Chapter 27

Hey guys, sorry about the delay, here is chapter 27.

This was a hard chapter to right, but by the grace of God I did it.

I thought it would be fun just to tell you what all the main characters names mean in Old Norse, the language of the Vikings.

Freyja- meaning Lady

Agnarr- Old Norse name derived from the elements agi (awe, terror) or egg (meaning edge of a sword) and arr (warrior)

Magni- meaning mighty or strong

Hakon- meaning high son

Disclaimer: Any factual research is not mine. All rights go to original owners, no copyright intended.

Hope your all still enjoying and thanks for all the great reviews and continued support. Please review and let me know what you think. God Bless :)

-Vegter999

Freyja's POV:

When we left the altar the whole village had rushed to the great hall where music and laughter was filling the air, mead was being passed around in abundance and an assortment of delicacies from roasted pig to stew and a wide variety of vegetables and fruits were laid out on the tables. Two long tables lined the walls facing the headtable where Agnarr and I currently sat, along with Bryn. The five year old was anxiously shoving fork fulls of meat into his mouth, leaving sauce stains all over his cheeks and lips.

"Bryn, take it slower. I don't want you to choke" I admonished gently, wiping his face with a cloth.

"Yes Mother."

I stopped for a moment, stunned that Bryn had referred to me as Mother. He'd never done so before.

"Is it ok if I call you Mother?" Bryn asked, seeming to realize his mistake. I looked to Agnarr, who'd picked up on the conversation, and he gave a subtle nod.

I turned back to Bryn.

"Since it's ok with your Father then, yes you may."

He threw his arms around my neck and I could feel nothing but pure joy radiating from his tiny frame.

After he released me and returned to his food, taking noticeably smaller bites, I turned to Agnarr, placing my hand on top of his to get his attention. His eyes immediately met mine in a questioning, but also adoring look that said he didn't mind one bit my touching him.

"Thank you for the dress."

"A true Northwoman like you deserves to wear it." His lips pressed upon my knuckles, causing a slight shiver to run down my spine.

I felt a stab of guilt at his comment, knowing that I hadn't been entirely honest with him about who I was. I wished I could tell him everything, but Magni had told me not to. Besides, if he knew who I really was, he'd throw me away without a second thought. Yet, a seed of doubt had been planted in my mind. Maybe...maybe there was a chance he would accept me for who I am if I told him the truth. Agnarr had been nothing but honorable and truthful with me after his rather gruesome actions at Magni's house that day. He had made every effort to keep his temper in check, he had saved me from wolves, he had stayed true to his word to make sure I was well looked after following Magni's banishment. My thoughts were interrupted by Agnarr's whisper in my ear.

"Freyja?"

I started.

"Sorry, I was somewhere else."

"I could tell. What is it you were thinking about?"

I decided to go with a rather neutral answer, after all this would hardly be the time or place to break the truth to him.

"You."

"Really?" he said smoothly, and whispered in my ear again.

"Anything you'd care to share?"

"Actually Agnarr, about tonight...I mean...I know we're married and all, but I don't quite feel ready for..."

"I understand" Agnarr said, lifting my hand and kissing it again before setting it back down on the table under his.

Thank goodness that talk is over.

I reached forward and took a sip of my mead, not because I actually preferred the substance, but only because, this being a Northmen wedding, there was nothing else to drink. That was probably the first and last time I'd be touching any alcohol tonight or any night.

As the night wore on, my eyes began to droop. Bryn had long ago been taken with Helga,where he would spend the night for tonight. I yawned discreetly, knowing that I still had a couple hours left to go until the feast would cease until tomorrow night. It would continue for a week or so as was the Northmen custom.

The combination of talk, music, food, and laughter had all served to make me groggy, and I couldn't help but allow my eyelids to drift downwards again.

Agnarr placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Wanna get out of here?"

"Yes, please."

Agnarr stood up from the table and a hush fell over the room like a rolling cloud.

"My friends, my new wife and I..." he leant me his hand so I could stand up "...appreciate you all being here for this grand celebration. Yet, all good feasts must come to an end and all must eventually retire. My wife and I will do so now. Continue to avail yourselves of the delicacies before you if you so wish, but not too much for I still want all my friends to be able to walk by the end of the night."

A laughter rumbled throughout the room and I couldn't help but grin. Agnarr had such an easy time with people, making friends with them, inspiring them. He was truly charismatic, the exact oppostie of me. I was introverted, quiet(but not shy), weary around people I didn't always know, though I didn't show it. A part of me secretly hoped I'd be able to make him proud.

Agnarr and I left the hall followed by a few torchbearers. The Northmen would lead the new husband and wife to bed with torches to show that they were now married, as opposed to the couple's relationship being extramarital and therefore secret.

Once Agnarr and I had entered the house, he quietly shut the door behind us and we were officially alone.

I wrapped my arms around myself and looked around the house, still unable to believe it to be mine as well now.

It wasn't that I hadn't seen it before, it just felt different now that it was the place where I was to live.

I spotted my bag, which I'd brought to the house earlier and which thankfully remained unopened, lying on the floor and I quickly picked it up and swung it onto my shoulder.

Agnarr was still by the door, curiously watching me.

"You don't have to do that you know? The servants can unpack your things."

"I'd hardly want to wake them, and besides I think I can look after myself for one night." I gave him what I hoped was a convincing smile.

Agnarr simply shrugged and said "Follow me."

He led me towards the back of the house and to a room off the main hall. The doorway was covered with a large, draping cloth.

"This is to be your room."

