2 Handsome Stranger

In the dark of the evening, sounds of galloping horses resonated one by one on the road. It was believed to be past the time 6 by now which meant that it was time for the curfew.

The busy town kept buzzling with people moving from one store to another, packing up to start heading to their different homes.

You could feel the fear and tension floating in the atmosphere.

While on the other side, A blonde haired beauty in a store by the corner of the road, didn't seem worried for the same reason the other villagers were worried about. Deep lines marred on her smooth and beautiful face as she rummaged through the stacks of hay scattered all over the ground, and it seemed to be her doing.

Hermione blew air from her mouth, wiping the small amount of sweat that had formed on her forehead during the task. It appeared what she was looking for could not be found. She sighed again.

Upon turning her back it was no surprise that the road was almost dried up already. Only a few men, she saw. The women had long scurried away out of fear. It was getting quite late, she decided to pack along with them and head home.

Hermione bent down to start gathering the hays she had threw around in the search of who knows what. They were plenty, and she wondered if she would finish it today.

Blame her recklessness.

After a while of gathering and packing, she stood to see how far she had gone, and she was shocked to see the outcome. She hadn't even reached half. "Oh Lord!." She felt crazed. Gingering her might, she bent again to continue packing and this time faster.

"What could a young lady be doing by this time of the day." It was more of a statement than a question.

Hermione was slightly shakened from the deep voice behind her. Immediately turning to the direction of the voice which led to her being startled once again, Hermione stood, gaping at the person In front of her like she was charmed.

A husky chuckle immediately knocked her out of her thoughts.

Hermione couldn't believe that a human could be this gorgeously made. Wait! He could be a witch!. She precautiously took two steps back.

The man could somehow tell that the lady was wary of him. Taking a step forward he said. "It is past the curfew time, and you are the only lady out here, say…..aren't you afraid?" His voice smooth but deep.

"Forgive my negligence my Lord, I lost track of time while packing up." Hermione responded, eyeing him suspiciously. "And if I may ask too, my Lord. What are you doing outside?"

"Forgive my curiosity." She added. Looking at him carefully, she could tell he wasn't one she would like to offend so she hurried to add an apology in her question in order to not magnetize unnecessary trouble for herself.

Furthermore, she would like to know what he's doing outside too by this time, afterall, no one is trusted in the village. Walking around looking so godly, he must be receiving a lot of stares, doubtful stares. She was sure of this, and she didn't want to be another one to judge, just like she was judged, but her case was different.

His appearance made it hard for one to believe that he was a human. The shiny black hair he possesed, perfectly carved face, with God blessed features. His dark, lengthy and thick brows, with a masculine jawline that describe perfection, his lashes like those of a woman. Oh, and not to exclude his deep grey eyes that seemed to have an unending depth in them.

The man smiled at her words. "I was just passing by when I spotted you from over there." His hand flew to the direction he had seen her from.

"Oh." Hermione deadpaned with a nod. She quietly turned around to continue her work, the was no time to waste.

"I can help with that Miss….?"

Hermione stared at him for some time before replying. "Larabee, Hermione Larabee."

"Miss Larabee." He called out.

"You don't seem to come from the town of Avalon, I mean, speech wise." The handsome stranger conversed as he walked closer to assist.

"I am indeed from Avalon my Lord…., But I didn't grow up here." Hermione replied.

"I see." He asserted.

"If you will not be offended, may I ask a question of my own, my Lord?" She asked, carefully.

He chuckled. "Sure, feel free lady Larabee."

"Are you also from Avalon or somewhere….else?"

What can he say? He truly liked her active senses. With a humourous chuckle, he responded. "Why? Don't I look to be from Avalon?"

"I don't mean it that way." She mumbled.

"Fret not." He told her.

She paused to look at him.

"Just like you, I'm from Avalon, and unlike you, I grew up in Avalon."

"Oh." She nodded looking at his eyes. The was something about those eyes, but she couldn't pinpoint it.

She resumed gathering the haystacks, and she admitted, having him assist her did really well.

They spent the time in silence, gathering and stocking. In few minutes they were almost done. The evening began turning darker.

Although her face was straight, deep inside her heart, she was beginning to be afraid.

As if sensing it. "You look worried lady Larabee, what's the matter?" He asked her with a grin.

"You are scared." Before she could answer him, he had already replied to his question.

Hermione shut her mouth, swallowing back the words that was about to escape since he had said it all.

He smiled as if teasing her. "You look like a brave lady, I thought that was the reason you were still here by this time of the day, when others had long gone."

Hermione opened her lips to retort, but he beat her to it again. "Don't worry, I'm here."

The stranger's words stunned her, but also it sounded to sincere.

Pushing that at the back of her mind, she hastened her pace in gathering. And just like that they were almost done.

"Tssss." A soft hiss escaped the lips of the stranger, gaining Hermione's attention.

He carefully pulled out a needle that was stuck on his index finger.

Upon seeing this, Hermione's eyes lit up.

"You found it!" She exclaimed, running towards him.

The stranger was appalled by her reaction. "What?" He couldn't help but ask.

Hermione swiftly took the needle from him, staring at it with a smile like she was staring at her life; Not that there was anything about her life to smile about.

After taking a good look at the needle, she carefully pierced it through her dress, making sure it was in a safe place this time before turning to him. "Thank you, My Lord." She said to him in appreciation.

Finally connecting the dots, the stranger asked. "Don't tell me you were looking for a needle in a huge haystack, Miss Larabee?" His perfect arc met in myth.

"Uhhm….." Silence was all that followed after that.

"Interesting."