Rescue

Alone trapped in a net, Lunetta curls up into a ball holding her tail close. Halvor steers the small boat towards the shore beaming with pride. "We're almost there siren, The Village of Lyconrock. There I will be giving you as a prize to the chief. Then ill be rewarded and bring pride home to my wife and children." He says glancing back at her. Lunetta meets his gaze. "Please just let me go, Fenris knows who I am, hell be looking for me at the forest by the fjord. Let me go and I won't tell him what happened." She begs. Halvor lets out a yell and slams an axe into the mast. "you will stop your lies, or I will stop them for you." The rest of the ride to shore is spent in silence. As the boat glides to the dock, Halvor separates Lunetta from the net with fish tying her hands together. Once the boat is tied off on the dock Halvor places Lunetta in another net and lowers her down enough that her head is underwater but with her arms raised and tied to the boat so that she couldn't escape. Halvor felt a small pang of guilt treating her this way but he knew everything she said was a lie. The sun had just rose above the horizon before he went to see the chief, he wanted to share this moment with one person. Halvor rushes home to see Astrid already up and preparing breakfast. "Astrid, I have something I want to show you!" he says excitedly hugging her from behind kissing her neck. "What's got into you?" she says looking at him with suspicion, one eyebrow raised. "Are the children asleep?" Halvor says looking for them "Yes they won't be up for some time, yet they had fun at the feast which you missed by the way." She says in a disapproving tone. "I know, and I'm sorry my love but it will all be worth it! He says pulling her to go outside.

Together they hurry to the docks and climb aboard his fishing boat. "Halvor we don't have time to go sailing, lets go back" Astrid says frustrated "Were not going sailing he says with a grin and begins to pull Lunetta aboard. Astrid's eyes go wide in disbelief "Halvor what is this?" she asks. Halvor puts some fabric around Lunetta's mouth to keep her from making noise. "This… is a siren, a child of Ran. I am going to give her to Chief Bjorn. Imagine the rewards well get for bringing him such a prize." Lunetta looks into Astrid's eyes hoping for kindness. "I think your right, well receive great treasures and honor for our family. I Think you should get Fenris to help you carry her into town, and ill stay with the kids." Astrid says to Halvor. Lunetta's heart drops she hoped for kindness like she gets from Fenris, but now she was doomed to be a trophy. Thinking about this possibility also made her realize if she is to be a trophy then she can't return to the sea, if she can't return to the sea then she will fade into seafoam. Halvor sits silently staring at Lunetta. "This sea witch kept claiming to know Fenris, should we risk his safety? It could be a trap to hurt him." Astrid shakes her head "You know the tales they're vicious monsters who make you hear things, she was probably lying to you." She says gently touching his arm to reassure him. Halvor regains his confidence and crosses his arm across his chest. "You are right, ill find Fen hell prob be just as excited as I am." Halvor says kissing her on the cheek and leaves "Keep an eye on her ill return shortly."

Astrid watches as he leaves then focuses on Lunetta. Bending over she lifts her skirt to reveal a hidden knife. Lunetta's eyes go wide with fear. As Astrid approaches her knife in hand, Lunetta looks away and clenches her eyes shut in preparation for the assault. "I'm so sorry about this Lunetta, Halvor isn't a bad person and he wouldn't hurt someone if they don't deserve it. He did this out of fear and ambition" Astrid says cutting away the gag and netting. Lunetta sits up hands still bound but a wave of relief washes over her knowing this woman showed her kindness. "You were there yesterday when we visited weren't you? I thought I heard something in fens home" Astrid says cutting off the last of the bindings. Lunetta rubbed her arms they felt weak from being bound for so long. "Thank you… Astrid. How do you know who I am."? She asks. "I followed you after you left the house. I watched as you vanished into the ocean and had a long talk with Fenris. I also know if he saw you here, he will not control himself with Halvor." Astrid says in a grim tone. "Alright, we need to get you out of here, ill help you over" she says reaching a hand out to Lunetta. " I can just use my amulet to-" Lunetta began to explain but Astrid cuts her off "No, Halvor would see you running to the fjord swim out of here and ill send Fenris to you" she says with a warm smile. With no time to lose Lunetta gets back into the water with Astrid's assistance. "Thank you, Astrid… I feared for my life. I hope we get to meet again soon" Lunetta says while backing away. "Sooner than you'll think love" Astrid says waving goodbye. Lunetta swims off disappearing into the depths leaving Astrid alone in the boat. While waiting for the men to come she begins to prep the fish to be taken home. Soon enough Halvor and Fenris come Walking up. As they get closer Halvor's face goes from excited to confused. Running toward the boat yelling "NO! what happened Astrid you said you would watch her"! "Her?" Fenris says confused. "A siren, I captured a siren this morning just before dawn! I was going to give her to your father?!" Fenris's face turns pale with understanding his eyes seems to glow with rage. Grabbing onto Halvor's tunic he yells "What the hell did you do?" Astrid jumps into the middle of them pushing away a snarling Fenris. "Calm down now the both of you" she says looking back and forth between the two. Looking at Fenris and then starring into Halvor's eyes she sighs and says "we need to talk."

