Days turned into weeks. Weeks drew out into months. It was now nearing the end of winter though you couldn't tell from the snow that covered Kattegat. The only sign that the seasons were starting to change was the days were getting longer and the cold didn't seem to be as oppressive while sleeping in the barn with the other servants.

It didn't take long for me to finally break. A couple of good floggings and days without food and I had no fight left in me. I was weak and tired and had no other choice than to just do what was told of me. I still found myself bitting my tongue as to not say anything to get myself in trouble. I must have been doing a good job at that as Aslaug finally eased up on me. I no longer was overworked or made a mockery while I worked which made my circumstances more bearable.

After breakfast was served and myself and a couple of others cleaned off the table I stayed behind in the pantry. The others went off to either help with washing clothes, prepping for lunch or went to follow the Queen as she wanted to walk the market. When I knew I was alone and no one was watching I grabbed an apple, some bread and the rest of a plate of meat that Ubbe had not finished. I wrapped the food in a cloth and placed it in the pocket of my apron. There was half a pitcher of ale left that I poured into a leather pouch, plugging the top I used the strings around the spout to tie it off to my apron.

"What are you doing?" Margrethe questioned making me jump out of my skin.

"Nothing," I answered quickly as I tried to push past her.

She grabbed my wrist and turned me around harshly. With her other hand she stuck it in my pocket and took out the bundle of food. "This," she said shaking the bundle in my face "is stealing. If Aslaug found out, you'd be punished."

Snatching the food from her hand and placing it back in my apron I raised my eyebrows at her. "Well she isn't going to find out now is she, Margrethe?"

Margrethe's expression fell to her normal flat one. She breathed out sharply from her nose and then finally let go of my wrist. Turning on my heal I left her alone in the pantry. The two of us didn't get along. She was all too eager to serve. Like a dog, she lived for the positive reinforcement of having done well. I couldn't blame her, though. She was born into servitude, she knew nothing more than to please others. It was sad, really.

Brushing her from my thoughts, I stole a cloak from one of the hooks on the wall by the door as I snuck out through the back of the building and hurried towards the woods. I was constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't noticed before I made it to the cover of the trees. Margrethe wasn't the only one who would love to tell the queen of my disobedience.

Stumbling through the deep snow I finally made it to my destination. Far enough into the forest where I knew no one roamed was my favorite place in this world. There was a small clearing at the base of a sheer rock wall. Coming from the top of the rock wall was a beautiful waterfall. At the base was a deep pool of blue water that I would often swim in as a young girl. The pool of water over flowed spilling over boulders in another much smaller waterfall and eventually into town. Years ago, a huge tree had fallen creating a bridge over the smaller waterfall. The bark of the tree had long since fallen off leaving a smooth an seemingly constantly soaked surface.

Balancing myself as I climbed atop the fallen tree I carefully walked over the slippery wood, making sure not to slip on the patches of ice, until I reached the middle where I crossed my feet and sat down.

I ate my stolen food and sipped ale from the leather pouch as I watched the water topple over the cliff high above me. The sound of both the rushing water and the gently spilling water was so relaxing. It took me far away from Kattegat, from these people. It took me to my own personal Valhalla. Not the one with Odin and Freya and the Valkyries but a quiet paradise here I was free to just be myself. No fighting, no struggling, no waiting on people hand and foot, just peaceful bliss.

Before too long, I stood up on the log and removed my cloak, apron, dress and shoes. I stood naked in the middle of the woods, the freezing winter air caressing my body, making my nipples turn hard. Leaving my clothes on the tree I hopped down and into the freezing water. This new cold took my breath away as I walked further into the pool. With every step the water splashed up my leg further and further until it reached my mid thigh. I dove in, letting the icy water take me. I swam under the surface for as long as I could bare.

As I emerged from the water I let out a gasp. The air now seeming infinitely warmer after being in the water. Though the water was freezing, I felt it wash away all of the dirt and grime from my body. My hands met at my forehead as I pushed my soaking hair back out of my face. I felt the water running down over my close eyes before I opened them. The water trickled into my eyes blurring my vision until I was able to blink it away.

"You're going to freeze to death." I heard a voice call from the shore.

Startled, I ducked back under the water to cover myself from my stalker. Scanning the shoreline my eyes finally fell upon the voice. Ivar.

He was sitting at the shore in the snow with a small fire built next to him. The smoke twirling around his hunched form. "Are you going to come out or is this your plan to free yourself?" He questioned snidely.

"Look away!" I ordered, knowing that my body would be on full display for him as I went for my clothes.

