Chapter 39: The End of an Adventure

Erika entwined her arm with Astrid's and began strolling back to the shorelines. Astrid focused on the dead corpses that were being carted and placed into a large pile. Beside the docks, the Northmen gathered their dead onto a longship, placing them around the edges along with wild flowers, branches, and leaves.

"You cannot worry about it Astrid," Erika paused, taking Astrid by the shoulders. Astrid glanced at her then back at the dead. "They are with their gods now."

Astrid nodded in agreement, pressing forward through the thick muck. "I will pray for their souls." She stated, leaving Erika behind.

Slowly, Astrid walked down the crowed path toward the edge of the sea, where she stood alone. Her mind was empty, as was her heart. She longingly looked out across the clear, rippling water. Her mind drifted away from the shore into an imaginary world inside her head, a place where she would go when there was nobody else there for her.

"I can only imagine how you must feel." Jezebel spoke from behind, reluctant to approach Astrid. "I know you must hate me, just like I hate myself for everything that I have done."

Astrid never responded, instead she began to count the rolling waves in the water as a steady wind blew.

"I just want you to know that I am truly sorry for everything I have done." Jezebel said apologetically, stepping forward. "I made decisions that not only hurt you, but me as well and everyone around me. Everything I done was to fulfill my own selfish desires," she paused looking around at the horrific sights. "Now look  at what it has caused."

"It was not entirely your fault." Astrid reassured Jezebel, glancing over her shoulder. "We all had a part to play in the outcome of this."

"You do not understand, Astrid!" Jezebel cried out, rushing to Astrid's side. "I told them to go after you because I did not want anything to happen to Erick or I. I did not think Bard would become a monster." Jezebel hung her head in shame. "I tried so hard to protect those I loved, but now look!" She shouted, covering her face. "My only son is dead and I cannot bring him back."

Astrid faced Jezebel, lifting her face to hers. "I am sorry for what happened to you son, I truly am; but I do not feel sorry for you in the least. For we have lost something we love due to the inconsiderable actions of others." She forced a smile at the corner of her lips. "I am forever changed because of your actions, and there is nothing to fix that. The past cannot be redone, all we can do is accept the change that it has brought and press forward with our lives."

"Come back with me so we can have a new start." Jezebel suggested, grasping Astrid's hand. "It will be the only way I can live with myself."

Astrid peered back at Jezebel, staring coldly into her eyes. "Do you take me for a fool? I would never return with you." She swallowed, and gave Jezebel a smile. "However, I forgive you. That is only right of me." Astrid paused, glancing at the sky. "My mother would have wanted that; and if you wish, I will see that your son has a proper burial."

Jezebel dropped to Astrid's feet and wrapped her arms around her ankles. "Thank you, Astrid." She closed her eyes, refraining herself from crying. "For everything." She stared gratefully at Astrid. "But mainly for saving me again. I can never repay you."

Astrid pulled Jezebel up. "All you must do, is leave and never return." She nodded, releasing her grasp on Jezebel. "This is our final farewell. You shall never see me again, but before I leave I want you to know that I truly loved you like my mother and you killed me..." Her voice trailed off. "But I could never hate you, no matter how much I wanted to or what I did; and I still can not hate you."

"You were the daughter that I never had." Jezebel replied, touching Astrid's cheek. "And what I did, killed me too."

Astrid turned from Jezebel, staring at the world around her. "Farewell Jezebel."

"Before you leave" Jezebel said, reaching for Astrid. "Tell Lorna to keep her child, and that she will need it just like it will need her. Allow her to stay here, Oliefsborg is not her home. It is not where she needs to be. Please tell her that." She finished speaking. "Farewell Astrid."

¤§¤

Astrid hesitantly entered the empty throne room. A sense of peace and security came over Astrid's as she glanced around the the brightly lit space. Slowly she walked toward the high-backed thrones, where she abruptly stopped in her tracks when her eyes locked on the single crown placed upon the king's  unoccupied throne. At that moment her heart sank, as she remembered Deman.

Her eyes remained fixated on the cold reminder. A crown without its ruler. A crown without a King. She thought silently to herself, running her trembling fingers along the arms of the throne until her fingertips touched the cold, golden crown.

"Why did you have to go?" Astrid shyly whispered, tears pricking her tired eyes. "You did not even get to see what we have accomplished. If only you could have seen your brave men fighting with honor in your name!" She proudly spoke, wiping away the tears that stained her cheeks. "Your kingdom is safe now." Astrid paused, staring at the opposite throne, which held her glistening crown. She poised herself gracefully before placing the diadem atop her head "I promise you, wherever you may be, that I will do everything I can for our people." She nodded with a smile, as she knelt down beside the chair. "I will never forget you..." Astrid whispered, resting her hand lightly upon the golden trimming. "for I will always love you, no matter what. I only wish I had longer with you." She swallowed the hard lump that built in her throat. "This is my goodbye to you, Deman, we might meet again one day, if I am lucky."

