0 comments/ 6398 views/ 1 favorites Death, Life, and Love Ch. 01 By: deannathegeek Aedinius Sextus Maximus. The name struck fear in the hearts of his enemies, but filled mine with love. My husband was no taller than my own five feet and four inches, but was one of the strongest, fiercest warriors in the empire. I always marveled at the man the Gods blessed me with-his smooth, muscular body, his thick, wavy brown hair, his piercing blue eyes, and a smile that warmed me more than any fire ever could. He loved me passionately and it showed every time he touched my body. It hurt to watch him leave when his duty to the empire sent him to war, and devastated me beyond repair when news of his death came to me. I felt as if my soul died that day. My servant master, Jareth, was a kind man, not much older than myself yet younger than Aedinius. He towered over me, a good foot taller, his long brown hair reaching his shoulders, and his eyes the same blue as my late husband's. It made me smile, yet sad, when I looked into them. Without him, my household, and quite possibly my life, would have fallen into disrepair after Aedinius' death. The first few months after receiving the news, he would sit with me as I cried, wailing in my sorrow, and railing against the Gods for their cruelty. He would hold my hand at first, calming me, reminding me that my life would go on. Then he would put is arms around me as my body would shake with sobs. Every night for months he would soothe me with his voice and comfort my broken soul. It was only six months since I received news of Aedinius' death when it happened. As had become our evening routine, Jareth would orchestrate the servants' movements throughout the house to prepare the evening meal and set the house to order before the sun went down. He was so efficient and so effective, and the servants cared for him so due to his kind yet firm manner, that all was ready in short time. We ate our meals together now, so that I would not succumb to the loneliness of my loss. But more than that, I came to enjoy Jareth's company. He was an intelligent man, and quite funny. No, he wasn't my Aedinius, but he was able to make me smile again. He did so that night, as it was warm and he took me on a walk through the gardens after supper. We walked arm in arm as he informed me of the news brought to him from the city. The war was finally over, and the empire had prevailed. At that, I fell into Jareth's arms in tears. He held me close. I could feel his heart racing, though I did not know why. When I looked up at his face, I saw a fire in his eyes I had not noticed before. I knew that fire, for I had seen it in my Aedinius' eyes before. But how could Jareth feel this way for me? "My Tiaret," he said softly, "please do not cry. My heart breaks every time you do so." It was then that I realized my servant master loved me. I couldn't believe that I had not seen it before tonight. His fingers reached out and tenderly wiped the tears from my face. Then he cupped my cheek and bent down, lightly brushing his lips over mine. I think it was at that moment my soul started to finally heal. I felt something other than pain and loss for the first time since Aedinius left for battle. The warmth started in my chest, but quickly spread to the rest of my body. I wrapped my arms around Jareth's neck and pressed my lips to his, thanking the Gods for giving me another chance at happiness. When our lips finally parted, he looked in my eyes and smiled. Then we both laughed. He took me up in his arms and swung me around. We were both so happy at this turn of events, at the gift the Gods had given us. We practically skipped and ran back to the main house, hand in hand, as we anticipated what the night held for us. Upon reaching the house, he lifted me up and carried me to my room at the top of the stairs. He kicked the door closed behind him, then placed me gently on the large bed in the center of the room. He sat next to me, looking into my eyes and caressing my face. He spoke softly now. "My love, I have been entranced by you from the moment I arrived here. Although you loved another, I could not help myself. At first I thought I loved your beauty, but I then understood it was your spark, your kind heart, your love of life and all it had to offer, which had captivated me. I do not expect you to give me your heart right now, as I know it still belongs to your beloved Aedinius, but will you do me the honor of letting me love you?" His words touched my soul like salve to a painful wound. This kind, gentle man loved me. My heart soared. I reached up and touched his cheek, then his heart, then took his hand. I smiled and nodded. His face lit up like a great torch, passion and love burning in his eyes. He laid next to me and pulled me into his arms. He kissed me with such a passion I had never felt before, like a man dying of thirst