Dream Love

IV

Erika landed in Bergen Airport Flesland  around nine in the morning. After going through customs and retrieving her luggage, she went to go see about a rental car. She had decided that since she was in Norway, she would rent a Volvo. So she talked to a woman at the rental counter that had teeth so white that she could have been in a toothpaste commercial. Erika found her to be somewhat ingratiating. Having filled out all the necessary paperwork she left the airport to get something to eat. It was a long drive to Laedral and she didn't want to stop along the way if she didn't have to . 

Unbeknownst to Erika, she was being followed. By two men. The first was tall and lean, with a scar at the corner of his mouth, giving him the appearance of an evil smirk. The other man was slightly less tall, with a little more muscle. The difference between the two was obvious at first glance. The first man while scarred, had eyes that while alert and kind. The other man, however, seemed to radiate evil. Not only were his eyes hard and flat, they seemed to hold an evil that made it difficult to maintain eye contact with him. And while the two men followed her, she went about her business of getting a meal and then snacks and drinks for her trip. She also looked over a map to familiarize herself with the bathroom stops. It was a three hour drive to her destination, barring incident. She knew that she was going to have to stop, even though she wanted to drive straight through. No, she had too much coffee this morning.

The first man that was following her stopped and made a call. "She's leaving out now. Yes. No. Yes, I have talked to all of the inns and hotels there. No one will have room for her. Haldor, patience, my friend. You have waited almost 500 years for her. A day or two will not matter. By the way, I think I'm being followed. Yes, I'm sure. No, I don't recognize him. He's not a nice looking fellow, I'll tell you that. Yes, I'll stay close to her. I'll protect her, Haldor. You can count on me." Ragnar ended the call on his cell with his friend and looked around until he found what he was looking for. "There you are. "

Walking up to her was too easy. She wasn't being careful at all. It made him a little angry that his chieftain's  wife was so lax about her own security. " Excuse me, ma'am. I'm hoping you can help me."

Erika had been so focused on checking her route on the map that she had not even seen the man approach. Swallowing, she looked up, way up and saw a man that was blonde, with sea green eyes and a scar at the corner of his mouth. Tall, why does everyone in this damn country have to be tall, Erika thought. "Yes, how may I help you, sir." As she answered him, she noted that there was something familiar about him.

"I overheard you talking to the cafe owner. You're going to Laedral, correct?"

"Yes, that's right. I'm leaving in a few minutes."

"I'm sorry to bother you like this, but I was wondering if I may ride with you. I need to be there by nightfall and have no way to get there. My car, you see, it's in the shop. It was supposed to be ready today, as I have something to take care of there. But, unfortunately for me it is not. I promise that I'm quite harmless. I'll even pay for the gas. And, I'll even go with you to the local police and show me to them. When we get to our destination, then we can go to the police there and check-in. How does that sound?" Ragnar smiled, trying to make his face look less frightening. It must have worked, because his lady smiled back at him and agreed. 

After all of these things were finished, Erika excused herself to get another item from the small store where she had purchased her travel snacks. Taking the opportunity, he called his chieftain.

"It's definitely her. We will be arriving soon. I'm traveling with her to keep her safe until we get to you. She's completely unaware. Yes, he's been with us the entire time. Gotta go, she here.

The other man that had been following her grimaced in anger. Holding his wrath in, he turned and went into the nearest pub to drown  his anger. He sat in the darkened corner as his anger at being thwarted simmered. He had killed her before and would kill her again. She could not be allowed to live. His lord would not appreciate it if he failed at his job. The only reason he was still alive after all of these centuries was to make sure Haldor never found his beloved again. He didn't know what was so important about this woman, and he didn't care. All he knew was that he was able to kill without discretion. He would wait and bide his time.

The drive to Laedral was uneventful, thankfully. Erika had been nervous about having the man join her. However, the local police seemed to know him and found him to be a trustworthy companion. Now, some three hours later, it was early afternoon and they were nearing their destination. The first place she stopped at was the local police station to check in. After doing this, she wanted to check in to her hotel. Upon arriving however, she was told that a mistake had been made and that there was no room. Her money was cheerfully refunded by the blonde girl behind the counter. Upon checking, the girl come back with a frown.

"I'm terribly sorry, miss. There seems to be something going on here in this area over the next few weeks and there simply aren't any rooms available. Even the locals have no room. I'm sorry, ma'am. I wish I could help you." Erika almost growled at the girl in anger, she was so frustrated. How was she supposed to do research, when the place she needed to be at had no rooms available to rent?

Ragnar, knowing what was going on, decided he had waited an appropriate amount of time to come to his lady's rescue. "Ma'am, if I may? I have a friend with whom I am staying and I am positive that he has plenty of room. He has a large house overlooking the fjord. I'm sure he wouldn't mind letting you stay there while all of this is cleared up." At Erika's look of uncertainty, he simply replied, "I'll call him if you would like. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Especially when his guest will turn out to be quite lovely."

"Very well. If you insist. I'm awfully tired and hungry and I really do not wish to drive all that distance again today." Erika acquiesced. 

She watched as he placed the call. She could hear the timbre of the man's voice. It seemed to strike a cord deep within her being. It stirred emotions she had never felt before. Images came to mind. Things she knew she had never done. All of this seemed to rattle her more than just a little.

"It's done. You are the invited guest of Haldor Landvik. It will be a first. You see, he doesn't have many guests and none of those are ever female. Ever." Ragnar was emphatic about that, as if he were trying to  impress upon her something.

"Thank you, Ragnar. Would you like to drive. I'm quite tired. The long flight. Plus, I haven't been sleeping well." Erika handed him the keys and walked out of the hotel, getting in the passenger seat of her rental. Ragnar got into the driver seat, after making some adjustments to accommodate his size, they were off. It didn't take long to reach their destination. Erika stood beside the car and looked in awe at the large wood and glass house. It was huge! Only one person lived here? Just then the front door opened and a very large man came out to great them. 

Oh God! He's the man from her dreams. She felt herself whisper his name and then promptly fainted.