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Unhappiness is more common than happiness.
~
Eira listened to the rhythmic sound of hooves against the ground, as she rode over the fields on her way to the forrest.
The bay mare would be her travel companion for a while, until she found somewhere to settle down.
Her thoughts wandered off, thinking about everything that had happened that day, even though it wasn't over yet.
She hadn't seen or spoken to Ragnar after their argument the night before. At first light she had started packing her things and said goodbye to her friends.
Her heart had been beating so fast, that she was scared that it would jump out of her chest as she stood in front of the Earl's hut.
Soon the door had opened revealing Siggy on the other side.
"May I speak with Lagertha?" Eira asked smiling, fumbling nervously under her cloak.
Siggy looked behind her, before she stepped back pulling the door with her. Eira smiled at her, as she walked in.
Lagertha slowly walked closer, until she stood on the other side of the fireplace. Her stare was ice-cold, but she held herself with a rare sense of dignity.
"It won't take long." Eira said, almost apologizing.
"I just wanted to tell you, that I'm leaving Kattegat. And that I'm so sorry, for the pain I have inflicted on you and your family." Eira said sincerely. Lagertha nodded at her, with a softer look on her face.
"I myself was a young girl when I met Ragnar. He can be quite compelling. I don't blame you." She smiled weakly as she slowly walked around the fireplace.
Eira nodded thankfully at Lagertha, having placed her hand on her belly unintentionally.
"You're with child?" Lagertha asked surprised, noticing Eira's hand on her small baby bump.
"Yes." Eira answered nervously after hesitating for a moment. She felt so intimidated by the shield maiden in front of her.
"Are you sure you want to leave then?" Lagertha asked with a curious look. Eira nodded insecure.
"I think it's the God's will. I can't let this go on, out of respect for you." Eira said looking directly at Lagertha. Lagertha felt sorry for the young girl in front of her, that felt no other choice than to leave everything behind because of her husband's selfish deeds.
"Siggy, get someone to saddle a horse." Lagertha said before Siggy walked off.
"A women with child shouldn't travel by foot." Lagertha smiled at Eira.
Lagertha walked up to an almost trembling Eira and took a hold of her shoulders.
"May the Gods protect you and your precious cargo." Lagertha said smiling warmly at the young girl.
"Thank you." Eira smiled at her, before she made her way to the door.
"Are you leaving?" She suddenly heard Björn's voice behind her.
Björn stared at the things she had packed, that was hanging from her shoulder.
"Yes." Eira said smiling weakly as she turned to him.
"Why?" Björn asked confused.
"It's the gods will." Eira smiled as she kneeled down in front of him.
"You'll be a great warrior someday Björn." Eira smiled gently stroking the side of his head. They had become quite close, since they had spend a lot of time together with Ragnar.
"Promise me to take care of your father and keep him in his toes." Eira grinned at Björn. "I will." Björn immediately answered determined, before he hugged Eira.
Eira felt thankful for what Lagertha had done for her, providing her with a horse for her travel.
"Do you know where you're going?" Helga asked Eira, standing beside the horse she was on.
"No. But I'll figure it out." Eira smiled at Helga.
"You can stay at my hut as long as you'd like." Floki smiled next to Helga.
"Thank you. Please don't tell Ragnar that I might be there." Eira pleaded sharing a knowing look with Helga. They both nodded in understanding, before Eira clicked her tongue and trotted out of the village.
~
Floki and Helga was outside their hut when Ragnar returned from hunting.
"Have any of you seen Eira?" He asked as he got of his horse, wanting to talk to her after their argument the night before.
Helga and Floki shared a look before Floki turned to Ragnar.
"She left." Floki said sadly.
"To the forest?" Ragnar asked confused.
"No, she left Ragnar." Helga said, trying to make him understand that she left for good.
"What?" Ragnar thundered, staring confused at both of them before he jumped back on his horse and stormed out of the village to try and find her.
So many thoughts went through his mind as he rode towards the woods over the fields. He felt bad for the way he treated her the night before and he felt so scared that he would loose her.
He was galloping as fast as his horse could run, desperately hoping that she didn't get that far and that he would find her.
He finally spotted her near the forest and rode in front of her to stop her.
"You're really going to abandon me without even saying a word?" Ragnar asked her with hurt in his voice as he jumped off his horse, looking straight at her.
"You leave me no choice." Eira said softly, feeling the tears starting to well up as she watched how upset Ragnar was.
"I don't want you to go." Ragnar said looking directly at her with tears in his eyes.
"You already have a family. This is fate." She said with the tears streaming down her cheeks, before she kicked her horse and rode off, leaving Ragnar behind.
