"Thrym, king of the jötnar, demanded that Freja be given to him in exchange for Mjolnir after Loki demanded it be returned. But when Loki approached Freyja with the news, she reacted with such a fury that the palace of the gods shook on its foundations and her torac, Brisingmen, fell to the ground:
Wrathful was Freyja and fiercely she snorted,
And the dwelling great of the gods was shaken,
And burst was the mighty Brising's necklace:
'Most lustful indeed should I look to all If I journeyed with thee to the giant's home.' "
Dahlia was certain of a few things in life; where to find the best tree mushrooms and wild root vegetables in the forest, that her mother would always fret over the state of her hands after a long day of training with Ozur, and how every spring the weather would become deliciously warm and Dahlia would ache for summer to come so she could go raiding, and every year the gods would play their tricks, bringing an icy rain or wind the second her mind drifted to far off places. Today was one of those days, it was early spring and she was stretched out by the water's edge, enjoying the sun's rays. The grass was still brown and flatten from the most recent snow melt but the sun was shining and the birds were singing hidden in the willows, and Dahlia's mind was lost somewhere on a boat. Her skin was vibrating from its first true exposure to the sun in months. Ozur lay next to her, his eyes closed and tunic rolled under his auburn head of hair for support. Dahlia knew to relish every second of her bliss, it was fleeting, like the good weather.
Ozur rolled his body over till he was leaning over Dahlia. His pale chest inches from her body, he lifted a free hand to brush a dark strand of her hair from her face. He leaned down, leaving a lingering kiss on her chapped lips. Dahlia's eyes fluttered closed as their lips made contact, opening them slowly to stare in to his hazel eyes as he pulled away. The wind had picked up and a chill ran through her body at its bitter touch. A raven called out twice bringing her completely out of Spring's warm embrace.
Ozur sat up pulling his tunic over his head as the wind continued to blow, goose-flesh prickling his arms. 'We should head back. The weather will not keep for much longer.' He grumbled as he made his way towards their hobbled horses. He tightened her gray mare's cinch first before doing the same to his bay gelding. He handed Dahlia the reins smiling down at her with mischief in his eyes.
'Let's go somewhere warm this raiding season. And never come back.' He said with raised eyebrows before swinging up onto his horse with ease.
Dahlia fussed with adjusting her cloak comfortably around her saddle. 'I will go where my father tells me. You know this.' They locked eyes, a small smile rested on Dahlia's mouth, a sparkle lit in her green eyes.
'And I will follow you wherever you go, princess.' Ozur replied leaning toward Dahlia asking for a kiss and she met him halfway. Her mare was impatient from standing around all afternoon and shuffled its feet ready to be back to the stable where she knew a sweet treat would be waiting for her. Dahlia rolled her eyes at the mare's attitude before kicking her into a slow lope. Ozur's gelding kept up with her mare and they made it back to town just as the sky opened.
Dahlia pulled the hood of her cloak around her face as heavy wet snow fell around her. The couple made their way to the great hall with haste, ready to warm their hands near a fire. Ozur pushed open the heavy oak doors allowing Dahlia to enter before him. The hall was crowded with many faces, known and unknown. Faces known that looked sad with grief, and some with regret. The unknown faces wore an edge of smugness.
Dahlia slowed her pace, something was not right. She made her way cautiously to the throne, Ozur close by her side. She found Ragni, her long time servant, near the fire, a tear rolling down her face as their eyes met.
'I am so sorry.' Ragni whispered.
Dahlia's eyes narrowed when a jovial voice rang out. 'Ah, here is our great warrior princess!'
'What is going on here?' Dahlia accused. Her father was nowhere to be seen. That did not surprise her. He had been sick for many months now. He was rarely seen out of bed as of late.
A knot twisted in her gut.
'What are you doing on my father's throne?' Dahlia demanded. Her jaw clenched and her hand instinctively moved to her sword belt, not quite touching her prized sword. She could feel Ozur stiffen next to her, reaching out for her arm. Dahlia was well known for her quick temper.
'Your father is dead, my dear.' Gunther announced, raising an eyebrow, wondering what her reaction would be. Dahlia's hand wrapped around the smooth hilt of her sword.
A sob rang out next to her and for the first time since entering the hall Dahlia noticed her mother, in the corner holding tight to Fell, her younger brother. Her eyes flew accusingly to her uncle, green eyes lit with a fire.
