Falling for Him

by EmeLie Jackson

  I saw new children I didn't recognize, and old, familiar faces.

  No one spoke.

  I felt Thaniel and Mel's nervousness.

  What were they all thinking?Soon, the entire clan stood circled around us.

  I felt Jon shift and square his shoulders.

  Bane was the first to move, placing a fist over his heart and bending down onto his knee.

  Freyja followed, and soon the rest did as well.

  Even tiny, old Frigg kneeled before us.

  The golden morning sun burst over the hills and through the trees, blindingly bright and brilliant, as everyone bent onto a knee.

  I felt tears pool in my eyes as his people""”our people""”paid homage to their beloved leader.

  It gave me hope for the future, that they would follow him into any battle, trust in all of his decisions.

  I jumped as Jon spoke behind me, their ancient language still so very foreign to me.

  His accent wound around the words, his deep, husky voice beautiful and melodic.

  His voice rose, the people nodded, some repeating him, some with tears in their own eyes.

  Our horse turned broadside, anxious at this display, trained for war.

  Jon let go of me and raised his fist.

  Mel repeated his motion and words.

  The crowd stood all at once, chanting repetitive words as their tongues curled around age-old sounds.

  They began to cheer as Jon jumped down from the horse, reaching to pull me with.

  Hand in hand, we made our way through the cheering clan.

  Men who had been weary of me before now clapped me on the back and smiled, women who had outright hated me now handed me flowers, touched my hair, hugged me tight.

  For the first time in my life, I felt as though I were home.

  The celebration that followed rivaled that of our wedding.

  I was introduced to Jon's cousins, pulled in every direction to speak with each person.

  It seemed Rose was also with child, Elin a bit farther along than her as they chatted in the corner, hands over their bellies.

  The jealousy I felt this time had nothing to do with Rose's appearance.

  I gripped my mug of bitter ale, now preferring whisky instead.

  We stood, cramped in the stifling castle, as Miss Meerie whipped up a feast to feed an army.

  Everyone eyed Thaniel with suspicion, though not with as much scrutiny as they had me.

  I nearly dropped my mug as someone hugged me tight from behind.

  ""Freyja!"" I exclaimed, turning and throwing my arms around her, sloshing my drink everywhere.

  ""How are ye?"" she breathed, pulling me back to examine me.

  ""I'm well, how's little Jon?"" I asked.

  ""Ahh, the little runt is always causin' us trouble now!"" She smiled, her eyes trailing to my right.

  I looked over, not quite recognizing the girl beside me.

  ""Remi?"" I said, stunned.

  She beamed.

  ""Yes,"" she threw her arms around me as well.

  She was no longer a frail, frightened child.

  She'd flourished here, likely due to Miss Meerie's use of butter and bread.

  I squeezed her tight, remembering the trials we'd been through together.

  ""How have you been?"" I said, staring at her.

  She'd grown taller and had begun to fill out.

  ""I love it here! Miss Meerie has been teaching me to cook and clean, and, well and I met this boy""¦"" she trailed off, blushing profusely.

  My heart constricted with emotion.

  The thought that she could now have a normal life with someone her own age made me happy to my very core.

  I still quirked an eyebrow at her, as any older sister figure would.

  ""Well, Jon and I will have to meet him.

  "" I said.

  Blood drained from her face as Freyja burst out laughing.

  ""Aye, ye will, but he's a good lad.

  "" Freyja said, winking at Remi.

  I heard Miss Meerie then, shoving people aside.

  I braced myself as she barreled towards me, her skirts swishing to and fro.

  ""Oh my deary!"" she pulled me into her bosom, hugging me tight enough to cut off my air supply.

  ""Oh ye've lost so much weight! Ye need to eat a proper meal tonight, and I'll fix ye something special for tomorrow as weel!"" I could only nod as she swayed us side to side.

  Freyja and Remi giggled at my reddening face.

  ""Mother, yer killin' the poor girl,"" Bane said, placing his heavy hand on his mother's shoulder.

