Previously...
"Are you mad? You could have killed each other! Is that what you want?!"
"We were just having an argument."
"Well never argue like that again."
"The great sea is held in place by Jormungand , the serpent, whose giant body encircles it and who keeps his tail in his mouth to complete the circle and stop the waves from breaking loose. But one day, the god Thor, son of earth, was fishing in the sea for the serpent, using a boar's head for bait. Jormungand reared up and the waves pummeled the shore as he twisted and writhed in a fury. They were well matched, serpent and god in that furious fight. The seas boiled around them, but then the hook became dislodged and the serpent slithered free and sank again, so quickly, beneath the waves. And soon, the sea was calm once more. As if nothing had disturbed it."
Freyja sat on the wooden fence watching as Bjorn continued to cut the fish that had been caught earlier that day. "You're doing it wrong." She teased. Bjorn huffed and placed his knife down and stared up at her.
"Why do you always criticize everything I do?" He was annoyed with her constant teasing. Freyja shrugged and jumped down from the fence and leaned against it.
"I have nothing else to do. Besides, you crinkle your nose like a bunny when you are annoyed."
"Shut up, no I don't." Freyja just giggled but didn't say any more, deciding to keep quiet. Since that night of Ragnar and Lagertha's "argument" as they had called it, Freyja had spent more of her time with Bjorn. Being closer in age it made it easy for the two to talk, however they both enjoyed teasing each other as much as possible. Freyja looked around them at the different families around, everyone enjoying the sun as they continued to do their tasks but the sound of a horse and the sight of a man she had never met caused her to stand a little straighter. Bjorn turned his head at the sound of the man dismounting from the horse. Bjorn turned fully as the two watched the man casually walk up to them looking them both up and down, as if assessing them.
"You are Ragnar Lothbrok's son, Bjorn. I remember you from the thing." The man stated simply. Bjorn's brows creased and swayed on one foot. The man was no taller than she was and so round she believed that if he slipped he would roll down the hill and into the water without stopping. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the horse.
"Yes." The man looked over to Freyja but decided that she was not important at the moment.
"Where is your father?-"
"Bjorn? Who are you talking to?" Lagertha called coming to stand outside the front door. Pulling the man's attention away from her son.
"I was just asking your son where Ragnar Lothbrok might be?" The man said, turning to address the mother.
"He's gone fishing." She replied walking over to the three, making sure her eyes never left the man.
"Oh! Fishing. He's gone fishing." He reiterated, not believing any word of it.
"Yes," Lagertha stopped at the small wood pile and picked up the tiny ace they had been using, "fishing.
"When will he return?" Lagertha stood by her son and wrapped her free arm around Bjorn protectively.
"I don't know."
"In which case I must take someone back as surety." The man looked down at Bjorn then turned his gaze to Freyja who had remained silent. "Just in case." Lagertha removed her arm at the look the man had and stood in front of both children.
"In case..?"
"In case your husband has not gone fishing." Lagertha refused to move from her place as the silence stretched on. The man looked down at the axe in her hand and began to look around, having his eyes land on the family down the beach.
"You! Come! Come!" He yelled, motioning for a young boy. The boy looked to his mother then ran up to him, confusion clear on his face. "You have to come with me. If you don't obey this order, the earl will never give you an arm ring." Freyja moved to step ward, not liking how this man peered at the boy but Lagertha halted her movements. The boy nodded after the words had sunken in.
"I'll come."
"Good, then let's be on our way." The man began to lead the boy away and to his horse. The boy's mother takes quick steps to follow after them.
"What are you doing? Where are you taking my son?" She asked as she began to panic.
"He'll be quite safe, woman." The man hoisted the boy onto the horse and grabbed the reins. "I bid you all a good day." The boy looked back to his mother and Freyja felt her stomach drop. She had a feeling that the boy would never be able to return home. Lagertha led Bjorn and Freyja into the house wanting to keep a closer relationship with her family.
"Who was that man?" Freyja asked to take a seat at the table where Gyda was practicing her sewing.
"I saw him at the thing. He works for the earl." Bjorn added.
"I don't want either of you around that man. Do you understand?" Freyja and Bjorn nodded and that almost seemed like the end of that. For the next few days the three children were told to stay close to the house and Freyja understood the reasoning but she was starting to feel very crowded. She wanted to go out into the woods and hunt but Lagertha had made it very clear that until Ragnar returned, if he returned at all, they were to remain close to the farm. On the third day Freyja was practicing her loom skills and even though Lagertha had told her that she had been doing well, Freyja knew that she was not cut out for the activity. Freyja had been so focused on the loom that she barely registered Bjorn running out of the door.
"Father! You're home!" Bjorn shouted. Freyja abandoned her chore and dashing outside. "Did you make it to the west?"
"Ragnar, I'm so happy you're back!" She said, tightening her arms around the man. "So what did you find? Are you in trouble? Did you bring anything back?" Freyja continued her questions looking up at him and didn't let go until Lagertha had made her way over as well. Freyja moved to stand beside Gyda and Bjorn and waited until the husband and wife greeted each other.