I felt my heartbeat slow at the mention that we wouldn't be sharing a bed tonight. The room consisted of a raised bed, something I had never possessd before, a few chairs, and a wardrobe with it's door currently closed, I opened it and gasped. Inside lay some of the most beautiful dresses I'd ever seen. I ran my hands along te fabric feelong it's soft and smooth texture.

They came in greens, blues, and even purple. I pulled one out and held it up to myself, it was the perfect height for my frame.

"How did you know my size?"

"Helga may or may not have mentioned it."

"These are beautiful. Thank you."

"There is more."

"What more could possibly want?!" I exclaimed happily, meaning every word. I had a room to myself, a bed, lovely dresses, a horse.

Agnarr handed me a small cloth pouch, like the kind used to hold money. I pulled the string and reached inside and pulled out a beautiful necklace adorned with blue stones on a white chain. The stones sparkled and reflected in the light of a few of the candles which had been lit in my room prior to my arrival.

"It's beautiful" I remarked.

"Tomorrow I will introduce you to your handmaiden and the rest of the servants. Yet, for now I believe you should rest. You'll probably want that off in order to do so" he gestured to the wreath of flowers still around my head. It began to itch again like it had been all night and thankfully Agnarr soon removed it. I scratched my head, finally glad to be rid of it.

I wondered why he was being so brisk and uptight. Not that he wasn't normally direct or clipped and efficient in manner, but tonight something seemed to be bothering him, as if he was in a hurry to get away.

I pushed such thoughts to the side as he spoke to me once more.

"Until tomorrow then." He turned and began heading out of the room.

"Wait!" I called.

He stopped in the doorway, placing one hand upon the frame and looking back over his shoulder. I strode up to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for your kindness" I murmured in his ear.

His eyes became fiery, like I'd seen before when he fought for my kiss. He managed nothing except to gulp, nod , and stride from the room, leaving me curiously staring after him.

Once I was sure he was out of sight, and wasn't going to come back this way, I began unpacking, placing the codex to the side on my bed for now. I hung my dresses in the wardrobe, the stark comparison between the clothing I was used to wearing and the type Agnarr bought me, not managing to miss my observation.

When I had finished with that, and all my other clothing items, were put away, my eyes wandered once again to the codex. Where could I put it so Agnarr or Bryn or anyone else in the household wouldn't accidently stumble upon it? I decided to simply stuff it in my bag and squeeze that between the mattress and boards supporting it. I'd have to come up with someplace better in the future but, for now that would have to do.

I knew I should try to get some sleep, but my mind was racing faster than a runaway horse. I lay down on the bed, blew out the candle and shut my eyes. The unfamiliarity of being off the floor wasn't helping my present sleepless state. I tried rolling onto my shoulder, no success. I turned the other way, same result. I even tried lying on my stomach but nothing seemed to help. Frustrated, I finally sat up and made my way to the wardrobe, throwing one of my plain dresses over my nightgown, along with a shawl. I tiptoed towards the door, my short boots in hand, as I didn't want to wake Agnarr. I slowly cracked the door open, clenching my teeth at the creaking from the hinges. It wasn't that I wanted to avoid Agnarr entirely, I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts for awhile and process the day. I figured some fresh air would be a major help with clearing my head.

I shut the door softly behind me and sat down on the porch, pulling my shawl tighter around me to help shield myself from the cool autumn air. The sun was just beginning to peak above the horizon, casting a pinkish hue upon the landscape.

I heard shuffling inside and Agnarr soon appeared in the doorway.

So much for some time alone with my thoughts.

"You alright?" he asked, sleepiness still permeated his voice. There were bags under his eyes and I concluded that he hadn't gotten much sleep last night.

"Yeah, I just needed some fresh air. You?"

"I couldn't sleep." He placed a hand over his mouth as a yawn escaped.

I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What it is it? You were tense last night?"

He seemed to notice his own rigid posture for the first time and quickly tried to appear more relaxed.

"Sorry, I was just tired is all."

I wasn't entirely convinced, but I let the subject drop.

Agnarr gazed out at the horizon.

"Beautiful sunrise" he remarked.

"Yes, it is" I replied, wondering where he was going with this.

"Would you like to watch it together?"

I nodded eagerly and we sat down upon the porch, my head resting on his shoulder like it had on the cliff that day.

Agnarr kissed the top of my head and we fell into a companionable silence.

After a few more moments I broke the quiet.

"Agnarr?"

"Hmmm?"

"What happened to your mother?"

He visibly stiffened but, seemed to relax a moment or two later.

"She was killed when I fourteen."

l lifted my head my head to gaze at him in shock.

"What happened?"

"She'd gone into the woods one day and was caught by a vagrant. He killed her and stole her jewels. I was the one to discover her body in the forest."

"How awful. Did they catch the man who did it?"

"No."

"How do you know it was a vagrant then? It could've been anyone in the woods that day."

"Trust me, when you've dealt with those people long enough, you learn their way of thinking. Their nothing but, merciless monsters who don't care about anyone but themselves." A note of anger had crept into Agnarr's voice.

His words reminded me of the one's spat at me by Wulf when I'd gone into the forest that day.

"You must miss her" I remarked.

"I do. I was closer to her than I ever was to Bjorn."

"What do you miss most about her?"

Agnarr pondered my question for a moment.

"Her fierceness. She was one of the few people who was never afraid to stand up to Bjorn. You would've liked her."

"I'm sure I would've liked her too."

Agnaarr gave me his characteristic side grin and planted a soft kiss on my lips. After we released each other and my head was once again on his shoulder, a yawn escaped me.

"Come on" Agnarr said, helping me up.

"Back to bed."

I could only nod in response as my eyes threatened to close again, allowing him to lead me back inside.