The morning light started to burn my arm through the opened drapes. I rolled to avoid the heat, but the sun was covering my entire bed. I sighed sitting up from the bed, the sudden movement made blood rush to my head making me momentarily faint. My mind then flashed back to last night and admitting my feelings to Vili.
"Oh for fucks sake." I muttered as I placed my head into my hands in shame. After a moment of trying to ignore the embarrassment, I stood up stretching. Today I go home and I can focus on my duties as a ruler, after my night terror I wanted to return home and protect it. I begun searching through my draws for something to wear. I came across a knee length red dress, it was light weight and seemed comfortable. After sliding into the dress, I looked at my appearance in the bath house mirror. The dress was short and relieving, but I remembered the women from yesterday wearing their underwear in the streets. This would be acceptable here. I braided my long hair, two twist braids either side of my head combined with a large single braid at the back. I searched until I found a pair of brown leather strap sandles, perfect. I grabbed my back pack full of items passed on to me by Kili and Bjorn had gifted to us all. I grabbed the back pack and headed outside. I was glad to be met by my companions who were waiting by their own doors talking. As I closed my door they all turned to face me.
"By Odin's beard!" Keon gasped as he looked at my appearance.
"She has legs!" Shouted Koba in disbelief. Ivarr laughed at his brothers joke.
"It may come as a shock, but yes I have legs!" I yelled back, laughing at their gazes. As we chatted and made our way towards the elevator, another door behind us closed. Vili and Fiona walked out, she chatted happily and pranced at his side like a young deer. Vili and I briefly made eye contact before I looked away.
"Ivarr! Kili decided that I will be staying here with your team, as part of the stealth division." Fiona said happily. She walked up to him smiling and blushing, surprisingly he shared that smile.
"Oh that will be great! Nothing wrong with an extra pair of eyes on the team." He said. She smiled brightly as we waited for the elevator to arrive, chatting away with him. As the elevator doors opened, we all stepped inside for the journey down, I took my place at the back of the elevator in hopes I was able to stand alone. But Vili chose the space closest to me, the doors closed and we begun our descent down the building. Once the doors opened again we were at the large white halls of the main entry, Kili stood by the entrance waiting for us all patiently.
"Kili!" Fiona yelled as she ran towards him and embraced him in a hug, he was startled and gave her pats on the back and he tried to break the unwanted contact. We all exchanged good mornings and smiles as we met him.
"Now, are you all ready to go home?" Kili asked with a clap, he was eager to begin the drive. To beat the traffic I suppose. As we all loaded into the bus, I took a seat towards the back, enough seats for me to stretch out across. My mind was weak and my body tired from last nights adventures. I placed my legs across the seats and sat vertical, placing my head against the warm glass. I was excited to go home to the cooler weather once again. I missed my furs and long clothing. As I day dreamed of cooler weather and plans for home, my legs were shifted off my seats and to the ground.
"What do you think you're doing?" I said as I looked at the attacker, Vili.
"Everywhere else is taken." He said as he sat down. I sat up to observe the bus, there were many seats still available. Fiona sat with Ivarr who had his full attention.
"I wanted to rest Vili, I have much work to do once we return." I said as I tried to get comfortable once again.
"Likewise, I have legions to train. Lets rest." He said. As I tossed and turned attempting to get comfortable in this awkward position, Vili grabbed my shoulders. Resting my head down on his lap where his furs sat.
"Rest." He instructed as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. I took a breath in absorbing the scent of his fur cape, I had this cape made for him decades ago. He wears it everywhere, it smells of him, its comforting and he knows it. As I thought, my eyes grew heavy and I fell into a light sleep.
"Freydis, we are here. Come we need to prepare for the flight home." Vili said as he tapped my shoulder, I sat up quickly. My head was now pounding in pain, lack of sleep I suppose, I suggested as my mind grew heavy. We arose from our seat and made our way towards the doors, our flight home was waiting for us.
"Companions, its sad to see you leave so soon but it gladdens me to know that I will be able to spend more time with each of you soon." Bjorn said as he exited the small house.
"A week spent with you at a time will be a struggle." Keon joked.
"Aye, it will be interesting." Kili said. As we exchanged good byes with the brothers and Ivarr, I gave him a strong embrace.
"Be strong, fight well. If you need us don't hesitate to call on us." I said as I ended our embrace.
"Likewise Freya. Find the traitor and show no mercy. Enjoy your time with the Gods." Ivarr said. I smiled softly. I knew the others felt a pang of jealously, I was able to communicate clearly with the Gods and every so often, see them. But it was only ever the All Father, Odin. I wish they could of seen the halls of Asgard and the world tree Yggdrasil, but their time will come. I gave Ivarr a bigger smile before heading onto the air craft.
"We will be in touch in a weeks time for the rotation. The main mission for you all is to find the traitor, find them and this mission will become much easier. Goodbye companions!" Bjorn shouted over the loud build up before the air craft took off. I smiled slightly knowing that Fiona was not coming home with us nor that she would be near Vili. It was wrong of me to think such things but I couldn't help myself.
"A coin for your thoughts?" Vili asked looking down at me with a curious smile.
