Chapter 12

It was morning over the ocean, the ship from Oscar was on its course to the harbor of Malmö, where he could see two ships and three different airships, one inspired by a familiar water predator. Oscar looked down on the deck wondering if his guests had already woken up but saw the deck was still empty. Oscar shrugged his shoulders keeping his eyes on the ocean heading to the harbor.

Inside the cabin, Luta lied on her back over the box beside the candle she had put out a couple of hours ago. The sunlight didn't shine into the cabin, but on the window, it was notable, that on the outside it was daytime, and soon or later the inmates would have to wake up. Gerda and Rollan lied both over the wool covers under with Gerda's long winter coat, which covered both together. Rollan had his arms under his head over his pullovers, which he used as a pillow. His shoulders were notably bare under the coat of the blonde and above his back, Gerda was clammed on the belly sleeper with her arms around him and the face leaned against his back. The blonde had been sleeping with a delightful facial expression. Gerda's shoulders were visible too, just above both sides there were two strings indicating, that she was wearing a bra.

Luta on the box moved her head up as she heard a soft groaning, then she looked towards the duo sleeping over the covers, then Luta tilted her head as she heard Rollan snoring silently. Luta got up, then got down on the ground to make her way above Gerda's back. Upon the arrival, Luta tickled Gerda on her face with the nose making her chuckle.

"Stop that," Asked Gerda and Luta began to lick the woman on the nose, waking her up, which noticed her weasel and lied aside uncovering one of her arms and picked up the weasel. "Good morning Luta," Greeted Gerda leaning the weasel closer to her face. "Did you sleep well?" Asked Gerda, then Luta looked at Rollan, which was sleeping. Gerda sighed amorously, then bowed down at Rollan's back to give him a long kiss on his face and see he didn't react. Gerda giggled and embraced the raven-haired man leaning her head against his back.

"Oh Luta, I have never felt so happy in my life," Gushed Gerda. "It's like I had gained a new sentiment, I have never felt before,"

Luta squeaked, then sniffed on Gerda's arm to look for her engagement ring, then nudged the woman on the hand calling her attention, which took her hand up and looked at the ring. Gerda understood, what the weasel meant and she sat up to look down at the Spaniard.

"I know, what you want to say. I did a mistake, I shouldn't have done that. What I'm going to say isn't going to make it any better, but for some reason, Rollan has come back to my life. This already two times. It's like fate believes, that we two belong together. This can't just be a coincidence. We found him on our ride down at lake Gao surrounded by lava and now upon meeting him in Paris our seats were put together and we ended up crashing in the airship. I'm certain, that everything, that happened here was to bring us closer," Explained Gerda while Luta listened to her. "Look, you already know I planned to tell Mars, what's going on anyway. I just need to know, how I'm going to tell it, where I am going to tell it if I'm going to take someone else with me or not,"

Luta looked at Gerda's back, then ran into the open bag of Gerda and stuck her head in there to take out a sheet of paper, then brought it to Gerda. Gerda pouted unimpressed at Luta's deed watching her return from the bag again with a pencil and watched the weasel hand the pencil out at her owner. Gerda placed the sheet on the ground, the lied on her stomach and wrote down her first sentence as Luta observed her.

"Hello, Mars. Those few days were quite adventurous for me. As you know I wasn't alone during the days I got missing, Rollan my old friend was there with me. During these days I got thinking about myself and your future. Actually, before this thing with the proposal, I was meant to tell you, that I wanted to leave you. But as you proposed me and both of our families were around, the few random people, I felt jittery and accepted the proposal. I had regretted it, but with the time things seemed to have gotten better and then it turned back to how it was. I felt, that my needs were ignored and I felt helpless, whenever you didn't give me any help to solve any problem I had." Gerda read out while writing. Luta looked at her writing, then nodded at the blonde which had eye contact with the weasel. "You know I tried to fix things before with Mars, before we got to this point, before the air crash," Mentioned Gerda looking at the weasel, which nodded. Gerda looked back at her sheet again, wondering how she should continue and remembered more info. "I always had the impression, you didn't really work on our relationship, like going out for dinner, a coffee or a simple walk. You never asked me out like that. I was the one, who organized the few encounters we had and those weren't even a lot. As I said after the proposal things haven't changed at all and I want to dissolve our engagement. The second issue mainly pertains me. Before I met you I had been attracted to Rollan for a long while. We had been sending each other mails as you remember and sometimes I still had a tingling in my stomach every time I received his mails. He was the only person I could talk with everything. Encountering him now on the trip, made me realize these feelings I had inside for him were still present and throughout the ride, they just hardened more. I couldn't help myself and bond with him. I don't know, how you're going to react to this and that my mistake can't be forgiven that easy. I hope you still accept that my heart doesn't belong to you, but to Rollan. Perhaps one day we can talk to each other normally and forget about, what happened or, just move on with our lives on different paths," Gerda finished writing down her letter and looked at it again, while Luta looked up at Gerda, then nudged her on her arm. Gerda caressed the weasel on the hear and returned her look at Rollan, which remained on the same position. Gerda smiled at the man, then folded her sheet and got back to embrace Rollan and pressed her lips on his face. "Wake up, sleepy head," Said Gerda, followed by tapping him on his nose and he moved aside, followed by Gerda stepping back to see him lie down on his back while puckering his face. Rollan opened his eyes, then watched Gerda cross her arms over his chest and look at him.

