Wren Picks Apples

Fourteen-year-old Wren Rhonwen was on her way out to the orchard at her brother’s command. King Landis had just paid them a visit. The queen was pregnant with her third child and had recently been craving the sweet red apples the Rhonwen family grew. Owain was speaking with the king and Lord Nicholas Risteska, who was to marry the king’s sister, Princess Breeya within the year.

Wren had been picking apples for a few minutes when she heard someone else approaching.

“Good day, Niall,” she said as she recognized the young man. It was Niall Flannen, the younger son of the wealthy merchant, Charlie Flannen. Wren had been very good friends with Niall once, but that was before he’d gotten bitter over his brother’s arranged marriage to a nobleman’s daughter. Indeed, the young man was jealous over a great deal of things involving his brother, Adair. Adair had inherited the tavern, had married one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom, and was their father’s favorite.

Niall had ended up going into service for the King’s brother, Tyrone, and Wren had seen less and less of him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked casually as he drew closer. She was startled when Niall came up to her and laid his hands heavily on her shoulders.

“Came to get some fruit,” he slurred and Wren could smell the alcohol on his breath. She started to pull away.

“You…you’ll have to speak with my brother. Owain sells the fruit.” She yelped as he pulled her closer.

Wren began panicking as Niall’s mouth began kissing her face and his hands started groping her. She pushed at him, but he was too big and strong. When she tried to scream and call for help, he put his mouth over hers and smothered her cries with a drunken kiss.

Then she found herself being forced to the ground.

By the time Owain came looking for her, Niall was gone and Wren was curled up on the ground weeping. It wasn’t much later when she began to feel ill.