Freya Espendóttir

Originally posted by jasonmomoaxx

“Should we help her?” One of his hands asked. Lothor merely leaned against a table nearby and watched more with folded arms and a wide grin.

“If this cur brings his friends, then he’s we will even the odds. For now, no. I trust her confidence and let this between them two only.” Lothor replied and poured himself some mead and some to his mates.

“A poor bargain from an even poorer trader.”  The man continued to bark.  “Your brother would not have approved of this, but then again his bargaining got him killed did it not?” She could feel it churning within her, the anger.  It raged with each twisted word he spewed.  It was one thing to insult her, but another entirely to insult and dishonour her family.   “Mind your tongue before I rid you of it whoreson.”  She seethed out, words barbed with hate.   He reached for his sword, but she flew towards him, pummelling her shoulder into his chest.  He stumbled backwards, reeling from the hit, giving her enough time to reach for the blade at her side.  She feared the strength of his arm, but she was nimble and quick enough to dodge his hacking.   Think...think, think, think.  As if it were second nature to her she relayed all that Lothor had taught her over the past few months.  Position, angle, defence.  Little did she know her tutor stood watch in the distance.  

Originally posted by jasonmomoaonline

“Lothor…you may have interest in this” one of Lothor’s hired hands rang the barbarian’s ear. Lothor went outside and saw the situation. He merely chuckled and watched.

“My price was fair.”  Freya snapped at the intruder, her patience wearing thin.  “I will not be lowering it, no matter how much you hound me.” “I don’t think you understand girl.”  He growled in response. “Oh, I understand perfectly well.”  Placing her mead at her side, she lifted herself from her perch.  For what she lacked in stature, the petite young woman made up for in guts and stubbornness, and had no issue facing a man nearing twice her size.  “Perhaps your parents should have taught you how to take no for an answer.”

Lothor gave out a small chuckle with a nod. “I am, aye. I am a simple man that enjoys the simple things” he said and thought about his time here. He did meet wonderful people and felt welcomed. Why leave it behind? People such as Freya gave him the reason to be himself and enjoy life.

Originally posted by bodybebangin

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“A simple man that enjoys simple pleasures.”  Freya repeated, laughing lightly.  She doubted it there was anything simple about him, not from all she had gathered about him.  As much as she’d interrogated, she still had so many questions she was yet to ask.  She yearned to hear him recall all the tales of his travels, but the night was growing long.

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Well then….

Lothor could not help but smile, nor could he hold back. She was a special one, more than worthy of being trained. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and nodded to her, looking her dead center in her eyes. “Then Hedeby will be my home.”

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“Easily persuaded, aren’t you?”  Freya questioned, eyes ablaze with amusement.  To her own surprise she felt a sense of relief.  There was something about him that both enthralled and calmed her, and whilst she knew it was selfish of her, she was glad he’d decided to make Hedeby his home.  

Originally posted by sparkling-lux

“I may go in any direction, gods willing.” He signed and smiled a bit wider “I will return, that I can promise you. I do not wish to live in another area and rebuild what I have already built here in Hebedy. I still have much to do here, raids or trade is pass time for me at this point. I think I actually have a home here, a life I wish to forge. Perhaps find be sweet on a woman and start something.”

It wasn’t often the trader fell mute.  She was a bold young woman who very rarely fell silent, but the barbarian had stumped her.  Her hands edged across the ground, fingertips edging through the dust, absentmindedly drawing out various patterns and symbols.   “Hedeby will be all the better to have you.”  She replied, gaze drifting back to him.  

Aye, the winter was coming to an end and Spring was around the corner. Lots of people were preparing for Spring labor and the weather alone was joyously thoughtful. Lothor finished his ale and went to grab some water for the both of them. The question she asked hit him like oil to a fire. Lothor did enjoy traveling, exploring and seeing what’s beyond. He looked in her eyes with a soft grin and nod.

“Aye, that I will. I’m sure I’ll be asked to join in some raids or ensure trades go well. Hel, might travel in small company. You’re welcome to join”

Freya lifted her gaze to him, a smile tugging at her lips.  “I go east in the springtime.”  She replied, reluctantly.  “Where is it you are heading?”  As much as she enjoyed his company, she had her own path to lead during over next few months.  The east was relatively unknown and uncharted, and the exotic was a song that whispered to her soul.  It posed great risks, but also the possibility of great rewards, and following the death of her elder brother, the task had been passed to her.  “I imagine you won’t be returning to Hedeby, will you?”  A question so simple, yet there was a small hope laced within her usually cold tone.  

