Chapter 22
Hey guys, sorry about the delay. Here is chapter 22. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed,faved, and followed this story, it makes my day! Please review and let me know what you think. This was a hard chapter to write, but also really fun.
Freyja's POV:
When the negogiations finally concluded I felt thoroughly exhausted. We'd decided on Kai as my dowry, along with some table cloths and extra money Helga had agreed to give me when she popped in earlier to see how I was doing.
"Then our negogiations are concluded. The wedding will be set for the 13th day of the 9th month at which time Agnarr Bjornsson and Freyja Magnisdottir will be wed in the sight of the village and the gods" Rurik announced with an unmistakable note of finality.
Agnarr helped me up from the table, and planted a warm kiss upon my hand, causing me to blush slightly.
"See you tomorrow?"
I nodded and then found Helga's arm wrapped around my shoulders.
Let's get you home sleepyhead."
"Is it that obvious?"
"You look like you're ready to drop onto your sleeping mat at any moment" she teased, smiling to show she meant no offense.
"Great" I groaned.
"Come on." Helga led me from the hall and into the breezy air of dusk, the sun casting rays of yellow, orange, and pink, as it swept behind the horizon.
"Helga?"
"Yes?"
"I'm frightened."
"Of what?"
"Marriage. What if I'm not meant for this role? What if I'm a bad leader?"
"The gods chose you Freyja. If that isn't enough of an indication that your meant for this role, I don't know what is."
"And marriage? I've never lived with a man like this before."
"You've lived with Magni."
That's not the same thing. Magni was like a second Father to me, but Agnarrs going to be...my husband. I don't know what that's like."
"Freyja" Helga replied, linking her arm through mine, "let me tell you something that my mother told me before I was to be married."
"Alright."
"Learn about him, learn from him, and learn from each other. Then at least if you are not happy, you can be friends, or at least civil, and you'll be able to work as a team."
"But I want more than that."
"If the gods see fit than they will grant you happiness, but sweetie, keep in mind that sometimes what we desire for ourselves isn't always meant to be."
"Thank you. That's very reassuring" I replied, sarcastically.
"It's a dangerous world we live in Freyja. Family connections are essential in the protection of one's kin and their honor, desires of the heart must always come second."
"You sound just like Magni."
"I should hope so. He and I were almost engaged once." I stopped dead in my tracks.
"You were what?!" I exclaimed, completely flabbergasted.
"Yeah Agnarr didn't tell you? That's how I met him as a child, when Magni and I were..." she paused.
"What? You were what?" I gently prodded.
"We were in love." pleasant grin escaped unbidden onto her face.
"What happened?"
"My Father didn't really approve of the match, so he arranged for me to marry my late husband. Magni and I were able to part as friends, and here we are."
"That's why Magni never married. It was because of you wasn't it?" I murmured softly.
"Yet, we're not talking about me Freyja. We're talking about you" she replied, quickly changing the subject.
"I hope my advice didn't sound too harsh. I just don't want you to have to go through any pain if things don't turn out the way you hope. I do wish you and Agnarr all the best."
"Thank you. I know you're trying in your own way to look out for me. Just next time maybe say it differently."
"I will certainly do that. Now let's get you home."
###
The next morning, a firm knock and the door came and I already hazarded a guess about it might be(not that it was hard.)
"Morning" Agnarr chirped.
"Morning."
"Sleep well?"
"After a whole day of that, absolutely."
"I know. I don't particularly care for lengthy political discussions either."
"Always the man of action aren't you?"
"Someone has to be."
"Well then Mr. Man-of-action what do you have planned for us today?"
"Horse back riding in the hills if your up to it."
"Am I detecting a note of challenge in that voice of yours Jarl Agnarr?"
"Possibly."
"Well, then I might possibly be ready in five minutes."
I held up a finger for him to wait and disappeared back into the house, reamerging soon after with my cloak around my shoulders and my hair tied back. Agnarr had brought the horse he'd gifted me with the other day, along with his own.
"I forgot to ask what her name was?"
"She doesn't have one. She's yours now. What do you want to call her?"
