NationStates Jolt Archive

Harold then said," Skadi know you know Valgard for what it truly is. A place of light, life, bliss, happiness, glory, and peace."

Her mind still filled with wonder, she hardly hears Harold's words as they echo around the images in her head, she manages a small hardly detectable nod.

Harold read Skadi's eyes and saw that she was comprehending and processing all the things she had just seen.

Although she still looks into his eyes, they have lost their focus and she sits lost in her own mind.
A chill wind blows from the lake and dressed as she is, Skadi's body shivers, yet it does not register on her face

Harold removed his cloak and covered Skadi with it and said," I hope that this helps you to keep warm but I am unsure the wind caused you to be cold though."

This time she hears his words clearer and she manages to nod her thanks to him as she pulls the cloak around her.

"I do feel very cold"

Harold stepped back and said," If you wish I will start a fire for us and if you need anything ask please ask me Skadi."

She looks up at him.

"I don't know what I want, I don't know what I feel after that, I just feel a little .....lost and alone....

Harold looked into her eyes again and said," Return Skadi to yourself."

She again looks into his eyes and thsi time he sees something kin to realisation within them, tears well in her eyes.

"It's not me who is lost and lonely, it's you, they are your thoughts and feelings....."

Harold said," Yes they are of my mind but i only told you to return to yourself in the world not of the world of your mind."

She stands and walks to him, she looks up at him, her face filled with compassion. Putting her arms around his waist she pulls him to her. Resting her head on his chest she holds him as close as she can, her tears now flowing freely.

"No-one should feel the way you do, no-one should be as lonely. You aren't lost any more Harold, I have found you and I won't allow you to go back to that dark place."

Harold puts his arms around Skadi also and says," Thank you."

She nestled into his arms, relishing the closeness she felt, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

Is there really such a thing as love at first sight?

Harold said," There is such a thing if it is that is the person that you are meant to be with."

Skadi tries to stay calm as she hears his words, for she dare not ask the question for fear of an answer that would break her heart. She tries to not show what she is thinking and remains as she is.

Harold says to Skadi in a kind warm voice," Skadi you have gained a place in my heart."

Her mind races, what does that mean? She held many that she cared for in her heart and she loved them, her heart was full of love for others, her Father, her mother and brother, for Brusca and Silth and the many others she counted as special in her life, but THAT kind of love was different to the all powerful and consumimg passion she felt for this .... strange and foreign man.
Her nagging self doubt pushed it's way into her conciousness, niggling away at her, telling here that she was foolish and that she wasn't the type of person this man needed. It nibbled away at her thoughts and pulled away the parts that had made her believe that there was more here than friendship, two people who had shared an evening of hunting and had sat talking by a warm sparkling lake.
"He's being polite", it told her, "you're not good enough or sophisticated enough for one such as he".

With all this running through her head, the only thing she could reply was a simple and non commital, "Thankyou"

Harold said," I shared my mind with you which in my culture that I truly unique to me and that you are very special to me and that I trust you greatly and be love you dearly."

It appeared he had read her mind in some way.

Skadi doesn't even realise that Harold is reading her thoughts and emotions.
There seemed to be a different set of rules for reality here, because right now, as far as she was concerned there was only the two of them and nothing and no-one else existed.

Hearing the words that she wants and needs to hear, she tightens her arms around him slightly, holding him as close as she can, frightened he will leave her.

Harold held her closer and kissed her on the forehead and said," The world is what you make of it here in Valgard it can be because it is a paradise and allows people's minds to wander freely in bliss."

Her body tingled at the touch of his gentle kiss and she said nothing out loud.
Only if you are part of it my love

Harold looked into her eyes and said," I shall be part of it."

Skadi gazes into his eyes and makes as if to speak, then he sees a look of realisation appear on her face.

"You're reading my thoughts!"

She lets out a small suprised laugh.

"I've just been talking to you without saying a word!"

She puts her hand up to her mouth, her face redenning.

"Oh you've been reading my thoughts!"

Harold said," It is a skill many members of the royal family posses and can be taught to others and quite a few Valgardians posses the ability but you cannot learn it quickly and it takes time. But Skadi if you remain in Valagrad long enough I shall teach you."

He smiled at Skadi wider and happier.

"What am I thinking now then?"

She grins trying to think of as many random things as possible.

Harold says," You are thinking of your homeland and going through various memories."

She laughs
"Then you really can read my mind"

She looks at him intently, both concerned, (had he used them in some way to bend her to his will, but there had been no signs of that and would she know anyway?) and intrigued, (she had never met any one with such powers, powerfull instincts yes, but reading minds? Hynotic voices?), she feels a little intimidated and afraid, out of her depth and field of knowledge.

"I'm not sure it that is a good thing or not Harold.....I must admit it does scare me a little"

Harold responds," If I could control minds why wouldn't already used it on you or Valdra or Brusca?"

She can see that he is a little hurt and possibly confused by her question,I wish I could read his mind, but something inside her, the instincts that have managed to keep her alive and safe, compell her to continue.

"I don't know, you may be using these powers on me right now.....how do I tell?"

Harold says," Look into your heart Skadi and read if for yourself if I can control your thoughts I cannot control your emotions and I gave you many of my memories analyze these and then say what you think."

She steps away from him and walks to the lakes edge, not knowing if distance will stop him from knowing what she thinks. The warm waters lap over her bare feet as she looks into the chrystal clear waters and for a moment she turns her head and look back at Harold, still standing where she had left him, then she redirects her gaze back and out over the lake.
She lets her mind wander back to the first time she had seen him in the gardens and continues to work her way through the events that had happened form then.....

Harold sits down and closes his eyes in order to prevent from reading her mind.

