Ch. 5 The Arrest

"Edward, you've been cooped up in here for days. That ankle is healed, and it's not good for it to go too long without being inactive. Would you like to come to town with me? It's market day, and I hate going to the market alone. Besides, I'm pretty sure the villagers won't recognize you if we change your features a little." Celeste suggested a few days later.

"But what about the soldiers. They may recognize me." Edward's voice was firm, and had gotten stronger as he healed. He ran a hand through his hair, the locks falling down around the tips of his ears as his green eyes pierced hers quizzically.

She stared at his blond hair, chewing on her thumb for a moment before she smiled and ran to her kitchen. She opened a cupboard and pulled out a potion she had bought from a traveler a year ago. It turned ones hair jet black, no matter their original color. His beard had also grown out a lot in the past week that Edward had been here.

Coming back she smiled triumphantly at him. "We can use this to dye your hair and beard!" Edward watched her features light up as she talked, not really listening as he admired her. He had never actually taken the time to memorize her features, even in the past week of staying with her.

Her eyes were a light grey-blue, with hazel flecks in them, and sparkled with life and adventure. She had small, pink-tinted lips that were currently adamantly trying to convince him to dye his hair. Her ashen brown hair framed her slender face and neck, falling down to her waist, and he shook his head as he suddenly imagined having her hair wrapped around his fist, her pink lips pressed against his.

"Let's do it." His voice startled Celeste, as it had suddenly taken on a deeper tone, his eyes darkening with an unknown emotion before he took a breath and closed his eyes. Opening them again, he smiled softly at her, watching her cheeks turn a faint pink, motioning him to stand up.

"You won't want your shirt on. It will stain your shirt. Which reminds me, we should get you some more clothes. You won't last with only two shirts and your pair of pants." She muttered to herself, grabbing a chair and laying a towel down beside a bowl of water.

Edward quickly pulled off his shirt, striding over and sitting in the chair. He closed his eyes as he was instructed, letting her lay his head back as she draped the towel on his shoulders. He felt her thin, gentle fingers brushing his hair, then a cold substance being rubbed into his hair.

"Why do you have this? I didn't think you would need something like this." Edward asked nonchalantly, trying to distract himself from the warmth of her body against his arm. He was just tall enough that he could feel her chest against his shoulder, and it was doing nothing to stop his earlier thought from coming back.

She stilled for a moment, then answered softly. "Just in case of an emergency. I met a traveler a year ago, who sold many of these dyes, and I bought a few from him. I have one that turns ones hair brown, red, and one that turns white. You never know when you might need to hide who you are." Her fingers worked quickly and efficiently, making sure she got every spot of blonde in his hair, before she started working on his beard.

Her fingers tangled into his beard, the coarse hair tickling her palms as she held back a giggle. Once she finished with his beard she stepped back, admiring her work. "We will have to wait thirty minutes for it to set, then rinse it. But you should be fine as long as you don't touch it. We don't want the color on your hands as it will stain." Edward opened his eyes, and saw her hands had indeed turned black from the ink.

She turned and began to scrub her hands, causing the ink on her hands to begin to lighten, but didn't completely fade. Her hands ended up a pale grey by the time she finished, with the ink stuck in the cracks of her hands. Turning, she glanced at the sun, and figured it was long enough.

"Lay back. I need to rinse your hair now." Edward laid his head back, his eyes closing once more. She poured water over his hair, scrubbing it with her hands to get any last traces of it out. Rinsing his hair once the water that ran through it was clear, she lifted the towel and dried it, then had him lean forward over the bowl, and repeated the rinsing process on his beard.

"Go take a look. I'm going to go change in the bedroom." She turned and left the dining room, Edward watching her for a moment before turning to stare at the stranger in the mirror. He was shocked that he hardly recognized himself. All she had done was change his hair color, but it gave his features a darker look.

His usually blonde hair was now jet black, as well as his beard. The darkness of his hair cast shadows across his face, making his features look more dominant and commanding. His green eyes shone more prominently, a shard contrast to what they used to be. He actually liked how it looked. "What do you think? Will it work?" Celeste's voice startled him out of his thoughts, and he saw her standing behind him, a pale blue dress covering her slim figure. The neckline was modest, but showed enough of her neck and chest to suggest the curves hidden underneath.

Clearing his throat, he turned and smiled kindly at her. "I don't look at all like me. It should pass for a good cover up." He smiled as she handed him his shirt, blushing faintly as she looked away, slipping some leather gloves over her fingers. "It's about an hour long journey there and back. We can leave once your ready."

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Walking into the village, many curious eyes gazed with interest upon the young man walking with Celeste. Celeste's reputation of having male suitors was known, but she had never come from the forest with one, nor had she ever seen such interest in one like she was now. They were talking between themselves, him laughing at something she said while she blushed and looked away.

They gazed upon the stranger with interest, but they had no clue who he could possibly be. His dark hair shadowed over his face, and his black beard gave his face a dark, powerful look. He wore a simple tunic and pants, yet he walked confidently, like he was used to being in control.

"Ethan! Let's go check out the market." Celeste had suggested using another name, just on the off chance someone saw through the disguise. She knew the villagers were watching her. But she was more concerned by the soldiers that were behind them. She was looking for one soldier in particular. She hid a shiver as she remembered his threat, being careful not to directly seem to be looking for him. After making sure he wasn't there, she relaxed, walking through the market stalls and looking at all the new items the traders had provided.