and I was an oasis. His lips scorched mine, trying to drink me dry. His hands were everywhere at once, as though to make sure every part of me was real and really there. We went on like this for what seemed like hours, kissing and touching each other, learning each others' bodies, until he wrenched himself away from me and stood up. He slowly removed his tunic and breeches, revealing his body to me in all its glory. He was nothing like my Aedinius. Jareth's body was not all smooth and taut muscles, but rather stout and furry. I had never seen so much hair on a man before! I reached out and touched it, finding it soft and very pleasing. I let my fingers brush over his nipples and he gave a short gasp. We both smiled at each other. He removed my clothing very gently, almost reverently. First my corset, then my chemise, and as he removed my undergarments he sighed contentedly. He looked at my body in awe, then started running his fingers over it. First my shoulders and collarbones, tracing his fingertips along their ridges. Then they moved down my sides, which made me shiver a little. Then he worked his way back up between my breasts and finally wrapped his arms around me. We held each other close for a few moments, then he did something completely unexpected. Jareth ran his fingers through my hair then grasped it, yanked my head back, and assaulted my neck and breasts with his mouth. Aedinius had never been this rough with me! However, it excited me and I could feel the wet warmth spreading between my thighs. He continued his assault on my body, licking, kissing, biting-yes, biting!-like a man who was starving. The sensations this man made me feel! When his mouth moved to my pussy I could not help but to almost scream in pleasure. His tongue moved deftly over my clit and lips. My body writhed and wriggled of its own accord under his intense ministrations. Then he slipped not one, but two fingers into my wet pussy, working them in and out in such a way I thought I would climax right then. To my utter surprise, he worked a finger into my tight little asshole. No man had ever done that to me before, but under Jareth's skilled fingers it made me wish someone had a long time ago. He worked all his fingers in and out, slowly at first but now picking up the pace. I couldn't control my body any longer. The intense pleasure this man was giving me sent me spiraling into oblivion. I came hard on his face and hand, and my juices squirted all over him. Squirted? My body had never done this before! Yes, when Aedinius made love to me I would become very wet, but I had never squirted so much pussy juice and so forcefully! When I came down from the heavens, I felt somewhat embarrassed, not knowing what was going on with me. But Jareth just laughed. "My Tiaret, don't be embarrassed! Any man would be proud to make you cum so hard. I am so pleased that I could make you feel so good!" I still felt awkward. He wiped my juices from his face, as they were literally dripping from his nose and chin, then wrapped his arms around me and kissed me fiercely. I could feel his large prick rubbing against my hips and all I could think about was pleasing him as much as he pleased me. I rolled onto my back, spreading my legs wide for him. My cunt was still sopping wet, and the only thought in my mind was how badly I wanted his cock buried inside me. He wasn't quite as long as Aedinius, but he was so thick I wondered if it might not fit inside me. I reached for him, taking his cock in my hands and stroked it. Jareth's head fell back and he moaned. The sound was so erotic! I pulled him closer and rubbed the head against my wet pussy, wanting him inside me. Jareth leaned over and kissed me. Then, in one swift movement, he thrust his entire length into me. The force of it nearly took my breath away! I gasped for air and stared into those beautiful blue eyes. His eyes were dancing now, smiling of their own accord. We were both where we wanted to be. We kissed again and I let my hands explore his body while he stroked his cock in and out of me. He filled me so, and I was feeling things I never felt before. His thick cock stretched me, rubbing my pussy lips in such a way that made them hum in ecstasy. He pounded me harder and harder. I don't know how long this went on, it felt like an eternity, then I could not contain myself any longer. The fire inside my body was hot and burning out of control, my muscles twitching, and finally the flames consumed me. I had never felt such pleasure before! My back arched as I ground my pussy into Jareth's hips, cumming so powerfully I couldn't help but scream out. At that moment, his own orgasm came, his body stiffening, forcing his dick as deep onside of me as he could, and let out a deep moan of his own. We collapsed together, completely spent. We held each other closely and kissed at each others' bodies until he