'And you saw it fit to swoop in and steal the throne before my father's body was even cold?' Dahlia spit out. Her hands were shaking as she moved to embrace her mother and brother. Ozur stood by silently daring any of Gunther's men to make a move against the princess, his hand resting on his ax.
'That throne belongs to my brother.' Dahlia argued as she ran a hand over Fell's brown hair.
'He is a boy!' Gunther waved his hand in dismissal at his nephew. Dahlia stood up quickly taking hasty steps toward her uncle. A few of his men unsheathed their swords but Dahlia took no notice. She knew better than to try to take on a room full of trained warriors.
'Then me. I will take the throne.' She whispered. Leaning in on the throne's arm rest Gunther laughed cruelly in her face, his men snickering along.
'No my sweet niece, you will not rule here. Now or ever. We need a man to lead us to greatness. A woman has never led us. Nor will one.' Gunther sneered.
Dahlia took a few steps back looking around the hall. Few would make eye contact. Her mind was reeling. At what point had her father's men betrayed her family? Was it when he could no longer stand on his own? When the cough had started? Before he had even fell ill?
Her brother, Fell was only 10 years old, she knew he could not truly rule on his own, but her mother, Amma could have guided him. Women on the island had always been allowed to fight and raid but never to rule. Her people had turned their backs on her because they were too simple minded to think for themselves.
Dahlia locked eyes with Ozur who had not taken his gaze off of her since they had entered the hall. His look told her he would fight to the death for her if she so pleased. She shook her head softly. She would not fight today. She was more patient than that. She would wait for another time when she was in a position of power. Her uncle was a trickster and the people of this island would suffer the consequences of his foolishness. Her time would come.
Ozur pulled Dahlia into an embrace.
'Let's go.' He whispered down to her. She was tall for a woman but he still towered over her. The lovers took a step away from Gunther but the new king called out.
'Oh, one more item before you leave. I will be requiring your father's sword. The family sword. I'm not sure why my fool of a brother would give it to his daughter.'
Dahlia stopped, her hand instantly on the hilt, it was cold to the touch. She swung around swiftly with the sword in question pulled out, pointing at her uncle's throat. He had a quiet mirth in his eyes. He half hoped that she would do something stupid and make his rule easier, but he had other plans, for the fiery woman was more useful alive than dead. Hands grabbed Ozur, an ax perched at his jaw. Dahlia could hear him struggling against his captors. A smile grew on Gunther's lips. It would cause him no great concern to kill Ozur, regardless of his fame as a warrior.
'I will kill the slave Dahlia, do not test me.' Gunther spit.
'I am no one's slave!' Ozur barked. Though his father and mother were slaves long ago they had been freed before Ozur was born, by Dahlia's father, King Aric. With a shout of frustration Dahlia threw her father's sword to her uncle's feet. Steel clattering to the ground. The hands released Ozur with a nod from Gunther.
'Mother, Fell, come with me. We are clearly not wanted here.' Dahlia's eyes did not waver from Gunther's beady stare. He shook his head.
'Sorry niece but they will be staying with me. I would not want you to conspire behind my back, now would I?'
Dahlia snarled at Gunther but went to embraced her mother and brother in a quick group hug. 'I won't let them hurt you. I promise.'
Amma was nodding, tears running down her face as she pulled her daughter in closer.
'As long as you do as you are told, princess, no one will get hurt.' Gunther grunted from the throne.
2 month later.
The weather was finally staying warm as summer quickly approached. Raiding parties would be leaving soon but to where was still a mystery to Dahlia and Ozur, much to their dismay. Gunther had allowed them to continue on in their normal daily activities. As normal as life could be for Dahlia with her father dead and her entire life torn out of her hands.
She could feel eyes watching her day after day as she and Ozur continued to train with axes, and fists. She had yet to acquire a new sword, even though Ozur had told her more than once he could have one made for her without any suspicion.
'It would not make Gunther very happy. I don't have much to gain from that.' Dahlia retorted as she stoked the fire in their small cabin.
'King Gunther.' Amma replied quietly, to which both Dahlia and Ozur rolled their eyes.
King Gunther had allowed Amma to visit under the watchful eyes of his more faithful men, who were carefully perched outside the door.
