[center][h2] [color=9e0b0f][i][b]MEMORIES FROM A HORROR SHOW[/b][/i][/color][/h2][/center]

As she walked along Reidun thought about earlier and her spontaneous kiss to Aksel’s lips. Her cheeks flushed softly as it made her remember a memory from long ago.

Five years ago….
[i]Reidun was laughing as she ran from Aksel. He could run faster and he grabbed around the waist and held her over his shoulder and dropped to his knees and kissed her deeply. [color=gray]“I love you Reidun.”[/color] His words and his hands made her feel alive like she had never felt before and she would have done anything to keep it.[/i]

Flash forward….
[i] Reidun walked out of the house and saw Aksel staring at a young woman a year or two older than Reidun. His eyes were glued to her. Looking at the girl she asked Aksel, [color=f49ac2]“Who is that?”[/color] It took him a minute to realize that Reidun was there and he couldn’t meet her eyes. 

[color=gray]“It’s Brona,”[/color] He turned to Reidun and his eyes said everything.[color=gray] “I’m sorry Reidun.”[/color]
Aksel had turned and kissed her on the forehead like a sister and ran after Brona. Brona, his former girlfriend had moved back. Reidun felt her heart explode into tiny pieces. Three months later he had married Brona and she was pregnant soon after. Reidun had been training with the midwife and healer to deliver babies and handle injuries and illnesses.[/i]

At this point Reidun tilted her head back and wiped her tears using the sun as an excuse for her watery eyes. Pushing onward hoping the next settlement wasn’t too far Reidun’s emotions were still high from her thoughts….

[i]The healer was gone with the raiding party and the midwife had died before Brona went into labor. Reidun was at home getting ready for bed when Aksel burst into the house carrying a bleeding and unconscious Brona and laid her on the table in a panic. [color=gray]“Help her! She just started bleeding and I can’t stop it.”[/color] Reidun looked at her. There was so much blood and it was nearly already creating a pool near his feet.

Reidun looked at the girl, fear running down to the pit of her stomach.[color=f49ac2] “Brona! Wake up! She isn’t due yet. She is too early!”[/color] Getting the necessary things she hurried and she had not seen a birth like this one. None of the others were this early and none were bleeding to death. Reidun did everything she knew to do but in the end there was nothing to be done. Brona’s body had gone into premature labor and she had hemorrhaged. The baby was only seven months and neither the baby nor its mother survived. Aksel completely fell apart. She had hoped that delivering the baby even when Brona was taking her last breath would somehow make it less horrific. She had cut into its mother and pulled the baby out but she couldn’t get it to breathe. It had been a boy. She laid the baby in its mother’s arms and she covered the rest of Brona’s body with a blanket so that the only thing visible was the baby and it’s mother’s face. 

Aksel’s tortured face as he saw his tiny life deprived son was more than Reidun could bare. Her tears were heavy on her heart. Reidun had stood there covered in blood shaking as Aksel’s wails of heartbreak shattered the night.[/i]

[color=f49ac2]“HALT!”[/color] She said, [color=f49ac2]“We break here for an hour!” [/color]She went about securing the area perimeter herself. She had never gotten over certain things in her past and she needed a few minutes of privacy. She had walked into the woods for a few minutes.

Conall had been walking along towards the back of the group.  He had said it was to cover their rear in case the english tried and attacked but he knew that was a bold faced lie.  He kept his head down as he walked trying to make sence of the events leading him to this point.  [color=00a651]‘Why does this shite always happen?’[/color] he thought to himself.  He had hoped he could explain himself to Reidun earlier that morning but clearly that didn't go according to plan.  He didn't know what to make of the actions that followed after he found her.  Of course there was the obvious, being that he fought the Earl openly in front of the entire raiding party and not only that but it had to be broken up else he would have tried to kill the man.   

Then of course there was that punch.  He brought his hand up to his face where he had been hit so hard he had nearly been knocked off his feet.  The only reason he could still feel the sting of it was not because of how hard the punch but because of why.  He had hit her like a wicked man and then simply left her with no explanation.  Then there was that kiss she had given Aksel.  That had felt like he was stabbed straight through the heart.  He was angry at both himself and at Aksel.  

[color=f49ac2]‘HALT’[/color] Conall’s head shot up at the sound of Reiduns voice commanding the party as they travelled.  As the rest of the raiders began moving and continuing with setting up camp Conall had one goal in mind.  Finding Reidun and trying to patch things up with her.  Seeing her moving towards the forest he followed her until they were out of ear shot from the everyone else.  [color=00a651]“Reidun”[/color] he said slightly louder than usual to make sure she heard him [color=00a651]“we need to talk.  Or more so I need to talk.”[/color]  He had hoped she would allow him to explain himself.  

