The Malicious Beautiful Apple.

Long long time ago in a land far far away lived a very handsome farmer.

Although the farmer was poor, fair maidens came to gaze at his beauty, his bronzed muscles bulging as they worked long and hard, his tanned skin from long days in the sun. He was the most handsome man in all the land. His hair was a dark brown, that was luscious and full. His bright big smile captured all the girls hearts his dark blue eyes pierced the heart of any woman who gazed upon them. He was the perfect in every way.

Despite many women flocking to his fields begging to be with him, offering gold and gems beyond his wildest dreams. The humble farmer denied them he denied everything any one had offered: the gold, the heels, and seeds that were magic to help his fields grow faster with more yield. The handsome farmer continued his hard work, waiting for the right woman who he loved.

At the end of one sunny day, after he finished ploughing his fields he was sweaty and tired, but he took a small walk from his fields into the forest beyond to a small pond. The man knelt down and washed his face in the cold water. It was refreshing. In the corner of his eye he saw something shift, thinking it was some sort of ferocious animal he quickly stood prepared to defend himself, but instead he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was kneeling at the edge of the pond. He loosened the tension in his muscles. He couldn’t believe his eyes. She had long black wavy hair, gorgeous bright green eyes, olive skin that must have been kissed by working in the sun.

They both stared at each other for a moment not being able to understand the beauty that was in front of both of them. The farmer smiled and was delighted when she smiled back.

She looked away from his gaze and began washing her hair.

“Do you come here often?” The farmer asked?

Her sharp green eyes looked back at him and he almost fell to his knees.

“ very rarely, I don’t get much time off” her voice was soft yet harmonic. Like a morning robin. she continued to wash her hair. “ I live just beyond these trees” he said pointing behind him. This time she didn’t look up, but continued washing. He took a few steps closer when a deep voice rang out through the forest, “Sassa!” She shot to her feet, looking frightened. The handsome farmer looked around for the origin of the voice, but was unable to see who it was coming from. The voice rang again seeming to shake the trees, “is this your name? Sassa?” She didn’t answer his question instead she said, “I must go. She quickly turned, running through the thicket of trees, her hair dripping wet. “Wait” he called out but she had already disappeared into the darkness of the forest. The farmer stood there stunned unsure if his encounter of the woman was just a dream or a fabrication of his imagination and the heat of the sun.

The farmer went to continue to bathe all the while staring at the spot in the trees where she left, hoping that she’d reappear, but at last he finished and with one final glance back into the forest he headed home.

For the next fourteen nights straight the farmer dreamt of this beautiful woman. Everyday while he worked he day dreamed about her and longed to meet her again, after he finished working in the fields he would go to the pond and wait for her, but she never came.

Feeling disappointed, he couldn’t wait anymore. He needed to see her. On the morning of the fifteenth day. He packed some items, loaded them into his horse, and for the first time in many many years he left his fields and rode into the forest. He searched until it became dark, and he couldn’t see anymore, but he still couldn’t go back to the farm without meeting the girl again. He decided to rest, he started a small fire and decided to wait there until the sun rose and he was able to see again. As he laid down in the grass, he watched the flames dance into the darkness. He imagined himself dancing with the woman, he long hair flowing in the wind as they swayed in each other’s arms. Eventually his eyes became heavy and he finally fell asleep.

As the sun crept through the trees, the farmer was awake and already preparing his horse for another journey when he heard the sounds of a whip, and a woman shouting in pain. He then heard the undoubtably recognizable booming deep voice saying “work harder!” With his heart now racing he quickly hopped onto his horses’s back and raced to the voice. He followed it to the edge of the forest where just beyond there was a clearing.

He saw in horror the beautiful woman washing clothes in a soapy bin, and a fat grotesque man who sat on a chair behind her, eating with a whip in his hands. He watched as the fat man brought the whip back and hit the woman, the farmer closed his eyes as the whip struck her.

He got off his horse and approached them, “excuse me, you can not do that to a woman” the fat man stood up, crumbs falling from his shirt to the ground. The farmer looked to the beautiful woman who had fear in her eyes. “Who are you?” The fat man asked with food still in his mouth.

“ I am Aden”

The fat man breathed heavy.

“What do you want?”

Aden stepped forward, “ I would like to ask this woman to be my wife.”

The fat man laughed, “don’t be ridiculous” then turned and sat back down he lifted up his hand and flapped it, be gone. Shoving more food into his mouth. Aden didn’t move.

“I am serious” Aden said.