Lunetta makes It to the shore of the private fjord, transforms and then collapses on the ground shaking. "This is why mother banished me during the day to keep me safe, and here I am risking it all. But Fenris...Fenris makes it all worth it " she thinks to herself. Laying there for sometime in the fetal position she hears rapidly approaching foots steps. Looking up she sees Fenris running down the shoreline toward her. Quickly she gets up and rushes towards him. When they finally meet, Fenris lifts her up and holds her close. Tears streaming down her face she squeezes him tightly. "Im so glad your safe, if I hadn't told Astrid everything you would have…." Fenris says holding her tighter at the last thought. "I know all that matters is I'm safe now". She whispers. They share a quiet moment alone on the beach. Gently Fenris removes his shirt and puts it on Lunetta. "Come with me" he says holding her hand. They walk down the shore where two people are waiting out of site from the village. As they near closer, Lunetta sees Astrid with a sheepish looking Halvor. Lunetta stops in her tracks and stiffens. Fenris steps in front of Lunetta facing her. "Its ok trust me, I'm right here." Lunetta grasps the wolf rune necklace he made her and continues forward. "Im so glad to see you again" Astrid says running up to greet them. Halvor walks up slowly avoiding looking at Lunetta in the eye. Fenris walks up and gently touches Lunetta's Shoulder. "Please allow me to properly introduce you to my two closest friends. Astrid and her Husband Halvor. Halvor and I have been best friends since we were children." Fenris explains. Halvor straightens up and looks Lunetta in the eye "Please forgive me I only was thinking of bettering my family with honor and riches. I realize now this was a mistake." Lunetta nods her head but says nothing. "Well leave you two alone now, please come see us again. Fenris don't be late tonight, you know how your father is on the full moon" Astrid says leading the forlorn Halvor home. Fenris waves goodbye and starts walking back to the private beach, Lunetta following close behind him.

"What Is so special about the full moon?" lunetta asks. Fenris lets out a deep sigh and says "Id rather show you tonight, when the moon is at its peak come to this spot." Lunetta doesn't press for more information, only nods. The couple spends the day relaxing in the woods, Fenris teaching her the names of everything. As the day begins to end they return to the shore. "Remember, come back here when the moon is at its highest, ok?" Lunetta nods in understanding and stands on her toes to kiss Fenris before returning to the sea. The next few hours were the longest Lunetta had ever known. As the Moon reached its peak lunetta swam close to the shore but remained in the water. Nothing was happening all was silent, not even the creature on land made any noise. Suddenly a loud chorus of howls came from the direction of the village. Startled lunetta searched the shore for any sign of Fenris. After some time, a creature emerges out of the woods. A large white animal that looked like Fenris's tattoo stood there. "A wolf?" she says and swims a little closer to see it. It looked regal and proud, large paws sinking into the sand. Where was Fenris? Did this beast have something to do with him missing? Lunetta waited in the sea for the rest of the night, the wolf also remained. Lunetta grew concerned wondering if the wolf would attack when she tried to go to shore. As the sun began to rise Lunetta cautiously goes to shore. As she does the wolf approaches her slowly, but not aggressively. Suddenly the wolfs features begin to change. It then turns around and collapses on the ground still changing. Lunetta stands back frightened never taking her eyes off the Wolf. From the mound of fur now lays a sweaty worn out Fenris. Lunetta in shock runs to his side. "Fenris, Fenris wake up? What was that?!" Fenris lifts his head and smiles at her exhausted. "Your not the only one with a curse".