The sun has crept into the small cabin, bringing light into the darkness. If I were sleeping this would have woken me, but I had not slept a wink. I lay watching the dust particles circulate in the cabin, Vili's warm body beside me, my own personal heater. I took a breath and got out of bed, I walked to the front door and stepped into the cold morning air. Steam formed off my body and breath as I stood in the cool, I looked over to see Keon who had also just stepped out of his cabin. The stress of today has effected us both. We gave each other nod as we continued to brood and think. A few minutes later a young woman came towards us.
"Keon, Freydis, my mother the elder wants to speak with you both urgently." The lady said in a strange accent. Keon and I looked at each other momentarily before we both grabbed boots. We wore human clothing with our cloaks over the time, the fur cape provided warmth in such cold. We followed the lady up and into a small hut, not too far from the cabins. We walked inside to find it surprisingly warm and a big space for seating. The elder lady stood in the centre of the hut, holding something that was covered in an old blanket.
"I knew when I first met you both, that there was a power unlike anything this age has ever seen, lurked in your blood. Last night while I was walking through the woods my suspicions where confirmed." The elder lady said as she looked at us both. I closed my eyes briefly, how did I not see her before I shifted?
"The five companions." She said, my ears pricked at the name, how would someone of this new world know the name. She looked at us and smiled as she uncovered the item she was holding, the ancient books we gifted to the human leaders. It had not aged a day, its golden cover still reflected against light.
"How did you come by this?" I asked amazed.
"The leaders you past these books onto, it worked well for some ages. But some of the Sons and Daughters of the great rulers, believed that they did not have to follow the rules of a book. They were a King, a Queen, many of the leaders burnt or threw these books away." She said, my blood begun to boil, the humans thought of themselves more powerful than a scorcher they couldn't even see. Fools!
"But, there were a few that had kept the books. Passed on through the ages with care, this book was past on to me by my mother, and her mother and so on." The elder lady said as she handed us the book.
"You are here to rid the world of the Dark Knights once again, I believe this book my guide the leaders once again." She said, I looked at her in envy. She was how I remembered the humans, peaceful and willing to follow rules that would help protect her from the evil of this world.
"Is that why you live here like this?" Keon asked.
"We live like this to remove any idea or object that may lead us down the wrong path. We are humbled by the ability to live off the land as our ancestors once did, there is no greed and no person with more authority over the rest. I have been looked up to because of my age and knowledge. There is no power here." She said with a smile, I returned the smile, she had given me some hope that humans could too change their will and way.
"Now, you both must prepare for today, the meeting will take place soon and so will the snows. There will be hot baths drawn for you both. Save the world, Companions." They elder lady said as we took our leave.
"Well, that was unexpected." Keon said as we walked back to our cabins, he took the book and skimmed through it quickly.
"We'll use this and create some notes, we'll take it with us so the leaders can view it." Keon said as we reached our cabins. I nodded in agreement.
"You will need to leave with Vili around 1030am, the drive there will take sometime. You will be meeting with the other before arriving. I will be there at 12pm sharp." I instructed Keon, he nodded as we embraced.
"This is going to work, Freydis." Keon said, I hoped that it would. If the humans refused to meet us or they did not believe us, this could end badly. We needed to rule the skies and teach humans once again the wrongs and rights, this was the only way. Keon and I departed, I watched as he walked back into his cabin. My stomach was in knots, I was either going to see him in a happy state or in the middle of a battlefield. I walked into my cabin to find Vili dressing for the day, he looked up at me and smiled as I walked in.
"I'm a little bit heartbroken that you were not in my arms when I awoke, wandering off in the woods to brood again?" Vili asked, I heard his words but I could not respond. He just finished clipping his large black cloak on, his armour was polished and shining. The black armour suited him well, the deep red that he had custom crafted into his armour truly did make it unique. His large arms stretched the material around his biceps, he large battle axe was tightly hung on his back. This was the Vili I knew, not the one the new world had made him look. His black leather boots tapped the wooden floors as he walked towards me.
"I need to get Keon moving along, it is nearly time for us to leave." He said as he held my hips, my eyes met his, the blue oceans within them calmed me. He gave me a quick embrace before he headed out the door and into the cold morning. I took a breath and laid out my armour on the bed, I used this armour on very rare occasions, for battles usually. It was made of complete black steel, basic but strong, my skin was impenetrable by any steel or blade but the protection was always a must. The black armour was similar to the other companions, all black with the new Golden Dragon on the breast plate. I had my armour built to fit snug around my body, big and bulky armour was uncomfortable. As I showered and placed my armour on, I stared at myself momentarily, I had not worn this since we defeated the last plague. Here I was again, battling the same demons. A light knock at the door caught my attention, I looked to see Fiona standing at the door with a slight smile. I waved her in.
