As the morning light filtered through the narrow windows, Astrid stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She sat up, glancing around Rannveig's room. The absence of Sigrida and Rannveig struck her, the silence unusual. Perhaps they were already helping prepare for the Blót ceremony, gathering herbs or readying the ritual spaces.

  The familiar routine of washing and dressing grounded her in the unfamiliar surroundings. As she stepped out of Rannveig's room, she made her way through Magnus's impressive longhouse, past intricate tapestries and rows of gleaming weapons that spoke of the clan's wealth and power.

  She squared her shoulders and moved through the morning bustle towards the courtyard. The bright sun made her blink as she took in the high palisades and busy training grounds. Her gaze finally settled on Sigrida, walking along the walls with two striking women Astrid vaguely recalled from an earlier dinner.

  As Astrid considered joining them, movement in the opposite direction caught her eye. Erik paced alone, his brow furrowed in thought. The sight of him stirred a mix of emotions – longing, worry, and a pressing need to talk. Drawing a deep breath, she headed toward him.

  "Erik," she called softly.

  He turned, a smile lighting his face, though Astrid noticed it didn't quite reach his eyes. They fell into step together, walking slowly along the palisade. A heavy silence hung between them, both struggling to find the right words.

  Finally, Erik spoke, his voice thoughtful. "How are you holding up, Astrid? With everything that's happened..."

  Her heart clenched at the care in his voice. Looking up at him, Astrid became suddenly aware of the weight he carried. "I'm... managing," she replied carefully. "But Erik, what about you? You've lost so much because of me. Your home, your rank... I can't imagine how difficult this must be."

  Erik saw a secluded bench, partially sheltered by the shadow of the fortress wall. His expression turned serious as he faced her. "There's something I need to tell you, Astrid," he said, his voice low. "Could we sit for a moment?"

  She nodded as they made their way to the bench, the bustling courtyard sounds fading in the wall's shadow.

  Tension crept into Erik's shoulders as they sat, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. A brief smile crossed his face, as if reaching some private understanding, before his expression grew serious again, his gaze drifting over the palisades.

  Sensing the gravity of his unspoken words, Astrid leaned closer. She wanted to reach out, to help him share this burden, but knew this was something only he could do. Between them, the silence stretched heavy with words yet unspoken.

  After a long moment, Erik's gaze returned to her, his eyes filled with determination and remorse. His voice was low and heavy when he finally spoke.

  "Astrid, I... I need to apologize. The war, the danger we've all been in – it's my responsibility. I should have known better, should have protected you and Sigrida differently."

  Astrid's eyes widened, a mixture of confusion and tenderness crossing her face. Her expression softened with understanding.

  "Erik, no," she said, her voice warm but firm. "We're not here because of anything you did wrong. I asked you to come with us. I chose to flee rather than marry Einar. You protected us by being there, by staying at our side when we needed you most."

  She reached out, her hand hovering near his for a moment before gently resting on his arm. "If anyone should apologize, it's me. You're here because of me."

  Erik's face tightened, pain etching his features. "Astrid," he began, his voice hoarse. He paused, taking a shaky breath before continuing, "I helped you escape because..."

  He trailed off, his eyes meeting hers briefly before looking away. After a moment, he seemed to gather his courage and spoke again, his words coming out in a rush, "Because I couldn't bear to see you marry Einar."

  "Erik..." Astrid started, a familiar warmth of exasperation mingling with affection. Once again, he was trying to protect her, something she no longer needed or wanted.

  But Erik wasn't finished. He turned back to her, his dark blue eyes intense with an emotion Astrid had never seen there before. "Or anyone else," he said softly, the words hanging in the air between them, heavy with meaning.

  Astrid's breath caught, her mind whirling as she processed his words. Before she could respond, Erik continued, his voice gaining strength even as it remained gentle.

  "I wanted you for myself," he admitted, his voice low and earnest. "But I convinced myself it was impossible. I... I couldn't face the truth." Erik's eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of regret and longing. "I lied to myself, Astrid. Told myself we'd return soon. But..." He shook his head, a rueful smile touching his lips. "We passed so many chances to turn back. I always found a reason not to."

  Astrid placed her hands on his in an unconscious gesture. The world around them seemed to fade, the sounds of the fortress growing distant.

  "I wasn't being honest – with you, with myself, with your father," Erik continued, his gaze tender as it met hers. "I should have told you how I felt, should have approached your father. Instead, I deceived everyone, including you. I failed to protect you, our clan..."

