Chapter Seven
1210 Words
Chapter Seven
Later that evening on the dining table, her husband and his brothers sat there hooting and grunting with laughter. It was a cringe worthy sight for her. The man ate like a horse and he drank all the ale in one swig. How was that even possible? If she did the same thing she'd choke and die. Really.
"Brother, I have a matter to discuss with you." Lief wasn't laughing or jesting now, his tone was grave.
"Speak, brother." Thorkel lifted his cup as a gesture for him to go on.
"Your wife showed utter disrespect to my fiancee's family. My soon to be mother in law no less!" He gave Elise a hard look and she saw his face harden with anger.
She looked down and clenched her fists.
"What?" Thorkel's voice stated he was bewildered at best.
Well, let him be, the witch almost scratched my face off. Elise retorted to herself.
"She threw her to the pigs!" The corners of Elise's mouth lifted but she didn't smile, everyone else tried to control their laughter from erupting, a occasional murmur was the only thing that could be heard in the hall.
"Is it true, wife?" Thorkel's fists were white from squeezing the gothic tumbler so hard, she was afraid the glass would break.
"She showed me disrespect and clawed my face off, I'm sorry next time I'll let her kill me. Anything else, milord?" She spoke with sickly sweetness which she knew would cost her. She just couldn't stop disrespecting her husband. It came very naturally to her.
Thorkel stood up so abruptly that the whole table rattled. She knew he was coming for her but she didn't even flinch.
He took her arm forcefully and began dragging her out the hall.
He didn't stop until they were outside where the animals were kept.
"Would you like a bath with the pigs, my sweet wife?" His hand jerked her head forward to meet his eyes and then she was shoved forward......right into the mud where the pigs were.
"You bastard! You......monster!" To her utter embarrassment she was wailing.
"Serves you right. It was not a good treatment of my good aunt. This is a lesson for the future." With that he took a hold of her elbow none too gently and began dragging her someplace new while all the way she cursed him to hell.
When they entered the clearing Elise took a moment to admire the surroundings and the peaceful silence. The place reminded her of Ireland with it's beautiful hills and serenity. The water fall streamed so naturally that the beauty knocked her breath out, the moon reflected in the water.
Until he opened his blasted mouth.
"Strip." He commanded.
"No," she refused. Was he going to violate her in the open now just as he never closed the door of their room? She thought she'd be sick and hurl any moment now but despite her rebellion she was trembling with fear, she didn't want it again. Never wanted that experience. How did women endure it? But maybe a baby was worth it.
"Fine." Was he letting her go that easy?
She gasped when he threw his arm over her knees and deposited her over his shoulder.
"Put me down!" Her shouts were loud and her tone frustrated. Never had been she teased so mercilessly, taunted and tested at every turn. She was sick and tired of it.
"I'll put you down when I want to." Was his amazing reply.
She kept wriggling and struggling but it was no use. When he finally dumped her in the water she went numb with shock to even utter a single whimper.
She didn't even move when he discarded all her clothes before discarding his.
"Now that's better, let's get you cleaned." He touched her. She hated it, she was beyond caring though, the phobia she'd had since she was six was back and now she was just the same little girl scared of water.
"What is it?" He lifted her chin with a finger and saw her trembling mouth. Oh, God, the girl was shaking violently.
"A-Afraid of deep water..." She whimpered and when a wave hit she wrapped her arms around him. She'd regret it later she knew but she could drown and.....he was so big and fearless, she knew he could save her.
His chuckle wasn't meant to be taunting, he was pleased and amused on how she was coming to him for safety.
"That's why you slept holding my hand on the boats?" Her answer was muffled in his chest.
He knew he was a bastard for doing this but he knew she wouldn't jump back from his advances. He explored her body. A occasional protest and whimper was all he got from her.
She wanted to empty her stomach. She felt like crying out loud to God, why was it so unfair?
He was getting really good at being a bastard these days, he observed, none too pleased with the horrendous discovery.
"Ssh, I'll fight all the sea monsters for you if you could just give me a son..." He bent his head to whisper lewd suggestions in her ear.
"I'll make it good this time....."He pressed his pelvis to hers and felt her body go rigid.
"No, no.....please. " If only she had made a positive response. She had instead begged with eyes like of the frightened rabbits that were about to be hunted.
"Just feel what you do me, woman..." He tried to stroke her and she tried to shift back.
"I'll have you soon, wife and your excuses will run out but make no mistake, when I make you mine I will not spare you even for a day, you'll be a permanent resident beside me." With that he picked her up and got out the river, water dripping from both their bodies.
Only if he knew that she had no reaction to his advances.
She felt betrayed, used, disgusted.
She needed to escape before this got out of hand. She had betrayed Troy, how could she live with that?
~
"Mother, we must get rid of her. We must or else all our planning and everything will go for naught." Astra stated to her mother.
Bergjlot was doing some thinking of her own. How to get rid of the Saxon woman? It was a simple enough task. Poison? Kidnapping? Hired huntsman?
But she wanted to slander Thorkel for betraying them, she wanted to humiliate them. Demean him!
"I will kill that w***e myself. I need...Thorkel, mother. He's taken my purity, it seems as if I am not worthy anymore." Astrid gritted out.
"You are stupid, he was wooing you quiet fine but you had to be a w***e. What use does he have of you now, a woman of easy virtue?" Her mother snapped then backhanded her. Astra just smirked.
"I told Leif everything and you'll know mother, he will be a great asset." Bergjlot assessed her less beautiful but more intelligent offspring.
"Make sure you don't repeat her mistakes." Bergjlot instructed sternly to which Astra flushed.
"Yes, mother."
Bergjlot had some planning to do and it was better she did it now before Ragnarok broke loose.
~
- Writer