"I'm not sure. Hmmm..." Her head butted against me as I contemplated.
"She likes you" Agnarr remarked.
"And I like her too" I scratched her nose and looked into her eyes, a deep beautiful brown. Her coat reminded me of freshly fallen snow.
"How about Snowflake?"
"Snowflake?" Agnarr tilted his head to the side, considering.
"I think it fits rather nicely."
"Then Snowflake she shall be" I turned to her, rubbing her nose again.
"What do you think Snowflake?"
She butted her head against me.
"Glad you like it" I giggled.
"Ready?"
We mounted our horses and cantered off towards the hills.
###
"So where exactly are you taking me?"
"It's a surprise. We're almost there." I steered Snowflake after Agnarr as he made a rather sharp turn. We seemed to be climbing higher into the hills.
"Here. Stop here." We slowed our horses to a halt, and Agnarr helped me down from Snowflake before tethering the horses.
"Come" he held out his hand to me and I took it. He led me through the trees until we came to a rocky cliff overlooking the village and the sea, the rays of the rising sun making the water shimmer.
"Wow" I breathed.
"I used to come here a child, mostly to get away and think. I still do sometimes, though not as often because of my responsibilties as chieftain."
"It's beautiful." My eyes were glued to the view, completely mezmerized. Agnarr noticed my gaze upon the sea.
"Do you ever wonder what's out there?"
"Sometimes."
Like when I'm missing England.
"I've always wondered, just what's beyond that horizon. I used to imagine taking a ship and crew and finding out."
"Maybe one day you will. There's no telling how far you'll go in the one you showed me."
"I intend to find out."
"Any place in particular?" I turned to him.
"I don't know, the whole world perhaps?"
"That would be quite a long trip."
"Half the world?"
"Now you're joking with me" I chuckled.
"Maybe."
We were silent for a moment, gazing out and appreciating the view as the sun continued to bask the land it's golden light.
"Can we stay here for a little while? I mean to enjoy the view?" Agnarr nodded and we sat down upon a stone, neither of us saying a word as the horses munched some grass in the background.
"Agnarr?"
"Hmmm?"
"May I lean on you?" He gazed at me, an almost desperate longing filling his eyes.
"Please do." I raised my eyebrows.
"I mean of course."
I couldn't help the slight grin that crinkled the corners of my mouth as I scooched closer and lay my head upon his shoulder, just the two of us observing the sunrise.
Helga's POV:
After Freyja and Agnarr left, I took the opportunity to spruce the place up a bit. I hadn't meant to sound unsupportive to Freyja, but in that moment that I saw her, young and about to be married, I saw myself, and the pain my split from Magni had caused me. I didn't want her to have go through that if she and Agnarr did not end up being happy together. I wanted her to be happy though, goodness knows with all she's been put through these last few months, she deserves it.
I sighed, sweeping the floor harder to try and refocus my mind on my work and nothing else.
The sound of hootbeats carried across the yard towards the house, until Agnarr and Freyja drew their horses to a stop. I gazed at them through the door that was slightly ajar. He helped her down from that magnificent wedding gift of hers, and she smiled shyly and nodded at something he whispered in her ear. It struck me once again how very much they reminded me of Magni and I when we were young. A pang of regret and pain hit my heart like a tidalwave, the very feelings I'd sought to lock away all these years. Lock them away and do my duty.
I loved him, oh how I'd loved him. Yet, it hardly mattered anymore, we had both grown old and even worse Magni had been banished forever. A tear fell, unbidden from my cheek, and I hurriedly wiped it away as Freyja came through the door, a bright grin lighting up her face.
She needed my support now more than ever, and I was happy togive it to her. The last thing we needed around here was another miserable person.
"Well, looks like someone had a good time" I commented, forcing a smile.
"Yes we went for a ride up in the hills. He took me to this place with an amazing view of the town.
"I'm glad you two had fun, riding is something that always helps to clear the head."
"What have you been doing while I was out?"
"Nothing exciting, just business as usual." I held the broom up slightly to emphasize my point.
Freyja gave me a meaningful look, concern washing over her features.
