Robin Hood | Thief of Skandia

Chapter 28 (Aftermath)

Song: Be Alright by Dean Lewis

Hallasholm bustled, the stars in the night glimmers above her, though her heart had wandered far from her body. Robin looked out over the water. Why did everyone she loved seem to be torn from her grasp, all because of reckless evil? With a tense jaw, she lowered her gaze to the water lapping under the platform, as she stood near the docks. Her fingers subconsciously gripped at the silver pendant which hung from the chain around her neck. A cool breeze brushed against her skin, curling through her hair and drying the cold sweat that formed on her forehead, she lifted her chin, breathing out at the looming moon.

Robin Hood never should have come on this journey. She was a damned thief, not some brave warrior, and she was a fool to ever think that she could possibly be strong enough to endure such a task. This time, she had bitten off more than she could chew, and her friend had died because she didn't have the strength nor skill to protect them.

A sudden wave of anger crashed over her, and she stepped away from the edge, briskly pacing as her chest constricted with bitter resentment. Her body felt as though she was going to explode from the pressure and thoughts she lay on herself. Robin wasn't fast enough to save Jon. Her hand once again flew up to grip the silver pendant. She should have been there for Jon. Now he was dead, and there was nothing she could do about it.

She should have protected him.

It wasn't her fault little Jon was dead, but people shrouded with regret often don't know otherwise.

Her anger boiled to a point where it became unbearable, like a brewing volcano, hissing and spitting on the brink of an explosion. Her jaw set, and she sent a fist flying into the wall beside her. Her knuckles cracked with pain, though she couldn't stop herself. With a hoarse cry, she hammered both fists to the stone, reinforcing her hits with the anger that streamed through her body.

Her swings didn't stop, even as her fists ached with the searing pain. A small amount of blood dotted the stone retaining wall, smeared on her red busted knuckles, but she wasn't in control of her body.

Everything was a hot steaming haze.

In another fit of anger, she hammered another fist into the wall. Robin attempted another swing, but her hands were held back by a stern grip on her wrists. Spinning around, she viewed Erak, his brows furrowed as both distress and confusion whirled in his eyes.

The blonde man held her fists now, preventing her from swinging more hits and damaging her knuckles any further. Blood specked his calloused hands, though his hold remained firm. She gritted her teeth as he lowered his eyes to observe the wounds, concern ridden across his features. 'Robin..'

He was cut off as another wave of anger crashed over her, embarrassed at the fact that the man had seen her in such a position of weakness. She ripped her hands from his grasp, stepping back as her body stung with bitter hostility.

'I'm fine, just leave me alone.' She scolded, turning her back to Erak and she attempted to step away. However, the blonde man prevented her from leaving by placing a stern hand on her shoulder.

'No, you are not.' He stated, pulling her body back around and he gripped her shoulders in a firm hold.

'Let me go!' She growled, her blood scolding as she heaved away, his grip was too strong, and the next thing she knew, he had pulled her towards his chest, gently craddeling her.

Her body froze at the embrace, and upon his gesture, a flood of tears streamed down her face. Just like she couldn't control the punches, she couldn't seem to control the tears, they spilled out like a dam held back for to long. She couldn't remember the last time she cried this much. Burying her face into his chest, she allowed the vulnerability to show, as she had been masking it for long enough. He stroked her hair. For to long she had held up a barricade of strength, and because of this, the emotion she had buried for years hit her all at once.

Slowly her racking sobs and tears subsided, 'it wasn't your fault Aasta.'

'How.. How do you know my name?' She mumbled in his shoulder.

He cursed inwardly, 'I heard him call you that. I'm sorry I won't use it again.'

'It sounds nice when you say it.' She pulled back from his embrace and wiped her face on her sleeve, a small, shy smile appeared on her face. 'Thank you.'

'Anything to see that smile of yours again.' He cupped her cheek making her heart race as she struggled for breath, a small blush touching her cheeks.

'It looks like we are at the crossroads again.' Erak tilted his head slightly, so she continued with a small laugh. 'I left your line of sight.'

He chuckled when understanding reached his eyes, 'and I grabbed you again.' 

'That is true. So how do you want to do this? Fight to the death?'

He laughed again, 'why don't we just find somewhere to sit down.'

'Don't you want to join the celebrations?'

He looked at her, 'I don't feel like celebrating.' How could he when she was this upset.