The Future King and the Commander's Daughter

Returing a Man Pt. 1

Bjourn is Ten Years Old

Bjourn felt ready. I was getting ready to go on my first mission solo. I knew my Uncle Zader felt guilty, like he should go and be there in the background to make sure I was ok. He hadn’t left the realm since before I could remember. I was a baby when he was captured. My cousin, Topher, would be going out on his first mission as well. He was only a few months younger than me.

My brother, Marcus, came and sat next to me. He huffed, “I should go with you.” I chuckled, “You’ll go out with me next year.” He was only nine so he wasn’t ready. He grumbled, “I could go with you.” I nudged him, “When you’re older you’ll go. Plus, I’m not going alone.” No one did on their first mission. He pursed his lips saying, “Well, they aren’t me.” I threw my head back and laughed before agreeing, “No, they aren’t, brother.” He asked, “Will you be back before our next brother is born?”

I assured him, “I’ve informed our newest little brother that he cannot make his appearance until I get back. Mom laughed, but I’m certain little Ubbe knows I’m serious.” Marcus nodded, “I’ll make sure to remind him.” I nudged him with my shoulder, “I’m sure you will. Look after Drake, Evin, and Histeck. I’ll be back before you know it.”

Drake yelled, “HEY! I’m only one year younger than Marcus. I don’t need anyone to look after me. It’s Evin and Histeck that need looking after. They are the little ones.” Histeck was one while Evin was three. I told them, “You look after all of them and make sure Ubbe stays put until I return.” Drake punched me in the arm, “How about you hurry your ass back to this realm since I do not control mom’s body? Ubbe will come when he is ready.”

I teased, “And he better not be ready until I am home.” I sobered up saying, “You protect mom at all times. Keep weapons on you no matter who says not to.” There were threats against our mom right now. She was on lockdown in this realm by dad. He was in full protective mode. Our mom thought he was so cute, but we worried.

Marcus’ eyes blazed, “No one will touch mom or our brothers. Particularly in our realm. She’s not leaving anyway.” I warned, “Mom does what she wants. If she leaves, you fade and get on her. Alright?” Both nodded. One of them would be on Astrid while I was gone. The other would make sure mom was ok. Drake sighed, “I wish we were going with you.” I winked, “In a few years Drake, you will be a man.” He grumbled under his breath.

To the Hackura, we were men and women when we completed our first mission. Not everyone was sent out at ten years old, you had to prove you were ready. I’d done that. When I returned to this realm, I’d be a man. Drake said, “Well, the humans will still think of you as a boy.” I scoffed, “We are not humans, brother. We mature faster than they do, I’ll be graduating high school in a month.”

I wanted to be a doctor so I was on an accelerated program. Most of the boys my age weren’t going to graduate. We just didn’t hold people back when they were ready to continue their careers. We had trade schools everyone could go into. We helped our children try things to discover where they would be happiest. Everyone could try their hand at several things here.

Then there were those like me who knew what they wanted to do. I’d known my whole life I wanted to be a doctor and I was single-mindedly focused on making that happen. I was ready and I was returning a man. I saw Astrid Crawford come around the corner and I couldn’t help but smile.

A man who wanted Astrid Crawford with every fiber of his being. I prayed to Aesir, our god, every night that she would be mine in six years and eight months on her birthday. Marcus said, “So, we’ll see you later, brother.” He got up and dragged Drake away.

Astrid came and sat down. She put her head on my shoulder, “They are worried about you.” I kissed her head, “I know they are, but they have no reason to be.” She replied, “We worry for those we love, Bjourn Rollo.” I chuckled, “And are you worried?” She lifted her head and smacked my arm. She chided, “Don’t ask questions you know the answer to.”

I teased, “What if I don’t know?” She turned, “Then you're not the astute genius I believe you are.” I tapped her nose, “You’re worried, my stella mea (My star).” She blushed, “Diligo c*m me that (I love when you call me that).” I chuckled, “I know.” I pulled her so she was sitting between my legs and I wrapped my arms around her. She settled back into me.