Ivar smiled, the light from the fire making his teeth gleam. "I don't think I will." Ivar called back.

The temperature of the water was now getting to me. I didn't have time to argue with him. I closed my eyes and breathed out through my nose before I rose from the water and started walking out. My eyes locked with Ivar's as the water revealed my breasts to him. They bounced slightly with each slow step I took. Ivar's eyes ducked down and landed on my chest making his smile widen. With a couple more steps I was completely revealed to him. I'd never been naked in front of anyone before and I had hoped my first time wouldn't feel so embarrassing

Ivar's hand came up in front of him, his index finger pointing out before he recoiled it and then repeated the action, beckoning me to come towards him.

Was this really how my first time would be? I thought feeling butterflies erupt in my belly.

I stopped in front of his leather bound legs, looking down at him. To my surprise, he took the cloak from around his shoulders and handed it up to me as I stood shivering and on full display. "Take it," he said throwing it up at me.

Catching it I hurriedly wrapped myself in the material, making sure to cover every inch of me before I sat down next to the fire.

Ivar looked out, taking in the scenery of the water and sighed. "This place is beautiful."

I looked over to him, a small smile spreading on my lips. "This is my favorite place." I answered, instantly regretting giving him anything to use against me.

Ivar took a leather canteen, much like the one I'd stole from his belt and held it out to me. I shimmied closer to him so I could take the pouch. Our shoulders almost touched now. I reached out, our fingers just barely touching as I took it from him. He looked away as soon as we had made contact, snatching his hand away. I took a sip from the canteen, letting the ale spill down the back of my throat. I held the object in my hands, swirling it a couple of times before taking another sip.

"I imagine you came here a lot... when you were a free woman." He commented.

His remark struck a nerve in me. I looked over at him, infuriated at his comment. This only made him laugh.

"How does it feel, Briet, to never be a shield maiden? To never board a longboat, to never fight in a shield wall, huh?" His eyes locked with mine as he leaned over closer to me. "To never be free?"

I threw the canteen in his lap. His remark had me seeing red. I pointed to his withered legs before throwing his insult back in his face. "How does it feel Ivar the Boneless," I jabbed at his legs with my hand as I said this "to never be a real Viking? To never fight in a shield wall, to never be a real man-"

My last words were cut off as Ivar was on top of me in an instant. The cloak I had wrapped around me was now wide open. His clothed body was now on top of naked one, hands wrapped tightly around my neck as he squeezed. I've struck a nerve.

Ivar's eyes were wild. I'd never seen such a primal need to kill like the one painted on his face. His grip was getting tighter making me realize that this wasn't a power trip, he wanted blood. My hands wrapped around his as my fingers tried to pry his off from around me neck. His lips turned down in a frown, his grip only getting harder. His face was so close to mine, the air from his flaring nostrils fanned over my cheeks.

Was this my fate? To die out in the woods? Maybe this wasn't so bad... My hands slid from his, no longer fighting him. I accepted what was about to happen. "Do it," I choked out. Fat tears slowly spilled from my eyes as I continued to look into his deep blues. "Kill me."

"Argh!" Ivar screamed out in frustration as he let go of my throat and rolled off of me. I took in huge breathes of air, trying to fill my burning lungs but it only caused me to cough. I curled onto my side, facing Ivar as I willed myself to stop coughing. "I will not kill you, Briet." He answered behind a clench jaw.

"No, you will just let your mother do it." I whispered harshly.

"You used to be so sweet, Ivar!" I barked at him between huge gulps of air, my voice raspy. "We used to play together, what happened to you?"

He scoffed as he sat up, bringing his legs into his chest and wrapping his arms around them. His scowl had softened from before but it was still their, like it was the only expression he could make.

I sat up next to him, wrapping his cloak around my still naked body. "Ivar," I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He recoiled from my touch. "You only bothered with me because you pitied me."

"That is not true. I felt bad that no one could look past your legs. Ivar, you were never like this."

"You should get back to the great hall before my mother finds you missing." Ivar snapped as he turned over onto his belly. He lifted himself up with his arms as he started to crawl away.

"Ivar!" I called after him, making him stop in his tracks. He turned partially so I knew he was listening. "You don't have to act like this. Not everyone pities you. Some of us can see past your legs."

Rising from my perch by the fire I slid the cloak off from my body and walked over to him. Kneeling down next to him, I draped the cloth around him. He let his body drop as I brought the strings around his neck and tied it then pulled his hood up. Ivar's lips turned up in a small and genuine smile at my act of kindness before he turned and continued on his way.