Terth Skógur
Chapter 21: Terth Skógur
It took you a while to pass the tea fields, but you did manage to get a handful of dried leaves for a few bronsstöng from your purse. It smelled amazing and you simply couldn’t wait to boil it in a mug of water. In other news your bum was starting to hurt again and you were dreading the long hours it would take for your party to arrive at the Silverwood. Lord Volsagg didn’t really seem to notice your discomfort as he kept talking about this adventure and that tavern endeavour.
“You’re boring the girl, my friend.” Lord Fandral said with a beaming smile as he walked his horse next to yours. Lord Volstagg, however, looked stricken.
“I am not!”
“Sure.” Lord Fandral said with an eye role. “Anyway, I have come to your rescue, fair maiden.”
“The only person she needs rescuing from is you, Fandral.”
“Well in that case she’s in luck, given that Thor has send me to tell her to join his side at the front of the travel party.”
“What?” You thought and as you looked over at lord Volstagg you could see him looking confused as well. It took another moment for you to spur Léttfeti on to leave lord Volstagg and lord Fandral with a nod and a faint smile. You had no idea what the prince wanted from you. Afterall you were pretty sure he didn’t even know your name as he kept calling you ‘girl’.” You were relieved however that prince Loki wasn’t there with him, but favoured his mother’s company in her carriage. Yet, you had no idea what to say to the crown prince. What if you bored him or what if you had said something unflattering last night when you had been intoxicated? You tried to stop your mind from overthinking when you reached prince Thor’s side. He gave you a smile which made you assume that at the very least, he wasn’t angry with you.
“Forgive me for being so unrefined, but can you remind me again of your name.” Well, you were right about him not knowing your name. You gave him your real name, but quickly added that everyone simply called you Svinnr.
“And how did you meet my brother?” Oh, great. If prince Loki found out you were talking about him to his brother, you would imagine him becoming more than angry. In your opinion prince Loki seemed rather prone to anger and this was exactly the kind of thing to really make him tick.
“I… He spotted me in the library reading a book.” You didn’t want to give too much away on the subject. Prince Thor, however, snorted.
“Loki does love the library and his many books.” He said and then went quiet for a while. “What do you think of him?”
“I don’t know what you mean, your highness.”
“I’m asking you for your opinion on my brother, Svinnr.” Was this some sort of trap? Besides you were in no place to criticize the prince, nor did you want to do so.
“I believe he would be cross when he finds out we’re discussing him behind his back.” That made prince Thor laugh.
“You sound like him, do you know that?” You snorted, but quickly changed your composure to a neutral one. Prince Thor, however, sighed loudly before he shook his head. “I’m only asking because he seems to tolerate you and that is something that he hardly does with anyone. I also wish to tell you to give him time. Loki is a complicated man, but he’s not heartless as some people may believe. I just…. Eventually he will do something to upset you, I’m sure of it, but don’t….” Prince Thor suddenly trailed off and then, after a long moment of silence, he waved his hand dismissively. “That’ll be all, girl.”
“My prince.” You managed to mutter before slowing down Léttfeti enough to falter back to the tail of the company.
What in all the Nine had that conversation been about? And why did prince Thor look so hurt and why hadn’t he said what he had wanted to say? You had so many questions and you were a bit frightened for the answers. You hardly knew prince Loki, but everyone was always telling you things about him.
You realized all of a sudden that your first opinion of the man had only been formed by what others had told you. Prince Loki is dark. Prince Loki is evil. A shapeshifter. The mad son of Odin. Yet, apart from his icy glares and his sometime terrifying voice, you hadn’t seen much of the darkness or the madness people were talking about. What prince Thor said held truth, prince Loki was complicated. You didn’t know why Loki was showing you such interest, although he had confessed to you that he had wanted your defense of him, but you figured it was more than that. You suspected he was lonely. So lonely even that he choose the company of a maid he had spotted in the library over the company of warriors, noble lords and ladies and maybe even his family’s. You felt a great dread at that thought and you wondered if he would ever confine in you his sorrow.
To say the ride to the Silverwood had been pleasant was a blatant lie. Your saddle pain was worse than the day prior, your head hurt from all the questions that your brain kept fabricating and to your horror you saw the sun begin to set even though the formidable wood was still not in sight. When you finally descended the green mountain that you had been climbing for the better hour now, your breath caught in your throat. There it was. The Silverwood. The queen had not exaggerated when she said that the trees rose so high that they could tickle the sky. The forest stretched over the valley as far as the eye could see and their silver tree bark shone like the brightest diamond as it caught the last light of the day. It was truly mesmerizing to witness, but as the sun disappeared and the moon rose to take her place, the Silverwood turned into a frightening sight. A thick fog draped itself over the forest and the silver bark of the trees turned glassy as if they formed various mirrors that quickly made you think you saw things move about. Your heart was beating fast as you descended down the path and arrived at the foot of the mountain where the Silverwood began.
