Chapter 13 Freija
Freija
“I watch everything you do, princess.”
“I think the princess knows what is best for her.”
Halvar’s words lingered at the back of my mind through a week of training with his soldiers, meetings with the Council, and visiting the garden.
Something about the way he said it gave me the sense that he enjoyed watching over me, protecting me, spending his time with me.
But that would be unacceptable. Inappropriate.
So far out of the realm of possibility that I shouldn’t entertain the notion.
I’d been forbidden from tangling with soldiers; I couldn’t break that rule now.
Especially not for a general—he’d likely lose his job or his life if he was found with me.
Furthermore, soldiers were told not to have dalliances with their protectees as it would endanger them both. A guard couldn’t protect if they were distracted.
Curled up on my bed, already in my fighting leathers for this afternoon’s training session, I read through a letter that had arrived this morning.
Freija ~
Heard from my friend. She said she’d be happy to help.
~ R
So this Vigdis person was amenable to helping a trip that could never happen because people were chaining me to this mountain for the rest of my life. Or, if I married one of these suitors, potentially another mountain until Father died and I became queen.
A knock sounded at my door and I shoved aside the letter to greet my guest.
“Enter.”
The door swung open.
“Good morning, my dear Freija.”
“Father,” I said, surprised to see him and his two guards up so early. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk to you about some things.”
I set aside my book, slid off the bed, and motioned for him and his gray-clad entourage to enter. “By all means.”
He shook his head. “I thought we might go on a stroll together, take in the air. I feel like I haven’t had a chance to speak with you recently. Not properly.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
“Excellent, excellent.”
He waited by the open door while I grabbed my favorite cloak from a peg on the wall. The thick, gray wool draped across my shoulders like a blanket and the silver thread around the edges glinted in the light.
I strode into the hallway, closed my door, and turned to the guard on watch. “Please inform Halvar that I’m meeting with my father and will return later for our training session.”
“Of course, your highness,” the sentry replied with a quick head bow.
Spinning to father, I found him smiling, his full cheeks pink, those weary eyes still brimming with life even after all the years he’d borne the crown.
“I’m ready. Lead the way.”
Up and up and up we climbed, winding through the forest along a steep, unmarked path chosen by Father’s personal guards, one of whom took the lead while the other protected us from the rear.
The air up here grew slightly thinner, my lungs clinging to each drop of oxygen. A cool breeze brushed my cheeks.
Once we cleared the forest, the terrain flattened and father requested the guards drop back so we could converse in private. They followed his command, keeping pace behind us, watching out for any threats.
We wandered along the flat top of the mountain, craggy boulders sticking up through the loamy terrain like stubborn weeds.
“How are things going with your new guard?”
This was what he wanted to talk about? “They’re going well.”
He peered over at me, the brows above those knowing eyes rising toward his hairline. “Freija?”
“They are.” I chuckled. “I’ll admit I wasn’t too keen on the idea at first, but the beast of a man has grown on me.”
Those brows pinched together. “I hope you haven’t formed—”
“Oh, no! Nothing like that.”
“Good,” he replied. “You know the rules.”
I did indeed. No dalliances with soldiers, the Head Guard included. “What I mean by that is I don’t wholly dislike his presence.”
No, I’d grown to like my shadow. However grumbly he may be.
We reached a copse of tall trees and followed the meandering trail through it, our cloaks dragging slightly through the needles and detritus littering the compacted soil.
“He is very good at his job,” I added.
“That’s good to hear.”
“Did you have any concerns about him or the investigation into the threats?”
He cleared his throat and tugged on his sleeves, eyes averted. What was wrong? Had I done something?
“Father, is there something you’re not telling me?”
His chest rose and fell slowly. “Another letter arrived. Threatening to harm you should we not provide funds that would amount to more than the cost of three ships.”
My mouth popped open. “Why would anyone want or need that amount of gold?” Not that we didn’t have it. Being as long-lived as we were and fae of the fjell had some perks. “And why do they… I don’t understand.”
“Sometimes people don’t have reason on their side and their actions match that disarray. It’s our duty as leaders to see through the chaos and ascertain what is truly requested.”
“So you don’t think they want to harm me?”
“Oh no, I do.” His shoulders shook with what I recognized as restrained anger from the man who could raise and fell mountains with his power. “And Halvar agrees with me.”
“You told Halvar?”
“Only him. I plan on informing the council at tomorrow’s meeting. You needn’t be present—”
I raised a hand, stopping him. “I can handle myself.”
“It’s an upsetting topic.”
“And one you don’t need to protect me from. Not anymore.”
He nodded, but concern still creased his brow and filled his gaze. “You’re right. Now, as for what they truly want: Halvar and I are starting to believe they may be some sort of gang or thieves that have set their sights on a lofty target.”
I pushed aside a tree branch, making sure it didn’t swat us in the face as we continued walking and talking through the woods. “With what’s been going on along the northern coast and the increase in thievery in general, I guess I’m not surprised.”
He shook his head. “Neither am I, but it’s still concerning.”
On that we could both agree.
The trees thinned and we stepped onto a rocky outcropping that overlooked the fjord as it snaked west toward the horizon. The majestic view was portrait-worthy, with tall trees spiraling toward the sky and crystal-clear waters reflecting the beauty of our mountains.
“Oh, and as for your earlier question about Halvar and whether or not I had concerns…”
I refocused on Father and he tilted his head from side to side.
“The only person I worried about was you,” he said. “I was concerned you’d show up to a council meeting with a plan to have him removed from service.”
