Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/12515412.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/M
  Fandom:
      Elder_Scrolls_V:_Skyrim
  Relationship:
      Erikur/Original_Female_Character, Brynjolf/Original_Female_Character(s),
      Kaidan/Annalise_(My_Imperial_Dragonborn)_(Kaidan_is_a_follower_mod),
      Gunther_(my_Nord_OC)/Annalise
  Character:
      Annalise_(My_Imperial_Dragonborn), Matthias_and_Luciana_(Annalise's
      parents), Damon_and_Marcella_(Annalise's_younger_siblings), Erikur,
      Brynjolf, Kaidan_(follower_mod_belonging_to_livtempleton), Thieves_Guild_
      (Elder_Scrolls), The_Dark_Brotherhood_(Elder_Scrolls), Gunther_(my_own_OC
      whom_is_Erikur's_housecarl_and_becomes_Annalise's_lover)
  Additional Tags:
      Original_Character(s), Unhealthy_Relationships, Domestic_Violence, Rape/
      Non-con_Elements, Trust_Issues, Casual_Sex, Character_Development,
      Eventual_Smut, Eventual_Relationships, Falling_In_Love, Confessions_of
      love, Multiple_Miscarriages, Verbal_Abuse, Physical_Abuse, Explicit
      Language, Underage_Prostitution, Past_Drug_Use, Alcohol_Abuse/Alcoholism,
      Underage_Drinking, Adultery, Suicide_Attempt, First_True_Love, Lost_Love,
      Heartbreak, Secret_Relationship, Character_Death, Explicit_Sexual
      Content, Unplanned_Pregnancy
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-10-26 Updated: 2018-02-21 Chapters: 9/? Words: 27158
****** The Dragon and the Hunter ******
by XGothicxAngelX
Summary
     Okay, so this is my newest idea. I've been working to improve it a
     lot. This story is based around my Imperial Dragonborn named
     Annalise. She has rebellious youth years, and ends up being put into
     an arranged marriage by her VERY religious and VERY moralized parents
     as a way of having her repent her "sinful ways". It is to a man named
     Erikur, he is a rich Nord man who is also a thane to Jarl Elisif the
     Fair in Solitude. He seems nice and sweet at first a year before they
     are to marry one another, him taking her out to expensive dinners,
     buying her expensive things including jewelry and clothing. But
     everyone, but her family, have a bad feelings about him and she hears
     nothing but bad things about him even from his own sister Gisli. She
     foolishly brushes them off and finds out the hard way that the
     whispers about him are indeed true. She suffers through abuse with
     him for a long time. Along the way she does become pregnant but
     miscarries every time because of him. But miracles can happen...one
     can only hope. She becomes a thief much later and also more later
     meets Kaidan, livtempleton's follower mod. I give her ALL credit for
     him and his story, and dialogue. She gave me permission to use him in
     this story. :) :) :) :)
Notes
     OKAY! I hope you enjoy this story! I am definitely aiming to make
     this much more detailed than my previous stories. I will warn you all
     first hand: This story contains domestic physical, verbal, and sexual
     abuse in some of the chapters. If you are sensitive to those things,
     read at your own risk! You have been warned.
     ANYWAY!
     Enjoy this fanfic! Again ALL CREDIT for Kaidan goes to livtempleton
     on Nexus Mods and the Xbox mods! :D
***** Rebellious Soul *****
Annalise is the firstborn daughter of two Cyrodiil natives by the names of
Matthias and Luciana, but they moved to Solitude long before she or any of her
siblings were even born. She was born on the seventeenth of Last Seed, on a
warm afternoon in the city of Solitude, the capital of Skyrim. Her parents were
very devout followers of The Empire, and supported the banning of Talos worship
and thought that the White-Gold Concordat was the best decision the Empire
made. She never wanted to lead a life of devoutness and supporting the Empire,
but her parents were forcing their lifestyle on her along with her siblings
Damon and Marcella. Her brother Damon was the middle child, while their sister
was the youngest. Her parents forcing them to live the way they were, made
Annalise decide to rebel at age fifteen. She encouraged her siblings to do the
same, and since they looked up to her and saw her as someone they wanted to be
like when they got older, they listened and started to rebel against this
forced lifestyle. Their parents were not happy with it at all. But...Annalise
took things to the next level. She started to sneak out of the house in the
middle of the night, and would go to The Winking Skeever, to drink with random
men. Mostly all adventurers or travelers stopping in Solitude for the night or
for the next few days.
She was drawn to tough guys and bad boys. All bad news types. Most of them were
all Nord men...big, burly, tough Nord men. They were all at least ten or more
years older than her, but she didn't care. She wanted to rebel and she wanted
to rebel in the worse way for her parents. She was selling herself for money
too. She would just drink and drink until she was almost black out drunk. The
men she would drink with always bought her drinks, so she got them all for free
all the time. The men would start hitting on her, asking her if she was single,
asking her if she was ever with a man before. She would just
answer...honestly...no lies at all because of how drunk she would get. She was
with one right now. A big, strong Nord man. Muscles, scars, clad in hide armor,
fair skin tone, medium length hair that reached his shoulders, braided twice on
both sides of his head. Light brown hair, beautiful blue eyes, and slight
scruff on his face. She was drunk...again. She spoke, slurred,
“Ya know...yer really...*hic*...attractive. But I...*hic*...bet all
the...*hic*...gurls tell ya that, huh?”
The man chuckled and smirked saying,
“You flatter me...well, I can't say all the girls say it to me. I mostly say it
to them. Nice to hear it from a girl to me this time...so, you ever been with a
man?”
“Yah...I've been with...*hic*...a few of 'em...why...*hic*...ya askin'?” she
answered, slurred. This definitely wasn't going to be her first sexual
encounter...
“Oh? So...not a virgin? I'm fine with that...makes it easier to slide
inside...” he said, raking his eyes up and down her body. He was also getting
to be drunk.
She let out a drunken laugh and said,
“Wat ya mean...*hic*...by that?”
He smirked leaning in closer to her ear and whispered,
“I think you know what I mean, girl...”
She shuddered and smiled drunkenly and said,
“Ooohhh...so, ya want...*hic*...me, huh? Give me...*hic*...a good night?”
He just nodded slowly while smirking at her still. She just smiled drunkenly
again and said,
“...'kay...it's gonna cost ya though...”
The man's face lit up and he slapped a pretty big coin purse onto the bar
counter for the drinks and...to rent a room. The Innkeeper just took it
reluctantly, and gave Annalise a sad look. He knew her, he saw her grow up.
He's been the Innkeeper for a long time, while his son Sorex and his daughter
Minette, helped by cleaning the Inn. His son grew up with her, and he even had
a small crush on her at one point. The Innkeeper just hated seeing her degrade
herself like this all the time. All he could think was “What if she gets
pregnant by some random perverted adventurer?” or “I should tell her parents
about this...” he was very conflicted. Sorex no longer pursued her since it
seemed like she wasn't interested anyways, he started to pursue Vivienne Onis,
a Breton woman whose aunt ran Angeline's Aromatics next to the Inn. He just
helplessly watched her stumble up the stair. The man had his arms wrapped
around her also. He was “supporting” her and “helping” her up the stairs so
“she didn't fall.” But he was getting all handsy with her too. Touching her
everywhere “accidentally” because she “stumbled.”
They reached the room, he shut the door behind them and he just started to
strip her out of her clothes immediately, and she clumsily fumbled with the
straps of his armor. She was about to do it again...sleep with a perfect
stranger. Have him fuck her any way he wanted to. The man was rather hasty and
rough with her, but she liked that way the most especially when she was drunk.
Even when she was sober she welcomed it. She liked when men just threw her down
onto the bed and fucked her raw, to the point of her climax. But, she was
choosing a bad path in life...a very bad path. Once the man finished up with
her, he just collapsed next to her and both were a sweaty heap now. Both were
panting and had smiles on their face. The man than grabbed another swollen coin
purse and handed it to her. She took it slowly and said, still slurred a
little,
“This is a pretty big...coin purse here. How...much did ya give me?”
The man said,
“400 septims. That was probably the best I've had in a long time so you deserve
a fair sum of money...”
Her eyes widened slightly and she just smiled and got out of the bed. She
didn't stay with them. He asked,
“Where do you think you're going?”
“Sorry...ya want me to stay the night with ya? That's extra. Buh bye...have a
good one...nice work with me, one of the best clients I've had.” she said,
smiling. She was still kind of drunk. She was also getting redressed.
The man just sighed and dropped his head onto the pillow saying, under his
breath,
“Greedy bitch...”
She heard it but didn't even acknowledge it. She opened the door, and exited
the room shutting the door behind her. She was still fixing parts of her
clothing as she was swaying down the stairs, falling against the wall, having
to hold onto it for support. She was still clutching onto her 400 septims he
gave her as payment for her services. The Innkeeper saw her and just shook his
head. Her hair was still a mess, her clothes were wrinkled, and her makeup was
slightly smeared. She also bore a brand new hickey on her neck. Her wrists were
a little bruised, but only because he was the dominate type, and liked to pin
her wrists above her head. First one she had like that in a long time. It was
all consensual though, not forced. He just had this look of disappointment on
his face aimed towards her. She didn't notice and just left the Inn still
trying to make herself look decent in her drunken state. She was headed back
home, but he knew he needed to tell her parents about this behavior and her
actions. It was time they knew what she's been doing to get money in her
pockets.
He wrote a letter out, and sent his son to put it in their mailbox so they saw
it tomorrow when they woke up. Sorex was more than willing to participate in
getting Annalise back on the right path in life. He still cared about her, he
may not have a crush on her anymore...well, he still did a little bit. But he
just wanted her back to her old self again, the girl he grew up with. The
sober, more cautious, innocent, girl she used to be. Even though her innocence
was long gone. She was going to be in some deep trouble now. But it was all for
her own good...or so he thought it would have been...
***** Trouble Loves Company *****
Chapter Summary
     Annalise's parents find out about her erratic and inappropriate
     behavior at the Inn...
Annalise was awoken the next morning by her father's angry sounding
voice...calling for her. She had a pounding headache since she was hungover
still. So she groaned and rubbed her eyes. She then slowly got up out of bed
and walked out to see what her father wanted. She was really worried, but also
didn't care what it was. She was just holding her head, and her eyes were
slightly squinted. She headed out to where his voice came from. He immediately
rushed over to her and had a very angry expression on his face. He yelled,
“You want to explain to me why the fuck the Innkeeper sent us this letter
saying how you've been...degrading yourself with random men EVERY DAMN NIGHT,
for the past month?!”
She had full attention on him now, and struggled to find anything to say. Her
father continued yelling saying,
“Nothing to say, huh?! Well...you're in a lot of trouble!”
“Annalise...you need to tell us why you've been doing these sinful acts! The
gods punish those who sin and usually have no mercy on their souls.” said her
mother.
She just put her head down not wanting to speak or look at her parents at all.
Her father forced her to look at them by grabbing a hold of her jaw and turning
her head to face him. His expression was still angry and said,
“You will speak to us and explain why you've been doing these...disgusting
acts, and you'll tell us now!”
She sighed loudly and said,
“I don't know why! Maybe it's because I wanted to!”
That made her father more angry with her and her mother spoke next saying,
“It's not right, Annalise! You knew none of those men! And you drank with them,
and they paid you to bed them. You were being a prostitute just because you
wanted to do it?!”
“It's also wrong for you to bed a man when you are not wed to! It is not what
the gods want for us. The gods punish those who sin and have premarital
relations with others. Hope that they have mercy on you, Annalise.” said her
father.
Annalise just furrowed her brow in frustration and looked down, clenching her
jaw.
Her mother spoke again saying,
“Because of this unfortunate discovery...we have arranged a marriage for you.
You are to marry Erikur, one of the Jarl's thanes. He is a good friend of ours
and seems like a very respectful and nice man. He is also very wealthy which
will help you out once you marry him.”
“WHAT?!” exclaimed Annalise, frustrated.
“Don't use that tone with your mother, young lady! Also, you need to get a job
somewhere. No more of this bedding men for money and acting like a common
whore! There are many places around here for you to get a job at.” said her
father.
“I don't want to marry a man I've never met! Just because you two were in an
arranged marriage, doesn't mean you need to force me to do it! I'm fine with
getting a job, but not marrying someone I don't know!” she argued.
“You're fine with sleeping with random men at the tavern, but when it comes to
marrying a man in an arranged marriage you have a problem with it?!” asked her
father, still angry.
That made her shut up real quick and drop her head. Her father continued
saying,
“Nothing to say to that? Good. You're getting a job and once you turn 18, you
will be marrying Erikur. Which means, you are no longer allowed to continue
your sinful services at the tavern. No. Further. Arguments. Now, get out there,
and find a job to do.”
With that final statement from her father, she slowly stood up and left the
house to go and find a job.
She searched everywhere around the city, but no one would accept her because of
her reputation. They didn't want to make themselves or their businesses look
bad with hiring a whore like her. Which is what they all told her too. She was
starting to lose hope and give up on trying, until she tried one more place.
The Blacksmith's shop. The owner was an older Nord man with a wife named Sayma,
whom was a Redguard, and a young son named Kayd. His wife ran the shop by the
name of Bits & Pieces. It was a general store, she sold and bought just about
anything. She approached Beirand, cautiously, in fear of being turned away
again. She said,
“Um...excuse me, sir?”
He turned and smiled saying,
“Oh, hello, there. Matthias and Luciana's oldest daughter right?”
“Y-Yes, that's me. You wouldn't happen to be taking a new apprentice would you?
I need a job and no one else would hire me.”
“I actually was looking to hire an apprentice, I could always use the help
making the armor and weapons for the Legion. You're hired if you're willing to
work around heat all the time, and be working constantly.” he explained,
smiling.
“R-Really?! Oh, yes, yes of course. I'm up for anything. Any type of challenge
is welcome to me. I'm always wanting to learn new things as well.” she said,
happily.
“Great to hear. You're hired. What is your name by the way? I know who your
parents are, just not you or your siblings.” he stated.
“I'm Annalise. I prefer Anna or Ann though.” she said, smiling.
“Alright, I'll call you Ann then. Name's Beirand. Oh, also, if you don't mind
my asking...why would no one hire you? You seem like you have great potential
and you have a great eagerness to learn, someone not hiring you is a fool if
you ask me.” he said.
“Oh...well...I don't have a good reputation right now...and no one wanted to
hire me and make themselves and their shops look bad...I'm known as the town
whore now...I did some things I shouldn't have, and I'm starting to regret them
now since everyone now looks at me like a social pariah and a blight on this
city.” she explained, head down.
“Bah...who cares what they think of you? None of their opinions matter, they
don't know you or anything you've gone through in life. I don't look at you as
a social pariah or blight on this city. You're just a young girl with a full
future ahead of her. What you did in the past won't matter when you get older.
Everyone makes mistakes, even they all have and hell, even I have. Don't take
their opinions of you to heart, Ann. You're an apprentice now, to one of the
best smiths in Skyrim. None of this city's personal opinions of you matter
now.” he explained.
That made her feel a lot better and she smiled. She was glad to see someone in
this city didn't give her glares or looks of disgust as she stood in front of
them or walked past. He then went on to tell her she would start working for
him today, and she just needed a blacksmith's uniform and to tie her hair up,
then she could get started. He had an extra one, and it fit her pretty well
surprisingly. She tied her hair up into a bun, she had a lot of hair to deal
with. She didn't want it catching fire when she was at the forge. He taught her
everything there was to smithing, and she caught on rather quickly. Which
impressed him.
