Chapter 21
Disclaimer: Any factual research is not mine. All rights go to respective owners. No copyright intended.
I hope I'm doing the character's justice so far. Especially Agnarr since he's a much more complicated character. This was a difficult chapter to write as well, so I hope you all like it.
Also let me know if there is someone's POV I haven't done yet that you'd like to see.
Please review! I enjoy hearing everybody's thoughts!
Freyja's POV:
By April the last of the snow had left us and a part of me rejoiced at the coming of spring once again. The air was no longer frigid and the sun shone brightly upon the green grass, which carpeted the ground like a colored mat, dotted with wildflowers of various colors. The market had opened once again and people were busying around, buying or selling various items including cloth, vegetables, fish, tools, and weapons. Yet, spring coming also meant that the council of Elders was able to meet and I would soon be standing before them. The nervousness had been building inside me for the past few weeks now. If I said one word out of place, my identity would no doubt be discovered.
Agnarr's family had departed a few weeks ago to return to their home, leaving Agnarr and Bryn, who had now passed into his fifth year during the winter, alone once again. It did however mean that Agnarr turned more of his attentions to me, which I was shocked to find that I rather enjoyed. I was surprised to find out that Agnarr was a deep thinker as well. Not in the same introverted way as I, for by now I had grasped that Agnarr was an established extrovert. It was more of a curious silence, as if he was simply planning his next move against an opponent, (not that he considered me to be one). Even though he had a temper, Agnarr had also proven himself to be rather patient, even when it came to his enemies. That was the Northmen way. Revenge was expected against another who had wronged you. The Northmen had a saying, however, that went "A slave takes revenge right away. A fool never takes revenge." To avoid being seen as either a Northmen was expected to be patient and wait till his adversary was at his weakest, even if it took years, and then strike.
As I was a Christian I did not believe in such things. As My Lord Jesus Christ has commanded all of us: "You have heard it said that you will love your friends and hate your enemies, but I say to you, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, love those who hate you."
"Freyja?" Agnarr asked, drawing me from my thoughts as we continued on our walk just outside the town.
"Sorry, I guess I must've been somewhere else."
"And what were you thinking?" he asked, curiously, with one eyebrow raised.
"About you."
"Really? I am flattered."
"No, I mean about what a walking contradiction you are."
"A walking contradiction eh? In what way?"
"You're hot-headed and temperamental, but you're also patient. That's not something you find often in a person."
"Is this a flaw you find in me or is it a point of fascination?"
"Both probably. May I speak plainly Agnarr?"
"Of course."
"I find your temper frightening, but I find your patience and generosity rather..." I went silent for a moment.
"What?" Agnarr asked, tilting his head slightly to the side curiously.
"Sweet" I finished.
He raised his eyebrows.
"I mean not that you're not usually sweet...I mean you are except for when you know...I mean..."
"Freyja it's alright I get it" he chuckled.
We continued walking a few more steps in silence before Agnarr spoke up again.
"Do you want to know what I find sweet about you?"
"My tendency to stumble and make myself look a complete fool?"
"I was going more for the fact that you're unpretentious. That's a rare gift in a woman, especially when they're around me all they seem to do is throw themselves at me for my wealth but you...you have a dignity. You respect yourself and you're not afraid to be who you really are. You can afford not to care what others think of you. I wish I had such freedom."
"Surely as a Jarl you have as much freedom as you could ever hope for?"
"No. Being Jarl means exactly the opposite. You must conform to the image which people want to see, you must agree with them in order to keep things stable even when you may not like it, you must constantly be on your guard to keep up the image that you are strong and ready for anything" he said, frustration creeping into his voice.
I didn't know how to respond to that so I kept silent as we made our way home, but it was always on my mind, considering I was about to be put in the exact same position.
###
I stood outside the great hall, waiting for Loki to come out and lead me inside to were the council was waiting for me. I was beyond nervous, my palms began to sweat.
"Lord, do not let them trap me with their words. Save me from the snare. Amen" I whispered under my breath.
Helga joined me soon, placing her arm around me in a comforting gesture.
"Don't you worry. You'll do just fine."
"What if I don't?"
"You have the heart of a leader Freyja. You just don't realize it yet."
