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Chapter 4

A few days later:

I had successfully avoided Eric for three days, missing training and dinners. I stayed out on my own later then usual trying to avoid all then voices I heard.

I lay in the forest beneath a great big tree trying to rationalize Eric's thoughts towards me. Beautiful breasts? Did he really think those things? His sister of sorts? He said 'the most beautiful girl'. What was he thinking? He had tried to approach me a few times but I escaped quickly through the back of the house. I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eyes.

I knew tonight I would not escape my family or the many voices. Tonight we celebrated what they called my birthday but was more for me an anniversary of the day I was found in the woods. I had hurried off home as the sun started setting, hoping I was not late.

As I got closer to the house I heard everyone talking, singing. I had waves of thoughts all at the same time hit me in the chest. I stumbled into our kitchen leaning down on my knees. It was so loud and all the different thoughts mingled together making me dizzy.

"Oliivi honey? Are you alright?" Astrid asked putting her hands in mine.

"It is to much. To many voices." I cried into her shoulder.

She let me cry awhile, "Just breathe sweet one. Breathe." She cooed running her hands through my hair. I took in deep breaths trying to slow the thoughts down.

If I just could focus on one maybe the rest would go away. I focused everything I had on Astrid trying to find her voice among the hundreds of others. after about ten minutes I had found it allowing it to drown out the others around me.

'Breathe Oliivi. Focus.' I heard her trying to comfort me. Stroking my hair she pulled my chin up, "There now child. All is well yes? We should dress for the celebration!" I nodded still holding her as we went to choose an outfit for the nights festivities.

I wore a long beautiful green tunic and Astrid gave me a very beautiful circlet made from leather, holding the finest green jewel in the center. I loved it! It wasn't made from steel but it looked earthy and I would say that was just so me!

My sleeves had been attached with leather to my dress and I had left them loose to dangle a bit on my shoulders, showing a bit of skin. The dress came low on my chest making room for a silver necklace from Ulrick which also held a green jewel to match my circlet. I looked beautiful. I smiled to Astrid doing a small twirl. "I love it! Thank you for the gifts." I ran my fingers over the necklace at my throat admiring it. I hoped tonight I could stay in control and have a wonderful time. There would be music and I loved to dance.

"You look beautiful sweet one." She touched my cheek, "I am sure I will hear many requests for your hand in marriage tonight." She was grinning now. I was not grinning.

"I am unsure that I am ready for such things." I looked away. This was a touchy subject for me as I hadn't been able to even touch anyone until recently. It felt fast.

"Ah! Nonsense girl. You are a woman now. You shall make a great wife and a great mother." She assured me pulling my chin back to her, "We will be sure to find someone you like yes?" Many woman in our village were married off to men their parents chose for them often creating unhappy women. I was glad at least to have a say. This was few and far between. I gave her a lazy smile trying not to think much more about it.

The celebration started late after supper. People came from all over. There were even men and woman from neighboring villages.

Music and wine were plenty. Astrid walked me out from my room a few minutes after it began. Everyone would bow and treat me as if I was really the daughter of Ulfrik and Astrid. It terrified me every time that I was not truly accepted among them but it did not seem so this time.

I walked out among my people, my head down trying not to make any eye contact. I did see Eric standing with our father at or seats. I really tried not to look to long, scanning the rest of those around me.

There were many faces of those I had never met. I knew the crowns they wore meant they were higher ups in their villages. They also had their own special seating off to the sides of the others. Everyone's eyes followed me in what seemed like awe. I couldn't be sure unless I listened in but I didn't want to risk letting them all in so I just kept on until I reached my seat between Ulfrik and Eric.

Ulfrik took my hand as I sat, leaning slightly towards me, "You are the most beautiful young lady." He smiled.

I smiled back, "Thank you Papa."

"Yes well! Enjoy you're special day my dear." He looked off to Astrid leaving me alone with Eric. I tried not to be awkward towards him, although I was sure he noticed my escapes the past few days.

