Woman of the Woods

Celendria ran through the ever darkening light of the Elven woodland. Her evergreen curls fluttered through the wind behind her. She treasured the bite of the frigid air dancing over her flesh. Something about the speed of her bare feet beating upon the moist forest floor was enthralling for her. It gave her a taste of what it would be like to leave the confines of the shelter of her home. Curiosity by far was her most fatal flaw. she could hear the bellows of the townsfolk falling away. The distance granted her the peace and solitude she so desperately craved. Especially, since the announcement of her betrothed to the high elders son. He was kind, and genteel. The perfect high woodland elf. But she couldn't see herself living such a bored existence. Her late night runs grew evermore frequent since the news. She knew they would have to cease after her life was bound to his. Her parents passed away many years ago, and she was raised by a kind noble family who treated her more like a ward than a daughter. She understood that her marriage greatly benefited her caretakers, but she felt they deserved some kind of reward for taking her in. They were good people, although cold. The night air carried the typical wafts of soil and petrichor that quieted her adventure hungry soul. Everything was typical this evening till a breath of difference stopped her in her tracks. With no chance of her caretakers catching up with her she slowed her pace to a meandering walk. Her slender tipped ears twitched as frail twigs snapped under the weight of an unknown creature. As the weight of the strangers steps grew closer she hid within one of the numerous oaks, standing tall under the lavender sky. Her rich burgundy eyes keenly scanned through the dense flora surrounding her for any hint of the creature disturbing the quiet evening. The cold air sent shivers rippling over her pale flesh as the figure entered her view. The creature began on all fours and seemed to stare directly into her doe eyes. Some thing about it's gaze drew her in like a moth to the flame. confusion riddled her features as the figure transformed from a canine to a bipedal being. The prevailing scent changed from its earthen normality to a musky breeze of cedar, and fire. She wedged herself deeper with the timber yet he still seemed to be piercing through her with his dark eyes. His possessive line of sight gave birth to a vast school of butterflies in her stomach. She was confidant despite his seemingly direct gaze that he truly couldn't see her. The night was far too dark and the verdant foliage tattoos lining up and down her flesh served as superb camouflage. She slid down the hardwood to the ground below and pulled her knees to her chest, her cream chemise only lightly twisting into the outreaching branches sheltering her. She decided to wait out the mans intrusion. Few beings other than elves have ever stepped foot into this domain, it wouldn't be long before the being grew to confused within the dense woodland and turned back. she closed her eyes and relaxed against her oaken shelter. The night was now waning to the burgeoning light of day. The lavender sky shifting to a muted orange. She confidently elevated from her position, the foreign scent no longer holding a strong presence. she ran her elegant hands over her clothes, flinging the loose soil from them. All too suddenly her body is pinned against the timber behind her. The musky scent overtakes her senses once more. She looks up to see a large muscular man standing entirely too close to her. His black eyes peer downward upon her, boring holes into her soul, and setting her nerves alight. Her form quaked beneath his grasp. His sharp features and black dishevelled hair danced in the breeze. His strong jaw was stubbled with ebony whiskers. She squirmed trying to break free but his grasp was true and unwavering. "Shhh little one, I won't harm you." His voice reverberated through her, deep and drenched with strength. Celendria remained quiet, not entirely sure what her next move would be. Almost, perfectly timed her caretakers voice broke through the dense underbrush of the Wood. Her large eyes shifted in the calls direction. The strangers demeanor shifted to irritation and a quiet but engulfing growl slipped from his partially separated lips. The gutteral utterance sent shockwaves through her. In a blisteringly quick moment she is swept within the strangers arms, in a unbreakable hold. He darts from the wood in a infallible speed. The colors and elegance of Celendria's home blur through her vision as she surrenders, helplessly captured in the intruders solid hold.