The Pagan Goddess

Chapter Three

"What of your father Bjørn?" Hilda asks to break the silence.

We are now on the second day of the journey to Bjørn's fortress. We all take turns riding on the horse to give our legs a rest from walking expect for Bjørn. He was quite the gentleman as he lead the horse instead of taking a rest. It is my turn on the horse while Hilda and Thrya walked. Tora was with Thyra at the moment wobbling alongside Thyra as they walked a little ahead of us.

"Father became ill with the sickness awhile ago and passed." Bjørn said with saddens in his voice. Hilda nodded her with sadness for awhile as she grabbed her wooden cross and prayed.

"Does that mean you are Lord Bjørn now?" Hilda smiled with excitement on her face and voice after a few minutes.

"It does." Bjørn said proudly. Hilda gave Bjørn a big kiss on the face making his face turn red. I tried to hold back a smile to see such a big man get embarrassed like that.

"I am so proud of you." Hilda says with tears in her eyes. Bjørn bows his head and smiles.

"Tora!" I hear Thyra yell making me look up. Tora is giggling as she is running Thyra in circles trying to get her to chase her. I smile and notice Hilda jump in and try to chase after Tora. I hear all three of them laugh loudly. This is the happiest I have seen Thrya and Tora. It warms my heart.

"Is she yours?" Bjørn gently asks making me break my stare.

"Excuse me?"

"The little girl, is she yours?"

I smile at the question, "no, no she is not. Thyra is her mother."

Bjørn nods his head. I guess it could seem the child is mine because she usually only wants to be around me. We are just so close and they are the only family I have which is why I am so protective of them, but Bjørn has shown more respect then any stranger and I am very grateful he was the one who found us.

"Thank you." I say making Bjørn look at me. His grey eyes made my heart sped up and I could feel my face turn red.

"For what?" There is that stupid grin again.

"You know what!" I roll my eyes at him.

"I do not think I do my Lady." He smiles and looks away. I could tell he was trying to hold back a laugh.

I sign in frustration and roll my eyes, "thank you for being so kind to us."

"You are welcome." He bows his head with that stupid grin.

It was silent for awhile until we stopped to feed and rest the horse. We all sat on the grass and ate some bread and drink some water Bjørn had. Tora wobbled over to Bjørn and sat in his lap to eat her bread. When she was all done with her bread, he gave the rest of his to her and she took it with a big smile on her face. I held back a smile as Bjørn stood up with Tora in his arms and placed her on the horses back.

It was Hilda's turn to ride the horse so she mounted the horse after finishing her bread and water. Thyra offered to guide the horse to give Bjørn a break. He protested of course, but Thyra won the argument anyways which left Bjørn and myself alone again.

"Why we're you really alone?" I asked as we walked next to each other. The others falling behind a little so Bjørn and I were completely alone.

"Being a Lord can sometimes be..." Bjørn searches for the right word, "testing... so I like to do some things alone."

"But that is dangerous for a Lord to leave alone."

"Is someone worried about me?" He smiles toward me nudging me in the shoulder. He is quite taller then me.