Skadi, comforted by the waters warmth, wades in, intending to stop and stand when it reaches her knees, but despite the fact that she still wears her shirt, she is soon laying floating on her back looking up at the clear moonlit night sky.
She closes her eyes and allows the gently movement of the water rock her and comfort her as she tries to make sense of what is and has happened.

Harold waited for Skadi.

Time passes slowly and it is in the darkest and coldest time of night, just before the dawn, when Skadi emerges from the lake. Water runs from her braided hair and her shirt, dripping like rain onto the grass. The pre dawn breeze chills her, but with other things on her mind she does not notice, even as she unconsiously shivers .

Her face calm and almost serene, she walks to Harold, who stands and faces her.
She looks up into his eyes, then trying to show him everything within, she opens her mind to him and lets him see the thoughts and emotions within it.
He sees care and compassion and desire, he sees doubt and worry, he sees jealousy and selfishness and self doubt as she thinks of him meeting Valdra, he sees the void that would be left if she did not have him at least somewhere in her life.
I don't know why or how this has happened Harold, but I believe I am falling in love with you. You are the one that I have waited for, you are the part of me that has been missing, you make me complete.

Then Harold looked into Skadi's again and showed his mind to her a place of light and happiness yet it feels sorely incomplete and this is what makes Harold so lonely and then he says," Look into my mind and see what I am truly and see also what I we can become."

She looks, but try as she might she cannot, she tries harder, but there is too much to see and feel and she can make no sense of it.

"I can't see Harold, I'm trying but I can't...."

Harold says in response," Just believe in yourself and I will do the rest."

Filled with frustration she concentrates and tries again looking deeper into his eyes

At last she saw it Harold's mind it was an increidable place filled with knowledge and joy.

She smiles at what she sees, until she sees the places of sadness and loneliness and she understands some of what he is showing her, but there is still much she cannot grasp, thoughts and feelings dancing around on the edges of her comprehension.
I do not understand, you have shown me this before, but I cannot see what or who you are, show me, tell me.....

Harold said," You are seeing myself as I truly am and in translation I am a person of great happiness and a person of great sadness and loneliness."

As he speaks these words, the images become more clear, the light and the brightness weaving through his thoughts and dreams in a dazzling rainbow of colours and Skadi is elated and the beaty and clarity of those thoughts. Then like a thunder storm on the horizon, the loneliness creeps in and covers the light with a blanket of darkness and she too feels alone and lost, her emotions reach out to him, she tries to push back the darkness but can't, it coninues to cover the bright light.....
Send it away Harold, send it away, you aren't alone......send it away......
Again tears of compassion and empathy flow freely.

Harold said," Skadi remember the beauty of Valgard for that shall conquer the darkness of the storm."

She remembers the beauty and delight and wonder of his thoughts and using all of her will power, pushes hard at the thick blanket of sorrow within Harold's mind, but she can do little to stop it's progress.
The concentration she is using begins to cause a pain in her brow, but ignoring it she tries harder and the edges of the darkness break a little.

I can't do this for you.....You must do this for yourself, I don't have to read minds to know that....I can help but I can't do this....

Harold said," The song shall protect you and the beauty of Valgard shall set in."

No...these are your daemons, they are yours to fight....I cannot fight your battles, I can help I am here but you must do this....

Her head now throbbing with pain she pushes at the darkness with all her will, it moves a little but creeps back again.

Harold said," No these are not demons they are the results of my sadness and loneliness. I saw your mind and in turn showed you mine."

Then the song goes into full swing and it quickly overcomes the darkness and images of Valagrd return to them and the sound of the wind across the meadows and the singing of song birds are abundant.

Even as the calm and serenity begins to calm Skadi, the pain in her temples takes over and it becomes too much for her to bare.
She closes her eyes as she whinces, breaking the contact between her and Harold. Taking a staggered step backwards, she holds her head and gasps.

Harold grabbed some nearby herbs and got a glass of cold water for her and handed it to her and said," Skadi I am sorry if I hurt you."

She readily takes the water and after drinking , she chews the herbs and swallows, grinacing at their bitter taste.
She squints at him through pain filled eyes and tries to show that she knew he hadn't meant her any harm.

"I didn't know what you wanted from me, I didn't know what you were showing me......."

She rubs her temples again.

Harold said," I wanted for us to know each other truly with no shadows between us."

I am not sure if I am ready to see you in that way. It is hard to look through the thoughts and feelings and dreams and visions of another, it feels like I am reading thousands of books all at once.....
I'm sorry I've failed you.

Harold said," You have not failed me if anything you have surpassed my hopes to be able to do so quickly is utterly amazing Skadi."

As he said he had a calming smile on his face and a glow in his eyes.

Relieved at what he has said, she sits down and then lays back, allowing herself to relax and the herbs time to do their work.

"This is all new to me, as I have said I am used to all kinds of strangeness, but (she shakes her head), to have you mind and your thoughts read by another and then to be allowed into anothers mind is.......new"

Harold puts his hand on her shoulder and kisses her on the forehead and says," You truly are an amazing and wonderful person Skadi."

(night)

She smiles up at him and touches his arm, holding it where it is.
"And you too"

(Good night pleasant dreams)

Skadi looks up at the sky, the early chill of the morning sends a shiver through her and she finally realises that she is dressed only in her wet shirt.
She tries to hide her embarassment from him. knowing full well that he would pick up on any emotion she feels.
She kisses the palm of his hand and lets it go, stands and walks to where she had left her clothes.

They too are damp with the early morning dew, but it's not the first time she's had to wear damp clothes and at least they are a step up from none at all.
Pulling on her trousers and boots first, she goes to remove her shirt, then seeing Harold standing there she turns her back to him.
A bit late for modesty Skadi my girl....
She mentally shrugs
Ah well, what you see is what you get Harold and I KNOW you are listening!

