Mist & Moonlight

Chapter 53 | Steel and Smiles

The snow had melted, giving way to the cool, damp earth of early spring. The training ring in Kattegat was alive with the clash of weapons and the shuffle of boots on dirt. At the center of it stood Freydis and Erik, circling one another with playful intent, their wooden practice swords gripped firmly in their hands.

Though they were parents now, life hadn't dulled their edge—if anything, it had only sharpened their bond. Ingrid watched from a nearby bench, Halla cradled in her arms, the baby's soft coos rising into the crisp air as she kicked her tiny feet.

Erik smirked at Freydis, shifting his weight as he feinted a step to the right. "Sure you're ready for this, love?" he teased.

Freydis arched a brow, spinning her practice sword in one hand with ease. "I've been ready since before you got out of bed this morning."

Erik chuckled, swiping playfully toward her side, but Freydis was faster. She blocked the blow with a sharp crack of wood on wood, then spun inside his guard, pressing the flat of her sword against his ribs.

"Point for me," she whispered, flashing him a triumphant grin.

Erik stepped back, grinning as he shook off the hit. "That was pure luck."

Freydis tilted her head, twirling the sword lazily in her hand. "Luck, is it? That's what you said the last time I beat you."

Erik laughed, his heart light in a way it hadn't been for some time. "You're full of talk today."

Freydis's eyes gleamed with mischief. "What's the matter? Afraid of being beaten by your wife in front of the whole village?"

He rolled his shoulders, settling back into a defensive stance. "Oh, I'm not afraid," he said with a smirk. "But if I win, I expect a reward."

Freydis raised a brow, her lips curving into a sly smile. "And if I win?"

Erik leaned closer, his grin playful. "Then you'll get whatever reward you want."

Freydis's smile deepened. "I like the sound of that."

The two began to spar again, their practice swords clashing with quick, precise movements. Freydis was light on her feet, dodging and weaving as Erik pressed forward with controlled strikes. They moved together like dancers, each anticipating the other's next move, each blow blocked or parried with ease.

"You're getting slow," Freydis teased, ducking beneath a high strike.

Erik laughed, swiping low at her legs, but she leaped over the blow with a grin. "You're getting cocky."

Freydis shrugged, spinning around him and tapping his back with her sword. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just better than you."

Erik growled playfully, lunging forward. "Not today, you're not."

As the sparring match grew more intense, Ingrid's voice rang out from the sidelines. "You two are worse than the children!"

Freydis and Erik paused, turning to see Ingrid rocking Halla gently in her arms, her expression caught between amusement and exasperation. "If you spend any more time flirting, I'm going to start charging you for babysitting."

Halla let out a gurgling laugh, her bright eyes wide as if she understood the teasing.

Freydis grinned, lowering her practice sword. "She likes watching her parents spar."

Erik chuckled, walking over to Ingrid and planting a kiss on his daughter's head. "She'll be chasing us with a sword before long."

Freydis followed, brushing a hand over Halla's soft hair. "Only if she takes after me."

Erik shot her a look, his grin playful. "Then I'm doomed."

Freydis turned back toward the training ring, her eyes gleaming. "So... about that match." She rested the tip of her practice sword on the ground, her expression smug. "I believe that's two points for me."

Erik shook his head with a grin. "I think you just called it early so you wouldn't lose."

Freydis leaned in, her voice low and teasing. "A win's a win, husband. Now... about that reward."

Erik wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close despite the practice swords still clutched in their hands. "What do you want?"

Freydis smiled, standing on her toes to whisper in his ear. "You'll find out later."

Erik laughed, pressing a kiss to her temple before releasing her. They stood together for a moment, the playful energy between them easing into something quieter, something deeper. The weight of their shared past—the battles, the loss, the joy—hung between them like an unspoken promise.

Ingrid smiled softly from the bench, rocking Halla gently. "You two are impossible."

Erik gave her a wink. "You know you love us."

Freydis looked at him, her heart light and full. "We earned this, didn't we?"

Erik nodded, his voice quiet. "We did."