I gazed at her, Eleanor. At how her full, beak-like lips parted. How she had uttered my name as if there were prayers.
I then felt her nimble fingers graze my brown locks. My eyes then fluttered opened as I met her.
Her lips were curled in an absent minded manner. Eleanor had always been the same. I looked at her from the corner of my lashes, her face was flushed*
I grinned as my eyes returned to her neck. I then softly brushed my lips against it. Making her shiver.
Slav... she faltered as her knees felt weak--She then turned to him. Her ocean blue gaze meeting his. She gazed at him in wonder, this had been the same man from all those years ago...
War had made him bolder. Her husband. The same Vojislav... his lips curled,
"You would put a hole on my face if you kept staring at me in that manner" Eleanor let out a soft chuckle--as a pair of dimples popped out.
"Oh Slav... you are such a drama queen "
she murmured, arching her back. Slav watched her laugh easily, his eyes softened, "well... indeed" I'am. he then leaned in closer, making her narrow her eyes.
Will you give this drama queen a little smooch...? he murmured. lips curving into a cheeky smile. Eleanor's eyes widened as she suppressed a gasp. He then let out a low chuckle.
S-Slav! for a second, I thought you were being real. She murmured, her lips holding a pout. He then leaned in closer, eyes holding something she couldn't name--
"Who said I was merely playing around?"
Eleanor's smile dropped as she narrowed her eyes. She then felt her back hitting the rough bark. Slav... she warned, what are you trying to do...?
He leaned in closer, his piercing blue eyes looked at her in a playful yet pleading manner,
Will you...?
Eleanor's pulse quickened with every shift of his frame--He then stopped-face just inches away from hers.
His forest-like lashes then closed shut as he stayed in that manner. Eleanor gazed at him; her breath hitched at how he surrendered himself as if that was the most normal of things.
(she lets out a gasp*) Her fingers tracing his tensed jaw as she then pressed her lips against his cheek. Heat seeped in through his skin.
She then pulled away and with a giggle she ran off.
The sudden robbing of the warmth left him utterly frustrated. "Ahh my lord" he gritted her lips in disbelief as he then began to follow her.
Her giggles echoed throughout the forest though soon her steps than slowed.
Slav catches up with her as they then soon then rest under the shades.
Eleanor placed her head on his lap--her blue--gazelle like eyes darted to him.
Slav watched, his eyes studying her face as if to memorize her.
Then, her lips parted.
Slav... how many children will we have...? She murmured. Her eyes dazed then flickered to him.
Slav 's lips curled, "I'm not sure...you?" He asked, waiting, sensing.
Hmm...3? He will be a knight like you... Slav watched as her eyes glinted.
Defending Ruthenia...
Her eyes darted, once again breathing in the fresh scent of the greenery.
His lips then formed a small smirk as he leaned in, well...why not now?
He teased as she let out a soft chuckle.
---the couple lay there tangled in each other's warmth. Gazing at one another with immeasurable amount of love.
Meanwhile, the region of Ruthenia itself seemed calm. Inside the village. Vendors yelled out to their customers, guaranteeing the quality of their goods.
The village's charm were the restaurants and stores. Many gathered as they chattered away in the background. The fresh scent of bread clung the air. Children ran amongst the bustling crowd. Their feet grazed against the damp soil as they made their way to school.
Just then--Maria, a street vendor's eyes caught her regular customer.
Anna! she called out. The women clutched at pouch--Her head then turned. Her eyes quickly widened as she then made her way to the stall.
(Music in the background*🎶)
Maria! she greeted back. Forgive me, couldn't hear you from there...
Maria makes a gesture, that's no problem...! she smiled, then leaned in.
"So, your son in law is now back at home after all these years" Anna smiled, her eyes glinting, yes... after all these years, God spared him for my daughter"
Maria smiled back as she then grasped her palm,
"And... have you gotten any good news from Eleanor?" she asked, her voice hinted mischievous.
Anna let out a low chuckle as she shook her head, "nothing of the sort but God will give us that too"
Maria then hummed to her response, yes, indeed, let's hope for that.
(Maria smiles*) The two sister like figures stood in the market. Conversing into oblivion.
From the entrance of the Ruthenian gates--Dimitri-The guards eyes darted as the sounds of yelling's became more apparent.
There he saw an armada of men mounting on their horses. There steel attire and their swords suggested anything but peace. His eyes widened, his chest tightened as Dimitri then quickly climbed his way up the ladder.
He then clutched the sticks, hands trembling as he then connected it to the gong.
(Ding dong* ding dong*)
The crowd stops and gathers. As both the men and women's eyes darted in worry. Maria and Anna walked. They shot each other a questioning look.
(What has happened...? what happened now?) The droves of whispers clung the air as the Dimitri then gestured for them to run.
Their gazes then fell to the foreign men in horse's. (Their eyes widen*)
hyaa!!!* the sound of their chants filled an immeasurable amount of fear as many then ran in pure terror. Some managed to get far--Though the unfortunates trampled on top of one another. Making it a great difficulty to even get up.
HYAA!
the men then made their way in, mounting at their horses. Their predatory eyes gazing at the stalls.
