Chapter 35

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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. I apologize in advance for any spelling mistakes. Now, onto the story. God Bless! :)

-Vegter999

Freyja's POV:

Rain pounded our roof the next morning, as if to match the mood that had descended upon the house since yesterday. Torsten and Erik engaged sullenly in a board game, while Bryn, Bjorn, and Alvis sat next to the extinguished fire pit. Agnarr was nowhere to be seen. The door cracked open as Magni, who was sopping wet, brought in some more wood for the fire pit. Agnarr had allowed him to stay and work for us, seeing as Hakon still owned the land that had previously belonged to him and therefore Magni had nowhere to go. I had felt uncomfortable at the thought of such a dear companion working for me, but Magni had insisted it was only fair since Agnarr was letting him stay.

I had a feeling that Agnarr had allowed him to remain here only because of me and that there was still some lingering tension between them.

I gave a solemn smile as Magni passed by and placed the wood to dry by the fire pit for later.

I made my way over to him.

"Have you seen Agnarr?"

"He's still outside. He refuses to come in." Magni placed a hand on my arm.

"Perhaps you can go and talk to him."

I nodded and slipped on my cloak, stepping outside, knowing Magni would keep an eye on the boys. I easily spotted Agnarr. He was kneeling on the grass in the middle of the farmyard, a hooded figure with his back to me.

I pulled my hood up to protect my face from the downpour and trudged through the muddied grass towards him.

"Agnarr" I asked, when I came alongside him. He didn't respond, just continued to stare off into the distance, the rain dripping from his hood and soaking his clothes. His hands, which were clenched into tight fists, had tiny water droplets rolling down them. I had never seen him like this before and it was beginning to frighten me, almost as much as it had when I'd witnessed him rip a man's heart from his chest.

"Agnarr" I repeated.

No response.

I knelt down on the muddied grass and took his arm.

Finally and ever so slowly he turned his head to gaze at me.

"Come inside with us"

"Freyja I must be left alone now."

"Agnarr please" I practically begged.

"Freyja I'll be fine."

"No, you'll get sick if you stay out here long enough."

"Freyja leave it alone" a hard edge crept into his voice, but I refused to be put off by his temper.

"Look at me" I turned his head gently with my hand towards me. By now loose strands of hair were clinging to my neck and water droplets ran down the side of my face.

"I only want what is best for you and right now that is to get you out of this rain."

He gazed at me for a moment before finally seeming to come to a decision and nodding. He pushed himself up off the ground and allowed me to lead him into the house.

Alvis came up to him when we entered as Agnarr shrugged off his cloak.

"Uncle" he said in a tiny voice.

"Yes, Alvis what is it?"

"Will Mother leave us like Father did?'

I felt tears prickle my eyes at such a question, but struggled to hold them back for Alvis's sake as I glanced at Agnarr.

"I don't know" Agnarr replied, honestly. He bent down and placed a hand on Alvis's cheek.

"But you must be strong now. Understand?"

Alvis nodded.

"Good" Agnarr patted his cheek.

"Go play with your brothers now."

Alvis hurried back over towards the others.

It was then that a knock at the door came. Agnarr and I glanced at each other, each guessing what the other was thinking. Someone had come to deliver more news about Frida.

Agnarr made his way to the door and pulled it open.

"Helga" he said, relief obvious in his voice.

"Good morning, I came to offer my condolences and to see Frey..." her sentence stopped as she spotted Magni.

"Magni" she almost whispered.

"Helga" he rasped.

"I...I" Helga's tongue seemed to have stopped working as she stood before her former lover, wringing her hands nervously.

"You look well Magni" she finally settled on.

"You look exactly the same" he said softly, his eyes lighting up with a fire that I had never seen before, a fire that I suspected had been there once long ago.

Her cheeks flushed and she looked down.

I had to strain to keep myself from giggling at their awkwardness.

"Magni is working for us now" Agnarr broke the silence.

"You mean your back from exile?" she asked, directing her question towards him.

"Yes, indeed I am."

"I'm very glad to hear it."

"Thank you."

She grinned awkwardly.

"May I walk you home after your visit?"

"Um...yes..yes that would fine."

"Good" he replied softly, the corner of his mouth ticking upward.

We all stood in silence for a moment.

"Well, Agnarr and I have some things to do."

"We do?" he asked.

