𝑨𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒉 | ✔️

19 | Freedom for A Life

Summer, 1st July 864AD - Dawn

The voice sent an unnerving sensation running down my spine.
I whirled, finding the Viking I fought earlier - Wulf - standing behind me, grinning with his yellowed teeth. I let out a yelp as his strong arm coiled around my neck. He pressed his axe deeper into my skin, and I could feel blood running down my neck.

I realised another person was with him. I stood in front of me, his face shrouded by a dark cloak and an axe grasped in his hand.
Slowly, the other man removed his hood, revealing a familiar mop of ebony hair and tattoos over his right eye. He stood there, arms crossed and his lips pursed tightly.

Einar.

I shot him a stone-cold glare. Traitor. Never trust a Dane.

Grunting, I squirmed under Wulf's strong hold. Yet, no matter how much I tried to break free, his grasp was too tight to release from.

"Feisty little thing, this one," Wulf chuckled. "Who knew it could be simple to catch us some slaves. Our chief will be proud."

Einar frowned. "So we keep both of them alive?" He glanced at Aidan's fallen form then whispered, "And do you realise that one over there is the king's son. Are you sure you would want to sell him off too?"

Wulf grinned darkly. "We will use him as ransom. I'm sure the king would have no choice but to pay a high bid."

"You filthy bastards!" Aidan grunted, wriggling in the ropes that bind him. "My father would never agree to such a thing. Let us go this once or I will-''

"Einar, take care of him," Wulf commanded.

Giving a silent nod, Einar towered over Aidan's body, pressing his boot on his back. He leaned forward, whispering something in his ear.
Slowly, he drew his back and inhaled deeply. With a grunt, he smacked the axe's handle across the back of Aidan's head. Over and over he hit him.

Aidan released an agonised scream from every hit. I winced at the sound of the handle hitting his head.
I glared at Einar, my blood burning with rage. I could not stand here and watch my own companion be abused from somebody I thought I trusted.
Perhaps I had been a fool to believe Einar's reassurance that he is not like his ancestors. Perhaps I had been quick to trust him. Perhaps I had been blind to not realise who he really is.

Now I can perfectly see what Einar is - a Viking brought up by his people's violent ways and their foreign gods. He could never escape from his roots, no matter how much he tried to. Yet, I am disgusted with myself for having almost empathised him that night. If only I had reported him to the king, then he would have been taken care of. Perhaps this raid could have been prevented.

Einar kicked Aidan to the side, causing him to roll in the dirt. He grunted, hitting the handle of his axe all over his body until they were bruised. Aidan kept screaming and begging for the torture to end, but Einar kept going until he released him.

Once Aidan was left in peace, I finally broke out of Wulf's grasp. I crouched beside Aidan, inspecting him. Fortunately, the bruises were not as severe as I thought. I flung my arms around him, holding him close in my embrace.

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright," I whispered, gently stroking his matted golden locks. I broke into sobs. "Oh, Aidan. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let them hurt you."

Aidan gave a pained smile. He caressed my cheek gently.
"No, it's alright, Ardith. Look, perhaps this is the end for us." He inhaled deeply. "If the Vikings wish to take me, then I will join them."

I shook my head. "No, Aidan. You're too important to be taken. You are the future king. You deserve to be here. I cannot imagine what they will do to you."

Aidan glanced at Einar. "I do not trust that Dane. We were too foolish to believe he could be our alibi."

"I know. I am sorry for dragging you into this. This is all my fault. If only I had been cautious. If only I had not crossed paths with him." I held him close, my tears soaking his golden hair. "Will you ever forgive me?"

Aidan nodded. "Of course. Why must you ask such a thing?"

I inhaled deeply. "Because what I will do next might make you not forgive me."

Aidan cocked his head, perplexed. "Ardith, what do you mean? What are you even thinking of doing?"

Sighing, I rose up fists clenched and shoulders squared. I turned to the Danes, chin lifted.

"Take me as your slave," I declared. "I was raised as a commoner. My village always knew me as the merchant's daughter and the seamstress's apprentice. It is only recently that I decided to fight for my people; be a warrior. However, it seems I have failed my duty to my king and my people." I hung my head, dejectedly. "So take me as your slave. The chief can do what he wishes to me. But leave Aidan be because his royal blood is needed here. He has a purpose."

"No, Ardith!" I heard Aidan's plea. "Don't do this!"

