Daughter of War

Chapter 9 - The Prince and the Pig Farmer

"Eran," Thora gapes and Alden tenses as Thora climbs out of bed and stands in front of him. She touches the scar and her eyes widen as she looks up into his eyes, "It's you, isn't it?"

"Yes," Alden murmurs ducking his head.

"Why?" she asks and Alden looks into Thora's eyes.

"Do you remember when we first met?" he asks and Thora nods her head, "We were in the woods, and you were the kindest person I had ever met."

"I shot you with an arrow," Thora says, at first it's with a small chuckle and then her eyes widen in realisation, "I shot the prince, I could have killed you."

"But you didn't," he smiles as Thora's hand remains on his scar, "You helped me, even when my attitude was...distasteful. I wasn't sure if you were who you said you were. So on my birthday, I made sure that my uncle invited you and your sisters along. When I saw you that morning and you used my name, I immediately knew who you were."

"You seemed so offended when you found out," Thora points out and Alden laughs, his laughter reverberates through Thora, making her heart race.

"I am the prince," Alden laughs, "And I was a little unhappy that you were able to beat me."

"Why didn't you tell me when you saw me in the woods again?" Thora asks and Alden shrugs.

"You called me Eran," he says, "You saw me as Eran, as the pig farmer, not the prince."

"You were covered in mud and dirt," Thora laughs, she traces the scar with her finger and Aden stares at her with such adoration.

"An easy mistake to make," Alden says and Thora blushes, "Besides I found it easier to talk to you as the pig farmer, than as the prince."

"Why did you want to marry me?" Thora asks, she takes a step back from Alden, finally taking her hand off his chest, "Was it just because you saw me as some helpless girl, set to marry a cruel man. That you wanted to save me? To feel like a hero?"

"No," Alden says, but then he looks to his feet, "I did want to save you, I could have done that without marrying you."

"Then why did you marry me?" Thora asks.

"Because I love you," Alden answers, looking back into Thora's eyes, "I fell in love with you, from the moment I first laid eyes on you."

"You... love me?" she gapes and Alden nods his head.

"I do," he says with a smile. Thora's heart beats loudly as the words echo through her head, a shiver passes over Thora, not from the cold, but from the words.

"Here," Alden says turning around and walking over to Thora's trunk, "I had them bring your things here while we were in the ballroom."

Alden grabs a nightgown out and then offers it to her.

"I don't get cold," Thora says and Alden laughs

"Well I do," he says finding a thick bearskin robe and wrapping it around himself. Thora puts the nightgown on anyway, wanting to feel covered and less exposed, she then turns towards the fire.

"I can leave," Alden says, softly, "If you want."

"No," Thora mumbles, "This is your home. I cannot ask you to leave your room."

"I won't let you sleep elsewhere," Alden says, "This is now your home too."

"I am not quite ready for sleep," Thora admits.

"Then what shall we do?" Alden asks and Thora smiles.

"Tell me about yourself," Thora says, turning to face her husband, "You know almost everything about me. Tell me everything about you."