"So?" Lagertha asked once they had pulled away. "Where's all the treasure you promised?"
"The earl took it all for himself." Ragnar explained. "But I found it and I filled the boat." Lagertha smiled and let out a laugh.
"I believe you." She said playfully.
"You ought to believe me. This is a priest from the temple to prove it." Ragnar moved to the post he had tied the rope to allow his family to finally see Athelstan. "Priest! This is my family." Freyja moved forward to see the strange new man that stood still. He wasn't as tall as Ragnar and was dressed in brown robes that seemed very uncomfortable and scratchy. "His name is Athelstan. Although he's a foreigner, he speaks our language, don't you?"
"A little, yes." The man, Athelstan responded. His accent was quite strange and as he looked at them then to Ragnar as if he was unsure, Freyja felt pity as she stared at him. Ragnar pushed Athelstan's head down and lifted Bjorn's hand to feel the top of his head.
"What is wrong with your head?" Bjorn asked, confused, dropping his hand back to his side.
"When we become monks. They cut our hair. It marks us out."
"If you're a priest, which god do you like best?" Gyda asked simply, not taking her eyes off the man. Athelstan looked confused as he stared right back, but fully understood the question.
"There is only one god." He said. No one had said anything for a moment until Ragnar reached forward and handed Bjorn the rope that was tied to Athelstan.
"Here, you can touch him." Bjorn and Gyda moved forward but Freyja stayed back and just watched curiously.
"Are we keeping him?"
"Hello." Ragnar placed his hands on Freyja's shoulders and nudged her.
"Go on, little one. It's alright." Freyja sighed and moved to the other side of Bjorn and gently grabbed the robes and was surprised that it was quite soft for how uncomfortable it looked.
"Why do you wear this?" Bjorn asked to investigate the robe.
"All monks do." Athelstan said as the three of them looked at him over.
"So your name is Athelstan?" Freyja asked as Bjorn continued to lift the hood and rope to get a better look.
"Yes Freyja giggled as she watched Bjorn and Gyda.
"My name's Freyja, after the goddess. That's Gyda and the one attached to your rope is Bjorn." Athelstan nodded and made sure to lock the names into his mind for later. The four of them had stayed outside getting to know the new addition to their family and once it was safe they headed inside for the evening. The following morning Freyja found herself at the beach pulling in the nets that she had been tasked with throwing out the night before and was disappointed seeing that it was empty.
"Freyja! Come on, time for breakfast!" Gyda shouted, waving her from the water. Freyja threw the net back into the water and jogged over the front door to see Gyda, Bjorn, and Lagertha standing and staring at Athelstan. Bjorn began to laugh at seeing him sit with tears in his eyes staring back at them. Lagertha furrowed her brows and pushed Gyda and Bjorn into the house.
"Time for breakfast." Gyda joined in Bjorn's laughter leaving Athelstan behind. Freyja frowned at their mocking and laughing and she reached for a cloth he could use to dry himself.
"Here you go. I'm sorry." Athelstan took the cloth and nodded to her, grateful for her kindness and not laughing at him like he was some sort of joke. Freyja turned and left Athelstan to clean up. Taking a seat beside Bjorn she elbowed his arm harshly.
"Ow! What was that for?" He asked. Freyja rolled her eyes and pulled her hair over one shoulder and began to brush her fingers through the waves.
"You don't have to be mean and laugh at him. Why can't you be nice?" She asked him quietly. Bjorn scoffed and looked at her like she had two heads.
"He's a slave. It doesn't matter how we treat him." Freyja shook her head but decided not to say any more on the matter. Athelstan had to remind the rest of the. Never speaking until told to do so and going about his new duties diligently. It wasn't until she had snuck out of her bed later in the evening that she would hear him speak openly with Ragnar. The two men had been drinking since dinner and to Freyja it looked like Athelstan was about to pass out at any moment. She had just reached the divider when the floor beneath her feet creaked, giving her away. Ragnar turned behind him after filling their cups once more.
"You are supposed to be asleep." Ragnar said, trying to act stern but in his inebriated state didn't come off as so threatening.
"I couldn't sleep." Ragnar sighed and waved her over, not having the heart, or the mind to. Freyja grinned and sat next to him and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
"I am very curious about England. Does it have one king who rules over the country?" Ragnar asked Athelstan. Freyja stayed quiet, equally as interested and waited for the response. Athelstan laughed drunkenly at the question and tried to gather himself to speak.
"There are four kingdoms with four kings. You landed in the kingdom of Northumbria. The king of Northumbria is called Aelle. He is a great king. A powerful king."
"Then why did his men not protect your temple?" Ragnar interrupted.
"Before you came, we had no need to protect our monastery. We lived in peace. Everyone respected it as a place of god."
"Why does your god need silver and gold, hmm? He must be greedy." Ragnar said with a laugh. "Like Loki, we have greedy gods too." Ragnar said before draining his cup once more.
"My god is not greedy. His kingdom is not of this world.-"
"Why is his kingdom so full of treasure?"
"Christian people give away their riches to the churches and monasteries in order to save their souls."
