The last forest trees passed us, as we reached the village. I was quite nervous, as this would be my first interaction with the townspeople of Nordfjord and I hope they would accept me as their future queen.

We got off our horses as numerous families welcomed us with open hands. Kids who were playing moments ago stopped to see these strangers, men greeted their King and the guards, while the women welcomed me with open arms.

We all gathered at the main hall and watched as the women prepared us a welcoming feast. Nathaniel was swept away from the older men and I found myself alone.

I wanted to help the women in the kitchen, but they forbade me from entering as it would be an insult to their hospitality. I decided to walk around the village and greet some new faces.

A few moments later I heard a whisper and quiet sobs. I became alert and walked towards the owner of those cries. I saw a small figure huddled behind a bush as the child's shoulder shook.

"Hi there, what is the matter? Why is a beautiful girl shedding tears?"

I spoke in a soft voice as the young girl, as the young child gasped at my voice. I smiled softly, hoping I hadn't scared her. She wiped her tears away from her chubby cheeks and tucked her blond hair behind her ears.

"The older kids did not let me play. They said I'm too young and bad at it. How can I be better when I'm not given a chance?"

"You are a very smart girl, do you know that? Well, would you like to play with me?"

"You will play with me? Yes, what are we going to play?"

"I will show you in a second. Now I need a thick stick and a sandy place. Do you think you can show me such a setting?"

"Yes, here is a stick and there is a place behind my house. Let's go!"

She said excitedly as we began walking towards the little girl's home. She held the skirt of my dress and tugged it lightly, as I sent her a questioning glance.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Avani. What is yours?"

"My name is Elizabeth, but you can call me Eli."

"That's a beautiful name, Eli."

"Thank you. I- I like your name too, Avani."

I chuckled at her shy state, as she rubbed her tiny hands on her cheeks to hide the blush. Her footsteps ceased as I saw the sandy terrain.

Bending down, I drew squares with the stick in different patterns. This is a game I vividly remember playing with my mother as a young girl. I felt my heart flutter at the thought of playing it again after more than a decade.

She waited patiently until I finished carving the lines and picked up a medium-sized rock. I turned around with a mischievous smile as she looks at me in confusion.

"Are you ready to play this game, Eli?"

"How do I play it?"

"I will throw the rock within the circle and you will have to reach for it, but can only be in the squares. If you step outside of it, then you would have to try again."

After a couple of tries, Eli got the hang of the game and I felt myself being drifted to my childhood memories. I missed my mother, but I no longer yearn to be with her, not so soon anyway. She is happy with her husband, as I am with mine.

I heard the crack of a stick and saw a little boy hiding behind the house. He noticed that I saw him, and came towards Eli and me. His eyes wandered to her playing the game and in an instant, I understood he was interested in playing too.

"Hi there, would you like to play this game?"

He timidly nodded his head and finding her first friend near her age, Eli excitedly grabbed his arm and explained the rules of the game.

After him, a few more kids started to join us one by one, and I played alongside them. It has been a few hours and the kids moved onto another game. I felt someone's eyes looking at me and turned around to see my husband.

I dusted the sand off my dress and stood up from the floor to greet my husband. He walked towards me and my own feet moved in his direction when there was suddenly a tug on my skirt.

I ceased my movements and looked down to see Eli hold onto my dress with her dear life. She looked up at me with scared eyes and hid most of herself behind my dress.

"What's wrong Eli?"

"That's- that's the King. Mommy told me about him. He looks scary. We have to hide."

I wanted to laugh at her dilemma but also understood her. I was scared like her when I first saw Nathan, but now I knew he is as harmless as a fly to those who are dear to him.

"I assure you, he is a kind soul."

"How do you know that?"

"Well, she is my wife."

My husband stood in front of us, as he towered over both of our heights. Eli squealed in fright before hiding behind my dress.

I pushed Nathaniel's chest so he wouldn't be so close and look so scary. I could only imagine how he traumatized that little girl.

"You are the Queen then, Avani. I mean Queen Avani."

"For you, I will always be your friend, not a Queen."

She smiled at that before peeking a look at my husband. He tried to give a gentle smile which looked quite comical compared to his scary physique.

"You seem to be my wife's new friend. Thank you for taking care of her and being her friend."

"You- you welcome, your highness."

"If you are my wife's friend, then you are my friend, call me Nathan."

"Very well then. My name is Elizabeth, but you can call me Eli."

She finally seemed to get comfortable with him as she dragged him towards the playing court. I laughed as all the kids looked scared to see my husband. They warmed up to him in a few moments, and in a long time, I saw my husband so carefree and happy.

My hands flew to my stomach instinctively, imagining our own bairn growing there. I knew it would be only a matter of time before I would carry my husband's heir.

I heard the laughing stop and looked to see the kids and my husband tired from playing. Eli seemed to notice me as she ran in my direction. She sat down beside me and placed her head on my shoulder.

"Did you have a fun time?"

"Yes! We played a lot of games and now the kids won't be mean anymore. Thank you, Avani."

She hugged me as I hugged her back. I knew how it felt to be excluded and I'm proud of myself for including her and helping her with her life.

"Nathaniel wasn't that scary, was he now?"

"No, he's so fun and good at games. He's so nice and pretty too."

She said the last word quietly and blushed. I laughed at the sight of a little girl having a crush on my husband. He woos women of all ages and cultures, yet I felt my heart flutter at the thought of being the only woman to woo him.

Eli joined the rest of the kids as they walked back to the central hall for our dinner feast. I got back up the floor and Nathan waited patiently for me to join him. Linking my arm in his, I rested my head on his muscular arms and sighed in happiness.

"It seems a little girl is fond of you."

I say teasingly as he sent me a question glance. He seemed to understand but contained a mischievous glance.

"You are not a little girl anymore."

"Not me you brute."

I slap his arm and ran in front of him. I laughed as he wraps his arms around my waist for a few moments before twirling me to face him. My eyes moved from his eyes to his lips, as his eyes followed mine. We were closing our distance when someone called our names.

"My lord, the food is turning cold. Please hurry!"

"We're coming"

He yelled in response but proceeded to lean in for the kiss until I moved my face away from his.

"I do love you, but God knows I love food more."

He groaned in displeasure as I got out from his grasp and turned to walk back into the large hall, ignoring his lustful stare from behind me. We proceeded to pray and eat the delicious food prepared by these villagers.

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