The following is a story I wrote several years ago with a dear friend, Dakota Kola. I lost track of it and recently discovered it on a flash drive. It was our intention to post this here a long time ago and so I post it now.
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It was a ball like any other; her parents had brought her in hopes of finding her a suitable husband. Actually anyone from the nearby castles would be considered suitable if they would marry her, or so was the thinking of her parents. She on the other hand, was tired of the smiling and dancing with the drunken young men at the party. The last thing that she wanted was to marry one of these oafs, and if they kept groping at her, she was going to do something very unladylike. It would figure that this night all the knights and pages had not yet returned from the recent battle. At least when the knights were present the men were less forward.
Begging a headache, she stepped out into the dark night, hoping the balcony would give her some solitude. After her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she took off down the stairs to walk in the garden by herself. Her parents would not approve, but so be it, she needed to get away from all the pawing that she was exposed to. She did not appreciate men running their hands on her, and just expecting her to be grateful for the attention. One day, she supposed she would have to marry and put up with that sort of bestiality, however, until then, she would step back politely and flee.
Meandering along the path, she removed her shoes so that she could feel the grass beneath her feet, finding a bench she sat down to enjoy the full moon and the peace of the garden. She had no desire to be in a man's bed and bear him children. That is not to say she didn't have desires, she had them and they were deep and pleading at times. She was not going to be saddled down with a man that did not ignite the flames inside of her, not if she could help it.
Hearing voices she got up and started walking further down the path, thinking some couple had come out to sneak time away from the gathering. As she walked on down the path, she realized that it was not some young couple, but some of the young men, who had too much drink in them. She could hear their vulgar language and so she quickened her pace to allow more space between them. Getting further down the path, she realized that she was heading into the woods, thinking they would stop she went into the darkness, where even the full moon did not shine.
Stepping behind a large tree she stopped and listened, she could hear the men approaching. These young men were loud and vulgar and talking about her. Panicking she started to run, forgetting about being quiet.
Until that time, the young men were not aware of her being on the grounds, but as soon as they heard her, an unspoken plan was formed. Looking at each other, they started jaunting toward the wooded area, following the footsteps of the maid. They too held no fear from the reprisal of the knights, as none had returned, besides the drink that had been consumed dulled any thoughts of propriety in their muddled brains.
The first young man caught up with her and grabbed her by the wrist, causing her to stumble. He fell on top of her which scared her because she could feel his hardness press into her. Wanting to scream, yet knowing the only one who would hear would be the rest that were chasing her. She focused on escaping his grip.
Back at the ball, her absence was not noticed, as her parents where hoping that some young man had caught her attention, they returned to the task at hand; impressing those in the room, to facilitate their standing among the group. This faΓ§ade was not only carried out among her family, everyone was exhibiting this pretense of being better than the rest.
Her absence was pushed even further back from the minds of family when the knights and pages returned to the castle, having won the battle. Applause and rejoicing came in a thunderous round when the first stepped through the doorway, followed by several others.
The men gathered around the knights and pages, wanting to be filled in on the battle and all of the details. Food was brought, as was drink to nourish the men and encourage a looser tongue. All, save one accepted, this knight searched the crowd looking for someone, that he could not find. Not wanting to call attention to the fact that he was seeking her out. He stepped into the room to searching, while accepting the accolades from the women and other men in the room.
After not seeing her anywhere, the young knight decided to go outside, after all, she was the reason he hurried back. He had no family here to hurry back for, only her, and she was not aware of his feelings. Walking the path, feeling disappointed, and his thoughts stayed on the woman he wanted. He was not sure why but he felt she would be the one to accept him for what he was, even though he knew he could not begin to explain it to her. There was something so different inside of her that spoke deeply to him; there was no question that she would love him for who he was.
It was then that he realized how far he had walked, when he reached the forest. Turning back, he thought it was time to return to the festivities, and find out if maybe she had taken ill and that might explain her not being at the ball of the year. Hearing muffled cries he stopped and listened. Sensing trouble he turned and headed rapidly into the trees, following his senses, charging into the dark woods.
Coming upon three lads tearing at the clothes of his beloved, he lost all control. No longer contained he charged them full force to save her.
Just a brief moment before she totally lost consciousness, she thought she had seen a bull charging into the attackers.
He took her into his arms and held her. Watching her and playing with her hair that had tumbled down over her shoulders when the dark curls loosened from atop her head during the attack. Feeling the softness of her skin, looking how she was scratched, he agonized with the thought of what could have taken place had he not searched for her.
Opening her eyes she saw her young knight holding her and calling Milady. She was still in shock from the attack and the blow to the skull that, she closed her eyes and rested on his shoulder. While she rested she could feel an energy from him, one that shocked her as it was one she also felt inside herself and it scared her.