If you spot any SM characters in here, they belong to her. The rest belongs to me - and Iceland. ;-)

I'm not sure what awoke me – the harsh light the seemed too bright for my eyes, the ache of my muscles, or the feeling that someone was watching me. Regardless, I snapped awake, harshly pulled from the hazy dreamlike state into awareness quite quickly. As I attempted to sit up in bed, my muscles screamed in protest – particularly those along my spine, shoulders, and arms. Those muscles were especially angry with me and screamed at pain to gather my attention.

It was, of course, Jarpr who was in my room with me. I had almost become accustomed to his stealthy prescience in my room or chambers, almost totally undetected by my senses. It was strange, I did not usually see, hear, or even smell him – rather I always sensed him, a tug or a hum alongside the exterior of my skin that vibrated to my core always alerted me to his prescience. With this awareness, I stopped jerking or becoming defensive when I became aware of someone else in my room, and had resigned myself to that "someone else" typically being Jarpr. I chuckled as I realized this would most likely save me sore shins and a bumped nose in the future. The chuckle was cut short though as the soreness radiated from my rib cage and expanded into my neck and shoulders. I probably should not have gone straight to bed after the training session with Leif; I should have called Jarpr for another massage.

Then I remembered – he had been angry with me. Again. I groaned loudly and allowed my body to fall back into the pillows and sheets.

He is always angry with me.

Why do you care?

That was a good question – why did I care? He was a servant, a disloyal servant who was beneath my station. Yet, I cared and it frustrated me to no end. I chewed on my lip as I recalled the previous evening – the climb in the trees, the panic attack, the training with Leif. I needed to find some control in my life and the first step had been training with Leif. The next step was to get a handle on the situation with Jarpr.

Would he be friend or foe?

Admit it, you are too drawn in to consider him an enemy.

Friend it was.

With another sigh I called to him, "Jarpr, I know you are here."

Suddenly, he appeared at my bedside, bowed at the waist with his ever-present hood covering his head, his eyes held my gaze. "Yes, Your Highness," he acknowledged. His tone was tense, which frustrated me. Was he still angry?

"Jarpr, please draw me a bath, and I'll need a massage as well." He nodded his agreement and turned to leave, "And Jarpr? I'll need your help," I fought the urge to wink at him wickedly, but rather enjoyed his reaction. His jaw went slack and his almost glowing orbs widened before he composed himself.

"Of course, Highness," he muttered, and then turned to leave.

Alone in my room, I giggled. Apart from the hunting trip with Nada, I could not recall feeling so light and free, almost giddy – I felt more like my old self than I had in weeks and months and I relished the feeling. I slowly sat up and tested my sore limbs as Jarpr brought hot water in from the fires to fill the tub. When it was filled and ready for me, he returned to my bedside where I sat pulling and stretching my limbs slowly to test them. He extended his hand, palm up, to assist me in rising and I eagerly took it and grasped it firmly. The electricity shot through me and as he tugged me upwards, where our skin met felt tied together with an invisible rope. I released the breath I was holding and before I could stop myself asked, "Do you feel that?"

His eyes widened again and he lost his grip on me; my body had relied upon his hand to steady itself and I fell backwards into the sheets and bedding again. The laugh escaped before I could stop it, and again it felt as if a burden had been lifted from me. "Why did you drop me? I've never seen you drop anything," I giggled as I pushed off the bed and stood next to him.

"Your bath is ready," he replied sullenly and gestured towards the steaming water. I giggled again and pushed on his hard chest as I passed, the hum was muffled this time but still there.

Feeling wicked, I pulled loose the ties that bound the bodice of my dressing gown together and allowed the fabric to drop to the floor as I walked the remaining steps to the tub. I thought I heard a crunching sound as I lowered myself into the bath. I sighed, contented, as the water enveloped me and soothed my tense and sore muscles. With my eyes somewhat closed, I turn my head back with my cheek resting against the edge of the tub towards Jarpr, who stood motionless by the bedside staring at me, "Will you bathe me?" I asked sweetly. He walked painfully slow to the tub until he was at my side, then reached for the conker soap and lathered it between his palms. I lowered my body further into the water until my head was fully submerged and then rose again and leaned against the edge closest to Jarpr. His fingers probed my scalp as he slowly massaged the lather into my hair. I moaned from the sheer pleasure it elicited and almost whined when he stopped. With a groan, I submerged my head in the water while the water rinsed the soap from my tresses and then emerged from the water.

Jarpr cleared his throat and I turned to him in acknowledgement; his fingers were curled tightly around the rough sponge and had already lathered the conker soap into the material. I sat up straighter as he washed my back, but found my bravado scamper away when it came time to wash the rest of my body. Again Jarpr cleared his throat and annoyance shot through me – why should I shy away from this servant? It was Jarpr after all who had insisted that he could be my servant, that he – as eunuch would be perfectly suited to assist me with bathing, massages, and the like. Something inside warned me I was about to go too far, but the fleeting feeling of being wholly unburdened was so freeing and alien to me that I rushed forward without another thought.

