Loria
***Note:This fic alters the original ending to the movie the 13th Warrior.***
Through the filtered light of the forest the sound of hooves echoed. Riders pushing their mounts to the limits, reaching out for a distant destination. The lead rider quickly pulled the mount to a skidding halt.
"The way?" The others follow suit, milling in a circle searching for signs of a trail, a path, something to lead them.
"This way Lady Astrid, the path is here," came the shout from one of her men.
Wheeling her horse she kicked her mount into a ground eating run. "Lady...Lady," the men called after her, pushing their ungainly horses to catch her.
"We must hurry, time cannot be wasted here. I'll not take the chance of being followed," she shouted at her escorts. There was another reason to rush to Roufgar's domain. A man lay dying there. A man she knew only from her dreams and in her minds eye she had witnessed the battle that brought him to the brink of death. She offered a quick prayer to Freyia that she would reach him in time, saving both of them.
A break in the towering trees revealed twin orbs of ice blue watching the riders retreat. A rumbling began inside the massive chest working it's way towards an ebony muzzle. The sound rolled along sharp fangs to rip through the air around the beast. To anyone near, it would have been near enough to a human scream as to raise alarm but only forest creatures fled in fear. Rising from it's hunches thickly padded paws sprinted in pursuit of the riders, keeping far enough behind as not to be seen, but keeping their scent in it's nose.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The dark room lay in a morbid silence, watching and waiting. The warriors gathered watching for their Chieftain to draw his last breath. Herger, from time to time, would glance to the Arab, knowing he was not baring the loss well. He moved to Iban's side.
"Little brother, he would not want to see you morn him."
Iban shook his head. "It is my way."
Herger nodded in understanding and turned leaving the room, the vigil given up for the moment as he moved down the stairs to give orders to prepare for Buliwyf's funeral.
In the darkness, life rushed passed him allowing only the briefest glimpses, faces from the past, loved ones all beckoning him to join them. Slowly he became aware of another voice, louder than the others, calling his name. He was sure it was a woman that repeated herself to him.
"Do not follow Buliwyf. I'm coming for you."
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PART 1
"Riders are coming from the North" Edgtho announced as he enter the great hall.
Pausing in his instructions to the women, Herger looked over his shoulder to the other man. "How many?". The whole kingdom was wary of outsiders after the defeat of the wendol, fearing a renewed attack. Ibn chose that moment to descend the stairs. "Riders?"he asked in a guarded tone.
"Three," Edgtho replied.
"Well, I say we go and greet our guests." Herger smiled, spreading his arms wide in a grand gesture.Moving across the hall Herger clasp the two other men on the shoulders.
Herger stood under the wide eve of the great hall flanked on either side by Ibn and Edgtho, watching the approach of the riders. It was a curious sight, the riders. One wrapped tightly from head to toe in a cloak of midnight fur and the other two heavily armored.His attention returned to the cloaked rider,to small to be a warrior.He grew curious to the riders identity.
Astrid pulled her horse up short once she reached the clearing outside the great hall. Stepping from the saddle she gestured for her men to follow as she proceeded towards the gathering before the heavy wooden doors. Slowly she pulled the thick hood back from her face as she neared the men. Coppery waves of hair cascaded across her shoulders spilling forward towards her waist. She looked from one man to another trying to measure their status. "I have need of your Ruler," Astrid stated in her most authoritative tone, hoping it left no room for her to be turned away.
Herger stared sharply at the woman in front of him. "Who are you?".
She met his stare with one just as intense. "I am Astrid, and that is all you must know".
He turned an amused smile to the other men. "And that is all I must know." Turning back to her he grew serious. "King Rothgar is dead. He will be seeing no one woman." .
"I do not seek Rothgar.It is YOUR leader that I come for,Buliwyf," she hissed.
Suprise crossed his face at the venom in her voice. "You will not see Buliwyf. His time grows short."