Loki finally came outside and gestured for me to follow him.
With one last look at Helga, I proceeded inside.
###
The council of elders consisted of a group of three men. I nearly stopped dead in my tracks at observing that one of them was Hakon. How on earth had he gotten on the council? Now this situation was at least ten times worse. The other men consisted of one who looked to be in his sixties, his eyes a milky blue from blindness and he carried a large wooden cane. The third man was slightly younger and could clearly see unlike his comrade. He gestured for me to sit in front of them in a lone chair facing them. I suddenly felt like I was a condemned criminal being scrutinized for punishment.
"So you are Freyja Magnisdottir." The third man spoke, making it more of a statement than a question.
"I am, Drengr" I replied respectfully.
"We have been told you are an orphan. From where exactly is it that you originate?"
I had dreaded this question but there was no escaping it now.
"I originally come from the North Drengr."
"Where exactly in the North?"
"I grew up near a rather isolated village."
"And the name of this village is?"
"It was so small I do not believe it had one sir."
"And your parents? What were they're occupations?"
"My mother died when I was but a few months old, my Father worked as a blacksmith."
Well, when he wasn't working collecting taxes for the King of Wessex from incoming ships anyway.
"You have no other living relatives? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins?"
"I'm afraid not sir."
"Why is that?"
Come on Freyja think of something fast!
"A plague swept through our village many years ago. My Father and I were some of the few to survive."
"How do we know that you aren't a threat to our town? To our Chieftain?" Hakon jumped in before the other man could say anything else.
He turned to the others and continued "Her warden is a thief and exile. How do we know she doesn't plan to follow in his footsteps?" I had to struggle to hold in my anger as he slandered Magni.
He then turned his gaze on me as if I were deer, whom he was about to pierce with an arrow from his hunting bow. It made me almost want to shiver.
"My niece Asa comes from a noble house easily known and undeceiving. I believe she would be a better match for a chieftain than a blacksmith's orphan daughter who has not a coin to her name."
"Undeceiving? Have you forgotten your great-grandfather Hakon?" the blind man spoke up for the first time. He then turned his gaze in my direction, giving me a small sympathetic smile. Despite his lack of sight he seemed to speak with great wisdom and clarity of mind.
"Besides I sense that there is an honest heart in this one."
"You dare slander my family name Rurik?!"
"Enough you too!" the third man commanded, holding both his hands up between Rurik and Hakon.
"We'll find out who is truly worthy of being the chieftain's bride in the only way we can."
"And what's that?" Hakon asked.
"We will let the gods decide!"
###
Agnarr's POV:
"They're going to cast lots for who will be my bride!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, unfortunately you're old friend Hakon stepped in and made a fuss" Rurik replied.
"Of course he did" I murmured.
"Surely there must be another way."
"You know as well as I do that that is not the case Agnarr."
"When will it be done?" I asked, irritated at this whole situation.
"Tomorrow. It will be between your choice, Freyja, or Hakon's niece, Asa."
"Then let us hope the gods are in my favor."
Rurik tilted his head to the side and even though he was blind his eyes seemed to see straight through me.
"You really like her don't you old friend?"
"I believe she is the best choice to help me lead my people and maintain my family's honor."
"Whatever you say. Just be at the council tomorrow at midday to watch the casting of the lots."
"Thank you my friend" I placed my hand on his shoulder. He patted it in return before using his cane to make his way out into the night where his guide awaited to take him home.
###
The next morning I arrived at the council meeting at midday just as Rurik said. A wooden bowl stood in front of Sven, and Hakon and Rurik stood on either side of him. Sven carried a smaller bowl filled with stones carved with runes.
"If the runes of peace are prevalent it will be your bride Freyja, if victory then it will be Asa of the house of Hakon. Men cast the lots, but the gods decide."
I nodded in understanding as Sven began to shake the bowl and then cast the lots into the bigger one...
###
Freyja's POV:
I paced back and forth, my fingers tapping my chin, as Helga sat and worked on her needle point.
"Keep pacing like that and you'll wear yourself out" she remarked without looking up.
"I can't help it. I guess I won't be able to calm myself until I know the decision."
"That's understandable, but don't worry I'm sure the gods will look on you with favor."