I was going to kiss her for the first time when I came home. I was going to see her first because Ubbe was going to do me a favor and hang out until I returned to the castle. Brothers did such things for each other and I was determined he was going to do me this solid. I had planned to kiss those beautiful lips of my star the day I returned from my first mission since I was five years old.

She whispered, “Scio te ire, sed nolo te (I know you have to go, but I don't want you to).” I rubbed her arms. She continued, “Tam superbus sum de te, sed hic timor ne laederes me recipias. Nescio quomodo tractandum est. Tu es amicus meus optimus et te amo (I am so proud of you, but this fear that you’ll get hurt gets me. I don’t know how to handle it. You are my best friend and I love you).”

Astrid was fearless. If I wasn’t so determined to make her my Queen, praying to Aesir every night to make her mine, she’d be the Commander of the armies. I’d honestly make laws so that she could be the Commander and my Queen if she wanted. I’d give her the world, and everyone knew it. Whatever she wanted to do, the world would be open to her, because I would make it so.

I told her, “You are my fearless stella (star). You’ll be busy with training, and by the time you think of me; I’ll be back.” She snorted, “You’re about to be a man and you’re clueless about women.” I smirked, “Maybe I made sure my woman was going to be busy because I know her.” I heard her intake of breath and she moved further back into me.

I felt myself harden. I warned, “You don’t want to do that Astrid.” She teased, “I think I do.” I whipped her around so she was straddling me. I cupped her face, “I will return here a man.” She nodded, “I know.” I put my forehead on hers, “You know I love you.” She replied, “I love you too.” I assured her, “Marcus and Drake will make sure no one bothers you.”

She threw her head back and laughed, “You can say his name, Bjourn Rollo.” She meant Rhett. I loathed him, but he was her friend so he lived. I gritted out, “Not just him. No one will bother you.” I knew some people were rude to her because of her friendship with me. Everyone knew I loved her and wanted her to be mine. I hated that it made her a target, but I knew stella mea (my star) could handle it. She was fierce and strong.

She kissed my forehead and whispered, “Festina domum ad me (hurry home to me).” I replied, “Eritis in mente cotidie (You will be in my mind every day).” She teased, “I’d better be!” I smirked, “You know that you will be. You are who I wake up thinking of. You are who I got to bed dreaming of.” She winked, “Aren’t you a smooth talker?” I grabbed her hair at the back of her head, making her look into my eyes, “No, I just love you. I am telling you the truth.”

She put her hands on my chest, “I know that, Bjourn Rollo.” I shook my head asking, “When will you just call me Bjourn.” She laughed, “When you return home a man. I’ll still slip sometimes, it’s a habit.” She did it because my mom only called me that when I was in trouble. I got in trouble a lot around Astrid because if anyone looked at her sideways I was throwing fists. You’d think people would learn. That was really on them when you thought about it. I knew people were coming up behind us, but I didn’t care. I could tell who it was by their walk and scent.

I heard a throat clear behind us. I greeted, “Dad, Remington, Dawson.” My dad chuckled, “Very good, son. It’s time to be briefed.” I heard Astrid’s quick intake of breath. I kissed her temple promising, “I’ll be home soon stella mae (My star).” She replied, “You’d better be.” I stood us up and turned to leave. She yanked me back, “Tu ad me redis aut ego te venabor et asinum tuum stimulum calcitrabo (You come back to me or I'll hunt you down and kick your ass).” I laughed, “That’s so you.” She smacked my ass this time when I walked away.

Remington told her, “Your mother is waiting for you, Astrid, as is Marcus. He’s on your way home.” She laughed, “Of course he is. You Cambridge boys…” I interrupted, “Leave nothing to chance.” She walked off and I heard Marcus greet her, “Astrid.” She teased, “Where’s Drake?” He answered, “Faded into the background following us.” I smirked because my brothers always had my back, and I would have theirs.

Dawson winked at me. He was one of my best friends. He’d already decided he wanted to be a guard and was in intense training with me. Remington told me, “My daughter is worried.” I replied, “I know. I told her I’d be fine.” He nodded, “See that you are, young Prince. If there are any mishaps where you get injured, you’ll be training harder than you are now.” I nodded my agreement.