Rashly, I pushed my shoulders back and cocked my head to the side as I almost purred, "Jarpr, please finish before the water cools." Stop! My head screamed and yet I continued to stare him down; his beautiful face contorted from emotionless to hunger to rage. His hand strained against the sponge before he threw it violently into the water, rose and sharply turned away from me.

"No," his voice was cold and distant, and genuine fear shot through me as I hastily moved to cover myself with my hands. "Bathe yourself," he hissed and exited the chamber with a slam of the door.

Gods, what had gotten into me?

I flinched as the door shuddered from the impact and fought the urge to cry. My emotions were all over the place – from giddy, to wicked, to almost in tears – what was wrong with me? Hurriedly I finished washing my body and quickly exited the tub. Numb fingers opened the doors to my wardrobe and I quickly pulled a forest green gown from the drawers with my woolen undergarments. After I dressed, I sat on the edge of the bed and combed through my damp hair with my ivory comb while I lost myself in thought.

What had happened? Why had I behaved so rudely towards Jarpr? My body flamed in embarrassment as I recalled dropping my dress in front of him, of teasing him with my naked body. Gods I was openly naked in front of him. Would I ever be able to face him again? What if he told someone? What if Yåkov found out? I shuddered to think of his reaction to his wife – the woman who rejected intercourse with him, disrobing and teasing her servant.

The frustration returned full force – why am I allowing this to weigh me down? My mind screamed in anger and reminded me that only moments prior I had felt free and happy – a feeling to which I was no longer accustomed. I dropped the comb and turned into my pillow to scream. My throat burned from the sound ripped from my chest, all the anger and helplessness pouring out of my body into this pillow.

The door opened loudly again and I peered up to see Jarpr standing in the doorway – he looked both gloriously angry and concerned. "Highness, why were you screaming?"

I was so angry with him.

I did not want to be angry with him.

"You!" I screamed and my hands flew to my mouth in embarrassment.

Tell him how you feel.

Put him in his place.

It flowed freely then and I could not stop my tirade, "You Jarpr! Ever since you came here things have been unbalanced! You sneak around the castle; show up randomly in my chambers even when I have not summoned you, and talk to me in a manner a servant should not speak to the Queen. I know you are disloyal to the kingdom and yet still you continue to throw everything off! What is it about you? How are you different? How can you make me feel as if you are a friend one moment and the next, this angry animal?! You confound me and I know not what to do with you!" My anger seemed to evaporate as the words fell from my lips and had left me a panting mess, my skin flamed from the embarrassment, and already I regretted revealing my frustrations to him.

He stood motionless as he absorbed my words, and then ever so slowly closed the door and walked over to the bed. In a fluid motion he sat next to me on the bed and sighed. His head hung low as if he was ashamed, and his shoulders hunched as if he was deep in thought. "Highness," he began, and then paused before continuing, "why do you support your husband? Why do you go to him at night or dine with him?" His head raised and his eyes met mine, the questions clearly burned into the intense gaze.

"No," I answered. "No, I will not answer your questions – I know you are a s-spy," I stumbled over the last word, unwilling to say it aloud but needing to acknowledge it. Why should I share any information with him? Every instinct screamed that I could and should trust him, while my mind roared over the chaos with a resounding "no".

Sensing my conflict, he stepped closer, "Very well. Yes, I'm a spy – I was very intentionally sent here with the sole purpose of gathering information regarding the change in leadership." His head cocked to the side as he spoke, "I find it interesting that you are the only one with your doubts regarding the nature of my being sent here. Except, Yåkov, but he is paranoid about everyone – even you."

Questions flew through my mind in rapid succession, so quickly I was unable to process one before another popped into my mind. My head began to throb as the overwhelming sensation continued and I pressed my hands to my temples. Jarpr's voice broke through the maddening pressure, "I have answered your question, now answer mine."

I shook my head – there were so many questions I had, so many that I wanted to ask him, and yet I was unable to pick just one question to ask first. "No, I have so many questions," I began.

His hand cupped my chin and turned my head to face his again, "Then how about a compromise? For every question I answer, you must answer one as well," I nodded reluctantly in agreement and he continued, "I have answered one question, so allow me a question as well. Why did you side with your husband in court?"

The pressure continued to build and expanded into my chest, I felt as if I could not breathe and I struggled to inhale deeply. Jarpr's brows furrowed as he observed my chest heaving and the wheezing sounds that escaped my lips. "Highness, lie back and on your side," he lowered me to my back and gently helped roll me to my side, then continued. "Does your head hurt?" he inquired.

I nodded.

"Can you breathe?"

