The Nøkken and the Huntress.

5.) Days here.

I've been staying at the depths of the lake for about two months now. We decided against telling her uncle out of fear that his weak state would get too excited so I remained a close secret.

At day I would lay low and occasionally come out when Eføy wanted to see me. At night I would collect water for her to boil and then either clean her Uncle (who I came to realize was named Askr) with or to cook with. Other times I would accompany her for midnight walks in the forest or early morning rounds for hunting and berry picking Sometimes at day I would remain in the lake and cross my arms and rest them on a rock and lounge around. If Eføy was out in the garden I would watch her. I would catch her looking at me and she would always snap her head away.

When she went to bathe every Loki's day she would wade into the shallows of the lake. She would still be wearing her breast band and small clothes and would have a small bar of soap with her. She would be cleaning and in the process, I would sneak up behind her and splash the water on her. She'd gasp and tackle me while laughing. I would pick her up on my shoulders and gently toss her off into a deeper part of the lake. She would float up and would huff at me and cross her arms as she reached that less deep portion. I would laugh at her and she would ask me to leave so she could be in peace sometimes followed by a soap bar throw. If I wasn't doing those things to her I would swim around her while blowing bubbles underwater. I could hear her distorted chuckling followed by a smack to the water. I would poke my head out and through the thick long strands in my face, I could see her amusement.

After she finished cleaning herself and her bedridden Uncle Askr she would always go outside and sit on a stump on the hill and began to brush her hair. Usually, she'd let me brush her hair if she was up to it. I would take my time feeling her damp hair in my hands and gently stroked the ginger locks. She would hum occasionally with contentment and would talk to me about how the weather was or about animals that she sees. Or she would play her lyre or fletch arrows. When her Uncle Askr wasn't doing so well she would confide in me.

This week was different though. Askr had gotten way worse over the span of these few days. His condition was to the point where he couldn't even keep food or water down and wasn't even able to lean himself upward anymore. The only nourishment he received was from hrogn and that was barely staying down. Eføy had been neglecting herself to help him. Her hair once almost glowing was now a dull orange and was swept up into a messy tail. She had been wearing the same clothes for days and her dress was stained and disheveled. Sweat beaded her forehead at all hours.

Today she was finally able to make Askr comfortable enough and he seemed to be alright.

It was early night and Eføy had changed finally into a white gown and was crouched down cleaning her face and hands while I sat beside her on the shore. I could softly hear her sniffling as she got up and a made my way to her. I settled my hands to rest on her shoulders. She kept her head down as she turned to face me. A removed one hand and lifted her chin up to look at me her eyes were red and almost on the verge of tears. I embraced her and she held tight to me for a short while and pulled away from me.

"I need to rest. Goodnight." Her arms left mine and she headed up the hill.

I turned towards the lake and watched the moonlight off the rippling water. I sighed heavily and cried. I came to realize that I loved her over the span of the time I've known her. It was silly to love someone this soon but my heart and mind were sure about my feelings. If things weren't so bad I would tell her how I felt. Even then I was positive she wouldn't share the same feelings. I sat down and let the tears flow.

I don't know how long it was but I remember laying down on the shore and I just watched the stars. Exhausted and out of breath from my crying fit I decided to sleep there. My eyes felt heavy and darkness consumed me.

The next thing I knew I heard Eføy screaming. I bolted upright and quickly got up and ran to the staggering and crying woman.

Yes, Vikings and Saxons did make soap. Also, I forgot to mention before that Askr means Ash in old Norse and Eføy means ivy in Norwegian. Hrogn is an old term for fish eggs. Depending on where at regionally Saturday back in Norse times is either meant Loki's day or Bath day. (Kind of how Friday was either Frigg's day or Freyja's day.)