Astrid turned to the Arab sensing the words he was about to speak. "He travels to the other side.".
"By my word he will not. Not until I have been granted council with him," she rebuted. "Will you show me to him or shall I find him myself?" She demanded of Herger.
"Ach, I will take you," he grumbled.
A slight smile of triumph crossed Astrid's face as she followed into the great hall.
The room lay in deep shadows the air thick with death. To Astrid's credit, she held her emotions at bay as she gazed down at the pale complexion of the stricken man, his lips taking on a slight tint of blue. Quickly she removed the gloves that encased her delicate hands and let her fingers slide effortlessly across Buliwyf's forehead. His skin burned with the fire within and his chest heaved with the effort to draw breath. Laying her hand to his chest she closed her eyes and felt the unsteady rhythm of his beating heart. Slowly opening her eyes she looked to Herger. "Is there no healer among Rothgar's people?" .
"There is a woman who knows healing but she has declared there is nothing to be done for him," he replied.
"His heart still beats, he still draws breath, so there IS hope. You and your men seem to be determined warriors but yet you are not willing to fight for his life, why?"
Heger's jaw tightened at the insult and he turned to leave the room but was stopped by her next softly spoken words. "I am Blackkarsdottir and I will do everything in my power to see that he lives."
His back still turned to her he nodded. "I'm Herger and you may call on me if there is anything you should need." "Please send the woman...the healer and my men," she quickly requested before he disappeared threw the doorway.
Astrid sat gingerly at the beds edge starring down at Buliwyf, a sad smile on her lips. "I told you I was coming for you and I see you were listening," she whispered as she raised his calloused hand to the smoothness of her cheek.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Olga awkwardly balanced the rough wooden bowl of frigid water in her arms, making her way up the stairs. Her feet negotiated the next step with hesitation as water sloshed over the bowls edge ,pooling on the stairs. A voice close behind her made her look quickly over her shoulder.
Ibn stood smiling at her. "Here let me." He took the bowl easily from her arms.
"That is woman's work," she shyly smiled.
"You do not want my help?" he teased.
She shrugged her small shoulders. "If you wish."
He continued up the stairs with her at his side.
"This woman, why has she come here?" Olga gave him a sidelong glance.
"Herger says only that she is here for Buliwyf. He knows no more." He stood outside Buliwyf's chamber and released the bowl to Olga. Looking quickly around he leaned forward and captured her silken lips in a gentle kiss.
The two armored men pushed passed Olga as she entered the room. The woman motioned for her to bring the bowl close to the bed and turned her attention back to Buliwyf. She stared cautiously at the woman's back.
"Is there something you wish to ask me?" The woman turned smiling.
Olga startled by the woman's unexpected question, and lowered her eyes.
"My name and why I am here perhaps?".
Olga's eyes flew back to the woman confusion mirrored in there depths. The woman had known her thought before she had even spoken.
Grasping her hand the woman pulled her closer. "You may call me Astrid, but I will not speak of why I am here. Only to Buliwyf." She gave a deep sigh. "Come Olga there is much to be done."
"How do you......" Olga's voice dropped not sure if she should ask what she was thinking.
"Shhh......it is our secret for now ..... Another time I will explain." Olga nodded.
"What shall I do?"
Astrid turned and retrieved a small leather pouch from the table beside the bed. "A tea....you must steep a tea from this...and make much of it."
Olga took the pouch from the woman's hand and turned towards the door.
"You must hurry. Too much time has been wasted," she instructed. The urgent tone in Astrid's voice made Olga rush for the stairs.
Frozen numbness snaked up Astrid's arms as she plunged them into the bowl of water to retrieve the soft cloth at the bottom. Slowly she rung the excess water from the cloth and bathed Buliwyf's forehead. She was rewarded with a small inhale of air. "So you still wish to fight Lord Buliwyf? This is good. I would expect nothing less".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Edgtho looked skeptically at Herger. "And you think he will live because she says it?"