'Well, I am not calling him that. He should know better than to expect that of me.' Dahlia stood to fill three pewter cups with herbs for tea.
'Where is Fell today?' She asked as she poured hot water into the cups, passing the steaming drinks out.
'He is training with your cousin, Hugi.' Amma replied inhaling the fragrant tea.
'The oaf will kill our sweet Fell if he is not careful. Hugi is half giant, I am sure of it.' Dahlia blew on her tea trying to get it to a drinkable temperature.
'They are the same age, Dahlia. He will be fine.' Amma took a small sip of her tea in reply.
'It will make him into a much stronger fighter.' Ozur laughed, reminiscing on his younger days.
'You trained with me growing up, Ozur, that must be why you are such a great warrior.' Dahlia decreed haughtily. She was finally able to take a full sip of tea. She closed her eyes at the warmth that washed over her body. It was chilly here, in their windowless cabin.
'Where is Ragni off to today?' Amma inquired about Dahlia's long time hand maid, wanting to change the subject before the lovers started bickering endlessly. Dahlia sent her mother a glance.
'I sent her away for the day. She is driving me mad lately. She believes I will fall to pieces over father's death any day now.'
Ozur scowled, looking into his cup for answers. Dahlia still had not cried or even reacted over her father's death and it was a little worrying to him. He too wondered when she would snap, it would not result in just tears either, he was sure of it.
'All I need is a battle ax swinging in my hand and I will be fine.'
'Or a sword.' Ozur implored, on his feet quickly to refill his cup before Dahlia could hit him.
Amma spoke up again, interrupting the couple. 'King Gunther requests your presence tonight, to join us for dinner.'
Dahlia frowned at her mother's comment.
'Please wear something nice, daughter.' Amma sighed.
The young women nodded a yes. Dahlia had a hard time saying no to her mother. She loved her deeply and did not want to see anything bad happen to her because of her quick temper.
'And what of the princess's lover?' Ozur purred over to them.
'You know how the king is.' Amma replied unnecessarily. Ozur huffed at this, grabbing his cloak before leaving the women to finish their tea in silence.
Dahlia swallowed the mead in her mouth slowly, thinking. She was not sure if she had heard her uncle correctly. She didn't want to react too quickly if she had heard him wrong. Gunther smiled heartily slapping his oldest son, Ingram, on the arm in delight. Ingram pulled his lips over his teeth in what Dahlia supposed qualified for a smile.
'Dear Dahlia, my father, your king, has made a great match for you. In Norway of all places!' This time Ingram laughed out loud as Dahlia's face contorted in disgust.
'Norway?' She stuttered as she made eye contact with her mother who was seated across the table.
'Yes, Norway. Are you deaf girl?' Ingram sneered, taking a large sip of his own mead. Gunther looked over at his son annoyed. He did not appreciate his son's open rudeness to Dahlia in front of such a large crowd. While most had supported his claim to the throne they still loved their princess, regardless of her hot and cold attitude.
'What prince Ingram is trying to get across, is that I have betrothed you to one of Ragnar Lothbrok's sons in Kattegat. It will make for a great alliance. It will benefit many people on this island.'
Dahlia's head swam as she brushed her dress down, standing up at the same time.
'But Ragnar was my father's oldest enemy.' Dahlia's eyes caught her mother's, who shook her head in reply, motioning for her to sit back down. Dahlia promptly did as she was told, realizing her temper was getting the best of her without even realizing it. That would be what Gunther would want, for her to humiliate herself infront of so many people, her people. She fidgeted with the thin silver circlet resting on her temple. Ragni had braided her hair too tight, making her head itch in response. She had to focus on that, not the anger boiling inside of her. She had to protect her family.
'That was a long time ago girl, when they were young men. Let it be the past.' Gunther placed his cup down harder than he meant to, its contents scattering onto his hand. He wanted Dahlia to act out, instead she sat pretty, with hands tucked away on her lap.
"Most lustful indeed should I look to all If I journeyed with thee to the giant's home." Dahlia sneered to her uncle and he rolled his eyes at her quote.
'Those close to you may think you are the daughter of Freyja but I am commander here, and you will do as I please, lest your family reap my wrath for your disobedience. You will leave in a fortnight.' Gunther vowed.
