The Viking and the Witch [Halfdan The Black]

Chapter 14: Her

The next days were almost identical for Mary. She laid in bed restless for most of the nights. It became impossible for her to sleep. The memories of what had happened to her became too much for her to handle. She had accepted the fact she couldn't sleep anymore on the forth night of her being in the village called Kattegat.

So instead of laying around doing nothing she prepared as much as she could for Hildegard. The woman, however, was too stubborn to accept too much of her help. She didn't allow Mary to help her do her job. Instead she just ordered her around for the smallest things.

"Give me this, bring me that, clean this, don't be lazy and get some water, make yourself useful!"

These were the sentences she heard the most. Nevertheless, she did everything she was told. Mary hated doing nothing. Anytime she did nothing, the memories crawled back, clawing at her sanity. Yet, Mary tried to remain strong. She lived from day to day, just hoping to survive.

Anytime she wasn't helping Hildegard, she was helping the Blacksmith and his apprentice. Leif usually sat in front of the hut, glaring at her, so she would know that she wasn't welcome. He succeeded. Although, Olaf was kind to her, Eric wasn't. He probably went out of his way to antagonize the slightly younger woman. He, like his mother, loved ordering her around.

"Bring me this. Bring me that Put this there. No, not there *there*."

Mary knew Eric hated deliveries because it was during this time he had to be around Mary the most. She didn't know the people so Eric had to come with her. He didn't want to become a Blacksmith but he preferred to work with his father than involuntarily spending time with the foreigner.

It was one of those times were the two were walking through Kattegat again, carrying the fixed, and the newly ordered weapons. They walked towards the great hall. This was going to be the last stop for the rest of the day. As they entered the room, all of the royal family of Kattegat looked at them expectantly.

Eric cleared his throat before declaring, that he had the ordered and fixed weapons. More like Mary had them. She carefully balanced the swords and axes in her arms, making sure they didn't touch the ground.

The sons of Ragnar ran towards their new weapons excitedly, except for Ivar, who crawled behind them, just as excited. Mary of course noticed him, and felt the pain he had to suffer because of his legs. Her heart went out to him and she made it her goal to relieve him of his pain to the best of her abilities. Once the oldest brothers had their weapons only one axe was left in her arms. Mary knelt down to Ivar and gave him the axe.

"Here, young prince."

Ivar looked at her curiously. Not many would address him, let alone a slave. He was half tempted to insult her, he couldn't see any malice against him in her eyes, so he let it slide.

"How is the new slave, Eric? Has she been any trouble?"

Ragnar glanced at the young woman curiously as she interacted with his youngest son. Aslaug was looking at the young woman as well. Although, the foreign woman was skinny, her skin had a special glow and the Queen decided to talk to a seer about it. Could the Gods have brought the woman her to serve a greater purpose?

"She does as she's told. We had no problems with her so far."

"You don't seem happy about an obedient slave." Ragnar was amused. "I'm sure may would be willing to trade."

"No, it's fine."

The two quickly left the great hall afterwards.  When they got back to the house the tension is side was thick. Eric quickly left and Hildegard and Mary were alone preparing supper.

The family with the addition of the slave sat together on the table. The sons had protested against Mary's presence but it was no use, Olaf wouldn't budge. So the five ate quietly. Everyone except Olaf felt incredibly uncomfortable.

The moon stood high in the sky. Mary had already cleaned up everything right after supper, when everyone else left. Olaf, Eric and Leif went out, and Hildegard went to bed. The men had come back a while ago.

So when Mary found herself unable to sleep she left the hut quietly and walked towards the Forrest. She brought a cup as well as bowl with her. Not only was it quiet and soothed her nerves but she also could look for the herbs she  needed to help Ivar and his father.

The ladder stood close to the sea, his feet in the water. She had crushed the herbs for him into the cup and filled it with drinkable water. She handed it to him as she stood next to him.

"If you get caught they could say you tried to runaway and will punish you severely." He informed her as he took the cup from her.

"True. But this would not be the worst thing happening to me."

She stared across the endless sea, as th Viking looked at her. He knew she was sentenced to death by her people, yet he didn't understand why.

"Tomorrow you will go to Aslaug. Her slaves will teach you how to braid hair."

It was easier to maintain hair if they were in braids, more so as a slave, hair would be in the way when they work. Mary looked him in the eye curiously. They stood next to each other for a while before they left for their cabins again.