The other man shrugged. "We will soon see."
Standing Edgtho growled. "I don't trust her. You should send her away."
Herger placed his hand to his chest. "Me.....I should send her away?"
"Yes, you." Edgtho barked.
Waving his hands in a defensive pose Herger chuckled. "No friend, if you are so eager to see her gone the task will fall to you. That woman looks as if she is prepared to fight a battle all on her own and I will not sacrifice myself so that you may be satisfied."
Grabbing his sword from the table Edgtho turned and strode from the great hall.
Heger turned to Ibn. "It seems she will stay."
Through the darkness came her voice again to draw him closer to life. It wrapped around him like armor protecting him from the summons of the others in the darkness. An icy touch from her began to ease the fire the tortured his weak body.
"Fight Buliwyf. Fight for your life. Fight for mine, for without you my life means nothing."
The sleek blackness of the beasts coat blended perfectly with the waning twilight as it moved from the tree line. It's intelligent eyes traveling past the pens filled with stock, learning long ago that a meal was never to be gained from a village. His nose guided him along paths that smelled of humans, but not of the one human he searched for.
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PART 2
Astrid turned slowly away from Buliwyf dropping the cloth back into the now tepid bowl of water. The heat that radiated from his body had lessened for the moment. Moving away from the bed she began pacing back and forth awaiting Olga's return. The real healing would only be accomplished with the tea and within her mind she urged Olga to hurry. Just when she thought she could take the wait no longer the rough wooden door swung inward. Olga entered the room and smiled noticing the anxious look on the other woman's face.
Olga held up the pitcher and cup she carried as she moved to the table. "The tea Lady Astrid just as you asked." Wrinkling her nose, she sat the pitcher on the table. "The smell is not good."
"Yes the smell is awful, though it will cure him" she looked to Buliwyf.
"The tea,what do you put into it?"Olga curiously asked.
"I shall tell ....."Astrid began to explain but was suddenly interupted.
A voice from the doorway drew both women's attention. "Will he live?"the woman asked, starring resentfully at Astrid.
Astrid hesitated before answering the woman. A feeling of unease welling up inside made her cautious. "If it is the will of Odin he will live". She glanced to Olga questioningly.
"Queen Weilew"she whispered.
"You hide behind a child's answer"she hissed. "If it is the will of Odin"She mocked striding towards Astrid. "I say he will die if left to your hands"Weilew challenged.
At the edges of Astrid's mind a blackness tugged. Stilling herself for a moment she focused her thoughts on the blackness.She spiraled into a void of nothingness,all around her ports of anothers life materilized.She found that she wanted nothing more to protect her sensitive mind from the onslaught of secrets,shame,and honor less deeds.Astrid felt physically ill at the images before her,each touching to the very core of her. In the midst hovered a single person, the Queen and in her heart an evilness born of jealousy and desire. She was suddenly jerked back to the present as Weilew roughly grabbed her arm,leaving her with a dizzying sense of disorintation.Blinking her eyes wildly she tried focusing on the words the woman was practically shouting at her.
"You have no place here. If you stay you will only cause him suffering before he dies and this I will not have. Leave,take your men and leave"she ordered.
Just as she opened her mouth to release the pent up rage that boiled through her veins. Herger appeared in the doorway behind Weilew.His anger bathed the room like a rolling wave.He had heard Weilew's vicious words. In an instant his anger enveloped Astrid and lent her a measure of calm.She could feel his warrior bravery infusing itself with her more serene spirit and that became her foundation to forge ahead. Shaking off the grasping talons she thrust her face towards Weilew. "I am his only chance to live and I will not leave.Go. Go and find anyone who would make me leave if you can".
" I am Queen in these lands.If I bid you leave, you WILL leave,"she declared as she turned and strode past Herger.
"Queen Weilew your title means little to me and even less to your people.We shall see who leaves"Astrid called after the retreating woman. She turned her attention to Herger and suddenly realized he was smiling at her.