"Yes" I gave him a look, jerking my head slightly at the two of them.

"Oh right yes we do."

"Boys, come on let's go outside now."

The four of them dutifully scampered out the door ahead of us as I led Agnarr from the house.

###

"Tell me everything!" I demanded playfully of Magni as he scrubbed the floorboards.

"About what?"

"You know, you and Helga. What happened when you walked her home yesterday?"

"Nothing really. We talked."

"And?"

"And then we talked some more."

"And that's it."

"Were you expecting something more?"

"Given your past involvement yes actually I was."

Magni sat back on his haunches, leaning against one of the poles.

He didn't say anything for a moment as he gazed at the wall opposite him.

"It's been a long time Freyja. We're not the people we were back then."

I sat down next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I only want you to be happy."

"Who says I'm not happy now. I have a place to live, and most importantly I have you."

"I saw the way you looked at her when she walked in. Your still as in love with her as ever. You have a right to your own heart Magni."

He patted my hand.

"I appreciate your concern Freyja, but now is not the time to think of such things. We've both grown old and we're doing well just as friends."

I felt my heart sink at his words.

Could he not see that there was still a chance for him and Helga to have something together? Something beautiful? It was at that moment that I vowed to change his mind. I would bring the two of them back together, because they deserved each other. They had both done so much for me, it was the least I could do for them. If it were not for Magni I wouldn't have had a safe place to call home. He could've easily forced me to worship their gods and exposed me if I did not, but he hadn't. Instead he had faithfully kept my secret and respected my beliefs.

Helga had taken me in when she could've easily refused to do so after Magni was exiled and had comforted me with her friendship and advice.

"What are you afraid of?" I asked.

Magni sighed.

"Freyja it's best to leave some things in the past. Now, you should probably go find Agnarr or see what the boys are up to." He began to resume scrubbing the floor and I sighed inwardly, wanting to press the matter further but, at the same I respected his need for space.

I took his advice and went in search of Agnarr. The boys were playing outside in the yard, with Gyda supervising them. Agnarr was not among them, so I started towards the barn. I found Agnarr stroking the nose of his horse, Odin.

Odin reared his head slightly.

"Whoa. Shhhh" Agnarr crooned.

He looked over and saw me observing him.

"My lady."

I walked up to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

He gazed at me, looping his arm around my waist and pulling me into a kiss, pressing his lips softly onto mine.

When he released me I rubbed his shoulder.

"How are you?"

"Why are the gods doing this? First they take Erik, now it seems they are to take Frida."

I looked away for a moment before gazing back at him.

"I don't know why terrible things happen sometimes, but I have to believe it'll all work out."

"You sound so sure."

"I have faith. Sometimes that's all you can cling to."

"Is that what you did when your Father died?"

I looked down for a moment.

"Forgive me I did not mean to upset you."

"No Agnarr it's alright. To answer your question, yes that is what I did."

Silence fell between us for a moment.

"Well, I'm going to walk the grounds."

"I have to remain at the house. Hakon wants to see me."

I mentally cringed at hearing that name.

"Why?"

"I have no idea."

"Be careful of him Agnarr. I would not trust him."

"Nor would I." He wrapped his arms around me one last time and kissed my forehead.

"I value your advice Freyja. Sometimes I think your the only one I can trust."

He stroked my cheek.

"You've never sought to deceive me."

A flash of guilt ran through me as I remembered all that I had kept from him and all that still needed to be said.

And I couldn't hide anymore.

"Agnarr, there's something I need to tell..."

Footsteps came up behind us and I turned to see Loki, who signed to Agnarr.

Agnarr nodded.

"Hakon is here" he explained.

"Be careful" I admonished.

He nodded at me before leaving the barn.

When I was certain I was alone I knelt down and crossed myself.

It had become a habit of mine to pray on my many walks outside, aloud if no one was around. Yet, since it now appeared I would be alone in the barn, I took advantage of the time to talk to my Lord.

"Lord, you are my God, you and no other.

You are my help.

Lord, my nephews and husband fear for the loss of a mother and a sister

I pray now for healing for Frida, for though I know she does not care for me, you have taught us to pray for our enemies

Have mercy on her Lord.

Your will be done and not mine.

Amen."

I then got up, crossed myself and left the barn.

Wow this was another hard chapter to write. Hope I did the characters justice. Please Review!