AN: Hello All! I'm sorry I'm such a terrible updater. I have no good excuses. Better late than never right? Muchos love to my beta LyricalKris and pre-readers AngelycDevil and Lellabeth.


Chapter 3 - Where the Sun Burns and the Snows Never Fall

Elísabet's eyelashes fluttered but she didn't wake. Edvard could only hold her while he waited for her to come to herself. This had happened before. The very powerful visions would often tear her completely from this world. It wasn't easy for Edvard to watch her because there was little he could do but keep her warm and wait, just wait.

Edvard had been watching her from the shore while he cleaned the hull of one of the dragon boats. The familiar pull he felt for her was there as always, but he knew to be careful. He was now betrothed to Joanna, and he and Elísabet were in even more danger than before.

When she had fallen, though, there was nothing he could do. He was running before he even knew it. He sank to his knees next to her lifeless form and quickly pressed his palm to the pale skin of her neck, feeling for the faint pulse of her heart. He was dimly aware of Ásta doing the same with her wrist and of the crowd that had gathered around. It wouldn't be the first time a seer had been swept away never to return. At first, Edvard feared the worse then he felt her heart pulse. She was alive and she would be okay. It would simply take time now.

Without a second thought, he had pulled her limp form into his arms and moved as quickly as he could toward her mother's house. Eirikr and Ásta had gone before him to clear out the anyone simply searching for gossip. Renate had ordered her placed before the fire and demanded all the details of what had happened.

While Ásta filled her in, Edvard could only stand by and watch while Renate took care of her daughter. If he had been her husband, as by now he should have been, it would have been his house he had taken her to and he would have taken care of her. Edvard's blood slowly boiled while he watched and waited, trying to cover the terror he felt. He'd been on a battlefield countless times for his relatively young age and yet had never been more afraid than hour while waiting for her to waken.

When she suddenly gave a harsh cry and sobbed his name, Edvard was unable to take it anymore. He rushed to her side and enfolded her small hand inside his own. Elisabet quieted again, but Edvard didn't release her. Renate ordered everyone else out. She said Elisabet would need space and quiet when she woke. Then, she left her with Edvard. He had never been more thankful in his life as he pulled his Bet into his arms

He was not sure how much time had passed after the house was emptied. He'd sat and sang softly, hoping the sound of his voice would guide her back from wherever she had gone. He used to sing her while they sat by the fire watching their mothers work or while she helped him clean his cuts and bruises after he got in fights. The sound of his deep voice would keep them both calm and entertained. He only hoped that she could hear him now.

Her eyelashes fluttered again, and Edvard stopped. "Bet. Bet, can you hear me? Wake up sweetheart. I'm waiting on you. I need you. Come back to me."

He pressed his lips for her forehead, then over her eyes as if by force of will he could call her back to him. He held her close as he rocked her. He said a quick prayer to any god who was listening.

When she groaned, Edvard loosened his hold and hoped that she was coming around. Slowly her eyes fluttered open, blinking in the dim light. Edvard could only smile. "Hey, hey, take it slow. You've been out for quite a while."

"Edvard?" Her voice was thick with disuse, and she grimaced. "Where am I?"

"You're home. I carried you here after you fainted. Are you in pain?"

She stiffly nodded while pressing a hand to the side of her head. "My head. It's pounding."

She was still leaning against his side so he cupped her face, gently massaging her temples. "You must have hit something when you fell. I'm sure that Fadir has something for you that will dull the pain. I can go get him."

Elísabet grabbed his arm weakly to keep him from moving away. "Just wait, please. Don't go yet."

"Bet, if you're in pain you need something. I don't want you hurting."

"I'll be fine. You can get him later." She laid her head against his chest, and Edvard wondered if she could hear his how fast his heart was beating. "I don't want you to go yet. Where is everyone?"

"Your mother kicked them out. She allowed me to stay when you said my name."

"I was looking for you, I think."

"What do you remember?"

