Chapter 32: Chapter 32

KENDRA

I woke before him. I had spent enough time cooped up in this house. I attempted to put on my dress, but it was becoming increasingly snug each day. Glancing around, I spotted some of Fjorn’s shirts. I slipped one on and searched for a pair of pants. After pulling them on, I realized they were far too large. I found a piece of rope and used it to secure them. I slipped on my boots and stepped outside.

The morning light bathed the village in a golden glow. People were everywhere, engaged in cheerful conversation. My first stop for the day would be Astrid and Hilda’s.

“Good morning, ladies,” I greeted them with a smile.

“Good morning, Frue Kendra,” Astrid responded.

“How can we assist you?” Hilda inquired.

“I need some clothes. Something with a bit of stretch,” I explained, rubbing my gradually expanding baby bump.

Astrid and Hilda exchanged knowing smiles before taking my hands and leading me into their home. Just inside the front door were two large looms, each holding a beautifully woven dress. I ran my fingers over the vibrant strands of dyed wool of one.

“Do you like it?” Astrid asked, laying a few dresses on a table.

“It’s stunning,” I replied, stepping back to admire it. “How do you achieve such vibrant colors?”

“Mostly flowers. We get yellows and greens from leaves and bark. Sometimes we’re fortunate with trades and get blue and orange dye,” Hilda explained, entering with a small wooden box.

We spent the next few hours perusing dresses and exquisite tapestries. Astrid and Hilda showed me how to operate the looms, and we chatted about their homeland. I had never felt more at home than I did sitting there with them.

“May I ask you something?” I ventured, turning to Astrid and Hilda.

“Of course,” they chorused.

“What’s in the box?” I asked, my gaze drawn to it. The small wooden box was adorned with intricate carvings on the lid, and ever since Hilda brought it out, I couldn’t stop glancing at it. Astrid and Hilda exchanged grins.

“Open it,” they urged in unison. Their synchronized responses were slightly eerie, but I rose and approached the box, slowly lifting the lid.

Inside the box was a white, silky dress with golden flowers embroidered on it. I gently touched the fabric. Beside it was a gold band bracelet. I had seen ladies from high-ranking families pass through my small village, but even their dresses couldn’t compare.

“Do you like it?” Hilda asked, approaching me.

“Yes, it’s beautiful. Where did you get it?” I asked, turning to her.

“When Thorsten joined our god Odin in Valhalla, Fjorn became our jarl. For each new jarl, a gown is made for his frue. You’ve been our frue for several moons now, so this dress belongs to you,” Astrid explained, removing the dress from the box and holding it up to me.

“Go try it on,” Hilda encouraged, gently nudging me toward a back room.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. I admired the beautiful dress one last time before shedding Fjorn’s clothes and slipping into the dress. It fit perfectly, with room for my growing belly. The gown ended just before it touched the floor. I twirled, giggling with excitement, before rushing to show Astrid and Hilda.

When I opened the door, I saw Fjorn standing there, his arms crossed, whispering with Astrid and Hilda. I felt a wave of nervousness. The last time I had left without him knowing exactly where I was going, I was dragged back to camp by a horse. But I took a deep breath and stepped out. Fjorn turned to look at me. His eyes widened, and he licked his lips.

“You look like a goddess,” he said, approaching me, taking my hand, and planting a kiss on my cheek. I could feel my cheeks heating up, but how could I not blush?

“Do you like it?” I asked, performing a small spin.

“Very much,” he replied, stepping back to take me in. I could tell something was bothering him from the tense atmosphere when I walked in.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “I couldn’t tell you where I was since you left me—”

Fjorn shook his head with a soft smile and raised a finger to my lips. “I trust you,” he said. “No, we received responses from the other clans. They’ve requested a clan meeting in two weeks,” he explained, looking down.

“Isn’t that good news?”

“To be honest, I don’t know,” he admitted. “Ingrid had help, and I don’t know what stories she told to get it. If the other clans are sided with us, yes. But if they find me guilty of whatever lies she concocted, there will be a trial,” he said, pulling me into his arms and resting his face on my neck.

I could feel his anxiety with each breath he took. I had assumed that with Ingrid gone, we had nothing to worry about, but it seemed I was mistaken.

“Well then, we have nothing to worry about, my love,” I reassured him, hugging him tightly. Fjorn needed me now more than ever, and I was determined to be the rock he could depend on. “How long do we have to prepare?” I asked, smiling up at him.

“One week until the clans begin arriving,” he replied, sighing and rubbing the back of his neck.

One week? Now I was a bit worried, but I couldn’t let Fjorn see that. “No worries. We can do…um, what needs to be done for a clan meeting in that time, right?” I asked.

Fjorn seemed unsure of how to answer when Astrid stepped in. “Hilda and I can handle the decorations, with our frue’s help, of course. And I’m sure Sten and Ulf will assist with everything else,” she said, smiling at us.

“All right, let’s get to work,” Hilda declared, and the three of us began planning while Fjorn left to discuss things with Sten and Ulf.