I let out a loud sigh as the sun's brightness engulfed my face, making my already closed lids clench tighter at the abrupt window of light on my features.

I rolled away from the source of light to Aderick's side of the large bed, immediately noticing the icy coldness of his absence.

I muffled a groan before opening my eyes to notice that there was barely an imprint of his long body into the furs, as though he was here for only a moment then left. My brows pulled together as I fumbled to remember a meeting or an event occurring within the village that would acquire his attention so early. Not to mention he forgot to kiss me goodbye like he typically did when he left at such an ungodly hour to go off and walk around the land or what needed tending to.

Not thinking too deeply about the slight differentiation to our normal morning habits, I rubbed my eyes and threw the covers off and slid down to the floor to bury my toes in the fur below.

I raised my arms upwards in a stretch before strolling to the basin of water to splash my face and hands. Pressing a towel to my dripping face, I faintly heard a knock on the door before it opened to the usual servants bringing in the tub of steaming water for my morning bath. The woman following right behind them smiled brightly at me before setting the cloths and vials of scented oils down on the desk.

A loud purr and a soft thump on the floor following the new noise alerted me of my kitten's new state. I bent to pick her up, rubbing her head and scratching behind her ears. Her brown fur felt like silk along my fingers.

I cooed and murmured to her, pausing when I heard a low sound of a throat being cleared. I froze, a sheepish smile tugging at my lips as I looked at the thralls watching me with amusement. I lowered my gaze before lifting a shoulder.

Before the water could have the chance to cool, I set her down. Smiling and nodding in thanks, I dismissed them with a small wave of my hand before slipping down into the hot water with a loud sigh. I added oils then bathed till the water around me was lukewarm.

Once I dried off, I pulled on a comfortable slip and purple dress with gold stitching along the hem and sleeves. The part I loved most about the dress was the soft gray fur lining the shoulders and chest bone, a sophisticated attachment that made me feel powerful and beautiful. I wrapped my still wet hair in a low bun at the base of my neck and braided the hair around my temples, styling it in a fashion that was proper for a newly wedded woman.

Just before I left the chambers, I glanced back toward the bed noting absently my cat going back to sleep, my forehead wrinkling ever so slightly at the peculiar feeling inside of me that something was amiss.

I shook the thoughts aside before turning away. I walked quietly toward the food hall, nodding to those that passed me, servant or a person from the village. Strolling through the doorway, I instantly noticed the bareness of the crowded dining in the hall. Nearly every morning, there were large groups of warriors leaned over the tables or raising a fuss over an instance they heard within village gossip, their hearty laughs and booming voices were something that I grew accustomed to and looked forward to each morning.

I paused, the soft murmurs of the women and children and the louder sounds of the benches moving across the floor was a soothing sound yet the feeling within me screamed that something was wrong - and that I was aware of nothing.

I moved to my chair in the front of the large room and carefully sat down, gazing around the hall in bewilderment. Those that noticed my concentrated stare smiled in return and I forced my lips to pull up slightly to make them at ease.

On the outside, I was calm, patiently waiting for my food to arrive. Inwardly, my insides were twisting now with worry and confusion.

A servant quickly brought a trencher of porridge and fruit, but I barely noticed him as I continued looking around, wondering if this was all a big jest that Aderick decided to create to tease me.

A loud tired sigh to my left made me shake out of my haze, now focusing on Ingrid who dropped down in her chair with a grimace. Her features were pallid and seemingly weak. Odd.

She shoved a hand to brush away stray tendrils of dark hair from her clammy skin, and I swore her flesh turned an odd color as the same servant from before placed a trencher full of food in front of her then left. She swallowed tightly before gently pushing the food away from her. Her dark eyes met mine and she smiled weakly. I raised a brow at her in question, she opened her mouth before pausing then closing it.

A hint of color touched her cheeks before a small hand brushed along her lap then settled there protectively. More so, her lower belly.