"I was talking to Ásta. She was wondering if you had a plan to get out of your betrothal. I had vision." Bet shivered like she had been sprayed with cold water. "The last thing I remember is seeing the the sea and the boats before everything became dark."

Edvard kissed her lips softly and with the utmost care. Her arm came up to wrap around his neck, holding her to him. Edvard realized anyone could have come in at anytime and seen them, but for the moment he didn't care. He needed her. He'd held her for what must have been an hour until she woke; he needed to know that she was alright. She was sweet and warm. Holding her close to him, he could almost believe that nothing had changed.

"How far gone are they?" Elísabet asked, her dark and round.

Edvard chuckled and resettled her in his arms. "Not that far I'm afraid. Besides, you're still in pain."

"I'm fine." Her voice was stronger and had gotten stronger. Still she didn't move away from him and remained in his embrace.

Edvard left her to rest for a little while, but not knowing how much longer they had, he didn't let her go long. He needed to know what she had seen and how it would affect them. He was immediately worried when Elísabet squeezed her eyes closed and buried her face in his chest, her body curling tightly into him. "Bet, tell me. I need to know. I can protect you and tell you what to tell your modir and the jarl."

"I can't." There were no tears in her voice, nor much fear. The only thing that he could hear was weariness. "Please, Edvard, I don't want to remember. I just want to forget."

His lips met every inch of skin that he could find. He hated not being able to take care of her. He needed this information to do it. "If you can't tell me, how are you going to tell your modir or the jarl? They will make you tell them. Just trust me and tell me, please?"

"There was a raven." It was all Elísabet said for a moment, and it was all Edvard needed to know that this was serious. The raven was the symbol of Odin and considered to be his eyes in Midgard. This vision was divinely sent to Elísabet. Edvard waited, breathless while his Bet struggled to continue. "I saw the raven from above while it flew. Looking below it, I could see our bay, the shore littered with bodies. I knew some of them—Mikkel, Erik. Their shields were broken; they weren't breathing. Blood ran into the sea and turned the water red. There were boats, but they weren't our boats. There was screaming, and it hurt my ears, it was so loud. There were bodies in the village. Woman and children cut down like they were stalks of barley.

"And everywhere there was fire. Every building was golden red. I saw the roof of the long hall collapse. I heard the dying scream of everyone in it. I saw our invaders laugh as they carted our people up to be taken as slaves."

"They weren't foreigners, Edvard. They were like us. Their shields were painted in our styles; their armor was just like ours. They were from some other jarl or earl. We had likely feasted with them and celebrated with them at some point. Who would do that to us to us, Edvard? Who would hate us so much to completely destroy us?"

Edvard's lips pressed into a thin line, his expression turning dark. He didn't want to upset Elísabet, but he had also promised to never lie to her. With her warm body in his arms it was easy to imagine there was nothing wrong in their world, but the truth was far from it. "Jarl Ari, although powerful here, has created for himself some even more powerful enemies. At the moment none of them are so angry that they would attack us, but that doesn't mean that couldn't change in a season or two. To be honest, we were worried while raiding this summer. With us gone, there are precious few here to protect the village if someone had attacked."

The news seemed to have breathed some life back into Elísabet. She moved to kneel next to Edvard, her dark eyes now steadied and speculative. For a moment Edvard wanted to grin. It had been a long time, since before the he left to go viking, that he had seen that studiousness in her gaze. The spark of light was enough to bring fire to his own his spirit. It would take them both to figure a way out of this, to fight their own fates, and be together the way they believed they should be. For the first time since the night before, Edvard felt hope bloom in his chest. This was the Elísabet that he needed and missed.

"What has the Jarl done? Surely we would know if he has insulted someone or misjudged a trial? What has he done that might condemn us all?"

"He reneged on a betrothal between Johonna and Earl Halljborn. He refused to help another earl gain his judged revenge on a neighbor. That alone is enough to call him on cowardice. There are even rumours that he has not sent his tribute to High King Caj in two winters. That is not something a king is likely to forgive."

