"You can't go! I will not let you!" Gyda said as she threw Thorfinns bag to the floor and shoved him onto his bed. An angry and hurt expression was plastered upon her face as she looked down at Thorfinn. When Ragnar, Bjorn and Thorfinn had returned the next day Thorfinn began to pack his things as he would be moving into the Mikaelson home soon. He wanted to tell Gyda when he had finished packing and was ready to leave, but it seemed that Ragnar had decided to play a prank on him by telling her as soon as he came back. She was not happy when she heard the news, especially when she learnt who he'd be staying with; Thorfinn had never hidden how he felt about Rebekah from Gyda, but Gyda had always believed she had an advantage over the girl as Thorfinn lived with her.
She had assumed that Rebekah's fate was set, she would be forced to marry the Jarl's son or some other powerful man and Thorfinn would be hers. While these things could still happen things were a lot less certain now that Thorfinn was going to be living there. Her heart tightened in her chest at the thought of Thorfinn leaving her, she tried to think of a solution but nothing came to her, so in the end all she could do was throw his belongings onto the ground and try to stop him from leaving.
"It is not for forever Gyda, just until the summer raids," Thorfinn said as he tried to stand back up, only to be pushed down again.
"Do not lie to me Thorfinn, I know that you plan to buy your own home or land after the summer raids with your new wealth... you won't be coming back here," Gyda said as her shoulders sagged a bit. Thorfinn stood up placing his hands on her shoulders before drawing her into a hug.
"You know I would not leave you, you and I are not so easily separable," Thorfinn said as he ran his hands through her hair.
"Your ambitions have already grown beyond me..." Gyda whispered as she wiped her eyes on his shirt.
Thorfinn frowned "You speak foolishness Gyda, I will not leave you behind."
"What of when I get a husband? How often will we see each other then?" She asked.
Thorfinn found himself tightening his grip on Gyda's shoulder. An unpleasant pang rippled through his chest and a frown made its way onto his face. "I... it'll be fine..." he stuttered out. Thorfinn looked down at Gyda who had a large grin on her face the pain and anger having disappeared.
"You are a greedy man Thorfinn, you are lucky I am not so greedy," she said ambiguously before going up on her toes and placing a peck on his lips. "Do not forget the carving knives that you let me borrow, I placed them in your chest," she said before turning around and leaving the labourer's house —leaving a confused Thorfinn in her wake. Thorfinn shook his head before continuing to pack his belongings away, as he did so he heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Ragnar who had muddied hands and a long object bound in cloth. "Ragnar?" Thorfinn said with confusion.
"When you were first given to me by your mother she left very little, but one thing she did leave was this," Ragnar said as he handed the clothbound object to him.
Unbinding it Thorfinn was greeted with a beautifully crafted sword that seemed to catch and reflect the light of the sun in a way he had never seen before. "Your mother was a skilled shield maiden, this was her sword, as you can see it is not a regular sword," Ragnar said as he urged Thorfinn to draw the rest of it from its sheath.
"I do not know who crafted it, Lagertha believes it could've only been made by a dwarf, and I am of a similar mind as I have never seen such a blade," Ragnar said as he looked at the way the light seemed to surround the blade.
He then looked back to Thorfinn "Your mother said the blade was like any other blade, but it had received the blessing of Baldr."
Thorfinn gaped as he held the sword, holding it now he couldn't feel anything but unworthy of grasping it, he returned it to its sheath "Thank you, Ragnar, another man would've sold it or kept it for himself and I would've been none the wiser," Thorfinn said gratefully.
"Even if we are distantly related we are family, you grew up here and played with my children and ate in my house, you will always be welcome back if you choose so," Ragnar said as he hugged Thorfinn and patted him on the back.
"I hope to see you in a few months, my friend, though if I'm able to put you on your back as easily as I did before I might have to claim that sword as a prize," he said jokingly as he walked out of the house with Thorfinn.
Outside waiting for them were Lagertha, Bjorn and Gyda who were there to say their goodbyes. "A man one day and already heading out into the world to start his saga, I had hoped we might have you here a while longer," Lagertha said as she approached him and drew him into a hug before kissing him on the head.
After that he clasped hands with Bjorn "I hope to see you on the battlefield one day, those eastlanders wouldn't have a chance with us side by side," he said with a smile, earning one back from Bjorn.
Last of all was Gyda, while she did look less unhappy than before, she was still a little teary at him leaving. "Gyda... I'll see you soon," he said as he hugged her.
"I'll see you soon Thorfinn," she whispered back and detached herself from him. Taking one last look at the family that raised him he turned around and led the farmstead heading on the path to Kattegat. Though on the way there there was one thought that was constantly plaguing his mind.
