Chapter 33: Queen Astrid

"They have not left yet." Deman said, passing by Astrid, who sat still embroidering a cloth in the windowsill. He was reading a scroll given by the priests as he leaned against the stone wall beside Astrid. "Do you know why they have not left?"

Astrid paused and tilted her head to the side. "Why should I know anymore than you? I have not heard from them in a week either." She arose from where she sat and laid a hand on Deman's cheek. "You worry too much over things you cannot control. If Erika was going to attack this kingdom, she would have already done so."

"I sometimes wonder about you." He replied, placing his cold hand on her wrist. "I wonder about your loyalty and whose side you are on." He smiled reassuringly. "But I trust that you have finally became content with me as your husband and will not betray me."

Astrid pursed her lips, rising from the window sill. "Why do you say such things? Have I ever appeared to betray you?" She pressed her index finger finger against his chest. "I took a vow that I would stay with you no matter what, and I intend to keep my vows," she shrugged her shoulders. "Whether you will or not is another story, however I trust you have finally became content with me as your wife."

Deman nodded, taking Astrid by the hand. "I have, and to prove to you that I have, I will be leaving with the army on the sea to practice using that boats." He stated, releasing her. Astrid stared blankly at him. "I shall only be gone for a few days. Until I return, you will be in charge. Whatever happens is all on you, so please do not do anything that can get you or anyone else killed."

"Why do you treat me like that?" Astrid asked, glancing out of the window. "You treat me as if I do not know anything, when in reality. I have probably witnessed more than you will ever." She looked back at him, then at her wedding band. "I sometimes wonder if you actually believe in me, or if I am just a pawn to get you what you desire."

Deman averted himself away from Astrid, focusing his eyes on a glowing torch. "I-I-" he stuttered, searching for words to say. He went silent since no words came to him.

Astrid swallowed and ran her fingers through the roots of her hair. "Is that all you are going to say?" She questioned, walking to his side. "Deman?"

Deman spun around on the heel of his boot, cradling Astrid's face within his firm hands. She pushed away from him, staring coldly back at him. He removed his head and averted his eyes.

"I do not want to lose you." Deman piped, walking away from Astrid. "I cannot bear to lose you, not when you are the only thing I desire." He looked over his shoulder, locking eyes with her. "Astrid, I am sorry. I never mean anything negative when I speak." He stepped closer, outstretching his hand. "I am only looking out for everyone, including you."

Astrid nodded, taking him by the hand. "I understand, dear." She hugged his body close to her, squeezing his midsection tightly and resting her head against his broad chest. Tears welled in her sore eyes as she shut them quickly.

¤§¤

"Everything will be alright, child." Jezebel whispered in Lorna's ear, resting her hand upon her shoulder.

Lorna fixated her eyes upon the wooden floors of the rocking longboat. She held her nervous stomach tightly as the boat rocked, back and forth. The sky was a dull gray, which caused Lorna's loneliness to grow ever more. A strong gust of cold air hit her in the face, taking her breath away.

"What do you people know about my well-being!?" Lorna snapped back aggressively, jerking her woolen cape around her shivering body. "All you can do is lie!"

Jezebel let out a sigh and inhaled another deep breath. "I wish you did not feel that way, child." She outstretched her arms inviting Lorna into an embrace.

Lorna stared back at her coldly, refusing her gesture. Her cheeks grew red with anger the longer she stared at Jezebel.  "Do you not have anywhere else to be?" Lorna rudely questioned, staring back onto the floor. "I would like to be left alone."

Jezebel moistened her lips and nodded. She returned to the servant girl, who sat alone at the front of the ship, and took her child into her arms. Lorna watched Knute from the corner of her eye as he stared several seconds at her.

"Do you like what you see?" Lorna piped up, rolling her head to the side. "I am only bruised and dirty. Nothing that a man wants."

Knute scooted down beside her, brushing the blonde hairs from her face. "I am only concerned about you." Knute asked Lorna, taking the empty place beside her.  "You look ill."

Lorna closed her eyes and buried her face within her dirty palms. She shook her head vigorously, clinching her hands into fists. "I am not alright!" She stated, beating her fists against her forehead. "I will never be alright ever again!"

Knute rested his hand lightly upon her shoulder, petting her softly. "Why do you say that?" He questioned leaning closer to her.