"So then, the entire village is in danger and Jarl Ari does nothing about it."

"That is the truth."

"Then the real question is, is my vision a warning or a telling? Can it be stopped?"

"I know someone who might be willing to help, but we'd have to find a way to go alone, just you and I. Is there something you could tell the jarl that would allow you to leave the village with just me as your escort?"

"Maybe." Elísabet mussed for a moment, her eyes glazed over as she studied the golden flames. "I will have to think."

"Just don't think too long, my love. Time is not on our side. If the jarl does not make peace soon, then his enemies will seek to teach him a lesson. The more unstable Jarl Ari is, the faster he will seek to make me marry Johonna."

Edvard was amused by the anger that spread across Elísabet's face. His childhood playmate had no use for anger, but he suspected the woman she had become, his lover, would find it a most useful weapon. "If that scornful little brat lays one hand on you, I will cut off her fingers with your ax."

"I believe you." Edvard chuckled and wrapped an arm back around Elísabet's waist. "Now you need to believe me. I will never marry her. I will stall for as long as I can, and if that ceases to work, then I will take you and we will run. Where, I know not, but it won't matter. There are rumours of kingdoms to the south. Of places where the sun burns and snows never fall. We can run there, and no one would ever find us."

"Do you think the valkyries would find you even there if you were to die in battle?" she asked in a dream like voice. Edvard's nose was filled with her scent like rain washed trees. Her nose brushed along the course hair of his beard, and he was inspired to nuzzle against her like he'd seen horses do. She curled tighter against him. "Regardless, I don't want to leave. Why must the choices always be so hard? What is so wrong in loving you?"

"Nothing." Edvard's voice was little more than a breath of air. "There is nothing wrong with loving me, or I you. They're merely fools who can't see."

"Edvard, be careful." Elísabet chastised, breaking the sweet bubble around them. "That could almost be considered traitorous."

"No one is listening." Edvard sighed and brushed his lips against her, once, twice, and lastly for a third time. "But I think we have pushed our luck long enough. About your vision, tell them only what you must, and leave out the bit about the raven. It's best if they think this is just another vision like predicting the harvest or weather."

"Most wise." Elísabet nodded but did not stir from his side. "I love you, Edvard."

"As I you, my Bet. One day they will know it, and all this secrecy will be but a distant memory. I promise."

"You don't have to promise me anything." She smiled bravely, and Edvard nodded. Her simple trust in him kept him grounded and filled him with warmth. She brushed hair back from her face and set her face in a grim mask. She had one last smile for him though. "Go get my mother. I'm sure by now she's very worried."

Edvard pushed his knuckles down her cheek as if trying to memorize the shape and feel. Before he could lose himself, he turned and walked out of the house. Renate was pacing in front and turned to him as soon as he stepped foot outside. "She's awake, Renate. Feeling much better, and asking for you."

Renate gave an excited cry and rushed around him into the house. The sound of the door crashing closed seemed to ring in his ears.

Edvard was not aware a crowd had gathered outside until he heard Ásta shouting at them. She and Eirikr cleared them all out before turning to Edvard as he walked away from the four warm walls that held his past and his future. He didn't know where he was heading, but Ásta and Eirírk flanked him on either side. He wasn't surprised when Eirírk pushed him down at a table outside the longhouse. He was even more grateful when he felt a horn of ale pressed into his hand.

He took one long pull and felt it burn down his throat. It awoke him from his momentary stuper. He met Ásta's worried blue gaze and reached out to grip her shoulder. "Bet is fine. Breathe please. She had a very troubling vision, but she's better than I have seen her in quite some time."

Ásta sighed in relief. The shield woman shook her head, but when she looked back up, the iron Edvard was used to seeing was back in her gaze. "What did she see? One moment she was with me and the next she was just gone. I have never seen anything like it."