Frankly, I had no clue what I plan to do. Yet, sacrificing my own freedom for Aidan meant for the better. Not only for Aidan but for my village. I provided no use in this village, not even when I protected that family in tonight's raid.
I will always remain a commoner. Just a girl told to stay indoors and be obedient. Just an ordinary person with no royal bloodlines, abilities or anything special.

There was another reason I needed to join the Vikings. My mother.
Deep down, I knew she was still alive because she would never give up freedom and return to her homeland. Once I find her, we will reunite and take a boat back to East Anglia.
At least, that is the plan I conjured in my head. Yet, I do not know if it will be perfectly executed.

Wulf stroke his beard, considering my offer. His hawk-like eyes lingered over my body like I was his prey.

"You are a smart girl, Saxon. Perhaps you can be more use than a mere submissive slave." Wulf grunted. "The chief already has enough concubines to pleasure him. He has enough thralls to fetch him wood, hunt animals and run errands." He paused glancing at my chainmail. He raised a brow. "Your people allow women to fight, have they?"

I narrowed my eyes incredulously. "Yes. Why does that concern you?"

Wulf chuckled. "In our homeland, it is common for our women to fight. Perhaps you'd find this fits your liking, Saxon."

I listened carefully to his words until realisation hit me; he wanted to force me to betray my people. For what?

"I would never be anything like you." I crossed my arms. "How could I even betray my own people for your sake?"

"Become like us and your life will be better than a slave's."
Wulf glanced at Einar, then at Aidan's form. He gave a nod. I watched Einar towered over Aidan, flipping him over.
He pressed his foot on his stomach and pierced the blade of the axe deep into Aidan's pale neck. Drops of crimson leaked down his neck.

"If you refuse, then your friend here will meet his ill fate. So what will it be, girl? Abandon your Saxon life and be a Viking. Or..." Wulf held my chin, forcefully turning me to Aidan's direction. "Your friend dies. Unless you would like to join him."

"Do what he says!" Aidan cried, his voice raspy. He lifted his head, a pained smile on his bruised, reddened face. "Please, Ardith. If you want to live, then obey the Danes. Live like them. Become like them." He choked under Einar's grasp. "For the sake of our people. For me."

I contemplated the two options weighed on my shoulders. If I wish to stay alive, I must join the Danes and fight alongside them. Even if it means betraying my own people, at least I will not die. Yet, the consequence is I will have the blood of my people in my hands.
If I do not obey, then they will kill me. They will not even hesitate to kill Aidan and anyone I loved.

Still, the opportunity to join the Danes means for once I could step outside England; the place I've been grounded for so long.
The world was vast and I longed to explore the lands that lay ahead of me.

"Then I will come with you." I winced at the stabbing pain on my knees. "First, let me visit the healer to dress my wounds. If I am going to be joining you, then I must be fit to travel, is that right?"

Wulf grinned. "Yes, we would not want to have an injured warrior, don't we? They are of no use to us."

I nodded. "Afterwards, I will part my farewells to my family and friends. Then I will be ready to join you."

Einar released Aidan from his grasp. The young prince rest a hand on his neck, gasping. He slowly rose to his height, adjusting his balance.

Einar walked over to me, scrunching his face at my wounds.

"Nasty wound can be fixed with amputation," He gave a snort.

I looked at him in disbelief. Here standing before was not the same compassionate, kind-hearted, vulnerable man I encountered in that abandoned watchtower a couple nights back. Instead, he spoke harshly and behaved the same as his Viking comrades.

Whether this was a façade or his true colours, I could not bring myself to respect him. This...this two-faced bastard.

How had I let him fool me?

"I'd like to keep both my legs," I hissed, glaring daggers at him.

Wulf sniggered. "Saxon, you cannot be immune to losing a limb in battle." He gestured to his faded scar over his right eye, then he pointed to his right hand, which was made of wood. "I sacrificed this hand in battle. Yet, this is a symbol of my pride."

I shuddered inwardly at the thought of losing my limbs.
"No." I turned my back from them. "I need to see the town healer. I am sure there is a better alternative than having my limbs decapitated."

Wulf let out an impatient sigh.
"Very well. You may visit the healer and say your farewells."

I raised my gaze, meeting the Viking's gaze once more.

"But you have until sunset. Then we will leave for Fanø." Wulf leaned close to my ear. "Your new home."

I squared my shoulders, taking in a deep breath.
"Then it is a deal." I paused, glancing at Aidan. "But you must promise you will free him. Remember, it is I who you have agreed to take. Leave the prince out of it."

"As you wish." Wulf made a shooing gesture to Aidan.

The young prince gave one last look at me and the Danes, then he ran out of the woods.