary.

When the scream rang out, he was prepared, and this time managed to fully pinpoint the location. It wasn't that far off anymore, and at a run, Artamir reached it within only a few moments. What he found instantly made his blood boil.

Drawing his sword, Artamir stepped forward, into the rough circle that had formed around the woman, his eyes mostly on the one who had a hold of her arm, although he remained very much aware of the position of the other three men. A soldier did not forget about keeping an eye on what was happening at his back. Being outnumbered did not worry him in the slightest. That kind of man usually turned into the worst kind of coward once met with even the slightest resistance. Also, while the Tower Guard might be held in the greatest esteem, most people would recognize the garb of an Ithilien Ranger and knew what kind of men they were recruited from.

Just in case, he raised the tip of the sword to the man's neck. "You. Let go of the woman. Do it now."