"When I came in you seemed upset."
"Freyja what have I to be upset about? You're getting married and to the chieftain nonetheless, which is beyond exciting! I have a home, two beautiful sons, your friendly dog here, what more could I want?"
"Love."
I sighed.
"Freyja I've done my duty, to my family, to my ancestors, and to myself and that is all that matters."
"And has it made you happy?"
"Freyja this is not about me!" I exclaimed, exasperated.
"There are things that are bigger and more important than two people's desire to be together."
"You sound just like Magni again."
"Yes, and maybe you should've listened."
A flash of hurt crossed her eyes, and guilt instantly filled my heart. I took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry Freyja. I didn't mean to snap at you. Just...lets please not talk about Magni anymore. What's done is done."
"Of course. I'm sorry I brought it up, I just don't like seeing a friend sad."
"I know."
There was a moment of silence before Freyja spoke up again.
"Well, I guess I should go and fetch some water then."
"Yes, that would be great thank you."
Freyja picked up the bucket that lay beside the entrance and trudged out the door.
###
Freyja's POV:
I was hanging up the laundry the next morning when a very small and very familiar voice called out "Freyja!"
I turned to see Bryn scampering towards me, before he slammed into me with a hug.
"I'm happy to see you too!" I chuckled.
"Wait, you didn't run away again did you?"
"No this time he brought me with him" Agnarr said, stepping around the corner of the house into my sight.
"I'm glad."
"Will you teach me to ride horses now?"
"Bryn remember what I said to you about asking nicely" Agnarr reminded.
"Right. Sorry daddy."
"That's alright, just get it next time." Agnarr patted him on the head and pulled him close to his side.
"I'd love for you to start teaching Bryn if you still want to Freyja."
"I'd love to."
"Good. Just come by our house tomorrow morning and we'll go from there. You remember where it is right?"
"It's not exactly hard to miss."
"Yes, of course. Now, Bryn why don't you go play and I'll talk to Freyja for a moment." Bryn bounded off towards where Helga was currently scrubbing the rest of the laundry.
"What did you wanna talk to me about?"
"Do I need a reason to talk to my future wife alone, other than that I missed her."
"We just saw each other yesterday" I giggled.
"I still missed you. Did you miss me?"
"Possibly."
"Possibly huh? Well, I suppose I'll have to give you more of a reason to."
He reached for the fresh loaf of bread, my favorite, wrapped in a white cloth that Helga had prepared earlier.
"Oh don't you dare Agnarr."
He snatched it before I could do anything and held it above his head out of my reach.
"Give it back" I jumped up and down trying to reach it but it was no use.
"Say you missed me."
"Give it back this instant Agnarr Bjornsson!" I exclaimed, feigning indignation.
"Say you missed me and I'll give it back" he said, a feigned evil smirk spread across his face.
I could no longer hold in the laugh that burst forth from me, my shoulders heaving.
"Alright, I missed you too."
"I thought you did." He handed me the loaf back.
"As a matter a fact I wanted to speak with you too."
He raised his eyebrows.
"Go on."
"Why didn't you tell me about Magni and Helga?"
"Oh so she's finally told you has she?"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's not exactly my story to tell. Why?"
"We had a bit of an argument yesterday. I told her she'd been missing out on love, but she told me their were more important things and that she didn't want me to speak of her and Magni again. I only wished that there was something I could do to help both of them. You should've seen her face when I got back yesterday Agnarr, it was like she'd had her heart ripped out all over again."
"Freyja I admire that you want to help, but there are certain things that are out of our hands, and this is one of them."
"I know, I just don't like seeing her sad." Bryn picked that moment to charge back over to us.
"Helga let me feed the chickens, and I said thank you."
"Very good." Agnarr ruffled his hair.
"Now, Bryn we should be getting back."
"Awwwww" he moaned.
"Say goodbye to Freyja and let's get back to the house."
"Goodbye Freyja." He gave me a quick hug and then dashed to his Father's side, grasping his hand.
"See you tomorrow" Agnarr said, a look of something I couldn't quite to describe flitting across his eyes before they turned and departed.