She was now getting to be a great smith and was definitely earning her pay
honestly and appropriately without degrading herself anymore. Some of her
returning clients were disappointed to see she no longer was in service at the
Inn, and usually just left in a huff after they had their ale or mead. But, she
was glad that she abandoned that life. She was just very angered that she was
to marry some man she didn't know now because of her poor choices. She was
rather angry at the gods for allowing this to happen to her...but she blamed
herself the most. Her choices were now becoming deep regrets, but she usually
brushed them all off and left it at that focusing on her work. She did not look
forward to her eighteenth birthday now...
***** Erikur *****
Chapter Summary
     Erikur decides to get to know her better...and asks her out on a
     date.
Annalise has been working for Beirand for a whole year now, and she was just as
good of a smith as he was now. He was also like a father figure to her and her
closest and only friend. No one looked at her disgusted anymore, but she still
knew they talked about her and what she did in the past. She just minded her
own business, ignoring their whispers and looks that some still did. She was
pretty wealthy now, since he was paying her fifteen septims an hour, and she
worked from 8 am to 8 pm, so she was walking away with a pretty fair amount of
septims every night. Her parents were also better with her, but she still
didn't see eye to eye with them on certain subjects. Her siblings had their own
jobs now too. Her sister helped out at the alchemist shop, and her brother
worked for the Fletcher shop.
Beirand and her got another very large order from General Tullius and his
second in command Legate Rikke. They needed a lot more sets of armor of all
types, more swords, and more shields. They were definitely working over time
tonight. Annalise was on the workbench tempering all the items Beirand finished
up, and none of them noticed when Erikur approached, arms crossed, and was
looking around their work space. His face seemed like he was bored, but he
tried his hardest to look like he was interested in it all. Failing miserably.
Erikur then cleared his throat and Annalise stopped what she was doing, closed
her eyes, and sighed...she knew who it was. She met Erikur already, but still
doesn't really know him all that well. She slowly turned to look over her
shoulder at him, and he smiled at her. She was filthy...her uniform was
stained, she had dirt on her face...and she was not really in the mood right
now. Beirand didn't look at Erikur in a friendly way at all, but he nodded once
signaling her to go and see what he wanted to ask or say to her. She set her
hammer down and walked over to Erikur and said,
“Hello, Erikur...”
“Hello, Annalise. Just wanted to stop by and ask when you will be done
tonight.” he said, smiling.
“Well...we have a huge order that we got from General Tullius and Legate Rikke
3 days ago, and they requested it to be done by tonight. We still have a lot to
do and about 50 or more pieces of weaponry and armor to make, so we'll be
working a lot later than 8 tonight. Why did you want to know?” she explained.
“Oh...such a shame. I wanted to take you out tonight. I figured since we're
marrying next year, that I could get to know you better. I would really love to
know more about you, Annalise.” he said, smiling.
She smiled at his words and said,
“R-Really? That's...really nice. I would actually like that...but...duty
calls.”
She gave a sheepish grin and he smiled at her again saying,
“I understand. Perhaps...tomorrow night?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow night will work perfectly.” she stated.
“I look forward to it...” he said, with a half-smile.
With that he walked away and she went back to her work area. Beirand just kept
watching Erikur as he walked away with the most hateful glare he could muster.
Annalise noticed this and said,
“What's your problem with him?”
“What isn't my problem with that pompous asshole?” he said, frowning.
“Hey, he doesn't seem like he's that bad of a guy, Beirand. He wants to get to
know me more...that's unheard of with arranged marriages.” she said.
“Not that bad of a guy...? Did you...really...just say that, Ann?” he said,
looking like he couldn't believe what she just said.
“What? What's so bad about him? I haven't noticed anything off about him at
all.” she said.
“He's fake, Ann! He just acts like he's the nicest man to ever walk the streets
of Solitude and acts like he's so generous. He only cares about himself. No one
else. He is greedy, and cares about money and business dealings with the East
Empire Company more than he does his own sister, the only family he has left.”
he explained.
“Well I have yet to get to know how he is. So...I won't judge till he proves
what everyone is saying is true...and I hope they aren't true.” she said,
working on the armor once again.
“I fear everyone may be right about him...there's just something wrong with him
and he's hiding something. But please...tell me if he ever hurts you in any
way...and I will have something done about it.” he explained to her.
“I will. Even though I feel like you're just being paranoid, Beirand.” she
stated, rolling her eyes.
“I pray...that you're right, Ann...” he said, quietly.
She didn't seem to hear him say that and just continued to work on the armor
pieces he handed over to her.
He couldn't help but worry for her future...and how all of his suspicions along
with everyone else's were most likely the truth. He just hoped her judgment was
better than his...
***** Here Comes The Bride... *****
Chapter Summary
     The time has come for Annalise and Erikur to marry...but it doesn't
     turn out the way she hopes...this marriage isn't going to be a happy
     one.
     !!!TRIGGER WARNING!!!
     Warning: This chapter contains domestic abuse/violence and
     rape...please do not read if you are sensitive to that type of thing.
     I understand that some people don't like when writers include these
     things, but I usually put real world issues in my stories no matter
     what they are about. I do apologize in advance if it happens to
     offend anyone :(
It was Annalise's wedding day. She spent the whole day getting ready to be
married to Erikur, she was actually not as bitter as she was about this
marriage when she was first told about it when she was 15, but she still felt
very uneasy. She heard nonstop talk about Erikur and what a horrible person he
was for a straight year...she was not happy about the marriage but not bitter
about it either if that makes any sense. She just didn't know how life with
Erikur would be and if the rumors about him were indeed true. They were married
at the Temple of the “Eight” Divines, and were going to be married by the High
Priest of the temple. Annalise had many people on her side of the temple, while
Erikur only had his sister, Bryling, whom was another Thane of the city, Jarl
Elisif and the rest of the court. None were really considered friends of his
either since they all talked nothing but bad about him. He needed witnesses
though, so he asked them all. Everyone on his side just looked sympathetic of
Annalise which worried her even more. She just grinned and bared it all.
The ceremony was about to begin, so some bards from the college started to play
a song for her to walk down the aisle to. It wasn't the traditional “here comes
the bride” but something much more elegant sounding and it was flute music. She
wore a red and white wedding dress, along with sandals and a flower crown, like
the traditional wedding wear was for women in Skyrim. She held a bouquet of
lavender, roses and dragon's tongue. Her makeup matched the red and white dress
she wore, her nails were even painted a bright red for the occasion. She didn't
have a smile on her face for most of the wedding, but faked one every now and
then for the sake of Erikur and their guests. She kept thinking about how bad
of a person he must really be...but then brushed it away to make herself feel
better. She's his soon-to-be wife...he couldn't possibly be a bad person
towards her, right? She just kept saying that to herself even through the
entire reception. Once it was all over and done with, it was time for her to
move into his house in the city, which was very close to the Blue Palace of
course. All of her things were already moved there earlier in the day...well,
all the stuff he bought her was. Since he threw away all of her old clothes and
jewelry. His excuse for throwing them all away was “You deserve the best and
I'll give that to you.” She thought nothing of it and just accepted his gifts.
They arrived at the house and he opened the door offering her to go inside
first, and then gave a quick look around before he entered after her. She was
looking around at her new surroundings. Everything about his house was very
elegant and luxurious looking. From the furniture all the way down to the
silverware and kitchen ware. She then smiled and said,
“Wow...this house is very impressive. Much better than my parents' house.”
He was silent for a minute but then spoke saying,
“Of course it's better than their house...they weren't rich like I am.”
The sharpness in his tone made her frown and say,
“I'm sorry?”
“Oh, just shut up will you? You're my woman now...I'll have no talking about
your peasant family...are we clear on that?” he said, rudely.
“U-Um...okay. Are you alright, Erikur? You seem...different than you were
earlier.” she said, becoming very concerned now.
“I'm perfectly fine...and I'll stay that way if you obey me and do exactly as I
say for the rest of this marriage.” he stated.
She said nothing and was rendered speechless. His whole demeanor was changed.
She started to realize everything that everyone was saying about him was true:
He was indeed a terrible person. But she felt like this was just the start of
it. He continued to speak, hands folded behind his back, saying,
“Now...I have rules for you to follow. As did all my previous wives. First
rule...you do whatever I say and whatever I want you to do, secondly I want
breakfast every morning when I wake up and dinner every night when I return
home from court and you need to serve it to me, thirdly I want a clean house
whenever I come home as well, and lastly I want sex from you every night. No
debates or arguments with me or you will be punished...as harshly...as I could
possibly muster. Well...all of this talking is becoming a bore...I think it's
about time we consummate our marriage, don't you think?”
He eyed her up and down, while licking his lips. She became aware of what his
intentions were and she just started to shake her head frantically. This made
him frown deeply and become angered. He slowly walked over to her, no
expression on his face and said,
“You must not have heard me...sex is not an option for you. I need an heir. You
have no say in this matter!”
His voice rose at the end, making her jump and stutter out some words saying,
rather mumbled,
“I-I should have a s-say in this matter.”
“What was that?!” he burst out, anger in his eyes and tone.
She flinched and started to back away from him, making him advance closer to
her every step she took. She was met with a cold, stone wall at her back and he
was now inches away from her. He slammed both of his hands on the wall behind
her and she yelped at the impact. He leaned closer to her and smirked darkly.
She felt like she wanted to cry...he was scaring her. He said, in a harsh
whisper,
“Damn...seeing you cower like you are and knowing I'm the cause...is getting me
going. Makes me want to just rip your clothes off and fuck you right here
against the wall while you writhe and try to get free of my grasp...”
She tried to get away from him, but he roughly grabbed a hold of her wrist and
yanked her back to her original spot. He said, angered,
“Stay right here! I told you this was not an option for you.”
He started to rip and tear at her wedding dress, making her start to cry and
make yelps and whimpers...making him get off even more. She was pinned against
the wall so she could barely move or try to break free and get away from him.
Her struggles were a turn on for him at first but now he was growing impatient
with it. He growled and proceeded to slap her so hard across the face it made
her stumble and almost fall to the ground, but his grip on her wrist caused her
to stay standing. He said, through gritted teeth,
“Stop. Fighting. Me.”
She had nothing of her wedding dress left except for a ragged, old torn piece
of material that still covered her body but not as much as it did before. He
tore the flower crown off her head and threw it aside, and ordered her to take
her sandals off and she kicked them off at his command since she didn't want to
make him angry again. She still tried to fight him off to the best of her
abilities but he was too strong and overpowered her every time. She did manage
to break free but it didn't last very long, because after she shoved him away
from her and tried to run out the door, he grabbed a hold of her very long hair
and pulled her back to him, making her cry out in pain. His hand was tangled in
her long locks, and he pulled her head back to the point of her ear being right
next to his mouth and whispered,
“I wouldn't try that again if I were you...”
She tried to get out of his grip again, but he only held on tighter and made
her cry out again. This time...he started to pull her towards the stairs by her
hair. Making her yelp and whimper with every harsh tug he did. He dragged her
up the stairs to the bedroom. She saw where they were now and started to scream
out for help, and he just laughed at her futile attempt at getting help from
anyone in this city, these walls were impenetrable, no sound could make it past
them all. He ripped what was left of her dress off and threw it aside. He then
threw her onto the bed, ripping her undergarments off in the process and she
backed up into the bed frame and hugged her knees to her chest, tears made
their way out of her eyes. He smirked at her, breathing heavily with arousal at
her pain he was causing. He started to undress himself, making her become more
frantic. He had his top off and was now half revealed in front of her. He
yelled,
“Don't cover yourself!”
She flinched and hesitantly removed her knees from her chest, and kept her head
down. He yelled,
“Don't look away from me! Look at me!”
She jumped again and looked up at him slowly, he was now working on removing
his pants, along with his undergarment. He was now fully exposed to her, and
she was fully exposed to him. He started to slowly crawl onto the bed towards
her, like a hungry wolf cornering his prey...and she definitely felt like prey
right now. She tried to get away from him once more, and again he grabbed a
hold of her wrist and yanked her back, getting on top of her to pin her in
place beneath him. She squirmed and writhed under him as she cried and told him
to stop and to not do this, but he just smirked that evil smirk of his, and
forced her to stay still and when it didn't work, he slapped her across the
face again, leaving behind cuts on the left side of her face. They even reached
across the bridge of her nose with how bad they were. That made her scream out
again, and he pinned her wrists on the sides of her head and forced her legs
apart with his knee. But she didn't let him have his way so easily,
foolishly...and this made him keep her legs apart with his knees, her thighs
would definitely be bruised after this nightmare was over.
All that was heard behind the closed bedroom door were cries of pain,
screaming, her telling him to stop, and his groans and grunts. After he had his
way...he just finished inside of her and collapsed right next to her. Her voice
was now hoarse and her tears were still flowing. She had blood on her face now
from when he slapped her and her whole body ached...especially her lower
regions. Her wrists were now bruised, her neck even had a bruise in the shape
of a hand print around it, since he did nothing but pin her wrists down and
switched to choking her during the whole ordeal. Her thighs had newly forming
bruises on the inner parts of them. He just fell asleep next to her like
nothing even happened. She could barely move, and didn't know what to do...she
needed to get up...to stand. But she couldn't, she still tried as best as she
could to stand up...she needed to clean herself up...she knew she was probably
a mess and she wanted the feeling of him off of her. She finally was able to
get her feet onto the ground and slowly pushed herself up and off the bed. She
slowly walked over to the bathroom, where a small mirror hung on the wall with
a wash basin below it. She didn't want to look in the mirror...but she brought
herself to. Once she saw what she looked like now...bloodied and bruised
up...she just broke down crying there in front of the mirror. She just said to
herself, voice breaking,
“Why me? Why is this happening to me? Is this how the Divines are going to
punish me? Make me live the rest of my life with a monster for a husband?”
She just got a wash cloth and started to wipe away blood on her face. She
winced at each contact of the cloth on her face, but eventually got it cleaned
off. There were three deep scratches on her face now, they were definitely
going to scar once they healed up. She also took a bath, scrubbing her body
fiercely, to the point of her skin reddening. She needed his scent off her, she
needed the entire feeling of him on her off of her skin, she could still feel
him inside of her...it was like it was haunting her. She finished up her bath,
and the bruises were now very prominent. Black and blue dotted her body. She
didn't realize how long it had been until she saw the sun rising through the
windows, she panicked and dressed herself into clothes and rushed downstairs to
begin making his breakfast...she didn't want to suffer through another
punishment by him. She made the breakfast and timed it out perfectly for it all
to be done at 8 am...when he was to wake up and go to the court for the rest of
the day until 8 at night. He got paid to just stand around and listen to the
court's concerns and debates and to give his insight. She heard shuffling
upstairs and set everything up and waited for him to come down. She tried not
to show fear, but it was very difficult for her. She folded her hands and stood
near the table to serve him his breakfast. She heard him come down the stairs,
and tried to stop her hands and whole body from trembling.
He smirked when he saw her standing there, and said,
“Well, well...so you can follow simple instructions. Good to know.”
She gulped and said, struggling to find the words,
“A-Anything for you m-my husband...”