slipped out of me and we both fell asleep, with smiles on our faces I might add. We went on like this for the next year, giving each other pleasure almost every night. It was not the soft, tender lovemaking my Aedinius used to give me, but a wild, wicked sexual experience I had never thought possible. Jareth taught me how to balance pleasure and pain to achieve orgasms beyond my wildest dreams. He promised me a new treat tonight when he and the kitchen servants returned from the market. As the sun started its descent into the night sky, I heard the door open. I leaped up to go greet Jareth, this man who would never replace my dead husband yet I had come to love dearly. When I reached the door, I stopped, shocked, and fainted. It was Aedinius. Death, Life, and Love Ch. 02 The past two years swirled by me in an instant-my husband, Aedinius, leaving for battle, the news of his death, the pain and sorrow, the love and happiness I found in my servant master, Jareth. And Aedinius, battered, bruised, and torn, standing in front of me again. I opened my eyes and saw both Aedinius and Jareth kneeling beside me. I feigned faintness, not knowing what else to do, and closed my eyes again. Aedinius lifted me up and carried me up to my room. Our room, I reminded myself. He placed me gently on the bed and laid beside me. He brushed my hair out of my face gently, his touch as featherlight as I recalled. I opened my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I touched his face. He was really there. He was really there! I threw my arms around him and kissed him, crying. He winced in pain. I stopped, frozen. He was close to tears as he rolled onto his stomach. It was then I saw the torn fabric of his tunic and the lashings on his back. He had been beaten. I pleaded with him to tell me everything. Aedinius told me of how he had been wounded in battle, almost his entire battalion lost and he left for dead on the battlefield. He lay there dying, crying for the first time in his life because he would never see his wife again. A soldier from the enemy horde heard his sobs and came to him, just watching the tears stream down his face. Others joined, watching this fallen man cry. At last the group of soldiers parted and an older man-maybe a captain or general?-came to him and knelt down to his side. "Why do you cry soldier? Is the pain that unbearable? I can end it for you quickly," he said. "Tiaret," was all Aedinius could say before he closed his eyes. He finally woke, thinking himself walking in Elysium Fields. He felt no pain. He looked around the room he was in and found it inviting, comforting-except for the bars on the windows and lock on the door. The door opened. The older man from the battlefield walked in, followed by a tiny woman, nude though covered in tattoos. The man closed and locked the door behind him and just stood there as the woman approached Aedinius. She bent over him and checked the dressings on his wounds. When she was done, she turned to the man and nodded. He smiled at her and nodded in return. The woman pushed Aedinius flat on to the cot, mumbling words and removing his clothes. He tried to ask her the million questions running through his mind but could neither speak nor move, as if by magic. His clothing now gone and he unable to move, she started moving her hands over his body, touching him everywhere. The mystic woman then took Aedinius' cock into her hand. She moved it up and down his shaft, then flicked her pierced tongue over the tip. He wanted to shudder at the sudden pleasure he felt but he could not move. She worked him to a full hard-on, impressed with his full size. She had never seen such a long cock in her life! She took his entire length into her mouth, working her lips up and down his full 10 inches, taking it deep into her throat. She sucked on his cock with a fury, making Aedinius want to scream. He could feel his seed boiling in his balls, screaming for release. He could feel the insides of her cheeks massaging his dick, her tongue pressed against the throbbing vein underneath. When the sensations became too much, his body exploded, shooting his cum down her throat. Wave after wave spurted forth, with the woman swallowing every drop, until he was completely spent. The woman stood up, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "He'll do," she said to the man, then smiled at Aedinius as she left. He was now able to move again. He sat up and looked at the man, wondering what in the Nine Hells was going on. "You belong to her now," he said wickedly. "As long as your seed is in her, you will not be able to leave. You will stay and fight for her, in the arena. You will kill other men in sacrifice to her, for her enjoyment. You are now one of her gladiators." I was horrified. My husband had almost died, was captured by the enemy, and was going to be made to fight and kill-and possibly