The fat man looked at the woman then back to Aden, the back to her, he lifted his whip and struck her again. Aden fists clenched, “I tell you again, this is no way to treat a lady.” What are you going to do about it?” The fat man asked shoving handfuls of food into his mouth. “Anyways, she’s not for sale” the fat man spoke with his mouth full, “she’s a good slave, I had to pay a pretty price for her and her mother. Had her for about fifteen years. It took a long time to teach her how I want things.”

Aden looked at the woman who continued washing.” I will fight you for her.” The fat man laughed, “ it would be foolish of me to accept that, but I think my son shall fight you. Gorg!”

A young man appeared in the door way. He was much taller than Aden and he looked much stronger too.

“My son has fought in many battles and won them all. I will put up my space as a price should you win but what will I get when I win?”

Aden thought for a moment, “I will give you my land. I own a farm with thirty acres of land. If I loose it shall be yours.” The fat man thought for a second then shook his head, yes. The fat man held out his hand, Aden stepped forward and they shook. The fat man turned to his son, “Gorg, if you win this fight you will not only have the land this man has offered but I will give you my slave as a bride.” Gorg smiled, he turned and went into the house, moments later he came back carrying two swords. He tossed one to the ground in front of Aden. Aden picked it up, it was much heavier then he thought it would be. He had never needed to use a sword before. The fat man smiled seeing the fear in Aden’s eyes. “A fight to the death!” The fat man said sounding excited. Gorg unsheathed the sword, he took a stance pointed the pointed edge of the sword at Aden.

Aden looked at the woman who stopped washing and she was now looking at him. Aden smiled at her then winked, he unsheathed his own sword, and took his own stance. Gorg lunged at him and their sword clanged as they hit each other making sparks. The sound reverberated through the trees. Aden pushed Gorg off his sword. They both began to circle keeping thieves eye on each other. Gorg swung the sword Aden raised his in defence, Gorg quickly retaliated swinging his sword this way and that. Aden was quick on his feet dodging the attacks. The more Aden evaded the angrier Gorg became. Gorg swung his sword faster and faster stepping forward each time, Aden kept backing up using the word to block the sword from slicing him in two. Aden took a step back, tripped on a root and fell. Gorg raised the sword above him head and pointed the sword toward Aden as Gorg swung down Aden rolled quickly. Laying on his back he looked to see the sword deep in the earth. Gorg tried to pull it out but it was stuck. Aden got to his feet quickly and swung his sword without thinking. The sword cut the belly of Gorg. “No!” The fat man screamed. It seems as if Gorg didn’t realize he looked to his father then back to Aden, only then to look down at himself. He fell to his knees looking back up to Aden, a few second later he fell flat on his face. Aden dropped the sword, staring at the large man who now lay dead. The fat man scrambled over and bent over his son. “No!” He screamed through tears.

“A deal is a deal” Aden said shakily. The fat man looked up at him, “leave! Just go!” The fat man rummaged in his pocket, pulled out a set of keys and held them out to Aden. Aden quickly grabbed them from him then ran over to the woman. He noticed her ankles had shackles on them. He put the key inside the lock and with a click the shackles released. He held out his hand and in disbelief she quickly took it. Aden pulled her to her feet then brought her over to the horse. He lifted her up and she sat on the horses back, then he hopped on. He grabbed the reigns looking back one last time as the fat man was still laying over his son crying. Aden shook the reigns and the horse quickly took off. He raced through the forest the woman held tightly to his waist. He didn’t stop until they made it to the clearing near his farm lands. He helped the woman off the horse then together they lead the horse to some water for it to drink and rest.

Aden turned to the woman, “ as you already know I’m Aden” she smiled, “I’m Sassa” Aden smiled back. “You can stay here and live with me. I will love you forever and always. You must know that I am not a rich man but I will give you all that you need, and you will never want for more. I promise you that you will always be happy. Keep in mind you are no prisoner, you will never be a slave. But if you do not want this simple life with me then you are free to go.”

The woman look surprised, “you just fought to the death and are willing to let me leave?” Aden nodded, “if you stay I want you to stay because you want to, I want you to stay for love.” Sassa looked down passed the fields to the road. She was never free before to make her own choices. Her mother sold when she was very young. It was the only life she knew. Now to be given the option of freedom, it excited her. She turned back to Aden the man who risked his life to save her, now giving her the first choice she ever had. She didn’t know what lay beyond but she knew if she stayed she would be loved until the day she died. She smiled then leaned in and kissed him. She pulled away still smiling, “I can’t thank you enough for saving me. I would love to live with you, and be your wife.” Aden was over joyed. He picked her up and carried her down the road to the small cabin where he lived.