My dad led us to his office where my mom and Blade were waiting. If I hadn’t had training my eyebrows would’ve risen. My dad caught my surprise in our bond and sent me smugness. He’d pulled one over on me. I didn’t think he would blatantly send someone with me and Dawson like Blade.

Our bond was something people did not often understand. We felt each other’s feelings. It was essential to our people because we had control over our emotions, but we could run hot blooded. Our family knew when we needed them, or what we weren’t saying was a blessing. We could dim the bond, but those feelings were still there to be sifted through. I couldn’t wait to feel Astrid. I was going to manifest her being my fated mate. She was meant to be Queen, my Queen.

My dad said, “Blade will be going with you.” Blade was my dad’s lead guard, Kriton’s, son. I knew Blade would be a sibling of mine’s guard one day. I also knew my dad was holding out just in case I had a sister. I wanted a one, but everyone knew it was unlikely. My mom told my dad it would have to be an off period woman. She felt boys in the cards for them. She always said she knew from a young age she’d be a boy mom. She’d love a little girl though. We all would. No one would dare touch my siblings, but if I had a sister; I’d burn down realms if they dared.

Blade nodded to me and Dawson. I already knew he was coming with us. Just like I knew my dad would be around somewhere. I was certain my mom and Aunt Rashe, Uncle Zader’s mate, would be around too. Which I think my dad wasn’t as certain about. He probably told her not to come, but as I said, mom did what she wanted. I wouldn’t be shocked if she showed up, but so close to her due date; she might just send one of my Aunt’s from her side of the family with Aunt Rashe. We’d have to see.

My dad put a folder down that Dawson and I had memorized. We were gathering intel, watching, and listening. There was a group of warlocks that ran a coven who had been upset that they couldn’t put together the funding to request our help. Dawson and I agreed it was bullshit. They did have the money, and they didn’t put in the request. They were simply talking to talk. We were going to make sure of that though. It was the standard first mission for those our age.

My dad ordered, “Tell me the mission, son.” I answered, “We will fade into the background and watch the coven members of Hallowed ground, because their coven leader thinks he’s funny with that name, and make sure they aren’t truly in danger and in need of our help. We are going to make sure they don’t disparage our people by name. We are allowed to step in if they lie about someone using their name because we do not abide disrespect. Other than that, we are to gather the data ascertaining if they truly have a need for us to step in or simply want to garner people’s sympathy.”

My dad smiled, “Very good.” I nodded and he turned to pepper Dawson with questions. Not that Dawson could add much from what I said. We were the protectors of the realms. People thought we didn’t always come, but we did. We had a process to protect our people because often we were requested for things that weren’t truly a danger to all the realms. We took on cases when we were paid and it was deemed to have some element of danger to the realms. Or for a good cause.

We didn’t advertise how often we were outside our realm doing our job to protect the realms. We had alias’s and we didn’t tell people our true identities. We were often faded into the background, invisible to the naked eye. We were always out observing, some of our people were heavily undercover on long missions. We took our jobs to protect the realms very seriously, something I wished everyone could conceptualize.

It was harder for the supernatural’s in the human realm. They, despite being supernatural’s, often had to see to believe. Ironically, we were in their realm the most often and they had no idea. Well, some did. There were some that were quite savvy. Alpha Nathan Conners was a werewolf, and he was quite astute. Several of our people had been sniffed out in his territory, often by the man himself. My dad had a great deal of respect for him.

There were a lot of vampires who understood us too, but that was because they were a century or two old. They had a wisdom that only came with age. Then there were our counterparts in the Hood. They lived in the human realm but in a concealed area no one could get in without their blood. Or fairies I suppose, fairies could get into any realm except ours. To pop into our realm, they needed permission. I kind of hoped I met a fairy.