be killed-for sport, all while she loved another. What was I going to do. I listened as Aedinius continued his story... Death, Life, and Love Ch. 03 I carefully cleaned the wounds on my husband's back. I was still reeling from this series of events-Aedinius' death in battle, my newfound love for Jareth, my dead husband's return, his story of survival and capture. I listened as he continued with his tale. Aedinius spent his days training for the gladitorial games, and spent his nights plotting his escape. When he tried to leave the arena, he doubled over in pain. As long as the witch carried his seed in her belly he could not leave without risking death. His first fight was nothing like he expected. He was to face off against a large aboriginal man. Both men were given shields and swords, but nothing else. Before they were ushered into the stadium, their clothes were removed and their bodies oiled down. Aedinius assumed they would be given costumes, but they were both still bare as they were pushed out to the arena. While Aedinius was not ashamed of his body-and why should he be?-he was startled to be standing in front of thousands of spectators wearing nothing at all. This moment of confusion was all the dark warrior needed to get the advantage. He rushed Aedinius, sword held high overhead, and brought it down swiftly towards his heart. Aedinius came to quickly and parried with his shield, keeping the blow from connecting with his body. The two warriors danced in combat for what seemed like eons, their oiled bodies glistening in the sun. When one would go on the offensive, the other would defend with such grace that the entire battle seemed choreographed. They were evenly matched in skill despite the contrast in their body sizes. Aedinius realized this and used his size to his advantage, hacking at the warrior's legs high enough that he could not jump over the swings yet low enough he couldn't parry. He sliced the man's tendon just above his left knee, crippling the man and bringing him to the ground. Aedinius looked up at the crowd, looking at all the people cheering him on, waiting for the death blow. He saw that woman with the tattoos standing in her own private box. She waited anxiously for him to kill the man, looking aroused at the thought of it. But he was not a killer. He raised his chin and walked to the warrior who was still clutching his leg. He held out his hand and helped him up, letting him lean on him as he led him out of the arena. The crowd was a mix of cheers and boos and hisses. The woman with the tattoo looked as if she were left without climaxing. After the evening's fights were over, she came to Aedinius. Her tattoos covered her body, making her appear clothed from a distance though she wore nothing at all. She slapped him hard across the face. "How dare you show mercy!" she cried. Aedinius took the hit but stood proud. He was a warrior, but he was not a cold-blooded killer. The woman grabbed him by the hair and kissed him hard on the mouth. Then she dragged him out of the arena by his hair, with him still naked, her guards following close behind. They reached her lair and she threw him down on her bed. She had her guards hold him face down on her bed, securing his arms and legs so he was spread wide. Then he felt the weapon make contact. She held a long, flexible stick in her hand with a small whip with many tails on the end. She was grinning, and Aedinius could see the light glistening off the moisture on her pussy. "If you do not kill, I will make you wish that you had, every single time!" She let loose on his back again to emphasize her point. And again. And again. Soon his back was a bloody pulp, but the more pain she inflicted on him the more excited she got, until finally she was howling in ecstasy, her juices running down her tattooed thighs. She then had him turned over so that he was facing up. She straddled his face and forced her dripping pussy into his mouth. She ground her hips into his face, the small bar piercing her clit clinking against his teeth. She reeked of magic, and it was abhorrent to him. Aedinius closed his eyes tight and conjured up images of his beloved wife to help him survive this unusual torture. Soon, it was all over. "You will be punished for not taking the death blow, but in time maybe you will come to enjoy your punishments." She had Aedinius dragged back to his cell, where he started forming the first plans of his escape. Over the next few seasons, this continued. He was the champion of the arena but he refused to kill his opponents. The tattooed witch would then drag him by the hair to her lair, whip him mercilessly, then have her pleasures with him. After a while, he stopped struggling and did as she asked without having to be retrained. Soon, she would forgo her guards altogether, knowing Aedinius came to her bed willingly. What she did not know was