Harold shrugs at her slightly and then says to her very politely," If you wish for me to leave I shall."

Skadi laughs.
"It's a little late for that now."
She slips her tunic on, shivering a little, then walks back to Harold.
The sun is just beginning to push the night away from the sky, making it glow a deap orange on the horizon and birds begin to welcome the dawn with their song.
"Our night is over and a new day is beginning"

Harold said," Do wish to ride upon this glorious dawn. If you are need if energy I have some herbs that can greatly make up for a lack of sleep."

She grins at him.
"I am a hunter, I have done it all of my life, one night without sleep will be another of many I have missed and a ride would be the perfect way to end such an interesting night "

She gestures for Harold to lead the way

Harold takes the horses hands a horse and raises his hand offering to help her up.

She chuckles.
"Thankyou, but I think I can manage"
She holds the main of her horse and mounts with ease.

"We ride back to Valagard we should arrive before must of the people are awake and the street should be pretty clear."

Skadi smiles at him and nods, but as they set off in companiable silence she begins to regret the fact that their time together had come to an end.
The peaceful awakening of a new day and the sounds of the birds around her, she allows her mind to drift and for a while she just enjoys being.
But, with a jolt, the rememberance of the fact that Valdra is back at the palace, drags her back to reality.
Valdra was a sophisticated highly educated and inteligent young woman, already skilled in diplomacy and what she lacked in experience she made up with her beauty, her pail almost white skin made even more so by her black raven hair. There was no way she could compete with that, educated yes, but better at hunting and using her instincts than talking and learning from books adn look ate her, straw coloured hair and over tanned skin.

Ah well it was fun while it lasted and certainly an experience I will always remember.... , she said to herself, knowing full well that she didn't really mean it.

Harold said," Skadi your mind it troubled by the fact you do not stand a chance but that isn't true you remember earlier that it was like reading thousands of books they were books of knowledge which I have accumulated in my mind over the years in time I can teach you to decipher that and learn it all for yourself and through my memories you can learn to become Valdra's equal in intelligence and do not worry about Valdra being awake I can sense she is still asleep."

"Hmmmm? What? Oh, I forgot, you can 'hear' me."
She sighs.
"It's not that I think Valdra is more inteligent, her knowledge is just much more befitting to your needs, she'd make a good Empress. Me? I'm a good huntress, but feel ill at ease in cities and with the sort of people you mix with."

Harold stops and says to Skadi," Look into your own mind and understand you really are a brilliant person and being able to read my so quickly is amazing proves that."

I had a good teacher, natural things I do naturally and it just seemed natural

"But none the less Harold, you and your kingdom would be better off with Valdra"

"I will not be better off without you I love you greatly and I qant you to stay with me."

As Harold said this his eyes were watery.

Skadi's heart missed a beat, she tried to say something, but there were no words for how she felt.
Instead, closing her eyes , she mentally caressed him and thought of all the warm, tender and loving things she could, hoping that he would understand.

(OOC fourth time in trying to post this message, sorry)

"I can teach you to ruler within a year as an effective and intelligent person with great diplomatic skills. I know that if you lose me you would be devastated I can never do that to a living creature."

At his words, she looks hurt. His last remark cut her like a knife.

Damn you Harold for listening to my thoughts, is that the only reason you say you love me? Out of pity?

"No it is because you are what I need to heal the wound in my soul and you can set me free."

Skadi shakes her head and looks down, her mind filled with so much of what has happened, that she doesn't know what to think.
Her emotions get the better of her and for the first time in many years she cries, sobbing like a lost child.

"Skadi find yourself and center yourself look at yourself and at last find yourself."

She hears his words, but turns her horse and gallops at spead away from him.
Not knowing where she is going or why and with tear filled eyes, she trusts her mount to lead her safely away.

A loud whistles the air and the horse turned around and Harold came to Skadi and said let me sing my love for you but this time in the young tongue," When I laid you my heart jumped and was filled with joy and my glittered with thee reflection of your hair glowing from the sun your eyes were beacons of light to me freeing my soul of sadness and darkness before I you I was filled with and little nut you changed all of that this is why I love you from the first moment I saw and it only grew after words."

(sorry about it took so long to rp I had to go somehwere)

Still sobbing, Skadi hears his words and though she is calmed by the melody and the sound of his voice she cannot remove herself from her emotions.
It seemed as though they had been hiding for years behind a wall, which now, after experiencing what she had and adding to them the pain and suffering she had seen in Harolds mind, it had burst like a dam, allowing them to flood out in a jumbled swirling torrent.
Still needing to cry and being embarrassed at her lack of control, Skadi slips from the horses back intending to run, but as she drops to the ground she sinks to her knees and covering her face with her hands she continues to cry.

(OOC thats OK... :) )

Harold said," As you were blinded by the thoughts of another you first truly saw, as you were deafened you first truly heard, and as you were lost you were first truly found."

His words echoed through her head and she concentrated on them trying to focus and trying to control.
At that moment she remembered a time when her father had spoken gently to her in riddles, just to take her mind away from her sadness. He had wrapped her in his arms and made her feel safe and warm and protected and she yearned for that feeling now.

Harold said as the end of the riddle," And at last you have found yourself."

Skadi remained silent, her head still down as though in prayer, her braids covering her face.

stupid post=ignored

A friendly warning keep that up you will be destroyed quickly by nations twice your size like mine i an not invading just warning.

then skadi went BOOOM AS THE BIG ARMED TROOPERS BURST IN AND SHOT HER 10000000 KAJILLION TIMES?!?!?!?!

