Chapter 3
Three
Queen Emeline
TWO DAYS LATER
“We will set up camp here,” Louis says, gesturing with his chin to a clearing in the thick trees. “There is shelter and a stream for water. I’m sure there are animals to hunt and feed.”
Nodding, I dismount my horse, my wobbly legs almost giving out from beneath me.
“My Queen!” Louis swoops down to help me, but I wave him off.
“Louis, for us to remain in secret, you must not refer to me as your queen.”
He gasps, horrified that I would suggest such a thing.
“As your queen, I command it,” I say with a smile.
He nods, but I can read his displeasure. “As you wish, milady.”
I can’t believe the relief I feel at being addressed that way. It’s the first time in a long time that I have felt like me. The weight of the kingdom comes second because the only thing that matters is finding my sons.
I lead my horse to water, allowing him to have a well-deserved drink.
“What troubles you?” Catherine asks, as she too allows her horse to drink.
She knows me too well.
“Circumstances are dire, my love. We ride into Daneland, and even though the outcome is unknown, I have never felt more…alive. This is the first time in a very long time that I have felt…free. The responsibilities that come with being queen are tiresome. I do not complain, but I begin to wonder if I made the right choice.”
“You mean with Skarth?”
My heart aches just hearing his name.
“Aye. I cannot help but imagine a life where it is just he and I, and you and our sons. Would life be simpler? I do not know, as hindsight does not favor anyone. But even when I was fearful for my life and close to death, I still felt more at peace than I do now.
“It does not make sense. But what is all of this without those you love? I fight to improve my people's lives, but what about me? I know that is selfish because being a leader is about sacrifice, but I have given up so much. Was it all for nothing?”
Catherine links her hand through mine. “If it were not for you, I would be dead. So it is not for nothing.”
I turn to look at her with nothing but pride. “I do not believe that for you, my love, are far more resilient than you think.”
“Only because I have you to follow as guidance. This is a man’s world. We are seen as inferior. But you have not allowed that to stop your vision. No man has ever stopped you. In fact, I believe you do what you do just to spite them.”
I can’t contain my chuckle because she’s right.
“My entire life, it has been expected of me to obey, and I did that once upon a time, which is why I refuse to do it again.
The only men who ever treated me like an equal were Skarth and Ulf.
The very men the Englishmen label as heathens or pagans are far more educated and respectful than our fellow countrymen.
“If I can teach you one thing in this world, it is to never allow a man to control you. Be truthful to yourself because, in the end, we come into this world alone, and that is how we die.” I squeeze Catherine’s fingers with love.
“I never said this before, but thank you for always treating me with nothing but kindness and love. I have always felt like your family.”
“That’s because you are, my sweetling.”
She smiles with tears in her eyes, which is a rarity for Catherine. I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen her shed tears, for she is far braver than anyone I have ever met, which is why I decided to do something that would surely upset the ealdormen.
“You are courageous, clever, and think as a true warrior should. I do not trust anyone more than you to fight alongside in battle. Therefore, I announce you a knight of the queen…if that is what you want?”
Catherine takes a moment to process what I just offered. If she accepts, she will be the first woman sworn into knighthood. This is unheard of…which is why she lets go of my hand and kneels in front of me.
“I humbly accept, my Queen.”
Louis appears, offering me his sword.
Accepting, I place the sword on her right shoulder. “Repeat after me. I, Catherine of Northumbria, do solemnly swear and pledge my allegiance to Queen Emeline, Queen of Northumbria and Mercia. I will defend and obey her until death shall take me. I uphold my honor of knighthood with promise.”
I’ve never felt prouder as she repeats those words.
Once she has finished, I move the sword to her left shoulder. “Arise and be recognized as a knight of the queen.”
Catherine lifts her chin, a tear sliding down her cheek.
“My daughter, the first knight in history…and I could not be prouder.” I cup her cheek gently, brushing away her tear.
Catherine stands and hugs me tight. “Have we upset the Lord?”
“I fear I angered him long ago, and here I still stand.”
And it is the truth.
I have never felt further away from my God than I do now. Even in times of utter desolation, I was still able to find solace in Him. But not now.
When I hear the gentle rustling of leaves, it seems my faith is to be tested once again.
Still wrapped in an embrace with Catherine, I discreetly whisper into her ear, “There is someone in the trees.”