that in his mind he was pleasuring Tiaret, not her. Then the opportunity came. She again drug him off to her lair to whip him and make him serve her. He took his whippings, as he had always done, and asked if he could pleasure her pussy, as he had been doing for some time now. She grinned, feeling superior in her domination over such a strong warrior. She laid back on her bed and spread her legs as he knelt down between them. He started running his tongue up and down her labia. No fantasizing about Tiaret tonight-he had to focus on his plan. He flicked his tongue over the tip of her clit, making her jump and grasp his hair. He darted his tongue deftly into her pussy as she humped him, grinding her hips into his face. She was so enthralled she did not notice his hands were not on her thighs anymore, but slowly reaching for her wrists. Aedinius moved so quickly she did not know what was happening. He grabbed the witch's wrists and held them fast, and using his teeth he ripped the small metal bar from her clit, blood pouring forth. He moved his body to cover hers as she thrashed around, forcing his shoulder into her mouth to muffle her screams. Her thrashing slowed, he body became weaker. Soon, neither blood nor life remained in the witch's body. She was dead and her spell binding the gladiators to the arena was broken. Aedinius had to move fast before the guards were alerted to the broken spell and their mistress' death. He made his way silently through the small town and to the woods. He ran for days, weeks, over a month without looking back. His only desire was to return home to his wife, his Tiaret. I cried, my heart filling with love for my husband. The pain and suffering he had endured broke her heart. I wanted to kiss away all the bad memories. I pressed my body close to his and wrapped myself around him. My mouth found his, our kisses mingling with our tears. Aedinius pulled back and looked at me. "I love you, my wife, and I am sorry I betrayed you. I took pleasure in the torture she put me through. Please do not hate me." "I love you too, my husband. I have betrayed you, also. Months after I received new of your death, I took solace in the arms of another, and fell in love with him. He has not replaced you in my heart, but I am truly in love with you both." Aedinius was stunned. His wife loved him, but also loved another? We held each other and cried ourselves to sleep, not knowing what to do next. Death, Life, and Love Ch. 04 I woke slowly, enjoying the warmth of my lover curled up behind mr. I snuggled into him, loving the feel of his furry chest against my back. But something was amiss. I didn't feel his soft hair, but rather smooth skin behind me. Then it all came flooding back to me. Aedinius. He was alive, and he was home. He cheated death and survived torture to find his way back to me. I felt as though my heart should be soaring, but it wasn't. I loved him so-he was my first love and the man I had always dreamed of marrying. He was my gift from the Gods. But so was Jareth. Aedinius stirred behind me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. His fingertips brushed against my breasts and I could feel her pulse racing. I could feel his bulge pressing against my bum, his breath on the back of my neck. Gods, how this man stirred my soul! I turned to face my husband. He opened his eyes and gave me a lazy smile, then brushed his lips against mine. That was all it took for the warmth that surrounded me to culminate between my thighs. Aedinius crushed his mouth against mine as we pulled each other close. We groped every part of each others' bodies, trying to remember what the other felt like. He broke our kiss to kiss my neck, my throat, my breasts. He circled my perpetually erect nipples with his tongue, grasping one with his teeth and flicking his tongue over the tip. I arched my back in delight, grinding my hips against his. Aedinius dipped his hand between my thighs, feeling how wet I had become. His fingers explored my pussy, caressing it, reveling in its silkiness. His finger delved deeper, penetrating me. I gasped as he slowly worked his finger in and out, probing inside of me for my most sensitive spots. The sensations from his mouth on my breast and his finger inside me made me light headed. I reached down and grasped Aedinius' cock and started stroking it fiercely, signaling my urgent need. Now it was his turn to gasp, a moan escaping from him as I set him ablaze. He pulled me underneath him and in one deft stroke he plunged his dick into my warm, wet cunt. We both felt the urge to cum right away, the pleasure of reuniting so familiar to us yet so intense. He thrust his hips into me with a great need. He held me tight and kissed me as he pumped his aching cock in and out of me at a wanton pace. He could feel my passion rising, swallowing my moans with his kisses. He could feel my pussy