'Why does the thought of a Gyda with a husband enrage me.'
———————————————————-
Thorfinn walked the dirt road to Kattegat with a heavy heart. He knew this would not be the end and that he would see them again, but it was still the end of the only life he knew and while he was sure it was to make way for something better, he would still miss what he had, even if it was only being a farmer. He took a breath as he exited the tree line and caught sight of the bay that Kattegat rested next to; Thorfinn felt excitement and determination in his heart, Lagertha was right, this would be where he began his Saga.
He swore to the gods right there and then that no matter how painful or how much he wanted to quit, he wouldn't do so. Elijah had taught him how woefully unprepared he was for real battle, he wouldn't make that mistake again. As he entered Kattegat he saw a lot of people still recovering from the previous night of revelry; Thorfinn chucked as he saw a few of the younger men —though still a few years older than himself— throw up their food.
When he finally came upon the Mikaelson home he had to admit that it was much more impressive during the day than at night. Not many people can make the showing of wealth that Mikael Mikaelson could. In his land, there was a large longhouse with a stone foundation, as far as Thorfinn knew there were no stonecutters in Kattegat so Mikael would've needed to pay for one to come and work here. The house was made of strong wood and had intricate designs by the entrance and what looked like the symbol of the Mikaelson clan.
There was also a stables, a smaller house for thralls and a large latrine that seemed to be connected to the house by a walkway. Mikael's house was the ultimate show of wealth and power, even the Jarl had not spent so much in the making of his own home. Heading towards the gate —instead of jumping over the wall— he found himself stopped by a man who was standing guard. 'He must not be a good guard if he missed me last time I was here,' he thought to himself as he stopped in front of the guard.
"Piss off boy before I tan your hide," he spat out, he didn't even bother drawing a weapon or even look as if he were about to fight. Most men treated Thorfinn this way, with how handsome he was, it wasn't expected for him to be a warrior but a bard or something of the like.
"I am expected," Thorfinn simply replied ignoring his scathing tone.
The guard laughed before spitting on the ground in front of Thorfinn "Mikael has no words for a foundling like you, now leave before I hurt you," he said as he uncrossed his arms.
Thorfinn stood his ground, his hand reached behind him where his dagger was located. "You asked for it!" The guard said as he went to take what looked like a small wooden club from his belt. The guard was large, twice the width of Thorfinn and almost three heads taller, but one thing Thorfinn noticed was how slow he was. 'Is he purposely moving slowly to give me time to run away?' He asked himself.
Not thinking on it any longer he did the first thing that came to mind. He drew his knife and stabbed him in the hand as he reached for the club, which had the effect of nailing his hand to the wood. "AHHHHHH!!!" He growled out as he looked at Thorfinn with enraged eyes. He swiped at him with his other hand but Thorfinn ducked underneath and gained some distance, for some reason his body was feeling lighter, and more energetic.
"I'll kill you!!!" The guard growled out as he approached him.
"You'll do no such thing." A voice rang out from behind the guard.
Thorfinn was both a little relieved and disappointed when he saw Elijah approach the guard. His blood was pumping from the moment he drew his dagger and he wanted to taste more of that, but in his mind, he knew trying to kill the Mikaelson guard would not be the wise thing to do. Even going as far as he did wasn't wise, there could be consequences for such an act.
"Lord, this boy! Came here to enter your home and when I told him to leave he attacked me," The guard said venomously as he looked at Thorfinn.
Elijah looked over to Thorfinn "Is this true?" He asked.
"I thought he would attack, so I attacked first," Thorfinn replied unapologetically.
Elijah nodded "Good, it seems we can skip that lesson then," he said.
"Come, I'll show you where you'll be staying," Elijah said as he gestured for Thorfinn to enter.
"Lord?!" The guard said with confusion.
Elijah turned to the guard with a look of indifference "I've been expecting his arrival," he replied simply.
"You should go and find a healer," he added after entering through the gates with Thorfinn —who sent a rude gesture at the guard as he left.
As he walked with Elijah, the older man looked down at him "It takes either considerable force or skill to nail someone's hand down to the wood, how did you do it?" He asked.
Thorfinn shrugged "I'm not sure, it must've been luck," he replied.
Elijah nodded, not really interested if it was just a fluke. As they walked Thorfinn noticed they were getting closer to the main house and not one of the thrall houses "We are going into the main house," he said to Elijah trying to correct his mistake.
"So we are," Elijah replied.
"I thought you were showing me to where I'll be staying?" Thorfinn asked.
"I am," he replied again.
