Assassin's Creed Valhalla: The Forgotten Love

18 [A Glimmer Of Hope]

The ride to the village felt long and lonely, the slight cold breeze that blew against my skin felt fine against my tear stained cheeks....my tears dried up a few miles back on the road as I just stared at the landscape that passed us on the horse. No words were spoken and no words needed to be spoken because there was nothing to really say at this moment in time or place; I was feeling alone and heartbroken knowing Sigurd was ripped away from me by that snake that I knew something was wrong with her to begin with but. Things were moving so fast and Sigurd wanted to find the stone to help me and to show he wasn't crazy like I joked about.

"We're almost home" Eivor's words broke through the silence that hung in the air.

I could just slowly nod my head letting him know that I heard him, the sight of the village came into my view of sight; I didn't know what to do or even say to the people anymore here I was nothing more than a stranger here among them.

Eivor brought the horse to Valka's hut right away not stopping anywhere else but here first, he helped me down from the horse gently putting me on my feet.

"Do you want me there?" he asked still worried about me.

"I think I'll be fine, please go tell the others what happened" I said to him giving him a glance before slowly walking into Valka's hut.

The smell of weird herbs and smoke filled my nose which made me scrunch it a little bit as I entered her hut, the smell never used to bother me but now it was which only made my heart race with what I was already thinking about.

"Arnora, is something the matter?" Valka asked once her eyes landed on me.

"I-I need your help with something, but I don't want anyone knowing" I spoke softly trying not to break.

"Of course, what is it you need help with?" she asked me, helping me sit on a wooden stool by a table in the room.

"Well, a lot of things happened but I want to know if I am with child" I started making it short and sweet.

Her face became serious but in a good way to help me as she thought of some ingredients that she would need, soon she made quick work around her hut grabbing a few green and blue herbs; a blackberry or two and mixed together with some waters from the small pond her hut sat next to.

"Here drink this, it shall help find out; once you do just hold my hands" she told me as she held the small bowl in front of me.

I nodded in agreement, taking the bowl from her hands as I began drinking it, it tasted sweet and yet bitter at the same time but thankfully it went down smoothly. Once I drank it Valka took my hands in hers letting her speak to the gods closing her eyes as she did; letting me listen to her words as I too held my eyes closed wondering what the gods would show here. My heart pounded in my chest waiting to burst out, my nerves were off the charts at this moment in time as I waited for her answer which almost seem like forever.

"Arnora, the goddess Frigg smiles on you; you are indeed with child" Valka's words broke through the silence.

The feeling of shock and happiness ran through me like an arrow, I was happy that I was with Sigurd's child but I just wish I could tell him in person myself. I worried so much about everything that went through my mind; what if my powers hurt the child? What if the village finds out and they throw me out of the village? What if I lose the child? Or I have to raise the child alone if Sigurd doesn't return? So many thoughts ran through my mind....

"Arnora" Valka's voice brought me out of my thoughts which made me jump a bit.

"I know you are worried, do you wish to know the child's future?" she spoke to me in a gentle tone seeing my worries.

"Can you do that? This early?" I asked with a bit of hope that nothing bad was going to happen.

"I can, I just need to know who the father is of your child; you don't need to worry all your secrets like everyone else's are safe within these walls" Valka said to me, letting me know that she wouldn't tell anyone unless I wished it and that brought some ease to my mind.

"Sigurd.....Sigurd is the father" I spoke clearly to her.

"Very well" was all she spoke when she began speaking in her own tongue to the gods that I hope were listening.

Again waiting felt like hours just went by as I sat there on the stool waiting for whatever future my child would have if any future at all; looking up at Valka made my heart feel lighter when I saw a smile on her face.

"Your child will grow strong and healthy, with both you and Sigurd to guide him and to love him" she spoke with that smile never fading away.

I knew her words were true because her eyes never held to any doubt or lies which made me smile myself, looking down to my flat stomach I place a hand on it still smiling.

"We're having a son?" I asked when I glanced up at her once again.

She nodded her head yes to me softly chuckling at my face, I might have looked like a happy fool right now but I wasn't going to worry about that. The sounds of footsteps outside came to our ears; letting our eyes come to the door seeing Eivor walking inside wondering about the news.

"The news?" he asked me in wonder.

"You're an uncle" was all I said to him with my warm smile.

A warm smile broke out on Eivor's face, walking closer to me as I stood up welcoming his hug that I returned. I felt a bit at ease for knowing this but my heart still hurt that Sigurd wasn't here to know about our future son.

"I promise I will bring Sigurd back to you both" Eivor said to me when he looked at me in the eyes.

"I know you will" I said to him with my smile not fading.

"I'm so proud of you, litla systir" Eivor said to me with a proud smile on his face.

"Thank you, stóri bróðir" I said back with a smile on my own face.

It was a good day right now for somewhat, with this small little child giving us some hope for the return of Sigurd in the future and to just make our bond stronger. Unknown to us three within the hut, someone was outside of the back of the hut listening to us and what we were speaking about.