"I am with child," She whispered softly, a wide genuine smile gracing her face as she looked down at her belly then back up at me.

I let out a squeal of excitement, pushing down my frustrations at the time to simmer low within and basking in the joyful moment for Ingrid. I hugged her gently, careful of her new condition, squeezing for a breath before pulling back to sit back comfortably in my chair.

The happiness I felt for Ingrid bled along the memory of Astrid when she told me she was with child with Leif and the babe, making this bittersweet.

"Do you know how far along?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Nei, but I am plagued with sickness each morning and the thought of porridge turns my belly. It goes away after some time, but by the gods is it powerful. I assume that I am a few months along."

I nodded, remembering the same signs from Astrid's time with Leif and the babe.

"My sister was troubled like you when she was in the first stages of being with child, though it went away after several months. I have heard 'tis different for every woman and her babe."

Ingrid nodded in thought, I assumed she was feeling hopeful that this passing sickness would end soon. Though I remained quiet to all the other symptoms that Astrid told me about, ones that only the women discussed because it made the husbands go pale or protective.

Ingrid bit her lip, a hesitant look crossed her face as her hand unknowingly rubbed her belly and her dark eyes flickered between myself and the table.

"What?" I inquired. Her face flushed, but the curiosity in her eyes was too obvious.

"Do you imagine that you could be with child as well?" The slight longing in her eyes developed to the forefront.

I blinked before sitting back. I had not thought of possibly being with child already. I knew that it could take time, numerous tries, but so soon?

Was I ready for children? Deep within in me answered, ja! Was it possible for me to be with child this quickly? What would Aderick think of this?

I would love any child of Aderick and myself. They were a part of us, the best qualities of our love. But I did not show any of the symptoms like Ingrid or Astrid...doubt clouded my judgment.

The disappointment was there, though I knew it was too early to dismiss it. I would only have to pray to the gods if it was in their will for me to have a child at this time.

"I do not know," I said quietly.

"Oh," Ingrid let out, crestfallen.

I reached my hand across the wooden table to grasp hers. I squeezed her hand in comfort and stared into her dark weary eyes as I said, "I worked alongside the women that helped birth my nephews and nieces, you shall be fine and well. You do not need me to be with child as well to help you go through it. Our family here shall help you through this, that is what we are for. You must eat and remain nimble, that is what my family has found to be best for a mother and the babe."

Ingrid's bright smile lightened my worried soul and we continued talking about children as the hall flowed with people like waves of the sea at my home. After a long period of time, none of the familiar men, including Aderick and Ragnar, arrived in the hall. My foot began tapping in frustration under my skirt. Before I could start cursing a dark streak about my husband, I turned to Ingrid who was picking at her food.

"Where are the men?"

She froze, in such a manner in which I frowned and grew suspicious. I crossed my arms and opened my mouth to ask why she acted so quaint.

"Ladies," Balder abruptly said, pulling out a chair near me and gracefully sat down.

I cut my eyes over to him as he dug into the trencher in front of him, oblivious to the sudden tension betwixt Ingrid and I.

"Balder? Do you know of the men's, more so my husband's, whereabouts?" I said slowly.

"He is away," Balder replied absently, taking a drink from the cup in front of him.

"Balder..." I warned low, my brows raising.

His golden eyes flashed with an unreadable emotion before he sighed and looked down at the table before locking eyes with mine.

"Aderick and the men are gone."

I suddenly stood from my chair, the loud scraping against the floor brought unwanted attention to our side of the large room. I ignored it and curled my hands into deep fists so I could prevent myself from throwing something...or worse, punching Balder.

"G-Gone? What do you mean, gone?" I sputtered in disbelief, my arms rising to cross my chest in shock from Balder's outlandish words.

He remained tight-lipped as he nodded in confirmation.

I knew something was wrong, off, but this?

I turned away from him and Ingrid, facing the wall behind our chairs. I wanted to run my hands through my hair with worry, hurt, and fury. To scream aloud.

