"As the majesty wish"

In a faraway land, between the great mountains of eastern Europe---There in the region of Ruthenia, Ukraine rose.

The people of the village lived a modest life--They lived in tight-knitted families and ran business--Where they got their hard-earned breads from.

---

One for two! one for two!

the yelling of the merchant rang through the bustling crowds. As children ran bare feet admits the chaos--Their innocent giggles echoed through the streets then onto the fields.

There were both men and women working on the vast farmland.

A woman's feet were buried deep into the soil as she bent over--her hands clenching around the sprout as she then plucked it. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead.

She then heard the sounds of the soft giggles of joy--Then a youthful feminine voice rang out.

---Біжи! Я тебе дістану, ха-ха!

Subtitles: (Run! I will get you, he he!)

The woman gazed up--It was her daughter. Her lips then instantly curled in a soft, prideful smile as she watched her little lioness.

Eleanor petronella

At how her baby hair fluttered fiercely against the wind as she ran clutching her Nemtika joyously (a veil for married women) --Her bare feet grazing the lush grass as she held on to the hem of her dress.

Anna!

the woman beside her nudged her slightly--God have blessed you; she murmured in delight. Anna smiled easily--her gaze then returned to her daughter,

"Indeed, he has" she whispered to herself.

The women then went inside for a rest.

-----

Eleanor wandered around, her striking blue gaze darted back and forth, as her nimble frame made throughout the field.

The children glanced at her from above their shoulders as they grinned cheekily. Eleanor's lips then curled as her arms reached out to the nearest child--Her arms then grasped the little boy's shoulders.

He then shot her a look as he struggled to get out--Though she held on to him, a triumph smile spread across her as she then ruffled the boy's hair.

Meanwhile...

From the border--Many welcomed the soldiers who returned from duty--Many had returned home--Though a certain three still rode their houses around, eyes darting to the vast farmland. Then ultimately stopping Infront of a stable.

They tied their horses as they conversed to themselves.

Vojislav Dave heard's fingers traveled up his armored face, he then took it off as his eyes then met the fierce son. His eyebrows then furrowed as he darted out the farmland.

His hands clenched around the end of sword as his gaze fell to a certain woman on the field--Eleanor petronella.

He watched her every move as if to study her--The conversation of his fellow men muffled out as he then felt a firm pat on his back.

He then jolted as he then shot him a look--

"Whatever is it you want?" Yaroslav? he asked between clenched teeth.

Oh, calm yourself down--He waved as his lips curled in a mischievous grin--His gaze then returned to the field before them.

What an unusual man you are... Vojislav gave him a quick glance.

Still coy after being wed? he murmured.

Vojislav didn't respond, he couldn't, his eyes stayed on the field and on the woman who had stolen his sleep for years--His lips then curled.

---

--The boy glanced up and smiled at her back. Eleanor then gazed at him down--Just then--A burning feeling crept up her neck.

Eleanor's eyebrows furrowed as she felt the pressing weight of a gaze on her--She then turned slightly--Her eyes then slightly widened as she locked eyes with another pair of blue--Perhaps a familiar one.

It was Vojislav--The chief knight's son, her husband.

He stood further away from the field yet close enough. His hands firmly grasped his sword as he gazed at her, his eyes never leaving her. He then caught her--As soon as their eyes locked, his pulse quickened.

Her eyes went wide as it then glinted with joy--she clutched the hem of her dress as if to fly--Though stopped when she noticed the two more soldiers.

Her lips pursed in disappointment--Vojislav's eyebrows furrowed then he sensed it--Giving a quick glance to the men behind him.

He looked at her back as a small smile tugged at his lips--"Fine...I will come there"

Eleanor then gave him a quick knowing glance as she then felt the tug of the little boy.

She then smiled easily, and they began to walk.

Slav's head tilted as he watched her go--Then she glanced back at him. His heart clenched as a soft smile spread across her lips.

His gaze then unknowingly lingered on her as she then turned back--His Adam's apple shifted from up to down.

Eleanor then guided the children to the shades. They sat down in rows, their tiny fingers clutching around their sore knees as they then gazed up at her.

She had begun her story telling--her eyebrows were raised as if to press on each and every word she uttered.

The children listened keenly--As they then let out occasional giggles at the silliness of the story. Eleanor herself softly arched her back as she then let out laughter's of joy-- her palms hovering over her mouth.

Just then--The soft rustle of the grass made Vasil--The little boy glance to his right--There was an armored knight--His silver attire glinted as Vasil's eyes traveled to his face.

His eyes sparkled

--Майстер Слав прийшов!

Subtitle: Master Slav has come! joy clung his voice as the children all got up.

Eleanor turned--her eyes then slightly widened as she saw him.

Slav then walked in closer as her gaze then fell to him.

Her eyes became low, her voice timid,

"Your presence makes me happy Vojislav"... she murmured.

his lips then curled--

"Vojislav"

she uttered it like she owned it--And she really did

he then tilted his head in acceptance to her greeting.

The children all clung to him--Their eyes sparkling with awe---He then softly ruffled Vasil's hair--As they then soon demerged and ran towards the fields.

His gaze then went to Eleanor--now left alone. Her eyes fluttered to him then at the soil before her. He then stepped in closer; hands folded behind his back.
Eleanor's heart quickened as she then felt the edge of his cloak grazing against her ever so slightly.

He then gazed at her then at the lush grass before them--"I pray that everything is good...Eleanor"

Eleanor then shot him a look--Though he was already watching her.

T-Thankyou, may it be like that to you...

a soft murmur left her as she then gazed at his very noticeable Adam's apple--At how his eyes seemed to be glued to her--At how he had changed from that once coy boy--Who wouldn't even dare to grasp her waist when riding a horse to a man.