  ""Ach,"" she said, letting go and flicking her wrist at him.

  I gulped in as much air as possible before Bane stooped and picked me up off the ground, squeezing me even tighter.

  ""I missed ye, fiery woman!"" He bellowed.

  ""But I mostly missed hearin' Jon huffin' and puffin' and tryin' his hardest to give it to ye""”"" ""Bane!"" Freyja shouted over the din of the crowd, her face red with embarrassment and a bit of anger.

  He laughed, setting me down.

  I swayed on my feet, dizzy with lack of oxygen.

  ""I raised ye better, ye great fool!"" Miss Meerie swatted at him.

  ""Now go tell everyone that the food is ready!"" She commanded, following Bane through the throng of people as he yelled about the impending meal.

  My heart full, I followed.

  ""Jon,"" I moaned, gripping a fistful of his freshly-cut, curly hair.

  Instead of taking a room in the castle, he opted for the tent by the river where we had spent our first night as husband and wife.

  So much had changed between that span of time, but one thing remained constant, steady; our love.

  ""Mmm?"" he asked, his mouth a bit too busy to form actual words.

  His rough hands explored my body as his head dipped back down between my legs.

  I gasped, gripping his hair tighter, quaking and trembling, my calves rubbing against his back.

  I heard his satisfied chuckle as he trailed kisses up my stomach, peering at me with his devilish smirk.

  ""Glad to be home?"" he teased, resting his chin lightly near my belly button.

  ""Very,"" I whispered, wanting him even more now as the familiar euphoric feeling spread through my veins.

  I reached for him hungrily, wanting to start again, but he shook his head.

  ""We have all day,"" he whispered.

  ""And I intend to make full use of our time.

  "" My stomach rioted with butterflies at his words, anticipation burning within me.

  He'd promised me a full day of nothing but us, alone and unbothered by the cares of the world.

  He lay back on the furs, stretching his arms above his head, his torso pulled tight.

  I blushed as I stared at the man who was mine.

  I rolled over onto my stomach, laying my chest against his.

  He smiled, reaching down to caress my back.

  I sighed, laying my ear across his thudding heart, memorizing every heavy beat it made.

  For a while, we stayed still.

  I tried not to think of the future, of the looming threat on the horizon.

  I knew nothing of war, though I knew how evil men could be.

  What would I do if Jon died? The thought hit me square in the chest.

  I'd lost him once, but I'd still had hope that he was somehow alive.

  Death in battle was final; there was no hope after that.

  I felt tears in my eyes and I tried to sniff them away before he noticed.

  ""Princess?"" he said softly, his hand moving to rest on my lower back.

  Dammit.

  I sat up, staring into his depthless eyes.

  His face became concerned in an instant.

  I felt horrible for ruining our moment.

  I stared at the wall of the tent, painted golden in the afternoon light.

  ""What is it, Elise?"" he breathed.

  ""I'm just""¦scared, of the futur
e.

  Of the possibility of losing you.

  "" I said, wiping angrily at my eyes.

  ""Oh Elise,"" he whispered, leaning up to kiss my forehead.

  He pulled back and smiled.

  His eyes searched mine.

  ""I'll always find ye, and ye will always find me, life and death canna separate us.

  "" He said.

  ""But it can.

  "" I refuted.

  He shook his head.

  ""Life is just one part of our existence, and our souls will always be connected.

  Someday death will come for us all, whether we are young or old,"" he tucked a strand of my fiery hair behind my ear.

  ""So we must enjoy every moment we have now, and rejoice when our souls will meet again in the halls of our fathers.

  "" he smiled, brushing his thumb over my wet cheek.

  The constant rush of the river and Jon's words seemed to calm me.

  He leaned up, crashing his lips onto mine, his hands roaming to my hips as he pulled me on top of him.

  ""Ye know how very deeply I love ye in life,"" he breathed, pushing into me.

  I closed my eyes, relishing our otherworldly connection.

  I slowly moved my hips, opening my eyes once more to watch his face.

