Time Traveller Journals: The Great Viking Army

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Once Halfdan and I returned to our room, we went straight to bed, as we would be leaving at dawn. I, however, struggled to sleep. My thoughts were on everything that has happened in the past month. It felt like a life time ago that I was running my family company alone, in my mansion, surrounded by all the modern marvels and medicines of the future, and now here I am. In a past that I have no idea if or when I would return to my time. I had so many questions. Would I be missing presumed dead? Or, would I return to the exact moment that I left? My thoughts wondered to my father; did he know anything about this? Is this why he put me through all the self-defence training? Why didn’t he tell me?

So, many things in my life now made sense, as I put the puzzle pieces of my life together. The women in my family had unusual family trees, which now could be explained by the fact that my mother came from a different time and travelled to the future with my father. It also explained my grandmother, great grandmother, and my great-great grandmother. The unexplained illness my mother died from, could have been a millennia old disease that died out, one not seen in modern society. My dad never let me read or change the layout of books even after he moved out. He told me it was a family tradition to have them organised that way, but now I know it was because he didn’t want me to touch the book which controls the lever for the door to the hidden room. Dad made sure I knew how to survive, I always thought the teaching to hunt, fish, fight, and survive in the wilderness was because he longed for a son. I still believed that even after my younger brother was born, even though it continued.

My feelings around my dad had grown sour, I still love him, but at the same time, I hated him a bit now. He hid all this information from me, my whole life. I could have been more prepared if I had been told, but he did prepare me as much as he could, without telling me the truth, and me thinking he is a complete nut job. I even searched through my memories with my dad, trying to think if he developed any special powers, and if I had noticed them.

The muscular arm wrapped around my waist, pulled me closer to him. Halfdan whispered, “You really need to sleep?”

“I know I was just thinking about everything that had happened over the past few weeks,” I replied.

“Well, come closer, and try to get some sleep,” Halfdan kissed me gently on the forehead, pulling me closer to his chest.

I pressed my head against his chest. His warmth and the sound of his heart beat put me to sleep quickly. In my heart, I was beginning to develop feelings for Halfdan, as much as I didn’t want to admit it. He was so kind and caring towards me, he did everything right by me. But, in my head, I knew I shouldn’t develop feelings for him, he wouldn’t be able to return to the future with me, he is written in history. Could it be that I have to develop these feelings so that he would trust me so I can make sure he goes on his correct path?

Halfdan woke me up, the next morning, with a gentle kiss on the lips. I smiled when I saw him, and he smiled back. I could hear all the noise from outside, we were getting ready to move south. He smiled, “You need to get ready quick; we will be leaving soon.”

I nodded, sitting up, brushing my hair down, “I just need to get my boots on.”

He passed them to me, as he said, “We are going to be on foot for most of the journey. Stay close to me.”

“How long do you think it will take to walk there,” I asked.

“With the army we have, a few days, providing we don’t make many stops to attack some of the smaller settlements, but if we do, then it could be longer. Promise me, you won’t leave my side,” he gave me a concerned expression.

He must really care for me. I smiled, “I promise, to say by your side.”

Halfdan smiled at me, as I continued to do my boots up. I did my belt up around my waist, so that my sword hung from my waist. Halfdan then handed me the satchel that contained the book in. He smiled, “Best not to forget that.”

“Thank you, Halfdan,” I said, as I took and slid the satchel on over my head.

Halfdan gripped my hand, and pulled me along with him. We walked straight to meet with Ubbe. Bjorn and Sigurd, were leading the men by ship down into East Anglia, but Ubbe, Ivar, Halfdan, and I are travelling on foot with the other half of the army. Something in me told me that Ivar would be attacking everything he could on the way there. We were leaving the day before the ships, because the ships were going to be able to travel quicker than us on foot.

Ubbe and Ivar were saying goodbye to Bjorn and Sigurd when we arrived. Bjorn smiled, “Finally showing up, aye.”

“We are here, and ready to go. You know I am not one for goodbyes,” Halfdan chuckled.

Sigurd shook his head, “Even so. It would be nice to say to goodbye to you properly.”

“All I need is for someone to say that the gods are with us,” Halfdan smiled.

Bjorn came over to me, and embraced me, before saying, “Watch out for him.”

“I will, you have my word,” I smiled, hugging him back briefly.