My Granny Ramilda told stories of a kind fairy she met. She said he was the reason our family was around. I wouldn’t mind meeting the man since I didn’t understand the story. She always said she’d tell me one day when I was older. I’d made some logical connections given how long my grandparents waited to have my dad. If I met said fairy though, I could know. He could still be alive, they lived several centuries if they didn’t get drained by a vampire or take on too much iron.

Several supernatural’s were jealous of their potential long life span. It was funny to me because we had the same lifespan, but no one came after us over it. It was like the earthly realm supernatural’s accepted vampires immortality because they had to be dead for the day. Fairies having the ability to live longer than them goaded many.

Fairies had a stereotype of being flighty, arrogant, and mischievous. It sounded like a lot of fun to me. I was certain the earthly realm supernatural’s were just jealous, but one day I’d meet a fairy and find out for myself. My dad didn’t dislike them, and my grandma practically revered them. If she could build a shrine with the one fairy she talked about; she would. My grandpa Ragor would destroy it though. He was deeply possessive. All of the Hackura were over their mates. She was just as possessive of him. Mates in general were.

Werewolves seemed to take the cake though. Here in our realm, we had different definitions of everything. We had orgies, were body positive, often walking around naked or nearly naked. The human realm had rules about such things, but we came into this world without clothes. We did not see the problem with it. Monogamy wasn’t required here, but with werewolves it was. Their goddess allowed both parties to be in severe agony if one cheated. We don’t condone cheating here either. That’s punished harshly. All couples communicate with their partners, everything is agreed upon.

We were technologically more advanced than the other realms. Faerie was probably the closest to us because if they could imagine it, they could conjure it. For us, we debated sharing our intel and inventions with the supernatural’s in the human world; the problem was humans. They would use the technology we have to gain power. Something we had seen time and time again. The supernaturals' would probably sell it to them to make money. It’s how things went in their realm, so we kept it for ourselves. Something that weighed heavily on my dad. I didn’t share the same sentiment. I might when I was older, but for now I saw the need to keep it away from them.

I’d been to the human realm many times, but this was the first time I was leaving without one of my parents. My guard faded in and I sent my dad my annoyance in our bond. He smiled at me, “Garth, Jensen, Rof, and Raud will be a decent ways back from you. I know neither of you boys like that.” Dawson particularly since Raud was his brother and not a member of my guard.

My dad continued, “This is what happens to everyone on their first several missions out. They will not step in if they don’t have to. We are the protectors of the realms, and that means each other above all. We do not set up our people to fail. Raud is doing some training himself.” That confused me.

Raud did a double take. My guard smirked at him. Raud asked, “Your majesty? I thought I was chosen to go since my brother is going.” My dad smiled, “That could’ve been true; however, you will be watching how Bjourn’s guard behaves because you will be leading Ubbe’s guard.” Dawson yelled and jumped up to hug his brother. Raud hugged Dawson grinning broadly. Raud was quite a bit older than Dawson. He just turned forty and had been training to be a guard since he was my age. Ubbe was in good hands.

Raud said, “I will not let you down, my King.” My dad replied, “I know. When you return I will go over the candidates for your team. While you're out Garth can brief you on the process of final selections.”

He turned to me, “Which means you safely complete your mission and get your ass back here because if I don’t have Ubbe’s guard finalized when your mom gives birth she’ll wring my neck.” My mom snorted and leaned down to kiss him. She said, “Sure, blame me. It’s not like you planned all of this timing to bring our son home faster.” He smiled at her like she hung the world for him because she did.

He rubbed her stomach, “Hello, my son.” I saw Ubbe kick at his hand. He laughed, “You stay in there so Daddy doesn’t get in trouble, eh? Mommy understands Daddy too well.” I laughed and got up. I told my brother, “You stay in there like we discussed, Ubbe. When I get home you feel free to make your grand entrance.”

My mom laughed, “You men.” I put my hand on her stomach and I got a high five. I smirked at my mom, “He’s onboard. He’s got my six just like I’ll have his.” He sent a sharp kick at me. My mom rolled her eyes, “Of course he does.” I could feel her happiness over it in our bond. My dad’s love for her was bouncing in our bond and hers was shining back.