LOL i cant stop laughing. ur a fucking nerd "ur nation will be destroyed" NO IT WONT NUB THIS IS A FUCKING FORUM, YOU CANT DO SHIT TO ME K? GOT THAT SHITCAKE? MY "NATION" DOESNT EVEN EXIST, NOR DOES URS!! K? GOOD

Sorry about that.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Harold came up and said," You are who you chose to be."

Dude RELAX!

OOC posts reported, I would suggest that any others are ignored, if he's looking for a fight then he can sod off somewhere else.

IC:
She snorts.
I used top know who I was and now I know nothing.

Harold then decides to relieve who she truly is and opens her mind to a paradise and then Harold said in her mind," This is who you truly are."

NO IT WONT NUB THIS IS A FUCKING FORUM, YOU CANT DO SHIT TO ME K? GOT THAT SHITCAKE? MY "NATION" DOESNT EVEN EXIST, NOR DOES URS!! K? GOOD
Well, maybe he can't, but I can.

Phreya, three day forumban for flaming. Get yourself under control, dude.

~ Frisbeeteria ~
NationStates Forum Moderator

Thanks for intervening you do your job well and I hope you remain moderator.

OOC: Sorry had to stop myself form laughing after mods posting. (Thanks Frisbeeteria.)
*cough*

IC:
She looks into her mind and she sees, but then she takes Harold to the corners and edges where the images become blurred and grey and at times dark.
I too have my dark places, they are part of me as well and without them I would not be who I am. Some of these places I wish were not there, but many I relish the fact that I can visit them and use them.....I am no paragon of virtue, I am a woman, a daughter of a warrior chief, a huntress.

I'm new to Nation States and glad to see they are smart to include moderators. It's nice to see someone trying to keep the forum relatively clean, and tempers relatively cool.

Then a song emerged in her mind the song Harold had song and it tamed the emotions of her mind and then he said,' Use this song whenever you are alone and your mind is being consumed by darkness."

The song calms her, but as Harold searches within her, he sees that she has learned quickly and small parts are beginning to be closed off from him, little private places where she can hold something back and keep it secret.
With the skills learned for years at her fathers side, she is learning quickly to adapt to a new situation.

She stands.
"We must carry on with our journey."
She tries hard to hide any emotions that she has and not show what she really wants .

Harold then led the way back to Valagrad but not after ordering someone to secretly pick up the boars carcass.

Skadi spends the rest of the journey in silence.
Harold finds it hard to read her mood as her mind continues to jump form one place to another.
Every now and then she sends him a thought of love, or caring, or passion and yearning and then another random thought covers it.
She hardly notices that their journey has almost come to an end.

As they approached the sun was nearly completely arisen they silently went through the streets hoping not to arose suspicion.

As though coming out of a trance Skadi looks around her and realises where she is.
A wave of panic and fear crashes into his mind followed by the almost screamed thought I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO BEFORE, I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU!

“Neither can I lose you.”

She stops her horse and goes to speak, but as she does, a door opens and an early riser, leaves his home to travel to work looking at them as he walks past.

She looks at Harold then speaks to him with her mind allowing her thoughts to pour out in a long stream.

We must get back, we need to find somewhere to be alone, I need to have you to myself just for a little while longer, I need to know what all this means and what you are planning to do and what i should do......

The gardens of the palace are large enough to lose ourselves in it we should head there then.

They race through the streets into the reach a secret garden gate and head into a secluded part of the garden.

Skadi looks around and sure that no-one can see them she turns to harold.
She takes his hand and holds it tightly, staring into his eyes.

"What are we doing, where are we going Harold? I am so confused"

Harold said," I love you so you have lifted my soul from the depths of despair and brought me great joy ever since beholding you and i read your mind and found in you one that I might have the true happiness in my life and the same for you to have true happiness."

"You speak in riddles Harold, what are you to be to me?
My teacher? My lover? My husband?
Nothing is clear, I have spent one night with you and I am so overwhelmed with feeling for you, I cannot trust my own judgement.
I am a hunter and a tracker and a scout, I am used to a clear head and the surety of what my objective is. Now all I know is confusion."

She opens her mind to him and he sees the chaos within her.

"I want you to be the one to wear crown of Scandinava at my side and I wish to teach my things," Harold said to Skadi.

Skadi though wanting to hear those words, still reals back in shock.

"But, after one night? Surely you should think on this Harold?"

"I shall think about it more but remember I am truly in love with you,' Harold said.

Tears again well in her eyes.

and I with you my love, but we both need time, we both need to be with esch other, we both need to think.

The all consuming longing and passion and warmth and care flows freely from her mind to his as she looks into her eyes.

Harold responds," They do take time i agree. But for now let us jsut relax together."

He reached down and kisses her on the cheek.

(last post for the night. gooo night.)

He feels the shiver of antisipation as his lips touch her cheak and sees what is in her mind.
She closes her eyes and leans into his embrace.


Pleasant dreams, good night)

He embarced her also.

They stood for what seemed to be an eternity like that, just relishing the warmth of their bodies near to each other.
I want to stay like this forever, but we cannot, our lives must go on, you have your duties to attend to and I need time to clear my head

He kissed her on the forehead and stood up and said," You are right I shall take my leave now but remember that I love you."

She says nothing but stands with him as though to follow, then sits back down. And i love you my dearest Harold

As Harold departs he says silently," I wish I can be with you forvever."

Skadi site alone in the garden for a while longer, listening to the sounds of the waking palace around her, she looks up at the sky, it's white clouds make the bright sky look even more blue than it is.
I wonder if it ever rains here? I suppose it must do, or things would not grow.....

