Private Tales A Walk In the Woods

[Maeve]

The young girl felt a surge of victory when her assailant cried out in agony and released her. Using the moment she tried to twist her hips and throw the woman off of her but it was not to be. It had only stunned her briefly and soon Mae found the woman's hands around her throat. She sucked in a break before the elf got her hands fully around her neck and she fell back against the grass, bringing her own hands up to defend herself. She pulled no punches and went straight for the other woman's already tearing eyes. She put her hands either side of her head and then begun to press her thumbs firmly into the softness of her eyes.

Despite losing more air a strangled growl came from her throat. She refused to escape from her bonds of home to die on some foreign shores like this. Mae wanted to live and that passion drove her animalistic fighting techniques.

 

[Arianrhod]

Arianrhod hadn't expected the human to drop back on the grass with her lunge. Nor did she expect the human's hands to reach out and start raking at her face, digging in nails and grasping for her eyes. She locked in on the elf's skull, latching on and her thumbs probing for her eyes.

Arianrhod let out a howl and tightened her grip, trying to lift up and slam the human's head against the ground. Her own head arched back, trying to evade the painful grip from the human who seemed to have her caught in a death grip. She jerked her head side to side but the thumbs seemed to find her eyes again and again.

 

[Maeve]

Maeve's vision was beginning to grow dark at the edges at the elf's grip tightened on her throat. Her whole body began to wriggle in an attempt to get free. There was nothing sophisticated about the way she fought it was a fight for life instead. The breath she had managed to take had ran out and now her lungs began to burn with the need for more.

The elf seemed to at least be suffering from her attacks back and Mae sought to push her advantage until the other woman banged her head off the ground. Bright lights appeared across her darkened vision and despite her attempts to cling to consciousness her hands slipped from the other woman's face and she finally slid into the darkness of unconsciousness.

 

[Arianrhod]

The human's skull was hard but not hard enough. Arianrhod felt her grip weaken and eventually drop. The elf realised she was panting with the effort. One shaky hand touched her face where the nails had dug deep enough to draw blood. She shuddered at the thought if she'd gotten a finger into one of her eyes.

She spat to ward off evil and rose but not before giving the unconscious human a kick for good measure. Regarding her long frame with a glare, she wondered how hard it would be to carry this prize back. Another kick as she mused on the aches and pains going through her courtesy of the human. Fought like a bloody wildcat. One finger probed at her nose and then a wince as the elf snapped it back into place, eyes watering from the pain.

Snarling, she dropped back onto her knees and drew out some cord, lashing her ankles together and then tying her arms behind her back, adding a second bind on her wrists for good measure. She was less than gentle, not in the mood after the cursed vermin had bust her nose.

She retrieved her dagger before stooping to heft the human onto her shoulder. A grunt at the weight but she pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the trek back. It took her nearly twice the time, forced to march along carrying the dead weight of a captive.

A bird cried and Arianrhod responded in kind. Somewhere in the forest canopy, a bow string relaxed and an arrow was no longer aimed at her. She reached the camp a few minutes later, hearing the murmured conversations and muted activity that was the only sign something out of the ordinary was afoot in the forest.

Maeve was dumped in a tipi, bound to a post in the centre of the shelter. Arianrhod paused to check her captive was still out before going to grab some food.

 

[Maeve]

Maeve dipped in and out of consciousness as she was carried. There was a flash of ground and she realised she was over someones shoulder. Who knew when later she heard the sound of a shrill whisper. Smells and mumbling. The stretches of darkness in between were longer than her snatches of sight and she would probably thank the Fae that that was the case when she finally did come around.

She didn't know truly how long she had been unconscious for but when she came around the first thing she was aware of was the splintering pain in her wound from her escape across the sea. She must have pulled the stitching apart, or perhaps that elf had done something whilst she was out of it, but the blood had begun to run freely down her side again and had matted her shirt to her side again. The next was the pain around her neck where the elfs hands had been, and following that an assortment of bruises along her ribs and side.

She shifted her position and tried to move her hands but they were bound tight behind her back to a pole.