She glanced up, tears welling in her eyes. "I am carrying a child." Her head bobbed from side to side. "I do not know who the father is and quite frankly, I do not care who the father is! I do not want this child!"

Several men turned, facing her as she caused a commotion on the ship. Knute's face went blank while his eyes travelled down to Lorna's stomach. He pressed his hand against her stomach. "Are you sure?"

Lorna nodded, as tears trickled down her face. "I have only been turned into a whore who has nothing left." She spoke through the tears. "I do not even have a name left. I am only known as 'slave'."

Knute pulled her into an embrace, brushing his fingers through her hair. "I will get you home and you will never have to worry again." He reassured, pressing his lips against her head. "I will see that you are safe in your home village once again."

¤§¤

Astrid sat with Camilla in the throne room embroidering a blanket. They remained silent while they focused upon their work. Astrid wondered about Deman and the safety of the men. Where were they? When would they return?

Abruptly, the peaceful silence was broken by Heinrich, who rushed inside. Astrid glanced up at him with a look of concern and fear.

"The Northmen have returned, my lady." Heinrich informed, bowing before Astrid. "Our fishermen have seen them coming up the river. They have said it is many ships."

Astrid pressed her lips together and closed her eyes. Thoughts ran wild in her mind as her breathing intensified. She popped her eyes open, nodding appreciatively.

"Thank you Heinrich." She spoke kindly, rising from the throne. "Please sound the bells. Let the villagers prepare themselves." She looked back at Camilla, who was terrified, and let out a sigh. "We shall ready ourselves also."

Camilla and Heinrich hastily left the room, leaving Astrid alone in the silent room. She peered from the window, watching as the Northmen approached the shore.

The loud sound of bells woke Lorna. She scrambled to the railing of the boat, where she began peering over the edge. In the distance she caught sight of her homeland. Her lips began to tremble as tears formed at the corner of her eyes. She knew that in a matter of minutes she would be back on her turf, where she knew she belonged.

Astrid stood still with discomfort, watching as her enemies left their boats and trudge through the knee-deep water upon the land. On the shore, Erick and Bard approached Erika and her army. However, Erika and her army refused to speak with anyone other than each other, which gave Astrid a sense of relief.

Bard and his army did not waste any time putting up their camps on the opposite side of the shore from Erika. Within an hour, a camp was present and they were already discussing plans around the table.

"I suggest part of our army attack Erika and wipe them completely out, while the other part attacks the kingdom to kill everyone except Astrid." Bard suggested, propping his head on his fist.

"No," Erick bluntly responded, smacking his hand against the table. "That will never work! I think we should talk with them first."

Bard smugly stared at him with disgust written along his face. "Who should we send that she would listen to?"

"Let me go speak with her." Lorna boldly suggested, stepping forward. She tugged at the tight rope around her neck. "I feel as if she will listen to me. I know my uncle will." She paused, staring back at the expressionless men. "He loves me more than anything. I know he will listen."

The table of men were silent as they discussed the proposition very hushed.

"You can go if you take Erick with you." Bard agreed, rising boldly. He slinked to her, jerking the rope forcefully. "Only if you bring her back." He leaned close to her, biting the lobe of her ear. "If you fail, you will die and," he smiled smugly at Erick, glancing over at Jezebel. "She will die, along with her son. Once you are dead, I will kill your village. The choice is yours." He pulled her up by her hair. "All of these deaths are pending with the success of your mission."

Lorna stared back at him coldly, holding her arms close to her chest.

"What are you waiting on!" Bard yelled, flailing his arms in the air. "Leave now!"

Erick untied the ropes that bound Lorna, and began walking away from the camp.

"You have just gotten yourself killed, dear." Erick mumbled, looking around him. "Along with my wife and child."

"I am sorry." Lorna replied, dropping her head shamefully. "I will try my best to help you, if I cannot get her out, then I shall kill her."

Erick began to laugh sarcastically. "Good luck with all of that."

Lorna sighed and continued the walk in silence. She began to nervously tremble as they approached the castle gate. Erick flashed a reassuring smile her way, just before Heinrich met them at the door. He rushed them inside and quickly led them through the village toward the castle.

Down the empty, halls they walked, filing in a straight line one behind the other. Patiently, Lorna and Erick waited on Heinrich to return. Lorna stood beside the thick wooden doors, fiercely wringing her hands.

"Astrid," Heinrich spoke, approaching Astrid again. "There is someone who would like to speak with you."