I shook my head frantically.

"This will pass, breathe in as deeply as possible, and even though your body will fight it, hold that breath while you count to five, then release it." I did as he instructed until my breathing calmed and the pressure began to fade in my head.

"Very good. Now slowly sit up and face me," he guided me into a sitting position and then sighed. "Do my questions make you anxious?"

Again I nodded, and looked down guiltily.

"Very well, we will have to take this slowly then. You answered a question for me, do you have a question you wish to ask?"

Again I nodded and with a deep inhale I asked my next question, "Why are you here?"

He seemed to consider this question longer than my outburst earlier and it worried me. Was the reason for his prescience here that bad? Was my kingdom in more jeopardy than I originally thought? "Highness, did you know that Tyr and Dagez have a long standing alliance with one another?"

I shook my head in confusion – no I had never know the two lands to be allies, of course there were no records that the two lands were enemies either. Instead, I had always considered the lands to be neighbors who never regarded the other; we were just there – neighbors. "Tyr was born from violence, I must admit. Our histories have been passed down through generations. The story I shared with you last night was one of how the country was formed. Ingólfur Arnarson, who became known as the Wolf King was greatly intrigued by the gods' blessings among the people and while his men had murdered several people who had received blessings, it was Ingólfur who began sacrificing children in hopes of calling the gods to him – to do his bidding and make him a powerful ruler. The first King Vanir, at the time a Jarl in the south, closer to Dagez's borders, heard of the sacrifices and stormed the Wolf King's castle. The battle was violent and ended with the death of the Wolf King; however Vanir praised the gods of Tyr for his success in battle and were pronounced the new King of the land. It is said that Dagez's first king, Kiev of Norway heard rumors of the Wolf King and his death so he traveled to Reykjavík where the palace was located to meet King Vanir. The two formed an instant friendship and vowed to be allies for the other. Even though this agreement was made hundreds of years ago, the alliance is still honored in Tyr today." He paused and waited further questions from me.

I had never heard this story before – had my father known of our alliance with Tyr? Had he ever met their king before? Surely he would have mentioned it to me? I wondered how this knowledge had passed through generations in Tyr and yet had not been passed down through the royal family in Dagez? Why would a kingdom aware of the alliance send a spy to their friends? It made no sense. "Assuming what you say is true," he moved to object and I placed my hand up to stop him, "Then why spy on your allies?"

He nodded and the continued, "King Vanir,"

"Wait," I interrupted him. "King Vanir? The King who killed the Wolf King?"

Jarpr chuckled and shook his head, "No, it is tradition in Tyr that regardless of name, the King is always addressed as King Vanir, it is in honor of the gods' favor for the original king who saved the people from the Wolf King." He chuckled again and waited to continue.

"So who is the King now?" I asked.

Jarpr shrugged his shoulders, "I would not know. I do not see the king often, and would never address him by his first name anyways, as a servant I would always address the King as His Majesty or King Vanir." Satisfied I motioned for him to continue.

"King Vanir was very concerned about the rumors that reached the palace regarding Dagez – rumors that the king had been murdered, that the new king – Yåkov, neglected the people. Out of the concern for his allies, he sent a spy to observe and search for the truth. He wanted to know if Yåkov presented a threat to the people of Dagez and if, in turn, the people would likely to pose a threat to the people of Tyr. If your people are starving or loosing their lands, it is the land of Tyr they are likely to turn to for help or to ravage."

I turned his words over in my mind and recalled that I too had worried about the relationship with Tyr as a result of the higher taxes, people loosing their homes, and possibly starving. Then his earlier words seemed to slam into the forefront of my mind. "Wait, you believed my father to have been murdered?" My eyes bulged as I considered this news and chewed my lip while I considered his death anew.

"Highness, I've answered more than one question. Please, answer mine. Why did you side with your husband in court? You obviously knew it was wrong, but you agreed with him anyways, why?"

My body stiffened, could I reveal my plot to this servant? This same servant who had already admitted to being a spy in my kingdom – could I reveal my own plot to him? "Highness," he spoke softly, "I have already revealed very damning information regarding myself and Tyr. The information you now hold could incite a war between the two lands. I have trusted you with the truth, please trust me as well."

I nodded again. "I am trying to earn his trust," I replied. I dared a glance at Jarpr and saw his face soften, and his eyes pleaded with me to continue. I sighed, "I am deeply worried about what is happening in the kingdom, but I feel so overwhelmed with how to fix it. Father taught me that violence should always be the last course of action, and diplomacy should always come first. I had thought, if I sided with him in court and," my mind briefly flashed back to our shared dinner and what occurred afterwards, "placated him, I would be able to earn his trust and shift his actions towards repairing our kingdom."

Jarpr sat frozen next to me, and the silence hung thick and heavy between us. When he spoke next, his voice sounded rough and hoarse, "How has that worked out for you?"

