~ ~ ~ 4 ~ ~ ~

Eric walked to the door of Aine's home. His two men, Bjorn and Sven, dismounted and followed behind him. Eric rapped his fist against the door. Her father opened it after a few minutes looking ornery and tired.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

"I'm here for my bride." Eric replied calmly.

The man looked enraged. "You are joking!"

"No." Eric pushed past him. His men began to glare menacingly at the foul father. He wisely stayed silent.

"Sit down." Bjorn commanded Aine's father pointing to a chair.

He complied because he knew these Vikings could and would kill him. While the laws of his country might avenge his death, he'd prefer to just placate these monsters and live.

Eric walked to Aine's room. He wasn't sure which bedroom belonged to her, but his first guess was correct. He quietly opened the door and eased it shut once more. He saw her curled up on her side, her hair spread out over her pillow. He sat beside her and smiled. He might have been crazy but this felt right.

"Wake up." He leaned down to her ear and sat back up.

Aine was aware of a new weight on the bed and someone telling her to wake up. She tired to force her eyes open, but it took a few times to accomplish that feat. She had a hard time placing the soft, kind voice. Her eyes first noticed long blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She realized how her visitor was.

"Eric?" She said. "What time is it?"

"Its late. We're going to leave." He said gently. He didn't know what her reaction would be.

"Now?" She asked shocked.

"Yes. I'm sorry, I know you're tired." He smiled at her softly. "Get dressed."

She eyes snapped shut as he pushed her loose hair away from her face. She felt the pit of her stomach sink lower and her heart began to thump.

Eric enjoyed moving her crimson locks behind her ear. Her skin felt soft against his rough fingertips. He noted once more how nervous she was and decided to just ignore it. She'd had a hard and eventful day and to top it off, he woke her in the middle of the night to leave. He left the room as quietly as he did when he was trying not to wake her.

Aine moved slowly. She tried to control her breathing and her fear. She pulled a gown out of her trunk. Checking to make sure her door was shut, she pulled her nightgown over her head and left it on the foot of her bed. She reached for her shift and pulled it on. She sat on the bed and tried once more to relax, as she stepped into her dress.

She managed to get all the button done up fairly quickly. She didn't want to waste much more time. She had no idea what mood Eric, her father, and whoever else her betrothed had brought with him would be in. she didn't want to go out there with anyone being too angry, namely with her. She also worried about Eric coming back in her room before she was dressed because she wasn't moving fast enough.

She took a deep breath and walked out. She saw Eric leaning comfortably against a wall, two other light-haired men making themselves comfortable at the dining table, and her father scowling from his seat at the head of the table. Eric smiled when he saw her.

"Once you get your things and say your goodbyes, we can leave." Her soon-to-be-husband said to her.

Her father grunted and was more once silenced by the glares from the Vikings.

Aine turned around and went back to her room. She grabbed her clothing and the few possessions she had. After she had everything put together, she looked around to make sure she was forgetting nothing. She remembered the jewelry. She carried her things out and one of Eric's men reached to take them from her. She was unsure, but saw Eric nod when he did so. She moved to the corner of the room and began to push the floorboard back. This was the hiding place her father kept for their valuables. Before she could grasp the jewelry box, her father was up and yelling.

"HEY! Stop that now, girl!"

Eric's men rose to block the man's path. Eric put his hand in the air to silence everyone. He walked and knelt beside his bride.

"Are those yours?"

"Yes…" Aine paused. "No. They were my mother's."

"Are they suppose to go to you?"

Aine looked toward her father. He was still being silenced by the two large men who advanced every time he tried to speak. She wondered what he'd do if she took them without his approval. She was entitled to them. A mother gave her jewelry to her daughter.

Eric cupped her chin and turned her head toward him. He noted that she went still whenever her father spoke and was now completely silent when she looked at him.

She looked in his eyes and whispered 'yes'.

The thought dawned on Aine at the same time she answered Eric ; her father didn't have control over her anymore. It was Eric she'd have to answer to. It was Eric she'd have to worry about. And it was Eric who was right beside her, holding her face in his large hand, and looking at her wanting an answer.

Eric nodded. "Pack them."

He moved away from her so she had enough room. He saw her father begin to speak and his patience disappeared. He had tried to not yell at her father in front of her.

"She will take what is hers. Don't push me." He commanded.

Aine pulled out the heirlooms and put them with the rest of her things. She stood there idly. She didn't know what to say or do. She didn't know if she wanted to run from this tense room or stay here as long as she could so she wouldn't have to leave her home. Her father had no love for her, but she only knew this house and the people who lived in her village.

Eric noticed her standing there quietly. "Are you done?"

Aine nodded. She did so without thinking but realized this was a good thing. There was no use in lying to bide more time. It would only serve to annoy or upset Eric.

"Say your goodbyes." Eric said not unkindly. He could tell there wasn't warm feelings in this home, but knew he would react badly if he was moved from his home and family the way he was removing her. He admitted to himself he was curious what would happen now between his bride-to-be and her father.

There was tension in the room and a deep silence. No one seemed to move.

"Goodbye." Aine said softly.

Her father grunted and turned away.

Eric put his arm around her and guided her out the door. He was utterly disgusted with her father. He wanted to strike the man and so did his men.

Bjorn and Sven began to fasten her things to the horses. Aine's eyes didn't leave the ground once.

"Are you alright?" Eric asked her softly. She nodded.

He knew she wasn't, but there was nothing he could do for her right now as they stood outside. He went to help with the horses. He was soon very displeased as he found they could fit all of the packing and the people on the three mounts. He had played to pull Aine in front of him when they rode. He muttered a curse and thought about what they could do.

"Do you have a horse?"

"Yes."

"Can you ride?"

"Yes."

He noted that she only gave one word answers. He'd talk to her once they got settled at the inn. Bjorn was listening to the conversation and Eric nodded to him to get the horse. As he began to move, Aine saw an opportunity to find some space.

"I can get her." She said quickly, shocking Eric. It was the most she'd said since he first woke her up.

"Go ahead" He said and she walked away fast.

She wanted to be alone. She wanted to think. She wanted to stop standing there around them not knowing what to do. She didn't want to look foolish but felt such pent up nervousness that she began flexing her fingers and scratching her palm while they readied the horses. She found the stable with her mare and leaned against the door taking a few deep breaths. She thought about just running away, taking the horse out the back of the and riding until she couldn't ride anymore. But where would she go? What would happen when Eric realized she ran? What if he caught her?

While she was having these thoughts, Eric was helping to get pack the last of the stuff on his horse.

"I'm surprised you didn't kill him." Sven mused.

"We should have killed him." Bjorn added.

"Quiet. She might hear you." Eric silenced them.

Aine knew she had to go with him and she had to start moving before he came looking for her. She lead the horse out. Eric noted how small she looked. Not just because of the large animal, but because she pushed her body against its side, kept her arms wrapped around herself and the horse, and had her head lowered.

"Ready?" Eric asked her.

"Yes" She whispered with a nod.

"Do you need help?"

"No."

She proceeded to climb on her horse. Eric was pleased with her independence.

He looked back at his men and betrothed sitting on their mounts.

"I'll lead."

He sped off.

"You can follow, mistress." Bjorn directed her.

She was surprised at her new title and didn't know how to feel about it. She rode off to catch up with Eric.

Eric began to think he should slow down, but when he turned his head back, Aine was almost beside him. She rode fast and had a determined look on her face. She almost surpassed him before slowing down. He gave her a look and sped his horse up. She followed, keeping pace the whole time.

They got to the inn and dismounted. Eric was excited. Bjorn and Sven were intrigued. And Aine was nervous as hell.