Chapter 36

Hey everyone! Thanks for all the great reviews last chapter! I really appreciate it and it makes my day! Thanks to all my guest reviewers, sorry I can't answer directly because that's how it's set up but thank you all the same! I apologize for the delay. Please review and let me know what you think of this chapter! Happy reading everyone. God Bless :)

-Vegter999

Freyja's POV:

When I left the barn, I made my way towards the longhouse, intent upon learning for myself what exactly Hakon wanted. I entered through the back door, making my way to the front of the house, where I heard voices. Two of them were obviously Agnarr and Hakon's, but there was a third that I did not recognize. It was only as I came closer to the three men that I stopped at a sight that made my blood run cold.

There talking to Agnarr and Hakon was none other than the man of my nightmares, the man who had been there the day that I had been taken, the man who had killed my father. Bjorn. I quickly ducked into a side room when he glanced in my direction.

My heart rate picked up, my palms began to sweat and my breathing became shallow and labored as memories came flooding back.

I sat against the mast of the ship, hugging my legs to my chest. It was a clear day, the breeze whipping my hair and the sun shining down, casting glittering rays of light upon the waves. The groans of the Northmen rowing the ship echoed in the air and I focused on my breathing, trying not to throw up from the constant up and down movement of the ship.

Suddenly, two boots planted themselves in front of me and I looked up to see none other than the man they called Bjorn. He was currently holding a bowl of food and he smirked at me as he knelt down, pushing it towards me.

I wanted nothing from him so I turned away.

He chuckled darkly.

"What, is it not good enough for you?"

I didn't answer, just continued to face away from him, hugging my knees tighter to my chest. He reached out and stroked my cheek but, I jerked away.

He gave me a wicked grin, baring his grooved teeth. I had to keep from cringing in disgust.

"In time you will come to forget him and your old life. You will be my bride."

"I will never forget and I will never marry you" I practically spat.

His mouth ticked up at the corner, smirking.

"The god's are surely angry with you to have brought this fate upon you. Look at you, you are a captive and a few days ago you were a slave."

"I don't believe in your gods. I worship only the one true God of my people."

"Then he has surely abandoned you" he taunted.

"He will never abandon me. Even unto death he will not abandon me."

"Then where was he when I plunged my dagger into your father's throat? Where is he now?"

I had no answer, so I just continued to look away.

Yet, a seed of doubt had begun to worm it's way into my soul.

What if he was right?

What if I was following the wrong god?

I shook my head. No, I would not allow his poisonous words to overtake me.

"If I were you girl, I'd join your life with mine. It would please the gods."

I gave him a hard stare and simply said one word "No."

"My Frauen?" a quiet voice snapped me out of my memories.

I glanced over to see Loki standing there.

I put a finger to my lips, signalling to him to not make my presence known within the house.

Loki nodded to show that he understood and came into the room. He knelt down on his knees and began to scrub the floor.

I glanced around the wall in time to see Bjorn and Hakon nod their heads at something Agnarr said and then swiftly exit the house.

I sighed in relief.

It was then that I glanced over at Loki to see him gazing at me curiously.

"Thank you for not saying anything Loki."

"You are my Frauen. It is my job to do whatever the Jarl and his Lady command."

Knowing my offer of friendship had already been turned down, I made to leave the room and let Loki do his work when he suddenly spoke up.

"May I speak Frauen?"

I turned back to him.

"Yes, of course Loki you needn't ask for permission."

He stood up and strode over to me until he was standing right in front of me. I noted in that moment that he and Agnarr were of similar height.

"Why are you so kind to me?"

"Is it not better to be kind than to be cruel?"

"You could've had me flogged or worse Frauen for speaking to you in the manner that I did. But you didn't. Why?"

Perhaps it's because I was once a slave myself. Perhaps it's because I do not believe in slavery and neither does my God.

"I.."

"Freyja, there you are" Magni said, coming into the room.

He stopped when he saw the two of us.

"Forgive the intrusion Freyja."

