Leaning forward, I placed my forehead to the ground and began to sob lightly. Gunhild walked towards me and knelt down. Placing her hand on my back, as she spoke gently "Hush now child, I spared you from my son, Erik. His anger is worse than Ivvar's. It would only bring death, if I had chosen him." She spoke as she pulled me into her embrace. As she held me, I let go of myself. Crying in her arms, I listened to her speak. "Your cousin spoke of a vision of my sons and you. This is why I choose Arne. Trust in my words and you will be able to love again." She said as she held me closer. Running her fingers through my hair, she tried soothing me. "All will be revealed soon." She whispered in my ear, as she held my body close to her's. She gently, but firmly grabbed my chin. Looking into my eyes, I could see there were tears in her eyes. As she sniffed, she smiled softly. And for some reason, I felt more relief in my body, than I had ever before.
As we both stood up, Gunhild looked at me once again. As she gripped my shoulder, I could tell this was now my destiny.Wiping my tears from my face, I gave a ragged sigh. Much like my mother, from a small age, I too would be following suit in a different home. Without another word between us, I followed after her as she walked out of the longhouse. We walked through the settlement, others were smiling and laughing in the distance. I wanted to feel that laughter again, but instead, I was filled with hatred and anger. And soon, Gunhild stopped, and in front of the healers hut. My eyes sparkled with worry, and yet urgency to see my cousin. Gunhild tilted her head, as if telling me I could go in. Without hesitation, I moved quickly in through the door.
"Ingrid?" I asked, as I looked around. And soon, Thyra was standing in front of me.
"You must be the little wolf Ingrid spoke greatly about." Thyra said as she looked me over. She then walked closer and sighed. "Ivvar is clearly clueless to those in need of care. Come here child, I need to clean you up." She said as she walked towards the back of the hut. Grabbing a wet cloth, she turned to me. So I in turn moved forward, as she had asked. As she began to clean up my face, she smiled lightly. "Thank Freya you aren't really hurt. It was another's blood on you." She said with a breath of relief.
"Can I see Ingrid?" I asked, as I looked at the healer. She was nice, much like Gunhild.
"Right through that door there. She's resting, so please be quick." Thyra said as she pointed to the back of the hut.
Nodding, I walked towards the doorway. I could hear Ingrid groaning in pain as she slept. Peering through the door, I bit my lip lightly. She was laying in the bed, wrapped from head to torso in bandages. I moved to her side quickly, unknowing that I was crying at the sight of her. As I bent down on my knees, I gripped her hand. Pulling it close to my forehead and closing my eyes, I spoke lightly "I promise to keep you alive. You will not be treated like this again. Just please stay with me."
"I won't leave you." Ingrid said in a ragged voice. I could tell she was in pain, but I didn't care at that time. I was just relieved that she was still alive. "Tell me what has happened?" She asked in a light voice, trying to piece things together.
"Much cousin. But you need rest. In a few days, you will be well rested enough for me to tell you." I said as I moved some of her hair from her face. "Do you need anything?" I asked, hoping that she would say yes.
"For you to stay safe." Ingrid replied quickly as she looked at me, with her one good eye. She smiled, trying to give me some reassurance.
I smiled back at her and watched her quietly. "I will be safe for you. I'll be back tomorrow to check on you. If you need me, please tell Thyra and I will be here." I told her, then looked at Thyra who was standing at the door. She smiled at the both of us, then looked over her shoulder. As my eyes wandered to where she was looking, I could see Arne and Gunhild. Turning to place a light kiss on my cousin's forehead, I then stood up. Walking passed Thyra, and heading towards the front door I listened carefully to the two.
"But mother, I've only just met the girl. How can you and father decide this without my council?" Arne said, his voice full of worry and sadness.
"Because, if I had chosen Erik to be her husband, she would have surely died. I choose you, because I know you are stronger than your brothers. And because I can trust you to help rebuild who she was." Gunhild said as she looked into her eyes. Her eyes held a serious look, and Arne could see this. "Just show her love and affection, my son. She will need every ounce of it, through these hard times. And I will make her into the beautiful shield-maiden that she truly was meant to be. And in time, I will explain who I am to her." She spoke, this time a little softer towards the end. I could hardly hear her, but I knew she had more to say.
As I walked out of the healers hut, I looked at the two with soft eyes. Gunhild turned to look at me and gave a small smile. "Ingrid will live. Thanks to Thyra of course. And you Gunhild, I heard you were caring for the wounded when we arrived. She just needs some rest and she will be fine in a few days." I said, my voice cracking with sadness. I hated that Ingrid was badly injured, but I couldn't have done anything about it to begin with. She was elsewhere, when Ivvar and his men had attacked.
"That is good news." Arne said as he looked at me with softer eyes than normal. Yet it was awkward still between us. "Come, let me escort you to the longhouse. The feast will be starting soon" He said as he looked at me. A small smile was playing at his lips, like he was going to enjoy this. But there was something different about the way he was acting now. I didn't quite like it.
"Please Arne, do not treat me any different than another. If you are to marry me, we will have time to learn about each other with time. Just for now, please treat me like you have been." I said as I looked at him with soft, yet serious eyes. I just wanted to get to know him, but now that we are to be married; I knew things were going to change.
