Chatper 12
1157 Words
I was rudely awoken the next morning by Ubbe shouting, "Come on, everyone. We move out in ten minutes. Daphne, Liv, are you both ready to move."
I jumped out of bed almost straight away. Ubbe walked in, and Liv replied, "We are ready."
"Are we," I asked, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.
She smirked, nodding. Ubbe repeated, "Ten minutes and we move to the Northumbria Kingdom. Daphne, you are not to fight. You will stay back, with Liv, to attend to the wounded after battle."
I nodded, and Ubbe left the tent and continued barking orders at the men. He had gone full commander mode. Liv turned to me, and said, "Your incredibly quite since Halfdan kissed you."
"I know I just don't want to get too attached to anyone yet. I am not ready to for anything, like that," I told her, as I sat down.
She sat down next to me, wrapped her around my shoulder. She sighed, "I know it is hard to know what the heart and mind want. They argue too much sometimes. But, the gods have a plan for us all. I am sure eventually they will help you see the clear path for you. That will be when you will find the other half to your heart."
"You speak as though, hearts are in two pieces and can only be whole when you find a person to share your life with," I asked.
She shrugged, "It is just what I believe. That is why I have never been married. I haven't met him yet. So, what I am saying is take your time. You will find him when you are meant, too. Come on, we need to get out there."
I nodded and stood, as she stood and walked over to the chest. She tried to drag out the chest. But, I came over to the chest and said, "I can carry it."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded and picked up the chest. She followed me, as we left the tent. We walked outside to find a cart waiting for us. Halfdan rushed over to us, smiling, "Here, I will take this and put it in the cart. You both can ride on the cart."
We nodded, and Liv moved to sit at the front of the cart. While, I climbed on to the back of the cart. Halfdan grabbed my hand, mumbled, "Look, I am sorry for kissing you. I didn't mean too. I got lost in the moment. I promise the next kiss we share, will only happen when you start it."
"I got lost in the moment, too. So, you don't need to be sorry. I just need time to figure out what I want. But, for now you need to focus on the battle ahead," I smiled.
"Take your time, I will wait. You are also right, I do need to focus on the battle."
Bjorn shouted, "Move out."
The long march began. Thousands of men stomped their way to battle. Every step sounded like a continuous wave of thunder. It was truly remarkable how many men would come together to avenge a greater man's death. But, it is bad on how one man's death brings on war. War that will only lead to death and destruction.
We travelled through a huge woodland area. When Bjorn shouted, "Hault. Set up camp."
"I want to scout out the battle field, so we can plan our battle strategy," Ivar announced.
"Why would we need that," Bjorn mocked Ivar.
"You have a great army. You need to fight different, planning how the battle will go is fighting different," I interrupted.
"She is right, Bjorn."
"Alright, horse. I will go with Ivar and we will plan our battle strategy," Bjorn replied.
They left to plan the battle ahead. I jumped down from the cart. Liv looked at me, complimenting, "You truly have no fear."
"To fear anything or anyone, will only hinder life," I boasted.
She nodded in agreement. Everyone was hurrying setting up camp. I helped Halfdan set up the tent for me and Liv, to stay in. After helping Halfdan, Liv sorted out prep for the wounded tomorrow. We both took a seat for awhile to rest. Ubbe and Halfdan were making food for all of us. But, I was distracted by this single apple tree surrounded by oak trees.
"Why are you staring at that tree," inquired Ubbe.
"It is an apple tree," I replied, not moving my eyes from the tree.
"That doesn't answer my question," Ubbe smirked.
I stood up and walked over to the tree. Halfdan shot up, and asked, "Where are you going?"
"I fancy an apple. And, climbing trees is fun," I replied, as I began to climb the tree.
"Be careful, you got wounded three days ago," Halfdan said, rushing to the bottom of the tree.
I ignored him, and kept climbing the tree. Eventually, I made it all the way to the top. I couldn't see the ground any more, but the view, it was beautiful. The sun was setting across nature land. It is rare to find land like this in the future. I wanted to enjoy the astonishing view. In the future, we have architectural marvels like skyscrapers, but they truly are nothing to completely nature land. Land that isn't man made or altered in anyway. It is just a shame that I did have a man I truly loved to share this incredible sunset with.
"Daphne, where did you go? Will you come down from there before you get hurt," Halfdan shouted up to me.
I sighed heavily. His overprotectiveness was starting to get annoying. I climbed back down partially, and said, "I am here, Im just getting some apples."
He shook his head.
"Catch," I shouted down to him, dropping an apple to him.
That continued on till I had a bucket load of apples. Then and only then did I finally do what Halfdan kept nagging me to do, I got down from the tree. Halfdan looked annoyed, and he grunted, "Why didn't you get down when I asked you too? I care about you and I don't want you straining your wounds anymore than you have too."
"I will be fine and I am fine. It is just a tree. I remembered how much I liked climbing trees when I was younger. I had to climb one again and apples are amazing to eat," I responded, while smirking.
"Come get dinner now you two," Ubbe called over.
We did just that. We all devoured our food. Discussing battle plans for tomorrow, while we ate food. Once I finished my stew, that Ubbe and Halfdan had made, I then had a couple apples. Everyone enjoyed the apples that I had picked. After much conversation, we all retired for the evening. Sleep took me quickly again, which was great and unusual for me.
- Writer