"What are their souls?" Athelstan's brain seemed to stop working. He looked down to Freyja then back to Ragnar not sure how he was to explain what souls were and how they fit into his belief. Ragnar, seeing his struggle, decided to move on from this topic. "I want to learn some of your language. Will you teach me, Priest?" Athelstan seemed to consider this for a second, knowing that he couldn't really say no and when Ragnar tapped their cups together he followed his lead and drank the ale in one go. The men had continued to talk about England and the many differences between them and before she knew it she had fallen asleep leaning against Ragnar, behind her eyes were green fields and flowers that she hadn't ever seen before. Rolling hills and children's laughter danced along the breeze. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was just beginning to rise and everyone had still been sleeping. Jumping out of her bed, Freyja got ready for the day and decided to make her way down the beach and run her comb through her hair.
"What are you doing up so early, little one?" Freyja shrugged as Ragnar took a seat next to her.
"I expected you to sleep all morning." She said playfully looking up at him. Ragnar chuckled and gently pulled the comb from her hands.
"Let me see that." Freyja moved so she was not sitting in front of him, knowing that he wanted to braid her hair. It was something he hadn't done since she was smaller and she had refused to let Lagertha do her hair, running around the farm until he had been able to scoop her up and keep her still. "I see you come sit out here quite often, never touching the water but getting as close as possible."
"I come here to think." She supplied watching the waves lap at the beach as the tide had yet to come in.
"What do you think about it?" Freyja again shrugged but figured that he wouldn't drop it unless he was satisfied. She sighed and let her eyes wander up to the sky and watched a few birds fly through the clouds.
"Sometimes I think about nothing, sometimes I talk to the gods. I ask them to watch over everyone or ask them for signs." Freyja trailed off debating on whether or not to bring it up, but she knew Ragnar would not judge her. Ragnar continued to focus on her hair, giving the girl time to gather her thoughts. "I'm very grateful for the life you have given me in your home, and I can't imagine being anywhere else but sometimes I wonder about where I come from. You've told me the story so many times but knowing that I can't help but feel lonely. When Bjorn and I fight he-"
"Don't listen to Bjorn. He says things out of anger he doesn't mean."
"It's not just Bjorn. I see the way other people look at me, like I don't belong. They don't acknowledge me, or they think I am a slave." Ragnar sighed as he tied off the end of her long braid and turned Freyja to look at him.
"Freyja. I can't control what other people think or do. But you have always been wanted. Yes, you are not my natural daughter but that doesn't mean I don't love you. I thank the gods every day that they led me to you that morning. You are beautiful, very strong, and incredibly smart for your age. I am very proud of you." Ragnar placed his hand on either side of her face and held her gaze. "I am always here if you wish to talk. But for now, we must go have some breakfast. Athelstan and I are leaving for Kattegat so I will need to look after everyone, my little warrior." Freyja nodded and once they both stood up Freyja trailed after Ragnar and feeling a little better than before she was grateful for the small time that she had with him.
Ragnar and Athelstan had returned two days later and as Freyja sat at the table across from Athelstan she listened to the news they had brought from the town. "I have the earl's permission to sail back to England. I want to leave as soon as possible." Ragnar stated as he finished packing for his trip.
"How soon is that?" Lagertha asked casually, although she had a feeling that she already knew the answer.
"Tomorrow." Lagertha sighed, turning to her husband.
"We all wish you success. We will sacrifice Odin." Ragnar hid his amusement and finished tying everything in place.
"Are you not coming?"
"What?"
"I want you to come with me." He stated once he turned and looked toward his wife. Lagertha tried to fight her smile and surprise but she started to fail.
"But the farm, the children-"
"Bjorn is still too young. Although he can help on the farm."
"But who is to be in charge?" Bjorn asked, interrupting the two adults. Freyja leaned her elbow on to the table and placed her head in her hand already knowing that Bjorn wasn't going to be happy with the answer of his question.
"The priest. I will leave him with a key." Athelstan himself looked over to Ragnar in surprise. Bjorn stood up angry with this decision.
"Father! You cannot place a slave above me, your natural son!" Bjorn stared at his parents and when neither said anything Bjorn took his seat once again. Ragnar waited until he was seated to speak again.
"I don't regard him as a slave. He's a responsible person." Athelstan stood from the table unsure of how to feel about being left in charge but knowing that he was unleashing this man on England.
"Please, Ragnar Lothbrok. Don't do this." Ragnar leaned forward and looked to the girls sitting on the other side of the bench.
"What do you think, Gyda?" He asked softly.
"I don't mind. I like the priest." Gyda replied sweetly. Ragnar nodded and looked to the last of the family.
"Freyja?" Freyja thought about it for a minute looking around the room to see everyone staring at her. Freyja shrugged and leaned back.
"I can help Athelstan while you are gone."
"Then it is decided." Ragnar said with a smile. He sent one more look to Athelstan before walking away. Lagertha watched her husband walk away before turning to the monk who had taken his seat once again. She leaned down and dropped her smile giving the young man a steady gaze.
"If any harm befalls my children, I will tear the lungs out of your body Priest."
Here we go! Next one is the trail. Let me know what you guys think! Love ya 3