  ""And I'll love ye even more deeply in death.

  "" "

  "Chapter 46

  ""I'm surprised yer able to walk,"" Bane guffawed as Jon and I appeared in the mess hall the next morning.

  Jon smiled impishly.

  ""Aye, I made sure she was well satisfied.

  "" He winked as I turned hot with embarrassment.

  ""I was talkin' 'bout you!"" Bane laughed even harder, pointing to Jon.

  It was his turn to become flushed as I laughed.

  Bane slapped his knee, tears trickling down into his beard.

  ""Feels good to be home,"" I said, smiling up at Jon.

  He rolled his eyes as he threw his leg over the bench and sat next to Bane.

  There was a massive platter of hash""”bacon, eggs, potatoes, vegetables.

  My stomach growled, knowing that what I was about to eat would be the best meal I'd had in months.

  Jon piled his plate high with food, me following suit, reaching for a hunk of bread as well.

  Today, we'd meet with the council, and Jon would decide the best course of action.

  Boudica had declined Jon's offer to join us in the safety of the Macdara lands.

  I worried constantly about her.

  Charles had returned to Mount Tier, given strict instructions to simply spy and not try anything to overthrow my grandfather's plans.

  I spotted Remi at the end of our table, sitting next to a brown haired, wiry boy with big brown eyes.

  I smiled, my heart content as I watched them, their innocent relationship bringing some purity into this wretched world.

  Jon chose to sit amongst his people, unlike Thran.

  He'd never once sat in the impending chair that loomed in the darkness, staring down at the rest of the tables.

  It was another thing I admired of my husband; his humility.

  I ate happily, shoveling the delicious food into my mouth, each bite better than the last.

  I sensed a presence behind us, turning to see who had cast a shadow.

  It was his cousin, Eva, the one Freyja had warned me of.

  She was tall, lithe, with long, light brown hair and hazel eyes.

  There was nothing particularly special about her, other than the constant sneer she wore on her face.

  I'd been introduced to her last night, her reaction less than kind.

  Something I had become used to out here.

  Jon turned and glanced at her, chewing his food.

  His smile faded as he turned back around, not caring to look at her as he spoke.

  ""What do ye need, Eva?"" he said, swallowing.

  ""I'd like to come to the meetin' yer havin'.

  "" She said.

  I peeked at Jon, his arms resting on the table as he bent over his plate.

  I could see how it pained him to remain civil.

  He shook his head, his mop of curls wild and loose today.

  ""The meetin' is for council members and advisors only.

  "" His voice cut through the light chatter in the hall.

  She glared pointedly at me.

  ""I hear yer mountain whore is to be attendin'.

  "" She spat.

  My blood boiled, my mouth reacting before my brain could stop it.

  ""You'll have to be more creative with your insults.

  I've heard that one many times before.

  "" I said, staring up at her.

  Jon snorted as Bane laughed and laughed.

  ""You'll no talk to me that way, ye wee bi-"" Her sentence was cut off as Jon stood and turned in one, threatening and angry motion.

  He stared her down, his eyes as black as the deepest parts of the sea.

  Before anyone else could say or do anything, Mel appeared, her arms crossed as she, too, stared down her cousin.

  ""Best be movin' along, because although ye may have forgotten who it is yer talkin' to, none o' us have.

  "" Mel said.

  I glanced around the now-silent hall, seeing the surreptitious way the men had started to pull their daggers out of their sheaths.

  With a final sneer, she turned and left.

  Jon sat, sighing heavily.

  ""I think this one needs to be in command of yer army,"" Bane laughed, reaching behind Jon and clapping me on the back.

  Jon smirked.

  ""Aye, I know they'd fall at her feet and worship the very ground she walked upon.

  "" The mess hall was now quiet and relatively empty.

  The council sat, the tables moved to form a large square so we could better see one another.

  I fidgeted with my hands, nervous for the decisions that were about to be made.

