The sun, high over the village, cast dappled shadows through the leaves of the old elm tree. Astrid paced beneath its sprawling branches, her restless energy radiating in the warm afternoon air. Her mind raced with the ideas she and Sigrida had raised the night before. Though escape seemed their only chance at freedom, doubts and worries gnawed at her resolve.

What if they were caught? What punishment would befall them, especially Sigrida? Could she truly leave behind her home, her family, everything she'd ever known?

So lost was Astrid in her anxious thoughts that she failed to notice Erik's approach until he was nearly upon her. Erik had grown up alongside Astrid and Asbjorn, his father serving as Torbjorn's right hand and chief military advisor. Though not equals in status, their families were bound by ancient oaths of fealty and tradition.

"Astrid!" he called out, surprise evident in his voice. "I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you’d be busy with preparations."

She startled at the sound, turning to face him. "Oh, Erik. I just... needed some air."

Erik nodded, unsling his bow and quiver. "Understandable, with the wedding so near," he said, trying to keep his tone light despite the heaviness in his chest. "I came to practice a bit. Care to join me?"

Although she had always enjoyed archery with Erik and Asbjorn, Astrid hesitated, her eyes darting towards the path. "I... I think I'll pass today. Thank you, though."

Erik's brow furrowed slightly. Astrid had never declined an opportunity to practice before. He wondered if the impending marriage weighed on her more heavily than she let on.

"I wanted to offer my congratulations," Erik continued, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "I know how much this alliance means to your father."

Astrid nodded vaguely, her gaze still fixed on the path.

"Einar will be a strong provider and protector," Erik went on, hating every word even as he spoke them. The memory of Gunnar's cold eyes during the negotiations flashed in his mind, and he suppressed a shudder. "I hope... I hope you two find happiness together."

Astrid turned to him then, a look of profound sadness in her eyes that caught Erik off guard. "I will try, Erik," she said softly, before quickly averting her gaze.

An awkward silence fell between them. Erik fidgeted with an arrow, the weight of unspoken feelings pressing against his chest. His love for Astrid had deepened with each passing year since childhood, yet he had never dared voice it, bound by both loyalty and the stark reality of his station. Now, with her marriage approaching, the burden of his silence felt nearly unbearable. Still, he knew his place. She had her duty, as did he.

"Well, I should leave you to your thoughts," Erik mumbled, his voice heavy with resignation. "Best wishes again. I'm sure you'll find contentment in your new life."

"Thank you," Astrid said with a nod, her eyes once again scanning the path anxiously.

Erik sighed inwardly. Soon she would be wed, and there was nothing he could do but accept it. With a last lingering glance, he turned toward the meadow, the fire dying in his eyes as words he would never speak seemed to die in his throat.

Astrid watched him go, a mixture of guilt and sadness washing over her. The sun past over the longhouse to begin its slow descent towards the western horizon. She had barely settled her nerves when she spotted Sigrida hurrying along the path, casting furtive glances around before approaching.

"Finally!" Astrid breathed as Sigrida drew near. "I was beginning to worry you’d changed your mind."

Sigrida's face was flushed from her haste. "I thought I'd never finish," she whispered. "The butter churning took forever, and then Yrsa kept finding more chores for me."

Astrid grabbed her friend's arm, pulling her behind the elm tree where they could speak without being seen.

The two girls huddled close, speaking in hushed voices. They occasionally glanced towards the path leading to the longhouse, their postures tense with nervous energy. Erik, now some distance away in the meadow, paused between shots to cast curious glances in their direction. Their behavior struck him as odd, and they seemed unusually agitated.

After a few minutes, Erik lowered his bow and began walking towards them. Astrid, catching sight of his approach, quickly shushed Sigrida.

"Act natural," she muttered through clenched teeth, plastering on a smile.

Sigrida composed herself, forcing a casual expression as Erik drew near. "Good afternoon, Erik," she said, her voice a touch too cheerful. "It's perfect weather for archery, isn't it?"

Erik nodded slowly, his eyes flicking between them. Dappled light from the rustling spring leaves above played across his face, accentuating the suspicion in his gaze. "It is. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important?"

"Not at all!" Astrid said brightly, her voice ringing false even to her own ears. "Sigrida and I were just... discussing wedding plans. You know, dresses, flowers, boring stuff."

"Yes, nothing you'd find interesting!" Sigrida said hastily, punctuating her words with a laugh that was a uncharacteristically light. Erik's eyebrow arched slightly at the sound.

"I see," he said, his tone measured. "Well, don't let me get in the way of your... wedding plans."

With a nod, Erik turned and walked back towards the targets. His suspicion fully aroused, he strained his ears to catch snippets of the hushed conversation behind him.

"That was too close," Astrid whispered sharply as she shifted her feet nervously. "We have to be more careful."

Sigrida glanced over her shoulder at Erik's retreating form, the afternoon light glinting off his blond hair. "I think we're alright for now. But let's keep our voices down. We can't risk him overhearing."

The two girls leaned in closely once more, their urgent whispers barely audible above the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.

"I've been thinking all day about what we can do," Sigrida murmured, her eyes darting around to ensure they weren't overheard. "It will be difficult for us to travel by water on our own. I haven't sailed before and wouldn’t know what to do. But I think I have a plan that can work."

Astrid leaned in closer, her heart racing with anticipation.

"We go on foot," Sigrida continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "We take only what we can carry to move quickly. We'll follow the trail to the forest, find the river, and follow it upstream to Trader Gorm's cabin at the fork."

