Aeleva; The Viking Saxon

Chapter 21

The sway of the boat was familiar to me. I had crossed these waters before.

But this time, as I looked back at Kolding in the still of the night, I was a free woman.

The moment we set off and we were far enough away to not turn back, I could process the mess that just happened.

Hagen had come searching for me. Another person I cared about was dead because of him. But I couldn't ignore the warmth that surged my body at the thought that Hagen had come to find me.

I was tired and frustrated at the constant confusion that followed Hagen. My heart shone at the thought that he wanted to find me and that he had sought me out. But I could not forget Godwin, my only true friend in Daneland. He had helped me in many ways. He had given me hope of faith again. He had written to my brother; he had given me courage to allowed me to be myself. A Saxon woman.

Godwin was now dead because of his friendship towards me. His body lay cold in his dismal hut. It pained me to know he would not have a Christian burial.

He will forever be in my prayers.

Hilda had suddenly become an enemy. If I ever saw her red hair again, I'm not sure what I would do. I wondered where Sven was, if he had moved to Ribe with Hagen or had stayed in Torvik.

I lifted my head high as the day approached. The sun was peeking out over the horizon and was illuminating the sea to Kent. I was headed home. After arriving in Daneland thinking I was facing certain death or was to leading a life forever as a Dane; I had escaped. My brother was alive and I had a life to get back to.

The boat trip took 5 days. The others on the boat did not think twice about my identity as a Dane. I had picked up the language very quickly and spoke of my time in Ribe. A few of the men following the Hersir had been at Ribe as well. They understood my need to see excitement again and so I was left to entertain myself while they rowed us across the sea. Rowing was very hard work, the men would swap every few hours, sleeping in between. They were exhausted and drenched with sweat and salt water. I would watch them grimace as they hauled the ores out of the water, to crash them back down again. We did move at an astounding pace. Every now and then the boat would leave the surface of the water for a moment, and my stomach would reach my mouth.

The boat had one huge sail that a few men would try and control against the wind. I was sat under the sail, leaning against the pole. It was somewhat sheltered from the wind and spray; the pole was comfy enough to lean against. Although I had lost my need for comfort a long time ago.

The sun was too hot in the day, it burnt my skin and blistered it. The salt spray making my face sting as the days went on. I nearly dried out under the August sun.

Mercifully, after 5 days, land came in sight.

The white cliffs standing tall and defiant out of the water. I could've cried at the site of English soil. A huge monastery stood overlooking the sea, glorious in the evening sun. The closer we became, the more people you could see walking down to the beach.

The isle of Thanet had been held for 2 weeks by the Danes. Although they could help themselves to the gold of the monastery, they could not trade to get food from the Saxons. Hence the need for shipments to bring them.

As soon as the boat was beached, Dane hands reached at the boxes of treasured food. They then walked them up the path to the monastery. I was helped out of the boat and followed the men up to the monastery.

Hersir Siger, whom had allowed me voyage, was tolerant to me and listened when I told my stories. So, I assumed I could follow him and his men and not be a bother.