  Miss Meerie had made me a new dress while we were away; I wore it now, the brown and green plaid pattern something I'd grown to love, for it signified no status other than being part of the clan.

  It made me feel welcomed, truly home.

  Thaniel leaned near the empty hearth, the sun outside much to warm to keep fires going.

  Jon had demanded he be part of this meeting, though Thaniel had felt uncomfortable.

  Bane, Bjorn, Frigg, Freyja, Meleryn""”everyone sat, their quiet anticipation building.

  Jon cleared his throat.

  ""Ye all know why we must meet.

  "" He began.

  ""I have it on good authority that Borthwick and Mount Tier have allied.

  It seems they wish to take hold of all the land here, then set their sights on the nearby kingdom of Norm.

  Battle encampments from Borthwick are already on the edges of that kingdom, so our first priority is to get word to their king, and if everyone here agrees, form an alliance with them.

  "" Everyone began to whisper to the person next to them, weighing the decision.

  Thaniel stared off in the distance, chewing his bottom lip and nodding.

  He spoke up before anyone else.

  ""What are their numbers like?"" ""Decent.

  They've been fighting Borthwick on their lands for years.

  They may be too weary for more war,"" Bjorn answered.

  ""Aye, so what are the odds of them joining us for help?"" Bane asked, scratching his beard.

  ""I'd say good.

  Their leader is known to have an excellent mind for war, and his son is a renowned fighter.

  "" Bjorn said, crossing his arms, cocking his head to the side.

  ""The only problem is we'd have to send them help first before they'd be willing to come here.

  "" Everyone nodded, but ultimately the decision rested on Jon's shoulders.

  ""Hold on,"" Thaniel said, his brow furrowed.

  ""I remember hearing about this prince through my crew.

  We are sometimes charte
red to sail to Norm.

  They said they saw him sneakin' ""˜round the ports behind his father's back, askin' to hire mercenaries.

  "" My heart clenched.

  Jon smirked.

  ""His father must think it dishonorable to hire hands for war.

  "" Jon said.

  Thaniel shrugged.

  ""I suppose so.

  "" ""How did it end?"" Bane asked.

  Thaniel's eyes glinted maniacally, the scar on the side of his face accentuating his devilish look.

  ""Aye, seems to have went well.

  Lost half my crew.

  "" The room erupted in laughter.

  ""Alright,"" Jon said, shifting forward, looking from Thaniel to Mel.

  ""Thaniel, gather a crew and sail for Norm.

  Offer our help to rid their lands of Borthwick's presence, if they agree to help us push back here.

  "" Mel's face turned bright red, her entire frame quivering.

  I felt an outburst was coming, having experienced many before, most directed at me.

  Jon gave her a warning look.

  ""Meleryn,"" his tone was curt as he shifted on the bench.

  ""Yes?"" She seethed.

  ""Ye best pack up, ""˜cause yer goin' to keep an eye on him.

  "" Relief flooded her face as she tried to hide her smile.

  Thaniel looked to the floor, his arms crossed, as he hid his own broad smile.

  ""Agreed?"" Jon asked the council.

  Everyone voiced their approval.

  ""Alright, onto Boudica.

  "" Jon briefly explained my parentage to those who were unaware, how my mother commanded a vast army who was more than willing to fight with us.

  Frigg nodded, her eyes closed as a small grin played at her lips, as if she'd known this all along.

  Part of me wondered if she had somehow sensed it, the gods giving her clues.

  The tension in the room eased considerably.

  ""I see no need to discuss that further,"" Bane shrugged his bulbous shoulder.

  ""If she's been preparing for war this long, then I have no doubt she'll be ready to fight when the time comes.

  Aye?"" Bane asked the room.

  Everyone agreed.

  Our odds began to look better and better the more we discussed.

  I listened intently as they talked of smaller, neighboring clans who had been allied with Macdara since the ancient days.

  Jon's cousins (Eva aside) were preparing their people for war.

  Eva's father was still in charge of his clan, trying his hardest to marry her off, though no man had taken his offer yet.