"It's happened only a few times." Edvard reassured her. "And then only Renate and I were present. This is the first time it's happened in public. Before, she was only asleep for moments. This time it was closer to an hour."

Eirírk chuckled like it didn't bother him. Then, nothing ever seemed to bother the huge, fierce looking warrior. For his impressive size and gruesome vestige on the battlefield, he was the most most easy going person Edvard had ever known. His mind was sharp, and Edvard counted on his advice. "Elísabet is made of sterner stuff than either of you give her credit for. She'll be fine. Now tell us what she saw."

Edvard quickly told them everything. Eirírk and Ásta were part of a very small group of people he trusted. They would help him work through what to do about the vision and how to protect Elísabet in its wake.

"That's very strange and very telling." Eirírk muttered into his ale. His normally bright blue eyes had darkened as he tried to sort out this riddle. "Perhaps too telling as the warriors are already muttering about the jarl. Still, that bit with the raven-I don't like it. What have we done to piss off Odin, and how do we fix it?"

"We don't have to piss him off," Ásta told her husband. "It could just a warning."

"Or a telling," Edvard muttered.

"What's the difference?" Eirikr asked.

"If it's a warning like Ásta supposes, then we should work to prevent to the vision. If it's telling then we must do everything in our power to protect those in the village. Preventing it will do us no good."

"The problem is figuring out which one."

"And I told Elisabet not to tell anyone about the raven."

"Then how are we going to figure out which one it is?" Ásta sounded irritated. Her eyes blazed, and her hand clenched into a fist on the table top. "Renate would be the best one to know how to interpret to vision. Elísabet doesn't have the experience; her mother hasn't trained her like she should have."

"Renate will also tell the jarl." Edvard remained calm while talking and watching the street, keeping an eye out for his Bet. "If Ari knew, then he might lock Elísabet up in the longhouse or something worse. I want to take her to Oldskjolf."

Eirírk shivered although the late summer sun was blazing down on them. "Those two give me the creeps."

"No, but it makes sense." Ásta shoved Eirírk's shoulder as that would make him understand. "They would help Elísabet, and they will know how to interpret this vision."

"I just don't know how to get Elísabet out of the village alone."

"She'll come up with something. Trust her." Ásta sounded calm, but Edvard didn't miss the moment of worry flash across her face. It wasn't that he didn't trust Elísabet to come with an idea, he didn't trust the jarl to go along with it. His greatest fear was that Elísabet would garner the jarl's attention. She had been able to get away with very little thought paid to her so far. Edvard suspected that was about to change.

"You to should go home to the farm," Edvard told his companions. "If I can get Elísabet out of here, I'll send someone to let you know. You're not going to be able to do much here. Everything is watched too carefully."

Eirírk and Ásta glanced at each other. communicating silently as he had often seen them do. Asta was high strung, and Eirirk could have a volatile temper, but it was these small moments that made it clear they had a true partnership. Edvard was incredibly jealous that they didn't have to hide that fact, but he was glad for them all the same.

Finally, they nodded. "We'll go home," Eirírk assured him. "But you had best keep us informed. No matter what you may think, you can't do this alone. You're going to need help."

"And when we need it, you'll be the first person we ask." Edvard was going to continue, but his words died in his throat. Renate and Elísabet were both walking up the street toward the longhouse across the road from where he sat. Elísabet was pale and her eyes wide. There was a slight pinch to her face, as though she were still in pain. She held her head high all the same, jaw squared as the wind whipped hair about her face.

Edvard leaped to his feet as soon as they disappeared into the longhouse. The jarl, he thought. He must have heard about her vision. His heart sank. He had to know what was going on in there. He couldn't let her face the jarl alone.

"Ásta, go to my father. Tell him that Bella hit her head. He'll know what to give you. Bring it back to me as quickly as possible." He was running up the steps to the longhouse by the time he had finished and had no idea if she had said anything in reply. He briefly noticed that Eirírk had kept pace with him as he pushed the door open and stepped inside.


Uh oh. trouble ahead yes?