She satnds to leave and looks around as if she has forgotten something important, she realises that it's because Harold is not there.
Sighing she leaves the garden and returns to her room to try and rest.

Harold goes to his throne room and hears out the affairs of the day and begins to fill out paper work which has been stacked.

Brusca asks a guard where she will find Harold, he points her in the right direction and she thanks him with a nod and a beaming smile.
She glances in the throne room and sees Harold head down, leaning over his work and signals to a clark standing ready to take some of the mound of paper wrok away.
The clark walks to her and she speaks quietly to him, he nods and then returns to the Emperors side.
"Emperor, the Valkyrja waits at the door, she would like to speak with you if you have a moment to spare?"

Harold tells the guard to bring her forth.

Brusca smile a wide smile at Harold and she bows deeply to him.
"Good morning Emperor, are you well? I see by the rather large boar brought in, that you and Skadi had a 'fruitful' night?"

I warn you Emperor, do not try to read my mind, if you do, I shall open the doors and show you four hundred years of horror stored within and I can assure you, it is NOT a sight for mortal men.

"I saw Skadi enter her room not more than a hour ago, she has either had a very early mornign or a very late night."

"Do not threaten me I can sense your mind is full of horror what kind of creature are you?

Brusca looks at Harold in supprise.
"I threaten no-one Emperor, I just warn you not to try and read me in that way."
She looks at him sideways and studies him for a moment.
"You will need to study your new religion in a little more depth I think.
I am Valkyrja, a hand maiden of Odin, the gatherer of mens souls from the battle field, the keeper of the faith and a messenger for the Gods.
Christians would call me an Angel, but I am just a woman with the same loves, hates and feelings as any other. There is however one difference, until I am released from Odin's employ, I am imortal.
So Harold, I do not threaten, I warn, do not attempt to enter where you will not wnat to be."

She perches casually on the edge of his desk.
"Now about Skadi....."

"I am sorry about my rashness ever since the death of my father I have been harsh. What Skadi Brusca?"

"Apology accepted I have had worse in my time. Skadi seems a little 'disturbed' this morning, she has bathed and lays on her bed but doesn't sleep. Is there anything I should know of?"

"We came to know each other. But how did you know I could read minds?"

*She shrugs*
"I can see into the souls of any I choose to."

She picks up a paper knife and idly twiddles it through her fingers.

"Do you still wish to meet with Valdra?"

"She is my guest she may do as she wishes so if she wished to meet she may."

She stops and looks at Harold.
"I asked what YOU want to do Emperor, not what she wishes to do"

"Send for her."

Brusca bows.

"I shall call on her myself and ask her to join you"

She turns and leaves, shaking her head as she goes.

You are a fool Emperor, you have already made your choice

Brusca Skadi is the part of me that makes me whole.

Then why carry on this masquerade? I will get Valdra.

Then tell her to meet at breakfast then at the seat left of me.

Brusca shrugs, "very well"

A short while later Valdra is standing in the doorway waiting for her to be invited in.
She is wearing a long deep red gown that excentuates her figure, her long black hair worn loose frames her pail face.
She stands patiently with the assurance of someone who is used to the lifestyle that the palace dictates and the protacol which surounds it.

Harold invite her into his chambers.

She nods graciously and enters the rooms, looking apreciatively around at it's fine decoration.
"Good morning Emperor, I trust you slept well? I am honoured that you chose to breakfast with me."

"come in please."

He leads her into a small table set upon it are golden plates and golden goblets with perals decorating the sides.

She admires the table and it's service.
"A most befitting way for an Emperor to dine, the most finest I have seen."

Then Harold pulled out her mahogany chair lined with gold and silver trim.

She allows him to seat her and settling herself she sits straight and proud, her hands resting in her lap.
"And how are you this fine morning Emperor?"

"Alright how are you?"

"I am fine thank you, you have provided most luxurious rooms and a most comfortable bed. I trust you slept well also?"

"I had a good night."

Valdra sits for a moment in silence, Harold chances a glimpse of her mind.
Her emotions are masked behind her desire for perfection and protocol.
In the practiced way of a diplomat, she constantly thinks of the matter in hand and judges what to say before saying it.

"I retired almost as soon as we left your presence after dinner, but I had a trifle of a headache later and knocked on Skadi's door to see if she had something for it. It appeared that she was not there, perhaps she had found some stable boy or such to take her hunting?"

"Shye did go hunting last night."

Valdra allows herself a small smug smile.
"It is in her nature to be out in the wilds. This, (she gestures to the room), lifestyle is not best suited to one of her kind"

She gestures to the silver coffee pot.

"May I?"

"You may."

Valdra pours both a cup of coffee. Feeling now on safer ground she continues to talk.
"Oh Skadi and her people are good enough sorts, they are invaluable in times of war, but their women folk are not exactly sophisticated, but how would one expect more living in a backward facing country with little or no technology to think of.
And the creatures they mix with.....they hunt with lycanthrope, (have you ever seen a were wolf, not the prettiest of creatures) and wolfkin, some strange hybrid half human half wolf.
I really feel for Skadi being forced to be here, I just don't know hwat her father was thinking of, or Brusca for that matter!"

She sips her coffee, nodding aprovingly at the blend.

"No Emperor, the poor girl is way out of her depth here, she would not make a good Empress at all."

She glances up at him, a small smile on her lips.

"Yet sometimes the most unusal choice is the best one."

"Oh most certainly in some cases Emperor and you can't blame the poor girl for trying to better herself."

She sips her coffee again weighing up how best to proceed.

"Unfortunately when one is choosing a spouse for a possition such as yours, there are more things at stake. An agile mind, skilled in the ways of diplomacy and the ways of the wider more sophisticated world is needed far more than some dead animal for the dinner table."