"Finally someone who will not back down from her". He strode into the room stopping at the end of the bed."Before Rothgar's death she knew her place here but now with Buliwyf near death she grows more bold"he growled shaking his head in disgust.
"Take care with that one Herger. There is much she hides. Evil is her true face."she advised.Turning to Olga she took the cup of hot tea that was handed to her."Daimonion to"she whispered in Greek as she turned back to Herger.
His eye's met her's wondering where she had learned the language."Evil Spirit,huh?". "Maybe you are right". His gaze traveled to Buliwyf "Is there any change?".
She shook her head but replied with determination "No,but return before the sun sets and you will see for yourself a change".
Herger couldn't miss the fact that he had just been dismissed by Astrid.He smiled as he watched her hover close to Buliwyf. "As the moon rises I will return to see if your words are true".He turned and left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weilew stormed into the chamber she had shared for the short time she had been wed to Rothgar, and as she neared the bed in a fit of unbridled rage she grabbed the furs from the bed and jerked them to the floor.A frustrated scream burst from her throat as she thought of the woman with Buliwyf.She flung herself onto the bed and set her mind to work on getting rid of the woman.A smiled crossed her lips as she thought of just how easy getting rid of others had become.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clutching the cup in her hands Astrid looked to Olga."He can not drink on his own".
Reaching into the bowl of water at the bedside Olga grasp the cloth and wrung the water from it. "Here I will show you" she gestured for the cup in Astrid's hands.The other woman quickly relinquished the warm vessel.
Astrid carefully watched as Olga dipped the cloth into the foul smelling liquid.
"Here, put it to his lips" she instructed.
She nodded taking the cloth from Olga and placed it tenderly to against his lips.Smiling in relief as droplets of the tea slid between his lips and his throat worked convulsively to swallow.
Olga gently touched her arm "This will heal him,i'm sure of it".
"Yes,I am sure of it too"she sighed releasing the tension in her tired body.Coaxing more of the warm liquid into him she grew more certain of her words as the tea in the cup began to slowly vanish.
"I will bring you food" Olga offered noticing the exhausted dip of Astrid's shoulders.
Astrid glanced from her task to Olga and nodded. "My thanks for all you have done".Her voice grew choked with emotion.
She watched Olga go and turned to Buliwyf ."No matter where you are i'm with you"she whispered lowing herself to the bed.Touching her forehead to his she smoothed a lock of his flaxen hair with her weary hand.Closing her eyes she could feel that the fever had returned.She stood and shoved the heavy furs down his body to gather at his waist.A gasp of guilty pleasure slipped past her lips as she stared down at the wide expanse of his chest.She quickly turned to her task and reached to the table for the bowl of water.Slipping her hands into the coolness she withdrew them and placed them to his chest.Her emerald eyes closed of their own will as her hands glided along the tight muscles of his chest,rubbing and kneading.In her mind she knew she should not take pleasure in her ministrations but her heart would not listen,a content sigh filled the air between them as she worked lower to his abdomen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herger lowered himself to his heels as she reached forward to toss another log on the small fire in the smooth stone fireplace.He stood as the fire roared to life and looked across the room to where Astrid slept.Wrapped in her clock she slept soundly in hard high back chair that she had pulled close to the bed.He shook his head in amazement at her determination.He lingered for a moment taking in her beauty as she slept.Regret filled him as he strode across the room and lightly shook her shoulder.
A frightened gasp came from Astrid as she sat bolt upright in the chair,her cloak falling from her shoulders.Her eyes flew to the figure beside her."Herger"she exhaled in relief.
"I have to come to see if you have worked a miracle"he smiled down at her.
"No not a miracle but he is the better.See for yourself" she gestured to the bed as she stood.
Herger looked to Buliwyf's still form.He saw that the Buliwyf's lips were no longer blue , the ashen color of his skin had lessened and his breathing was not so labored."I should not have doubted your healing powers.Much has changed since last I saw him".