“That's a good girl...nice and obedient.” he said, smiling darkly.
He sat down at the chair at the head of the table, and she immediately started
serving him his food, which was all still hot and fresh...she made sure of
that. Her wound he gave her last night on her face, was now scabbed over, but
would definitely scar once it was fully healed. She finished up serving him and
went to go and set the dish she had in her hands back down onto the table, but
he grabbed a hold of her wrist, making her gasp and he pulled her to him and
forcefully kissed her on the lips, she didn't struggle...but she didn't enjoy
it. He pulled away and whispered, harshly,
“You know what to expect tonight when I get home right? And know what I expect
from you?”
She slowly nodded and he snapped at her saying,
“I wanna hear you! Tell me you understand and what I expect.”
She flinched and said,
“Y-Yes...I understand and I know what to expect...and what is expected of me.”
“Say what they are...I wanna know you fully understand...and aren't just saying
what I want to hear.” he said, harshly.
“I-I am to make you dinner...keep the house clean...and...” she trailed off,
not wanting to say the last thing he wanted to hear.
“...and what?” he asked, low and threatening.
“...and...I'm to sleep with you...no arguments...no fighting you...” she said,
defeat in her tone.
“Good girl...once again you prove to me that you are more obedient than my
previous wives and can listen better than they did.” he said, smirking at her.
He felt powerful with her.
He finished his breakfast, and walked over to the door and stood there saying,
“Annalise...I'm leaving now. Aren't you going to see me off and kiss me goodbye
like a good wife should do?”
She scrambled over to him and she hesitantly got onto her tip toes and kissed
him quickly on the lips so she could just get it done and over with. But he
didn't let her get away that fast...he stopped her and had his arm wrapped
tightly around her waist and he forced her to look up at him by grabbing a hold
of her chin and making her look into his face and he said,
“I wasn't satisfied with that kiss...try it again...or you're gonna get
punished for it when I get home tonight...and you won't like it...it will be a
repeat of last night...I promise you.”
She was so terrified of him so she did as she was told. She hesitantly put her
hands on his face and leaned up and kissed him with as much fake...but
convincing compassion as she could muster. Making a groan of pleasure come from
his throat, making her know that he was satisfied now. She pulled away after
awhile...holding back gags, and the feeling of wanting to retch everywhere. He
smirked again and said,
“There now...that was much better. Well, I see you later on tonight...I look
forward to it.”
He had dark intentions in his deep blue eyes, and she just gulped and waited
till she knew he wouldn't hear and started to gag and dry heave. She felt
sickened to her stomach...she hated that man. He was a monster...an evil man.
She now wishes she could have stopped marrying him from happening...but she had
no say and still doesn't. Her parents were completely unaware of what happened
to her behind closed doors. Erikur had a huge control over her...and she
couldn't get out of it...but she wanted out...and she would stop at nothing
until she was able to leave him for good and not look back. She proceeded to
clean the house and all the dishes that were made...and dreaded what she would
have to do when he came home tonight.
***** Secret Lover *****
Chapter Summary
     Annalise attempts to end it all...but ends up gaining a lover in the
     process as well...
Chapter Notes
     ***WARNING***
     Suicide attempt and domestic violence are involved in this.
It's been two years...and she was still with the monster she was forced to call
a husband. She had a few miscarriages over the time they've been married...all
which were caused by him from all the stress and fear that she felt with
him...and when he struck her in the stomach and anywhere else on her body for
her “disobedience” with him. But he never knew of her pregnancies since she
never told him about them. She felt like he didn't deserve to know about it.
All of the pregnancies were forced anyways...she wanted a child conceived in
love and compassion, not from how he did it. He was appointed a housecarl,
which was a guard for his belongings and home, named Gunther. He was a nice
man, nothing like Erikur and he was also a Nord man. He was also very handsome
as well and pretty muscular. He was 27 years of age, had longer hair that was
double braided on each side of his head and it was a light brown color, and his
eyes were a very unique bluish green color. He was clad in ebony armor and had
all ebony weaponry as well. She fell into a deep depression and strong feeling
of hopelessness of ever leaving him and starting a new life on her own.
So...she decided she would end it all. She was going to take her own life.
She was upstairs in the bathroom, and was pacing back and forth...not building
up enough courage to try and go through with it. But the more she thought about
how he treated her and what he made her do every night...she started to want to
just end it all even more. She grabbed a hold of a steel dagger she found
hidden away in a chest...and put the dagger to her wrist. The cold metal blade
was pressed against her thin skin on her wrist and she thought about him and
what a monster he was...and it made her just start to drag it across her skin
without a second thought, she winced and dropped the blade with a clang on the
floor and started to smile to herself as she thought about how free she would
be after this...free of this life...free of him. She cut pretty deep...but not
deep enough to where it was an instant death caused by bleeding out. Her legs
began to feel wobbly and she fell to the floor, with a thud. A loud thud that
caught the attention of Gunther, he became concerned and went upstairs to
investigate. He then saw her on the bathroom floor slowly losing
consciousness...he gasped and ran over to her and saw the bloodied dagger near
her hand and the fresh and self-inflicted wound on her wrist. His eyes widened
and he said, concerned,
“Annalise! Oh gods...what did you do?”
She tried to respond but when she opened her mouth to speak nothing came out
just slight murmurs. He picked her up and brought her to the local alchemist
shop and demanded they heal her with whatever they could. Her sister was not
here today to witness this or hear her reasoning behind this. They worked to
the best of their abilities and wrapped her wound up in bandages, stopping the
bleeding. They gave her healing potions until she woke up from unconsciousness.
She looked around at everyone and saw Gunther with a look of relief on his face
along with a sigh of relief. She then became angered and hysterical yelling,
“No! Why did you fucking save me?! Why?! You should have just let me die! I
don't want to fucking live like this anymore!”
Everyone tried to calm her and Gunther's eyes widened even more with how she
was acting now. He's never seen her like this, but he was also unaware of
Erikur treated her and put her through all the time since it has only been a
few weeks being his housecarl and the fact that Erikur always dismissed him
every night having him stay at the Winking Skeever. He urged everyone to leave
them be for a few minutes and told them all that he would try and calm her down
himself. They all nodded in acknowledgment and left them there. The door shut
behind them all and Gunther approached her and asked, softly,
“Annalise...why did you try to kill yourself?”
She just looked up at the ceiling and stayed silent. She did not answer him
right away. She was very bitter right now...she did not want to be alive. He
just frowned and said,
“Tell me what's going on...please.”
She slowly turned her head to face him, her face still streaked with tears and
said,
“You want to know what's going on, do you? Well...I'll tell you. I've been
married to Erikur for the past two years...and it's been nothing but hell I've
been going through. This is not a happy marriage...not at all.”
“You two seem fine together...but then again I've only been around for a few
weeks. Do you want to tell me how it is for you? I may be able to help you.” he
stated.
She scoffed and explained to him,
“We're far from being fine together, Gunther...it was fine a year before we
were to be married...he treated me like a Queen bought me all the most
expensive clothes...and jewelry. Always took me out to expensive dinners...but
when we did get married...and once it was all over...he took me to his house of
horrors. His whole demeanor changed once we were inside. He became cold and
rude towards me. He made all these rules: I have to do what he says and what he
wants me to do no matter what...he wants breakfast every morning and dinner at
night when he returns home and I have to serve it to him every time...he wants
a clean house when he comes home...and...he wants sex from me every night...I
can't refuse, argue or fight him about it...I learned that the hard way. He
rapes me...he beats me...he forced me to quit my job at the Blacksmith shop
because he didn't want to be married to a 'peasant' and have his reputation
muddled even more...he treats me like complete shit. I've been impregnated by
him multiple times...but I miscarried every time because of the stress, fear
and abuse I've been going through. This is why I tried to take my own life
today...why I wanted to die...now do you understand, Gunther? Do you understand
my reasoning now?”
Gunther was silent and didn't know what to say to her. He became angry towards
Erikur though and how she was treated by him. He may have only been around for
a few weeks...but he grew very close to Annalise during that time. She was a
very beautiful woman and a very sweet one too, he didn't understand how Erikur
could do this to such a woman like herself. She deserved better...much better
than Erikur. He cared for her...a lot. He finally found words to speak and
said,
“If I had known he was doing this...if he didn't send me to the Inn every night
just so I don't see or hear how he really treats you...I would have killed him
awhile ago and made it look like an accident. You don't deserve this, Annalise.
You deserve so much better. I care about you...I care about you so much. More
than words can explain...”
She became puzzled and said,
“What...do you mean by that?”
“Well...I don't know if I should say anything. I don't want to endanger your
life more than it already is.” he stated, looking away.
“Just tell me...” she said.
“I shouldn't.” he stated, again.
“Gunther. Just. Tell. Me. I don't like being led on like this and then the
person refuses to answer.” she said, pushing for him to say what he wanted to
say.
He sighed and said,
“What do you think it means, Annalise? I care about you...a lot. So much so
that I would give my life for yours...and I would kill Erikur for you...he
deserves nothing but death. But, unfortunately I can't do that because I would
be arrested and sentenced to death for killing my Thane. I want to be there for
you all the time. At all times. I will tell Erikur I will stay every night, and
lie saying it was Jarl Elisif herself who gave that order. He can't refuse an
order from her especially if he wants to keep his position as Thane on her
court. I will treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”
“Are you saying that...you love me, Gunther?” she asked, eyes wide in shock.
“In my own way...yes...I am saying that.” he stated, softness in his tone.
“I...don't know what to say. I barely know you...but...I feel some kind of
connection with you. You treat me so well and think of me as a person not just
some woman that can be used and abused at any time. You make me smile...and I
haven't been doing much of that with Erikur. You bring me comfort...when I need
it most. You actually talk to me like I'm a person too. But...I'm married to
Erikur. I don't know what we can do about this...I'm not too sure about it, but
I also want it to happen.” she explained.
“Are you telling me that you actually...love me back? Or you feel like you do?”
he said, trying to hide the happiness in his tone but not very well.
She managed to smile and said,
“I feel something...I just don't know what it is.”
“So...what did you want to happen with us?” he asked.
“I don't know...I don't want to risk you or me getting killed by Erikur if he
discovers anything going on between us...” she said, afraid.
“Fuck him. He won't know anything since he's never home during the day time. We
can do whatever we want to do while he's gone.” he said.
“I can't just...be unfaithful. He'll know...and he'll punish me for it. I have
duties as a wife. I must stay loyal to my husband...no matter how he treats
me...I must do what is expected of me for him.” she said, becoming afraid once
again.
“No you don't. He brainwashed you, made you think that way. He's turning you
into a slave. Do his cooking for him...do his cleaning for him...do this, do
that. It's all bullshit. No woman should be treated this way. I swear Nord men
or any other race's males all think the same. I'm not like them. I let women
choose for themselves, and do what they enjoy. Not what I want them to do.” he
explained.
She was silent for awhile and after a few more minutes she spoke saying,
“What should we do then?”
“I think...we should give it a try. You're the most beautiful and sweetest
woman I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.” he said, smiling sweetly.
“Really? You...mean that?” she said, sounding flattered.
“Yes. So, what do you say? Should we give us a try?” he said, smiling.
“I-I don't want to risk anything...but...I really do want to give us a try. You
seem like the man I dreamed of marrying. You make me feel happy. You make me
smile. You give me more compliments than I'm used to. We just really need to
keep it discreet. We can't risk our lives for this.” she said.
“Well, you're worth the risk in my opinion.” he stated, smiling sweetly.
That made her smile and then he grabbed a hold of her hand gently, and held it
while caressing her hand with his thumb. She had very smooth skin. He brought
her back to Erikur's house after she was cleared by the alchemists who helped
her. They walked to his house, but did not hold hands. They did not need people
to see it and tell Erikur. He would have both their heads on a platter if he
found out about it. What everyone saw was a housecarl escorting his Thane's
wife back home, nothing more and they wanted to keep it that way.
They arrived back to the house and as soon as they door was shut, he put his
hand on her face and caressed it gently, as he smiled sweetly at her. She
closed her eyes at the feeling...she wasn't used to this gentle touching. She
slowly opened her eyes again and looked into his blue-green eyes, his eyes were
softened as he was looking at her, his face was content and he had then put his
other hand on her face too. He was cupping her chin in his hands now. She was
still pretty short compared to him, he basically towered over her. Her head
stopped at his chest level and that was it. He got caught up looking into her
unique bluish gray eyes, and leaned in closer making her gasp slightly and back
away a little, but then he whispered to her,
“It's alright...I would never hurt you. I'm not Erikur. I care about you...very
deeply. I won't try anything if you don't want me to, okay? Just tell me and I
will stop. I will never force you to do anything you don't want to do.”
“No...please...I don't want you to stop. I-I'm sorry I reacted that way...I'm
just...not used to this is all...” she said.
“You don't need to say sorry, Annalise.” he said, gently.
“Please, call me Anna or Ann...I don't like Annalise...that's what he calls me.
So just Anna or Ann...please.” she said, quietly.
“Of course. Anna it is then.” he said, smiling again.
She smiled at that and urged him to continue what he was going to do. He nodded
in acknowledgment and leaned down once again. She didn't move this time, and
before she knew it their lips met. And it was a soft and gentle kiss...not a
forced rough one. His lips were full and soft on hers. It was like they molded
to fit hers. Like he was the one she should be married to. She moaned softly
and wrapped her arms around his neck, hesitantly, but did eventually have them
locked around his neck. They had plenty of time, Erikur was not supposed to be
home for another 5 hours or so. She kissed back, but with more urgency than
before. That made him moan, and the kiss intensified from there on. This was
something she wanted for a long time...consensual, passionate love. He pulled
away as he felt that she was now against the stone wall and said, panting,
“Anna...are you sure about this? I don't want to make you do anything you don't
want to.”
“Gunther...please...can't you tell I want this? It's something I've been
craving...consent ad gentleness...please...don't stop.” she said, sounding more
aroused than anything now.
He smiled at her tone and nodded. He continued to kiss her and made his way
down to her neck and kissed her there, making her lean her head more to the
side giving him more access. Her eyes were closed, and she was breathing
heavier. His armor was still on so he didn't press himself too close to her
body. She found straps on his curaiss, and started to undo them, she wanted his
armor off and she wanted it off now. She managed to get his curaiss off and it
fell to the floor with a clang and loud thud. She took in his exposed upper
body, it was scarred, muscular, and he was absolutely gorgeous to her. He
smirked at how she was looking at him right now and said, jokingly,
“I know, I know...I'm just too damn sexy, right?”
She giggled at that and smiled saying,
“Well, it wouldn't be a lie.”
“You flatter me, Anna.” he stated, smirking.
She guided his hands to her dress' corset strings and urged him to take it off
of her. He did just that, but nice and slow. She was enjoying every second of
this new experience. He removed her corset and then slowly took her dress off,
as she worked to remove his armor bottoms. Both tossed the clothing they had in
their hands to the side. Now they were both very close to being fully exposed
to one another. He picked her up bridal style and kissed her as he carried her
to his room that he had in the house on the lower floor. It was a luxurious
room like the rest of this house was, it had a noble looking double bed with
red sheets and intricate designs on it. It also had various weapon racks with
different types of weapons on display. He had dressers and wardrobes as well,
and a fancy rug underneath the bed. He gently laid her down onto the bed, and
then finished off his clothing, being fully exposed now, she bit her lower lip,
trying to hide the smirk that played on her lips, but he noticed it and half-
smiled. She was very welcome with him...and he was glad she was. She was a
gorgeous girl, any man would be lucky to have her, so he was a pretty lucky guy
to have her.