clamp down on his rod as I came and he fought back his own need to cum, not wanting the pleasure to end. He kept driving into me as he could feel my orgasm subside and another one begin to build. This time he did not hold back and we both screamed out in ecstasy as we came together. We collapsed onto the bed together, exhausted from our lovemaking. Aedinius apologized for it not lasting longer and I just laughed. We were together again and happy, and that was all that mattered to me. We dressed and went downstairs for breakfast, which Jareth and the other servants had prepared and had waiting for us. When I saw Jareth, my heart jumped then plummeted into my stomach. I love this man, too. How could I choose between the two? Aedinius was all smiles. He approached Jareth and shook his hand. "Thank you for caring for my wife in my absence, good man. This woman means the world to me." Jareth looked grim, but returned his handshake. "It wasn't a difficult task. I love her and she means the world to me as well." The room went deathly silent. Aedinius dropped Jareth's hand. Then he swung out, his fist connecting with the larger man's jaw. Jareth staggered back a bit, but stood his ground. He knew Aedinius was hurting and would take whatever blows he dealt him to help him deal with his pain. He did not, however, expect him to draw one of the two swords hanging behind their family crest and lunge at him. As the sword came rushing towards him, Jareth ducked and rolled from its path. He grabbed the second sword and intended to defend his life. He hoped he could do this without injuring Aedinius, for doing so would hurt his beloved Tiaret. Neither man was inefficient with a sword. In his rage, Aedinius held nothing back. He hacked and slashed at Jareth, who parried and spun around, smacking him down with the flat of the blade. He got up and lunged at him again. This time, as Jareth tried to spin away, Aedinius doubled back and spun with him, drawing blood from his off shoulder. The two squared off and re-engaged, swords flying and slamming each other as each man parried the others' blows. Above the din of metal clashing, they heard my bloodcurdling scream. They both stopped and turned. I was pinned to a wall by a man who was even larger than Jareth. Aedinius saw the older man from the battlefield, his sword drawn and the tip at my neck. "You took my love away from me," he said smoothly, yet with anger and vengeance in his eyes. "It seems only fitting that I take yours as a replacement. Don't worry, though. I will use her up thoroughly before I dispose of her." Jareth looked at Aedinius, true fear in both mens' eyes. There was only one thing they could do-they had to work together to save the woman they both loved. Death, Life, and Love Ch. 05 Tiaret looked at Aedinius. Then she looked at Jareth. Then she looked at the man holding a sword into her neck. Not knowing what to feel or how to react, she fainted dead away, the large man that was pinning her to the wall catching her before she could hit the floor. The sword tip at her throat nicked her as she fell, a trickle of blood sliding down her throat. Both Aedinius and Jareth looked on in horror. "There are two skilled swordsmen standing between you and the door," Jareth said. "I don't know who you are, but you won't be leaving here alive." "Actually," the man said, "there are a dozen skilled swordsmen between me and the door, and only two of them oppose me. And who said I'm in a hurry to leave?" He laughed at the two men. They turned around to see ten men, all armed, waiting for the next move. Aedinius and Jareth were trapped and had no idea how to save Tiaret. Then they heard a loud ripping sound. They turned back to the older man to see he had Tiaret on the ground, her clothing ripped open, and his hands between her thighs. Both men became enraged and rushed him, but before they could reach him his soldiers attacked. The room became a flurry of swords. Outnumbered five to one, Aedinius and Jareth fought off the men in an attempt to reach Tiaret. They stood back to back as the soldiers surrounded them, trapping them so they could not stop their leader from having his way with the woman. As they fought, they would catch glimpses of him raping Tiaret. The man undid his trousers, releasing his fully hard member. He ordered his thug to hold her down as he slapped her across the face a few times, none too lightly, in order to wake her. He wanted her to know exactly what he was doing to her. Tiaret woke and saw the man crawl up her body. He licked her skin as he did so, pausing briefly to bite each of her nipples, hard. She screamed loudly, but the sound was cut off when he sat on her chest and shoved his dick in her mouth. Aedinius heard his wife scream. He whipped around, taking off the head of one of the soldiers. Two more stepped in front of him, and in his moment of distraction