It wasn't until we were on the ship and I was left alone in my new room that I was able to breathe. Eric and the other Viking men (which I later found were named Alrik and Griotgard). I liked Alrik better. His mind was almost gentle, for a Viking. And he really admired Eric for his strength, judgment, and his ability to bed any woman he pleased. Griotgard on the other hand was very much the brute that he looked like, he didn't hate Eric, but he sure as sugar wasn't happy about me giving him all the attention. All three men thought about me a lot, in ways I don't wish to relive but none of them acted on their impulses. All I wanted was to hold my Eric. But this Eric was not my Eric, not yet. Tears rolled down my cheeks as a thought about him.
I sat back on what was supposed to be a bed, but really it was just a pile of hay with a wool blanket on top of it. Eric and his men apologized for the living arrangements more times than I can count. And they constantly asked if I was comfortable. Honestly! They were waiting on my hand and foot. They even offered to carry me to the ship!
I don't know if I can do this, I thought to myself rubbing my hands on my face.
There was a small piece of glass hanging on the wall across from the bed, so I walked over to it and found that it was supposed to be a mirror. But something was off; I didn't recognize the face staring back at me. I didn't look like Sookie Stackhouse at all! My hair was long, almost down to my waist and a firey red color. It was beautiful, but definitely not mine. My eyes were a piercing green with bits of gold flecked in them; no wonder they thought I was a goddess. Even though I was wearing a sack and had dirt on every surface of my body, I looked beautiful, other worldly. Fairy.
I checked my ears quickly in the mirror but found only a slight point, not enough to be noticeable. What was Niall thinking? What is happening to my Eric right now? I was starting to lose my mind; there was just so much I didn't know. How was I supposed to do this by myself?
Then there was a knock at the door.
I quickly sat up straight from my slouch, and rubbed the tears from my face. I moved my now fire-red hair over to one shoulder, took a breath and called for Eric to come in. I knew it was him because of the familiar buzz of his mind, which was no longer the black hole of darkness I remember my Eric's mind being like.
Right now, Viking Eric was imagining himself presenting me to his father, our arms interlocked, and the whole village watching in amazement. I guess there was a little of my Eric in there. I couldn't help but smile as he came through the doorway, having to duck so as to not hit his head on the doorframe. He smiled back at me nervously; it was so strange to see Eric fearful, of me especially. I almost laughed, but I contained myself. He was not my Eric, not yet.
He lowered himself down to one knee, bowing to me. Then he looked up a little apprehensively. I tried to reassure him with a smile. Eric's mind was racing with questions, most of them I couldn't answer myself.
"Forgive me, Freyja, but how have you come to know me? I would have remembered you, if I'd ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on you. But you seem to know me personally, has Odin sent you?" His eyes were pleading and slightly frightened. He was worried that something had happened to his father, and Odin had sent me to him to deliver the news. I didn't know what to tell him so for now, I would say nothing.
"Eric, Eric, shhh…" I said quietly, trying my best to calm his fears, "I will tell you all that I know in due time, but not now. Your father is fine, to the extent of my knowledge, and Odin did not send me to punish you." He just nodded once, a little unsure of my tone.
"How long until we reach the village?" I asked quickly, to change the subject. He told me that we were about three days away from his home, and that when we get there I will meet his father, (he was quite excited about that) who was the village jarl. So that is where Eric got his high-and-mighty attitude. Surprisingly, I was actually excited to meet him.
When he turned to leave he held my hand in his for a moment, "You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen." He said proudly, his nostrils flaring slightly. Well there's something I haven't heard before, I thought sarcastically.
"Thank you, Eric, and goodnight," I smiled and closed the door.
The next three days went by surprisingly fast. Though, I stayed in my room most of the time. Eric brought me food and water. He did this every day, but on the third day he brought me up on deck to watch the sun set. I relished the cool, salty air hitting my cheeks. I was so excited to see the ocean; I practically skipped to the edge and leaned over. It was beautiful.
I had only been to the beach a couple times in my life, but it was nothing like this. Eric laughed at my enthusiasm, but quickly stopped when he had realized he was laughing at (a woman he thought to be) a goddess. I just smiled at him and motioned for him to join me. He was standing by my side and before I could stop myself I took his hand and laced my fingers with his. He sighed in contentment and I raised my shields, I didn't want to ruin the moment with hearing Eric's inner monologue.
Eric squeezed my hand gently and pointed to a spot in the distance. "See the light coming from there? That means we are almost there." He smiled down at me sweetly.
And that was when a huge fist came out of nowhere and hit Eric square across the face. I shrieked and spun to see where the attack we coming from. Before me I saw a very familiar Viking. It was Griotgard, and he was not happy.
Blood was pouring from Eric's nose and he gritted his teeth, a growl rumbled in his chest as he leaped and tackled Griotgard to the deck. Eric had him to the ground in seconds, with one hand on both of Griotgard's wrists pinning his arms over his head. "How dare you touch her!" Griotgard roared in Eric's face. Eric just smiled; it seemed that even human Eric enjoyed a good fight. Eric brought his free hand down on Griotgard's face in a fist, but Griotgard didn't get the hint. "She is not yours Norseman! She is more than even you can manage! How dare you touch her!" Eric hit him twice as hard as the first time and blood came sputtering out of his mouth.
"It would be wise to keep your mouth shut and not act as though Freyja is not present. I think Freyja can speak for herself, don't you think, Griotgard?" He looked at me proudly, trying to keep the smile from his face. I stood up straight and walked to the spot where Eric had him pinned.
"I think, for your sake, Griotgard, you should keep your hands to yourself. Eric was not harming me, but even if he was I think I would be able to take care of myself." I lifted an eyebrow at him. I wasn't sure what I was saying was right but I tried to sound as sure of myself as possible. After all, I was a goddess. "I was sent to Eric, so he will be my one and only guide on my journey. Is that understood, Griotgard?" I was getting good at this holier-than-thou stuff, no wonder my Eric enjoyed being the boss so much.
Everyone stared at me wide eyed as I took Eric's hand, gave it a gentle squeeze, and smiled at him. "I think I will be going back to my room now," I said only to him. He nodded, "I will come to escort you once we arrive." Eric portrayed an air of calm, but inside his head was spinning. He was angry at Griotgard for ruining the moment with me, he was happy that I proclaimed him my protector, exhilarated from the fight, nervous about me meeting his father, and tired from the long day that had just passed.
I was lost in thought when I heard another knock on the door. It was Eric again; I guess we'd reached our destination. A sudden swell of nerves over came over me as I opened the door to see Eric. Would I be able to fool his father like I had the other Vikings, I wasn't so sure. Eric took my hand and I felt a little better, he helped me down from the latter of the ship and led me to the biggest house in the center of a circle shaped town. All the houses and shops formed a circle around a statue of a man with long hair and a long beard on a giant horse. The man was slightly frightening, maybe it was the way he was holding the gigantic sword or maybe it was just the look in his eyes.
I followed Eric through the massive wooden doors to see some kind of dining hall. There were at least twenty large wooden tables scattered around the cavernous room. But what caught my eye were the man and woman sitting next to each other on a throne, holding hands. I was suddenly reminded of the throne at Fangtasia. I guess Eric was more sentimental then I had realized. The man and woman looked at me and shocked crossed their faces when they registered Eric's hand in mine. I was about to meet Eric's parents.