This chapter may be a little wordy. There was a lot I wanted to convey with background and found this the best outcome. Writing creatively is still a challenge for me and this was a hard chapter to write properly. Thank you for your patience, and please feel free to PM me with any long critics or advice as I would love to learn and improve. Cheers!
Everyone was listening now. Giving Fena their full attention. Even the twins seemed to be focused on her. She shifted a little and recalled all she could to her memory.
"My father, Rurik, and Eret's father, Eret...which I really think they should have given you some differential. They could have named you Erik or spelt your name with two tee's or something, because it can be a bit confusing at times. But maybe that's only me-" Eret's light chuckle stopped her ramblings.
"Sorry. Sorry. Right, so Eret's father and my father were born in Holl, the same village that we were also born in. Rurik and Eret were raised as brothers. Not in blood but in bond. Rurik's mother died giving birth. And I believe his father was killed during a raid when he was three. So Eret's father took him in, right? It was your grandfather?"
"It was my father's uncle," Eret thought for a moment. "My grandfather passed in that same raid as your grandfather did. And my grandmother was very sickly at the time, so my father's uncle took care of the boys since he never had his own children."
Satisfied Fena continued, trying to piece together the bits of stories she'd been told as a very small child.
"Yes. Well either way they grew up side by side. Brother's in bond and in arms. They became the strongest and most notable fighters in the North. At least how my father tells it. I'm not sure how many of his raids were embellished. But they both held high standings with the jarl by the time they were 16. They were skilled hunters, trappers, and raiders. Holl also had a slight dragon problem, and it was a right of passage for young men to go out and trap one of the dragons, bring it back, fight and kill it in the arena. If they succeeded in killing the beast they became men and warriors. If they couldn't they were shamed and dishonoured and would not be allowed to participate in the coming raids."
She looked at Eret and paused a moment. Silently asking for confirmation to which he nodded, memories of his trial coming to mind. The gathered Berkians nodded solemnly at remembering their own old customs and "rights of passage" of similar theme.
"Similar to our fathers, our mothers also grew up as sisters. In the greater city of Fiflavellir across the waters. Eret's mother, Ingrid, was the daughter of a farmer, while my mother Gyda was a healer and prophetess having studied under her mother." Her voice trailed off as she spoke.
"My mother would tell me of the nightmares she would have. Of a man clad in shadows, a trail of fire and pain set off by him. And the moon clipped in the sky as he would turn to her and reach out for her. That vision haunted her for years she told me. The sleepless nights and the terror she felt from them were too much for her. So she cursed the man of shade and those who would come after him, to be forced to feel the pain they would inflict on others."
"The jarl of Holl and the chief of Fiflavellir made an agreement to strengthen the bond and trades between their two homes. Their children would marry and in such the two would be stronger as one. So a select few travelled with the jarl from Holl to Fiflavellir to sort out the details. Our father's were two of them. During their stay was when fates intertwined."
"My mother never seemed like much of a romantic. Often recalling with distaste of how quickly and fervently Eret and Ingrid fell for each other. She had no ill tidings for the two, and saw a strong and solid future for them both. But she would complain of their childish fawnings for each other. Though she rarely protested outwardly to them, but instead shooed them away as to be far from her sight. Looking back, she said it was a foolish thing she did. For on that fated day Rurik had encouraged Eret to go after the raven haired creature that had enraptured his gaze."
"My father watched the two wander off, and he approached my mother after seeing she was now alone. Claiming her features alluring and fae like he was curiously drawn to her. He was persistent but never forceful as he tried countless times to engage her. My mother had said he gave off an unsettling aura about him, but she could never pin it. He had asked for her company and she refused him and left him standing alone in the center of the city disheartened. For he was sure she was the one fated to him, but she felt otherwise."
"Upon their departure, much to Eret and Ingrid's aching hearts to be parted so soon, Rurik offered to bring back a symbol of peace to Gyda to show his intentions were true upon their return. She told him to do as he will but he cannot change the path of the river."
Snotlout had his head resting on the table, clearly bored with the tale of romance, but remained seated at Astrid's harsh glare when he tried to excuse himself earlier. Toothless had finally accepted his fate of being a cushion to the baby dragon and curled softly around it as he too fell asleep. Tuffnut was playing with his hair that fell before him, weaving and braiding it in different fashions, while his counter part was half listening and half admiring herself in the reflection in the metal on her mug. Astrid, Hiccup and Fishlegs were focused on her and taking everything she said in stride. Eret leaned on the table, chin in his hand with slightly furrowed brows. He had heard brief tales of his parents meeting but he had never heard this side of the story. He had assumed it was an understanding of duty rather than love as her parents appeared a couple of an arrangement. For not all arranged marriages were neither happy nor troubled, but content.
"The following nights my mother told me she had unnervingly dreamt the same disturbing visions of that harrowing shadow reaching for her. Only my father seemed to fill in all the features that were shrouded before. Fear and anger and desperation overtook her being and she dreaded the possibility of his return. She still could not fully discern the meaning of the dreams either. Was he a war lord bent on destruction and blinded by darkness and greed? Or was it simply a warning to her that he would bring only pain and fear? Or was it a possibility, however small it seemed to her, that he was simply swallowed up by past grief and turned to her for comfort in dark times? Her mind riddled and pondered every possibility, every outcome, every symbolic meaning. But she said nothing was ever clear. And her mother was no longer there to guide her. So she wept and fasted for days on end, but never found respite."
"True to his word Rurik returned bearing a peace offering. Eret and Ingrid had set off to pick up where they had left off and left their friends to their own devices. Gyda was tired and her spirit was strained when she was handed the intricate and well made dagger. The peace offering. He thought it would be useful for when she foraged for herbs and the like she used for healing and clarity. Seeing her hesitation he cautiously placed it in her hands, saying that even if he could not change her mind on him, the blade was made for her."
