The Pagan Goddess

Chapter Four

A few months have passed since we have arrived in Bjørn's fortress. I avoid Bjørn at any cost and have not spoken to him since we arrived. At the moment he, Alfric, and his men have left and have been gone for a couple of weeks now to raid and search for my brother and Torsten. Astrid had her child, a little boy. She calls him, Ivar. Hilda keeps herself busy with help caring for the child and helps Thyra keep track of Tora when I am not around. I have avoided Astrid as well as every time we pass each other, I get a look of disgust.

I am currently leaning up against a large tree and watch the sun disappear behind the forest Bjørn fortress overlooks. I sneak out every night to watch the sun disappear and pray for my brother and Torsten to come home to me safely. I even pray Bjørn will return safely even though he treated me with such acts, I still do not want anything bad to happen to him.

Just as the sun was about to disappear, many horses with men road up the hill. They pass the tree I was leaning on and the gates are wide open now. It was Bjørn and his men returning. I quickly sneak to the back of the fortress and enter in the hole I made in the wood wall of Bjørn fortress. The hole enters in where they store extra food and boxes of things they have collected from raids. I quickly and quietly put boxes to hide the hole before going up the stairs that over looks the entrance of the fortress.

Hilda and Thyra were taking with Bjørn. Alfric was by Bjørn's side and Tora clung onto Bjørn pants making him gently pick her up. She has taken a liking to Bjørn. After a few second, Astrid slowly comes out with Ivar in her arms, wrapped in furs to keep him warm. Bjørn gently sets Tora down on the ground and walked towards Astrid as Hilda picks Tora up and follows Thyra up the stairs to me.

Bjørn smiles with tears in his eyes and lays his head against Astrid's. One of his hand lays on her shoulder and the other lays on Ivar's head. I watch as tears swell in my eyes. Alfric starts to order men around to unload the horses and rest them to give Astrid and Bjørn privacy. Thyra tugs on my hand leading me away and into our room as one tear drops to the floor. "Torsten and Erik are alive." Thyra says, excitement in her voice making me look at her.

"Bjørn found them." Hilda steps in with Tora in hand.

"They are coming here." Thyra says with a smile across her face. "Bjørn said they should be here in a few days."

"Why did they just not come with Bjørn and his men?" I questioned.

"Bjørn said they wanted to go to the convent and pay respects for taking care of us." Thyra smiles.

"Lady Freya." Alfric's voice enters the room as he opens the door to our small room making all of our attention on him. "Excuse me, but Lord Bjørn would like to speak with you."

I cross my arms and roll my eyes, "he would?" I say sitting down on my furs, crossing my legs. "Then he can come to me if he would like to speak with me."

Everyone shifted their weight, uncomfortably and I could tell Alfric was the most uncomfortable. "Lady please." Alfric says gently making me look up at him. His eyes pled me to obey and I could see his face reddened behind all the dirt from the raid.

I sigh and stand. Alfric thanked me with a smile as I stormed past him. Hilda and Thyra stayed in our quarters with Tora as Alfric lead me to Bjørn's quarters. I had figured I would meet him in his throne area, where he feasts. "I will not go to his quarters." I stated stopping firmly as I noticed where we were headed.

"It is not what you think, Lady." Alfric said with a gentle voice.

"I am no whore and will not be treated as such." I said, my voice angry as I yell. "You tell your Lord, I do not wish to speak with him nor see him."