Chapter 34
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Please review! I'd love to hear what everyone is enjoying about this story! It makes my day and I'd really appreciate it. Only six more chapters left to go so I hope you'll stick with me! I apologize in advance for any spelling mistakes. Now, onto the story. God Bless! :)
-Vegter999
Agnarr's POV:
Spring had finally arrived after another three moons, awakening the landscape from its winter slumber. Birds flitted throughout the trees and small creatures scurried through the undergrowth, reminding me that it was again time for another hunting trip.
"Later" I thought to myself as Freyja snuggled against me, moaning something in her sleep. Her eyebrows scrunched together as she began to wake up and then those beautiful eyes fluttered open.
I gave a side grin.
"Good morning my lady."
She grinned back.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"I always sleep well when I'm with you."
"Oh do you?" she questioned playfully.
I kissed her, and found myself quite satisfied when a slight moan escaped her mouth.
"Agnarr" she spoke against my lips.
"Mhhhmmm" I groaned, not really listening.
"Agnarr" She got my attention by pushing against my chest slightly, regrettably separating our lips.
"What is it?"
"We have the Thing today remember. We can't be late."
"We still have time."
"Come on. Up!" She rolled out of bed and tugged on my arm slightly.
I groaned and rolled over, pulling the sheets over my head.
All of a sudden they were yanked off and I was hit with the chill of the morning air.
"Come on sleepyhead, you have a job to do" she teased.
"Don't I get anytime to myself?!" I huffed into the pillow, my voice muffled by the fabric.
"Not when you signed up to be a Jarl."
I lifted my head from the pillow.
"Then next time I do maybe you should slap me."
"Oh come on don't pretend you don't love being up there in your big chair making everyone else think your so intimidating."
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, standing up to my full height in front of her.
"I don't intimidate you?"
"You used to but, not anymore."
"You hardly showed it the way you yelled at me that time at Magni's about the shepherd."
"Yes well, when someone yells, sometimes that means that she is scared." I gave him a meaningful look.
I pulled her to me.
"I am sorry you know, that I scared you."
"I know you are." She gave me a quick kiss.
"Now, we have a Thing to get ready for."
###
Loki's POV:
I rolled out of my blankets in the barn, not particularly anxious to start another day of work. My metal collar clinked as I sat up and rubbed my eyes, over the years I had gotten used to sleeping with it on. The symbol of my status as nothing more than an animal, a piece of chattel. I laughed bitterly to myself. You'd think after having been a slave my whole life, I'd given up on the idea of freedom.
I stood up and ran my fingers through my short hair, blond just like my master's, before starting my work sweeping the barn.
A noise from behind suddenly startled me and I turned to see Frey...I mean my Frauen, standing there, her left hand resting on the barn doorpost.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I didn't think anyone would be in here."
She came forward, stopping just in front of me, her eyes meeting mine.
"How's your arm?"
I automatically looked down at the spot where the wound was hiding underneath the sleeves of my tunic and placed my hand there.
I glanced back up at her briefly before lowering my eyes once again, as was expected of someone in my position.
Yet, what I had seen in her eyes was nothing but caring and compassion.
Why does she care? She shouldn't care. I am nothing and she is a Lady. Perhaps she's just toying with me for her own pleasure just like Valdis.
Yet, it was undeniable that she was different from Valdis.
My mind wandered back to the time I had snapped at her. Personally, I was surprised she hadn't had me flogged immediately. Slaves had endured such punishment for much less.
I was in no mood to test her patience a second time.
"It'll heal."
"I'm glad to hear it and to hear you speaking. I don't know if I could ever have learned all those hand signs" she laughed.
I simply remained staring at the ground, unmoving and waiting for her command.
I glimpsed the smile fade slightly from her face.
She eyed my sleeping space.
"You know, you could sleep inside. I'm sure it's much warmer than in the drafty barn."
"I like it out here. At least here I am alone."
"Yes, I suppose that is one way of looking at it" she replied, not seeming to be convinced of my sincerity.
She glanced back at me.
"Loki...Magni told me about you and Agnarr and Agnarr told me some of what happened to your mother. I am so sorry."
I winced at the mention of my mother and my Frauen sensed it.
"I'm sorry if I upset you. I just wanted you to know that there is someone who understands if you ever would like to talk."
I felt anger rise within me and despite my earlier effort my tongue would not be kept in check.
"How could you possibly understand? Look at you. You wear jewelry and have horses and wealth. You have been a free woman all your life. You have no idea how it feels to be ashamed of how you were born. To have everything taken away from you! To be a slave! What could you possibly know of that kind of sorrow?!" I was shouting now.
She simply gazed at me with sadness, which frankly I felt was much worse than any flogging I could ever receive. She should be slapping me, demeaning me, ordering my immediate punishment.
"You're right, I know nothing" she said simply and softly.
She made to leave the barn.
"Wait!" I said, before I could stop myself. I then mentally kicked myself as I just issued an order to the most powerful woman in the chiefdom.
She turned back to me.
"Forgive me Frauen. I did not mean to speak so harshly."
"I know you didn't. You're more like your brother than you realize Loki, I see Agnarr's temper in you."
"He is my Master first Frauen."
"I see."
Silence fell upon us for a few moments until she spoke up.
"I know I cannot change all that has happened to you, but I can offer you something and that is my friendship."
"We cannot be friends Frauen. It would not be proper."
Her eyes fell once again and a twinge of guilt hit me. She had been nothing but kind, when she'd had every opportunity to be cruel. She had offered me her hand in friendship and I had slapped it away.
Yet, it would not do to hope that a woman like her was sincere in her offer to a slave like me.
"I should be getting back to work" I said, instead of apologizing.
"Of course. I'll leave you to it."