"Herger you doubted me?"she teased a wide smile lit her face.
"Never again Lady Astrid"he replied returning her smile.
She reached for the pitcher and poured the cup half full with the cool tea.Glancing to Herger she motioned for him to come closer."It is time he drinks on his own and I will need your help".
"What shall I do?"he asked ready to assist her.
"You must pull his shoulders forward when I say"She replied.
He nodded acceptance of his duty and waited as she returned the cup of tea to the table.
"Do it now"she instructed.
Slowly he pulled the weight of Buliwyf's upper body forward while he watched Astrid move quickly onto the bed sliding her thin frame across it's length.
She sat with her ankles dangling over the edge of the bed and adjusted herself for a measure of comfort."You may release him now"she ordered.
"I will not.He will crush you". He starred at her as is she had lost her mind.
"Faith Herger.....grant me just a little faith"she smiled reassuringly.
"Ach woman,you will kill yourself to save him"he growled.
In his eyes she saw worry for her and couldn't help but be pleased that she had so easily endeared herself to him.Friends were a luxury she had made little time for in her life but now seeing it within Herger she vowed to grasp it tightly. "If that is to be my fate then I willingly accept it".
Gently he lowered Buliwyf's weight against her body.She sat so that her body held him sitting against her,his head cradled against her shoulder.
"See I am stronger than I look.Now give me the cup". She pointed to the bedside table.
Handing it over to her he watched as she wrapped her arms around Buliwyf and lifted the cup to his lips.
A girlish giggle came from Astrid as she felt Buliwyf swallowing the tea."You see? I feel him growing stronger".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ By small measure the darkness began to grow lighter around Buliwyf.The first drops of liquid on his tongue were like the sweetest necture,thick and soothing.He hungered for more as he hungered for each word from her voice through the emptyness.As the darkness faded so did the other voices until hers was the only one remaining.Hands were suddenly upon him comforting and teasing in the same touch.He knew it was her he could feel her close to him her voice filled his ears. "I feel him growing stronger"her breathless voice came.He gave himself up to all that she made him feel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Edgtho entered the great hall with Ibn at his side.His eyes traveled around the huge empty room.Herger was nowhere to be found.
"Heger?"he looked to Ibn.
"I believe he has gone to see if there is a change in Buliwyf"Ibn replied.
Edgtho nodded and was about to ascend the stairs when the sound of a low growl reached his ears.Slowly retracing his steps he moved to the opposite side of the doors and gave a wide berth around the log piller.His ears straining for the source of the beastly growling.Behind the pillar is where the animal lay in wait he was sure of it .Motioning for Ibn to follow he quickly withdrew his sword from its sheath.Ibn moved close to Edgtho's side having heard the deep resounding growl himself.Both men stopped in their tracks as the caught sight of the beast.It's massive head turned towards them as it crouched ready for attack.It's muscles rippled along the sleek black body as it sniffed the air.
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PART 3:
Inside Astrid, a panic began to build. Slowly it reached to the core of her, building with every heartbeat. It began pulling her. Calling to her. Finding it's way into the most basic reaches of her mind. It screamed it's urgent plea. Danger.
Astrid settled the heavy furs around Buliwyf as the nights chill began to creep into the room despite the roaring fire in the hearth. She tried to keep track of the the events Herger insisted on recounting of the battle with the Wendol. To her, he much exaggerated his prowess in the battle, for she had dreamed of the fight before she had entered Rothgar's lands. In truth, she couldn't tell him of what she knew even if she wished it. Her heart beat as if it would beat from her chest and the pressure of panic in her mind crested pulling her down with it. Her hands went to her head when she could stand no more.
"Herger?" She swayed unsteadily on her feet.
He was at her side before she could ease herself to the edge of the bed. "Are you ill?" He looked from her to Buliwyf thinking for a moment that he was the cause of her sudden ailment.
