The sound of birds singing and splashing as Gyda continued to try catching a fish on her spear filled Freyja's ears as she and Gyda waded through the calm water. "I missed..." Gyda said softly, looking at her mother who was standing a small distance away from the two girls.
"Here's one." Lagertha softly called as her gaze was fixed upon the creature in the water. Without missing a beat, Lagertha stabbed through the water and pulled out the end of the spear and pulled out the targeted fish.
"Gross." Freyja mumbled to herself as the fish continued to move, missing the glance Lagertha sent her way by the remark.
"Come on, let's go home." Freyja joyfully followed the older woman out of the chilled water. There were many chores and duties that she had learned to do and sometimes she would even enjoy them like hunting in the forests around her home. Fishing was not one of them however. The cold water had frightened her and the way the mud would squish between her toes disgusted her. Not to mention the occasional fish swimming and touching her legs. Once the three had made it back to the beach, Freyja took off to their small home not waiting for the other two. Ragnar stood inside the home and when he heard the door open he turned to see the small raven haired girl bounding inside and taking a seat beside the fire to warm herself. His wife and daughter are close behind. Lagertha placed her spear down and watched as Ragnar continued to tie something around her son's neck carefully. "What are you two doing?"
"Taking Bjorn to the thing tomorrow." Ragnar explained without looking away from his task. Freyja, who had been staring at the fire, turned her attention to the rest of her family. Lagertha walked closer to her husband shaking her head and placed her hand gently on his arm.
"Not yet. He's just a boy."
"He's twelve years old."
"Take him next year. Next year is soon enough." Ragnar fully turned to the woman beside him with a steady gaze.
"He'll need a silk ribbon, Lagertha." Ragnar turned back to his son, ending her plea and grinned as he placed his hands on either side of Bjorn's face. "You're a handsome boy. Funny ears though." He teased, gently pulling on them before walking away and out of the hut. Freyja jumped up from her seat and quickly ran after him and a little further down the beach.
"Can I go with you tomorrow?" She asked with a grin. Ragnar chuckled, shaking his head at her eagerness.
"Ask your mother." Ragnar said simply.. Freyja pouted at his response.
"She's not my mother and she'll say no. Why do you think I am asking you? I'm not stupid." She stated matter-of-factly. Ragnar slowed his pace and turned to look at the thirteen year old.
"Then you have your answer," Freyja's face fell completely at his words. "and don't let her hear you say she isn't your mother. She loves you very much." Ragnar turned away from her and before he could walk away Freyja reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
"I'm older than Bjorn, it's not fair! Ragnar please..." Ragnar sighed and kissed the top of her head.
"Go help your mother with supper, yeah?" Ragnar turned and continued on his way and Freyja watched him before turning with a huff and heading back into the house, slamming the door shut behind her and grabbing the spices she had been told to work on earlier that afternoon.
"What's your problem?" Bjorn asked her as he watched the girl violently grind the spices.
"What do you care about?" Freyja said not looking up from her task as Lagertha looked from Freyja's face to her mortar and pestle.
"Bjorn, Gyda. Go wash up and get your father." Lagertha ordered as she continued to prepare the meat. Once the two had left the hut Lagertha waited a moment before addressing Freyja. "Are you going to tell me why you are upset?" Freyja shrugged in response and still refused to look up. "Freyja."
"Can I go with Bjorn and Ragnar tomorrow?" Lagertha shook her head even though Freyja wasn't paying attention and set her knife on the table.
"No." Freyja mirrored the woman's actions and sighed softly. "I don't want my children to see such things."
"You told Ragnar that Bjorn should wait a year when he is thirteen. I'm thirteen now, so why can't I go?"
"Why do you want to go?"
"Because I've only been to Kattegat once and it's not fair that Bjorn gets to do things because he's a boy. I'm taller than him, I'm a better fighter and I don't get to do half the things he can." Lagertha waited until she had completely calmed before moving around the table wrapping her arms around the younger girl. Freyja hesitated before she wrapped her own arms around the blonde just as tightly.
"Look, my love," Lagertha moved back and brushed Freyja's hair out of her eyes, "I know it's unfair. But this is how it is, you know this. How about this, when the boys leave, we will start your training. How about that?" Freyja nodded and gave her a small smile in return.
Freyja stood with Lagertha and Gyda as Ragnar and Bjorn started their journey to Kattegat hardly anything had been said between the small family and Freyja was still annoyed with not being able to join them. "Come on girls, we have a lot to do. Freyja after the garden please." Freyja watched until they were out of sight and once she was left alone Freyja made her way to the beach and sat close to the water's edge, making sure to never touch the water and lifted her eyes up to the clouded sky.
"What am I doing here?" She whispered softly. No matter how hard she tried she never truly felt like she belonged. "I know it's stupid to get so worked up over something so stupid. But I can't help it, I love them but..." Freyja halted and let her eyes fall to the water before her. "Why wasn't I wanted? Odin..Frigg...Thor..if anyone is listening please. Send me a sign. A hint. Anything." Freyja listened to the wind blow through the trees and the waves break against the sand. Freyja shook her head and stood to make her way back to her home to see two men being thrown out of the door battered and bloody. They didn't waste any time running off, passing the confused girl on the way.