“Listen up!” Thor suddenly roared and everyone went silent and halted their horses. “We will ride for another mile and then set up camp! I want us to leave again at first light so we can reach Ýdalir at noon! For now I want everyone to stick together and stay close!” No one said anything, but various men nodded their heads so you did so too. Prince Thor turned his horse back around and entered the forest, followed by a few einherjar and the queen’s carriage. The warriors three had dived themselves to make sure no one was left behind or that no one could wander off on their own. You walked along next to another noble you didn’t know the name of and tried your hardest to get your breathing under control. Entering the forest was like being swallowed into another world. One that was hostile and unwelcoming to anyone who tried to pass through it.
“Svinnr!” Thor suddenly yelled and your eyes quickly darted across the trees, trying to find the prince, but the mirror-like bark of the trees was quickly making you dizzy. You felt a hand on your arm and met the eyes of the noble who was ridding beside you. He pointed to the front and you caught sight of the blond head of the crown prince. You spurred Léttfeti on to move towards that golden hair that peaked over the heads of the others.
“Yes, your highness?” You asked as you reached his side.
“I want you to ride with me for a while.” You blinked, not really knowing what to say. “Are you afraid?” He asked after a while. Well, you couldn’t really lie now could you? Besides, by the way you were clutching the reigns, sweating like a hog and breathing uncontrollably, you were sure that there was simply no point in lying about it anyway.
“The forest frightens me, yes. I feel as if the trees are watching us and they are anything but friendly.”
“Not to worry. We won’t be long before we halt and set up camp. I hope you have packed something to sleep on?”
“I have, your highness. Lord Egil has been kind enough to lend me his sleeping bag.”
“Ah.” Thor said as if he suddenly remembered who Egil was. “Fandral’s little brother. The horse you’re riding is his too, yes?”
“It is. Léttfeti is his name.” That made Thor chuckle.
“A most fitting name for a soldier does need a horse that is light on its feet.” He then gave you a weird look as if he was trying to figure you out by simply looking at you. “Why have you come along on this trip?”
“Lord Blekk thought it was a great opportunity to find new artefacts, maps and books to add to Asgard’s vast collection.” You quickly said. Lord Blekk had told you not to tell anyone that prince Frey had personally invited you. Besides you were not really lying, given that you were going to look for things to take back with you anyway.
“I see. And your injuries are they-“
“Brother!” Prince Loki suddenly yelled as he trotted his horse towards the two of you. “I think we better halt now.” Prince Thor nodded and stopped his horse.
“We will halt here! Get your horses tied up and unsaddled, then find a good place to sleep! Help the others with raising their tents when you’re finished and I want a dozen men looking for firewood to get a fire going! There’s a stream up ahead where you can wash yourselves and fill your waterskins! Do not wander on your own!” With that said, prince Thor dismounted his horse and you followed quickly. Two strong hands grabbed hold of your waist as you slipped from Léttfeti’s back to make sure you wouldn’t fall. You instantly felt your cheeks redden when you turned around to see the crown prince smiling at you.
“T-thank you, my prince.” You managed to get out with a slightly wavering voice.
“No problem, my lady. Come, let us tie up the horses.” You nodded and quickly followed him to a big tree where you both tied up your horses. Prince Loki walked over to the tree as well and tied up his horse with a lack of care. It was almost aggressive how he did it. You shrugged it off as you unsaddled Léttfeti and grabbed hold of your travel and sleeping bag. Two servant boys helped the princes with their things and for what you gathered they must have been either their personal servants or their squires. One of the boys had a tick pack of crimson cloth in his hands as he quickly made his way towards the others of the travel party. You followed him to look for a nice place to roll out your sleeping bag and make your bed for the night.
You weren’t all that comfortable to lie so close to so many strange men, but you preferred that over sleeping away from them and being vulnerable for the night creatures to get to you. You quickly found a spot next to some green bushes that had orange berries growing on them. Once you were done with your own bed for the night, you stood up and went to help others with theirs. Some of the nobles had brought along tents that were being raised by their servants. The tick crimson cloth you had seen with one of the prince’s squires turned out to be a massive, luxurious one. The queen too had her own tent that looked even more luxurious than the prince’s.
