Take Me Home

26. Figuring things out

Freya's P.O.V-

Freya steered the horse after Rogers, gently kicking the side to push it into a soft gallop as she followed Roger back down the road, holding tightly onto the reins.

Axel had his arms around her waist so he wouldn't fall off and Freya could hear his heavy breathing.

"Hey, are you okay?" She asked, looking back at Axel. He looked tired and his head was still swollen and red where they had hit him.

"Yes." He replied softly, looking away. Freya sighed and turned back toward the horse, following Roger as he left the road and headed onto a trail that led off of it and into the woods.

They slowed to a trot, then a walk, as they entered into the welcoming shade of the trees. Freya guided her horse to the side and then around so that she could be next to Roger. She wanted to know why he had done that.

Roger looked at her and smiled. "I still haven't gotten a thank you." He stated softly, causing Freya to grin.

"Well, Thanks." She replied, then she narrowed her eyes. "But, why would you pay that money and go out of you way to rescue us?" She asked, looking straight ahead so she wouldn't accidentally steer the horse into a tree.

She heard Rogers low chuckle, "Well, It doesn't matter. I just wanted to help y'all. Y'all sure did need it." He added. "But just forget it. We need to focus on what comes next."

Freya nodded and let it go, but she was still curious why he had done it. "Okay. What happens next?"

Roger let out a long sigh. "Well, we could get rid of Axel and then come back..."

"What?" Axel's voice could be heard behind Freya as he sharply raised his head and looked at Roger, green eyes narrowing.

Roger chuckled again, "That's not what I meant. By get rid of you, I mean fly you to Germany and return you to the Germans, where you belong."

Freya stared hard at him. "Yeah right."

Roger looked at her as he ducked under a tree. "I'm completely serious."

"But how would they fly us? Who even is it...?" She asked, questions filling her mind as Axel nodded behind her.

"If these are British people, they most likely won't like me." Axel said quietly.

"No one asked yo- nevermind. They don't care. Well, they might. But their old friends so they may be willing to help once I explain. They are part of the American Army Air Force." Roger said quietly.

"American?" Freya blinked. How does Roger know an American Pilot? "How do you know an American Pilot?" She asked.

Roger shrugged. "He was sent here from America. I work at the base sometimes and we'd see each other. He owes me." Roger replied.

They continued through the woods, the shade protecting them from the coast winds and the glaring sun. Birds chirped and a few bees flew around the horses as they walked on.

Freya looked up at the clear blue sky, "Where are we going now?"

"My house. We can stay there for a day or two and then we will get a train to go North, to London." Roger pulled forward and picked up speed. Freya frowned, following.

"I need to go back to my house, to get stuff..." She began, but Roger sighed and turned, pulling his horse in front of hers and stopping her.

His eyes were emotionless as he replied, "Freya, you can't go back. Not until Axels gone. They know where you live and they are there waiting. It's too dangerous." He said, Hazel eyes looking into her blues.

"If I had the choice I would just turn Axel in. But I know you care about him. You...your just too soft. But that's what I like about you and that's why I'm helping you out." He added.

Freya blinked as he turned and continued down the path. Freya looked down, realizing what he had said was true. She wouldn't be able to go home. She felt the arms around her waist leave and then Axel placed a hand on her shoulder.

"If you want, I'll ride. So you can rest." He offered. Freya nodded and then she climbed down from the saddle, allowing Axel to scoot forward. Then she climbed back up, sitting herself behind Axel.

He turned sideways and she noticed he felt a little better.

"Are you okay?" He asked. She nodded.

"I'm fine. Can you catch up to Roger?" She asked softly, wrapping her arms around his waist as he nodded and turned back, kicking off and letting the horse trot forward.

She leaned her head forward and rested it against Axels back, suddenly feeling tired and overwhelmed. She had used up a ton of energy today, fighting off soldiers and trying to keep him away. Freya felt drained. Comfortable against him, she closed her eyes for a moment. Axel began humming softly, a tune she had never heard. He caught up and slowed to a walk, keeping the horse in a smooth walk.

"How long is the ride?" Axel asked. Freya didn't open her eyes. She wanted a moment to rest.

"It's pretty far outside the town so at this pace we will get there within 20 to 40 minutes. Not sure though, that's just a guess." Roger replied. There was a pause. "Is she sleeping?"

"I don't think so. She's very tired though." Axel answered quickly.

Freyas eyes fluttered opened and then closed. "I'm fine." She murmured, voice low and tired as she stayed in her position.

"Oh, okay." Roger replied.

She felt Axel shift a little and she lifted her head, looking down at the saddle as she blinked sleepily.

"It's alright, I don't mind." He whispered. She blinked and then she lowered her head back onto him, more toward his shoulders. That was better.  She closed her eyes and felt herself slipping. She welcomed it as sleep came over her.

She wanted to sleep. To forget everything for just a little bit.