Dahlia sighed, not knowing how she could get out of this arrangement. 'May I ask which son of Ragnar I am to wed?'
'Hopefully it is not the cripple.' Ingram sniggered.
Gunther shot his son another look. Most of his guests had gone back to their private conversations but some still looked on with distaste in their eyes. The feud between Ragnar and Aric was well known on the island.
'You are to be wed to Ubbe, Ragnar's second oldest, and while he may not be the direct heir to the throne, the fate of things are unknown to us. You may soon be queen as you so desperately wish. If you are truly Freyja's daughter then maybe you do possess the power to manipulate the will of the gods.' Gunther's eye lingered on Dahlia's body a moment too long before lifting his drink back to his lips.
The rest of the evening went on without any more comments between the royals, which was fine in Dahlia's opinion. She just needed to make it through the night without any incident.
She needed to get home to Ozur, quickly. What would he have to say about this? He would want to run away but Dahlia knew that wasn't an option with her mother and brother involved. They were helpless without her. Dahlia and Ozur had been lovers for almost 5 years and friends since they could each hold a sword. They had trained, fucked, and loved each other for as long as she could remember. She could never love another, much less marry another. She sighed into her cup draining the last of its contents.
'May I be excused for the night?' Dahlia asked politely as she could manage.
Her uncle waved his hand carelessly at his niece, agreeing to her request. He was deep in conversation with one of his advisers.
'Do not even consider bringing that slave with you to Kattegat, niece.' Gunther growled lowly as Dahlia turned to leave. Her back stiffened in recognition but she didn't turn to say anything. She had to leave the hall at once not wanting to be seen with tears in her eyes.
Two weeks later
Dahlia paced her small cottage, biting her nails down to the quick. Ozur was nowhere to be found and the boats were scheduled to leave that afternoon to Kattegat. He had not been seen since the night she had found out about her betrothal to Ubbe. He was furious, mostly because he knew there was nothing either of them could do.
Her personal items had been packed away and sent to the shipyard earlier that morning. Ragni was being allowed to follow Dahlia to her new home, which was one thing Dahlia would be grateful for. Ragni had been caring for Dahlia since she was a babe and one of her closest allies. Her mother, Amma, had not been permitted to attend the ceremony, which had made the already frail women break down in tears at the news. Dahlia had said her goodbyes to her family that morning. Between tears Amma had slipped Dahlia a necklace with a large amber stone. She had planned to give it to her on her wedding night but was now being denied that right as a mother. Dahlia's hand moved to the cold stone. It was attached to a simple leather cord but it was a beautiful stone and Dahlia already cherished its significance.
Dahlia had made her brother promise to watch over their mother and to go to Ozur if any problem should arise. He had only nodded his head, refusing to shed a tear. He had given her a large hunting knife as a wedding gift, its handle carved from the antler of a deer. She promptly placed it on her sword belt hoping that it would fill the hole of her missing sword but it did not have the effect she desired. Instead it only made her long for her old sword.
Dahlia bit her lip nervously, she hated saying goodbye. It left her feeling uncomfortable to be so vulnerable, even in front of her own family.
Dahlia's mind was racing as she stepped out of the cottage. Ragni had come to take her to the boat.
It was time to set sail.
The sun caught her eyes in a moment of blindness but as they focused there was the tall figure that was Ozur. Tears ran down his face as she went to embrace him, holding tight.
'Where were you?' She demanded tears threatening to spill over.
'I went to the Seer.' He mumbled into her dark hair. 'I did not like what I heard so I made to end my life.'
Dahlia pulled away at his comment and looked into his hazel eyes. Questions were poised on her lips but Ozur continued on knowing they didn't have much time left.
'I asked if I would ever see you again. He said yes, but the next time we would meet you would have a child with you.'
Dahlia continued to stare into his watery eyes, not daring to look away.
'That child would be your son Dahlia, and Ubbe's.' Ozur finished looking to the ground, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. Dahlia gritted her teeth, wishing that Ozur had not gone to the seer.
'I spared my life knowing that the hope of seeing you again was enough to keep on.' Ozur brought her into a crushing kiss, pulling away at Ragni's nagging.
'I will see you again Ozur, child or not, things are not so set in stone. I can love no other.' Dahlia pledged.
He nodded with a sad smile on his face and kissed her one last time before pushing her softly into Ragni's arms.