“Father!”
“What?” He grinned and our conversation officially pivoted away from the threats to my life. “I know my daughter. She doesn’t like her space invaded, nor does she like someone changing her routines.”
I bit my lip. He was right. Especially about the latter. I liked order and consistency. Deviation from that set me on edge.
He pressed his fist to his mouth, smothering a cough and a laugh.
“Yes, yes.” I said. “You’re quite right. But I have accepted it and established a new routine that incorporates a defensive training regimen that Halvar believes will be beneficial to my well-being.”
“Defensive tactics?”
I nodded.
“Be sure you learn some battle strategy from him too.”
My brow furrowed as I followed his gaze and looked out over the fjord.
The morning glow glittered across the water and I tilted my face toward the sunlight.
I’d had lessons on battle strategy in the past and was abreast of all military movements from our council meetings. “Is there any specific reason?”
“I appointed that man as my Head Guard for a reason.”
“Because he was Harald’s son?” The Head Guard before Halvar.
Father shook his head. “Because he’s stronger and wiser than Harald.”
“Is that even possible?”
“He is ruthless in battle.” His gaze turned back to me. “Don’t ever get on the man’s bad side.”
“Duly noted.” I had no plans on having Halvar stand against me…
But irking him and challenging him had become a pastime I thoroughly enjoyed.
The way his lips pursed and his knuckles tightened when I dared oppose him was an appealing sight.
And when he sucked in a breath of air through his nose and held it for several moments in an effort to calm down…
Well, that brought a smirk to my lips. It was like he’d met his match, and part of me loved that I could stand up to a being with his power and history.
“You know I admire the woman you’ve become,” Father said, pulling me from my thoughts of Halvar.
My chest tightened and I swallowed hard.
“It’s true.” His eyes glinted. “Your care for this mountain and dedication to the Fjell Fae is wonderful. I have no doubt you will be an excellent Queen.”
Oh, no. Not this topic. If there was one thing I abhorred more than an upset routine, it was discussion of my ascension to the throne and what would happen to cause that.
As Queen consort my mother would not inherit the crown.
Our royal line was hereditary, where it fell to the eldest child regardless of gender.
Tears welled at the corners of my eyes and my lips trembled. He would never see me as Queen, unless he abdicated, but no monarch had ever done so and I didn’t expect him to step away from his duties either. No, in order for me to become queen, my father would have to die.
“Now, now. No tears.” He stepped up to me and the weight of his hand briefly settled on my shoulder.
“You’re the one who brought up your own death,” I muttered, trying to maintain a modicum of composure.
“We both know it will happen someday, but that day isn’t today nor is it tomorrow. I fully intend to watch you become as old and ancient as I am before these powers pass to you. Just as your grandfather did for me.”
A light chuckle escaped me and I wiped my finger beneath my eyes, chasing away the moisture that had gathered there. “You’re only a handful of centuries older than me.”
His lips kicked up at one corner into that warm and uneven smile that endeared everyone to him. “Very true and I’ve used those years well. Found peace for my people, love, and a family of my own.”
“You’ve been very fortunate.”
“Speaking of love, I’m glad you chose to invite Hans Fredrickson for a visit.”
I let out a deep sigh. There hadn’t been much choice.
He brushed his hand over his chin and let out a low and short laugh before looking over the vista again. “We have good intentions.”
“So, you were in on this too? This wasn’t just mother plotting with the Council?”
“Of course I was. You know your mother and I talk about everything.” He faced me, the corners of his eyes creasing. “And I hope you can find what we have one day. Companionship.”
I had hoped to find that, but it didn’t seem like the world wanted me to.
“Your person will come along one day.”
“Maybe,” I replied, and my mind flicked to an image of sky-blue eyes and a hint of a smirk. I shook myself from the thought of Halvar. How dare my mind follow such a path?
Before I could let myself think on it further, I hooked my arm through Father’s. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to convince you to let me go on a research trip?”
He patted my arm. “I’m surprised it took you this long to ask.”
I scoffed. “Was my displeasure with the meeting that clear?”
“Like a window pane.” He smiled. “At least to me. Not sure everyone else noticed, but I do still agree with them. Your safety is my highest priority and such a venture would not be wise.”
I let out a sigh. At least I’d tried. “Very well, let’s get back inside. I’m sure you have a lot to attend to instead of talking to me about my nonexistent love life. Did you get a chance to read the reports from the Lofoten mountain range?”
He cleared his throat and turned us back toward the waiting soldiers by the tree line. “You’re always so attentive to these things.”
I’d been forced to as the heir, but part of me would always be inclined to assist my people, my home. The mountain would always be the most important thing in my life. “I’m happy to help.”
Back inside the mountain, I gave my father a tight embrace, dropping him off at the glittering archway to the throne room before heading back through the tunnels to my living quarters.
I rounded the corner and found Halvar leaning against the wall beside my rooms, one foot propped up on it, the earlier sentry gone.
“How long have you been here?” I asked as I drew to a stop in front of him.
“Doesn’t matter,” he replied. “What did the King want?”
I did not want to continue talking about my love life or the absolute failure my travel proposal had been met with. “That’s between me and him.”
A low noise that I couldn’t decipher rocked through his chest.
“Shall we train?”
He nodded. Ever the silent type. Although, over the past week or so, he had slowly been opening up. At least around me.
“Follow me,” he rumbled and strode down the hall.
I tightened my cloak around my neck and followed.