Not so ruthless after all

[NuclearFairy]

So I've got the beginning of a story running through my head, but I've no clue where to take it or even what it should be about.

The rumors said that he was deadly and ruthless. That when he'd set up his home at the edge of the woods he had sent packing all of the lord's men who came to try and impose rules and taxes upon him, and that not even the Lord had dared go visit him again. They said that he would eagerly bathe in the blood of virgins and challenge a thousand men to battle.

The sneer that was upon his face, looking fierce and gleeful like he'd happily devour the soul of any who would cross him certainly led credence to those rumors. That is until it was taken into account that he was currently directing that evil expression to a pair of wobbly legged newborn goats who he was cooing soft encouragements to as they nuzzled at their mother's teats.

As she continued to peek around trees, and watch from the edge of his buildings, she had to wonder if this gentle fierce looking giant was anything like the rumors said he was.

Why is this random girl even there, why is the guy there, what next, what's going on? Any thoughts?

 

[Brandnewbuddy]

Why is this random girl even there, why is the guy there, what next, what's going on? Any thoughts?

So I’ve read a few light novels and some YA romance so it sounds like one of those set ups:

She got dared to go there/or she’s there because his section of the wood has a rare plant that can be used for curing an illness.

He’s there because he wants to be alone or he’s the guardian of that part of the forest. His sneer is a permanent one either due to a magical curse or a psychological coping mechanism: he’s a veteran of a massive war and the sneer he developed was one that made it appear to his enemies he was utterly ruthless. But the moment he let it slip he would cry over all the loses and the pointlessness of the conflict…so he just kept it on.

He catches her and she runs away the first time but she needs whatever he is guarding so in exchange for it, she offers her life. He takes out his axe and cuts a piece of the plant off but then has one of his animal servants take it to the village: she will now live with him.

After a long journey of misunderstanding and communication, they finally fall in love and he finally can make a face other than a sneer

 

[Carnevil9]

Sounds like an interesting retelling of Beauty and the Beast.