She paused for a moment in front of a jewelry stand, admiring a necklace. It was white gold, with a small pendant hanging from the chain. It was a rose, the petals of the pendant made of white gold, the stem of pure gold, and the leaves of silver. In the center of the rose, lay a small blue gem. Celeste leaned in closer, staring at the blue gem. It looked familiar some how. But she couldn't remember for the life of her why. "It's a sapphire. A rare gemstone in this kingdom. It comes from the neighboring kingdom of Alestari. Only a few of these necklaces were ever made. They're very rare, as the craft-smith was very particular as to who he wanted his pieces to go to."

Edward's deep voice in her ear made her shiver and blush, slowly standing upright as she stared at the piece a moment longer. "It is beautiful. But, I don't think-" before she could finish saying anything, the necklace was held up against her throat, his rough hand pulling her hair off her shoulders and clipping it in place. Looking at the mirror the stall provided, he smiled at her. Leaning in he whispered against her ear softly. "It suits you." Turning to the vendor, she didn't hear what he said, too focused on her racing heart.

She had never met someone who could make her heart race like this with only three simple words. Her hand slid up to the necklace, feeling it rest just over her breast bone. The metal felt warm against her skin, and the chain was light, instead of the normal weight she experienced when she wore jewelry. She shivered as she remembered the feeling of Edward's hand on her nape, pulling her hair out of the way. They were rough, but gentle with her, as if caressing a rose petal.

She shook her head of her thoughts, and carefully removed the necklace, going to put it back when the vendor turned and smiled at her. "Keep it! It is a gift. No one has even looked at that thing, and I need it gone. Please, take it. It suits you anyway." Celeste was shocked, and went to argue, but the vendor turned away, helping another woman looking at the bracelet collections he had up.

"So, where to now?" Edward asked as he turned to her, watching her carefully remove the necklace and place it in a small cushioned bag that came with the necklace, then placed it in the basket. "I need to head to the tavern and get some more supplies. Why don't you look for the clothes vendor. Here. Take the basket." Putting the basket in Edward's hand, she smiled and turned, beginning to walk into the crowd. She had walked a few moments when a hand gripped her wrist, pulling her back.

"Ethan, I told you-" Celeste turned and paled, trying to back away from the man holding her arm. It was the soldier from before, the one who had threatened her. His face was lit up with an evil glint, his lips quirked up in a crooked smile. "Well hello there, little miss. Going somewhere? Seems we have a thief on our hands."

Spinning her body around, her pulled her back flush against him, making her tremble. She growled under her breath, her foot coming up and stepping on the soldiers toes, before slamming her head back into his nose, an audible crack being heard before his grip loosened on her. Taking off, she darted through the throngs of people that filled the market square. Behind her, she faintly heard him roar and shout for his men to chase after her.

Seeing a few soldiers ahead of her, she turned and ran down an alleyway, taking a left and a right, dodging people and soldiers. She could see the Tavern up ahead. If she could just get inside, Bertha would help her. She was so focused on the tavern, she missed the foot that stuck out from the side, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Celeste's vision went blurry as she gasped for breath, the fall having knocked the wind out her. She gasped softly, trying to catch her breath. She faintly thought she heard Edward's voice call out to her, but she couldn't be sure. She struggled to breathe, the edges of her vision going black, before darkness consumed her.

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Celeste woke up to someone banging on metal bars. She groaned softly, her head throbbing a little. Shaking it, she coughed and slowly opened her eyes. She was in some sort of cell, and she could tell she was alone in it. Her arms ached, and she tried to move them, only to realize she couldn't. Looking up, she saw her arms were shackled to the wall above her, her body forced to stand and keep her upright. The metal cuffs digging into her wrists as she tugged on the chains.

~~~Trigger warning. Scenes may be disturbing to some readers. I will Mark at the end where the scene ends for those who wish to skip it~~~

"They won't break." The cold voice drawled from the other side of the cell, where the door had been opened. The soldier stepped in, smirking at her, anger in his eyes and something darker, something more violent. It scared her, her body trying to hide as he stepped forward.

"Dont move. You've already been arrested for theft, running away, and assaulting a soldier. I really don't want to have to add escape to your sentence." The man stood in front of her, gazing at her chest. She looked down, not having realized her dress was torn. The side of the bodice were ripped to shreds, and only stayed together and covered her breasts by a few threads.

"Why? Why are you doing this to me!? I'm innocent!" Celeste glared at him in anger, her hands shaking in their cuffs. "Because I can. I'm a soldier. I get what I want. And if I don't get it.." his hand suddenly reached out, grabbing her by her throat and pulling her body flush against his. "I take it by force." With those words, he slammed his lips on hers, bruising her lips while his other hand tore what was left of her dress from her chest.

She sobbed and cringed away as his hand roughly grabbed her breast, squeezing the lump of flesh in his palm. He pressed his kiss harder, trying to slide his tongue into her mouth. Opening her mouth, she let it come in, then clamped down hard on it, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth as the man ripped away from her. "You bitch!"

~~~Trigger scene over~~~

His hand swung out, striking her on the cheek and making her cry out. The chains were the only thing that kept her from falling to the ground, the force of his slap having nearly sent her sprawling. "You will stop resisting me!" Grabbing her by the hair, he slapped her face again, then slammed his lips once more on hers. He grew more angry at her lack of response, growling and pushing her away.

"Mark my words. You will submit to me, even if I have to break you to do it!" Storming out of the cell, Celeste flinched as he slammed her door shut, locking her in. She listened, not moving an inch until she heard him leave for good.

Then she did something that she had forbidden herself from doing for years. She broke down her facade, and cried.