Arne looked at me, his eyes showed shock in them, but he held a smile on his lips. "So you knew?" He asked lightly as we walked towards the longhouse. I nodded as he looked at me, then looked at him. "Was it after I left for the stables?" He asked another question, this time trying to figure out how I knew.
"Yes, your father brutishly told me, then left me with your mother. Though, there is something strangely familiar about her." I said, though kept the last part to a low volume only Arne could hear. As we walked together towards the longhouse, Arne stopped out front. As I noticed he stopped, so did I.
"Arne?" I asked as I looked at him. He seemed nervous, and I could tell. "Are you alright?" I questioned him again, this time I moved closer to him. Looking up at him, I smiled softly.
"Ah, yes I am fine. Just nervous. The clan will be learning of this engagement tonight. I am just thinking of all the women that have tried to be with me." He said as he looked at me. Smiling back at him, he placed his hand on my shoulder. "I will make sure to protect you Estrid. And I will make sure, along with my mother, that you are trained right." Arne said as he looked at me. He was worried, and it was obvious.
As I placed my hand on his, I smiled again at him. "Thank you for the worry, but you do not need to. I'll do my best to make your mother and you proud." I said, trying to reassure him about his worries. "Now, let us feast." I said, trying to bring his spirits back up. Smiling at him, I moved closer to him. "You helped me clear my mind. And are helping me to live a new life here. Let me show you something." I said, as I stepped closer yet again. I could tell he was blushing already, and I too was. As I looked into his eyes, I could see a fiery passion in them. Placing my hand on his left cheek, I leaned in and placed a light kiss on his right cheek. "A token of gratitude for the man I will come to love." I said with a soft voice, only for him to hear. Stepping backwards, I blushed even brighter. Trying to hold more emotions back, I turned my head. Looking over my shoulder, I could see Frida ringing the feast bell.
"Come, let us go take our seats." Arne said, as he held out his hand for mine. Something inside my body, told my hand to take his. Without another hesitation, we both walked towards the door of the longhouse.
People were shouting and drinking already as we walked in. Ivvar was sitting upon his Jarl throne, watching us as we entered. With a devious smile on his lips, he stood up. The longhouse hall grew quiet then, as if they were waiting for Ivvar to speak. As he waved a hand to them, they all went back to their activities. He weaved in and out of the crowd, only to stop in front of Arne and I. Looking at us both, then noticing we were holding hands, he smiled devilishly.
"I see you both are getting along." He said, as he pointed towards our hands.
I blushed brightly, trying to remove my hand from Arne's. He only gripped it tighter and pulled me into his embrace. "As you made it so, father." Arne said, as he looked at Ivvar with unwavering eyes.
"Then sit. The boar you killed, my son, is very tasty." Ivvar said as he turned his back to us. Walking towards his Jarl throne once again.
"I did not kill it father, Estrid did." Arne said, his voice held truth and honor in it. He slowly started to move forward, slightly pushing me as he went.
"Our little wolf did. Good job Arne." Ivvar said, as he took a seat upon his throne. Looking at us, he watched us sit where the family sat. He then turned towards his clan, holding his hands high. "Brothers and sisters!" He hollered out, allowing his voice to be heard. The hall became more quiet, than it had before. Ivvar turned his gaze to me, with an evil smile he stood up. "On this day we are glorious! The fight against the wolves has come to an end. And soon we will celebrate the Summer Solstice." He announced, and my heart lept a beat. I looked at Arne, and took his hand in mine. I was already shaking, from my nerves; but now more from anger of how he killed my family. "On the night we celebrate the Summer Solstice, we will also be celebrating my first born. On this day, let it be known, he will take Estrid of the Wolf-Clan to be his wife. From wolf to bear, she will be." Ivvar shouted, and the clan erupted in praise and laughter. Turning to the both of us, Ivvar smiled again with an evil look in his eyes. "Arne, tell us a few words my son." He said, and once again the hall became quiet.
Arne stood up, looking down into my eyes, he smiled at me. Turning to address his clan, he looked at them all. "Yes, as my father says, I will be taking Estrid to be my wife. Not because I was told, but because I see something in her. Something that will bring greatness to our clan. So today I, Arne Borjnson of the Bear-Clan, take Estrid to be my bride. And I vow, whoever hurts, terrorizes, or anything else, to my woman, will deal with me." He said as he placed his hand on my shoulder. I in return, placed my hand upon his. Looking at the other women, staring daggers at me, I rolled my eyes at them. Looking up to Arne, I smiled with a soft blush on my cheeks. As he turned to me, he smiled. "And let me say, Estrid was the one to kill the boar for our feast. A young woman with great archery skills. Be my wife, without others telling us so." He said, looking me in the eyes. They showed truth and trust within them.
"I will, Arne. I will do what and all I can, to help bring greatness to this Clan at your side." I said, without even thinking of the words first. As if they were natural, I blushed at the realization of saying those words. Yes, it was something I thought I would never say, but something that his mother said had me thinking. Still in disbelief that I was going to be marrying an enemy's son, this would probably be the best way to also plot my revenge against Ivvar. But at what cost?