She could feel Herger's strong arms around her waist. She lowered her hands and leaned against him for a moment. "No, I'm not ... ," her response was cut short. Images flooded her mind, drawing her from the world around her. A flash of feral green eyes, silken midnight fur, and bared ivory teeth drew her deeper into the images. Firelight reflected from a steel blade held high over head ready to strike and menacing dark eyes sent a renewed surge of panic through her ."No!" she gasped as the images drifted away like smoke, fulfilling their purpose. "No....no!" she repeated, her voice growing louder. Pulling from Herger's arms, she lifted her rough woolen skirt and hurried towards the door.
"Astrid!" he yelled as she slipped from the room. Confused at her sudden outburst, Herger followed after her. "Astrid" he called again as he reached the top of the stairs. Seeing her stumbling down the stairs in her haste, he took them two at a time to catch her. Nearing the bottom, he reached her just as she pitched forward. Grabbing her arm, he hauled her backwards. A voice from across the great room called to him.
"Keep her away Herger!" Ibn called over his shoulder.
"NO!" she screamed as Edgtho lifted his sword even higher. Shaking off Herger's protective hand, she rushed forward.
An inhuman scream echoed threw the hall as Astrid reached the two men. The poised creature bounded forward towards her. In a flash she was between Edgtho's sword and the animal.
She threw her hands up ."Stop...please stop. He means you no harm!" The huge cat rubbed harmlessly against her leg beckoning for her attention.
Herger had come to stand behind the other two. They all stared at her as if she had no mind at all.
"Move Woman!" Edgtho ordered. Herger grabbed his shoulder. "Hear what she has to say."
Astrid rushed on in her explanation. "He is here because of me -- a companion. He was a gift from my father as a child. Never has he caused harm to anyone." She looked pleadingly to Herger, willing him to intervene.
"It is a panther. They are nothing but a plague upon my people, making a meal of what suits them. Kill it we will be the better for it." Ibn looked to the two other men.
"NO! I swear it. Has never eaten except from my own hand. Should I not feed him, he will go hungry." She lowered her hands running them along the cat's sable coat. A loud rumble of satisfaction came from the animal.
Herger watched the animal run it's rough pink tongue over Astrid's hand. "Leave the beast Edgtho."
Edgtho glared at Astrid, sliding his sword back into it's sheath. Ibn looked if he would argue his point with Herger. "This falls to me, little brother. I will watch the animal closely." Ibn threw his hands up in frustration and stalked away.
Astrid's eyes never wavered as she met Edgtho's stare. A sigh of relief escaped her as the man turned to leave the great hall. The cat broke from her side and followed after Edgtho. To her amazement, the big cat fell into step beside him.
Edgtho felt the cold wet touch of something against his hand. Looking down he saw that it was the panther -- it's nose inching close, sniffing at his hand. Raising his arm, he shouted, "GO!" The cat simply watched him, unafraid.
Astrid looked to Herger and tried desperately to hide the smile that came to her lips. He smiled back at her in amusement. "Nachta....come Nachta," she ordered. The cat didn't even turn in her direction. It continued to follow Edgtho from the hall.
"Never have I seen such a thing. Natcha does not take with men. He has always been loyal to me and only to me," she explained to Herger.
"Natcha. A fitting name. Black as the night sky," was Herger's only reply.
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Weilew stepped from her room after she witnessed Astrid's wild flight down the stairs. She wasted no time in making her way to Buliwyf's chamber. Slipping inside, she rushed to the bed. Smiling hungrily as she gazed upon him, she eased herself onto the bed beside him. "You are returning to me." Her eager lips clasp to his as her hand work it's way under the furs. She sighed against his lips as she touched the flaccid flesh between his thighs. "That harridan will soon be gone from these lands. Then it will be my hands that care for you," she whispered against his lips. To her frustration, she gained no response from his body. She pulled back from him. "Soon Buliwyf. Soon, when you are better." She stood just as Astrid entered the room with Olga at her side.,
