Thread: Life's Journey (The_Gladiator & darkangel76)

The water was freezing, like a thousand teeth gnawing and biting at her tender flesh as she tightly held onto Brandon. Rhonwhyn could feel the current getting stronger, the roar of the falls getting louder and she knew the inevitable would soon be upon them both. Bracing herself, her tiny frame trying to stay close to her new guardian, she clamped her blue eyes shut and inhaled deeply what she was sure would be her final breath. The wind was nearly as loud as the falls as they finally launched over the edge after a final plunge beneath the icy waters of the rough flowing river. Whether it was the work of the Brigantia or the interference of the Fates, Rhonwhyn hardly knew. But she knew she owed the moment and her life to this man who held her tightly as the winds rushed and howled in her ears and the water from the mists and spray engulfed them both as they plummeted to what seemed their death. The moment they struck the water below, Rhonwhyn felt her body pull sharply away from Brandon. Desperately, she tried to reach for him, her small hands stretching in vain as her body felt slow and encumbered. Suddenly, a strong, warm arm wrapped itself about her body and pulled her close. Without hesitation, as if a moth called to the flame, its gossamer wings spreading as if beckoned to welcome the heat, she moved in Brandon's direction. She couldn't see him and had to trust him to pull her where she needed to be, her legs kicking to help make things easier. Coughing, sputtering, Rhonwhyn could finally feel herself against her new guardian. His heat and weight as he held her against him was most comforting. Her own hand came up and held onto his as held onto her, keeping her afloat as they bobbed in the frigid waters. Turning slightly, her pale eyes sought his. Th-thank you, Rhonwhyn chattered, her alabaster flesh breaking out into goose bumps as they floated in the pool of water at the base of the falls. She then glanced up and finally about them both. With the sky still being dark, she couldn't see overly much, but she knew one thingshe was cold. So terribly cold. D-do you kn-know where w-we are? she then asked in a soft voice, not wanting to complain about how cold she was. After all, they'd just been through so much, narrowly escaping who knew what with their lives... and who was to say if they were even safe where they were. Wherever they were. Rhonwhyn certainly had no idea where they were now, though she could tell it was far from Belbarren. But how far? Her grip tightened about Brandon's arm and she suddenly shifted and twisted her body so that she could look into his eyes even though it was difficult to see. When she finally faced him, her body pressed against his, she took a moment to catch her breath. Her heart was pounding hard as she shivered and chattered, her lips no doubt turning bluish from being cold. D-do you th-think we're s-safe? Rhonwhyn then asked her voice barely whisper. As she spoke, she dared touch his face with her one hand, a bold move she knew. And as quickly as she touched him, she pulled it away. Licking her lips, she then waited for Brandon to answer her question. It was the one question she feared the answer to. Swallowing hard, Rhonwhyn said a quick and silent prayer to Emberone filled with hope to see the light of dawn, to hear the birds of early morning, one that they'd somehow make it through the night unscathed and in one piece.