༻𝑬𝒖𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂༺

𝑶𝑵𝑬

"What is love?"
~✥~

Thorfinn struggled to lift the hay for the sheep and goats. He was practicing his morning chores. Until Thorfinn slipped.

Someone caught him at the neck of his shirt. There stood a young female, Athena. "Athena! Let go." Thorfinn shouted.

Athena stared at him wide-eyed. "Do you need help, young Thorfinn?" She muttered. The woman followed the six year-old around like a sheep.

"You should go help, my sister! I'm a man. I don't need a woman." Thorfinn announced. Athena watched as the child struggled to carry a bucket of milk.

She smiled to herself. 'I miss him being a baby.' Athena thought. The woman followed the boy outside the stables.

Thorfinn looked beyond the sea. His sight was mesmerized by the rough ocean. "Athena, what do you think is out there?" He asked.

"Hmm. War and death." Athena said bluntly. She was a very blunt person. Thorfinn deadpanned. "That's not what I meant." He muttered.

~✥~

A deadly blizzard hit the small village that night. The children were gathered around listening to the stories about the new continent.

They called it "Vinland." It was filled with lush green land ready for harvest. The land of safety and stability.

Leif told children themost bizarre stories. Athena never believed them, but Thorfinn did.

Athena laid in her bed. It was going to be another long night. Her dreams haunted her sleep most nights.

Thors walked in from the blizzard with wood in hand. "The children are still awake?" He asked. His wife, Helga, nodded.

"I thought the children could use a good story before bed." Helga reasoned. Thors noticed one person was missing from the group.

"Where's Athena?" Thors questioned. Helga nudged her head towards the bedroom. "You worry too much about her. Athena is strong." Helga commented.

'I promised, Thrain, I would protect her.' He remembered his promise to his old friend.