one made a clean slice in his off arm. He almost dropped his sword, but was able to recover when Jareth stepped up and defended him from their next attacks. They were back to back again, trying to fight off the men that kept them from their love. The older man continued to assault Tiaret's mouth, violently fucking her face and reaching back to twist her nipples. She thrashed and tried to scream, but his dick prevented any sounds from coming out. His body bucked wildly and he screamed as he shot his cum down her throat. It gagged her and caused her to start choking. Jareth tried to catch a glimpse of his beloved as he deflected the soldiers' swords. At the sound of her gagging, he tried to break from the pack and rush towards her. He was unsuccessful, as several men grabbed him and threw him to the floor. As one man rushed him, sword overhead and ready to strike, Jareth thrust his sword up, running him through then using his legs to vault the man into the soldiers behind him. Aedinius went to help Jareth up, and from the low perspective he remembered his first battle at the arena against the Aboriginal man. He started swinging his sword wildly at the remaining soldiers' knees, hitting one or two with each swing. Jareth, still on his back, kicked out the injured mens' kneecaps, until they were all on the floor howling in pain. Aedinius helped Jareth up and they turned towards Tiaret. They were men on a mission, and they were going to save the woman they love. To their horror, the older man, dick still limp from cumming, had the grip of his sword buried inside Tiaret's cunt, fucking her and abusing her with it. She was unconscious again, bloodied and bruised. The thug holding Tiaret down rose to face the two men. Jareth was a large man, but the thug stood a good head taller than him. Jareth rushed him head-on, sword poised to strike. The hulking man reached out and struck Jareth with such a force it whipped him around. He hit the ground with a thud and a crunch, breaking a rib or two. He yelled at Aedinius, and when he looked he saw Jareth laying on his back, his fingers interlaced and his palms up. Aedinius ran towards him then, his foot landing on the upturned hands. Jareth pushed with all his strength and launched him at the thug. Aedinius flew threw the air, sword held high overhead, and brought it down into the thug's neck. The big man grabbed the wound and fell to the floor screaming as his soul descended into the Nine Hells. There were no more obstacles between him and the man brutalizing his wife. The older man stood, leaving his sword buried inside Tiaret, fear in his eyes. Aedinius felt his blood boiling and his body overcome with rage. Slowly and purposefully, he walked towards the man. The tip of his sword drug along the ground, making an eerie and ominous sound. The man tried to back away but was stopped by the wall behind him. He was trapped. Aedinius stopped. He looked from the man to his Tiaret lying broken on the floor. Was she still alive? He could not hear her breathing nor could he see her chest rise and fall. Enraged, he screamed to the Gods and threw his sword into the man. His aim was true, his sword piercing the older man's heart and pinning him to the wall. Within moments, his body hung lifeless. He could not move. He could barely breathe. He could barely see through the tears filling his eyes. Aedinius could only pray to the Gods that Tiaret would not, could not die. Jareth approached her limp body. He held her wrist, trying to find a sign of life. He felt a heartbeat. Then another. It was weak, but it was there. Tears streamed down his face-Tiaret was alive! Jareth picked her up and carried her towards Aedinius, a look of hope on his face. Aedinius saw this and thanked the Gods for not taking her from him. All they could do for a long time was look at her. Then Jareth carried her up the stairs, Aedinius next to them holding her hand. He laid her gently on the bed, and both men sat by her side, each holding one of her hands. With time and care she would live, but who would she choose to share that life with? Death, Life, and Love Ch. 06 2 years later... My name is Tiaret. I lay here broken in body, mind, heart and soul to tell my tale-a tale of death, life, love, and everything that goes with it. I lived a good life with a good man, my soul mate, whom I loved dearly. My Aedinius was called to his duty to the Empire, and months later I received word of his death. My world was destroyed but in the wake of that destruction I found rebirth, a new world, a new love. My slave master, Jareth, cared for me when I thought I could no longer care for myself, and loved me when I thought love was dead to me. After a year's time, I grew to love Jareth even though I would never forget my Aedinius. My Aedinius-through his love for me he survived a lost battle, imprisonment, and slavery at the hands