Remington said, “Guards, neither boy will get a scratch on him. They will return men, and you will make sure of that.” They all nodded. Dawson shot me a look while Raud tousled his hair. He huffed, “RAUD!” He laughed, “You’ll do great, little brother.” He smoothed out his hair and nearly stuck his tongue out at him. I hugged my mom and dad.

I walked out and my Uncle Zader was waiting. He nudged me and walked with me to where Dawson and I had decided we’d portal out from. I snorted, “Were you following us when we picked this place?” He answered, “Me? No, I asked a certain person where you’d choose.” Astrid, he asked Astrid. I smirked and looked towards the trees. My gaze narrowed on one and I blew a kiss to Astrid knowing she was there. I felt Marcus and Drake here too.

Dawson punched me in the arm, “Let’s go, Bjourn.” My dad called, “Not so fast.” We turned and there was my dad and Dawson’s. Dawson groaned, “Come on, old man.” His dad juked left and pulled him into a hug. He said, “Come have a chat with your old man before you head out. It’s a rite of passage.” Dawson huffed but walked off with his dad.

Mine led me a little ways away. He raised his voice, “I guess this moment won’t be a surprise to Drake and Marcus.” He shot a look towards where they were with Astrid. I felt their smugness with a side of concern. My dad sent me his laughter in our bond.

He told me, “You’ll return here a man, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. You’ve always been so determined to reach your goals. One day you will make a great King.” I puffed up. He told me, “Never let your guard down out there. Always have the people your with sixes. We don’t leave our people behind. You see an injustice and you step in. We are the protectors of the realm.”

He sighed, “You grew up so fast, you know?” I snorted, “Not really.” He disagreed, “Some days I remember when your mom pushed you into this world. You were already looking around the room for threats. You only cried when they tried to take you from your mom. You screamed and held onto her with a strength they were surprised you possessed. You didn’t relax until both your mother and I told you it was alright, then you honest to god sighed and let them take you away. You gave them exactly two minutes to get what they needed done. Then screamed until they put you back on your mom’s chest. Then you settled right in.”

He looked past me as if he was remembering it all. He shook himself, “Now, you stand before me ready to go out there and return a man. We will have a banquet ready to go for you, but I’m sure you plan to head somewhere else first.” I went to talk but he waved me off. He said, “I know where you’ll go and why. Just send your mother and I your feelings in our bond that you’ve returned.”

I shot back, “Don’t you just mean mom? I think we both know you’ll be aware when I head back.” He tussled my hair, “Just send me your feelings that you’re safely home, you little stink.” I hugged him, “I’ll make you proud.” He knelt down, “Son, you make me proud all of the time.” He sent me his sincerity. He stood and took me back to Dawson. He encouraged, “Go on, when you return you’ll be my little man.” I rolled my eyes and opened a portal. My excitement couldn't be contained. There was a tinge of nerves, but I pushed those off. I trained for this moment and I was ready.

I walked through the portal with Dawson and the guards faded back. We were there for five minutes when I felt my dad closer in our bond. He literally waited five minutes, he had no chill for a King. Dawson asked, “Is your dad here too?” I nodded. He scoffed, “No chill.” My dad sent me several emotions. Mostly he was saying wait until you have a child then you will understand. We needed to get further away so they couldn’t hear us. Then I realized that wasn’t necessary. They weren’t going to get any closer than they were. They were hanging back, letting us become men; they were just here in case.

Dawson and I faded back and split up. We gave each other our signal we worked out before we were going to leave. We’d gone over all of this and how we were going to do everything. To the point we probably could’ve done it in our sleep. We were meticulous, but we had to be. That’s what our people did. I had more of a microscope on my actions which landed with Dawson since he was with me. He’d probably be pissed if we weren’t such good friends. Everyone knew we were out because he was out with me, the crown Prince.

Dawson was one of the few people who never treated me differently my age. He didn’t care that I was the Crown Prince, he treated me like he did everyone else. Something that no one seemed to realize I craved. There were fake people all around me, but Dawson wasn’t one. Neither was Astrid nor Aaron. Aaron was Astrid’s little brother.