My shoulders shook as I saw flashes in my mind of the lifeless body of the landowner, as I saw my husband's face at dinner, as I recalled his hands on my body. "It has not been a total failure," I whispered. "I have gotten him to open up to me, and he said he would consider halting all taxes."

Jarpr growled and he bit out his next words, "Does this include sleeping with him?"

I gasped at his blunt words and I itched to slap him, "Yes, Jarpr, it includes fulfilling my duties as his wife and going to bed with him. I am married to the man, he is the king, and at some point the kingdom will expect an heir." I replied sharply; I would not mention the utter disgust I felt with Yåkov's hands on me, or the flashes of Jarpr's face that plagued my guilty conscience.

He sighed roughly and pushed off from the bed; he paced loudly in front of me before he turned and looked at me again. "I can see this was a mistake, I should take my leave."

My mind panicked at his words. Don't let him leave! I felt the blood drain from my face, my hands turned cold, and the panic spread through my body, through each limb was ice water. "No, don't leave. Please don't leave Jarpr," I whispered. He lowered his body onto his knees at my side and looked into my face. "I can't explain it Jarpr, but you calm me, I feel safe with you." I grunted as I tried to make the words make sense, "You make me so angry – I cannot recall ever being as angry as frequently with anyone but you. Yet, at the same time, I feel so drawn to you, as if we could be great friends, and it is too soon to loose that."

He groaned, "It is not fair for you to feel this way, Highness. I will leave eventually, you do know that don't you?" I nodded as I felt the hot sting of tears behind my eyes. "Good. However, perhaps a friendship – for the time being – would be mutually beneficial." He seemed to think on this before he continued. "Highness, I must stress a few things though – do not venture out alone in the night anymore – to the longhouses or to the forest. Please, send for me and I will accompany you, but do not go out alone."

"Alright, I can agree to that."

Another groan from Jarpr then he spoke again, "Also, I should tell you that I am not really a eunuch and while my control is excellent, please do not taunt me again. It really angered me." I gasped at the realization that I had disrobed and flaunted my body in the prescience of a very capable man; my skin flamed from the embarrassment and I hid my face behind my hands.

"I am so sorry!" I cried, "I do not understand what came over me! I am so sorry Jarpr!" Gently, he pried my hands away from my face and cupped them between his cold, hard hands. He looked at me with an intense stare that started a fire in my stomach.

"Highness, I knew it was not your typical behavior, and could not fathom why you would behave in such a manner. It angered me because of my reaction to you – the same, I wager, any man would have towards a beautiful woman. I can still gather water for a bath, and give you a massage, however I need you to remain covered. Can you do that for me Highness?"

I nodded, the embarrassment still flaming inside me and something else, something I could not identify. "I think that is enough for today, don't you?" he asked lightly. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I agreed with him. "Good, let's begin the day – well, afternoon in today's case."

My eyes widened into saucers as I realized how late I had slept and how long we had been talking. "Wait," my hand reached out for his arm to anchor him to my side, "your king believed my father was murdered?"

A/N: I feel the need to explain this chapter somewhat, because when I wrote it myself I was left with a very "what the heck just happened?" feeling. When I'm writing, I do my best to get into my characters' heads and in essence am writing the story as it unfolds in greater detail in my mind. In fact, some of the chapters written were written completly out of order because an event would occur in my mind but I did not have a clue where it fit in the overall story. After I wrote this chapter, I started re-reading some of psychology books on why Izabel would be acting SO OOC from this story. Stress - she's having anxiety attacks (I'm hoping you caught that), she's not sleeping well, and now her behavior is changing. She feels very burdened by everything going around and the training with Leif was sort of her escape.

With that said, here's some more historical information for you:

Conker Soap: Did you know Vikings were amongst the most clean culture in their time period? They bathed everyday, washed their hair, brushed their hair - everything. They made their own soaps from conkers - a kind of chestnut that they used for bathing and "shampoo". There's even recipes online with instructions if you wanted to make your own. :)

Ingólfur Arnarson: Real person - very violent and was actually known as the Wolf King (sorry no werewolf connection there). He fled from Norway as a fugitive in a blood fued and became the petty king of Reykjavík. He was called the "Kingly Wolf" or "Wolf King" because of the violence he held towards his own people.

Also, the settlers of Iceland (where this story takes place) did actually believe in "new gods" and "old gods", including but not limited to trolls, giants, and demons. Makes you think. ;-)

If you're still enjoying this story, please consider leaving me a review. I return to work today and would love to have reviews popping up in my email to brighten my day. It's even better than a bath from Jarpr. ;-)

Also, just a heads up - I know I've been spoiling you all with daily updates lately, but at some point I do have to complete my finals for the class I'm in, however finals are all finished on Monday so then I can spend my next day off writing again.