"Good morning Freydis, how are you feeling?" She asked.
"Vili isn't here if thats what you're wondering." I said quickly as I took a seat at the small dresser and mirror as I begun to try and braid my hair.
"Actually, I was wondering if I could speak with you." She said as she played with her hands, I nodded as she walked over. I struggled with my hair as it became tangled within my armour.
"Here, let me." Fiona said, I gave her an unwelcoming look as she walked slowly towards me, but she raised her hands slightly in defence. She lightly touched my hair before she begun to braid and add beads to it.
"I had no idea that Vili was your mate, Freydis. Please forgive me for my actions, I was a fool. I... I was missing Ivarr after he left and when I saw Vili, I just wanted the comfort." She said as she worked my hair.
"You miss Ivarr?"
"I do, very much. We grew very close during the time we spent together. We saw each other everyday, I don't know what it is but i'm so drawn to him. He makes me happy." She said. Is it possible that Fiona is Ivarr's mate?
"It's fine, Fiona. I'm sorry for my outburst. As for Ivarr, from what I've seen and heard you also make him happy." I said as our eyes met briefly in the mirror, we exchanged smiles.
"There, all done. Ready for a meeting or a battle. It works for both." She said, she did an amazing job I will give her that.
"Thank you Fiona, please go meet the team, travel with caution and care." I said.
"We will be searching the skies for your arrival." Fiona smiled as she left my cabin, I stared at myself, I could do this. I got up and walked to the door to watch as my warriors, companion and Vili got into the car. They all seemed so carefree and almost excited, I knew Vili was hoping for a battle, he longed for it. As the car drove off I walked outside and towards the Fjords to recall everything I had planned, the plan was almost fault proof but I was still uneasy.
"Ease your nerves my Grace, it will do you no good." The young lady from earlier this morning said, I looked back and smiled at her.
"It's much easier said than done, I didn't catch your name earlier?" I asked as she came and stood by my side as we over looked the Fjords.
"Frida, your Grace." She said.
"That's an unusual name, one I haven't heard in some time."
"It mean's peace, my mother thought it was suiting." Frida said with a smile. We remained silent for sometime as we stood peacefully.
"Do you think everything will go well today?" Frida asked, she among many others have sensed my distress. I took a deep jaggered breath.
"Let's hope so, Frida. Not only does the survival of the human race weigh on my shoulders, the Gods are watching me closely this day. I must not disappoint them." I said, she nodded slowly trying to understand the burden I bare.
"From what I have seen in the book and heard from my mother, you are the only one who can even try to begin to help the humans. I won't lie, they have drifted far from the book. They evolved and with that growth, the guidance you offered became a bedtime story. Humans are very different Freydis, I just hope they understand what they have done and what they must do to fix their mistakes." Frida said. She was right in a respect, I was the only one who could even the balance of the world. But the humans needed to help, I could not change this alone. As we stood awhile longer, I heard footsteps slowly approach and a presence with us.
"Freydis, it is time." A man's voice spoke. I closed my eyes and drew in a large breath, I turned to face him. He held my two battle axe's in hand, in which I took and swung to my back. Bjorn had these brought to the new world this morning. I smiled at the pair and wished them fair well as I headed towards the opening where I shifted the night before. The villages elder woman stood with her people.
"Freydis Ironborn, descendant of the mighty Lord Odin, protector of the good and fighter of darkness, ruler of Midgard. We bid you farewell and safe travels, we will sacrifice in your name to be sure the Gods walk by your side on this day." The elder lady spoke as she held a goat on a lead, I bowed my head slightly. I continued walking to the centre of the clearing, I drew a deep breath as my body changed. I felt the brown drain from my eyes as the red once again emerged, the humans were going to see me, all of me in my truest form and glory. Within seconds the transformation was complete, I looked at the villages below he looked at me in worship and hope. I had to fight, for as long as their was still kindness and love in this world, I would fight for the good. I shook my large body then leaped into the air with great force, my wings created a hurricane as I flew into the sky. The power behind my thrusts made my body crave more and leap with joy. I reached the cover of the clouds as I levelled out and headed towards the meeting fields. I will prevail.