"Lagertha?" Freyja called as she opened the door. Lagertha sighed in relief.
"It's okay it was just a misunderstanding." Lagertha said not wanting Freyja to worry. She knew that she would have to talk to both girls about the possibility of one of them being attacked and how to defend themselves. Their world was dangerous for women. "We should practice your loom before we start your training." And that's exactly what they did. For the next few days Freyja would wake up, complete her daily chores, practice the loom and finally in the afternoon Lagertha would spare with her and teach her how to be a proper shieldmaiden. It was during one of these lessons that Lagertha had spotted Bjorn and Ragnar heading their way.
"Father!" Gyda yelled happily as she ran over to them. Freyja quickly dropped her shield and sped over to them as well, Lagertha not far behind. Ragnar opened his arms as Freyja tightly attached herself to his side. Lagertha pulled Bjorn into a hug, everyone happy to be together once again.
"In just a few days you both have grown. Give me time with your mother, alright?" Both girls nodded and as the three kids watched the two adults they all knew it was going to awhile before they would emerge.
"So, what happened?" Freyja asked, nudging Bjorn slightly. Bjorn shrugged and started to walk away but Freyja went after him, curious and anxious to know what he had seen. "Come on Bjorn, What did you see?" Bjorn stayed quiet as he took a seat on to the soft sand, Freyja mimicked his actions and Gyda took a seat on the other side.
"Please?" Gyda asked just as curious.
"I got my arm ring." Gyda and Freyja glanced at each other over the top of his head.
"Can we see it?" Gyda asked softly. Bjorn nodded and pulled up his sleeve to show the gold metal around the top of his arm.
"So what else happened? Surely that wasn't the only thing to happen." Freyja stated pulling her feet further from the waves. Bjorn was quiet for a while before he decided to tell them the truth.
"We had to watch as a man was beheaded for killing someone else and passing three houses before reporting it. Father said Earl Haroldson wanted the land and because he didn't want to sell it Earl Haroldson cursed him from entering Valhalla."
"He cursed him?" Freyja asked, shocked. She hadn't heard of anyone being cursed at their death. The thought alone sent a shiver down her spine. Bjorn nodded, still shook up from having to watch a man die in such a way. "Well...was that it?" Bjorn once again shrugged but didn't say another word. Freyja stayed beside Bjorn as the two sat silently. Gyda excused herself to go find some flowers to weave, leaving the two alone on the beach however it wasn't long until they spotted Rollo rowing up to the beach.
"Hello, young Bjorn." He nodded to the boy. "Hello, Freyja."
"Hello, Rollo." The two children said in unison looking up to the bear of a man.
"Where are your parents?"
"They are...having sex." Bjorn stated uncomfortable at having to tell his uncle. Freyja stayed silent feeling just as uncomfortable. Rollo was quiet for a few seconds before chuckling slightly.
"Well, uh...," Rollo tossed his fur onto the sand and took a seat next to Bjorn, "I guess we'll have to wait." The three sat there for what felt like hours as they waited. After hours of sitting on the beach, Lagertha and Ragnar parted from each other and gathered everyone together for dinner. It was quiet as everyone ate and drank their fill and Rollo was the first one to break the silence. "So, Gyda. Is your mother teaching you how to use a shield?"
"Yes, I know how to use a shield." Gyda stated strongly.
"Your mother was a famous shield-maiden.-"
"Was?" Lagertha interrupted, staring the man down.
"Is a famous shield-maiden." Rollo corrected.
"Come on children. Time for bed." Lagertha ordered. Freyja didn't move from the table but instead looked to Rollo not following Bjorn or Gyda.
"Do I have too?"
"Let's leave the men." Lagertha waved to them.
"But I am a man! I have a ring." Bjorn defended by gesturing to the gold around arm.
"Let him stay awhile." Ragnar chimed in however Lagertha would not hear of it. She gave her son a leveled stare and repeated herself.
"To bed." Bjorn rolled his eyes and moved away from the table to head to bed. "Say good night."
"Good night, my children." Ragnar said, turning and giving both Gyda and Bjorn hugs.
"I know how to fight. Bjorn has yet to beat me once." Freyja said with pride. Rollo chuckled and shared a look with Ragnar.
"Freyja." Lagertha called again.
"Go, your mother won't tell you again." Freyja sighed and stood from her seat and gave Ragnar a hug. "Good night." Freyja made her way back to her bed and snuggled into the blankets.
"Good night my love." Lagertha placed a kiss on Gyda's head, then Bjorn's and lastly Freyja's.
"Lagertha?" Freyja called softly. Lagertha turned back to the girl and sat beside her.
"Yes, Freyja?"
"When I'm older, can I be a shield-maiden?" Lagertha smiled and brushed Freyja's hair that always seemed to block her eyes.
"When you are older and when you are ready. Yes, you can. However it is not all fun and games. There are some men that will not see you as a warrior and they won't like it that you stand next to them."
"What do I do then?"
"You must prove to them that you are strong enough. Show them who you are and they will see it over time. You'll be an amazing shield-maiden, Freyja. I can see it in you."
"Really?"
"Mhm. Now, go to sleep. It is late."