I was sitting at the end of the boat, crying like a baby. Who was I kidding, I wasn't strong! I wanted to go back, who did they think they were to send me away like that? It wasn't fair! I was so furious. And scared. How could they let me be scared like that! They are my parents, they're supposed to take care of me, to protect me. Not to send me away into the unknown! I mean, I guess it wasn't as unknown as I said. I did meet the King once, when I was very young. He had come to visit and I remember I thought he was scary. He was old and ugly. God! He was old and ugly now his son is probably the same. I'm going to marry an ugly, spoiled brat! I sobbed even harder at the thought.

I finally fell asleep, exhausted by all the crying and when I woke up I could feel that my eyes were swollen. I rubbed at my face, looking out over the boat when my breath caught in my chest. Right in front of me, the land where I would spend the rest of my life. My heart was beating rapidly and I felt sick to my stomach. I was so anxious, and scared. About an hour later, we were accosted at the docks and I could see my... new family, there, to welcome me. I recognized the king immediately. He was tall and intimidating and there was a truly beautiful woman by his side. The queen? She had long golden hair, and her eyes seemed gentle.

I got out of the boat barely taking note of one of my father's gaurds reaching to grab my leather bag. I gazed around at the foreign landscape, feeling lost. The stunning lady approached, taking my hand, a soft smile decorating her lips.

''Welcome, my child. You can call me Astrid, I'm Eric's mother. And this is Ulfrik, the King and my husband. Come, the trip must've tired you. Let's go home, we'll get some food in you.'' She said, before her hand stroke my cheek lightely. ''Oh, how beautiful you are!'' her smile widened.

The king approached too, smiling, apparently satisfied. ''Our son is lucky to have you, Idony Hellstrom.'' I smiled back, shy and glanced around the royal couple, trying to identify the man I was going to marry. Oddly enough he did not seem to be here, which made me even more nervous than I already was. I looked at the queen, confused.

''Eric is out hunting with a friend. He'll be home by sundown. Come!'' She said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

The house wasn't very far from the docks and when we finally got there, Astrid told me to go get ready for dinner right before she showed me where I was going to sleep. When she left I sat on the bed for a second, taking a deep breath. So far it wasn't so bad. Astrid seemed very nice and although the king was intimidating, he wasn't so scary after all. But why did the king and queen come to welcome me at the docks while my future husband was busy... hunting? Didn't he have any manners? Was he too good to come greet his intended? I was frustrated and disappointed. I already didn't like him and I hadn't even met him yet. I was not looking forward to it either.

I sighed and got up, heading towards the shallow basin filled with water set upon a beautifully fashioned dresser. A small, delicately woven cloth lay folded next to it. I picked it up, marveling at the softness. My father was an earl but we had never had luxuries to this extent. The royal family must be very wealthy. The thought didn`t ease my mind, it was just another reason why I didn`t belong here. With a sigh I dropped the cloth into the bowl letting it soak before retrieving it so I could scrub at my face. I had to admit it did feel good to rid myself of all the dirt of travel and dried salt, a mixture of my tears and the sea. Once fresh, I couldnt help my growing anxiousness that my dress was still grimy, and even if it wasn't, it was a traveling dress, nowhere near the proper attire needed to attend a dinner with a King and Queen.

Freyjahelp me!

I couldn't show up like this! I needed to make my appearance soon as well. Why hadn`t the guards insured my bag was delivered? Men, I thought scornfully. I flopped back onto the bed with a huff. Surely it would arrive soon.

I grew more restless as every minute passed. My frustration at my own damn helplessness was bringing back the threat of more tears. I didn`t even have Greta to send for anything.

"Fuck," I swore, rolling off of the bed and onto my feet again and took up my pacing again. At least that was one advantage of being away from home. My mother would have made me swallow soap and then sent me to the kitchens to behead fish for speaking out. Well fuck that. I'm a fucking viking woman, I can do whatever the fuck I want.

Holding back a very undignified screech I let myself slide ungracefully to the floor, sitting on my ass.I curled over, my face in my hands. The position didn't last long. Soon enough I heaved myself back up, completely prepared to continue my pacing. If it weren't for the creak of the hinge I wouldn't have noticed the wardrobe door that had been knocked ajar from my movements. Inside it were the prettiest dresses I had ever seen. There were bright reds and blues, greens and yellows. I approached and felt one of them in my hand. The fabric was thick and plush, perfect to endure the cold temperatures.. I looked at them, one at the time, becoming more amazed as they passed. I finally set my choice on a blue dress, it was so elegant and pretty. I looked at myself in the mirror, swirling around. My dark hair was braided and the contrast with the blue dress was ravishing. It also made my blue eyes pop out and I was quite pleased with the result.

Finally I left the room, wandering around in the house, looking for Astrid, or the kitchen or something. ''Lady Hellstrom?'' I heard. I turned around and saw an old lady that reminded me of my Greta. ''This way''. She said, guiding me to the dining room, where I saw the king, at the end of the table and the queen, by his side. The queen sat up, a smile on her face as she saw me.

''Oh you look beautiful, I hope you enjoy the dresses we had made for you! Sit down, there's plenty of food!''

I smiled at her, shy as I sat down. ''Oh yes, they are wonderful!''

There was a plate in front of me and a cooked bird on the table. I grabbed a bit of it and put it on my plate as I started eating. It was good meat and I could tell it was fresh.

''Eric caught this one just yesterday! Isn't it delicious?''