Originally posted by lucyllawless

He chuckled softly as he drank more ale. Lothor also glanced into the fire, watching flames dance up towards the stars with the crackle of wood consumed. The furs around his torso were cool to the touch, mixed with the warm fire felt great.

Freya sighed contently, her mind drifting much like the sparks that flickered above.  The winter had been warmer than usual, and as the seasons began to ebb, Hedeby once was once again welcoming the warm breath of Spring.  Soon the seas would calm, and the raids and trade could begin.  The east had been calling to her for some time.  Silver, silks and spices a plenty.  Much like a moth to a flame, the trader had been lured in by the talk amongst those at the port.   “Have you plans to travel soon?”  She questioned Lothor.  He was a sellsword from what little she knew of him, and could only imagine the endless list of places he’d visited.  

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“I’m told it is one of my finer traits,” she smirked raising her eyebrows in jest. Liv was proud of her work, to say the lest. She had brothers, so she often got a big kick from it, especially when they slacked off and she ended up with it. She inspected the other female’s hands, a look of concentration on her face. “Ah, I see you’re working hard,” she looked to her own calloused hands, the marks from her own weapons or being burnt by the forge. “There are oils that help soften the leather and normally a personalised grip can help relief you somewhat. You know, like a mould?” Liv wasn’t sure to describe it as she just went about her work and normally had aspiring smiths watch her than her give a lecture.

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Too hard, she’d been training for hours.  Whether it was determination or stubbornness, she was intent on bettering herself.  Much to the detriment of her battered hands and fingers.  

“Personalised?”  She questioned the blacksmith, noting the scars upon her own hands.  “That sounds expensive.”

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“Ah, you remember your limits! Hahaha!” He tapped her shoulder jokeingly, nodding to her. “Last one, and we can enjoy each other’s compan6 before morning. Where we will sweat out the ale.”

Originally posted by lucyllawless

“Only just, luckily for you.”  Freya’s lips twisted into a smirk, and though she’d said no more, she took yet another sip of her ale.  A pitiful attempt to ease the butterflies stirring within her stomach.  She dragged her gaze away from the barbarian and looked to the fire.  Ever comforting it had been but given the time the flames and the heat had dwindled.  She pulled her cloak tighter, relishing in the warmth of the fur trim.

“You can thank me enough by putting your fiery passion into the commitment. For now, we celebrate!” He filed the other half of her ale and chuckled.

Originally posted by bodybebangin

“Another?”  Freya near gasped, her expression twisting at the thought.  Nonetheless she threw back her ale.  “Carry on and I won’t be in a fit enough state to train in the morning or to be in your company.”

“My thanks…I tend to take in big sips” he giggled and took a fresh sip. He took in a deep sign and gave her a semi serious glare. “You *will* be a shieldmaiden when I have brought you to a worthy level. The same way *I* was trained. You do not have to follow the route of a barbarian, as I have. Though I can lead the way if you desire. Either way, you will have the gods turn their eyes your way. If Valhalla is what you want, then accept my teachings.”

Freya had been taken aback by his words.  Her stomach churned with both excitement and anticipation, her eyes ablaze with a new path awaiting her feet upon it.  To become a shield maiden had been an ambition of hers, a dream since she was a small child.  She couldn’t quite comprehend the fact that she stood a far better chance now, of making it a reality.   “Thank you.”  She beamed.  “I’ll train harder than I ever have..I, I honestly don’t know what to say.  I can’t thank you enough.”

Originally posted by lucyllawless

“You’re too kind fair Freya. I am not busy at all in fact, I entertain myself unless I am called for aid in labor or combat. I prefer doing this if I’m honest. Training you would bring me joyous thrills, haven’t trained.anyone for some time now. It will be refreshing, and I did win that wager.” He winked to her playfully.

“I owe you a great deal.  Not many would agree to that.”  Freya acknowledged quite happily.  Noting his cup was empty, she filled it once more.  Her own, still half full, she brought to her lips.  Trained by a barbarian, she couldn’t quite believe it.