Chapter Forty-eight

Gro was still laughing, Freya still nodding and staring at that yarn when Ivar stepped into the room. That smile on Enid's face vanished then, that stiffness springing back into her spine and her shoulders as she took Frigga from Freya and stood. Ivar watched them for a moment, that light in his eyes cold and sharp until he gripped the chair Enid had been sitting on and dragged it away from the table. He kicked his boots up onto Freya's lap, sighing as he raised his arms behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.

"Princess."

Enid couldn't help it, she glared at him, holding Frigga to her chest and bouncing her softly, hoping without hope that he would act properly. She almost slapped the back of his head, she almost kicked his boots and made him sit straight and she almost apologised herself to the woman sitting across the table from him, but Gro leaned back, placing both her palms on the table and laughing quietly.

"Deathless. It took you long enough to come back, but now it looks like you're here to stay."

"We're only here until spring."

"Oh?" Gro leaned forward, clasping her hands in front of her lips and hiding her smile. "Where's the other one? You have a son as well, right?"

"Why the sudden interest, Gro?"

"It's not so sudden," she shrugged. "I've always listened for news on you and Helga. Things were never the same around here after you took her away," she said, but Ivar laughed, a short, curt laugh as his eyes flicked to her face.

"Helga never liked it here," he said. "Too many people."

"For you or for her? The Helga I knew was happy anywhere."

"Maybe you didn't know her as well as you thought."

So quickly that bright light in Gro's eyes turned sharp, so quickly her face grew more pointed and dark until she almost looked more beast than woman.

"I doubt that," she said. "But I guess we'll have to wait to find out who was right."

Ivar stared at her a moment, those eyes so cold and harsh before Enid watched him sigh and drop his hands to the table.

"Think what you want, Gro, but I loved her. I still do," he said, and it took her a moment for her face to soften, for her to lean back in her chair and sigh, her fingers quickly flicking to brush the tears from her cheeks as she laughed quietly.

"I know that, Ivar," Gro said. "It's just… I wish we'd met again under happy circumstances. If you still want to leave in the spring, then I'll help you. Knut won't be able to say no to the both of us."

"There's nothing here for me, Gro."

"There might be by then," she smiled. "Things are different now, you might like it. Knut has worked hard. Bergen is not just a small fishing village anymore."

"Hhhmmm…" Ivar hummed. "You don't get it. I liked it the way it was before."

Gro laughed light, lightly, warmly, so warm Enid found herself sighing, a weight in her chest lifting and vanishing as she bounced Frigga in her arms.

"But it's not just you you have to think about now, Ivar. See what the children think by then," Gro nodded. "There's more for them to learn here, more opportunities… Has anyone even tried to teach Freya to weave since Helga died? What would she do when she married? Spend a fortune on cloth like Hilda does…? I bet you got rid of the loom too…"

Enid watched him, her breath catching in her throat as she saw him dip his head, his eyes flicking to Freya's face, but he didn't answer, he didn't have to as Gro sat back in her chair and nodded again.

"I'll teach her," she said. "And Enid so she can teach Frigga if you do decide to go back, but you have to think about these things, Ivar, don't just rush to a decision."

"Alright, Gro, alright…" Ivar sighed. "I see he's still sending you to fight his battles."

"No," Gro laughed, standing to squeeze Ivar's shoulder. "I'm here as an old friend if you'll have me. As a friend to Helga," she whispered, and then she cleared her throat. "Think on it and ask me if you need anything. Enid will stay with the children, I don't need her help with anything, but she'll be needed to serve at the Jul feast and my son's wedding if you're still here by then."

Ivar nodded, not turning to watch her go but only staring at the wall in front of him with eyes that were distant and hazy. When Gro reached the doorway she turned, smiling at Enid from across the room and saying, "You'll have to eat in here, Enid, I can't change that, but let's meet after breakfast tomorrow and I'll show you both the looms."