When everyone was done with finding a place to sleep and make it a little more homely and a warm fire was roaring with a big pot of stew on it, you looked around for lady Sif. You needed to relief yourself and you needed to do it now, but you didn’t want to go into the forest with some man you didn’t know nor did you want to go alone especially since prince Thor had forbidden such a thing. You needed a woman, but the queen and Fulla were probably in their tent and you didn’t dare to barge in there only to tell them you needed one of them to accompany you to relief yourself or to ask them if you could use their chamber pot.
You were already hopping from one foot to another, but lady Sif was nowhere to be seen. You took a deep breath and then made a beeline for the trees beyond the camping site. Orders be damned! You didn’t want to ruin one of the two only pairs of trousers you had brought along by peeing them. You could hear the faint sound of a stream in the distance which made it even worse for you to hold everything in. At long last you jumped behind some bushes, stripped off your pants and squatted down. You moaned at the feeling of your bladder finally being able to empty itself. That was until you heard a twig breaking and bushes rustling.
You held in your breath and tried to look for any signs of movement, but it was almost as if the forest had gone unnaturally silent. Suddenly a bird shot up from the bushes and took flight with an awful lot of noise that nearly had you screaming at the top of your lungs. Your fear was quickly replaced with amusement as you laughed at yourself for being spooked by a mere bird.
“What are you doing?” A voice spoke right in front of you, seemingly out of nowhere and this time you did scream, but it was quickly muffled by a large hand. “Norns, girl! Do you want the entirety of Alfheim to hear you?” Piercing green eyes were inches away from your own as they glared almost hatefully at you. Your quickened breathing slowed down a little when prince Loki released the pressure of his hand on your mouth.
“I-I was just….” You tried and failed to explain. In all honesty you didn’t really need to explain anything given that you were still squatted down with your trousers half stripped off. You felt a great sense of embarrassment when prince Loki’s eyes dropped down to take in your state.
“Please, my prince.” You pleaded with a face that must have looked the colour of a ripe tomato. “Can you please turn around for a moment?” Prince Loki was slow to respond, but he eventually did what you asked of him even if it was with a sly, mischievous smirk on his face. You quickly shot up, pulled up your trousers and fastened your belt.
“Thank you.” You said softly to indicate that he could turn back around.
“You disobeyed my brother, little one.” He told you and his smirk grew even larger.
“I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t an emergency!” You hissed in your defense.
“No matter. The fact remains that you disobeyed his direct order.” You grew quiet as you stared at him. Was he being serious? He looked very much serious, but surely it was a harmless thing? “What am I to do with you.” He said more to himself than to you as he faked to think it over. “You disobeyed the crown prince, your liege and for that I can punish you severely.” You swallowed the lump in your throat and your heart began to beat faster. He was most definitely serious.
“Then again the state I found you in was very much amusing to behold and it took some sort of bravery to run into the forest all alone rather than simply filthy yourself. So perhaps I should reward you.” Now you were thoroughly confused. He had looked like he had wanted to string you up by your thumbs on one of these trees just a second ago and now he was looking at you like you would a child. His eyes were telling you nothing, you realized. He was simply a master of emotions and deceit. Whatever you might think they meant was not always true and right this instant you desperately wanted to know if he was just toying with you or if you were truly in danger.
“I know what to do with you. You can take Forni’s place. There. Am I not a benevolent prince?” It wasn’t even a question as he shot you a toothless smile.
“Forni, my prince?” You asked a little uncertain. You weren’t sure if you really wanted to know who Forni was. Prince Loki’s smile disappeared as he rolled his eyes at you.
“My idiot of a squire.” Your eyes widened. That was what he called a reward?
“With all due respect, your highness, but I would be ill suited for such a job for I haven’t received the proper training.” Prince Loki snorted.
“Well I’m sure you’ll learn on the go.” That was it. There was simply no point arguing about it, because the prince had made up his mind and there was nothing you could do about it. “Now let us go back to the camp for I am sure supper is almost ready.” You pursed your lips together and followed the prince back to the camping site.
“There you are brother!” Thor said with his loud voice as he came over to you both with a beaming smile on his face. “Supper is ready, but where have you been?” He then seemed to notice that you were standing slightly behind prince Loki with lowered eyes. “I had to retrieve a rebel who wandered into the forest on her own.” You could simply feel prince Thor’s disapproving eyes burn through you and you bit your lip.
“I thought you to be wiser, Svinnr.” He said and you could simply feel your shoulders drop involuntarily. You didn’t mean to disobey him, you just needed to relief yourself. With that thought your embarrassment and guilty feelings made place for anger and defiance.