Reidun wiped her tears away from her eyes and continued scouting the perimeter. [color=f49ac2]“So talk.” [/color]She didn’t stop what she was doing until he blocked her way. She sighed and her eyes met his. [color=f49ac2]“What is it Conall?”[/color]

[color=00a651]“I needed to tell you i'm sorry for what i have done and the hurt i have caused you.  It was never my intention to harm you in anyway.”[/color]  Conall could feel that she was still angry with him.  [color=00a651]“I only left last night because i was ashamed of what i had done and needed to clear my head after what i had saw.”[/color]  Conall looked at her hoping what he was doing would help to calm her down.  

Reidun nodded, [color=f49ac2]“You are lucky that Aksel didn’t punish you for attacking him. You shouldn’t be mad at him, I am the one that did the kissing, not him.”[/color] She was feeling emotional from her memories and she looked past Conall and at the men goofing off behind him. [color=f49ac2]“I’m not sure we should be together anymore.” [/color]

Before she knew it tears were rolling down her face and she turned away quickly, surprised that she had lost control of herself that way. Quickly wiping the tears away she could feel his presence close behind her. She wanted to be as strong as the men were but emotionally she was lacking some of their strength. Reidun turned and found herself wrapping her arms around his large frame and burying her head in his chest.

Conall was surprised by the sudden emotions coming from Reidun.  He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly trying to assure that he was here for her.  It was tearing him apart inside when she had said she no longer wanted to be with him.  It was odd to him.  This was what he had originally wanted for her to push him away so she would be safe but now he couldn’t bare the thought of it.  Still holding her tight Conall looked down at her [color=00a651]“Reidun if that is what you truly want the I will honor your wish.  But know that I will never quite loving you nor will I ever stop trying to defend you from all harm that comes your way.”[/color]  Conall couldn’t believe the words that had just come out of his mouth.  He had never said anything like that to any one.  After he was done he leaned down and kissed her on the top of her head.  In the suspense he felt his hold on her tighten slightly just Incase this was the last time he had this chance.

Wanting to make sure he got everything off his chest while he could he continued.  [color=00a651]“I mean it when I say that I have never felt the same about a women in my life.  I feel safer around you.  I feel stronger like I could take on every army in all the lands if it meant you would be safe.” [/color] He could feel tears forming in his eyes. [color=00a651] “I thank my gods everyday I met you that night by the fire.”[/color]

Reidun sobbed quietly for a few minutes and then raised her lips to his and kissed him. [color=f49ac2]“I love you too. Just ignore what I said. I am just overly emotional today I guess.”[/color] She wiped her tears and just stood there quietly in his arms until she was calm. A few minutes after that she heard Aksel call the group back in and she took Conall’s hand and walked back with him.

Conall was overjoyed at the news and had a large smile on his face.  [color=00a651]“Don’t worry about me and Aksel.  I’ll make sure nothing that happens between us hurts you.”[/color]  while Reidun had said not to be mad at Aksel Conall couldn't help but have the intense urge to fight Aksel again and not be interrupted.  Thinking it over more [color=00a651]“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened between you and Aksel?  He brought up that you two used to be together in our little chat.”[/color]  Conall had said the last part with a slight chuckle. 

Reidun’s heart stopped when he said that Aksel had mentioned their past relationship. The bile rose up in her throat. [i] What does he know? Does he know what I did? I think I may have to vomit.[/i] Her heartbeat was racing but outwardly she tried to appear calm. [color=f49ac2]“The love of his life moved back to town and he left me for her. Why? What did he say?”[/color]

Conall could feel a twitch in his face out of anger.  Trying to hold it down out of his voice so he didn't worry Reidun about what he wanted to do to Aksel at the moment. [color=00a651] “Nothing much really.  He just said something about never hitting you, unlike me.” [/color] As he finished the last part he felt another pang of guilt for what he had done.  [color=00a651]“And I was just wondering why he would let someone so beautiful get away from him.” [/color] He finished with a smile trying to be as smooth as possible.  Then as he began to think it over he realized that he had not seen Aksel with any women. [color=00a651] “Where is this ‘Love of his life’ anyway?  I haven't seen her around the camp at all.”  [/color]

Reidun’s voice took on a slightly softer tone. [color=f49ac2]“She and the baby died during childbirth. It almost killed him. We don’t talk about it.”[/color] She couldn’t get the image of Brona and the tiny baby out of her mind. The worst was the agonizing look on Aksel’s face when he realized they were both gone. He had sunk into a deep depression and it had taken a long time to get him out of it. She shook her head trying to evict the memory. [color=f49ac2]“They were together less than a year after she came back.”[/color]

While Conall still didn’t like Aksel, he understood that the loss of a loved one was a difficult road to travel.  It rarely left men unchanged.  Conall heard the change in Reiduns tone and could tell something was wrong but figured that whatever it was he wouldn’t press any further for the time being. 

[color=00a651]“You should probably thank Harek for breakIng up the fight earlier.  If it wasn’t for him me and Aksel would have torn each other apart.” [/color] Conall kinda laughed at it. [color=00a651] “He always seems to have the best timing when my temper gets me into to more trouble then I can get myself out of.”[/color]

 Reidun smiled slightly.[color=f49ac2] “I guess I’ll have to do that then.”[/color]
[@sly13]