She began removing her undergarments now, and he watched intently. She
definitely had his attention even more so than before. She removed them slowly
and then threw them aside, and a moan escaped his throat. She was absolutely
flawless to him. She was like a goddess to him, and wondered how the hell
someone like Erikur was arranged to be married to her. Erikur was not worthy of
her, she deserved someone so much better and he was glad she chose him as a
lover over anyone else. He again asked,
“Are you sure about this?”
“I'm lying naked in your bed...you're standing there naked in front of me. If
this isn't enough to say how sure I am of this, I don't know what else there is
to prove how much I want this.” she said, smirking.
“I'm glad to see you trust me so much, Anna...” he said, smiling.
She smiled back at him and after that he got into bed with her, and laid on his
side next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into another
kiss, that was very passionate. She surprised him by laying him completely down
and she crawled on top of him after he was laying flat on the bed. He raised
his brows but he wasn't complaining. He liked this view of her. She was
beautiful in every way: heart, mind and looks. She leaned down and kissed him
as she caressed his upper body with her hands. Her long flowing hair was now
off to the side of her head, and he moaned as she kissed him this way. He
caressed her soft skin on her back and arms as well. After awhile she felt his
excitement beneath her, and she pulled away and smirked at him. He was in
ecstasy already, and she felt like she was getting to the high of her arousal
too. She hasn't felt this feeling in a very long time and she just now realized
how much she missed it as she was with Gunther. He sat up more, pushing himself
upright with his elbows and held her in his arms while he was in a sitting
position and she was in his lap. He wrapped her legs around his waist and
kissed her with even more intensity than before and she kissed back the same
way. Her hands were on the sides of his head, and she tangled his hair in her
fingers. Both were moaning with pure pleasure now, they loved one another...and
they both knew they did too. She had grown to love him over the past few weeks
with him as housecarl and he grew to love her. She was just in denial since
she's married to a terrifying man and feared for her own safety and Gunther's
so she pushed the feelings she had of him far to the back of her mind and tried
to forget them...but she couldn't and they surfaced once he had saved her life
when she tried to end it all. If he wasn't there, she would have surely died by
her own hand. She was angry and bitter at first but once he started to talk to
her and told her everything about how he felt about her...her own personal
feelings of him had resurfaced...and they were definitely showing now.
He laid her back down onto the bed and was on top of her now. The kiss had just
intensified even more. He kissed her neck, her chest, her stomach...everywhere.
He wanted to kiss every inch of her body just to savor how she moaned every
time he did so. Her moans were music to his ears, and his moans were music to
hers. She was panting and said,
“Gunther...I want you. Please...take me now.”
“As you wish, Anna...and I promise you I'll be gentle.” he said, panting.
He repositioned himself in between her legs and she opened them a little more
for him. He gently and slowly entered her. She let out a gasp and moan at the
entrance, and so did he. She absolutely loved the feeling she was having with
him. It was all she ever wanted in a relationship and/or marriage, but she was
cursed with a monster for a husband instead of blessed with a kind, gentle man
like Gunther. He moved his hips slowly at first until she urged him to pick the
pace up a little. Which he gladly obliged. He leaned down and kissed her neck,
and she put her hands in his hair and again tangled her fingers into it. She
liked his hair, it was actually surprisingly very soft she expected it to be
coarse since he was a burly Nord man, and their hair was usually pretty coarse.
He slid his left hand all the way down the side of her bare body and grabbed a
hold of her thigh and pulled it up and wrapped it around his waist, making him
go deeper causing them both to let out groans and moans of pleasure. Her hair
was fanned out all around her, and he pulled away to admire her beauty more. He
drank it in like sweet mead. She was scarred from Erikur's barbaric acts on
her, but he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he
would always think that way of her no matter what. She had her hands on his
back and she again urged him to pick up the pace with her leg around his waist,
making him smirk because of her urgency. He gave her what she wanted, and this
caused them to both get closer to their climax. After a couple more thrusts,
they both reached the end of their pleasure and this caused them both to become
very loud and scream one another's names. He exited her and collapsed next to
her, both had sweat beading their bodies, and were panting with their eyes
closed. She got onto her side and leaned on her elbow putting her hand on the
side of her head and the other hand on his chest. Gunther said, still panting,
“Holy shit...”
“You're telling me...” she purred, while drawing shapes on his chest with her
fingers.
He opened his eyes and looked at her and got onto his side, and kissed her
passionately once more. He pulled away putting his forehead against hers and
said, suggestively,
“I could go for another round with you...”
“Down there boy...you already wore me out. I don't think I could go another
round.” she said, smiling playfully.
She looked outside and saw it was getting later. She then panicked and shot
upright and scrambled out of the room and grabbed every piece of discarded
clothing they had strewn about the house. She handed him his armor and weapons
back, and she redressed into her clothing frantically. He hated seeing her like
this...he wanted to kill Erikur so badly for her...as violently and slowly as
possible. He put his armor back on but not without watching her every step and
action she did with a look of sadness on his face. She was starting to
frantically make that asshole's dinner, and she looked terrified. Her whole
demeanor from just a few minutes ago with him had changed from happiness to
fear. He was now fully redressed in his Ebony armor and had his Ebony
greatsword sheathed on his back again along with his dagger and sword on his
hip. His bow and arrows were still in his room against the wall. He just saw
her in the kitchen being fearful and keep glancing at the door just in case he
came home a little earlier than usual...he's done it before. This time...he was
not going to get Gunther to leave. He'll insist on staying and saying it was
Jarl Elisif's orders for him to stay there at all times to guard Erikur and all
of his property in the house. But Gunther was only doing it for Annalise...his
one and only true love. He's had girls in his life before...but nothing as
special or amazing as it was with her. Just temporary women that basically only
slept with him because he was not a bad looking guy at all, and the women were
only with him for the sex and his looks. He never got really attached to any of
them...but it was much different with Annalise, and he loved the feeling of it.
He just wishes she wasn't married to Erikur it would make their relationship
even better and she would never be afraid of anything. He is her protection
more than he is Erikur's. She was still preparing dinner and he said, to her,
“Please...let me help you. He won't know the difference of who cooked what. I
know how to cook pretty well, but I just wish it was for us and not that
bastard of a husband you have.”
“No...I have to cook this all. H-He'll know...” she said, stuttering. The
Annalise he had not too long ago was no longer here...her old, fearful self
returned. He walked over to her and started to help saying,
“He's a fucking idiot...he definitely won't know. Just because he's rich and
basically owns every shop in this city, doesn't mean he's smart enough to
figure it out. I want to help you as much as I can. As far as I'm concerned
you're my Thane not fucking Erikur. He doesn't deserve a housecarl. If he so
much as touches you in any way tonight whether it be harmful or not...I will
tear his fucking head off.”
“N-No! Y-You can't do anything if he touches me, he'll have you arrested or
killed if you threaten him in any way.” she stated, fear in her voice.
“Do you think I give a shit about what he does about it if I do? No man should
ever hit or rape their wives or girlfriends. He treats you like a fucking
slave, Anna.” he said, all seriousness in his tone and expression.
“Gunther please...promise me you won't get in his way...please...” she said,
almost on the verge of tears.
“I'm not promising anything. I can't promise anything.” he stated.
“Please! I can't lose you...just stay out of his way...I can't bear the thought
of being without you. You're the first man I've ever had a real, true
connection with.” she said, tears brimming her eyes now.
He was silent for awhile, and sighed saying,
“Alright, Anna...I won't. But, I swear...if I hear or see him hurting you...I
can't promise that I won't rush in and kick the living shit out of him.”
“No, Gunther...you can't get involved. That's the only way you won't get killed
or arrested. Just please...don't do anything rash...” she pleaded.
He stayed silent, closed his eyes and sighed just nodding his head. He couldn't
stand the thought of Erikur hurting her and him just standing by being useless.
He helped her with the rest of the meal she was making for him and once it was
all done he cleaned the kitchen and made it spotless he was only doing this for
her and to protect her from any punishment Erikur would want to inflict on her
for “finding a mistake” that she had made. She set the table up and he went
back to his room so he could just act like he was just walking out of there
once Erikur entered through the door. He had to put on a “housecarl act” for
him so he had to treat him respectfully and address him respectfully too, and
act like he didn't have a burning rage of hatred stirring in his body for the
man. Just as she finished setting up the table, the prick came strolling in the
door. Gunther glared at him briefly, and then shook it off and said, trying not
to sound too unconvincing,
“It's good to see you again, my Thane.”
Erikur just acknowledged him with a lazy nod of his head and a fake smile on
his face while he did it. He sniffed the air and said,
“Hmm. That smells great. Annalise...where are you my dear wife?”
She came rushing over to him, she had cleaned herself up just before he walked
in, so she smelled normal and it didn't raise any suspicions he may have had if
she hadn't cleaned up. She stuttered, hands folded in front of her,
“H-Hello my husband. How was your day?”
“Great. I gave the Jarl so many pointers on how to improve the businesses
around here. She took in all my suggestions and I'm pretty sure they'll pull
through, I am a genius when it comes to business after all. Oh and
Annalise...?” he said, trailing off as if she was supposed to know something.
“Y-Yes, Erikur?” she asked.
“Aren't you forgetting something...dear?” he said, sounding threatening but
trying to hide it. Gunther wasn't convinced.
She flinched and rushed over to him again and kissed him on the lips with all
the fake passion she could manage. Erikur than wrapped his one arm around her
waist and made her stay there longer by pinning her there. He pulled away and
had a dark smile on his face and said,
“Time for dinner...”
He let go of her and she gagged when he wasn't looking. He had stuck his tongue
down her throat while she kissed him. Gunther saw this and became even more
angry at Erikur. She rushed over to serve him his food and Gunther just kept
his distance because if he was any closer to that monster...he would grab a
knife or fork and just repeatedly stab him in the neck making him choke and die
on his own blood. He smirked darkly at the thought of it all, he would very
much like to do that to him right now. But...he held back with it reluctantly.
After Erikur finished his dinner, he said to her,
“That was actually very good...your cooking is improving at least. I guess all
my punishments are working on you, huh?”
He chuckled darkly after he said that. He didn't think that was loud enough for
Gunther to hear but it was. He clenched his jaw and balled his hands into
fists. He held back everything...his anger, his hatred and the need to kill
Erikur. He then heard Annalise yelp slightly and that made him hurry and see
what was happening. He then saw Erikur had a tight grip on her wrist and had
her pulled down to his eye level while he was sitting in the chair. He heard
Erikur say,
“You know what's going to happen tonight right? What is expected of you?”
“Y-Yes! I understand...I know what you expect of me, husband.” she said, trying
to hide the fear in her tone.
“Good...now...what will there be none of?” Erikur asked, smirking darkly.
“Th-There will be no fighting you...no refusing you...I must do what you want
me to do.” she said, voice shaky as if she would cry at any second now.
“Very good. I expect you to live up to those expectations tonight. Now, get
this all cleaned up, and come straight upstairs when you're done down here...we
have an heir to try and make...”
She just nodded her head slowly, and began to clean. Gunther waited until
Erikur was for sure all the way upstairs. He rushed over to her and immediately
checked her wrist that Erikur had grabbed a hold of so harshly. It was reddened
and slightly bruised as well. He clenched his jaw looking up at her and she
said, tears brimming her eyes,
“I-It's fine...it's only a temporary thing...nothing major...”
“Nothing major...? Don't make any excuses for that son of a bitch. He hurts you
every damn night. I'm not promising to hold back anything I want to do to him
for long. I'll do it for now, but if it gets progressively worse I will step in
and do something about it.” he said, concern and worry in his eyes for her.
“Gunther...please. I have to finish cleaning...and I have to go upstairs after.
He's waiting for me...if I take too long he'll get angry at me again.” she
said.
“I'll help you clean this all up. You shouldn't have to be the only one who
cleans and cooks around here.” he said, softly.
She just smiled and nodded. He helped her clean up and she looked even more
afraid now. She needed to go upstairs to that monster, and he had to let it
happen or Erikur would hurt her worse than he already does. Gunther went back
to his room and felt nothing but regret and worry for letting her go up there
to him. But Erikur came down the stairs shortly after and said, to Gunther,
“Here. Take this purse and get yourself a room at the Inn, there's extra in
there for food and drink if you wish to have those too.”
“I must politely decline, Thane. I was given strict orders by Jarl Elisif to
stay here and guard you and your belongings at all times.” said Gunther,
holding back his anger and the want to just punch him right in his disgusting
face.
“Oh? And might I ask when she gave you these orders?” asked Erikur, jeering.
“Just earlier today. Around three o'clock. I was given a message by a royal
courier.” stated Gunther.
“Right. Well, where is this message then?” asked Erikur, sounding suspicious.
“He only told me verbally. There was no written message.” stated Gunther, still
sounding very convincing.
“Well...if she ordered you to stay here at all times I guess I can't refuse her
orders...just don't get in my way.” he said, not very thrilled.
“Of course, sir.” Gunther said, fake smile on his face.
“Now, if you'll excuse me...I have to get back to my wife.” said Erikur, dark
smirk on his face.
As he was walking away from Gunther, the smile he was faking was now gone and
he was just glaring at him now. He was so angry that he couldn't do anything to
help her if he heard her getting hurt by Erikur. He just shut his door and sat
on his bed. The walls may have been impenetrable from the outside of the house,
but they weren't on the inside. The walls were actually rather thin along with
the floors and everything would be heard...everything he didn't want to hear.
As he was still sitting on his bed, he heard nothing but Annalise's cries of
pain and him yelling at her, along with hitting her. He couldn't stand doing
nothing about this. He was shaking his leg, had his hands folded, and his head
was down as he faced the floor. He was actually getting very upset as he was
hearing all of this going on. He heard everything that was said. Erikur was
heard saying,
“What the fuck did I tell you not to do, bitch?!”
Annalise was then heard, crying hysterically and saying,
“F-Fight you...or r-refuse you!”
“And what are you doing?!” he yelled back at her.
“What you told me not to do! Y-You're hurting me, and it's just a natural
reaction...I-I'm sorry, Erikur!” she cried.
“Do you think I care that I'm hurting you?! Because I really could care less.
You need to give me an heir and if you keep doing what you're doing...I'll make
sure I always make it hurt! All that matters is that you give me an heir!” he
yelled at her.
Gunther, was fuming right now. He wanted to so badly just run up there and get
him off of her and just bash his fucking head in until he was no longer moving
and he was covered in Erikur's blood. That would be the greatest day of both
Annalise's and his lives. After about another 20 minutes or so...all the cries
and yelling stopped. All that was heard now was Annalise's soft, hoarse sobs.
One of these days...one of these days...he would get exactly what's coming to
him...and Gunther would be honored to be the one to provide that final
blow...or even better if Annalise was the one to do so. That would be the
ultimate karma for an asshole like him...
Gunther could not sleep well that night, all he did was fantasize about all the
ways that he wanted to kill Erikur...and he smiled at every one of them.
***** Sick Of It *****
Chapter Summary
     Gunther is sick of Erikur's ways of treating Annalise and he tries to
     convince her to run away with him and not look back...