“I’m sorry, my prince. Next time I have to go, I will simply do so on the spot.” Thor’s eyes widened and prince Loki roared with laughter. Once again all the heads of the travel party turned your way at hearing the dark prince do something so unlike him as laughing.
“Not to worry, brother. I have already punished her for her disobedience.” Prince Loki finally told prince Thor who was still looking at you like you were a newly discovered creature. Prince Loki rolled his eyes at his brother’s speechlessness and gave you a push to start moving again and follow him to wherever he wanted to go. His tent, apparently as he pushed aside the flap to let you in only to follow behind you. The two servants were there adjusting or laying down furs onto the ground.
“Forni.” Prince Loki said in a voice that was dripping with authority.
“Yes, my prince?” One of the boys asked. He looked very young and eager to please as he almost shot up at hearing his master’s call.
“I have decided to relief you of your duty for the time being.” Prince Loki said and the poor boy’s hazel eyes widened with pure shock and horror.
“B-but, your highness! I have been appointed as your-“
“Yes, yes, and now I have appointed a new squire.” Forni gave you a confused look which you returned with an apologetic one. “You will take your belongings and move them out of my tent and you, my little spitfire, you will do the opposite.” He was so smug that it was simply unbearable to witness as he flashed a self-satisfied smile.
“What?” Well, that put an end to that smile as he immediately glared at you.
“Must I repeat myself, woman? Go and fetch your things and bring it here!” Now you were the one who felt a little smug. You bowed mockingly to the prince and then quickly left to grab your stuff.
“Wait!” Someone called as you crossed the camping site to the place you had left your sleeping bag. “Who are you?” Forni asked as he came to a stop by your side. You gave him your name, but also told him that he could simply call you Svinnr, like everyone else did. He chuckled at your nickname. “That was quite a performance you gave there.” He beamed. “There’s not many people who can get away with mocking prince Loki and live to tell the tale.” You fought hard to roll your eyes at that. For all the times that prince Loki had truly frightened you, you couldn’t believe that he would simply kill someone for something as harmless as a theatrical bow.
“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Your eyes then softened. “I am really sorry for him treating you so carelessly. I didn’t want to be his squire, but he saw it as a fit punishment for me.” Forni began to chuckle again.
“Yes it is quite the punishment! I shouldn’t be saying any of this, but given that I am no longer his squire I don’t really see the harm in it. Honestly I am relieved I no longer have to call to his every whim. My father had arranged this position for me in the hopes I would learn the hardships of a warrior and ruler, but I don’t want to be someone like that. I want to be a healer.” You gave him a genuine smile. He reminded you of yourself in a way. He too wanted to lead his own life, but his parents had set out a different path just like yours had done.“ Not to worry, I’m sure you’ll make a fine healer one day.” You helped him with his belongings as he helped you with yours while you swapped places.
Once everything was transported to the prince’s tent, prince Thor had come in carrying bowls of stew from the fire to beckon you out of the tent and join him outside. You had sat yourself down on a silver log next to prince Thor, but that quickly changed when prince Loki walked over with his mother on his arm and Fulla behind him.
“Come here, girl.” He said as he sat himself down on the log opposite of the one you had been sitting on. You sighed and gave Thor an apologetic look, before you rose and walked over to prince Loki to sit down next to him. On his left side sat his mother while Fandral and Volstagg choose to sit next to prince Thor, who was greedily eating away at the flatbread Djúpvitr had baked for you which you had shared with him.
“What’s going on here?” The queen asked as she gave her son a reprimanding look.
“I merely punished Svinnr for her disobedience.”
“Disobedience?” The queen asked and now you were the one under the mercy of her reprimanding eyes. “Explain, Svinnr.”
“I…. I wandered through the forest on my own.” You said and lowered your eyes.
“Why did you do that? Have I not told you enough about the dangers of this forest at night?”
“She rather faces the dangers of this forest than the shame of wetting herself.” Prince Thor said followed by thundering laughter while you wished you could simply disappear instead of being here.
“Why didn’t you ask someone to accompany you?” The queen asked you gently.
“I didn’t want to disturb you nor could I find the lady Sif.” You supplied and you were sure that your cheeks were tinged bright red.
“And you saw fit to punish her for something innocent such as this, my son?”
“Yes of course, mother. She disobeyed a direct order from Thor.” The queen looked rather exasperated as if she had endured this kind of behaviour from her son before.
“And what, may I ask, is the punishment you bestowed upon her.” Now prince Loki gave her a smug smile.
“I have appointed her as my new squire.” Thor, Volstagg, Fulla and Fandral roared with laughter, Loki looked smug like always and the queen looked taken aback. And you? You would put all the tomatoes to shame with your bright red face.