of an evil witch. I was now torn between two men whom I loved dearly. Aedinius' return to me was not without its price. He had killed the witch who enslaved him, and her lover hunted Aedinius down bent on revenge. He found Aedinius and Jareth locked in battle, Aedinius in a rage over Jareth's love for me, and so took me hostage intent on killing me the way my husband has taken his love. Aedinius and Jareth fought the man's henchmen and killed the man who raped, tortured, and tried to kill me. I almost died at his hands, and might have had it not been for the two men whom I loved, and loved me in return. These two good men, both so different yet both posessing goodness, kindness, and love. As a soldier, Aedinius knew how to field-dress a wound, stop the bleeding, and stabilize me, but he could do no more than that. Jareth had sent one of the house slaves to fetch the physician, and upon his arrival he gave me medicines to help me heal inside and out. For months these two good men took care of me, but it took its toll on both of them. While Jareth continued to run the household as was his job, Aedinius sat by my side. He would have the cook prepare my favorite meals and bring them to me in bed, insisting I take it easy while I recovered. He would talk to me about how much he loved me and what our life together would be like when I was well. When Aedinius would leave to report to his new commander, Jareth would hold my hand and attempt to comfort me with his words. He would wipe the sweat from my fevered brow, hold my hair back when I was sick. He would rub my body with healing oils and change the dressings on my wounds. He would kiss my forehead and tell me he loved me and he looked forward to building a life with me once I was better. I was seldom alone in my room, but when I was I would hear the fighting as loudly and clearly as if it were just outside the door. Aedinius would remind Jareth the he was my husband, and in turn Jareth would tell him that I had moved on after news of his death. While I got stronger each day, so too would Jareth and Aedinius' insistence that I choose whom to be with. The day came when the physician removed the dressings where my wounds had been, perfectly healed scars in their place. He helped me up and walked me around, and pronounced me well enough to rehabilitate myself. Months of lying in bed had left me weak, and he insisted I start moving around more to rebuild my strength. As he walked from the room, both Jareth and Aedinius looked at me expectantly. My heart broke to see them both there, knowing I would hurt one of them. I couldn't stand it any longer and broke into sobs. They both rushed to me, each taking a hand and trying to console me. Jareth kissed my forehead; Aedinius kissed my cheek. "I cannot bear to break either of your hearts, I love you both so much!" I told them between breaths. "You are my wife," Aedinius said, "I will always love you. We will start our lives over and forget the pain of the past." "I love you, my Tiaret. I will always care for you and we will build the life we talked about, dreamed of," Jareth stated. It seemed as though the two men would start arguing again, but Aedinius merely staked his claim by kissing me full on the mouth until I could no longer breathe. As I gasped for air, Jareth grasped my hair and kissed me with more passion than Aedinius had. Gods how I loved them both! But I could not let this continue. "I cannot choose," I told them, "I'm sorry." I started crying again, so hard I did not notice them leave. Neither man could accept that I loved them both. Aedinius left to make a new life for himself as the new captain of the guard. He fought harder than any man there, fighting to forget me and what he perceived as my betrayal. He would die some short time later defending the Emporer from an assasination attempt. He received a warrior's funeral, though the words "Beloved Husband" were left off his grave stone. Jareth had also struck out on his own, chosing to apprentice with the physician. He wanted to help heal others the way he helped me. He became a skilled healer, though after a year he also died. When the plague came to the capitol, he contracted it while caring for the children at the orphanage, caring for them when no one else would. From time to time they would come and visit me, ask me if I had chosen yet. Because I could not, they both died alone and with broken hearts. So now I am alone, without either man that I had grown to love. I suppose it is my pennance for my indecision. My own life is drawing to a close now. I have succumbed to my own despair and melancholy, and the belladonna the physician brought me will take effect at any moment. But before I go I bring a message of hope-never fear love. Yes, it may bring the most profound pain you will ever know, but having found true love twice in my life was worth that and more.