But I did not. I had to be careful in front of the people throughout the hall enjoying their morning meal. The show a wild emotion that was not celebratory nor passionate would create a sense of unease to spread, and with Aderick gone, I did not wish to confront the people before I knew everything.

I turned and slowly sank into Aderick's chair, the surprise and brewing feeling of frustration stirring in my chest as the realization of Aderick's absence and lack of proper farewell hit me.

How could he not say goodbye when he was leaving for an unknown amount of time?

Gods know how long he was going to be gone, I doubted he knew as well, but for a peculiar reason, I felt betrayed that I could not see him off as he and the men left our home.

My mind boiled with fury and images of a particular begging and pleading husband soothed only a slight part of my anger. Thoughts of ways he could grovel for my forgiveness sprang to mind, and I inwardly smiled with glee as they were dark, teasing, and to be truthful, pleasing for me in the end.

Balder's guilty face along with Ingrid's irked one displayed that I was purposefully left in the dark.

"You knew?" I asked Ingrid accusingly.

She nodded before swallowing. "Ja, Ragnar told me before he left. I believed that Ade would have already told you before he left as well, but I am not surprised either. He does not care, once he sets his mind to something, he shall follow through no matter."

Curse that man to the depths of hell and back, I swore inwardly. My fingers drummed a fast-paced rhythm on the wood, the texture of the grains irritating my skin.

If he believed he could come home into my warm awaiting arms, then he was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Balder watched me carefully as I sat quietly, thinking of more ways I could torture my husband at his idiocy. My unfocused gaze was across the hall, but my mind continued to whirl. What if he was wounded while gone, unable to return due to his pain? What if he did not return at all?

The very thought caused my features to pale and a slow churning knot built within my belly, making me nauseous thinking of being a relict so soon, forced to rule over a people that I was still getting to know.

If he did such a thing to me, leaving me on my own here in this world, I would follow him to Valhalla to make him pay and seek my rightful revenge.

I began cursing darkly aloud, the overwhelming emotions within needing a path of release.

Ingrid stiffened as she caught my words and left out a huff of laughter before choking it down with food. Balder's raised brows displayed his surprise at my vile words against my husband.

I swiveled my head to face Balder once more. "Do you know how long they are planned to be gone? Did he tell you how long he believed so?"

I sounded desperate and beyond indignant, but at the moment I did not care.

He shook his head, his dark brows dropping. "They are going to be gone until what needs to be finished is completed. It could possibly take a fortnight or several months. Ade wants these issues around the stranger and Marit's disappearance fixed."

I nodded unconsciously, understand the need to fix the dark ominous haze that surrounded Aderick and I. I glanced down at the table, my appetite long gone. Pity, as the servants in the food preparation section of the manor worked diligently on each meal.

"Kare left as well to join the other men. He wished to seek out the man who is terrorizing you and kill him himself." Ingrid quietly offered when a servant passed by our table, careful of yearning ears.

Kare too? I was not surprised, my brother loved the thrill of scouting and fighting. He was the best swordsman in our village back home. Ran was the archer of the family, he could hit any target he set his eyes upon.

I glanced back to Balder, who seemed a bit stiff as he sat with Ingrid and me without any of the other men.

"I am hesitant to ask, but why did you stay? Were you forced?"

He paused, setting his cup down before looking at me. "Ja, Aderick persuaded me to stay behind and watch the manor as well as make sure you were safe."

I let out a dry laugh. "Sure, Balder, he persuaded you to stay. He made you stay back, did he not?"

His slight nod affirmed my suspicions. That man was too much at times...

"Let us take a walk and let the open air cleanse our minds from the news," Balder said quietly before rising. I too rose and let him lead the way.

Ingrid murmured in agreement and rose to follow us out of the hall and out the large doors to head down the hill toward the village. I quietly observed the chilled atmosphere and surroundings of trees, houses, and people. Winter was soon on the cusp of arriving, sprinkles of fresh snow arriving each early morn then melting when the sun rose. The natural sign of a new change also brought a worry with it - Eir's foretold fate of Aderick and I was never far from my mind.