     Smut is involved in this! ;)
Annalise was awake before Erikur to make his breakfast for him like always. She
bared fresh bruises on her wrists, upper arms, neck, and thighs once again. Her
left eye was blackened around it. She had cuts, on her body and face again. Her
lip was busted and had dry blood on it. She fought him off again, but she
shouldn't have. She would have walked out unscathed for the most part at least.
She was sore all over her body. She could barely move while making his
breakfast, but she pulled through just to make sure he had everything hot and
fresh once he woke up. Gunther woke up shortly after she did, and approached
her in the kitchen, she refused to turn around and face him. She didn't want
him to see how she looked. She was ashamed of being stupid and fighting him off
again. Gunther decided to wear regular clothes today, since his armor tended to
get a little overbearing at times, but he still had his dagger sheathed on his
hip. The clothes he wore weren't anything fancy or formal, just causal. It was
actually just a plain miner's shirt and plain black pants along with plain
black boots. He approached her and already had a saddened look on his face.
He said, softly to her,
“Anna...please look at me.”
“N-No...I don't want you to see what I look like. It's my own fault he hurt me
last night...I fought him like I said I wouldn't do...and I got punished for
it. I-It's my fault...all my fault...” she said, voice breaking like she was
about to cry.
“Don't you dare blame yourself for what that fucking prick did to you. It was
all him. You did nothing wrong. You did what you felt was right...you fought
him and tried to refuse him. He just got pissed off like a spoiled fucking
child that didn't get what he wanted, and took it out on you. Like a coward.
Only cowards hurt others that have done them no wrong.”
“That's what I like about you the most Gunther. You always try to make me gain
my confidence and make me feel better. You...heard everything last
night...didn't you?” she said, still not facing him and was still making
Erikur's breakfast.
He gently put a hand on her shoulder and slowly turned her to face him. She
kept her head down and he put his other hand underneath her chin and lifted her
head to face him. He became very angered once he saw how she looked. He said,
low and angry,
“That fucking bastard...he's going to get what's coming to him. I can't promise
not to get involved in anything that he does to you, I will definitely make
sure he gets what he deserves.”
“W-What? No, Gunther...I told you...you can't.” she said, afraid.
“No, Anna. I will. He deserves what I have planned for him...and I'll make sure
it's nice and painful.” he said, serious.
She didn't say anything and he helped her finish breakfast. Once everything was
done, it was all hot and fresh. He went back to his room's entrance and acted
like he was just coming out and Erikur came down the stairs shortly after. She
rushed over to the table and started to set it up for him. He sat in his usual
chair. She was still silent and said nothing. Gunther knew how terrified she
was of him, and he just wanted to end it for her. Make him pay for all the
horrible things he's done to her over the last few years they've been married
to one another. He just wanted to do it right now...but he knew he couldn't for
the safety of Annalise. This wasn't going to last much longer with him
though...he wouldn't just stand by and do nothing forever.
Erikur finally finished his breakfast and of course made Annalise see him off
again. She was of course very reluctant to do so. She did it to please him and
make him happy, and so he didn't hurt her again. As soon as he was out the door
she turned around and went to the kitchen to start cleaning, Gunther was
already in there cleaning up. He smiled at her and she gave him a small smile,
and when she tried to start cleaning something he said, to her,
“Don't worry about this mess. I'll get it. You aren't a slave and shouldn't do
what he tells you at all. You go get some well deserved rest.”
“Really? A-Are you sure? I can get this.” she said.
He just looked at her and said,
“No. You won't get this. I will. Go rest, Anna.”
She smiled at that and said,
“Thank you, Gunther.”
Before she went to go rest, he approached her and put his hands on her face,
and gently kissed her lips. She returned the kiss, but it seemed more urgent
with her. He didn't mind it but he knew she was probably very sore because of
Erikur, so he pulled away and said, forehead against hers and eyes closed,
“Anna...you know I won't be able to stop myself if we take this further than
it's already going.”
“I know...but I want it to go further.” she said, hands on his chest.
“I know you're sore. You could barely move this morning...are you absolutely
sure about this?” he said, still worried he might hurt her.
“Yes...please, continue...you won't hurt me.” she said, sounding filled with
desire.
That was enough for both of them to get back into an intense lip lock. She had
her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her, while his hands rested
on her hips and he caressed her sides gently. This kiss was more intense than
their first one that they shared, he pulled away panting. He cleared everything
off of the table behind them with one quick swipe of his arm making them all
fly to the ground and across the room with loud thuds and clangs. He then
surprised her by gently but also pretty urgently lifting her up and setting her
down onto the same table he just cleared off. She gasped but smirked afterwords
seeing what he was getting at, he was now directly in front of her as she sat
on the table, which was thankfully low enough for them to still continue their
passion. He put his hands back on her hips, and she had hers on his chest once
again, both were panting but Annalise initiated another kiss with him making
them both moan in response. She was then felt tugging at the front of his
shirt, but neither one broke the kiss. He started to pull at the material on
her dress too, no corset this time so it made it easier for both of them for
him to remove it. He had to pull away to pull the dress up and over her head
again as gently as he could, but it was also quite urgent. He threw it aside
and again locked his lips with hers. As he was kissing her, she was still
trying to get his shirt off but he just got a hold of it himself and just tore
it off...literally. She smirked under his lips at that.
He slid his hands all the way down her sides to her panties, and untied both
ends. He pulled away but had his lips less than inch away from hers as he did
this though, and as soon as they were off, she went for his pants next. He
smirked and let her do what she wanted and she opened them just enough for him
to be able to work his magic on her. She felt him shift a little more and then
she felt his member near her entrance, she was anxiously awaiting him. She
wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him to her, making him enter her
at the same time. They both moaned at the feeling, and she had her arms locked
around his neck again. His hands were both supporting her legs by holding them
in place around his waist. He kissed her neck as he was taking her. Both of
their breaths were heavier, and she still kept her legs locked around his
waist. She was urging him to go faster and he did just that. He then lifted her
up off of the table and brought her to his room. He laid her down onto the bed,
getting on top of her and re-entering her making them both moan loudly. She
surprised him by switching their positions making her the one on top now. She
immediately started to ride him, pretty fast for her current state. His hands
roamed her body caressing her everywhere he could. The way she was moving her
hips and grinding against him made both of them closer to the edge. Both were
screaming in pleasure at this point.
His climax came and so did hers. Both let out groans and moans of relief and
pleasure as they finished up with one another. She lifted herself up and
collapsed next to him. Both were of course smiling and panting with sweat
beading their bodies. She got onto her side and cuddled closer to him, and
leaned up to kiss his lips. He of course kissed her back. He said, softly,
“Gods...I love you so much, Anna.”
She was happy to hear that and said, softly,
“I love you too, Gunther. More than you know and more than I thought I did.”
He smiled and said,
“What do you mean by that, love?”
“Well...I wasn't sure of my feelings of you at first...but after how amazing
it's been with you for the last few days...I know now, that I do love you. I
love you very much. I can't see myself with anyone else but you.
But...Erikur...is keeping me from you.” she explained.
He was very happy to hear her finally say it to him and realize that their
feelings for one another were in fact true and that they were really in love
with one another and not just the feeling the other gave to them. He said,
caressing her cheek with the back of his hand,
“You don't have to stay here with him...let's leave here. He doesn't need
either of us here. He probably won't even care if we leave.”
“I-I can't just do that. He'll care if I leave...he won't stop until he finds
me and kills me himself just for leaving him and being 'disobedient' to him by
doing so. I-I'm sorry, Gunther...I can't just leave here. He'll kill me...and
you.” she explained, saddened.
“If you stay here, he's just going to hurt you more and more. You can't stay
here and just let him use and abuse you all the time. He could kill you one of
these days.” he said.
She stayed silent with that response and looked like she was thinking about
something. But then she snapped out of it, becoming afraid and looked out the
window once again seeing it was maybe mid-day. She calmed down and relaxed once
more, and he sighed saying,
“I hate seeing you terrified like this. I want to get you out of here, Anna.”
“I-I can't leave...I can't. I've told you why.” she said, sounding very afraid.
“I know why. And that's exactly why I want to get you out of here.” he said.
She was silent again and just sat up and put her head in her hands. She was so
conflicted. A big part of her wanted to go with Gunther and leave this place
not looking back, but the part of her was so terrified of leaving and was
making her stay in this hell house. Gunther sat up and comforted her by rubbing
her back and holding her in his arms. He kissed her lips softly, and she
returned the kiss quickly, causing them to get ready for another round with one
another. They had plenty of time, so why not? It was just as good as their
first round too.
Once they finished up again, she cleaned herself up and got redressed and they
both started to cook dinner. Neither one of them wanted to do this for that
asshole but they had to just so Annalise wasn't hurt for not obeying him. He
was back in his armor now. Erikur came home and acted like his usual prick
self. He ate his dinner, treated Annalise like trash again and made her go
upstairs with him again. Gunther wanted to stop her and wanted her to stay with
him but he knew he couldn't do a damn thing in fear of him killing her. He had
to listen to all the disgusting and harmful things he did to Annalise once
again. He was pissed off beyond belief and he couldn't do anything...it was
starting to get old. He would get involved one of these days...he just didn't
know when yet. But he'll do it soon enough...and it will land him in some hot
water and some deep, deep trouble...
***** Unexpected Discovery *****
Chapter Summary
     Annalise figures out some great news, but all that happiness will be
     gone soon enough...
Chapter Notes
     I AM SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY ON THIS!! :( :(
     I hope you like it anyways...it has a pretty sad twist though :\
     Warning: contains domestic violence, and a rape is implied.
It's been a few weeks and Annalise missed her period that was supposed to
happen some time last week. She didn't need a doctor to tell her what that
meant. She was pregnant. She's experienced this in the past with...that prick.
He had gotten her pregnant but him not knowing or having any decency whatsoever
caused her to miscarry every time. She already knew whose baby it was as well,
she did the math and it all fell on the day she slept with Gunther twice in a
row. It was definitely not Erikur's child. She needed to keep this on the down
low...but if he happened to find out or figure out that she was with child. She
would just tell him that it was his. But she was rather excited that she would
finally be able to carry a child to full term instead of that joy being ripped
away from her by Erikur once again. She didn't think she would be able to
become pregnant with how many times she miscarried, so this baby was a little
miracle to her. Erikur had just finished up his breakfast, she saw him off
again...reluctantly and she began cleaning up. Gunther was there in a heartbeat
to help her clean everything up. He was wearing regular clothes again, but had
his dagger and sword sheathed on his hip this time.
She smiled at him and he smiled back. She was not as hurt as she was the other
day, but that was only because she followed all of Erikur's orders in the
bedroom for her last night. Gunther spoke, breaking the silence,
“You seem...content today. I'm glad to see that you are.”
“I actually am...surprisingly. Gunther...I have to tell you something.” she
said, still cleaning up as she spoke.
“What is it, my love?” he asked, smiling.
“I'm pregnant.” she stated simply, but was smiling.
“What? How do you know this? Are you absolutely sure?” he asked, worried that
it was Erikur's baby not his.
“Well...I missed my period. And I don't need a doctor to tell me what that
means.” she said.
“Is it...his baby?” he asked, sounding upset.
“No. I know it isn't. Because I did the math and it all falls on the day you
and I slept together twice in a row. My love...this baby is yours. I feel it in
my heart.” she said, happy tears brimming her eyes.
“How can you be so sure of that, Anna?” he asked.
“Because when I figured it out...I wasn't upset about it. I didn't feel dread
in having to carry this baby around for 9 months like I did before when I
miscarried so many times. When I knew it was that monster's child in the past.
I was happy. I was so happy. I knew then...that this baby is yours, Gunther.”
she said, happy tears falling down her cheeks.
That lit his face up and he rushed over to her and scooped her up into his arms
and twirled her around once while kissing her and put her back onto her feet
without breaking their kiss. He pulled away and put his forehead against hers
as they shared this wonderful news together. He smiled and said,
“You just made me an even happier man. I'm going to be a father...” he said,
happily.
“Yes you are. And I know you'll be a great one.” she said.
“I hope so. But...what if Erikur finds out? Won't he kill you for carrying my
child instead of his?” he said, worried.
“He won't know. I'll lie and say the baby is his. He couldn't kill me then.”
she said.
“But it won't stop him from hurting you in other ways, Anna. He is a monster
that much has been proven in my time here. And a fucking prick like him won't
care if you're pregnant or not. He's still going to hurt you.” he said.
“I-I know that...but if I tell him it's his baby he won't hurt me too much...”
she said.
“Hurt you too much? This is Erikur the asshole we're talking about. He will
hurt you no matter what.” he explained.
She stayed silent because she knew he was right. Erikur didn't care. He
wouldn't care. He would hurt her, but probably not her stomach area. She just
kissed Gunther and gave him a reassuring smile after pulling away. She started
to finish up cleaning and he helped out and didn't let her lift anything heavy.
She giggled and said,
“You know I can lift stuff right now right? I'm only a week pregnant, love.”
“I know but I don't want you to lift anything not now. You're pregnant with our
child. I don't want you or the baby to get hurt.” he said, smiling.
They spent the rest of the day in one another's arms and relaxing in his bed.
She was of course trying to get a little “risque” with him, and he just
chuckled and said,
“Really, Anna? You're pregnant...and you're still trying to seduce me?”
“Well...yeah. It usually works on you, doesn't it?” she said, laughing after.
“You aren't wrong there...you're my weakness I can't help it.” he said,
chuckling again.
“So? Is it gonna work on you if I keep going with it?” she asked, flirty.
“I don't know if it will this time.” he stated.
“Aw...really?” she asked, sounding defeated.
He laughed and said,
“You look like a little puppy who was denied a treat by it's owner.”
“I do?” she asked.
“Yes you do. But it just makes me love you more.” he said, smiling sweetly.
She smiled at that and just accepted the fact that she wasn't getting any from
him right now. Which made her very sad. But she let it go and just continued to
talk and laugh with him all day until it was time for her to start cooking
dinner for...him.
Gunther of course helped her cook. She was not as terrified as she usually was
of his return, but she was still scared of him. She would tell him about the
pregnancy this time, but only if he seems like he's to hit her again. She
served him his dinner like always, and Gunther stayed in his room, but still
watched everything closely, he was leaning against the entrance to his room
with his arms crossed. Once he saw Erikur stand up out of his chair and grab a
hold of Annalise around her waist, Gunther's hand automatically went to the
hilt of his sword. He was not going to sit by tonight...he would do something
this time. No one would tell him otherwise. She was now pregnant with his
child. He needed to protect them both no matter what the risk was. She looked
afraid and he saw Erikur just forcefully kiss her again. After awhile he pulled
away and grabbed a handful of her long, dark locks and pull her head back to
make her neck more exposed to him, and he started to kiss it roughly. Her face
was showing pain on it. He grabbed a hold of her wrist now and started yanking
her up the stairs almost making her fall over a few times. Gunther followed
suit, and made sure Erikur didn't see him. He stayed at the end of the stairs
and listened for any signs of him becoming more violent with her.
After about 10 minutes of silence, it happened...he heard Erikur become angry
with her. He was heard yelling,
“What the fuck is wrong with you?! You were so obedient last night, and
now...you're fighting me again?!”
