Sigrid the Haughty

The Unexpected Visitor

The early evening had developed quickly to night. Frigg, Siv, Saga and yourself had spoken at length about Ivar's outburst. This time all in agreement that if he were to speak out of turn once more, you would deal with him physically and not verbally.

The fire you four had built was starting to die down and with it your burning mood. Reaching the edge of the forest you looked glumly into the streets of Kattegat. You did not want to spend any more time here. You wished to leave for England and then return home. Although you could see that almost everyone here admired and respected you, Ivar had really gotten under your skin. You didn't know if it was just him or all that he represented to you...men underestimating you. Perhaps it was that he, underestimated you, not all other men, just him. 'Why do you seek validation from a crippled foul-tempered prince?' you thought to yourself.

Frigg was first to enter your temporary home, holding the door open for you and the two sisters. You began removing your weapons and the others began settling down to sleep in one of the rooms, exhausted from today's long journey. Moving into your room you began to remove your boots, then your jewellery. Upon removing your first gold bangle, you hear a rustling just outside of your window. You stand. Stiff and ready for action.

Always expecting the worse. Slowly making your way back into the main room of the house you venture into the other room were you find Frigg, Saga and Siv sound asleep. You decide not to wake them, after all you were able to sleep at points during the journey, they had been awake for days with just a few minutes of sleep between them. Whatever this was...if anything, you could no doubt handle it. Silently making your way towards the table, weapons sprawled about it, you grabbed your axe raising it above your head with both arms and pointed it towards the door.

The rustling suddenly halted and a few moments of silence passed. Your hands still positioned above your head, axe held steady with anticipation. A low knock at the door made you lower your axe slightly. Not only was the knock slow and timid, but it came from near ground level. You knew instantly who sat on the other side of the timber barrier. You swung your axe to your side and held it in your right hand as you approached the door and opened it. Your brows furrowed at the sight of him. Sitting there in front of you, head between his shoulders, staring intently at the floor.

"May I help you, Prince?" you spoke in a vile tone. One that surprised even you.

Reacting as if your tone of voice had cut him with a blade, he sharply raises his head to look at you. Eyes filled not with anger, not with evil but with something you could not put your finger on. But whatever it was, it turned his irises a dangerously potent blue. You found yourself swimming in them like pools of water, utterly lost in them. Your face remained stern, concealing everything you found yourself feeling.

"Earl Sigrid, if you are to call my brothers by their names, I would prefer that you treat me in the same way...Ivar, if you would" he spoke openly and in what appeared to be a genuine tone.

"Ivar then...but of course, your brothers have also treated me with respect since arriving here. You have made no effort to do so...Prince."

"Perhaps we can agree to disagree, but my brothers and I will never be the same, no matter how hard I try. As you can see and you so generously pointed out on arrival this morning, Earl Sigrid." looking down towards his legs.

"Ailments do not define who we are and how we choose to treat others...Ivar." you speak his name almost on accident. Like he had pulled it out of you.

"But unfortunately, they do...you wouldn't understand."

"Wouldn't I? Do you not think that being a woman has stopped me from doing certain things, acting in certain ways, achieving my goals?" you speak down to him, angry at his assumption.

"I suppose you can understand better than most then, far better than my brothers at least." looking down for a second again as if in defeat, then back to you.

"Is there a reason as to your visit Ivar."

"Yes." reaching to his side and pulling out something that you instantly recognised. Then holding it in his hand up towards you.

You let out a short gasp..."My medalion...where did you get this?" you snapped. Angry at yourself for losing it and taking this out on Ivar.

"I found it on the floor near where you were standing in the hall..."

"How did you know it was mine?"

"The bear on the back, it is your fathers, no?"

"It is...I...would not have thought you would recognise it."

"My father spoke to me often of fighting alongside your father, Skoglar Toste. I have seen your black banner many times before Sigrid " he spoke to you with a...smile?

You had not seen him smile yet. Only evilly smirk. His smile suited him and you wanted to tell him of the effect it had on you. The effect he had on you. But you stopped yourself, you felt utterly repulsed by your thoughts. You had known this man for a few hours...for the sake of the gods! But you could not deny the feeling that grew inside you each and every time you laid eyes on him.

"I had no idea...thank you Ivar."

"Goodnight Sigrid."

"Goodnight" with you final parting words you felt your heart sink into a pit of despair. You had misjudged him. You almost felt as though you had seen the two sides of him. The dark, twisted side he used to address his brothers and the sweet, caring side he had just used to address you. Or was it all an act. Did he want something from you? Did he feel threatened by you?

You struggled to fall asleep with your thoughts running circles in your mind.