Viking's Promised (A Love Story)

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

These men spoke a different language, their manners were improper, their hearts were made of stone that even water couldn't bend. "It'll be a very tiring journey, don't rile me up any further and get in this tent, do I make myself clear for you, wife?" Thorkel gritted out, Elise was still crying, her family, she was leaving them, she didn't knew what this husband of hers had planned for her.

Giving a last look through the thick fog she stepped into the tent, their wedding was over with, she had stayed as stiff as a log, the vows were meek whispers and her husband wasn't very pleased with the ways of English men either, a few vows was all it it took for the marriage to be sealed.

Thorkel hadn't wasted a minute and took her new bride with him, he was raging. For if this wedding would've been in his home, it'd rather be different, from different rituals to different vows, it'd had lasted for a week, celebrations would be overjoying but here it was in complete rush. He would have his wedding soon, in his home, in his ways.

Elise stiffly sat on the pile of furs and sheets, his men had thought that their king was to have his wedding night tonight but little did they knew, Elise was scared beyond belief, she would appear tough but inside there was a soft little girl who was innocent and naive to the world. Closing her eyes, she let the tears of pain flow, is this is what become of her? Weak little girl whose crying? She couldn't cease it for the heartache she was receiving was too much.

"Be over your nonsense crying and chatter! You'll even wake the poor men on other boats!" His deep grey eyes were dilating.

She nodded her head but couldn't stop the hiccup, getting rid of her shawl, she stood up. This jewelry must go, she'll have to wear the corset but the jewelry it had been itching her ever since she wore it, he was busy cleaning himself with water his tunic gone and muscles rippling, for a moment she stared but as their eyes met she blushed a deep scarlet and looked towards the other way. "I'm your husband, don't be shy."

His voice laced amusement, Elise and her down spirits were in no mood to argue with him, it was all in vain at the end. His accent was thick, husky and deep. Shivers danced across her skin, not because she feared he would hurt her, not because her virtue was in danger but because his presence made her self conscious. She began to trust his word, he vowed, it was foolish but still she found a zest of protection.

Fumbling with the necklace she fought with the chain, it was her mother's, she couldn't rip it. But the blasted thing wouldn't come off. Lost in her thoughts she kept wrestling with the hooks hurting her scalp because of the hair that had been tangled. She gasped as two hands stopped hers, she was rooted like before and couldn't move. Thorkel brushed her hair away from her neck, grazing the tender and soft flesh. He took his time taking the necklace off, her skin was a addiction, one touch had him wanting more. Murmuring a 'thank you' she placed it in her satchel, before she could proceed on her getting comfortable on the furs, strong and powerful arms circled around her waist, her breath hitched in her throat. Her back softly collided with his front, the fabric couldn't be more uninviting. Bringing his lips to nibble her ear, the Jarl whispered.

"Sweet wife," he murmured, Elise struggled feverishly, "Calm yourself, now." His roar of fury had Elise stop mid track of her thrashing. Turning her around he brought them face to face, his lips inches from hers, she held onto his tunic with eyes that would spill floods any second. Elise trembled, her lips wobbly, scared. "Your virtue won't be harmed, I promise. I vow upon Odin, trust me, wife." He placed a hot kiss on her cheek kissing the tears away, licking them, his tongue had her disgusted but she feared making making a move would cost her dearly. Not was this her home, not was there any protection.

"How dare you! Get off you heavy ogre!" His eyes darkened, was he angry? She did not care a single whit.

"Cease this, woman!" He by a great deal of effort stopped her attacks.

Outraged at such heathen like be shh avoid he ordered her to get out.

"W-What?" Elise stared at him dumbfounded.

"Get out the tent," he gritted.

"B--"

"Do it or suffer at my hands."

Guess she knew, what was better for her. She exited the tent to hug her knees sitting down on the cold wood, water seeping through her clothes, chilly wind seeped into her bones. Her eyes and lips started to freeze as she remembered fond memories of her mother.

Oh God...

It was so cold.

When he came outside, after a hour or so he found her curled into a fatal position, fear coursed through him instantly, he took her inside and laid her with her belly facing down, somewhat guilty for causing her such pain he massaged her back, pulling her towards sleep and soon she was getting warm. Thorkel went beside her and drowsiness took over, a tugging in his heart over how much pain he had made her endear. She needed to learn but was his way the right one?

The small fire helped thawing her body, soon she was enveloped by warmth and in a content sleep.

......

Fluttering her eyes open she came face to face with a snoring Thorkel, tears spilled yet again at yesterday's uneventful night.

The powerful soreness in her back was one thing, was her virtue still intact? "Morn." She almost yelped at his voice, oh how she loathed it. "How are you feeling?" His hand traveled up to her back as he softly caressed it, she pried his hand off wincing, "Go to hell." She muttered changing her side not being able to face him, "Your attitude stirs me, my love for your honor's sake I would suggest you to hold it," He warned before sliding his hands further down her knees leaving her confused and dazed, his touch was burning. A kind she found herself liking.

"You are a monster, I wish you rot in hell, I wish for my death before I give you myself," her tongue had a mind of its own, Thorkel wasn't accustomed to have mornings in which he was shunned by a woman, no less. Bringing his lips near to her ears he rasped, "In three months time I will claim you as mine, our conjoining will happen, I promise you, wife." The promise in his voice was quiet evident, the involuntarily shiver that danced upon her flesh was proof.