"The world needs leaders who are strong of heart mind, soul, and body."

"Oh most certainly Emperor, that is most true. However, one must be strong enough to be able to cope with the stress of the life one has chosen. I'm afraid that this would be far too much for Skadi and she would be much better suited to a simpler less elaborate nation than yours."

"Intresting point but are you strong enough to withstand the rituals performed by the emperors and empresses I."

Valdra looked mildly suprised.
"Rituals? What may they entale?"

"They require journeys to elevations of over twenty thousand feet to reach the shrine where the emperors and empresses are crowned. Also they require that you are strong of body and soul beyond the measures of lesser peoples. Also that your mind must be as keen as a glistening diamond."

If Harold had thought that Valdra could not become any pailer, he was now proven wrong as her face changed to an ashen grey, but she recovered quickly.
She smiles sweetly and answers
"A most unusual type of ritual indeed, however, I am a Norsewoman and wouls easily perfom such a fete."

But her mind said differently....
Well, that's one thing I won't be doing my dear Emperor, once the marriage contracts are signed I shall fake some illness and get out of that thankyou very much!

"In order to become empress you will have to complete the ritual just to make sure you understand because every land has their own customs and you will have to make the journey up there without me because I already completed the ritual before I was born because my mother bore me within the shrine like many emperors before me."

Valdra has now had the chance to recover her compossure.

"Oh I would be doing that by myself? Oh well no doubt I would manage."

But the second part of his statement had taken it's time to sink in and Harold could hear clearly the mental shriek.

"And you say that all of our children would be born in the shrine also?"

She was already beginning to work of ways of getting out of this, without having to break possible diplomatic ties with such a prosperous nation.

"Valdra you only have to make the journey once when you are not pregnant afterwards when you are pregnant you are brought by helicopter so that the child will be born in the shrine because since you already have made the journey it counts as you making the journey."

She looks relieved and smiles sweetly, as she sips her coffee, nodding her understanding.

Not if I can help it, I'll find some way to cheat....

"Here is a rule if you cheat you automatically are arrested and sent back to your home and the other shall be allowed to be the one to become empress/emperor if she/he climbs the mountain.'

By referring to the male and female I mean an old rule that was created to prevent candidates for emperor or empress.

"Oh of course and quite right to Emperor"
If you get caught that is

She changes the subject quickly.

"And what do you have planned for today Emperor?"

"I have a lot of work related to the realm today but i can join you and Skadi for lunch at 1:00."

"Oh of course Emperor, we mustn't keep you from your work."

She stands to leave.

"Thankyou for the most interesting conversation and delicious coffee"

Harold leaves her put of the room and graciously opens the door for and says to Valdra," Have a good morning and thank you also."

She gives him her best smile and leaves.
When he has closed the door behind her she stops and frowns.
Well thankyou father for suggesting this one......and wait until I get my hands on that information officer as well.....CLIMB UP TO A TEMPLE?

She looks around at the rich tapestries on the walls and thick carpet underfoot.
Mind you, if may be worth it, this lot would be wasted on the berserkers daughter!

Harold walked back to the throne room and began to go through the affairs of the day.

Back in her rooms Skadi had had little rest.
When she had got back, she had run a hot bath and soaked in it until it was almost cold, but still she couldn't relax.
She had climbed into bed, but she hadn't been able to sleep and gave up after a while.

She dressed and went out onto the balcony, the garden was as beautiful in the daylight as the night.
Tempted to climb back down the way she had the previous evening, she stopped herself and left her room by the door, meeting Valdra as she walked down the corridor.

Valdra in her usual manner told Skadi that she had been called to see the Emperor and that they were to meet him for lunch.
Skadi feined indifference, but inside her heart was jumping, she wasn't sure whether she could face him again so soon.

Escaping into the garden Skadi soon finds the spot where she had first seen Harold. She sits and gazes into the pool of water wtaching the mirrored clouds float by.........

Harold goes to the dining room illuminated by a golden chandler and orders that the table laden with golden plated and goblets. There he sits upon his high chair right near a stream in which the food would float down upon on silver platters.

Valdra, prompt as usual, arrives and waits to be seated.

Skadi, lost in thought realises that she is late and almost runs to the dining room. She stops just outside to catch her breath, then enters trying her best not to look flustered.

"You may be seated now if you wish anywhere there is a seat you may sit."

Valdra chooses immediately, taking the seat nearest to the Emperor.

Skadi hessitates and sits on the opposite side of the table to him. She tries her best to shield her thoughts and emotions, but fails terribly.

"Skadi relax and Valdra don't think about cheating."

Valdra looks suprised and a little insulted.
"Cheating Emperor, over what would I cheat"

Skadi shoots Harold a glance.
I can't help but be nervous......

"Calm down a little Skadi ."

I'm fine.... she smiles at him.

Valdra, not used to being 'ignored' catches the attention of Harold.
"Again you have serpassed yourself with the beautiful things you have in your palace Emperor"

He smiles back at Skadi and then says," What do you think of this day and of the food?"

"Thank you Valdra."

Skadi smiles a little.
"The day is most beautiful, almost as beautiful as the night."
She looks down at the food in front of her, as she moves it around with her fork.
"And the food is most beautifully cooked and prepared"
She tasted a little of the meat and grins.
"I do believe this is wild boar?"

Valdra, not wanting to be out bid also tastes and nods in agreement.
"Most delicious, are there many wild boar in your forests?"

"Yes it is wild boar and we do have many in our forests."

Skadi relaxes a little as memories of the hunt and final kill come flooding into her mind.
OUR wild boar Harold?