"Buenos dias, amor," Greeted Gerda watching Rollan yawn, then look towards the blonde.

"Que?" Asked Rollan, then Gerda leaned her forehead on his poking his nose with hers.

"I had fun last night," Commented Gerda. "Unbelievable we both just went through this inside a random man's ship,"

"You kinda started it," Commented Rollan looking down at the blonde, which chuckled.

"Well, you didn't mind it," Commented Gerda lying her head down on his chest.

"You're right about that," Confessed Rollan. "For a first time, the less thing I expected was to have the woman take the lead, and girl, you were ferocious," Commented Rollan watching Gerda lift her head chuckling.

"I believe the dragon part of me, was eager to devour her meal," Commented Gerda with a wink, making Rollan laugh and Gerda slid up to wrap her arms around Rollan's head to lock up her lips on his for a kiss. Afterward, Gerda lied beside the Spaniard and sighed enamored, earning Rollan's look, which smiled about her reaction.

"Should we get up?" Questioned Rollan. "To get on the outside and see, where we are,"

"Perhaps it's a good idea," Commented Gerda looking at the daylight by the window. "As far as I'm concerned, the Captain didn't show up here yet. I have no idea how he would react if he knew, we…...played dragon and donkey on his covers," Commented Gerda moving away from the Spaniard to seek for her clothes leaving Rollan back on the bed, which picked up his pullover and put it on. Afterward, he looked down under the coat and pulled up his pants and looked at Gerda putting on her stockings, while having her rear turned to the Spaniard, which smiled amused at the beautiful-shaped end of the blonde. Gerda noticed Rollan's facial expression, then grabbed her bag and threw it towards Rollan's face shrieking him.

"Oy!" Complained Rollan, then got up from the covers watching Gerda cackle at Rollan's reaction and took her skirt to put it on. "I can't help myself. You were facing me that way," Commented the Spaniard making Gerda chuckle, then Rollan collected the rest of his clothing and shove them into his bag, then waited for Gerda to put on her blouse.

"Go on, I'm almost done," Stated Gerda making Rollan nod and walk to the door to open it up, then widen his eyes as he saw from afar the harbor and moved forward to the bow of the ship.

"Is that ship from Alfida?" Questioned Rollan recognizing the end of the airship, afterward, Gerda approached the Spaniard to look out of the ship and Rollan pointed at the shark-themed ship, making Gerda smile glad as she recognized the ship.

"That's Alfida's ship!" Stated Gerda. "This means she must be around Kai as well,"

"Si" Responded Rollan and behind them, Captain Oscar approached the duo and placed his hands on the shoulder of the two.

"Yep, this is Malmö over there," Stated Oscar. "And that one blue ship over there belongs to an old friend of mine,"

"Wait…...you know Alfida?" Questioned Gerda curious making the man nod.

"A pirate girl around your height, right?" Questioned Oscar making Gerda nod. "Yes. It's a long story. I helped her escape from a kingdom in the south several years ago. Amusing, little fella,"

"Perhaps she has found my brother. The two are dating, you know," Explained Gerda making Oscar nod.

"Well I don't know, who her boyfriend is, I just know she had after the defeat of the Snow Queen found a few friends," Mentioned Oscar. "By the way, how was your night? Did you sleep well?" Questioned the Captain making Gerda blush and Rollan smile a little embarrassed.