With her assessment complete she took a deep breath and then opened her eyes to take in her surroundings. It appeared to be some kind of tent but... different. She looked up to see how high it was then tried to turn and look over her shoulder to see the doorway behind her. There didn't seem to be anyone in there with her and she couldn't see anyone outside.

"You couldn't have helped?" She looked up at the air around her. Mae could hear the bell like laugh but she couldn't feel it like she usually could. Glaring at the invisible forces that plagued her she began to wrestle with her bonds.

 

[Arianrhod]

Arianrhod grabbed some food from a more permanent structure. An intricate series of tunnels and flaps carried the smoke a few hundred feet from camp before releasing it, giving them the comfort of hot meals without worrying about detection. The elf squatting near the pots and other cooking paraphernalia wordlessly cut some slices off the deer slowly cooking over the spit.

The camp was a mixture of semi-permanent huts and more temporary shelters set up since her sept had moved into residence. The more horsebound clans preferred yurts but hers settled for a mix of shelters that could weather the climate in the Falwood or the harsher climes in the north.

She grabbed a few other bits and moved back towards the tipi. An elf warrior was lingering near it but Arianrhod flashing teeth and letting her hand drop to her dagger was warning enough. Even still, she kept her eyes focused on the other elf until he was gone.

She ducked under the entrance flap and saw her captive was awake. "Níl tú marbh" she murmured casually in Elvish, her tone deceptively jovial and cheerful. She squatted in front of the human before composing her thoughts in Common.

"Are. You. Hungry" the words seemed awkward and she struggled with the sounds, making them sound harsh and guttural. It came out like Ar yoo chun-gree. She pointed at the plate, Maeve's stomach and then mouth for emphasis, making a few eating gestures.

 

[Maeve]

The laughter disappeared and then there was movement behind her. Mae half turned to try and get a glimpse of who it was who had come to see her and groaned a little when she saw her assailant. Another tug on her bounds warranted no further success and so she let her body slump a little. There was no point in wasting her energy at this moment in time, better to bide her time for an escape.

Hatred and anger warred for dominance in her gaze as the other woman crouched in front of her and gibbered in some foreign tongue. Mae's brow creased a little as she tried to work out its meaning and then shook her head with a half shrug. Elvish was not something her people had ever taught her, even learning the Common Tongue had been a battle with her tutors.

Maeve's eyes roved from her lips to the food and hand gestures then slowly understanding began to dawn. Her jaw clenched and she refused to answer. She felt more sick than she did hungry but she wouldn't give either of those points away to her captor.

"Release me," Mae tugged at her bounds to show what she meant, her green eyes moving from the rope and back to the woman.

 

[Arianrhod]

Arianrhod did her best to keep her face impassive while the human's jaw clenched. Their faces were so expressive, lacking the control the firstborn had. There was an honesty about them that was almost refreshing but the bare emotion was pitiful at times. So barbaric.

The elf had no doubt that if her hands were free, the human would be diving for her and doing her best to finish the job she'd started. She cocked her head to the side as the human spoke, eyes boring into the human's green ones.

"I cannot" she pronounced after a moment's silence. She indicated the food again. "Food?" She'd break her will somehow.

 

[Maeve]

Maeve dropped her hands when the woman gave her answer and she slumped against the pole once more. She needed the help of her friend but the voices seemed intent on letting her stay here for a bit longer. Was this her punishment for leaving Him, for fleeing home? Once again the woman asked if she wanted food and the young girl glanced from her face to the plate and then looked away.

Stubborn.

That's what her mother and father had always called her and she had no qualms in living up to that determination right now. Besides, she had no idea if the food was laced with something. Perhaps the woman wanted to kill her slower, or maybe she sought to slip her sleeping drugs.

"Why am I here? What do you want?"

 

[Arianrhod]

The human slumped back down but Arianrhod was well aware she'd hadn't give up yet. The fire in the eyes told her that much. Even unarmed, she'd shown herself determined to use nails and teeth to get at her captor.

