Chapter 33

Hey guys, sorry the last chapter was a little bit short. I really wanted to get one out there for you guys. I hope your all still enjoying. I apologize for the delay as things have been pretty crazy the past month, but I hope this chapter makes up for it. Please review! I'd love to hear what everyone is enjoying about this story! It makes my day and I'd really appreciate it. I'm writing this on my phone so I apologize in advance for any spelling mistakes. Now, onto the story. God Bless! :)

-Vegter999

Freyja's POV:

A loud wail came throughout the house. Agnarr groaned into his pillow beside me.

"That child has a set of lungs" he murmured into his pillow.

Gyda was currently looking after the child until tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow would be the day Agnarr would pronouce whether the child was healthy enough to live or... well I didn't want to think about that option.

My thoughts turned to Magni amd I wondered for the thousandth time in many months how he was doing. I longed to be able to see him again just once. I know Kai probably wanted the same opportunity.

Speaking of which...

A large ball of fur jumped onto the bed, settling between Agnarr and I.

"Oh you don't. Off the bed." He attempted to shove Kai off but Kai dug his paws in and refused to move.

Kai then proceeded to swipe one of Agnarr's pillows with his teeth and jumped off the bed.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Agnarr snapped. He climbed out of bed and went to grab his pillow, only Kai managed to get past him...and jumped right into his empty spot, giving Agnarr a satisfied bark for good measure.

"Think your really smart huh?" Agnarr said, mischevously.

He made to reach for the pillow and Kai growled, leaping off the bed. Agnarr threw it out of our chamber and as Kai went to retrieve it, Agnarr shut the door behind him, locking it.

"Try and open a door with no thumbs" he shouted through the oak door over Kai's barking. I had been watching the whole spectacle with a grin on my face. A laugh burst from me as Kai started to whine to be let back in as Agnarr began making his way back to bed, closing his eyes and pressing his lips in irritation at the noise.

"Oh come on Agnarr let him in."

"No, he has condemned himself to a night of exile from our chambers" Agnarr huffed, slipping back under the sheets.

I giggled, climbing onto his chest and resting my arm on his chest and my chin on my arm.

"I didn't know you had a dramatic side."

"I could show you more of my dramatic side." He sat up.

His fingers moved to my waist.

"Oh don't you dare..." But it was too late.

Agnarr began tickling me and I burst out laughing.

"Stop!" I cried, collapsing on the bed in a fit of giggles. "You're gonna make me pea!"

Yet, Agnarr continued his torturous tickling as I thrashed around, begging him to stop yet enjoying it all the same. At one point, I might've accidently kicked him in the leg because the next thing I knew he went tumbling forward, but managed to catch himself by placing both hands on either side of my head. As I slowly wound down from my fit of laughter, my stomach hurting and my spirits lifted, I noticed Agnarr was gazing at me, an intense look in his eyes.

"What?" I asked, softly.

"Freyja..I lov..."

There came a knock at the door, interrupting whatever he was going to say. Agnarr groaned in irritation and got up to answer it.

It was then that I heard a sniffle and Bryn trudged into the room, tear stains on his little face.

"Bryn what's the matter?" I inquired, concerned.

"I had a nightmare."

"Oh come here" I stretched out my arms for him and he climbed onto my lap.

"Can I sleep with you?" His eyes rounded in pleading.

"Bryn we've talked about this. You're a big boy now, you need to sleep by yourself."

"Oh Agnarr" I waved dismissively.

"Of course you can stay." I gazed back at Bryn, who threw his arms around my neck.

Agnarr sighed when I glanced at him, eyebrows raised.

He sighed.

"Fine but just for one night" He held up his finger for emphasis.

It was in that moment that Kai made his way back into the room and lept onto the bed.

"Kai!" Bryn exclaimed cheerfully, scratching the dog's neck. Kai's tail thumped in appreciation.

"Can Kai sleep with us too?"

"No Bryn Kai has to sleep outside" Agnarr said firmly.

"Pleeeeessssssseeeee" Bryn begged.

"No Bryn. Kai out" he commanded, pointing towards the door.

Kai didn't move.

"See he wants to stay. Please mother can you tell Father to let him stay?"

"No 's not staying."

"Why not!" Bryn pouted.

"I said no."

"I have a suggestion" I stepped in calmly.

"How about you go back to sleep in your room Bryn with Kai. That way if you have a nightmare, you'll have a friend right by your side. Sound good?"

" I...I guess so."

"Good. Here I'll walk you back." I held out my hand and he took it. I led him back to his room with Kai following. Once he got in bed, I asked "Fo you want me to tuck you in?"

He nodded emphatically.

I gently tucked the sheets around him.

"Good night. Sweet dreams." I was about to blow out the candle when he piped up.