They then in a deliberate attempt-trampled over them.
Flattening them out in an instant.
the sweat mixed dusty air seemed to fuel the men even more. They then wielded their swords. Connecting it against villagers.
heads fell with a thwack against the muddy ground.
Ahh!! ah...
the sound of painful moans pierced the heavy air as many then began slowing down. Their steps faltered.
They knelt to the ground, waiting for their fate.
Meanwhile...
Eleanor's eyes darted, the sky was now painted into a darker blue. as the ornament like stars became more opulent.
Just then-- the sound of a terrible yelling ripped through the night air.
They then parted slightly as Elenor's voice came out ragged,
whatever that was? she asked, voice pressing.
They both then got up--Eyes darting panic as they saw the decorations in ruins. The huts were set on flame. The cold musky air filled their lungs as the heard the sounds of children. People's yelling's became imminent.
--The Byzantines came!!! the Byzantines came!!
Their eyes then went to the village trails as a cloud of smoke engulfed the forest.
people ran in sheer terror.
Slav shot Eleanor a look, his jaw clenched, his sword in hand:
Go... he murmured. His voice etched with something darker.
She stared at him in disbelief and at this sudden ordeal--She then shook her head.
Slav... she breathed.
He glanced at her--Her eyes swelled up with tears, "my mother, my sister, my niece what of them?"
Se whispered, her grip on him loosened as she then urged him to let her go.
Slav's chiseled jaw ticked impatiently as his eyes darted,
ELEANOR... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, GO!!!
he ordered--Jolting her awake, as she then turned towards the forest and began to sprint, clutching at her robe.
Eleanor's hair fluttered violently. Her head pulsated from the running, yet she continued.
The image of her family played out as Eleanor wept. Her feet moved like water.
Eleanor stopped once she reached the inner part of the forest.
She looked around at the dark wilderness of the forest as her chest rose and fell with every staggered breath.
Just then--Eleanor felt a pair of strong arms clasping her waist.
She let out a gasp as she then felt the hand shove her to the ground--Her back hit the dry leaves as her body shifted right and left in pure terror, gazing at a man's towering silhouette Infront of her.
How dare you try run away; you fool... his voice dripped with malice--As Eleanor struggled before him on the ground. She then watched in agony as his hands traveled to his breeches (pants)
His fingers moved in a slow, sensual manner, "a huge mistake" he murmured in amusement, his eyes lingering on her lips then at her tiny frame--And at how petrified she looked.
She then shut her eyes as her face burned with shame, clutching at the soil, her lips moved in a pleading manner.
Just as he leaned in closer--
Aghhh!!
The man grunted as he fell to the floor with a thud.
Eleanor's gaze fluttered opened as she then gazed out to see Slav--Slav...! Her lips formed a grateful smile as she sobbed.
Slav threw the bow away as he then sprinted to her. He kneeled to the floor taking her head to his lap and gently caressed her hair.
Eleanor...
he murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple. "Are you okay?" She gazed at his eyes--At how distraught he looked and at how tight he held her.
She then nodded and whispered a "I'm fine"
Slav's eye then scanned the area as he held her wrist--Slowly they got on their feet. Backs pressed to each other as their fingers seemed to be glued.
W-What is happening Slav... her voice broke into tears.
Shhh...
his index finger grazing her lips.
I don't know, Elen...I'm not sure, he murmured, his voice, low, uncertain, yet he held on to her. Eleanor's grip in him tightened as she felt her heart race in fear.
Then came a soft rustle of the bush. Both of their gaze fell to the bush--As Slav's other arm reached for his sword.
He held on to it
--WHO IS THIS? he asked, inching in closer to the bush.
Then--The tip of Eleanor's fingers grazed at his back as her whimpers came out muffled.
Slav froze as he then turned--Only to meet the sheer terror in Eleanor's gaze as a man's hand was wrapped around her mouth.
His eyes widened, his chest tightened. E-Eleanor! he stepped in closer, his jaw clenching as he did.
DON"T YOU DARE!
the man roared as his hands then tightened the hold on her.
Slav stopped--As he then glared at him,
WHO ARE YOU? he asked, his jaw ticking like time.
The man didn't budge as his gaze then darted behind him. Seeing that--Slav's face contorted, his jaw then ticked further--He then slid out his sword.
--Clenching it with trembling hands as if that was the only thing that was anchoring him.
Slav's gaze never left her--Just as he was about to take a step again--A sharp thud hit him on the back of his head.
It was another man from behind who had hit him.
Eleanor's eyes widened as she yelled in a desperate plea--her voice cracking here and there.
S-SLAV! S-SLAV! LOOK AT ME! SLAV!!
she cried out but to no avail-- he didn't respond, he couldn't. Slav's eyes darted to her.
E-Elen...
he breathed--As he then felt a tidal wave of pain shot through him--He then fell with a thud. His eyes were still open as tears pooled over them. His face-panged with guilt.
SLAAV!
Eleanor's voice came out in sheer terror--As she sobbed violently, her shoulders shuddered with every move. Then she collapsed. Her head dropped like a withering flower as her whole body went numb.
--We cut to black