A slap was heard and a scream from Annalise was heard along with a thud as she
fell to the ground. Gunther ran up into action then. He was now near their
bedroom door, hand still on the hilt of his sword. He peered around the corner
and saw Erikur grab another handful of her hair, and yanked her up from the
ground, and slammed her back against the wall and she made a yelp as he did
that. Erikur said, low and threatening,
“I guess I have to teach you another fucking lesson then...don't I?”
“N-No...Erikur, please...” she said, crying now.
Just as he drew his hand back that was balled into a fist, like he was about to
jab punch her in the stomach, she naturally reacted and covered her stomach
with her hands. He noticed this and said,
“What? What the hell are you doing with your hands, bitch?”
“Don't hit me there! Anywhere but there!” she cried out.
As soon as he was about to say something else, Gunther came out of the shadows,
and drew his sword pointing it straight at Erikur with a look of anger,
frustration and pure seriousness on his face. Erikur slowly turned around and
saw Gunther with an ebony sword pointing it straight at his face. Erikur asked,
angered,
“What the fuck do you think you're doing, housecarl?”
“What does it look like I'm doing you fucking prick?” said Gunther, low and
serious.
“It looks like you forget who the fuck I am. I can have you arrested for this
you know.” said Erikur, smirking darkly.
“Go ahead. Call the guards. These walls are impenetrable from the outside,
remember?” Gunther responded, smirking.
“Why the fuck do you care what I do with my wife? She's my property. I do
whatever I want to do to her. I make sure she does everything I want her to do
and sometimes she refuses to do it...so I have to teach her a lesson!” Erikur
snapped.
“She's not your goddamned property! She is no one's property! And you want to
know why I care...” he yelled, and edged closer to Erikur with his sword,
“...it's because I love her!”
Erikur's eyes widened and so did Annalise's. She was afraid as to what Erikur
would do to him now. He slowly turned to face Annalise and exchanged glances
between her and him. He became angry again and yelled,
“Are you pregnant with HIS baby, you fucking slut?!”
“N-No! Th-This baby is yours, Erikur! Not his, I promise! I swear to the gods
it's yours!” she exclaimed, out of fear.
Erikur was then sliced his arm with his sword, making him let go of her.
Gunther then put his arm around Annalise and put her behind his back to protect
her. Erikur was still fuming and yelled out,
“YOU'RE GOING TO FUCKING PAY FOR THIS, GUNTHER!”
He shoved past them both and ran to the door, they followed after him and
Annalise was crying her eyes out because she knew Erikur was going to have him
arrested for attacking him and for sleeping with her behind his back. His
“property.” Gunther just chased after him and again hit him with his sword in
the back this time. Making him cry out again and once he got to the door he
slammed it open and yelled out,
“GUARDS! GUARDS! I'M BEING ATTACKED! MY HOUSECARL HAS TURNED AGAINST ME!”
The guards came rushing in. There had to be about 5 or 6 of them. They all had
their weapons drawn and one of the guards ordered,
“Stop! In the name of the Jarl!”
“Surrender now or face the Jarl's justice!” ordered another one.
“Guards! Arrest this man! He's been sleeping with my wife while I'm gone during
the day and he tried to kill me!” yelled out Erikur, like a spoiled little
child that didn't get his way.
“Of course, sir. You there! Surrender! A nice, long time in Castle Dour dungeon
will straighten you right up...I've seen that place bend the will of even the
strongest men. Now...drop your weapon and come with us.” said a guard, to
Gunther.
Gunther looked at all the guards and refused to drop his weapon. Another guard
said,
“Drop it! Or we will use force!”
Gunther still did not budge. He just sighed and whispered, to himself,
“I'm sorry, Anna...I failed you...”
The guards then became impatient and used force with him. They forced him to
his knees and shackled his wrists. They yanked him up to his feet with the
excess chain on the shackles. As they walked past Erikur, he had nothing but a
dark, and evil smirk on his face as he held his arm that was still bleeding.
Gunther saw the opportunity and spit in his face as they walked past and he was
still close enough to do so, this made Erikur wince and growl in frustration.
Gunther yelled out, to Erikur as he was being escorted to the dungeon,
“Fuck you, you prick! You're nothing but a monster! You just beat your wife all
the time because you're a fucking coward who can only beat women to feel
empowered! You're not a real man!”
The guards that were still near Erikur, kind of glanced at him when Gunther
yelled that out. Like they couldn't believe he could do something like that.
One of them decided to ask,
“Do you beat your wife, sir?”
“That's none of your goddamn business, guard! Just do your fucking job and keep
your nose out of my business! Also give that prisoner a fucking life sentence.
No bail will be in his future.” he snapped, he then slapped two very swollen
coin purses into the guards' hands and went back to his house and the guards
acted like they never heard Gunther say that and just went about their
business. Erikur was now returning back to his very terrified wife...
Once he came back to the house he yelled out, sounding psychotic,
“Oh, honeyyyyy! I'm hoooome!”
She was hiding upstairs in a darkened corner, sitting in a fetal position and
with tears streaming down her face. She was heartbroken and very terrified. She
knew Gunther was arrested...and will be in there for a long, long time maybe
even killed. She broke down at just the thought of losing him. She would never
love again if that happened. She was still crying and cried harder once she
heard him coming up the stairs. Out of habit now, she guarded her stomach area
since he was coming closer now. Then...he entered the room where she was at.
She was still in her darkened corner and he was looking around the room, still
holding his arm, and hobbling slightly because of his injuries that Gunther
inflicted on him. The look on his face was just that of dark intentions and an
evil smirk. He called out, while still trying to find her,
“Annalise...I know you're in here. I can feel your fear...it's thick in the
air. You don't have your...lover...here to save you now. He won't be able to
save you from me ever again...he's going to be in Castle Dour dungeon for a
very long time. And I promise you...I have a lot of plans for your punishment
for being unfaithful to me. I won't touch your stomach area...but only because
you're carrying our child and my future heir. It's about fucking time you bared
me an heir, bitch. I thought you were sterile or something...but that's the
only thing you'll be good for: Birthing my children and being my very own
personal slave to do whatever I wish to and to make do whatever I want you to.”
She still protected her stomach, but didn't move an inch. But...he found her.
He said, smirking darkly,
“Ah...there you are...my dear wife. Get the fuck up...”
She didn't say a word and just stayed there on the ground, frozen with fear.
This angered him and he yelled,
“I SAID GET THE FUCK UP, BITCH!”
She flinched and she scrambled to her feet. He just jeered at her as she stood
up. He was still pissed off about some other man fucking his property while he
was gone, but since he already took care of Gunther...it was her turn. He said,
low and threatening,
“How long have you been fucking him behind my back, whore?”
She hesitated to answer, still protecting her stomach, and couldn't find the
words to say to this horrible man in front of her. This made him grow impatient
and more angry and he rushed over to her. Her eyes widened and she quickly
backed away but was stopped by the wall and he slammed his hands on the wall
behind her, trapping her there. Her hands never left her stomach. His face was
now inches away from hers, which made her turn her head away but she still
glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She was breathing heavily, and her
heart was racing in fear. She felt his disgusting, hot breath on the side of
her face and neck. He yelled, right in her ear,
“HOW LONG?!”
She let out a yelp and stuttered,
“For the last few weeks!”
He gritted his teeth, and gave her the coldest glare. She was shaking with
fear...and all of a sudden he slapped her very hard across the face with the
back of his hand, making her stumble and cry out in pain. He said, darkly, in
her ear,
“The last few weeks?! You fucking slut...you unfaithful bitch!”
She was again crying very hysterically and was still protecting her stomach.
She wanted so badly to say what she wanted to say to Erikur...she wanted so
badly to tell him like it is...but her fear of him overwhelmed everything else
she felt. He continued to speak to her very harshly. He spoke again,
“You just think you can fuck whoever you want to, cunt?! All the while being my
wife?! You're just another common whore...just like you were before we married.
I should have fucking known you would never change. Once a whore...always a
whore!”
He again slapped her hard across the face this time on the other side of her
face, making her cry out again. She said, between sobs,
“P-Please...”
“Please what, bitch?! This is part of your fucking punishment. You have no room
for pleas of mercy! You obviously need more training by me. I thought I had you
taught and made to do what I say...but no, you're just the same fucking slut
you were before we married.” he said to her, angry.
He grabbed her by the hair again making her yelp and threw her to the ground,
she stopped herself from falling completely by using one hand to balance
herself so she didn't land on her stomach while the other still protected it.
He was getting off on this because she heard a low groan escape his throat. She
became afraid and snapped her head around to look at him, he edged closer to
her and as she tried to move away, he stomped his foot onto the back of her leg
on her right calf, and that made her scream because she could have sworn she
heard a crack or snap come from her leg. She whimpered as she tried to get out
from under his foot. He grabbed her hair again and this time yanked her to her
feet and pulled her back towards him, her back was pressed against him now, and
he put his lips near her ear as he pulled her head back more to where her ear
was right next to them and whispered,
“All this fear and pain I'm causing...makes me want to punish you in my most
favorite way of doing so.”
She knew what he meant...he was going to rape her again. She struggled to break
free and screamed for help. But...no one would hear and if they did they would
most likely just ignore it since he had every guard in this city paid off. He
just chuckled darkly and said,
“Go ahead and scream for help. No one will pay you any mind even if they do
happen to hear you...”
He pulled her towards the wall next to them, and had her facing it. He pushed
her forward and her head was turned toward the left. He began to rip her
clothes again, and she just couldn't even attempt to fight back. But she cried
out a lot and did try to break free, but couldn't since he would just push her
back up against the wall. Her hands were forced away from her stomach and he
pinned them against the wall. She heard him start to undo his clothing, and she
again tried to wriggle free, but he then pinned her arms painfully behind her
back, pushing her chest more up against the wall, and she was no longer mobile.
At this point he didn't care that she was pregnant...he was going to hurt her
in his most favorite, sadistic way possible.
He started to violently violate her, and with no warning. She was in so much
pain, and she was screaming for help the entire time. She wanted him out of
her...now. He was being very relentless with his actions. He gave no care as to
what she was feeling. He was a sadistic monster. He got off on harming
others...he was not a real man. Real men would never do this to their own wives
or any lover they had. She was in tears right now. Once he finished with her,
he just let her go and let her slide to the ground. She again put her hands on
her stomach, and sat there on the ground crying...she needed to get out of
here. But more importantly...she needed to get out of here for the sake of her
and Gunther's future child. It's been far too long...far too long that she had
suffered through this hell. It was time to leave...for good. But she didn't
know how she would build up courage enough to do so. She knew she would visit
Gunther in the prisons every day while the asshole was away at court. She
started to not sleep in the same room as Erikur anymore and stayed in Gunther's
old room. It brought her comfort to sleep there, Erikur could care less where
she slept as long as she still cooked, cleaned and slept with him every night.
Not caring that she was pregnant, he still ordered her around like a slave and
treated her like one still. But all of his methods were now more ruthless, and
more violent. She just protected her stomach every time, not wanting to
miscarry again...she didn't know how much longer she could stand this...but she
didn't know what to do. Conflicted...she couldn't decide what to do...
***** Daily Visits *****
Chapter Summary
     Annalise visits Gunther every day while Erikur is away at court...but
     runs into a little bit of trouble while doing so...
Annalise and Gunther have been seeing one another on a daily basis. She visited
him a lot, and it was time for another visit with him. But this time there were
guards near the entrance to Castle Dour both were Imperial soldiers as well not
just regular guards. She approached the door to the building and the first one
stopped her and said,
“Hold there. You aren't allowed beyond these doors, Miss.”
“What?? I've been coming here every day and now all of a sudden I can't?” she
asked, sounding upset and confused.
“Well things change...now you aren't allowed to visit any prisoners.” said the
other guard.
She narrowed her eyes and said,
“No one ordered that. No one important enough. You're both Erikur's
men...aren't you?”
They glanced at one another, smirked and the first one said,
“Well...aren't you the clever one?”
She crossed her arms and kept her eyes narrowed as she jeered at them with
hatred. She stated, serious,
“Move away. I am your boss's...wife. I have a right to come here and go as I
please.”
“No...you don't. From what I know...you're just his own personal fuck toy and a
woman he can beat whenever he wants. That's not much of a wife...now is it?”
said the second guard, with a dark smirk and look on his face.
That made her flinch and become rendered speechless. She looked down and said
nothing else which made the first guard say, smirking,
“Ooh...looks like that hit a little close to home. It's because it's true.
You're nothing. A nobody...just like his previous wives were. A bunch of
nobodies. Mostly all women whose parents arranged a marriage of them to Erikur.
All because they were reckless, selfish, sluts. Just like you were before,
right?”
That made her shocked to hear and she asked,
“What do you know of them? His previous wives?”
“Asking a little out of context aren't you? You have no right to know and have
no right to ask. All there is to say about them...they're all gone now. That's
all you need to know...ma'am.”
That made her very nervous to hear. But she regained some confidence and tried
to push past them to get to the doors, but she was stopped by both of them
grabbing a hold of each arm. She wriggled to break free, but to no avail. All
the other common guards were not getting involved just standing by acting like
nothing was happening and going about their usual business. They were told not
to meddle in affairs like these especially with these two soldiers specifically
since they were both Erikur's personal guardsmen, he has them both paid off
with very large amounts of gold...they also took care of some of his dirty work
that needed done in the city. They just kept harassing her and making her stay
back away from the doors, but this time one of them grabbed a hold of her wrist
and pulled her to him. She was becoming afraid and he chuckled saying,
“Damn...he really has you on a tight leash for you to be this afraid already,
huh? We haven't even hurt you...yet.”
The second one smirked and said,
“Well, what should we do with her? She seems persistent.”
“We can't do much since the boss hasn't told us to do anything to her yet.” he
stated.
“I guess that means you just need to move along and get back home. Shouldn't
you be cleaning the boss's house right about now?”
With that the one with a hold on her pushed her back enough to make her stumble
but she was caught by someone before she hit the ground. She looked up with
tears brimming her eyes and saw who it was. It was Beirand. She smiled at the
sight of him and she ended up hugging him and he said, looking at the soldiers
who were harassing her,
“Ann? Are these men troubling you?”
“Beirand! I'm so glad to see you! I haven't seen you in so long.”
“It's good to see you too, girl. But, you didn't answer me. Are these men
troubling you?” he said, now glaring at the men.
“Hey! Hands off the lady, blacksmith!” yelled the soldier that had pushed her
away not too long ago.
His sword was unsheathed and he rushed over to Beirand and grabbed a hold of
Annalise's wrist, attempting to pull her away from him. She gasped and cried
out,
“Let go of me!”
She then yanked her hand back and retreated back to Beirand. Beirand spoke now
and said, angered,
“Keep your hands off her, prick! Corrupt son of a bitch! You're supposed to
protect these people, not harass them like I just witnessed you do to this
young woman.”
The soldier jeered at him and said,
“She's not just some young woman. She's Erikur's wife. A very important man in
this city. This city would be nothing without him.”
Beirand couldn't hold out the snort that came out and it just turned into a
full on laugh and he said,
“What? Are you daft? Did you seriously just say that to me?”
The soldier clenched his jaw and didn't say another word, Beirand continued by
saying,
“Is that truly how you feel about that pathetic excuse for a Nord? Or is that
just the coin he's paying you talking?”
“Watch your tongue, blacksmith! That's no way to speak to a loyal Imperial
soldier.” he yelled.