War had changed him. It really did.

Her gaze then lingered on the open wounds on his neck--He then watched her as her nimble fingers reached out to him, just hovering slightly above the wound as her voice broke,

Slav... does it hurt...? she gazed up at him, her hands trembling slightly. His blue gaze then watched her; at how many staggered breaths she took.

"Not as much as without you"... a thought passed his mind as he noticed the tears that clung her lush, forest-like lashes.

He then arched his head back slightly as her fingers grazed it.

They stood like that in solitude--As Slav's lips parted once again, perhaps you want to ride a horse?

Her gaze returned to him--"you know...just like the old times" he ended, his hands rubbed against the back of his hair--Waiting, sensing a reply.

Her eyes then lit up--On a horse...?

he blinked, yes? anything wrong?

Eleanor's eyes glinted with past memories as she stared at him--This was the same Vojislav form all those years ago...The same yet different.

--And maybe... her lips curled, just maybe... she likes this new man.

The night then soon fell as she breathed in a sigh-- Slav's eyes lazily gazed at her; his head tilted to her side.

----

That night--the annual festivities played out as the sound of music clung the air--The lights and the children were the charm. The woman wore traditional outfits, graciously handed out deserts--The smell of lavender spread across the village.

As neighbors greeted one another in joy.

Among the rows of women who were serving was Eleanor--Her nimble fingers held the copper tray as she then felt a tug at the white hem of her dress.

She gazed down--Her eyes felt to an adorable pair of marble eyes--It was a little girl; she gazed up at her then at the rows of glasses on the tray that she held.

Eleanor's lip easily curled as she then handed it to her and ruffled her strawberry blonde hair.

--"Ось, моє маленьке солоденьке"

Subtitles: Here, my little sweetie

The girls' tiny fingers wrapped around the vessel as she then fled--Eleanor watched her go with a smile then began to walk.

Eleanor then began to walk further--She served between the guests and the soft music and lights. The end of her magenta dress softly grazed the ground as the fresh scent of soil clung to her.

She then served the men--She spared none a glance and kept a small, polite smile.

Then--Ahh! alas we met the woman who stole our Vojislav's sleep? said Pavel in a mischievous tone as he then grasped one of the drinks.

Yaroslav emerged from behind as he then also grabbed one.

Mm... true... he murmured between sips--Eleanor glanced at him; "the man just murmurs your name"

Eleanor felt the heat creeping up her neck as she then kept her lips in a small smile and nodded along.

Though with every praise, her heart raced.

Pavel noticing her stillness he then quickly excused both him and Yaroslav as they both then merged int to the crowd.

Just then she felt a tap on her back--Eleanor then turned to see Vasil; he looked up at her and smiled mischievously.

She smiled back, " what Vasil? here to take revenge? she teased.

Vasil shook his head--He then ushered her to lower herself as he then whispered in her ears,

"Master Slav expects you"

Eleanor's eyes widened slightly, as she felt her heart race--Now walking to his door, her heart thudded against her ribs-matching the rhythm of her feet.

She then stood Infront of the door and hesitantly went in--As soon as she did--Slav's piercing gaze fell to her. He watched her nimble moment at how her head was lowered.

She didn't dare look up. "You called for me" a soft murmur escaped her effervescent lips. She then glanced at him--At how he watched her, her gaze then returned to the floor.

"Get close" his voice pressed--not with command-but something else.

Eleanor obeyed and walked to him; her head lowered the entire time. She then finally stood Infront of him.

He then got up, eyes falling to her Namitka (her veil) then to her pursed lip--He leaned in closer, a single finger of his lifted up her chin forcing her to meet him.

They then gazed at each other--One's in defiance and another in surrender. Vojislav's voice came in low as his fingers reached out to graze her face.

Elen...

he whispered, lips curling into a soft-knowing smile as his breath fanned against her neck.

Eleanor's heart raced as she sensed the wave of alcohol.

H-Have you been drinking...? Slav?

He gazed at her dazed, he had been--He then looked away.

Eleanor's gaze fell to the floor as her fingers clenched the edges of the tray in a coy manner.

"Firstly it was you who didn't give an answer" he murmured, voice low.

His hands then lazily held her waist--Inching in closer--As he felt the thud of her heart--At how it quickened with every inch. Then her eyes shot up to him realizing how close he was

--She quickly pulled away, her face flushed.

S-Slav... someone might see us...

she then gazed up at him, her eyes failing,

"W-What are we even doing here?"

she asked, trying desperately to sound genuine--Though, the soft, absent-minded curl of her lips betrayed her.

He watched her as he tilted his head--How her gaze seemed to return to him then to the wool coated floor before.

"Let them "

he murmured, hands finding hers. She squirmed under his touch--Though didn't let go.

They stayed like that for a bit--Then she pressed her temple against his chest, gaze darting to the floor. Hearing the low thrum of his heart.

Slav held her tight.

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 stepped out--The cold musky air filled their lungs.

People ran as the sound of the yelling's became imminent

--The Byzantines came!!! the Byzantines came!!

They both glanced at each other in distraught as they felt the air around them becoming oppressive. She then gripped his wrist as her eyes darted around the ruined lights and at the armored intruders massacring their people.

The village burned--As the women were claimed by these foreign men in open doors--Some Infront of their children. The elderly were beaten; the children were taken away.

Vojislav 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" she whispered, her grip on him loosened as she then urged him to let her go.

Slav's 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. Her hair fluttered violently.

Her head pulsated from the running, yet she continued--She then 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!! he gasped in pain as he fell to the floor with a thud.

Eleanor's gaze fluttered opened as she then gazed out to see Slav--her lips curled in 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. Shh, he murmured, 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.

Then he held on to it--WHO IS THIS? he asked, inching in closer to the bush.

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.