Eric was about to speak to me when a man came forward. "I am Bjorn." He bowed his head slightly to me and my family. We all seemed to stare at him now. He was tall and I assumed he was in his late twenties.

He had strikingly green eyes and an interesting hair dealie. I wasn't sure what it would be called but it had a large mass of braids tied together running down the middle of his head while the rest of his head was bare. It was very interesting.

"Ah yes! You must be Jarl Orn's son?" Ulfrik asked eying the man with interest.

"I am." He answered now looking to Ulfrik. "I wish much happiness to your daughter on her birthday." He added now looking to me with a smile. I smiled back taking his hand in a small greeting. Eric sat forward a bit touching my other arm. I assumed it did not wish me out of my chair.

"I would ask for a dance?" Bjorn questioned Ulfrik.

"My sister just got here. She does not wish to dance just yet." Eric spoke up before his father could. I looked back at him angry. If he knew me at all he would know I loved to dance.

"Of course you can dance Olii! Yes I think that would be just fine." Ulfrik said looking still at the man in front of us, "If you wish to?" He asked me. With a smile plastered to my face I joined Bjorn in a dance.

It was a bawl. I danced with Bjorn at least three times and enjoyed it. Eric stared daggers at the man all night though. Judging by his thoughts towards me in the ocean he was jealous.

But I would keep telling myself that he was my brother and it wouldn't work out. I could not envision Eric as the type to marry and settle down. He would always be running around with different women and he would always be silly and easy going. He was definitely not the one to make me a happily married woman. I had no illusions about the men going off without their wives but I knew what I wanted and if I didn't find it then I wouldn't marry.

That was all there was to it.

Bjorn and I laughed together that night, drinking and being a little silly, "I am glad to meet you Oliivi." He would say.

I always just smiled back, unsure of myself around him. I did like him. He was nice and very handsome.

"Would you take a walk with me? Show me you're village?" He asked.

"Sure. I would love to." I took his arm and was lead out of the building. The trails around the village were lit up by torches. The buildings were just visible among them.

"It is very nice here?" He asked me looking out at the village by the sea.

"Of course! This is my home." I let his arm go and walked next to him, "It is all I know." I added. I wasn't sure he knew of me but I assumed so.

He only nodded, "Yes, that it is."

I showed him the village taking us in a large circle back towards the party, "Is your home much like this?" I asked. I wondered if he lived by the sea.

"We came from the mainland. I live by the sea as well." He answered. He then pointed out to a far off place, "I live that way." Across the sea. "You will visit sometime and I will show you?" He asked.

No harm in seeing the mans home I thought nodding to him. "I should get back to my family. Thank you for the lovely evening." I said bowing my head to him. He allowed my leave, "I hope to see you soon Oliivi." He took my hand a second before letting it go and walking off back inside.

I came to my family and sat down. "How are you enjoying you're night sweet one?" Astrid asked across her husband.

'How was Bjorn?' Astrid's thoughts came to me as well. My face turned red at her question, "Er...I am having a wonderful time." I smiled shyly looking away from her.

Eric joined in nudging my arm, "Do you wish to dance again?" He smiled huge, almost like he was trying to play it off as nothing.

"Not now brother. I am enjoying myself well enough here." I answered looking away from him, "You should ask someone else." I added pointing to the many women around us, "I am sure you can make one of their nights magical." I added sarcastically.

Even though I had looked away from him he answered me standing up out of his seat, "Yes I should do that. We must celebrate after all." He walked off into the crowd of women all dancing near to us I am guessing so they might be asked to dance by Eric.

I watched him dance the rest of the night with random women here and there while he occasionally looked back at me. I wondered if he was trying to make me jealous? I was probably making an issue out of something small. He didn't know I could read his mind after all. He didn't know I could here him the other day.

'I wish he would just choose one already. I need grandchildren.' I over heard Astrid lost in thought beside me off and on and decided I would adjourn to my room for the night leaving everyone to finish the celebration without me.

Blocking all the thoughts around had made me tired and I thought it would be nice to have some peace and quiet. It had been a long day after all.