Lindorm Princess

Chapter 10

If snakes paced, then this was what it looked like, I thought. Slange slid back and forth in a short loop across the chamber floor, his forked tongue flicking the air in fury.

"You lead them back here," he accused me.

I raised my eyebrows at his attitude.

"Yes. I thought you told me, you missed the Landvættir. That you hoped they would return"

Slange hissed.

"I'm the one that drove them away."

I sighed, and crossed my arms.

"Yes, they told me you specifically banished them by name. Either way, they're happy to be home with you again. They worried about you."

The Landvættir had poured into the keep of the castle, and immediately kneeled before Slange, before crying and fussing over him. Slange had stared at me with shock and I had watched the emotions flash in his eyes, before he had issued a gruff apology.

"Oh no, my master, there is no need," gushed a younger-looking fae named Ugla, with owl eyes set in a bark-covered face. The other Landvættir nodded their agreement eagerly. Björk patted him gently on the back, before clapping him in a tear-filled hug. Slange had looked away at the tapestry hanging on the walls, clearly embarrassed.

Björk had then ushered teams of Landvættir across different wings of the castle, with the excuse that they needed to start restoring the chambers. 

I was once again alone with Slange, in the great throne room.

I stared at the gilded chair in the center of the room, too small in scale for the gigantic serpent before me, determined to avoid Slange's glare.

"Well?" asked Slange. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

He was back to chastising me again, like a child.

"We need the help," I said, refocusing on him again. "Winter is fast approaching. We desperately need extra hands. And, it has been two hundred years. It is time to heal the wounds you caused, and heal this castle. As you can see, the Landvættir do not begrudge you for the past."

He grumbled under his breath,

"Impertinent minx."

Then, almost admiringly, he asked,

"How did you convince them to tell you their real names? Did you charm them with influence?"

I shook my head, horrified.

"Of course not! That would be a breach of trust."

Slange's eyes slanted in confusion.

"How then?"

I sighed.

"I just told them that you trusted me, and that was enough. I hope that's still true, even though I clearly disobeyed your wishes by leading them back here."

At that, Slange stopped pacing, and held my gaze. I gulped but refused to turn away. I stared defiantly back, daring him to speak. He did.

"You didn't disobey my wishes."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said, hang it to the devil, Lise. You're right. My pride was bruised. But I am glad to see them again, especially Björk."

He sighed.

"Björk is the father I never had. I- I found it very hard to face him today, because out of all of them, I let him down the most. He taught me how to harness my magic. Most importantly, he taught me manners, and civilized me. If it weren't for him, I'd likely not even be able to speak to you. I'd only be able to speak in the tongue of a beast."