But I don't believe in your gods! I'm not a Northmen and I wish I didn't have to be afraid every single moment that someone would find out who I really am! I may not be one of you but I still deserve to be treated with respect! I wish I could speak my mother tongue, I wish I could praise God and read my codex without having to hide! I just want someone to understand and accept me as I am besides Magni whose now banished off somewhere in the woods and possibly dead already!
"We'll have to wait and see" I replied, holding my frustration in.
A knock came suddenly at the door, startling me.
I went to answer it, and found Rurik standing there.
"Freyja Magnisdottir, you are summoned for the decision of the gods."
With one last meaningful look at Helga I followed Rurik outside. I saw another young man, probably about fifteen, standing there waiting for us. My confusion over why he was there was soon solved as he lay Rurik's hand upon his shoulder and began to lead him down the street, with Rurik gesturing for me to follow. I'd wondered how he was able to get around so well, being blind and all.
The knot in my stomach twisted tighter and tighter as we neared the Great Hall. When we entered there was another girl waiting there. She had blonde hair and was taller than me, as most Northwomen were. She had blue eyes, that contained a spark of intelligence and something else I couldn't quite place. She was clothed in bright red, expensive-looking material typical of the Northmen nobility, and a jeweled krasen wrapped around her head. I couldn't help feeling suddenly out of place with my black hair and plain and somewhat faded, blue dress.
Hakon and the third man, whom I'd learned was named Sven, were standing there as Rurik joined them. Agnarr entered the room and gave me a serious, yet meaningful look before standing there and waiting for Sven to announce which of us would be his bride.
"The gods have chosen the Jarl's bride" Sven placed himself in front of us.
"Though it is unusual, I cannot say it is a surprise."
He made a move towards Asa, who began to look hopeful before turning back to gaze at me.
"It is to be you...Freyja Magnisdottir."
I could hardly believe my ears as I covered my mouth in surprise.
"Jarl" he gestured for Agnarr to come over.
"This is the woman you most firmly want to take as your wife?"
"Yes."
"And I assume the bride has already consented to the union?"
"I have sir."
Sven cleared his throat.
"Right, well now we must discuss the assets of the bride and groom, determine the bride price and the dowry and set a date for the wedding. If you would both sit."
Agnarr and I sat opposite Rurik and Sven. Hakon had practically stormed out with his niece not far behind him, after the decision had been rendered.
Your property and all your assets Jarl? Particularly those of value." Sven gestured for Agnarr to go first.
"Five ships, 18 farms, twenty horses, one slave, one longhouse, and several jewels inherited from my mother."
"Now for the bride" Sven gestured to me.
My cheeks colored as I had nothing close to the amount that Agnarr possessed.
"Three dresses, two pair of shoes, one cloak, one bag, and one dog."
"I see" Sven said somewhat disapprovingly, as if what I had wasn't enough.
"Given the bride's meager possessions I believe it would be easier to start with the bride price."
The bride price was essential in Northmen marriage transactions, it was gift given directly to the bride herself from the groom and was hers alone to keep.
Agnarr got up from the table.
"I already have it waiting outside if my bride would care to join me."
He extended his hand to me. I took it curiously, wondering why he couldn't bring it inside.
When we entered into the sunlight there standing before me,it's rope being held by Loki, was a beautiful white horse with a golden bridle.
I immediately went up and stroked the animal's nose, gasping with joy at it's beauty.
"She's your's" Agnarr said, coming up beside me.
"She's so beautiful. I don't know what to say."
"I remembered you mentioned your passion for riding. Well, what is Freyja without her horse."
I grinned at the jibe.
"Thank you Agnarr!" Without thinking I threw my arms around him. He stiffened at the sudden contact but after a moment embraced me back.
"Your welcome" he murmured. I suddenly noticed, being so close to him,that he smelled like the forest, in a good way, like the scent of fresh pine or oak. How had I never noticed that before?
"Eh hem.." Sven cleared his throat and I realized we'd been hugging for well over a minute.
"I believe we still have the dowry to negogiate."
"Of course" I said, my cheeks coloring slightly in embarassment.
We went back into the Great Hall, Agnarr for the first time holding my hand and never letting go.