"So I have heard, I hope that I will be able to track and hunt one before I leave."

"It shouldn't be hard to find one because there are many around Valgard."

"I'm suprised you didn't find one when you were out last night Skadi, perhaps, as there are so many and you saw none, your tracking skills aren't as good as you thought?"

Though Valdra's words were spoken in an even and conversational manner, it was clear to Skadi that she was attempting to belittle her with such an insult.

Skadi did her best to ignore the slite and continued to push her food around her plate.

"Skadi did bring in a boar last night i even saw the corpse."

Valdra looked confused.

"But Skadi you said that....why did you not say instead of .... OH thats just typical of your people, always not saying what is and exagerating what is not!"

Skadi shrugs.

"I hadn't realised that the Emperor had noticed I had brought it in Valdra, I would have much rather my guide and co-hunter had taken the credit for it, it was he who actually made the kill, I merely assisted."

Harold shrugs

"If you assited you still can take credit for the kill."

"The kill must allways belong to the one who dealt the final blow Emperor"
Skadi smiled
"And a fine huntsman he is too"

Valdra sits listening to this conversation, to her it seemed all too cloaked in hidden meanings and she didn't like it one bit.
She fixes her gaze on the Emperor and resting her hand on her chin leans forward.
"So Emperor, tell us about your nation, I can see it has wealth and is well run, but what do you invisage it's future to be?"

"I imagine it will grow and grow wealthier and it's people's bliss will grow."

"Oh, most interesting and how do you propose to fascilitate that?"

Valdra, satisfied that she has his attention, smiles her sweetest smile at him.

"Through proper economic and political descicions as a strong leader."

"And of course, you are the strong leader to do that my Emperor"

She flutters her eyes and gazes deap into his.

Skaldi snorts, but says nothing looking at the half eaten food on her plate.

Inside his eyes she senses something she can't identify.

Valdra looks then looks away sharply, a little flustered.

At Valdra's sudden movement Skaldi looks and sees the faint glow in Harold's eyes.
For a moment she panics
Harold?

Harold then turned to Skadi and smiled with a glow in his like the one he had given her near the lake.

She gazes into his eyes and is lost.......
My love, I claim that look for me alone, I don't want to share it with any other......

"Then I shall reserve it for you then."

He said to her in her mind.

She smiles back at him, still locked in his stare, her mind filled with love, desire and longing.

I want to be with you forever my love, I never want to be parted from you......


So engrosed are they that they almost forget that Valdra is with them.

"Whats in Hel's name was that? Emperor I demand to know what or who you are!"

Valdra pulls at Skadi's shoulder trying to break her link with Harold

"Skadi! SKADI! Stop this!"

"There are powers within my race that allow to communicate with others through mind links even with those who do not posses them Valdra."

"This is some kind of trickery! You have enthralled Skadi and you seek to do the same thing to me!"

Valdra shakes Skadi hard, but her eyes still remain focussed on locked upon his.

"STOP THIS AT ONCE!"



Harold feels an almost overwhelming torrent of emotion flooding his mind as Skadi opens herself to him and tries to show him how strongly her feeling are for him.

Harold realizes how much Skadi loves him and learns the real depth of her mind and knows now that she can be trained to be as great of empress as anyone else.

Then Harold says to Valdra,"I cannot enthrall others to my will I can only make them know me for who I truly am."

Finally allowing herself to blink and break away from Harold's gaze, Skadi closes her eyes and gathers here thoughts once more.
She stands and faces the, by now, almost hystrerical Valdra.

"NO VALDRA, YOU STOP THIS AT ONCE!"

"You call my people primitave and ill educated, you try to belittle me in the persuite of your own personal gains and then you accuse our host of trickery?"

She shakes her head in disgust.

"No Valdra, it is you who knows nothing, you turn your back on some of our most beloved allies, because you do not understand their ways, you look down upon those who choose to live a more simple and scoff at them because you think only of wealth.
You are even disgusted at the way your father leads his nation and I warrant you can't wait for him to be taken to the great halls, so that you can take over!"

She walks towards Valdra.
"No Valdra YOU stop this chirade and go soemwhere else to hunt your prey, becuase you have let this one get away"

"Valdra your thoughts are full of cheating and lust for wealth you mwished to cheat in a journey to on one of the most holy places in my empire what honor is there in that?"

Valdra looks from one to the other, now flustered far beyond the point of return. Her face reddens and she can do nothing but bluster an few incoherant words.
Finally she manages to gain enough compsoure to bow to the Emperor.

"Emperor, with your permission I will take my leave and return to my homelands."

"You may leave but I must ask you do not tell anyone what you have learned today about my mind reading powers or how wealthy Valgard is."

Valdra pauses for a moment, but says nothing and nods.

She turns, looks at Skadi for a moment then leaves.

Guards escorted her out of the palace and to a charter car waiting to bring her to plane waiting for her.

As she watches Valdra leave, Harold doesn't need to read her to know how she is feeling, she is visibly shaking with rage.

Before she leaves Harold says one more thing to her," You do not like the fact that you meet one who is greater in mind than you and able to read you thoughts better than you could."

Skadi breaths deaply trying to control herself.

"She has needed to be told those things for a long time.
Don't worry about her speaking of you or this place to others, she has lost face and this episode of her life will be forgotten very quickly. Besides, Brusca will see to it that she says nothing."

Still standing looking at the door she rubs her hands together then folds her arms in front of her in a desperate attempt to stop herself shaking.

Harold then goes back to the dining table but instead of siting in his chair he goes to sit next Skadi.

Finally managing to calm herself she turns back to Harold and realises that he has sat down.
She smiles at him and goes to join him at the table, but finds that her emotions feel too raw to look him in the face.