  Erik's voice softened, barely above a whisper. "Astrid, I love you. I have for so long."

  His words hung in the air. Astrid sat motionless, her mind reeling. The memories flooded back - Erik's lingering gazes, his flustered reactions to her teasing, his constant, unwavering support. She had always known, in her heart, how he felt. But to hear him express it so openly, with such raw honesty, left her momentarily speechless. The depth of his feelings, though long understood, still took her breath away when finally spoken aloud.

  Misinterpreting her silence, Erik's expression fell slightly. "But I understand if you don't feel the same, especially after everything that's happened," he said quickly, his voice tinged with resignation.

  Astrid's gaze softened, her mind racing. They had both played their part in this journey, both carried responsibility for where they now found themselves. Beyond the fortress walls, a breeze rustled through the pines, the gentle swishing echoing her turbulent thoughts.

  "Erik," she began softly, reaching for his hand. Her fingers intertwined with his, tracing patterns as she spoke. "How can you take all the responsibility?" She paused, gathering her thoughts. "I felt trapped in Skogstrand, restless. It wasn't just Einar. I wanted to escape even before the marriage was arranged."

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  She paused, watching the play of emotions across his face. "I dragged you along, knowing you'd protect me, as you always have. Deep down, I think I knew you'd follow, no matter what." Astrid shook her head, regret coloring her voice. "I was selfish, not considering how it would affect you. I've always hated feeling constrained, yet my impulsiveness only made others want to protect me more."

  Her grip on his hand tightened, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of apology and affection. "I'm the one who should be sorry, Erik. I misused your loyalty, your care for me. And look what it's cost you – your home, your position..."

  Astrid's voice softened, filled with a newfound certainty. "But these challenges... they've shown me something I think I've known for a long time. Erik, I love you. Truly." A warm smile spread across her face, her eyes shining. "We may have found our way here wrongly, but I couldn't love anyone else now. You're the only one I want to be with."

  Astrid looked into Erik's eyes, warm and caring, filled with a depth of emotion made her heart skip a beat. She saw in them all the moments they'd shared, all the times he'd been there for her, his unwavering support and love shining through.

  Time seemed to slow as they regarded each other, years of unspoken love and friendship passing between them in a single look. The air grew thick with anticipation, the rest of the world fading away. Drawn together as if by fate itself, they both leaned in, breaths mingling.

  Their lips met softly at first, a whisper of a touch. Astrid's arms wrapped around Erik, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened. It was tender yet passionate, conveying every unsaid word, every suppressed desire. The warmth of his embrace enveloped her, and in that moment, all the missteps and regrets of their journey faded away, leaving only the certainty of their love for each other.

  As their kiss ended, they remained entwined, foreheads touching, sharing the same breath. The world around them seemed to fade into a soft blur, the sounds of the bustling fortress muffled and distant. In the warmth of each other's arms, they had found their sanctuary.

  They sat in comfortable silence, basking in the warmth of their newfound closeness. The sun had climbed higher, its rays catching the edge of the fortress wall above them, their sheltered corner still cool in the morning shadow.

  Astrid finally broke the silence, her voice soft but filled with determination. "Erik," she whispered, pulling back slightly to meet his gaze, "we can still make this right."

  He looked at her questioningly, hope kindling in his eyes.

  "We can't change what's past," she continued, her fingers intertwining with his, "but the future is ours to shape. We'll fight alongside Magnus, reclaim our home, protect our clan."

  As she spoke, a gentle breeze drifted over the fortress walls, carrying the scent of pine and distant sea. The sturdy palisades stood tall around them, a reminder of the challenges ahead, but also of the strength they had found in each other.

  Erik nodded, a new resolve settling over his features. "Together," he said, his hand tightening around hers. "We'll take back what's ours, shield our people."

  "The gods smile upon our cause," Erik said, a hint of mystery in his tone. "I'm certain of it."

  Astrid beamed, leaning in to press a quick kiss to his cheek. Her eyes bright with purpose, she squeezed his hands. "And we'll do more than just fight for Skogstrand," she said. "I've been working with Hrothgar, learning everything about rebuilding. We can make our home stronger than before, Erik."

  As they strolled through the fortress grounds, Astrid turned towards Erik, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, words tumbling out in a rush as she detailed her work with Hrothgar. She barely paused for breath, excitement brimming in every word and movement.