"I rested well," Answered Gerda looking up at Rollan, which nodded with an amatory smile. "We used my winter coat as well to cover us while sleeping,"

"I didn't have a lot to offer, but I was glad it was enough for both of you," Commented the Captain. "I did take a nap during a point of the night and later on I continued steering the ship. I heard some strange noises at night. I didn't recognize the sounds, I assumed they sounded like sirens. Those mythical creatures on the sea, I have no idea, if any of you two have ever heard of it,"

"What kind of noises were those?" Questioned Rollan curious exchanging looks with Gerda, which was curious as well.

"It sounded nearly woman-like, alluring and somehow….excited…." Described the Captain making Gerda blush and look up at the Spaniard, which noticed her embarrassment, then he used his hand to point at himself advising her he had an idea.

"Oh, I heard it too. It probably was a siren. I did woke up and look out of the door, but I didn't see anything. I didn't want to speak about it, cause I thought I was the only one,"

"Oh well, perhaps it was that. Well, that doesn't matter anymore. Brace yourselves, I'm going up and steer the ship to the land," Asked the Captain, then made his way back to the steering area and Gerda sighed relieved, then leaned herself closer to the Spaniard.

"Was I really that loud, he heard us?" Questioned Gerda watching Rollan shrug his shoulder.

"I don't know. I was too focused on enjoying that," Answered Rollan followed by Gerda smacking her hand on his back making him yelp. "Gerda!"

"Me too, but he could have gotten into the cabin anyway," Complained Gerda, then Rollan nodded.

"You're correct. I mean the candlelight was off. I couldn't see that much. I knew you were there over me and your voice seemed really close to my head. I assumed your voice only was loud because you were near me," Explained Rollan placing his arms over the railing to watch them approach the harbor, while Gerda stood there as well seeing their path come to an end now, thanks to a foreign captain.

By the harbor, Kai stood down by the ladder of the ship waiting for his girlfriend to come out.

"How long do you take?" Questioned Kai watching from above the ship a bag fly down, shrieking Kai, which jumped aside.

"Five minutes!" Warned Alfida loud, then Kai picked up the bag and moved away from the ship to lean his back against a pole and look at a ship approaching the harbor. Kai spotted two people at the bow, then kept looking up at the ship of his girlfriend unable to recognize Rollan and Gerda inside the ship.

"Kai!" Yelled a voice, then Kai looked up a the airship again to answer the voice.

"I'm here on the side!" Warned Kai. "I'm waiting, don't worry!"

"Over here!" Yelled Gerda's voice while Kai nodded.

"Do you need your bag?" Asked Kai loud, then Alifda looked out of the ship to gaze at him confused.

"Who are you talking to?" Questioned Alfida, then Kai tilted his head confused and both heard a loud whistle coming from the sea. Kai looked at the ship on the sea to see the blonde woman with the blue clothing wave at him, while Rollan whistled again with his fingers to gain their attention.

"Alfida! It's Gerda!" Announced Kai making Alfida smile at seeing the ship coming, then Kai ran down at the path to go to the empty space for the ship and waited for the ship to enter into its space. Gerda reached the exit of the ship, then waited for the ship to stop and opened the door to jump out at the bridge to meet up with her brother.

"Finally, you're back!" Stated Kai embracing the blonde woman, which smiled and caressed her brother's back.

"Thank goodness, we're back together after this incident," Stated Gerda.

"What happened? How did it crash?" Questioned Kai watching Gerda get off his arms, then adjust her vest.

"The airship was sinking to land and a lighting had burst the balloon of it. Afterward, we were brought to a nearby train station and needed to figure out an alternative way here. Rollan and I luckily were together, so it was easier for both of us to go through all this," Explained Gerda and looked at the Spaniard jump out of the boat followed with Luta on his shoulder, afterward the weasel hoped at Kai's arms, which embraced her.

"OH hello girl," Greeted Kai letting Luta climb up on his shoulder, then Alfida appeared and gave Gerda a big hug as well.

"You're okay, girl? Kai told me about the accident," Commented Alfida making Gerda nod.

"We're fine," Responded Gerda, then Rollan waved at the friends of Gerda and Alfida smiled at Rollan's presence.

"It's been a long time we haven't seen each other," Stated Alfida, then Kai got closer to Rollan and held out his hand at the Spaniard.

"Thanks for helping Gerda back to us. I know I wasn't always quite respectful towards you in the past years. I hope we can forget about this and be kinder with each other," Suggested Kai making Rollan smile and accept Kai's handshake.

"You two sure have a lot to tell about the trip. Kai and I planned to meet up with Pastor and some woman he met at a restaurant to eat breakfast. You two must be hungry," Commented Alfida hearing Rollan's stomach growl, making him grin in embarrassment.

