12. Expectations

For the rest of the week you watch as people hurriedly run around making preparations for the upcoming visitor. Not trusting the other women to give you a truthful answer you ended up asking Sigrid who the guest is. She seemed slightly surprised by your question but went on to explain that she believed in your language they're called a "king." You had become aware that Sten's family was in charge of this village but you didn't realize there's an actual ruler of the land. Deciding the visit is of no consequence to you, you do your best to stay out of everyone's way. When you find an elaborately stitched dress laid out on your bed one morning you know it's finally time for his arrival. A couple of women spend an hour or so putting your hair up into another braided style, similar to the one from your wedding night. When they finish you're finally able to slip away and leave the hall unnoticed as people continue rushing about. It had been late spring when you first arrived here and now it grows later into the year as autumn approaches.

Despite the time of year it's abnormally hot today and you're grateful when a cool breeze gently passes through as you make your way down a narrow path through the forest. It's not often that you have a chance to explore around this area in the day time and you look forward to finally finding out where this especially long trail leads. The sun's rays grow hotter as the day progresses and you wish you hadn't been **** into such a stuffy dress. Eventually as you're walking you can hear the gentle rushing sound of water and the path leads into a small clearing up ahead. Looking around you take in the small piece of beauty before you. A narrow waterfall runs down along a rock face leading into a clear pool of water below it. There's a thick layer of multicolored flowers growing around along the edges of the water and you hold your breath slightly as you enter the clearing. Fracted rays of sunlight cut through the thick foliage above you gently warming the patches of skin they touch. Despite the added shade it's still fairly hot and the water in front of you looks quite inviting. Noting the stillness around you it's not long before you find yourself stepping out of your dress.

A thin slip hangs on your shoulders, drifting down to hover just above your now bare feet. The water only goes up to the middle of your calf but still feels refreshing as you walk forward to the water fall. You don't dare get your hair wet for fear of the repercussions from the women that put it up but hold your bare arms out. The cool water flows over your forearms and you feel the skirt of your slip floating around your legs. Once you've cooled down you pull your arms out of the water and start to turn around. Your breath catches in your throat when you see a figure seated on a horse about a hundred feet away, deeper into the forest. You shiver slightly as you feel the persons unseen eyes rake up your partially bare form. You stand frozen in place for a moment before the figure turns away and rides off. While you couldn't get a good look at his face you could make out a strikingly deep blue cloak on his shoulders. Once the rider is out of sight you quickly get of the pool and get dressed. The wet hem of your slip brushes against your legs as you briskly make your way back to town and try to forget about the strange rider.

As you arrive the sun is beginning to set and you see a woman standing outside the hall looking impatient. When she sees you, she sighs exasperatedly, before marching up and grabbing your arm. "You're late." She hisses as she drags you in through a smaller door on the side of the stone building. The doorway leads into the smaller corridor behind the large dinning area. You can only assume the King has already arrived and they don't want you to draw attention away by coming in through the large front entrance. You haven't seen the hall this crowded before and glance over at the tables along the sides of the walls that are packed with people. A long, narrow, table has been pulled up in front of the thrones Sten and his family sit in. You see your empty seat next to the one Sten usually sits in and quickly slide in. Looking over you're surprised to see Sigrid is occupying the seat to your side and Toke is in hers. Your eyes continue moving forward and stop when they land on the imposing figure sitting in Toke's seat. The man is younger than Toke but you can tell from the hardened expression on his face that he's wise beyond his years.

A reddish brown beard covers his large square jaw and he his deep blue eyes look almost purple in the fire light. Both sides of his head are partially shaved and the long length of hair that runs down from the top his head has been braided. As your eyes continue moving down it's not his hulking figure that causes you to tense but the deep blue cape resting on his shoulders. Your eyes slowly move back up you inhale sharply when you see his dark eyes staring back into your own. Despite your fear you feel yourself locked into his gaze until someone says something to him and he turns away. You didn't realize you had been holding your breath and let it out shakily as you look away. As you pick at the food before you the people around you continue to laugh and talk throughout the night. At one point Toke gets up and proclaims his thanks to the King, who's name you learn is Rurik, for blessing him with their visit. The crowd cheers in agreement and the King nods curtly at them before thanking Toke for his generosity. His voice is deep and smooth but there's an air of authority to it when he speaks. He strikes you as the type of man who's used to getting his way and you're not sure why that bothers you so much.

As the night progresses you slowly sip on a glass of mead and stare ahead at the celebrating people before you. Your body stiffens a moment later when you feel a presence standing behind you. Soft fabric brushes against your shoulder as the King leans down between you and Sigrid before whispering something to her. Titling forward you try to make out his words but they're drowned out by the noise from the crowd. When he pulls away you see Sigrid's eyes shift over to you before looking up at him and nodding. An uneasy feeling starts forming in your stomach as she quickly gets up and walks away. The King moves away and returns to his seat to rejoin in the men's conversation. A moment later Sigrid returns and tells you to follow her. You go to set your glass down but she stops your hand and says, "I'd finish that if I were you." Swallowing nervously you take your cup with you and follow her through the door into the smaller corridor. "What's going on?" You ask her as she brings you to the bathing chamber. "The King has chosen you." She states curtly before pushing the door open and leading you inside the room.