  Erik walked beside her, his steps matching hers in an easy rhythm. His eyes never left her face as he listened intently, his expression thoughtful and reserved, but his gaze bright with affection. Amid the fortress's bustling activity, they moved in their own bubble of shared purpose and understanding.

  They wandered without a specific destination, content in each other's company and the peace they'd found. The midday sun cast its warm glow over the courtyard, illuminating their meandering path. Though challenges loomed on the horizon - battles to be fought, a clan to defend, and a home to rebuild - Astrid and Erik felt invincible in their unity. The world around them might be in flux, but in this moment, everything felt right. Their path, once uncertain, now stretched before them, clear and true. Whatever storms lay ahead, they would weather them together, their bond unbreakable, their love a beacon guiding them home.

  Sigrida drifted through the fortress's shadows, a ghost between worlds. Eyes seemed to follow her every move, judging, questioning. Her mind raced, a tempest of frustration and anger.

  Torbjorn's harsh punishment echoed in her thoughts, a cruel reminder of her precarious status. Brandr's earlier words stung anew, his apparent interest in her feeling more like a threat than a promise. The sweet memory of Honningdal crumbled in the face of Fjell?rn's harsh reality.

  Freedom. The word tasted bitter now. Here, she was neither thrall nor free woman. The thralls either shunned her or stared openly, treating her like a curiosity - a slave who dared rise above her station. Their rejection and whispers cut deep, another reminder of her isolation.

  She glimpsed the bent forms of aging thralls, their bodies testaments to years of toil. The sight churned her stomach. Was this to be her fate? Even the thought of returning to kitchen work now felt like a hollow victory. And would she even have that choice, or would Brandr – or someone else – decide her future for her?

  Lost in her spiraling thoughts, Sigrida wandered aimlessly, instinctively avoiding crowds, unaware of where her feet were taking her.

  "Sigrida!"

  The voice cut through her haze like a blade, sharp and unexpected. Sigrida startled, Astrid's voice piercing her reverie. She blinked, focusing on the couple approaching. Astrid and Erik walked arm in arm, their faces radiant in the midday sun. The sight jarred her; never had she seen them so openly affectionate.

  Realization dawned slowly. The way they leaned into each other, their shared smiles, the quiet intimacy of their stance – it all spoke of a newfound understanding. They had finally embraced their love, no longer hiding behind duty or hesitation.

  Sigrida forced a smile, pushing aside her own troubles. "Astrid, Erik," she called out, her voice not quite matching their cheerful tones.

  Astrid eagerly pulled Erik towards Sigrida, her smile infectious. "Sigrida! We were just discussing tonight's preparations for tomorrow's Blót ceremony. You'll be joining us, of course!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, barely pausing for Sigrida's response before turning back to Erik.

  The assumption caught Sigrida off-guard. She'd forgotten the evening's events entirely, let alone considered her place in them. "Oh, yes... of course," she managed, trying to engage. "How are the preparations going?"

  But Astrid's attention had already shifted back to Erik, her eyes locked on his. Erik smiled softly at Sigrida but remained largely silent, contentment radiating from him.

  Astrid's voice lilted enthusiastically. "We're planning to make offerings to the landv?ttir tonight," she beamed. "Remember last spring in Skogstrand, Erik? When we poured mead into that hollow oak?"

  Erik nodded, his gaze fixed on Astrid, a contented smile playing on his lips. "You nearly spilled the whole horn," he chuckled softly.

  Their voices dropped to soft murmurs as they continued reminiscing, discussing the upcoming clan prayers and animal preparations for tomorrow's Blót.

  Sigrida's gaze fell to the path beneath her feet. Those memories excluded her; she had served at such events, never participated. The whispered conversation flowed around her, emphasizing her otherness.

  Her silence went unnoticed, her friends lost in their shared history and intimacy.

  Sigrida's voice barely rose above a whisper. "I should find Hilde and Hervor. I think they wanted to practice shield work." The lie felt hollow; she had just left the twins with Brandr, but she needed an escape.

  Astrid blinked, momentarily registering Sigrida's presence. "Oh, yes. We'll see you later then."

  Erik offered a fleeting smile and nod before his gaze returned to Astrid.

  Sigrida hung back, watching as they continued on, oblivious to her departure.

  As their figures receded into the distance, Sigrida's isolation pressed in around her like a choking fog. With no clear destination in mind, she turned and walked in the opposite direction across the fortress grounds, each step carrying her deeper into her solitude in this unfamiliar world.