I was glad to have my thick dress and fur lining on, the chill breeze cutting through the fabric at my wrists. I shivered before wrapping my arms tightly around my body.

As we passed people within the village, we smiled and spoke in passing to others before heading on a path towards the trees. I had been through it once prior, as Ingrid insisted that generations of Dahlsten people have walked and played in this part of the forest and it was important that I learned so that I could pass it along to my young ones when the time came.

The three of us were quiet aside from the crunching of the ground below us, immersed in our thoughts as we took the aged and weathered course of the forest.

I dropped back, slowing my steps to study the two kin in front of me, my thoughts whirling of family and futures, but also pasts. The Dahlsten family was full of secrets, heartache, and layers in which I felt as though I would never be able to unravel. I still wished to know about Aderick's mother, why Larse Dahlsten killed a woman that birthed two wonderful people. But Balder and Hilde? From his facade of aloofness and jestful nature and Hilde's shy and eremetic personality, 'twas obvious that there was more hidden under their appearances.

"Pardon that I ask, but I have been wondering about your family Ingrid and Balder...both of Aderick's parents are passed, though I have some word about Aderick and Ingrid's mother, but where are yours, Balder?" I walked further to be inbetwixt the cousins and played with the golden stitches along my arm, glancing up to Balder's serious face to judge his reaction.

We continued walking in silence until we approach an opening through the treeline, an icy stream in front of us creating a soft comforting noise of water hitting rock as we stopped. Large frost bitten trees loomed over the opening, creating an intimate covering. Dried shrubs and large rocks lined the stream as it curved through the ground to disappear within the treeline. I could imagine how beautiful the clearing would be in the summer, with the sun shining brightly through the limbs of the trees.

It was a peaceful place, one that I could see myself and Aderick coming to get away from the chaos of the life of a Jarl. My eyes slid over to Balder who remained quiet, staring at the water with a pained expression in his eyes.

Balder finally turned after several breaths and gave me a sad smile. "Ingrid and Aderick deserve to tell the story about their mother, but I do not mind telling you the story of my own parents. Whereas your parents died because of fire, my sister and I lost ours to water and ice."

It came to mind why he was staring at the stream, more so the water, so peculiarly, but now I completely understood. Looking deep into the fire in my bedchambers or the hall made me inwardly clench, almost believing I could still hear the loud crackle and hiss of the flames and the smell of smoke developing my home and people.

A muffled sniffle caught my attention, and that's when I realized Ingrid who was crying beside me. I locked my hand around hers, giving a hard squeeze before turning back to Balder.

He nodded further into the forest. "Deep within the forest along this path is a small home enough to fit one couple, simple and quaint. It has been in our family for many years, and 'tis only we that know of the location. Pairs within our family have snuck away to the home to get away from crazed village life and children. By this home is a large lake in which supply food and drink until they are ready to return.

"My parents left for a fortnight ten winters ago when Hilde and I were but five and ten summers. They were gone longer than expected, but occasionally that happened with couples staying at there. 'Tis quiet, secluded, and peaceful. But when another week past, I knew something was wrong. My parents would not have left Hilde and me for so long, not before sending a message. I traveled to the home and found it vacant, but their things were still lying about, as though they left without preparing anything. I walked around the home and lake calling for them, but I could not find them. I decided to check upon the frozen lake, checking for any hints of where they may have gone."

Balder swallowed roughly before letting out a ragged breath. "It was then when I found my mother's beloved fur cloak and her slippers lying next to a large hole in the ice. Falling into the ice is familiar, but my parents? They loved the water and I knew immediately what happened. Either one of my parents fell through the ice and the other went in to save them."

"But they did not resurface. It has been ten long winters and 'tis still difficult to know that I had no chance saving them. The moment that I told Hilde of what happened to our parents, she went from being a bright young girl to a reclusive, quiet person that rarely leaves our home."