Preface:
The story involves an adoptive father and his 18 year old daughter whom live as outcasts in the wild. They are not biologically related, but the relationship they share—coupled with the story's themes—make this very much an incest/taboo tale, and I'm sure that it will appeal to those who enjoy such fantasies even though it is not technically incest.
I've not bothered with defining a particular time and place in history for the story, nor have I prescribed a specific ethnicity to the characters, but you may assume that they are Caucasian and that they live in ancient times.
Chapter 1
"I know how much you love my hare stew Roc—" announced Anwen in an ironic manner as she flung open the flap of the tent, inviting a brisk evening draught in with her. In one hand the young huntress carried a bundle of bloody hare carcasses, bound and hung from the end of a broad wooden staff by a sinewy string, and in her other hand she clenched an oaken longbow, which she soon set aside on a large strip of rawhide along with her quiver. Anwen paused for a moment to catch her breath and then continued, "So I let the deer live another day to huddle amongst the conifers."
"Anwen. . . . If only you were as cunning on the hunt as you are with your words. . . . why, I imagine that those very conifers would be a little less populated this evening and that my belly would be a little rounder too," countered Roc with a wide grin and a raised brow. The burly man rose from his side to a seated position before a small fire, which crackled away quietly beneath an opening in the top of their tent. Nights were cold in the wild, even at this moment—in the middle of spring.
"If you find flaw in the student, then point the finger at the teacher," answered Anwen in playful retaliation. She tossed the hare carcasses into a woven basket nearby and then crossed her legs, assuming a comfortable seated position on the side of the fire across from Roc. Plucking a twig from the ground nearby, Anwen cheekily flicked the tiny branch across the flames, striking a hit on Roc's chest.
Roc smirked and brushed at his front to dislodge the twig from his furs, replying, "It seems your aim is true when I am your prey." He tossed the twig aside and added, "All teachers have their cracks. My teachings have limits. . . . but we have yet to arrive at them."
"Oh? Is that so? Well—then I guess your student can only dream of taking you to your limit!" replied Anwen, enjoying the opportunity to tease her sole companion.
Roc and Anwen chuckled heartily, but Roc was not inclined to spar any longer with young Anwen; he had something on his mind to share with her. Seeing that she was in such good spirits, he proceeded by saying, "We may share laughs about such things Anwen, but you
have
become a fine huntress. I take pride in having helped you arrive where you are; in seeing you grow. . . . seeing become strong and quick—and sharp. But I know that this is just
one
way of life. What I have taught will help you live our
current
way of life. . . . away from the people." Roc hung his head, his heart growing heavy.
"As outcasts, you mean?" Anwen interjected.
"Yes. . . . life in exile. My heart aches each day, as surely as the sun rises. The mistakes of your father and I—foolish boys—these mistakes deprived you of so much. You know little of the great good to be found in the village life—a life with the people. You have only tasted what good, I alone—and the wild—have to offer you. But there is yet hope," mused Roc. An unexpected twinkle sparked across his umber eyes.
"Only three more winters. . . . and then—" Anwen arrived at Roc's conclusion for him, then let her gaze seep into the flames.
"Yes. We can be thankful that not all outcasts are exiled forever Anwen. This is the law of our village. They
will
welcome us back in just three more winters. You will live as we—your parents and I—once lived. You will come to know what this way of life can offer." The flames began to consume his mind too.
"I. . . . I forgive you. You know that, right? Like you said, I have known nothing of their way, and so I do not feel the longing to return, as you do. You have fed and sheltered me. You raised me from a pup. I am strong because of you. You are my teacher, but you are also my friend—
and
my father. You are all these things to me." She gazed up at his face lovingly so as to convey her genuine gratitude and affection for him. What pained Anwen most was the guilt which Roc lugged around on his shoulders daily.
"You have had no choice but for me to be all these things to you. But life is change, and so things will change for you—and for us. You are no longer a child Anwen, but a
woman
. This may begin to change the way you feel, the way you see the world, the way you see me, and the way
I
see you. . . . our conditions are. . . .
challenging
." Roc wriggled in discomfort upon the ground. He gulped audibly and then added, "When we move to the village you will be seen by men in a way that you are not used to. There will be ways that they—and you—will want to. . . . be together, especially since you have blossomed into such a. . . .
fine
young woman." Anwen's belly fluttered at Roc's words. She didn't quite grasp his meaning, but she felt unsettled nonetheless. Her hands moved to the braids and beads of her flaxen hair, which she began to stroke worriedly.
"What 'ways' do you speak of? What is this other way of seeing—of being seen?" asked Anwen, puzzled and anxious.