"He had also asked her if she would at least entertain him by hearing him out. Perhaps she could provide some insight on the visions he had been having. She agreed and showed him back to her house on the edge of the city center. She heard his thoughts, of the detail of the woman he was to meet that would give him his greatest gift. He spoke softly as he tried to convince her that she was that woman. She denied him again and confided to him that she saw pain and suffering for him should he pursue her. But he was confident and sure in the god's plan, that if they brought them together that they could surely overcome all that was set before them. She told him again that it could not be and she would not accept it. She held the gifted dagger out to him, proving her resolve. He stood, folded her hand around the blade gently, and told her to keep it for she would need it more."
"Upon their third and last return to the city, to finalize the agreement between the two peoples, Eret eagerly took Ingrid far out of the city to her parents farm. The hopes of getting a blessing from her elderly father to bring her back to Holl to marry her. They did not return until the night their ship was to return back to Holl. An intricately carved owl pendant hanging around her neck that had not been there before, but was deemed an acceptable betrothal gift by her family."
"Rurik had spent the days with the rest of the party until the last day. Once the sun had set he sought out Gyda and found her in her home. He asked patiently if she would at least consider coming back to Holl, to leave the dark void of her home and join her life long companion if she would not come for him. A third time she refused him and his offer. Stating that Eret would be enough of a companion for Ingrid, and with the two peoples in alliance they would not be out of reach. Rurik reached out for her and in a panic the vision flashed before her and she cut at him with the dagger. The next thing she remembered was waking on a long-ship just off the shores of Holl, with Ingrid hovering worriedly over her. Black smoke billowing in the distance across the horizon."
"Wow, I did not see that coming!" Tuffnut exclaimed, now thoroughly invested in the twisted turn of events. Some of the others held mild shock on their features, Snotlout snored lightly but cried in outrage when Fishlegs booted him under the table and he fell off the bench. Not appreciating the rude awakening. Eret's brow only furrowed deeper. His jaw tensing just slightly as he took in the information. Now curious if his parents had truly known any of the tension between their two friends or if it eluded them as well.
Fena turned her gaze to the dim fire glow. A sombre smile graced her face as she continued.
"When they arrived back home, Eret and Ingrid wasted little time and after two months to settle in were wed. About a year later they had a son."
"What was Eret like as a baby? I bet he had the cutest little baby face." Ruffnut gazed in his direction and his lips grimaced as he shifted under her gaze.
Though most were a bit annoyed at Ruff's blatant comment, they were a little curious as to what the mountain of a man sat by them was like as a small child.
"I wouldn't know," Fena sighed. "As I was not there then. My parents were wed about a year after they arrived in Holl. My father said he wanted to give Gyda time to adjust to her new home and to clear out whatever darkness haunted her of her previous life. And about two years after they were married, they had me."
"I was told the story of my birth for it was one remembered throughout the village. My mother went into labour not long after the sun had risen but she did not start to give birth until the moon was high in the sky. When the birth started it is said that the moon began fading in the dark sky until it completely disappeared. It reappeared once I was born. The jarl and his supporters said I had been gifted the moons grace and light. The elders claimed I stole it, which is why my hair is often compared to moonlight. Well, on better days it is." She picked that the few small clumps of dried blood still stuck on the ends. Now fully aware of her appearance in present company.
"I remember hearing a few tales as told by the traders, of a Moon Maiden in the far North. Johann mentioned the name a few times, but it was hard to tell which of his stories were exaggerated." Fishlegs mention of said trader brought a sour face to almost everyone present.
"I didn't think that name would reach such far horizons. Nor be the one that anyone would be familiar with. It was what our jarl called me. Others have called me a witch and demon, I've also been referred to as Hel's songbird and the Mistress of Máni. As well as more uncouth terms. I remember I once shaved off all my hair and pretended to be a boy. I thought I'd be safer and more likely go unnoticed. Sadly it was not so. My hair wasn't the only dead giveaway to my identity."
"It could be difficult at times to differentiate between visions and reality. Either chasing after ghosts or staring at nothing, according to those who've witnessed my earlier episodes. Though for a time people would come to me for insight once they learned why I was absently doing what I was. Some saw it as a gift. But it was more of a curse."
"I remember we had gone to village to celebrate the harvest. As both our father's were still highly regarded by the jarl, he sought to bless their children. But I was afraid of the visions that haunted me at night, visions of the jarl. When he called me up and took me from my father, seeing I was clearly upset, he asked me what troubles me. I told him I saw his death. Laying just outside the grand doors, face caved in from horses trampling. His children dismembered around him. The world seemingly on fire."
"My parents were mortified as I had never told them of these nightmares before. But the jarl chuckled softly and hushed myself and the murmuring folks, who frowned at a child speaking so darkly on their beloved leader. He explained how death was unavoidable and not something to fear. If I had truly seen his death, he said I was gifted beyond comprehension. When we returned home, my mother was angry and embarrassed, while my father shocked and concerned. I stayed with Eret and Ingrid that night and a few nights following until my house was calmed."
"But the peace did not last long. My vision came true not four months later. Our father's argued with the elders for my sake. And they seemed satiated, but something sinister loomed over my home. My mother said nothing, and I had no other clear visions or dreams. But the shadow only grew and soon darkness overtook us. My home would be taken from me. As Odin would punish me for the gifts I never asked for. I would forever pay the price of someone else's choices."
There is another few chapters coming, they are in the works. Updates posted right now are just minor changes to current chapters and edits on grammar and spelling and such. I hope to have the next chapter out soon, I'm just trying to keep myself stable with work and general adulting. Thank you for your patience and the views, see you again soon :)