"Perdona-me," Apologized Rollan. "We only had soup last night,"

"Good, you seem to need two breakfasts then," Joked Alfida, then moved further with Kai and Gerda observed Rollan adjust his backpack over his back, then the blonde grabbed the Spaniard by his arm to whisper into his ear. Rollan widened his eyes abashed at, what she told him, afterward she gave him a quick peck on his lips and joined her friends, while Rollan just stood back. Captain Oscar appeared by the door to see the trio walk off with the exception of Rollan, then he looked aside to see the captain there looking at him.

"Woah, they're already leaving?" Questioned Oscar earning Rollan's attention.

"They're going to eat breakfast. Do you want to come?" Questioned Rollan watching the man shake his head.

"I'm fine for now. I need to work on the ship," Replied the Captain making Rollan nod and follow his friends catching up with the blonde, which looked at the man with a smile.

Una stood in front of the house to take out the mails from the mailbox and looked at each available letter, then spotted one with Kai's name on it and the mail office's direction from Malmö. Una returned to the shop, where her husband was using a broom to clean the ground, then watched his wife return to the place.

"Vegard, look there's a letter from Kai coming from Malmö," Mentioned Una handing out the letters to the man, which took them and placed them on the counter.

"I will open Kai's first and see, what's up," Said Vegard opening a drawer to take out a knife to open the envelope up to take out the letter and open it.

By the entrance appeared Mars along with his friend Mikael, which held his friend by the shoulder.

"Dude, just wait until Gerda returns. That's not the end of the world," Stated Mikael, then Mars slapped away Mikael's hand.

"It's because of you two, that I'm in trouble now. That woman there has now a crush on me and I can't do anything, because I'm engaged to Gerda. If I tell this, my family will be mad at me," Said Mars, then watched Vegard read the letter and Una glimpse at the two men and raise her hand.

"We just received a letter from Kai, if you're wondering," Spoke Una, then watched Vegard place his hand in front of his forehead surprised.

"Kai and Gerda have lost each other," Stated Vegard. "Kai is now waiting with Alfida in Malmö to see if Gerda makes it to Malmö with her old friend Rollan. You know, that guy, that helped Gerda defeat the King Harald,"

"Lost? How did that happen?" Questioned Una looking at the letter from their son.

"Both were sent to a different airship. Gerda and Rollan happened to be in the same ship and they had vanished in a storm," Explained Vegard. "According to the staff the entire fleet had survived and would need to look for alternative routes to get to their destination. It might take a couple of days. He would send a second mail or make his way back home with Alfida if she gives no sign,"

"I hope she's okay," Commented Una while Mikael nodded and smacked Mars on his back, making him complain to his friend.

"Hey!"

"Say something,"

"What?" Asked Mars, then Una placed her hand in front of her eyes to rub them.

"At the moment this isn't the right moment to fool around. Gerda's missing," Stated Una, then Vegard placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Our Gerda is strong, Una. She's also not alone. Her friend Rollan is there with her. I'm sure both are getting closer to find Kai by now. As you see the date here isn't from today," Explained Vegard making Una nod.

"Who's Rollan?" Asked Mikael looking at Mars, which shrugged his shoulders.

"Some guy, that helped her defeat our King. According to Gerda, it's thanks to him, that she found her magical powers. That's what I remembered to have heard from her," Explained Mars making Mikael nod.

"Oh okay, I thought it was some former love interest," Commented Mikael making Mars chuckle.

"Please, that's also the same guy, that betrayed her to use the Fire Demon's powers," Commented Mars. "He may have changed and helped Gerda solve her issue upon her saving him. If you fear, that something between them sparks again you're wrong. Gerda and I are going to get married. She wouldn't return back to that guy,"

"Well, if you tell her, what happened at that bar, she might see you in another light," Whispered Mikael, making Mars groan at his comment.

"Serious, why are you remembering me about it? She will understand it. It was an accident. It's not like I did it on purpose," Stated Mars. "I admit I liked it, but that was an accident, which shouldn't have happened. Keep your mouth shut and don't tell anyone, not even my mother, okay?" Warned Mars quiet holding Mikael on his arm. Behind the fiancé, Una stood suspicious of the two men's behavior, then tapped on Mars' shoulder.

"Are you two okay?" Questioned Una, then Mikael faked a grin.