The elf shrugged, she'd eat it then. The human didn't look emaciated so maybe a day or two without food might improve her attitude. It certainly wouldn't kill her. Arianrhod settled into a cross legged position and started eating the food with her fingers.

"Geimhleach" she told her with an apologetic smile, "Priz-on-her?" no that wasn't right was it? "Kap tiv" she pronounced. "You work". She tore off a piece of meat and chewed on it with a thoughtful expression before jabbing a finger at her. "Nay-m?"

 

[Maeve]

Maeve was most concerned about the fact Liath was going to kill her for getting herself into trouble. She had only been on these shores for four days and already she was going to require aid. That wasn't the impressed she wanted him to have of her at all. She wasn't weak or some mainland Princess. She was of the Tribes. These angry thoughts wittered in her mind as her captor began to speak and she had to bring her attention back to the here and now. Anything the elf told her might help her come up with her escape plans.

"I will not work," Mae spat on the ground between them and imagined her own hands wrapped around the woman's throat. If she had a chance, she would. She would kill this woman.

 

[Arianrhod]

The elf laughed at the display of defiance. It was a beautiful sound, jarring when you looked at who it came from. "You will" she promised her before taking another bite. This one would have to be shackled for a while. She'd make a break for it the first chance she got. Arianrhod just had to find her lever. It'd be a shame to mar such a catch by blinding or mutilating her.

She chewed thoughtfully, trying and failing at deciphering the markings she had visible on her body. "Nay-m?" she repeated, her tone patient.

 

[Maeve]

Maeve growled low in her throat when the woman laughed. The muscles in her arms bunched a little as she tensed and resisted the urge to throw herself at the woman for all the good it would do her whilst bound. Instead she focused on getting her breathing back under control and used the opportunity the woman was using to study her tattoos, to study her. This was, after all, the first elf she had ever laid eyes on. Their features were sharper than a humans and more feral, or perhaps that was just this one. There was definitely a beauty to it either way even if she had scratch marks on her cheek from Mae's handiwork earlier. A certain amount of pride swelled in her breast at seeing them.

A shake of the head.

"You first."

 

[Arianrhod]

Arianrhod would have been prettier if she didn't have claw marks and bruises on her face from her captive's struggle. Her appearance was alien in a way, more predatory. The elf flashed sharp teeth seeing the reaction her laugh got.

She lazily reached out and backhanded the human, just enough to sting, not really hurt. "In-so-lence" she half sang. She paused before deciding to answer. "Arianrhod ní Eyildr ydw i" she pronounced grandly before a whole string of syllables and sounds followed. "But say you can Arianrhod". Her mouth wouldn't be able to get half the tones or inflections.

Her finger prodded one of the markings on Maeve, "Wat...dis?"

 

[Maeve]

Maeve's eyes teared up at the sting across her cheek and her head moved slightly with the blow before gave the woman a hateful glare. What a ludicrous name, if she could even call it that. It sounded like a birds song not at all like the names she was accustomed to on her island. Knowing she would butcher it and thus likely annoy her captor, Mae pursed her lips and took her time in trying to repeat it as if she really were thick.

"Ari...an...rhhnnn-ood. Hm... Arian.ruuuud? Ari," Maeve smirked, settling on the nickname instead. It was quickly wiped from her face when the elf prodded the markings on her cheek and she scowled, pressing herself back against the pole she was tied to in an attempt to get away from prying fingers.

"Tattoos," she huffed and considered for a brief moment. "From my people."

 

[Arianrhod]

Arianrhod sighed. She could have beaten the human to a bloody pulp but what would it accomplish? There was no artistry to it. A proper torturer drew it out but this was a prize captive, she wasn't letting some interrogator ruin her.

Her face was impassive but there was a slight twitch as the human butchered her name. The coarse sounds coming from her mouth mangled the syllables, she could barely manage the first one. "Arianrhod" she repeated with barely concealed impatience.

She kept up that unblinking stare but the human was less than forthcoming, determined to make the elf consider drawing blood from a stone. She conceded defeat and asked the next question. "Who people?" she said, making sure to say her words slowly. The elf was rusty at Common but this human seemed just as bad. "Where?"