He left the makeshift bed and got dressed leaving her a remainder, "If you wish to be fed, get dressed and meet me outside, if not then lay here and count the hairs off these furs." Thorkel wasn't a morning person and definitely not used to off receiving loathsome words, "I'd rather stay here and starve than be in your company." She had declared, Thorkel couldn't stand the sight of her so left the tent hoping she would come to her senses and beg for food, that's right, lets see for how long she stays famished.

He couldn't have been possibly wrong.

She had dressed in a evening gown, much preferable compared to the luxurious one she had packed, her back was tender and soar but she avoided to show any sign of weakness, she had washed herself with lavender soap thoroughly ridding herself of his foul smell, which just reeked like wood and was strong like a masculine scent should be, her stomach had made violent noises and her head had become light due to weakness, still she hadn't uttered a word. At night time when the stars had come out again and the water glistened, reflecting the beauty of the night sky, everyone once again sleeping content, she lay there feeling hopeless. Thorkel hadn't came in her tent all day hoping she'd come to her senses but did he know that he was dealing with one rebellious menace, strong headed vixen?

Her head snapped towards the entrance to see him with a tray of food, her eyes lingered on the tray before they met his, he hadn't decided yet about the emotion he was to show, amusement for she really stood on her word? Anger for she starved herself and put herself in harms way? Maybe self loath for he was a fool to not come in earlier and feed her, what if she fell ill? Previous thoughts of his fury went out in the sea dissolving somewhere deep so he wouldn't find them anytime soon. He settled the tray of fruit and dried meat beside her while the jug rested on the hardwood of the boat, he for the first time had held a tray, he was still surprised at that but many firsts were to come as he had started to serve her as well, his mind was wrapping itself around the facts that he found himself breaking a piece of meat to move it words her mouth, in intentions to feed her. Bringing it, serving it, feeding it? What was next? Cooking it? Blast it all. He thought.

She had not seen his hand traveling to her mouth until she felt the saltiness of the delicious meat on her own, oh my this looks so pleasing, her stomach couldn't muster anymore torture for she found herself nibbling the meat slowly. Why was he feeding her? Being nice and pleasant? Surely there's a greater purpose behind this facade. He smiled knowing that her reluctance was no longer in action, at least she will allow him to feed her.

"Why must you be so stubborn?" His question made her eyes snap towards him as she gave him her heartbreaking glare, soul piercing, "Why must you be so monstrous?" She replied hotly, his jaw slightly stiffened but he refrained himself from any response, he did not want to ruin his sleep after a hard work's day. She snatched the food from his hand and begin to eat herself, she didn't wanted him feeding her anymore. Thorkel was still staring at her intently, "We'll be reaching home within a few hours and Elise I dearly suggest you to behave yourself in front of my family for if you don't I swear you'll suffer severely!" His threatened, Elise was unaffected so she decided to retort, "If you disrespect me, then make no mistake, you'll also suffer dearly from my hands!" It was a empty threat for she held no authority but she had dignity and pride which she proudly showed, Thorkel chuckled before clutching her scalp in his hand, "Oh, you wish," His lips pressed to her cheeks briefly, "Get your filthy hands off of me, you animal!" She yelled, pretending he did not hear a word she said, he pinned her down with his weight, and started to caress her. Elise was still unresponsive so he planted his lips on her own, she sealed them.

He pressed their lips.

He pulled away as the need of air became urgent, softly pecking her he got off. "Every time you rile me up, you will get kissed for that, I assure you." His dirty wink made Elise lunge forward into her arms trying to do any harm she could. His laughter was not making her feel any better, "Are you done?' He mused trying to catch her tiny fists, "I suggest you to rest these soft hands for I will need them a lot in the coming future," a quiet growl emitted from deep within his throat at his comment which Elise was unaware of. She backed away slightly scared but still maintained to keep a hard face.

Muttering profanities she lay down to relax herself soon sleeping with soft snores which Thorkel found adorable.

"Wake up, sweet." Thorkel murmured against her cheek, the ships had stopped and they had arrived home, he wanted to make an appearance with his wife, make her sisters and mother know that this women belonged to him and would be taken care of greatly. She stirred before fluttering her eyes open, "We are here, fine yourself and get up." His command was more less towards a human and more towards a animal, "I am not your pet, husband." Her sarcastic voice was not something he was fond of, "Elise, behave or else..." Elise sprung to her feet not hearing him, she braided her hair and unwrinkled her dress

Thorkel took her arm to which she hesitated but his steel grip brought harm so she gave in. On her way out she had noticed many horses lined on the docks, of all colors and beauty. She wondered if Black was brought back, her stallion, from her dowry.

Noticing the others vikings who had women in their arms as they affectionately showed their love, kissing, she was a little taken aback but soon refrained from any snotty remark, she was utterly tired. The lands were extremely beautiful, the forest reminded her of her sacred gardens back home, her escape. Burly men unloaded the ships, her eyes briefly met of the young girl from yesterday, Elise's eyes widen as she noticed the blood on her skirts, her appearance, she seemed as if she had been thoroughly beaten and...used. Was she raped? Panic struck her deep, "No..." She whispered to herself, she was there on the boat! How can she let that happen? The wedded girls were with their men to her surprise, but what had happen to this girl?

Peeling his hand off she ran, everybody's eyes on her. With wide mouths Thorkel's family saw as she noble looking lady tended for a.....mere slave.

She was in deep trouble, she had disobeyed him right after stepping on his lands. Oh, Elise.

~