VIKINGS || GYDA

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟖 *

It was late in the afternoon the following day when a feast was held in the great hall. Aslaug wished for Bjorn and I to be welcomed properly by the town. It was pleasant so far, many villagers passed by our table to give their welcome—speaking of how happy they were to have us back.

Eira sat by me as we gnawed into our first decent meal we'd had since we left camp. Floki's woman, Helga, sat to my other side, whilst Bjorn was in front of me. The table was filled with many friends and many who I did not know yet. I smiled to myself most of the feast, the happiness of being apart of a family again too hard to suppress.

"Sister. I have to ask."

I place my now meatless bone onto my plate and look to Bjorn who stares to me with a look of caution. He fiddles with his cup of ale as he speaks, his eyes not entirely meeting mine.

"Eira told me that you were wounded in a fight before you came here?"

While he tried to speak it as quietly as he could, I feel the eyes of the table turn to me. I anxiously sip some more ale. As Bjorn's eyes held no hint of backing off the question I sigh to myself, placing the cup down I cross my arms and lean back in my chair.

"I was in a fight, yes." I trail off. "But that is all it was...just a stupid fight." I feel Eira eyes on me at the finishing of my sentence. I hope she could understand why I didn't want to speak more to it.

He hums in response, his eyebrows raised, not at all convinced. "Your companion, Nels, told the guards when you all arrived that you had just come from Hedeby...you tried to join mother and I before we left didn't you?"

"That was our intention, yes. But you had already left so we came here instead."

I watch on anxiously as everyone honed in onto any voice that spoke. Bjorn's head tilts. His next words filled with spite. Yet I know it was not aimed at me.

"Sigavrd just...let you go?"

My heart drops at his words. I've battle with myself for days to try to forget what happened in Hedeby. No one needed to know—it would only cause problems. I just wanted to leave Sigvard in the back of my mind.

His eyes shift to his cup as he sees the conflict in mine. He looked surprised at his own behaviour, like he didn't realise what he was revealing.

"Forgive me sister. I've had too much to drink. I am only rambling on."

The table emits laughter at Bjorn's words. Some of the men nodding their heads in agreement and others voicing up how they do much worse when drunk.

He hides his face with his cup as he downs more ale. He had caught on about Sigvard. I was gladdened that he ended the interrogation with his lie. I had been with him all evening, he was only on his second cup of ale.

I continued on eating, acting ignorant to my father's stare, which I could feel barring into me from the head of the table. I was happy for a distraction as a gentle touch brushes my forearm.

"You remember me don't you Gyda?" Her vibrant smile spread wide as she looks to me with her warm brown eyes. I lovingly place my hand over her own as I return her smile.

"Of course I remember you Helga. You are a dearest friend of my mother and father. You are also the most patient woman in Kattegat."

She quirks her head as she chuckles lightly, "You think I am patient?"

I nod, "I have been gone four years and you are still with Floki. Helga, it takes someone truly special to handle that joker."

She erupts with pleasant laughter as she nods her head in agreement. We both take a moment to sip from our cups before she leans to me sweetly.