"Mother?"

"Yes?"

"Do you and Father love each other?"

Of all the things that I expected a five-year-old to ask, this was certainly the last.

"Why do you ask?" I lifted the back of my skirts slightly so I could sit on the edge of the bed, the mattress squeaking slightly under my weight.

"Well, you haven't had any babies. Father says when two people love each other they have babies."

Now my cheeks really reddened though I tried not to show it.

"Honey it's more complicated than that." I took his hand.

"Love is..." I paused to think for a moment.

"Love is wanting the best for another person."

Bryn's eyebrows scrunched together, his young mind trying to grasp this concept.

"So you don't love father?"

I stroked his hair.

"I think your father is a very kind man. Now time to sleep."

After making sure Kai understood that he was to stay with Bryn and the two of them were settled on the bed, I blew out the candle.

As I made my way back to our chamber, I pondered over Bryn's words.

Did I love Agnarr?

It was clear even to me that I had developed feelings for him but, love?

I shook my head, my tired mind not wanting to deal with these questions.

"I'll worry about it tomorrow" I mumbled.

When I entered the chamber Agnarr was waiting for me, sprawled out on the bed on his side, his head leaning on his hand.

"Is the little imp finally asleep?"

"Shhh you don't want to wake him up" I tiptoed the rest of the way to the bed for emphasis, grinning.

Agnarr pulled me onto the bed, an arm around my waist, causing me to giggle.

"Shhh" he placed his fingers over my lips, quieting me. When it was clear that the house was still still, I kissed his fingers.

He gazed into my eyes for a moment and I into his.

"What shall we do tomorrow?" I asked, finally growing weary of the silence.

Agnarr shook his head slightly as if waking up from a dream.

"Right. Tomorrow, the child's fate is to be decided, for better or worse it is in the god's hands."

I looked down, not wanting to consider the worse part.

Agnarr placed his hand under my chin, causing me to look at him.

"Freyja, I am a man of my word. If he has improved I will take him back to his parents."

I nodded, showing my understanding.

"Thank you."

"However, if he has not improved you know the consequences. That was our deal."

Tears rolled down my face as I clutched the sheets.

"You must be strong Freyja" Agnarr grasped my shoulder.

I could only nod, unable to meet his gaze.

###

The next morning dawned bright and clear. I glanced over and noticed Agnarr had already awoken and left. I called for Hulda and was soon dressed, my hair brushed and braided down my back. When I came out Agnarr was speaking with a dark-haired man whom I instantly recognized as the child's father.

"We've been looking after him for the past month, I hope it does not offend you or the wishes to your family" I heard Agnarr say.

"If he has improved then you have just given me another hand to help on the farm when he grows. If that is the case then I should do nothing but thank you Jarl."

"Tis actually my wife that you should thank. She was the one who found him."

I made my way into the room.

"Good morning Freyja. This is the child's father, Alfarr. Alfarr, may I present my wife Freyja."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you Frauen. " Alfarr got up from his stool and kissed my hand.

I had to fight to the urge to chastise him fiercely for what he did to his own child. I glanced at Agnarr, whose eyes were urging me to remain civil.

"A pleasure to meet you as well" I finally said, flatly.

"May I see my son Frauen?"

"Of course. Hulda!" Hulda strode into the room, the child in her arms. She gently transferred the child to his Father's arms and glanced at me. I nodded, dismissing her to return to her work.

When I glanced again at Alfarr, whose eyes were running over the child. Anger boiled inside me. Who did he think he was?! Abandoning his child and then only coming to see him after he had been rescued to examine him for worthiness like a piece of art work!

My fists clenched so hard, my knuckles turned white.

Just as I felt I could no longer contain myself, Alfarr spoke.

"I'll take him Jarl. He looks healthy enough."

For a second I couldn't believe my ears. His father had pronounced him worthy. The boy would live.

I should have felt glad, but whenever I pictured the boy with a father like Alfarr, it immediately stole whatever joy there was.

"I owe you thanks Frauen. If you or your husband need anything I am at your service."

"Thank you, that is very kind" I replied, hoping he didn't miss edge in my tone.

As Alfarr departed and Loki closed the door behind him, I sagged onto his empty stool.

"Well that went well." Agnarr turned towards me.

"Freyja what's wrong? You've just won us a valuable ally, why do you look so sad?"

"Why do I look sad? Why do I look sad?! Oh I don't know, maybe it's because I didn't believe in treating children like property. Maybe it's because I just had to give that poor boy back to the father who abandoned him! Maybe it's because I have to hide what I believe and who I am even from you because I could be killed! Maybe it's because I'm tried of hiding who I am!"

"I'm going for a walk" I simply said.

I got up and hurried out the door before Agnarr could say another word.