I smiled, approving and started thinking... Where was he? He didn't even show up for my very first dinner here? After all, didn't I come all the way from home just for him? And he was dismissing me, like I was nothing! I grew angrier and angrier the more I thought about it. I was trying to hide it behind a polite smile as I kept eating. I hadn`t realized how hungry I was until I started to eat. I should have expected it though, the last time there was food in my stomach was yesterday, before I fought with mother.

''How was your trip, Idony?''

Finally asked the queen. I smiled, telling her it was fine. I slept all the way through it. It was weird being here. I didn't know what to tell them so I just answered the questions they asked. They asked about mother and father, about the village and the trip. They also told me that Helga, the woman who led me to the dining room, was going to be my Handmaiden, which made me happy. Finally I'd have someone to look after me!

I was finishing the last bit of my meat when the doors opened on a tall, blond haired man, carrying birds on his shoulders. The queen stood up to welcome her son, taking the birds off his hands and giving them to one of the attending servants. She hugged and kissed her son.

''How was your hunting trip, Eric?'' asked Astrid, clearly thrilled to see her son.

I looked at him, trying to hide the surprise on my face. He was nothing like I had expected him to be. He was tall and had broad shoulders. He had his father's nose and an angled jaw, but he also possessed the soft eyes of his mother. Piercing blue eyes. I looked away as I saw him look back at me.

''Good.'' Is all he said as he got rid of his fur cloak before sitting down, next to his mother who stroked his hair for a second before gesturing forward a serving girl to bring her son his dinner. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek as I stayed silent, trying to avoid looking at him. He started eating, saying nothing, acting like I wasn't even there... It was downright insulting! I stopped eating, wiping my mouth with the cloth next to my plate and looked down. I was furious. Is that why I left home? It made me angry!

He was making me angry.

There was an unpleasant, awkward silence hovering around the table, a silence no one was breaking. I could see the queen getting more uncomfortable as the time went by and it went by in a painfully slow manner. The king had also stopped eating as well and all we could hear was the sound of Eric, chewing his meat. It was kind of gross. I brushed the hair that was falling from my braid back behind my ear, looking up once in a while without saying anything, waiting for him to at least acknowledge me.

''Eric... maybe you should... welcome your future wife?''

His mother said. I looked up at him, trying to read the look in his eye as he looked back at me and all I could see was the flash of amusement that passed as a smirk was forming on the corner of his lips. He chuckled and simply kept eating. The queen apologetically smiled at me and I could see her pinching her son's arm. He moved it away and sighed.

''Is that who she is? I was wondering what a stranger was doing at our table.'' He could not possibly have been serious. I tried to stay quiet, but it was seriously getting harder.

''Eric''. Ulfrik said, calmly but firmly. Eric stopped eating and stood up before he went around the table, next to me where he bowed, elaborately, overdoing his every move. ''Welcome to Oland, My Lady''. He smiled, briefly, and I looked up at him, knowing very well he was practically laughing at me. I looked away, not believing it. How arrogant! How insulting! I wanted to say something, anything, insult him the way he was insulting me, but I had to do everything in my control to keep it together in front of his parents. I certainly did not want them on my bad side. And so I bit my tongue, as I looked at him again, an expression of anger and a defying look on my face.

Once again, he smirked and went around the table ''I need some sleep, it was a long day!''. He stretched and kissed the top of his mother's head before heading out, probably to his room. His mother looked at his back as he walked away and she sighed.

Ulfrik stood up, obviously not in a great mood and followed his son. I could hear them whisper angrily but couldn't hear a word they were saying. Oh great. All of this was great.

At least I'm able to say we started off on the right foot...

I thought, sarcastically. How was I suppose to get along with an arrogant, entitled, insulting man? I remember deciding a moment ago how I didn't like him, well now I liked him even less. And I decided from this moment on that it would stay that way. There was no way I would ever like someone like him... let alone marry him! How the hell was I going to get out of this mess?

Astrid stood up and came to sit next to me. She took my hand and looked at me ''It will get better, my sweet. He is more than his smirks. He just has his father's character and it's a tough one, believe me, but if you can see past it you'll learn to... at least enjoy his company.''

I knew she was his mother, and she loved him no matter what but she was clearly blinded by that fact. So far, I couldn't see a world where this man and I would get along. But I smiled, and silentely agreed.

''You should go to bed now. It's getting late and you must be exhausted. Helga will make you a bath, and prepare you for bed.'' She kissed my forehead, ''Good night, sweet one''. She got up and I did the same. Helga walked me to my room where a warm bath was ready for me. I smiled, thanking her and sighed when the door closed behind her. Once again, all I could think of was going home. Home where father and mother were. Home where my best friend was. My best friend whom I'd fell in love with... He was nothing like Eric. He was kind and generous and courageous. He was funny and sweet...

I shook my head, trying to let go of those thoughts that were bringing me nothing but sadness. I was doomed to stay here. Cursed to marry a man that was nothing like my Leif. Once again I sighed as I got undressed. I hopped in the hot water bath, and closed my eyes. The warmth felt great and I could smell the lavender coming from the essential oils they put in the water... it was so calming. I felt my muscles finally relaxing as I grabbed a cloth to wash away my day. Horrible, horrible day.

Helga came back into the room and helped me dry, before she helped me dress in my undergarments. My belongings had finally been delivered to my room and I was happy to at least have some of the things from back home. I sat down, as my new handmaiden brushed through my hair until it was soft and shiny. When she was done she wished me goodnight and left.

I burried myself in the warmth of the furs that were heaped upon my bed and I fell asleep with thoughts of those big green eyes that I missed so much.