Harold brings his hand to her chin and very gently turns her head till their eyes meet. The light in his eyes is as great as it was the previous night.

She tries not to look but is compelled and as soon as her eyes lock with his she is engulfed in a feeling of warmth and comfort and beauty and everything else melts away from her.

"Are you willing to wear the crown as empress of Scandinava?"

She opens her mind to him and lets him see all that is there.
The darkness at the edge becomes clearer as he sees what she has done and witnessed in times of war.
He feels the raw power of her fury as she attacks her enemies and the satisfaction she has had in seeing their corpses scattered upon the battled field.
He watches as she relives her hunts with the werewolves and the lust she feels as she watches them tear a beast apart and hears it's screams as they devour it alive.
He feels the pride she has in her nation and the who she is and what her people are.

If you still want me to be?

"Yes."

She concentrates hard and frowning with the exertion, gently pushes her way into his mind.
Her hand reaches out and she brushes his cheek as she tries desperately to fill his mind with as much joy and happiness that he is sending to her.

Then the answer must be yes....

Harold nods.

Harold feels the emotions rising within her, all at once she his happy and sad, full of confidence and unsure, panicked and calm, they swirl around her mind like a whirl pool.
Again she is over come with the effort of trying to enter his mind and tears begin to fill her eyes, but this time she does not pull away from him, this time she draws nearer.
She hessitates for a moment, then with her hand on the nape of his neck she draws him closer and kisses him passionately.

Harold embraces her and deeply kisses her.

With her kiss returned, she allows her emotions to flow freely form her in waves of passion and longing and desire.
As their first kiss ends, she wraps her arms around him and holds him tightly, as though she is too afraid to let go.

Harold looked to her eyes and said," I love so much."

"And I love you too."
With both mind, body and soul my dear Harold, with everything I have and everything I can give

"Only two short days ago, I was here just to satisfy my father's wishes and now?"
Now I can never think of spending a moment away from you.

She holds him closer.

"In two days we have spent together may it grow into a lifetime."

Oh it will my love it will.....



So wrapped up are they in each other, they do not notice a figure staning in the doorway.
Brusca is dressed in her full ceremonial armour, the same as when she arrived, but this time she is carrying the gold and diamond tipped spear given to her as a gift on her arrival.
She leans on the doorway for a few moments and watches the two of them together.
It appears that mortal men are capable of making the right choices sometimes.
She silently calls upon Odin and Sif to shower their blessings upon the couple and their union, then turns to join Valdra and travel home.

Harold hugging Skadi says," When and where do you wish to be married my love?"

Skadi stops and thinks for a moment, she laughs.

"Do you know I hadn't even thought that far, I really don't know. Didn't you say something bout having to perform some sort of task that Valdra had thought about cheating at?"

"I made up the part of her having to climb a twenty thousand foot mountain because I had the felling that she wasn't an honest person but you do have to make a trip to a top of a mountain that high where you will be crowned empress but all you really have to do is to walk 3 miles and go up 2100 feet with a entourage on a path nut it should only really take about 12 hours in total."

Skadi laughs.
"Harold you dog! That was an evil and cruel thing to do!"

She conciders this for a moment.
"What are your traditions for marriage? Our people have stayed with the old way, where two people swear loyalty to each other and it is done. There is little pomp or ceremony, it is just another phase of a persons life, a part of the circle."

"We shall get married in your country's traditions in honour of you and your nation but it shall be done in the garden of Valgard."

Skadi is visibly touched by Harold's suggestion.

Thank you my love, it would mean a great deal to me

"When do you wish to have the wedding?"

She holds her head and squeezes her temples, lack of sleep, tension and the exertion of trying to communicate mentally with Harold had brought on a very painful headache.

"I'm sorry I just don't know Harold, this is all just too much and too fast. I've hardly had time to breath."

Harold says urgently, "Are you alright my love?"

Skadi barely hears Harolds words, his voice seems far away to her.

She closes her eyes trying to ease the pain, but it seems to increase it.

"I'm fine, I think I just need some fresh air"

She stands, but as she does, the pain becomes so intense that she almost cries out. Her head swimming she opens her eyes again and tries to speak but her vision is clouded in a grey mist that rapidly darkens into a thick blanket of fog.

"Harold I think.........."

Her knees buckling under her, Skadi collapses and falls unconcious to the floor.

Harold runs up to her and carries her to his bed and tucks her in and orders doctors to bring her some medcine and pulls a chair up and watchs her without end waiting for her to wake up.

Despite several visits from his best physicions, Skadi still remains as she is.
The only signs that show she is still alive is her even breathing and the occasional twitch of her eyes and whince of pain that travels across her face.

Harold, desperate to help tries to enter her mind, but he is met by a curtain of itense pain.

"It has been a while since I have used my healing power but I believe this may do it."

Suddenly a surge of energy surged through her.

Skadi's body stiffened as though she had been hit by a bolt of lightening, a groan of pain escaped form her lips.

Harold sent another shook through her.

Again her body twisted, this time her fists clenched and she spoke through gritted teeth.

"Please stop the pain........"

Harold sent another jolt of energy through her body.

Her face still a mask of pain Skadi whimpered, a single tear escaped from her closed eye and lazily crept it's way down her cheek.

Harold, my head is filled with pain, it's dark here .....

He sent another jolt of enrgy thorugh her and then started playing the harp music in her mind and the song he had sung.

Skadi did her best to concentrate of the harp and Harolds voice, she tried to bring back the meories of when he had sung it to her before, but though it calmed her, it did little to push the pain away as it throbbed it's way along her forhead like a drum keeping time with her heart.

Then Harold put another surge of energy in her but this one was twice as strong as the other ones.