Astrid rose to her feet, smoothing out her bunched up dress, and eased down onto her throne.

"Your farewells were beautiful, my love." Deman's deep voice echoed against the empty walls.

Astrid glanced around started. "Deman?" She questioned confused, rising from where she sat. "Is that you?"

Deman chuckled slightly, before making himself known. "Look up, Astrid."

Astrid eyes roamed up the corridors, and focused on the balcony, where Deman stood proudly.

"You are alive?" She bewilderingly asked, stepping from the short platform.

Deman's hands roamed down the front of his body. "I am here, in the flesh." He spoke as he walked down the spiral staircase, where he met Astrid face to face.

"You're alive." Astrid mumbled, reluctantly touching his stubbly cheek. Suddenly, she pulled him into an embrace, holding him tightly in her grasp. "You do not know what this means to me!"

The happy reunion was cut short as Camilla entered the throne room. "My lady." She spoke, bowing before them. "Forgive me for interrupting but there is someone would like to speak with you."

Astrid looked at Deman, who nodded. Camilla quickly left, returning with Knute at her side.

"Everyone is leaving." Knute said, bowing respectfully to Deman and Astrid. "I want to ask you if you will allow me to remain here. I will live on the outside of the walls and I will pledge my loyalty to you."

Astrid glanced at Deman, who thought intensely in silence. He furrowed his brow and nodded in agreement.

"You may stay. All I ask is to please not interfere with me." Astrid replied, stepping closer toward him.

Knute agreed with a smile. "I would also like to ask for Lorna's hand in marriage. I know she must feel alone, just like I do." He paused studying Astrid's blank reaction. "I promise to give her a good life. This time I am not lying."

"Very well." Astrid remarked. "You have my blessings. When I see Lorna again, I will share my blessings with her."

"Thank you Astrid." Knute spoke. "For everything."

Astrid smiled with a nod. "You are welcome."

Knute bowed once again before exiting the room.

¤§¤

Astrid looked down on the quiet village with a wide grin plastered on her bruised face. The warm sun kissed her skin as she walked onto the balcony. Her heart felt peace as she glanced around at the changing world. Birds soared high over her, crying out their caws of freedom. She felt a wave of emotion come over her as she watched the fleets of longboats sailing away from the shore, returning to their homelands.

"What are you thinking of, my beloved?" Deman asked, following Astrid outside.

She turned to him with a smile. "Look around, everything is going the way it should be." She looked around once again, taking Deman by his hand. "Bard is dead. Lorna is fine. Erick is at peace, as is Knute." She paused and glanced at him while a smile crept onto her face. "You are alive and well."

Deman smiled, placing his rough hand upon her cheek. "More importantly, you are happy and at peace."

Astrid stared down at the ground, before nervously pressing her hands over her stomach. "There is something I must tell you." She mumbled, hesitantly looking up. "I do not know how you will feel about it, either."

Deman looked at her confused, pressing his hand against her cheek. "What is it, my love?"

Astrid swallowed the nervous lump that formed in her throat. "Your bloodline will not die." She announced, pressing her lips together. "It is alive in me."

Deman's face went blank as he dropped to his knees, pressing his hands against Astrid's stomach.

"This is wonderful!" He spoke joyfully, placing a light kiss upon her stomach. "This makes me very happy." He rose, straightening his posture. "You will be a wonderful mother." He pulled her into an embrace, kissing the top of her head.

Astrid closed her eyes, taking in the calming moment.

"To think, I was just a Viking slave." She whispered, looking across the land. "I had nothing left, not even my own name belonged to me." She shook her head, fighting back tears of joy. "Now look at me," her fingers nervously traced along the blue silk dress she wore. "I am a queen."

"You were a queen worth waiting for." Deman added, releasing Astrid. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Astrid Egger."

Astrid let out a slight chuckle, looking down at her lap. "What would my family say now? They would never believe where I have gotten."

"They would have been proud of the strong and beautiful woman you have become." Deman spoke softly, patting her back lightly.

Astrid nodded with a smile. "I will see them again one day. But until then, I will continue with their memory."

Deman placed a kiss on her forehead. "That is the spirit of my queen."

Astrid looked at him, smiling a meek smile. She knew the war was over. She was not a slave no longer, nor worried to ever become one again. Happiness was in her. She was where she needed to be... Astrid was finally home.

Thanks so much for reading! This is the final chapter and I can't believe it. The support each of you have given me has been wonderful. Thank you for allowing me to share with you this story.

God Bless,

Sarah Jane

💗