Lindorm Princess

Chapter 7

My heart pounded in my chest at his words. To see world of the fae? No one I knew had ventured past the first line of trees into the forest, let alone seen the actual fae kingdom.

Slange's Kingdom.

I imagined a bunch of caves, with Lindorms clustered and piled on top of each other in a large nest, and shuddered. Then I thought of becoming Søren's wife. Of sitting next to him, in the carriage, as he loomed over me, hurting me. 

I silently apologized to my parents, warm in their bed, unaware of my betrayal. I knew that my decision would hurt them, but I could no longer be obedient Lise. I would not sign my life or future over to Søren.

There was no doubt in my answer to Slange.

"Yes, take me," I spoke into the darkness, the lantern light only catching the side of his scaly frame. It was impossible for me to read his dark eyes, which blended into the night seemlessly.

At my words, Slange exhaled slowly, as if he had been unsure of my response. I could feel the warmth of his breath, and he was close enough that I could smell the mixture of smoked woodchips and dry grass emanating from him.

"Climb onto my back," he commanded. I heard his body scrape and shift across the barn floor, as he turned his large, serpent-like frame to face the exit. I gingerly did as I was told, sweeping my skirts and tucking them around my legs, as I climbed on in a side-saddle position.

"Good," he told me. "Grab on to my horns for support." Again, I did as I was told, gently curling my fingers around the two largest spines jutting from his head. He was all heat and metal in his Lindorm form, like a copper bowl left for a few moments in the morning sun.

"Are you ready?" he asked. 

"Yes," I whispered, curled up by the back of his head.

He began to slither out of the barn, and into the field. The motion was slow at first, as if he was trying to let me get adjusted to riding him. Then, as we approached the mown fields, and the forest tree line, he began to pick up speed. Suddenly, the landscape flew past us. I watched as the lake where the nøkk had tried to drown me sparkled in moonlight, then was lost as we turned the corner of a tall ash tree.

Air whipped at my face, bringing tears, but the heat radiating from Slange kept me warm. I buried my face close to his scales, clinging to his horns with all my might, out of fear. Eventually I realized that despite the obvious speed of our journey, I didn't need to clench on so tightly to him. He slid across the forest floor smoothly, as if he was going no faster than an old mare, trotting on the market road. It had to be magic.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness of the night, and the additional shade of the forest cover, I began to notice that the landscape changed. We came across hills, tufted in pine needles, and studded in large boulders, that jutted out of the earth.

A crackling bonfire, with a group of trolls resting by the flames, came into focus. They were lumpy, and gray-colored, moss sprouting from their heads and backs. I watched as their eyes widened, making contact with mine. A large, rocky hand swiped at my head, as Slange dodged. And then they were gone, before I could even process the terror of seeing them up close.

Slange spoke suddenly in my mind, over the roar of the wind in my ears.

It's more than a few hours to my kingdom. You should sleep, if you are able.

At first, I was determined to keep my eyes open, to drink in the different sights. But as Slange swerved and dipped, I began to relax into the warmth of his neck, my eyes closing. Despite my best efforts, sleep claimed me in victory.