"No Magni it is alright. What is it?"

"I must speak with you urgently."

"Of course. Meet me in my chambers."

He nodded and left the room.

I turned back to glance at Loki one last time before nodding and turning to leave the room.

"Thank you" he suddenly said.

I turned back to him, my eyes inquisitive.

"Thank you for your kindness." he elaborated.

I grinned and nodded before turning and exiting the room.

###

I found Magni waiting for me in my chambers. He had taken the liberty of seating himself on a small stool.

"What is it Magni?" I asked, seating myself on a bench across from him.

He leaned forward and took my hands in his.

'Do you remember all those moons ago when I told you that maybe you had been put here for such a time as this?"

I nodded.

"Well, it appears that I was right."

"What are you saying?"

"It is Hakon, my Frauen. He has convinced your husband to raid your land."

I felt my heart practically stop at his words.

"No..no that can't be. Agnarr wouldn't do such a thing." I stood up and made my way over to the other side of the room, stopping at the corner.

"Three days from now they will set out to raid."

I fingered the blue necklace that Agnarr had bestowed me with, still unable to comprehend what I was hearing.

"I saw him Magni" I finally spoke, turning towards him. "I saw Bjorn."

"As did I when he was leaving the house, but he did not see me."

"Why is Agnarr doing this? He has shown himself to be merciful to me. Why is he so willing to terrorize others?"

"This isn't personal Freyja. Agnarr is convinced this raid will yield riches."

"At the costs of some of my people's lives or possible enslavement!"

"All you're people are nothing to him Freyja" Magni said calmly.

His words stung me like needles as the hard truth washed over me like a wave upon the sea shore.

"Except for one." He came to stand in front of me and I looked up at him.

"You" he said.

"You really think his love for me is more powerful than his want for power, riches, and glory?"

"Perhaps it's time to put that love to the test."

He gave me a meaningful look.

"What is it you suggest I do?'

"There's only one thing you can do Freyja and that is to go to Agnarr and tell him who you really are."

"Magni I cannot. Or else I might lose everything."

"If you remain silent now, you will regret it for the whole of your life. Many of your people will perish."

I realized deep down in my heart that he was right. My people's lives were more important than my happiness.

Magni placed his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look him in the eye

"Let me not live to see the day that that regret destroys you. Go to him Freyja. Go to him" he urged.

I looked into his pleading eyes and in an instant I made up my mind.

I would go to him, for Magni, for my people, for my God.

It was time to reveal my true identity. It was time.

"Very well. I will fast and pray for a day. Then I shall go to the Jarl."

Magni nodded and pulled me into an embrace.

"I'm so proud of you Freyja. Remember that, no matter what happens."

"I will."

Magni gave me once last look and I nodded at him in reassurance before he left, leaving me alone with nothing but, my thoughts.

###

The next day I largely kept to my chambers, lying prostrate on the floor.

"Oh Lord help me

They want to attack your people, desecrate our holy places

Lord you are my God, there is no other

Rise up in our defense

Save your people who trust in you

Amen."

A knock came at the door.

"Come in" I called numbly, pushing myself off the floor.

Torsten entered the room and quietly shut the door behind him. At thirteen, he was beginning to look more and more like his Father everyday.

"Aunt Freyja, may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Of course Torsten. Come, sit down." I directed him towards the bed and we sat by side.

I stroked his hair, encouraging him to look at me.

"What troubles you Torsten?"

"Uncle's leaving on a raid."

"Yes, I know."

"What if I lose him too? Like we lost Father."

"Have you talked to Agnarr about how you feel?"

He shook his head.

"I see."

"I want to be strong for him."

"Sometimes being strong is about telling others how you feel, not keeping those feelings to yourself."

"Really?"

I nodded, giving him a warm smile.

"So what are you going to do?" I asked.

"I'm going to go talk to Uncle."

"Good boy" I lovingly patted him on the shoulder before he scurried out of the room.

Alright! Next chap will be the moment you've all been waiting for! This was a really hard chapter to write. Please review!