Freya

One

The grassy plains stretched as far back as Freya could see. To the east, from where the party had ridden the forests loomed dark. A shiver passed through Freya. Home lay in that direction but the thought of home didn't conjure up memories of warmth or safety. The castle on the edge of the cliff that she had grown up in was as cold and foreboding as it looked. Her seventeen years in that place had been devoid of much warmth. Ahead of Freya lay a new life. Arranged it is true by her father but nevertheless it was the possibility of something better that drew Freya forward.

Next to Freya rode her personal arms man, Connah. Chosen for his absolute loyalty to her father, Freya wondered momentarily if he was there to protect her or to make sure she didn't run away from her pending marriage.  There was much irony in her fathers decision to send his most trusted man with her to the castle of her soon to be husband Ewen. On the brink of war with his neighbour, Freya's father had opted not to accompany his only child and sole heir to her new husbands home. Instead he had remained at his castle with promises of a visit once the alliance had been sealed and a child had been born.

Freya suddenly felt that familiar feeling of anxiety overcome her. Tonight she would arrive at her new home and tomorrow she would seal the alliance and become the wife of Ewen the Cold. It was hard to comprehend a life that would be so utterly different to how it had been.

The sound of the horses hooves changed as the riders over onto the stone road that indicated the ascent to Freya's new home. Ahead of them, in all its splendour loomed the ancestral seat of Ewen the Cold. The small party had ridden hard. Some like Connah the old King's trusted arms man wanted to return home before the war. Others were fearful of an ambush on the road. After all it wasn't every day that an alliance of this nature was sealed. Two kingdoms joined by one heir.

Approaching the massive gates,  Freya could see the soldiers on both sides of the road. Ahead of her was a small group of men - the middle man impassive and regal. She wished for a moment that she could have a better look at the man she would marry on the morrow. Although she didn't have a choice in the matter it may have made it easier.

'Halt', called Connah as the soldiers barred the road ahead.

Out of the middle group a single horseman steeped forward.

'Greetings Lady Freya', he shouted across the space. ' We welcome you to Aberthy Castle. May your time here be fruitful.'

Freya settled her horse. Across the space her soft voice carried to the waiting men.

'Greetings,' she replied. ' I thank you for your welcome and wish you light and life'.

Connah dismounted from his horse and move to help Freya from hers.  Around them the waiting soldiers stood in absolute silence, the only sound was the wind which whistled through the stones of her new home. Freya stepped forward towards her new husband. Behind her the small guard of her fathers men flanked her. Their function as much to protect her as to ensure that this marriage took place as arranged.

Across from Freya, the big man in the middle took a step forward too. His intent to claim the woman that was part of this alliance. In the middle of the road they paused briefly as they saw each other for the first time.

The dark space of the castle swallowed the people from the east and Freya. Her new life lay within these cold walls. Next to her the stranger who was her husband spoke but she didn't hear his words. Freya could only hear the sea which was a thousand miles away and feel the coldness which seeped into her bones with each step she took deeper into this cold castle.