Astrid nodded, returning to her throne. "Send them in."

Minutes later, Lorna poked her head from around the door. Astrid, who was startled, repositioned herself in the chair and waved for her to come closer.

"I see you have retuned." Astrid said, studying Lorna's abused state. "How is your life with Knute and the others?"

Lorna let out a gasp of air, dropping to her knees before Astrid. She raised her folded hands into the air, waving them as if she was praying. "Please Astrid, have mercy on me. I regret leaving with them! All they done was lie and use me wrongly. Do not make me go back with them."

Astrid pressed her lips together and shook her head as she looked around the empty room. "Lorna, I cannot allow you to return. Deman said that you would not be welcome if, or when you returned." She smiled hesitantly. "I am sorry Lorna, but I cannot let you come back. Your uncle has to make that decision and-"

"I wish to speak with him. Where is he?" Lorna spoke bluntly, glaring back at Astrid.

Astrid hesitantly watched her. "He is not present at the moment, but he will return soon." She stated, reluctant to speak anymore details. "But I assure you, he will know you were here. He might change his mind, it will all be up to him."

"But you do not understand Astrid." Lorna stated as she deeply stared at Astrid with tears welling in her eyes. "I am with child and Bard had threatened to kill me and Jezebel and," she paused to catch her breath. "Her young son."

Astrid's face melted from kindness into shock when those words hit her with force. She glanced at her lap and wetted her dry lips.

"Whose child is it?" Astrid asked calmly, yet concerned. She arose from her throne, stepping down to Lorna's level. Lorna silently stared at her, shaking her head. "Answer me! Whose child is it!?" Astrid raised her voice.

Lorna shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know." She burst into tears, clinging to Astrid's legs. "Please Astrid, have mercy on me! They do not want me back!"

Astrid pulled Lorna's tight grasp from her legs and walked slowly toward the window, thinking intensely upon the situation. She could not wrap her mind around the shocking details that were coming upon her.

"This is a trap, isn't it?" Astrid blurted, looking over her shoulder at Lorna. "You are a princess and I know to Bard you are worth more than silver or gold." She spun around on her heel, standing erect. "He sent you back to get inside then return with very important information. He would never part with you, not this easy." Astrid pointed her finger at Lorna, biting her lower lip in thought. "It is Bard's child, isn't it?"

"Possibly." Lorna whispered, dropping her head in shame. "It could also be several other men's." She glanced up at Astrid. "I do not want to go back. Please Astrid, let me stay. I am no more than a slave to them. They do not care if I am a princess, I am nothing."

Astrid bit her lower lip with a slight shake to her head. "I can lead you to the castle gates but that is as far as I go with you." She made her way back to the throne and let out a sigh. "If they do not want you, there is a small settlement just outside of the woods. They will give you food, water and a place to stay."

"Did you not hear me earlier?" Lorna asked, crawling toward Astrid's feet. "They are going to kill me if you do not return with me!"

Astrid intriguingly raised a brow and hit the bottom of her dry lip. "That is why they sent you." She nodded, closing her eyes as a wave of betrayal came over her. "They thought I would trust you, however, they do not know me very well." Astrid rose gracefully, walking toward the large, wooden doors. "I trust no one anymore. You will have to return and let them do what they must." She abruptly halted, glancing over her shoulder. "You are lucky I do not kill you myself. You do know now that war is waged and I will kill whomever I must, even if it means ones who were once my friends."

The room fell silent as Lorna began to sob uncontrollably. Astrid glared back at her coldly. rested her hand against the handle of the door, coldly staring at Lorna.

"No, Astrid!" Lorna cried, reaching her arm outward. "He is-"

Astrid already expected someone was on the other side. She jerked the door open forcefully, meeting eye to eye with Erick. A smirky half smile crept upon her face.

"Hello again, Erick." Astrid greeted coldly. "Would you please take your slave back to your world and leave me be!"

A/N: Thanks for reading! I would appreciate it if you could help me out with the title of this chapter! I am also very exited to share that I will be publishing a new story on Wattpad in the very near future. A preview will hopefully come sometime in the upcoming weeks. There will not be many more chapters left in this book until it is finished! I hope you are as anticipated as I am.

Also, how do you, as readers, feel about first person (told from narrator with the use of I)? Or, Do you prefer it or third person (he, she, etc.)? Thoughts? I need help.

Much thanks,

Sarah Jane