Catherine gasps but remains calm. “How many?”
“I cannot see, but from what I can hear, there is only one…one with light footing.”
“You can hear that amongst the wind and nature?” she asks, surprised.
“Yes, for you forget, I was taught by the best warrior this land has ever seen.”
Skarth taught me to use all my senses, and often, the clues are in what you do not see or hear. The universe speaks to us—we just need to listen.
I close my eyes and peel back the outer layers, focusing on the undercurrent that speaks to me in hushed whispers. The noise came from my left, and the moment I let out an exhale, I hear someone’s footsteps along a branch.
Without hesitating, I throw my blade toward the tree, and when I hear a yelp, followed by a surprised cry, I open my eyes and see a tuff of long blond hair tumbling to the ground.
Pushing Catherine aside to safety, I run toward the stranger, but when he lifts his chin, I come to a stop and raise my hands. “I mean you no harm.”
The stranger is a young boy, and by his clothing, I know he is a Dane.
“You threw your blade at me,” he spits, yanking it out of his leather vest, which stopped the blade from piercing his skin. He stands angrily.
“It was a warning. What are you doing, sneaking around in the trees, seggr?”
His anger soon fades, replaced by shock that a Saxon knows his native tongue.
“How do you know that word? You are Saxon.”
“What is your name?”
He narrows those piercing blue eyes. “Halfdan.”
“Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Halfdan. My name is Emeline.”
His surprise only grows. “Emeline? You once were considered more Dane than Saxon.”
Nice to see my legacy still looms. However, hearing it spoken about in the past tense saddens me because the Danes now only know me as the Queen of Northumbria.
“I am pleased you know my name. Your family is in Daneland?”
He nods.
“Take me to them.”
Lord Louis clears his throat. “Milady, may I speak with thee?”
Halfdan snorts when he hears Lord Louis speak, for he is accustomed to gruffer than manners.
I walk to where Lord Louis stands, concern etched on his face. “Emeline, we cannot just enter Daneland. We don’t know who this boy is. What if it is a trap? May I suggest we go quietly, undetected, instead of following a wee lad who may be leading us into dire circumstances?”
I ponder over his suggestion for a mere second, but smile. “Of course you may suggest such a thing, but that does not mean I shall listen.”
“Of course you shall not,” he replies with a sigh.
“Lead the way, Halfdan.”
He eyes me, still suspicious, so I reach under the collar of my dress and show him the Mjolnir pendant.
“It is true,” he whispers in awe. “You are the Viking Princess.”
“Is that what they call me?” I ask, unable to hold back my happiness at the term.
He nods, his mouth still parted in shock.
“Do you know of the man who was my prince?”
Soon, everything quietens as it seems like the universe is also listening.
“Yes,” he finally replies. “He is a god amongst men. Some even fear to speak his name for they believe his wrath will punish those who do not obey his law.”
“Will you say his name?”
Halfdan shakes his head quickly.
“If I say it, will you confirm it is the same man we speak of?”
His apprehension is clear, but he eventually concedes.
“The man you speak of, this god amongst men, his name is Skarth the Godless, is it not?”
Halfdan inhales sharply. “Yes.”
My heart begins to beat faster and faster. “Do you know where he is?”
“No one knows,” he says, confirming my worst fears. “He travels from place to place, ensuring all is well with our people. If not, he rights the wrongs, punishing those who dare to disobey the peace he fought so hard for.
“Then, it is said, he vanishes into the night, as if not really there at all.”
Halfdan’s description may sound like folklore to get little children to behave, telling them that if they don’t, the big bad Skarth will come for them in the night, but I know this tale is based on truth.
Skarth also sacrificed so much for his people, and he will be damned if it’s all in vain.
His honor has me loving him so much more.
It’s been so long since I last saw him, I’ve almost forgotten what he looks like. However, I think this may be the case for me when it comes to coping with the loss.
I push aside my sorrows and focus on what’s important—and that’s finding Skarth any way I can.
* * *
Halfdan has strayed quite far from his home.
But this isn’t unusual for a Dane. Skarth once told me that young men are expected to venture alone and fend for themselves to introduce them into manhood.
Tales of fighting bears to the death with their bare hands, to hearing their gods talk to them, are vast amongst the Vikings, and I wonder if my sons will also want to partake in their heritage.
The thought of them only has me riding faster and harder because time isn’t on our side.