“Loyal? Loyal...? Loyal my ass! You're corrupt...I heard enough of what was
said between you two bastards and Ann here.” stated Beirand.
“I can have you arrested for this!” yelled the soldier again.
“For speaking the truth? Hmph...doesn't seem like a very good reason to arrest
me...especially for defending a young girl whom is like a daughter to me. Who
your...boss...forced to quit working for me two years ago so it
didn't...'sully' his reputation. He didn't want to be married to a 'peasant'
woman and have it make him look bad. She told me enough in the letter she sent.
He's a horrible man. Pathetic. A coward. He hides behind his money and he
abuses his power as Thane on the Jarl's court.” explained Beirand.
“Beirand...don't say anymore. They can kill you or have you put in
prison...just like Gunther.” Annalise said, warning him away from saying
anymore.
“I can't be arrested. Then they wouldn't have anyone else to make their weapons
and armor for them. If they kill me or have me arrested...they'll be fucking
themselves over.” he said, loud enough for the soldier to hear.
That made the soldier just growl in frustration and say,
“Fine! You win this time, smith...but don't think that this is over between
us.” the soldier stated, angered. He was only pissed because it was true what
Beirand said.
“Now...can she visit whom she wants to visit in the prisons now?” questioned
Beirand, smiling triumphantly.
The second soldier then approached and said,
“Absolutely not. We know who she is visiting in there...her goddamn lover she
fucked when Erikur wasn't home. His former housecarl: Gunther. There is no way
in Oblivion we will let her pass!”
Beirand seemed a little surprised that she took a lover while being married to
Erikur, but he was surprised in a good way not a bad one. He said nothing
further on the subject but turned to her and asked, putting a hand gently on
her shoulder,
“Ann...do you love the man they say you visit?”
She nodded her head, tears streaming down her face now, and said,
“I do, Beirand...with all my heart.”
He nodded his head and said, to the soldiers,
“She has every right to visit the man you imprisoned! What I understand from
the way she speaks of this Gunther...he treats her right and loves her back the
same way she loves him. Was he wrongly imprisoned?!”
The soldiers started stumbling over their words and glanced at one another. The
first one cleared his throat and said,
“Absolutely not. He was imprisoned for attacking and trying to kill Erikur. His
own Thane. The one he swore to protect and the one whose home he was sworn to
watch over. He's a filthy traitor in my eyes. Same with my comrade here.”
“Bullshit! You speak only lies. There is more to it...you're hiding it!” yelled
Beirand, now getting in the soldier's face.
This made the soldier seem nervous now. He was not able to kill him or arrest
Beirand or Tullius would have the soldier's head on a platter. He was their
only source for weapon and armor repairs and creations. No one else could do it
in this city. Annalise stepped in and said,
“They are hiding more...he was arrested for trying to kill Erikur and attacking
him that much is true...but the real reason was because Gunther loved me and
was sleeping with me while he was away at court. Him attacking and trying to
kill that monster was for me and my own protection. He was protecting me from
Erikur. He made me feel everything I could never of dreamed of feeling in my
heart ever again. He made me happy. He treated me fairly! He never ordered me
around like Erikur does! You arrested him because he loved me! Erikur didn't
like that Gunther was with his...property. That's why he was arrested! The real
reason!”
She was now crying hysterically. Her cries being that of a woman with a broken
heart. The pain of true love being ripped away from her unfairly showed all
over her face.
“Why you little bit--!” the soldier started but was cut off by Beirand punching
him in his jaw.
Hearing that from Annalise angered Beirand. He knew she wouldn't lie about
those types of things. The second soldier unsheathed his sword and was about to
attack Beirand but the first one stopped him by putting his hand up as a
gesture to stop him from going further with the attack. He said, while rubbing
his jaw,
“Pretty strong hit for such an old man.”
“You WILL let her visit him, and you WILL let her pass. Or I tell General
Tullius that two of his soldiers are unfaithful scum being paid off by Erikur,
a man who is a complete dick and acts like he's above everyone else. He won't
take that too well...he may even order your executions having all of Solitude
watch as the headsman cuts both your heads off one after the other.
So...what'll it be soldier?” explained Beirand, in a threatening tone of voice.
The soldier became completely different after he just threatened to use
blackmail against him and his friend. He gulped and his eyes were slightly
widened. He straightened himself out and cleared his throat saying,
“U-Uh...there will be no need for that...Beirand was it?”
“Then let her pass! Or I go straight to Tullius! And don't say my name. I don't
want it coming out of your filthy mouth. All big and bad when you're picking on
a young girl who is by herself with no back up, but someone helps her out and
confronts you...you become like a frightened little child? Pathetic...just like
that man you call a boss.” Beirand said, glaring at them with his jaw clenched.
“O-Of course...sir. She can pass.” said the second soldier now.
“About damn time. Now step aside! And if you say anything to your boss about
what happened here today...he can deal with me himself if he's got the balls to
do so. He wants to prove how much power he thinks he has in this city, let him
try it with me and we'll see who comes out of it victorious. Oh and I'll just
tell Tullius about you two if you tell him as well. So keep all what happened
here today to your goddamned selves!” threatened Beirand.
The first soldier said, stuttering,
“N-None of what was said or done here today will be told to Erikur...you have
my word. But this is only going to happen this once...Erikur is paying us good
money to keep her away from here and to take care of more delicate matters he
has us do for him.”
“Delicate matters? What sort of matters are those?” asked Beirand, crossing his
arms narrowing his eyes with suspicion.
“That's none of your damned business, blacksmith! Don't push your luck,
pal...you may not like the outcome. I take my work he has me and my comrade
here do for him very seriously. You have no right to know what he pays us to
do. Now, go...before I change my fucking mind.”
The soldiers than walked away from them both back to their posts outside the
doors to Castle Dour. Annalise smiled as she walked to Beirand's side, he
smiled back and Annalise said,
“Beirand? Can you please come in with me? I want you to meet Gunther.”
“I would love to meet him. But shouldn't your father be the one who meets him?”
he said.
“I haven't spoken to them...Erikur forbids it. Plus...I didn't exactly leave on
good terms with my parents...I do miss my brother and sister though. I wonder
how they're doing every day...but I can't see them. I have a short time between
when Erikur leaves...and then returns home, and I use that time to visit
Gunther every day. But those men wasted so much of my time...it's already mid-
day. Please...we have to hurry. I have to be back home before Erikur so I can
cook his dinner for him.” she explained.
“You have to be home to make him dinner? That lazy bastard can't do it
himself?” he asked.
“Yes...it's one of his many rules he makes me follow.” she stated, not wanting
to go further on the subject.
“Ann...what does that bastard do to you? You...have scars you never had before.
You have cuts and bruises that look fairly fresh. Is that son of a bitch
hitting you?” he asked, concerned for her.
She looked down and started wringing her hands and she looked up while biting
her lower lip, holding back tears and slowly nodded her head. His eyes widened
and he pulled her into a tight hug and said,
“I am so sorry, Ann...if I had any idea I would have taken care of him
sooner...but that bastard made you cut contact off with your own family and
your friends didn't he?”
“It's not your fault...it's no one's fault but my own. But yes...he did make me
cut all contact off with family and friends.” she stated.
He pulled away and said,
“What? Your fault? Like hell it is. That prick beats you for no reason and
orders you around like a goddamn slave? That's not your fault at all. Never
blame yourself.”
“I don't fight back as much as I should. I just let him hurt me. I should be
able to protect myself! I feel like a weakling.” she said.
“No, Ann. It isn't your fault. Stop blaming yourself. You're the victim, not
him. Come on...let's go see Gunther, I want to meet him.” he said, giving her a
small smile.
She nodded and smiled slightly. He could tell in her face that when he
mentioned Gunther that she truly did love him and how happy he made her feel.
Beirand was thankful for that. He kept an eye on Erikur's lackeys as they made
their way past them through the doors of Castle Dour. The lackeys didn't move
an inch and just side glanced them both as they entered the building.
They made their way down to the prison cells, and she was getting a little more
ahead of Beirand but he allowed her to do it, and just smiled at how happy she
seemed right now.
“This Gunther...must be someone very special to her.” he thought to himself.
She ran right over to the cell in the middle of all the other cells that also
had prisoners in them. But they were all either “traitors” of the Empire for
supporting the Stormcloaks, petty thieves, or murderers. They all had valid
reasons but not Gunther. He didn't deserve to be in here. Beirand followed her
and caught up with her once she got to the cell. He saw as Gunther and Annalise
both ran up to the cell door at the same time. He put his hands through the
cell bars and cradled her face. She kissed him through the cell and said,
pulling away,
“My love...two of Erikur's lackeys forbade me from coming in here to see you.
The thought of not seeing you had me even more heartbroken than I already am.
But...Beirand helped me get past them. He made them let me see you.”
“Those bastards! If only I could just get my hands around Erikur's throat right
now...I would choke the life out of him! Same with his damn lackeys. But they
would fall to my blade, not deserving enough for how I would end that prick's
life.” He looked back at Beirand and smiled with a nod of his head saying,
“Thank you. If not for you...I would never be able to see Anna's face again.”
Beirand nodded and smiled back, he got closer and stood near Annalise and he
said, to Gunther,
“It was my pleasure. I couldn't just let them push her around or tell her what
to do and what not to do. She's like a daughter to me. And you must be Gunther.
I just wanted to thank you for loving Ann and treating her the way she deserves
to be treated. You make her very happy and that's all I want for her more than
anything else.”
That made Gunther smile wider and he looked back at Annalise with such a look
of love in his eyes for her that it was almost unreal. Gunther said, softly to
Annalise,
“That's all I ever want for you too. You deserves happiness...and I can't give
that to you in this cell. And it frustrates me beyond belief how close I am to
you...but I feel so far away from you.”
“I-I'll get you out somehow, Gunther. I-I'll find a way. I promise you. I'll
get you out and we can run far from here...raise our child somewhere safer and
father away from this city! I can't let them keep you in here. I won't let
them.” she said, with her hands on his face through the cell bars now.
“Anna...it's easier said than done...” stated Gunther, with a saddened look in
his eyes.
“Child? Ann...you're...pregnant?” asked Beirand, eyes wide with surprise.
Gunther and Annalise looked at one another than back at Beirand. She smiled and
said,
“Yes. I am. Gunther is the father.”
“Why...that's great but very surprising to hear. But...that son of a bitch
still hits you? Even when you're with child?” Beirand smiled at the start, but
got serious at the end.
She bowed her head and looked back up at him and said,
“Yes, he still does. But, I lied and said it was his so...he doesn't touch my
stomach area anymore.”
“That doesn't make things any better, Ann. And I'm sure Gunther agrees with me.
He shouldn't be hitting you at all, especially since you're pregnant. No man
should ever strike his wife, no matter what.” Beirand said, eyes filled with
concern.
“He's right, Anna. I do agree with him, he seems like he is a good man and he
seems like he is a great father figure for you. Erikur doesn't deserve you.
Please, Anna...if I die in here or if they kill me themselves...promise me, you
will leave this place. Promise me you will move on and make a better life for
yourself. The one you deserve the most.” Gunther said, softly to Annalise.
“No! I won't! I can't just leave you. They won't touch you, and they won't kill
you I won't allow it to happen. I will get you out of here! I'm determined for
you to have your freedom again. Our child needs you...I need you...I can't
promise something like that!” she cried out, tearing up.
“Ann, he may never get out. Knowing Erikur...he probably gave him a life
sentence. One he can't get out of. I will help you as much as I can too, just
ask me I will help you if you ever need it. I am always going to be here for
you.” Beirand, said. Kneeling down next to her now.
“Help me get him out of this horrible place! Please...I just want him free
again.” she said, tears falling down her face now.
Gunther sighed and caressed the side of her face and ran his fingers through
her hair then said,
“I'm not getting out of here, love...I was given a life sentence just like
Beirand said. They granted me no bail either. As much as I would love to get
out of this cell and be able to hold you in my arms again...they won't allow
it. Erikur has a very large influence over these guards. Every guard in the
city, including some Legionnaires as well are being paid off by him.”
She held his hand to her face and leaned into it. She said,
“I can't bear the thought of never being held by you again...or never seeing
you again. I don't know how I could move on...I don't want to forget about you.
You made me so happy in the time we were together...”
Beirand comforted her by putting a hand on her shoulder. Gunther looked like he
was in so much agony being separated from her by a cell door. Beirand could
tell...they were very much in love with one another. He hated seeing her like
this...feeling hopeless, not knowing what she would do without Gunther in her
life. Just then a guard said,
“Hey, you two! Visiting times are done! Come back tomorrow.”
“No! Please...no...I don't want to leave you here.” she stated, crying.
“I'll still be here, my love...I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. You'll see
me again tomorrow. But...I don't want you to leave either. Just being able to
touch your face like I am right now...is a feeling I don't want to lose. I love
you, Anna...I love you so much.” he said, to her.
She leaned in and kissed him through the cell bars once again, making this kiss
last as long as she could make it. She then said,
“I love you too, Gunther...so very much...”
Beirand just left them alone for a few moments as he stood near the entrance to
the prisons. After awhile the same guard said,
“Miss, you have to go. Visiting times are done, I'm sorry...rules are rules.”
Beirand could tell he was just an ordinary guard, one not paid off by Erikur,
at least it didn't seem that way. She walked away from the cell, and was very
upset leaving him there again. Beirand comforted her more by hugging her and
walking her out of the prisons. He walked her back home since she insisted on
going back there, so Erikur didn't get angry with her when there was nothing
made for his dinner. Beirand hated leaving her there at his house, and she said
he needed to go before he saw him with her. He left her there and worried about
her the whole time she was not at his side now.
She was in the kitchen only thinking about Gunther...kind of drifting off into
her thoughts. She was cooking for Erikur...again. Waiting for him to come
home...again. Once she finished cooking he walked through the door, she just
silently set up the table, and she heard him say,
“Your husband is back, Annalise...why haven't I been greeted yet?”
She just walked over to him and reluctantly kissed him and said,
“Dinner is served, my husband.”
“I can see that. It smells great. How's my child doing so far?” he said,
smirking.
“Fine. It is hard to tell since I'm not very far along.” she stated, fake
smile.
“Good. I can't have a bad heir. Alright, time for dinner.” he said.
He went over to his usual chair and said, annoyed,
“What is taking you so long, Annalise? Your husband is very hungry after a hard
day's work.”
She rushed over to him and served his food to him. And even though she was
pregnant he still expected her to sleep with him every night, until she became
too far along to do so. He still “punished” her for being unfaithful, so he was
never gentle it was always rough and violently. He still hit her...he still
belittled her. But little did he know...Annalise was getting fed up with it and
it wouldn't be long before she leaves him for good...
***** The Time Has Come... *****
Chapter Summary
     Annalise gives birth...but her happiness turns into sadness...
It has been 9 months...and the day has come for the birth of Annalise and
Gunther's child. She had gone into labor earlier today and there were two mid-
wives named Freya and Thalia here to help her give birth. They were assisting
her right now. Erikur didn't even have the decency to stay there and see the
child be born...good thing the baby wasn't even his. Annalise had visited
Gunther all the way up until she was 6 months along, but after that she could
no longer do so due to her swollen ankles and back pains. She was given these
mid wives earlier during the earlier months of pregnancy, but they were only
there to assist her and help her around the house. Beirand hired them and sent
them over, Erikur didn't even care who hired them and didn't concern himself
with it. He was just “far too busy” half the time. She was not spared any abuse
from Erikur though, even with the mid wives there with them. He would just send
them away at night time, and he would resort to pushing her around again. She
had become so used to his behavior that she just expected it to never end,
which pushed her to leave him even more. But she stayed only because she was
pregnant and didn't want her baby to be born in the middle of nowhere with no
help. So she stayed only for the baby's well being.