"Not everything that passes my mind must be shared to my berserker." I said smiling back up at him with a cheeky smile. He stared me for a moment longer before shaking his head with a smile. I laid my head back as the aircraft begun to move, the sensation made me feel uneasy. In moments we were skimming across the forest and into the sky towards home. The journey was short and quiet, I assumed we were all thinking of what laid ahead. What we will discover once we arrive home. As the craft shook through the realm barriers and headed towards the opening dome, I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief that my kingdom was in tack. The dark stones shone in the morning sunlight, the ocean crashed along the shores. The village was green and prospering. As the craft landed into the dome and shut down, the doors opened and we were greeted with familiar faces. And some shocked ones. I had forgotten the clothing choice I picked for today. After we had stepped foot of the craft the cold breeze brushed against my skin, this was home, I thought as my skin reacted with bumps. My hand maidens stood by the craft waiting with my white fur cape and my two battle axes resting beside them against the wall. I threw my furs on and thanks them as I picked up my large battle axes.
"Now this is a surprise, I wasn't expecting anyone home for sometime. Surely the great duo of the companions hasn't destroyed the Dark Knights yet?" Said a hooded figure by the entrance off the flight deck.
"It's good to see you too, Rokii." I said walking towards him.
"All is well under your care?" I asked.
"Better than whats under that cape." He said slyly, my clothing choice was terrible for coming home in. I noted to take my own clothing with me next time. We all walked inside and towards the throne room. The elevator that was installed had been fixed, making our journey down much more desirable.
"Now, don't destroy this. I don't know about you but I don't want to walk stairs everyday of my life." Keon said with a nudge of his large body, he crossed his arms and smiled down at me through his red beard. I shook my head and laughed at the memory of the destroyed elevator. As the movement stopped and the doors opened, we had our way into the throne room. A room that was finally full of life and life. Many of the townsfolk had gathered her to see those who had awakened from their slumber. Remembering Rokii's words, I slipped into a room on the left hand side of the throne room, my hand maidens close behind.
"My Grace, we took the liberty of placing your favourite amour in the chest of this room. If you need help just knock on the door." They smiled. I slipped into the room and shredded out of the red dress I once wore. After I changed I gazed at my reflection, this was who I was. My black leather amour with a flying dragon on the chest piece, a symbol of our kingdom and clan. The amour was lined with white furs and iron for protection, and my large white fur cape slung over my back. A golden chain connected my fur to keep it in place. I added some beads to my hair to complete my look, I now looked like the ruler I am. I watched as my body once again drained the brown from my eyes and the ruby red infested my eyes. I look a breath and headed outside once again. I looked to find my companions also ready and dressed in their appropriate clothing. Vili was no where to be seen.
I walked towards my throne with my companions at my side, the people in the throne room creating a path. As we approached, I turned to face the sea of faces I knew, my companions taking their place at my side.
"People of the realm, you have heard correctly. Two days ago we were awakened, it gladdens me to see you all here. Familiar faces of our greatest friends." I said in a loud voice, echoing off the stone walls. My people looked up at me with smiles.
"We were awakened because of a threat, a threat we thought to have destroyed long ago. The Dark Knights have risen and are infesting the human race once again." I said with sorrow, my people spoke quietly among themselves at this statement.
"But fear not, we have came back stronger than before and prepared to fight this monstrosity once again. All I ask is that you care for your kin and our warriors. Any able man and woman should join the legions, we will need you all to assist us in the battles to come." I spoke, my people nodding and smiling in agreement. The townsfolk have always been kind, generous and loyal to us. Including their Earl Bereke.
"You are dismissed, enjoy the rest of this beautiful day!" I called, people smiled and applauded. My pounding head feeling more pain from the noise. I searched the crowd for the Earl, spotting him by the right side of the room standing by his wife Astrid. I walked towards the Earl through the crowds to meet them.
"Jarl Bereke, lady Bereke, its a pleasure to see you both here and well." I said with a smile and slight bow of my head. I may be a God and Queen, but I will always show respect to those who show it to me.
"My Grace, its wonderful to see you again." Astrid said as she embraced me. She was a kind hearted woman. Her sons obtained her beautiful blue eyes and the board masculinity from their father. He was a large man.
"How has the settlement been? Treating you both well I hope." I said as I ended my embrace with Astrid.
"Its been striving, everyone has been living happily and peacefully. Its been splendid." Earl Bereke said as we gripped each others arms for a shake.
"I am glad to hear. You both fit this role so well, I am happy to hear." I said. As we chatted about the settlement, I was oblivious to Vili who came and joined me by my side. His mother smiled at him and I, a secrete I did not know about perhaps? During our conversation my mind was beginning to focus on the excruciating pain that was becoming in my head. I glanced over at my companions who seemed to be fine, I was beginning to think I was ill.
"Freydis, are you alright?" Vili asked, I looked to see the concerned faces of the Earl and his family. My mind became hazed once again, the room spun and the floor seemed to fall from underneath me.
"Your skin is draining of life my Grace." Earl Bereke said as he offered me an arm to brace against. As I went to reach his arm, my body failed me and my eyes saw black. My limp body was caught before I hit the ground, my eye sight remained dark but my mind was in and out of consciousness.
"Keon!" I heard Vili yell, echoing throughout the halls. I felt hands on my face, testing my consciousness and ability to hear. But no words would form in my mouth, my breathing begun to fail and my chest grew weighted. I felt panic arising in my body, whats happening?!
"Freydis." I heard a booming voice call to me, to clear to be spoken by a present person yet to clear to be a man from far away.
"Come to me now, come to me Freydis." The voice called.
"O... Od... Odin..." I managed to mumble to the people fussing over my limp body, still unable to see them.
"Odin? She needs to be taking to the island! Hurry!" Vili yelled as I felt my limp body bounce against his as he ran.