Thread: The Warrior's Claim (Rivine & darkangel76)

Tiernan felt her body tremble as the strange warrior man so gently brushed at the tears starting to spill down her cheeks. His touch was so tender, so gentle. He could break her in two, but instead he was nurturing her, caring for her. Making sure she was all right. It hadnt mattered that shed spoken out of turn and, whats more, he began to agree with her. He reassured her that she neednt apologize, that she was correct in her observations. If she listened to her instincts, she would say that he found value in the fact that she both noticed and had the courage to actually say such a thing out loud. Was she mistaken in that thought? Only time would tell, she supposed. Swallowing, peering into Arnarrs eyes, Tiernans body was still shaking quite noticeably. And not just out of fear. No. There was the seasickness and the bitter cold that were affecting her greatly not to mention enduring the loss of her brother as well as her home. It was all crashing hard against her small body just as the waves were crashing against the ship. She just hoped that she could withstand the onslaught as well as the vessel surely could. Arnarr continued to speak, his voice soothing, a calm amidst the storm surrounding them all. Tiernan focused on it, finding that it helped ease her stress and make her feel just a bit better than she was. She took in every word he uttered too, putting to memory the meaning of his name and the fact that he seemed intent on getting her to lay down and feel better. It touched her that he seemed to care so much about her wellbeing. He was the only man on the entire ship who seemed to give a damn about anyone. Though, she wondered if the two large men who nearly always flanked his sides did as well. Given that they were very clearly his supporters, she had a nudging feeling that they very well could. Focusing on Arnarr once more, Tiernan was glad that he wanted to free her from the chains. It warmed her, staying the chill that wanted to consume her soft and tender body. She looked up at him as he finally managed to get all the chains undone. And she couldnt help but notice that hed gained quite an audience while doing so, the men straining their necks to see as he finished what hed started. Biting down on her lip, she suddenly felt a pang of fear for him, for doing something that was most obviously not the norm. Just then, Arnarr scooped Tiernan up into his arms. Instinctually, she rested her head against his chest as he carried her, his heart beat strong and steady as she listened to it. When he approached the rear of the ship, she caught sight of what looked like a small living space. Gently, she was set down within and on top of several warm and cozy blankets. She looked up into his eyes and gave him an appreciative smile. Without further hesitation, she snuggled deeply within the blankets and laid down per his command. Hed said it would help and she was finding that she trusted him more and more with each passing moment. After all, hed more than proven his worth and honor plus it was plain that he was very knowledgeable about life at sea. Once settled, Tiernan closed her eyes and whispered, Thank you, Arnarr, sir. At that, she heard Arnarr take his leave, the sounds of footfalls gathering close as he backed away. A bit afraid, Tiernan drew the blankets tightly about her slim body, her clothes tattered and thin, her body sore and bruised. She could hear Arnarr talking to his men, no doubt trying to tamp down the aggressions most of them seemed to be having towards his actions in freeing her. Oh, she was causing him trouble with the others and she didnt want that for him. He didnt deserve it. Yes, she was his, his responsibility and charge. But even still. She was a grown woman wasnt she? Tiernan honestly wasnt sure of herself any longer. Back home she was a girl on the brink of womanhood. Ready and eligible to marry, to start a family. Here, she didnt know what she was. She was a slave. A prisoner. Regardless, she still knew the difference between right and wrong and knew she was intelligent enough. Surely, she could do something to help Arnarr in his more than likely current predicament. It was her fault, after all. Laying in silence, covers drawn tightly, Tiernan thought about what she could do to help Arnarr, assuming he even needed her help. Trying to stay still and wondering what the men were actually saying, she began to realize just how exhausted she truly was. Drifting in and out of sleep, she could still hear the mens voices, feel the rocking of the ship as it moved through the open waters. Tiernan looked about her and all she could see was vast ocean. The air was so very cold, so very windy. Shivering, she looked out into the distance, straining her pale eyes in hopes to see land. But try as she might, there was nothing. Just more water. Just endless sky. Standing there, she could feel her eyes prickling with tears. She felt so very alone. Just then, there was a loud shout and she felt strong hands grab at her body. Somehow she knew it wasnt Arnarr who was holding her in that moment. Trying to turn around, she heard a hoarse voice in her ear and at that she was twisted around and struck hard in the face. Eyes opening, going wide, Tiernan sat bolt up right. Completely unaware of where she was and that shed been dreaming. Just then, she let out a scream, her face still stinging from the strike shed received in her dream. Sitting there, she could still hear that voice and those garbled words ringing in her ears. It had been so very real. Trembling violently, she felt scared, alone, so vulnerable. She had no idea where they were, where they were going, what would happen. All she had was Arnarr and she needed him now, needed to hear his voice. Terrified, she curled up into a ball and began to cry softly wishing that day would come soon and that with it, the loss of those horrifying memories of what had happened back at her home, when shed been first abducted.