###
Agnarr's POV:
After the Thing ended I prepared to set out on my little hunting escapade.
"Be careful" Freyja admonished as she adjusted my fur coat and smoothed my linen shirt, every touch leaving little traces of heat.
I caught one of her hands and brought it my mouth, before placing it over my heart and wrapping it in my fur coat.
"I always return for what is mine."
She stared at me for a moment, unmoving except for the blinking of her eyes. Then she tugged me in fiercely and kissed me, yet this was unlike any kiss we'd share thus far.
It was desperate, longing, as she buried her fingers in the hair on the back of my head and tugged me even closer if that were possible. Our breaths mingled as one and when we pulled back, we were both breathing raggedly.
"You'd better."
I grinned.
"You are fierce in your own way my Freyja. A little ball of passionate fire." I tucked a piece of stray hair behind her ear.
"Promise me you won't go alone."
"You needn't worry. Loki will be with me."
"Good." She smoothed my fur coat one last time and gazed at me, which I knew meant she was worried about me, but didn't want to repeat herself.
"Freyja" I gently lifted her face so I could gaze into her eyes.
"I will return. You have my word."
She pulled me into a tight hug, squeezing me almost as if I was a lifeline.
When she released me, I nodded at her one last time before stepping out the door.
###
Freyja's POV:
Once Agnarr had set out with Loki, I took the liberty of going to check on Bryn, who was still snoozing away even at this hour of the morning. I smiled at his sleeping form before ducking out of the room. After making sure that Gyda and several of the other servants would be around in case he needed anything I began to head out to the barn to say hello to Snowflake as I'd originally intended to do this morning before running into Loki.
Before I could however, a knock at the front door came. Curious as to who might be coming to call upon us when no visitors were expected, I opened the door.
Agnarr's four nephews Torsten, Erik, Bjorn, and Alvis stood there along with another man that I had never seen before. He was about Agnarr's height with dark hair and brown eyes that appeared almost black.
"Frauen I bring grave news for the Jarl."
"I'm afraid he isn't here right now. He just set out on a hunting trip."
"His brother-in-law Erik has passed from disease Frauen and his sister is gravely ill."
"Oh my, I had no idea. How terrible."
"She is unable to speak much because of her coughing fits but, with all the breath she could summon, she begged that her boys be taken to live with her brother until she is well again."
"Of course, the boys will be welcome to stay for as long as is necessary. Come in boys" I ushered them inside the house.
"Convey my condolences to your husband Frauen. I must return to my mistress."
"I will. Thank you." I gently shut the door.
The boys all stood there silently, their faces pale and their hands wrapped around packs that had no doubt been filled in haste to get away from whatever was affecting their parents.
My heart ached for them.
How scared they must be, having lost the stability of one parent and now it seemed they were about to lose another. I bent down to their level.
"You all must be hungry. How about something to eat yes?"
They merely nodded.
"Gyda!"
"Yes Frauen" she said, coming around the corner.
"The boys will be staying with us for a little while. Please fix them something to eat and make rooms for them."
"Right away Frauen."
"Aunt Freyja" Alvis spoke up.
"Yes Alvi what is it?"
"I'm scared that mother will leave us too."
I took his hands and knelt down.
"You always have Agnarr and I. Always. Everything will be alright." I gazed at all of them when I said the last part.
Deep down, I hoped for their sake that I was right.
###
Dinner was a somber affair. The boys hardly touched their stew and the room was so silent that one could've heard a pin drop. Even Bryn's normally cheerful disposition was effected as he had hardly muttered a word.
"Are you getting settled in alright?"
"I guess" Torsten, the oldest, mumbled playing with the liquid in his bowl, gazing into it as if it could provide some answers to the trauma he had experienced.
"Aunt Freyja, when is Uncle getting back?" Erik questioned.
"I'm not sure, but I know it will be soon" I reassured him.
Just then the sound of hoof beats pounded the ground near the house.
"It's him!" Alvis cried, running to get the door.
"Alvis wait! Let me go first" I called, just in case in happened to be a complete stranger instead of Agnarr.
Alvis dutifully obeyed and waited by the door.
I gazed into the night, breathing s sigh of relief that it was indeed Agnarr."
"Wait here" I told them, closing the door as I hurried outside.
"Agnarr!" I called.
He pulled me into his embrace and kissed me on the forehead.
"I brought someone to see you" he replied, a twinkle of mirth in his eye. He moved aside and there before my eyes, stood a grinning Magni. I had to blink twice to make sure it wasn't an illusion.
"Magni!" I cried, hurrying toward him and leaping into his arms, my sorrow for the boys momentarily forgotten.
When we released each other he grinned, he held me at arms length to look at me.
"You certainly have changed much since I saw you last my Frauen" he teased.
"Oh Magni stop it. To you I will always be Freyja. Just Freyja."
"Well, just Freyja I couldn't be happier to see you. I only regret that I could not attend your wedding."
"What are you doing here? I thought your exile didn't permit it. Not that I'm not overjoyed to see you of course."
"He is no longer an exile" Agnarr interrupted.
"Really?"
"He saved my life from a bear during the hunt when we happened upon him in the woods. In exchange he gets to come back into the community as a Karl."
I glanced back at Magni, my heart filling with warmth and joy that I would no longer have to be separated from the man who had become like a second Father to me. I pulled him into another tight embrace.
"I'm so happy your back. I have worried about you all these months" I whispered.
"And I you Freyja."
"Uncle!" Torsten cried, scampering out of the house towards Agnarr.
"Torsten what are you doing here?"
Puzzled, Agnarr looked to me.
I cleared my throat.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Wow this was a hard chapter to write. I was glad to be able to include more of Loki's point of view since he hasn't been explored as much as the other characters so far. Please Review!