The mid wives were helping her through it one was holding her hand, while the
other needed to cut her and help the birth more easier since it was her first
child. Annalise was crying, sweating and breathing heavily. The mid-wife
holding her hand named Thalia said,
“That's it deep breaths.”
“Miss Annalise, when I tell you to push I need you to start pushing okay?”
Freya explained.
Annalise nodded her head frantically and then let out a scream as she felt
Freya cut her. Then she said, to Annalise,
“Okay...start pushing.”
Annalise then started pushing, as much as she could manage. She pushed until
she heard Freya say, smiling,
“Good...very good. I'm starting to see the head.
Annalise pushed more and kept going until she heard the cries of her and
Gunther's child for the first time. This pushed her to keep going until the
baby was fully out and fully born. After a few more pushes, Thalia got a nice,
clean linen blanket ready and brought it over as the one helping her give birth
put the baby in it and cleaned it off at the wash basin in the room. Freya cut
the cord and brought the baby over to Annalise in a new and fresh linen
blanket. She said, smiling,
“Congratulations. You have a healthy baby boy.”
Annalise smiled and chuckled happily seeing the baby. He had Gunther's
eyes...and her hair color. Thalia said,
“What would you like to name him?”
“Triston.” stated Annalise, drowsily.
“Wonderful name.” stated Freya, smiling.
It was the name she and Gunther had agreed on during her daily visits over the
last few months. Just when Freya was going to hand the baby to Annalise, she
let out another yelp and started breathing heavily again. The mid wives did not
know what was happening, they just presumed it was the after birth coming out
but no...it was not. Thalia said,
“Freya...?”
“What is it?” asked Freya, holding Triston.
“There seems to be another child coming out...” said Thalia.
“What??” both Freya and Annalise said.
Freya handed Triston over to Thalia and rushed to assist her through another
birth. Annalise pushed like she did with Triston and it seemed like it was
easier this time. After a few more pushes, the second baby was born. Exactly
four minutes after Triston was born. Freya said,
“Congratulations once more, Miss Annalise. You've given birth to another
healthy baby, but it's a girl this time.”
Annalise smiled at the sight of her second baby and chuckled happily again. The
baby girl had her eyes and Gunther's hair color. Thalia smiled and said,
“Do you have a name for this little miracle?”
“Ryleigh.” stated Annalise, smiling weakly.
“Another wonderful name choice.” stated Freya, smiling.
Thalia handed her Triston and after Freya cleaned off Ryleigh she handed her to
Annalise as well. Thalia already started cleaning off Annalise, and after she
was cleaned she sewed her open wound up, and after it was sewn up, she started
using a healing hands spell to make her feel better and feel more like herself.
Annalise still felt very tired, but as she held her twins and looked at their
little faces she knew the pains and drowsiness was worth it all. Annalise
already explained to the mid wives that these babies were not Erikur's and she
told them who really was the father and asked,
“Would you both be able to take me to him? So he can see our children?”
“We would love to do that for you, Annalise.” Freya said, smiling.
“Yes. Let's go there now.” stated Thalia, also smiling.
Annalise smiled and thanked them both. They helped her up, but they changed the
sheets on the bed before they left. After it was all remade and cleaned up in
the room, they helped her to Castle Dour so Gunther could see their twins. They
got to the prisons and a guard asked,
“Whoa...this is no place for small children.”
“Let us pass. The father of these babies is being imprisoned here. And this
young lady would like him to see them.” Freya said, serious.
“And who might that man be?” asked the guard.
“Gunther. His name is Gunther. Light brown hair, blue-green eyes. He's a Nord
as well.” explained Annalise.
“Oh...that man?” asked the guard, sounding a little sympathetic.
“Yes...him. Why? What's wrong?” asked Annalise, becoming very worried now.
“I'm sorry to say this, ma'am...but this Gunther you speak of...was executed at
the headsman's block a week ago. I'm very sorry for your loss, ma'am...”
explained the guard, saddened.
Annalise was silent...and had a look of shock on her face. She couldn't bring
herself to speak. The love of her life...the father of her children...was dead.
Gone from her life forever. After a long time of silence Annalise broke down.
She fell to her knees, Freya and Thalia made sure she didn't drop her children
or hurt herself and knelt down beside her as she screamed and cried
hysterically. The babies must have felt their mother's stress and sadness
because they also began crying. Freya and Thalia had tears brimming their eyes
and Freya asked,
“Who ordered this execution?!”
“I-It was a man by the name of Erikur. The one that Gunther had attacked and
almost killed. He was his Thane and is the owner of every business here in
Solitude.” said the guard, who had no idea who Annalise really was.
Annalise froze when she heard who ordered his execution. Freya and Thalia knew
Erikur was her husband and knew how he treated her. She told them a lot over
the last few months. They also knew about Gunther, whom was her lover and
Erikur's former housecarl.
“That's all I needed to know...” said Annalise, trailing off.
“I am very sorry for your loss, ma'am...” said the guard.
She nodded her head slowly and was helped back to her feet by Thalia and Freya.
They were pretty silent walking back to Erikur's house. Once they got back,
Freya and Thalia took the babies away from her because they knew she would most
likely have another breakdown. They were put into the bassinet that was near
the bed. Annalise started to cry once again...and put her head in her hands,
and started to cry hysterically. Her sobs were uncontrollable, and she was
hyperventilating. Freya and Thalia did their best to calm her down. They
couldn't imagine all the pain she was feeling right now. Her heart broke into a
thousand pieces today. Annalise said, in between sobs,
“I...need to...leave here...I need to leave...now! I can't...stand...the
thought of...staying here...any longer!”
“O-Of course, Miss Annalise...shall we help you with that?” Thalia said.
“Y-Yes, we would gladly help you leave here.” Freya said, reassuring smile on
her face.
“Y-Yes...please...” said Annalise.
They nodded and got her knapsack ready and started packing away everything that
was hers in the house. Annalise also packed things into another knapsack. She
was leaving and she was leaving today. Hearing how Erikur ordered Gunther's
execution without her knowing was the last straw. Thalia always checked on the
babies every now and then, along with Freya and Annalise too. Once everything
she had that was hers in the house packed away, along with some food and drink
as well, she was out the door, babies in hand and the mid wives following close
behind her. She left no note or anything behind for Erikur. He would know once
he got home tonight that she was no longer his to control and beat whenever he
wanted to. She was a free woman...finally after so long...she was free. The
feeling it gave her was peaceful and happy. She told the mid wives they did not
need to follow her now and thanked them for everything. They nodded their heads
with a smile on their faces, and went back to the alchemist shop since that is
where they worked usually.
Annalise decided to stop and see her family after so long of not being able to
see them since Erikur did not allow her to do so. She hesitantly used her foot
to knock on the door. It wasn't long until her father answered the door. His
face went from being confused to happy. He said, to her,
“Annalise? Is...that you?”
She smiled and said, tears brimming her eyes,
“Yes, father...it's me.”
“Luciana! Damon! Marcella! Come in here, we have a very special guest!” he
called out, happily.
He gladly invited her in and she sat down in their living room, setting her
knapsacks down onto the ground next to her feet, but continued to hold the
babies. They were asleep right now though. The babies were now wrapped in warm,
fur blankets. Her whole family came in very quickly and once they all saw her
sitting there she stood up and smiled at them all saying,
“Hello everyone...sorry I've been absent for so long.”
“Annalise?! My little girl?!” said her mother, tears falling from her eyes.
“Hello mother. I'm so glad to see you all again...” said Annalise, tears
forming in her eyes now.
Her siblings now a young man and young woman themselves ran over to hug their
older sister. They were careful though since she was holding their niece and
nephew. They looked at their new niece and nephew and Damon said,
“Annie, you had twins?”
“Yes. They were just born a few hours ago.” she stated smiling.
“I'm an uncle??” he asked, happy.
“And I'm an aunt??” asked Marcella, happily.
“Yes. You both have a niece and a nephew now.” stated Annalise, smiling.
Her father and mother both looked at the babies now. Her father said,
“You're a mother? And I'm a grandfather?”
She nodded and her mother said,
“And I'm a grandmother?”
She nodded again, and she let her father hold Triston and let her mother hold
Ryleigh. Her siblings talked her ear off saying how well they've been doing at
their jobs and how much they missed her over the years she was gone. She told
them her kids' names, and she felt like she needed to explain why she was
forbidden to come here. It was hard for her to start explaining, but she did
anyways.
“I feel like you should all know the truth of why I was not allowed to see you
all for the past few years...my marriage with Erikur...was not a happy one...it
was never happy. We were married for two and a half years...and it all started
when we first arrived to his house right after the reception. His whole facade
he put on for the year before we were married was fake... a lie...and it
changed fully when he shut and locked the door behind him. He became cold,
heartless...and he listed these rules of his for me to follow. The first one
was that I was to quit my job, since he couldn't be married to a peasant, the
second one was he wanted breakfast every morning he woke up and dinner every
time he returned home and I had to serve it to him every time, the third one
was he wanted a clean house every night he came home, and if it wasn't clean to
his liking he would punish me, and the fourth rule...was...” she trailed off,
tears forming in her eyes, and she let out a shaky breath and continued, “...I
was to give him sex every night he returned home from court. No refusing, no
fighting, and no excuses from me. After he listed all those out for me...he
wanted us to...consummate...our marriage. I was very afraid at this point and
he just lost it when I refused him. He hit me...and tore my dress up...every
time I would look away from him or try to fight him off he would just slap me
across the face...which is where I got this scar from...” she caressed the one
that was on her face and across the bridge of her nose and continued, “I
suffered through abuse and rape for those two and a half years...all caused by
him. I also have many scars from him all over my body...ones that aren't
visible to you all. But that first night...was a nightmare become reality. He
was so...violent...so...heartless. I was sore every time he was done with me.
He impregnated me...many times...but...I miscarried every time since he was not
made aware that I was pregnant...I felt like he didn't deserve to know. But
with these two...” she caressed the heads of both Triston and Ryleigh while
smiling, and she continued, “...were miracles. But...I'm leaving him. And I
need you all to promise me not to tell him where I'm going or say that you saw
me at all. I need to get away from him, and I need to protect them from him.
Please...you all need to promise me you won't say one word about seeing me or
knowing that I left him...alright?”
Her family was rendered speechless, and her mother and father just hugged her
at the same time and started to cry. They knew she wouldn't lie about
that...who would lie about that? Her siblings were holding their niece and
nephew now, and they also had tears brimming their eyes. They all felt like
complete fools believing Erikur was a great guy and was a good man for Annalise
to have as a husband. Her father said, voice shaky,
“By the gods...I feel like a complete fool...I was tricked by his facade...and
I made you marry him...and made you go through that for so long.”
“Father...it's not your fault. No one really knew how he was...I didn't even
know...but it's over with him now. Don't worry yourself about it anymore...it's
over. He won't ever hurt me again or harm your grandchildren in any way. Which
is why you all need to promise me that you won't say anything to him if he
happens to stop by here and ask if you've seen me lately...” Annalise said,
trying to reassure her father.
“We promise, Annalise! That bastard doesn't need to know where you or the
babies are or where you will be going. He'll never know.” said her mother,
crying.
“Speaking of the babies...” said Marcella, sniffling.
“Yes, what about them, Marci?” asked Annalise.
“Ryleigh has light brown hair...your eye color...and Triston has your
hair...and blue-green eyes?” she asked, confused.
“Yes...that's something else you all should know about. These babies...aren't
Erikur's. They're another man's...a man named Gunther. He was...Erikur's
assigned housecarl. I...had an affair with him, and these babies are the
miracles of that relationship. Gunther truly loved me, and treated me
right...he was my first...true love. The first man I had a connection with...we
had an affair with one another for many weeks...until Gunther could no longer
promise me to not get involved if he heard or saw Erikur harm me in any way.
Erikur was harming me again...badly. Wanting me to give him sex, but I started
to refuse once again foolishly. Gunther came in and saved me from any further
harm at the hands of Erikur. Erikur...called for the guards once he ran outside
the house. Gunther went after him and the guards arrested him...he was given a
life sentence in Castle Dour dungeon...only because he loved and cared for
me...only because Erikur didn't like his property being with another man...”
Annalise trailed off, crying. She put her face in her hands and sobbed
uncontrollably.
Her family was shocked in what she just told them. Not in a negative way, they
actually all felt like Erikur deserved to be cheated on. Even her over
moralized parents felt that way...and that's saying something. Her father and
mother were comforting her and her father said,
“We'll get him out of there. These babies deserve to have their father in their
lives. We will find a way, I promise you, Annalise.”
Annalise cried harder when he said that. She spoke again, voice breaking and
tears falling,
“You can't, father...it's too late...”
“What? Too late? How?” asked her mother, concerned.
She looked up at them, face wet with tears,
“Erikur...that fucking prick! He ordered his execution a week before Triston
and Ryleigh were born...without telling me a damn thing!”
The anger and heartbreak showed in her tone while she said that to them. She
never cursed...so it was effecting her deeply.
“That bastard!” exclaimed Damon, angered by what he just heard from his older
sister.
“What kind of monster does that?!” exclaimed Marcella.
“Erikur does...he doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself and his needs.”
stated Annalise, wiping stray tears away.
After speaking with her family further, she again told them to promise her not
to say anything to him. They all swore he would not know one detail about her
leaving and they will say that they didn't see her at all if he just so happens
to stop by and ask if they'd seen her once he realizes that she has left him.
She then told her family goodbye one last time. This would probably be her last
time she would ever see them again. She promised she would keep in touch with
them and they of course kept their word of them burning the letters after they
were read so he didn't see them if he just so happened to stop by...and he most
definitely would. Her family helped her bring her things to the carriage she
hired to take her as far as the driver would take her: Riften. She had her
babies in their thick, fur blankets and she said her last goodbyes and the
carriage driver then began driving her away from this city...from this
horrible, tainted city. She couldn't help but smile to herself triumphantly as
she watched the city get smaller and smaller...and further into the distance
behind her. She held her babies close and made sure they were warm, dry and
happy. They were her last joy she had left in her life...and the only pieces of
Gunther she had left as well. She swore to herself that she would never love
anyone ever again...no matter what. But...most promises are broken especially
ones made to yourself. Only time would tell her when the time was right to move
on and get another man in her life...even she didn't know when that time would
be. But for now...all she cared about now was her children, nothing else to her
mattered. She was a mother now and would do everything in her power to protect
them from anything and from anyone who threatened their lives. She didn't know
what she would do once she arrived in Riften, but she would do whatever she
could to support herself and her kids. She would find something, even though
she heard Riften is not exactly the best or safe city in Skyrim...but it was
the best place to go if you were in hiding. But she knew the carriage driver
could only go so far before he would have to make a stop for his horse and
himself. She would stay wherever that would be for however long she felt the
need to. She was determined to get away and she was going to do just that...but
also find out more about herself along the way.
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