This is not what I expected. All i've done is stay in camp. I've done very few chores, that i had to force a servant to let me do them. "What do expect youre not a sheildmaiden" my father would say, he was right but I expected something more exciting than this. I have so much spare time on my hands, I have decently learned how to use a bow, my uncle used to say its a cowards weapon. Athelstan and I would spare but it would never fare in my favor. My father says he's not letting me on a battlefield anytime soon. To be honest i've never wanted to be like my mother a shieldmaiden but if this is what its not like being a Shieldmaiden on a raid then I'd rather be one than this. Until one day "Gyda do you want to come with me to meet the saxon king" I was so surprised.
"What really?" this is the type of excitement I wanted.
"Yes come with me"so we went. The place we went was much smaller than Kattegat. It had smaller vendors and plainer things.
"Look around and dont tell anyone who you are, i'll be back" my father said being lead some where by a guard. I went to a vendor selling fabrics, I was looking at the silks when i heard "May I be of service to my lady" then I turn around and I try not to stare a man I thought unlikely to see again. The saxon hostage from the camp. He was right in front of me and I could truly how very handsome a man he is. He must be slighty older than me I could again tell and looks like a wealthy saxon lord which I already knew.
"No my lord im fine" I say wondering why he's talking to me but I look around and realize I must look very foreign or out of place. I was in a light purple dress with a corset, that had no sleeves but wool shawl of the same color that covered the majority of my arms. Other women there it was long sleeve cotton or wool, neutral or dark colors with an apron.
"l haven't seen you here before, where are you from?" he's giving me a smile that was making me blush I hope he didn't notice. I had to think fast.
"France, my father is farmer that came to trade my lord" I say with the most pleasing smile, I wasn't used to talking to people like this especially with an attractive man such as himself.
"Awe where could this man be to leave his beautiful daughter" now that made me blush "what is your name?" his smile is going to be the death of me.
"Gyda, my mother was foreign" trying to cover myself but looking down I didn't want to lie to him but I had to listen to father, "Its a pleasure to meet you Gyda, Im Prince Aethelwulf" Well this just got very interesting I thought still processing what he said; he asked another question rather quickly"are you married" what is he doing?
"No why do you ask?" im confused at this point.
"Just curious are you arranged to be?"he says slightly blushing to himself.
Im about to say no but then I remember Erlendur "Yes, unfortunely" I say looking down with putting my hands in front of me realizing we were walking side by side and he was very close.
"Why unfortunely?" we stop and he starts leaning in to me, this amount of closeness was very new to me.
"I dont love him" and with that he takes a step back and laughs.
"Why do you laugh?" I say in a polite challenging way while he smiles and shrugs.
"Are you arranged?" I ask curious, playing along with this game as we start walking lazily again.
"Yes" he says and his mood changes in a way.
"You love her then" I say in a way sad and try to keep my composure as for some reason the thought hurt me.
" of course not" he says humored by my ignorance.
"Do know anything about her?" I ask starting to look around to distract myself in a way.
YOU ARE READING
Love Isn't Enough
FanficWhat would have been if Gyda had lived? Would she have been a shield maiden or Lady? What men would she have loved? Who's lives and fates could she have changed? Where would her path have taken her if she had the chance to take it? This is the story...
