She looked away from him, refusing to look at him. Silent tears coursed down her face. He had betrayed her. Completely betrayed her. She winced as they laughed and just tied her hands tighter. Her life was as good as over. They dragged her as they walked. Soon it was night and they tossed her down to the ground, the two men began to undress, and she curled up on the ground, knowing what was about to happen.

Crixus watched as they undressed. He knew what would happen now and when they returned. Was life in the arena worth the loss of her life?
He stood up and walked over, hoping to dissuade them.
''There is no need. I shall pay for all the pleasure you desire when we return'' They took no notice of him, one began to sit on top of her and began to raise her dress.
''Stop!'' Crixus cried, involuntarily.
The other mercenary gave the other a curt nod before shoving Crixus away.
''What we do with her is not your concern, champion or no you are a slave'' he shouted as he slapped Crixus across the face.
Crixus looked up at him, trembling with rage. That was not how a champion was treated. He would not be enslaved again. With a shout he drew his sword and severed the man's head. The other sprang from Eonwe and began to run away, Crixus sprinted after him before stabbing him repeatedly.
Breathing heavily he realized what he had done. He went back to Eonwe, this would be the harder part.

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She trembled as the one began to raise her dress, her head turned and her eyes squeezed shut. She heard loud voices, then was startled as something warm splashed onto her. Her eyes flew open, and her face grew white. It had been blood, she saw the man's head and body severed from each other, and Crixus was taking after the man who had been sitting on her. She turned so she was laying on her side, her back to the direction they had gone. Crixus would no doubt take her back so he could regain his life in the ring. She had been a fool to trust him, a fool to give herself to him.

Crixus walked back to her, frowning. He moved and lightly touched her shoulder.
''Eonwe?'' He didn't know what to say, or what to do. He loved his life in the arena, yet he wasn't sure if her could condemn her to death.

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She jerked her shoulder from his touch. He had entirely betrayed her to the men. She was hurting. She had thought he had meant it when he had said he cared for her. Another mistake of hers. She remained silent, partly from the tears that fell. He obviously valued his life in the ring more than her life. Why had he even bothered to get her away? Was it a cruel game of his? Take her away, ruin her for any chance of marriage, then take her back and have her killed anyway?

His guilt doubled as she moved away from him, he didn't know what to do. He searched and picked up the knife he had given her, he leant down and cut her bonds, tossing the knife beside her.
He reached for her,
''Please, allow me to explain''

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She pulled her arms around in front of her, rubbing her wrists. She felt the bracelet he had given her, and her tears fell again. She took it off her wrist and let it fall to the ground in front of her. It was probably just another part of his sick plan. She heard him ask her to let him explain.
"Explain what? That you just signed my death warrant?" she knew her hurt was coming out in her words. She didn't care. He didn't care for her either.

His heart fell as she removed the bracelet and he scrambled about, trying to make her understand, he needed her to understand.
''Yes, I acted foolishly, but I just saved you from them. You must see that! Yes, it was my actions that put you in danger in the first place. I was blinded by the offer.''
Tears began to fall from his face as he saw how she looked at him, he moved forward, dropping to his knees.
''The arena, the blood and gore is all I know. At the chance to return I took it, but I see now that it is but the life of a slave. I couldn't let them ravish you in that manner, I care for you, though it kills me to know you do not believe that. I do not wish you any harm'' he tossed his weapons in front of her, leaving him defenseless.

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She couldn't believe he actually started to cry, as well as dropped his weapons in front of her. It was all he had known, he was right about that. Her shoulders dropped. She knew what she had to do.
"I thank you for saving me." her voice was quiet, "If you wish to return that badly we can leave in the morning." he had said it was the life of a slave, yet could still fight and be a free man. "If I go with you, and my brother sees that it was you that brought me back he will convince Abrax to set you free. And you can fight still, only as a free man." she looked at the ground as she spoke, her slave instincts kicking back into gear. She had been so close...she had breathed free air for a while, at least. Now she was to join her ancestors in the afterlife. The only way now that she would be free.

He shook his head, denying her offer.
''They would kill you. I will not allow you to die for me'' He moved forward slightly, and took her hands, he looked up at her and spoke, his voice filled with both sincerity and sorrow.
''Let me see you to the cottage you dream of. Please'' he knew that if she was returned to Abrax, her blood would be on his hands, the guilt eating away at him and plaguing the rest of his days.
He picked up the bracelet he had given her, and offered it to her again, his eyes still slightly teary.
''Please''

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She took the bracelet, looking at it and turning it around in her hands. They started to shake, and she dropped to the ground, covering her face and sobbing into her hands. She didn't understand, why did he want to help her? Why was he saying these things?

He tentatively set his hand on her shoulder, wondering now what his boundaries were.
'Do not cry. No harm shall come to you'' He frowned at her tears, he wished he could comfort her further but he would not risk overstepping his mark.

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"But...you...said...before!" she cried through her sobs. He had given her that very same promise before. "Now...can't...marry...can't...find trust..." her sobs shook her small body. The way he had looked at her when they had dragged her off had shaken her trust in him.

It broke him to see what he had done to her, the pain he had caused her.
''I do not ask for forgiveness, I do not deserve it. Allow me to keep my promise,I shall not fail you again''
He lowered his head, awaiting her words. He knew it would be near impossible for her to trust him again, but he would try his best to redeem himself.

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"I...do...forgive..." she did forgive him, it did make sense. Yet she still felt used. Her sobs quieted somewhat, but she was still broken. "When..leave?" her hands lowered into her lap. What would happen next, she didn't know. And she was done hoping.

He shook his head.
''Forgive me when I have you safe away from harm. Next, I shall take you to your cottage, even if I have to build it myself''
He gently lifted her up and brought their things together, he looked at the bracelet in her hand, wondering what to do. He extended his hand
''I will take it back, if you do not want it any longer. I understand you may not want anything further from me'' it saddened him to say that and he hoped she would keep it. It was the first gift he had ever given anyone.

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