The Good Queen [The Last Kingdom] - [Erik Thurgilson]

Prologue

Norway

Before departing Norway for England the brothers Erik and Siegfrid decided to pay a brief visit to their village's local seer Frode. Frode had known them both since they were infants. He foretold their births to their father Thurgil. A great warrior who installed the importance of loyalty and battle strategy in his young boys. Siegfried had always had a temper and had been rather impulsive. Erik on the other hand would think very carefully before he spoke or even acted. He would come up with a plan in his mind five steps ahead of everyone else and try to give his hotheaded brother some advice, which he would sometimes take. As they approached the old seer's house Siegfrid put his arm over his little brother's shoulders.

"Awe little brother, are you ready to have Frode tell us how we're about to bathe in riches and women once we reach the shores of England?"

Erik chuckled in response."Only if he doesn't spoil all that the Gods have in store for us. You know how much I enjoy a surprise."

Once the pair was done joking, they made their way into the old man's home. As they entered, the old man turned his head away from his freshly brewed tea toward the brothers.

"I knew the two of you would be at my door. It was only a matter of time." The old man smiled as both of the brothers made their way over to him to offer him a warm hug after not seeing each other after so long. "Now, down to business and the real reason why you're both here." The brothers smiled excitedly waiting for what Frode would reveal about their futures. "Erik, you wait outside, I'll be with you shortly."

Now it was just Frode and Siegfrid in the old man's house. They made their way toward the chairs and furs that were positioned near the hearth of the fireplace. Siegrid sat down letting the old man get comfortable. He held out his hand for the old man to lick it, to receive his vision of the man before him's future. After licking Siegfrid's hand Frode moved back further in his seat to tell his prophecy.

"Oh what is it old man, how great shall I be." Siegfried stated arrogantly.

"Patience has always never been your strong suit. Something you may learn from your brother." He paused before he officially began the prophecy. "You shall fight, win and gain much power and wealth even the Saxon kings shall fear your wrath. However, you must think before you act before a part of you is taken right from you." Frode held out his hand waiting for Siegfrid to lick it to complete the ritual and let Erik in.

When Erik made his way over to the old man his hand was already out waiting to begin. Erik licked the hand once he was seated and Frode began foretelling Erik's fate. He seemed to have a much stronger reaction to this vision than the one previously.

"I foresee many great thighs for you." Frode began. "You shall gain immense wealth, power, and victories. However, all of that is only leading to what the gods truly have in store for you. While in England you shall meet a woman who will own your heart and your soul and you hers. You shall know it's her the moment you see her. Your love story with her won't be easy. She'll be a lady with a crown, a Saxon woman. There shall be many obstacles in both your ways keeping you from each other, but no love story is not worth fighting for. They shall sing songs and tell stories of the northman who won the Saxon beauty's heart for centuries after both of your deaths. But, beware, in order to obtain her and this level of happiness that even the gods envy, you must sacrifice at the precise moment what you hold most dear." With that Frode set out his hand for Erik lick as the vision had finished and the old man was now in need of a rest after using his gift. Trying not to show any change in his emotions, Erik left the old man's house. Now ready to discover what the wise old man said England had in store for him.

As they began to depart from the shores of Norway Siegfrid made his way over to Erik. "What did the old man tell you." he asked "You haven't said nearly ten words since leaving his home."

"I'm just deep in thought brother." Erik said in hopes of deflecting his brother. Since he knew that if Siegfrid found out what Frode told him he would become increasingly paranoid and more rash than usual.

"Deep in thought my ass, I know you brother you can tell me."

Knowing that his brother wouldn't let up until he told him something Erik came up with something to tell him. "Frode said that I'd never see him or Norway again and that my fate rested in England." Thankfully it seemed his brother bought his story and dropped it. Going to pat him on the back.

"Don't you worry now little brother nothing bad will happen to us. Frode has foretold great things for us. More glory, victory, weath and women that either of us can dream of. You think too much." With that Siegfrid left his brother to his own devices as they continued their journey to England.