"You will be staying in a free room opposite mine for your time here, it'll be the best place for you to be if we wish to take your training seriously," Elijah stated.
"Will your father not have an issue with it?" Thorfinn asked.
"Father has an issue with weakness, show none and you have nothing to fear," he warned. Thorfinn nodded, but he was already feeling his heart beat at incredible speeds; Rebekah would only be a few doors away, he knew that Elijah had warned him about going into her room, but of course, he was going to try anyway.
"I also urge you to keep away from my mother's 'study'," he said as he turned to him looking directly into his eyes.
"There are things they're not meant to be seen by those outside the family, she and my father will easily kill you should you see them," Elijah continued.
"Why tell me about them if they are so important?" Thorfinn asked.
"Because even if you happen upon them by accident I will not be able to save you from their wroth, at least now I will not feel guilty as I'll know you looked for it yourself," he replied.
Elijah looked down at Thorfinns belt and saw it contained a sword "Good, you have a sword, we will need to get you an axe and shield as well, a man who cannot use a shield cannot fight in the shield wall."
He continued to tell him about what to expect during his stay here as well as what he should do in certain situations. He opened the door to the longhouse and Thorfinn felt envious of the rich decorations and sheer wealth that it exuded. Never was he more sure of his path than now, he would never achieve anything close to this by being a farmer or a blacksmith. He would have his land and build a Longhouse like this, one that would be fitting for the prestige that he would build.
Elijah led him further into the house where he heard a few people laughing. He felt his muscles tense as he saw Niklaus in the feasting hall of the Longhouse, he held a book away from a smaller boy in one hand while shoving him back with the other. "Give it to me Niklaus!" The smaller boy shouted as he tried to overpower the larger boy.
Niklaus laughed at him "I apologise Kol I didn't know you wished to become a witch so badly, or is this a book of Rebekah's pictures?" He asked as he went to open the book.
"Niklaus! Kol! Enough," Elijah snapped causing both brothers to stop their argument and look to their elder brother.
"Ah Elijah, is this the one you were talking so much about?" Niklaus said with a grin as he slammed Kols's book back into his chest making him grunt slightly.
"Yes brother, this is Thorfinn, the one that shall be under my tutelage, at least until the summer raids," Elijah said in agreement.
"Then let me be the first to welcome you, I'm sure we'll be sparring a lot during your time here... him not so much, though if you wish to learn how to read," Niklaus joked as he pointed at his brother Kol.
"Or perhaps you can show him your 'art' maybe he'll be impressed at your carving of a horse, or is it a dog I'm not quite sure," Kol mocked before turning around and leaving the room.
Elijah pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed "Niklaus where are Finn and Father?" He asked.
"Where they usually are, with the Jarl, though Mother went with them this time," he replied before taking a seat by the fire.
"Henrik and Rebekah?" He asked
"Playing a game somewhere... now Elijah why don't you tell me what's so special about Thorfinn that you'd bring him into our family home?" Niklaus questioned.
"Another time, I believe it's been a long day and Thorfinn could use some rest," Elijah said avoiding the question as he grabbed Thorfinn by the arm and led him out of the room. A few moments later they reached a door that he opened which led into a sparsely decorated room; it had a bed for two people and a chest for belongings. Though to Thorfinn this was a luxury, to have a room to yourself was almost unthinkable to someone of his station and here he was.
"I am in the opposite room if you need me, do not wander the house after midnight, stay in your room," Elijah warned which sent chills running down Thorfinns spine, but nonetheless he nodded and agreed with whatever his requests were as there was no reason not to.
"Now get some rest, we start early tomorrow and we will finish late, from this point on, every aspect of your life will be dedicated to getting better," Elijah stated before shutting the door to his room and leaving him alone. Thorfinn sighed and looked around the room, while it was luxurious to be sure it was pretty lifeless, it had no flavour, no character. Taking his belongings he put them by the chest and sat down on his bed; Thorfinn knew that Rebekah was somewhere in this house right now.
As he thought of Rebekah his thoughts drifted to Henrik who was the only one who managed to see him though luckily at the time his vision was blocked by Rebekah. He hoped that the young Mikaelson wouldn't recognise 'That would be bad,' he thought to himself as he lay down on the bed. He undid the sword belt from around his waist and held his mother's sword in his hands again withdrawing the shining blade from its sheath again, it was a true beauty, a marvel.
'I wish I could've met you...'
Those were the last thoughts that Thorfinn thought before he put the sword down and drifted off to sleep.
(AN: Chapter 5 done, next will be training, interactions with Mikael and Rebekah and sightings of the elusive Esther. Hope you enjoy the chapter)
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