"Yes, everything is okay. We were discussing….. now that Gerda is gone, we could make her a surprise party and welcome her, right Mars?" Questioned Mikael pulling Mars by his arm, which nodded.

"Correct….don't tell anyone about it," Asked Mars making Una nod, which watched the duo disappear and noticed Mars run off, followed by Mikael, which called for the boy. Vegard looked confused about their reaction and gazed at his wife.

"They didn't seem to take Gerda's absence serious," Mentioned Vegard looking back at the window again.

Alfida and Gerda were the first ones to return to the table after they got from the buffet their bread for breakfast.

"You and Rollan did what?" Asked Alfida quiet watching Gerda nod. "Girl, you're insane," Stated the pirate woman making Gerda shake her head.

"It was wrong, but it was the best thing ever," Commented Gerda making Alfida shake her head laughing.

"What else do you want to do now?" Questioned Alfida. "You're engaged, your feelings for Rollan are more present than before, his feelings for you are here as well and with that, what happened between you yesterday, it's even more difficult to just fix things,"

"You know, the best thing I could do is stick with Rollan. I met him upon my fight with Kai and fell in love with him. Rollan was taken by the Fire Demon away from me, then about a year later I found him almost drowning in lava and the more we interacted the more my feelings have shown more present towards him. Now this with the flight happened to us as well. This all can't be a coincidence. I'm certain, it's like the world knows, that Rollan and I were meant to be since the beginning. Call me crazy, but I can't figure out another explanation,"

"Good, good, and how are you going to tell this Mars?" Questioned Alfida. "You can't just go back and say you're over him,"

"If I tell him the full story, he might understand it. Like Alfida, Mars and my relationship with him isn't as alive as it was initially. He knows that too, he…..I don't know, perhaps he took everything else between us for granted, I don't know exactly. Rollan on the other hand…...I could count on in for everything, even during the times we were only writing each other letters, from being separated from each other," Stated Gerda looking at the buffet to see Rollan add cheese to both bread slices he had on his plate.

"Rollan does know this issue with Mars and you?"

"He does know a few things. He talked with me and tried to help me find a solution. He never made any signs of still being interested in me or making himself better. He was being the Rollan I knew from before,"

"You two gotta solve the issue here together if you two want to be with each other," Suggested Alfida. "Have you thought about, how your parents will react to this?"

"No. Initially, Rollan had offered me, when I thought about telling Mars about the past proposal, he would be there with me, when I was going to deliver the message. I trust, that he will come for this issue as well. Perhaps I'll tell it, my parents, first. We won't go deeply into details, but make sure, that our attraction for each other is real,"

"It takes a lot of courage to deliver such a crazy message," Confessed Alfida making Gerda nod.

"Yes, but I rather say the truth, than be stamped as a liar or cheater. Technically I'm now a cheater because I still was engaged with him,"

"That's the Gerda I know," Commented Alfida, then watched Kai return along with Rollan to the table and sat down beside the women.

"Did we miss something?" Questioned Kai, then watched Gerda whisper into the ear of Rollan, which looked neutral about it and looked at Gerda.

"You sure about that?" Questioned Rollan making Gerda nod. "Running away would have been simpler," Commented Rollan disappointed making Gerda chuckle.

"My parents will love you, Rollan. They have already adored you when you helped me with King Harald, this here won't be an exception,"

"Good, I wasn't sure how I should explain, that their daughter got laid with….." Rollan spoke, then Gerda shove her thumb against Rollan's lip to shush him.

"Hey, that's our little secret," Noticed Gerda watching Rollan nod and Kai look confused at the duo.

"Who got laid?" Asked Kai curious, then Alfida rolled her eyes at both Rollan and Gerda, afterward, Kai noticed how Rollan chuckled about Gerda taking down her finger from his lips with a smile. Kai got angry, then jumped against Rollan to strangle him, shrieking Gerda.

"Guys! Come on, you're not being serious, aren't you?" Asked Gerda, then Alfida got up to pick up Kai and hold him up in the air. The blonde helped up Rollan, so he would get back on his seat, then watched him pass his hand gently over his throat.

"Okay, it's kind of my fault. I answered Kai's question," Mentioned Alfida and Gerda placed her hand on Kai's shoulder. "I was the one, who wanted to do that. Don't need to go all overprotective over me,"

"Sorry. This just caught me off guard," Apologized the brother watching Rollan look a little sad at him. "Just treat her well," Commented Kai making Rollan nod.

"I promise," Commented Rollan making Kai smile a little.