 

[Maeve]

Maeve pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and bit down hard enough to drain the colour from it for a moment. Would there be any harm in telling her? She had already been slapped for withholding her name and unless she fancied spending her evening - or day, how much time had passed? - with a ringing head she would probably need to pick and choose what information she took a beating for. She let the silence drag out a little longer as she shifted her position and stretched her legs out in front of her. The movement caused her to wince from the growing bruise and swelling on her leg from the arrow but also the reopened wound on her side.

"Ilcinki, my people. We live beyond the sea. South," she added after a pause in the hopes that would mean something for she doubted the name of her people would. "Water?" she asked, hopefully.

 

[Arianrhod]

A grunt. Arianrhod had half lost interest already. Beyond the sea might as well be the moon as far as she was concerned. But why were they coming here? The bloody vermin spread everywhere. Her own clans and tribes were reduced to a semi nomadic existence, vying with the humans for territory. They bred like rodents. You could keep killing them and they just kept on coming back.

"Water after" she reprimanded, "After more talk". She was becoming more cooperative but the human had to be taught a lesson. She took a canteen and sipped at it, shaking it at the human pointedly. "Hoo you?"

 

[Maeve]

Maeve groaned and banged her head slightly against the post, a frustrated sigh huffing its way out between her clenched teeth. Her eyes narrowed in on the canteen before lifting her gaze to the woman's eyes and back up to the ceiling. The voices were suspiciously quiet right now even though she could feel them hanging in the air.

"Maeve," the Princess said after a while and as she did a light wind began to dance around the pair even though the flaps of the tent didn't so much as twitch. Maeve, Maeve, Maeve it sung in delight. To the girl it was just irritating, like her name was a mockery upon its lips.

 

[Arianrhod]

"Maeve" the elf mused, testing the name on her tongue. "Maeve". She tensed as a breeze picked up, but it seemed to drop as suddenly as it came.

She smiled at the human and brought the canteen to her lips, letting her drink if she wanted. The message was clear, be good and you'll get treats.

Maeve felt cold metal touching her neck, Arianrhod's other hand holding a blade there. The elf seemed calm but it was a shave way from severing her artery. "Mag-ick?" she asked, her voice dangerous.

 

[Maeve]

Maeve was annoyed with how grateful she was for the drink of water. Her eyes closed briefly as she gulped it down, uncaring whether it ran down her chin as she did so. Her throat was parched. She was on her third gulp when she felt the cool steel against her throat and she froze. This time her swallow was slow before pulling back. She coughed as it went down the wrong hole.

"No..." Mae scrunched her nose up thinking how best to explain it. "Friend," ish, she added silently to herself.

 

[Arianrhod]

Arianrhod moved the knife so the flat part of the blade was on her throat, then rolled it again so she could feel the edge. "Where...friend?" she asked in that same calm tone. She removed the canteen and put it down, her other hand going to her neck.

 

[Maeve]

It was hard to find the words in the Common Tongue to explain it especially with a blade to her throat. Her eyes flicked upwards briefly.

"Friend is the wind," it was over simplified for sure but there was no other way she could think to describe it. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Temperamental, does as it wants," nothing she had control over anyway. It seemed to decide as and when it helped her. At the moment it was annoyingly silent.

 

[Arianrhod]

Arianrhod flashed a smile without mirth, it was unnerving to have those teeth so close to a throat. "Wind is...wind!" she declared, "The gods laugh at the four winds, you call it friend?". She was starting to wonder whether the human was all there. Even by her kind's standards she seemed away with the faeries.

The knife was withdrawn and she stuck out her tongue to point at it. "Magick happen, this go" she said before making a cutting gesture. "Under-stand?"

 

[Maeve]

Maeve sighed in frustration.

"I cannot control it," perhaps that would make more sense to her, maybe she would see her merely as an unskilled mage. Either way it might make her punishment less severe when the wind no doubtably did do something in the future - probably to aid in her escape. At least, she hoped it would aid her rather than hinder her. "It just... it does what it wants."