I patted him on the back to let me go, honestly, he was crushing me a bit. He chuckled, “Sorry, had to give you a hug for the both of you.”

“That is fine. We should get going,” I smiled.

“Ivar, you listen to Ubbe and Halfdan. Ubbe is in charge until we meet at East Anglia,” Bjorn said pointedly, at Ivar.

Ivar grumbled something, as he turned away, and climbed up onto his chariot. Sigurd gave him a hand, before he and Bjorn stepped back. Ubbe turned to everyone, and shouted, “I want to cover a good distance before dark, so let’s move out.”

Ubbe turned on his heels, and began to walk off in the direction of East Anglia. Halfdan and I walking right beside him. Just before we turned, I noticed a cart and Liv on the cart. She was coming with us. Most likely to look after Ivar. As we walked, Ubbe explained how far he wanted to get before we set up camp for the night. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was meant to help Halfdan on his path after this revenge journey they are on against the Anglo-Saxon people. I figured I would make conversation with them, figure out if they had any ideas.

“Halfdan, Ubbe, do you have ideas of what you would like to do after you have brought this land to its knees,” I asked them.

Halfdan said, “I heard there is land north of Northumbria, where there are painted warriors. There are rumours that even these Christians fear them. So, it would make for an interesting adventure.”

“That does sound like an interesting adventure,” I smiled.

It makes me wonder, if he already had his mind set on going, why would I be here? Unless it is to protect him. I charged into battle at York, to protect Halfdan, as he was surrounded by Anglo-Saxons. Finding my own path is incredibly hard to accomplish, when I have no idea what or how I am meant to guide or help these people, all while not revealing who, where, or when I am from.

“If I am honest, I would like to set up a settlement here. Find myself a wife and have some children,” Ubbe replied.

“What will you decide to do, Daphne,” Halfdan asked me.

I was surprised, that he asked me, but at the same time, I expected it. I always had an idea of how my life would go. But since this big family secret of mine was revealed, I had no idea where my path would go. I shrugged, “I do not know much about my past or family, so I think will try to uncover that.”

I hope that is as vague as possible. I really don’t know what I will be doing. When I returned home, to my time, I would need to speak with my dad, and my brother. I would need to read the journals that were on the table. Brush up on my history. All while hoping that the next time I get dragged into the past again, I meet someone who could return with me to the future someone I could fall in love with, marry and have kids with. Then I would have to prepare my first-born child for the dangerous future they will have once they reach adulthood. Or, would this end with me? Or, will I be stuck here, and have to forge a new life for myself here?

“I would like to help you with that,” Halfdan smiled.

“But do not give up your path to help me. You should still head North,” I replied.

“What about after you find out,” Ubbe asked.

I nodded, knowing that it would come up, “I think I would like to settle down, have a house, marry a man, and some children.”

I smiled up at Halfdan, as he wrapped his arm around me. He smiled, “Well I will make sure you have that one day.”

He was so sweet, if there really was no way for me to return to the future, then I would be happy to have a life with him. I knew that much. But that didn’t stop the feeling of sadness of never seeing my father or brother again. The stress and worry of always having to lie about my life and my past, also weighed heavily on me.

I smiled at him, before we fell silent again as we kept marching towards East Anglia. As we marched there, some of the men attack some of the smaller farmsteads, taking live stock and other food. They even came across a large home, so they ransacked it, and found some treasures there, it looked like those that lived there were well off. Seeing a lot of the items that would be considered relics in my time, was honestly incredible. I loved history, so living history was one of the most incredible things I have ever experienced.

One thing, I did wonder was whether those that I have killed are the descendants of gods, but maybe didn’t know it. Or, was it they were descended to die by my hands, so that I could protect Halfdan, to make sure he stayed on his path.

A lot of things weighed on me, but I couldn’t let that stop me from uncovering more about my new world. We had been walking for miles, and the sun was starting to go down. We came to a large clearing in the thick of a most recent forest, that we entered. Ubbe nodded, while looking at his map. I can only assume that he was happy with how far we had gotten.

“Make camp,” Ubbe shouted.

Everyone came to a stop and sprung into action. It didn’t take long, campfires were set up, food was cooking, and a tent was set up for Liv and I. It was sectioned out though, so Halfdan and I could have some privacy. Watches were set up. When food was ready, everyone had something to eat. It was just after dark at that point. Halfdan and I went to bed early, making love to each other the moment we were alone.