"And then what?" Astrid pressed, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Gorm's thrall, Sven, makes weekly trips to Skipavik to trade. We might be able to ride in the boat with him. He uses the eastbound stream, so we won't be seen by anyone here."

Astrid's eyes widened. "How do you know all this?"

"Sven's sister tends the farm animals," Sigrida explained, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "She never stops talking about him. It's tiresome, really."

"But how certain are you that Sven would help us?" Astrid asked, doubt creeping into her tone.

Sigrida paused. "Well…I'm not certain," she said. "His sister is rather unreliable. It might run in the family. Sven might even turn us in. But what other choice do we have?"

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The gravity of their situation settled over them like a heavy cloak. Astrid nodded slowly, considering on the risks they faced.

"We need provisions to stay overnight in the forest," Sigrida continued, her mind racing through the details of their plan. "Food, water, blankets..."

"And silver," Astrid interjected, her voice low but urgent. "We'll need something to sustain us until we can earn our own way. I have some saved."

Looking towards the longhouse, Sigrida suddenly tensed, pressing a finger to her lips. "Shh! Someone's coming."

They held their breath, hearts pounding in unison. After a moment that seemed to stretch for an eternity, Sigrida's shoulders relaxed slightly. "It's alright," she whispered. "They're just headed to the barn."

Astrid leaned in closer, her words barely audible. "I know where extra stores of food are kept. I can sneak out at night and take enough to get us to Skipavik and perhaps a few days beyond."

In their renewed agitation, the girls forgot their pact to stay quiet. Their animated whispers carried on the breeze, reaching Erik's straining ears.

Erik's heart quickened as realization dawned. Were they truly planning to run away? He found himself holding his breath, desperate to catch every word.

"Once we reach Skipavik," Sigrida continued, a hint of excitement coloring her voice, "we'll scout the docks for crews preparing to depart. We can book passage on a ship heading south, putting more distance between us and home."

Astrid's smile was fleeting, quickly replaced by a look of apprehension. "This is going to be dangerous. It will change our lives forever."

Sigrida gripped Astrid's hands tightly, her eyes blazing with determination. "It's worth the risk. I refuse to be sent to Gunnar as his slave."

Astrid took a deep breath, her usual vibrant energy focusing into a steady resolve. Erik watched as the fire in her eyes intensified, her animated spirit channeling into unwavering determination.

"We should leave tonight after my family goes to bed," Astrid whispered urgently. "We'll have to walk all night, so try to get some sleep in the afternoon. We'll—"

She stopped short, her eyes widening as she spotted Erik openly watching them from the targets.

"Erik!" she gasped. Sigrida spun around, her face draining of color.

Erik straightened, his mind racing. This changed everything.

***SECTION BREAK***

Erik approached the girls, his expression grave. "You're planning to run away, aren't you?" he said bluntly, his voice heavy with the knowledge of their decision.

Astrid lifted her chin defiantly while Sigrida stared at the ground, worry etched across her face.

"Erik, if you heard what we said, you can't tell anyone," Astrid pleaded.

He sighed heavily. Her upcoming marriage to Einar had felt like a personal loss, but he'd kept his feelings to himself, determined to support his chieftains plans. "Astrid, do you have any idea the trouble you'll cause by running off like this? How much it'll hurt your parents? What it'll mean for our people if this marriage doesn't happen?"

Seeing Astrid's unwavering resolve, he continued, "And what about Sigrida? Do you know how much trouble she'll be in for going along? Unlike you, Astrid, your family won't be quick to forgive her."

Sigrida's eyes flashed with emotion, but Astrid put a hand on her arm before turning back to Erik.

"Erik, you've seen Gunnar," she said, her voice shaking. "Can you imagine what his son might be like? To Einar, I'm just an object to be bargained. And Sigrida?" She paused, her voice dropping. "If she's given to Gunnar, she'd end up as his concubine for sure."

At this, Sigrida lowered her eyes, pressing her lips together.

Erik sighed, his jaw tightening as he clenched his teeth. The memory of Gunnar's cold, calculating gaze flashed in his mind, along with the unsettling way the much older Jarl had leered at Sigrida during the negotiations. The thought of either girl trapped in such a household turned his stomach.

Erik felt torn, the weight of his obligation to Astrid’s father and compassion for their plight pulling him in opposite directions. He understood Astrid and Sigrida's desperate desire to escape their fates, but he also knew the grave consequences their actions could bring. With a heavy heart, he knew he had to try to discourage them from their reckless plan.

"Perhaps in time, you'll come to terms with Einar as your husband," Erik said gently, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "An alliance between the clans would bring stability to both."

Astrid shook her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of tears and frustration. "No, Erik. Even with all the good it might do, I can't sacrifice my future and happiness. I won't live my life with a man I don't love."

Her words struck Erik, resonating deeply with his own unspoken feelings. The passion in her voice, her need for a love-filled union, mirrored his own secret desires. For a moment, he struggled to respond, overwhelmed the ache in his heart. With great effort, he pushed aside his personal feelings, forcing himself to continue his attempt to dissuade her.

"But where will you go? How will you survive out there, just the two of you?" Erik struggled to keep his voice steady, his inner conflict barely concealed.

Sigrida lifted her chin, a spark of defiance in her eyes. "We'll manage. We've made plans. Good plans."

"Flawed plans," Erik countered, his concern evident. "You'll be caught before you make it beyond our borders."

Astrid stepped closer, her eyes pleading. "Then help us, Erik. Help us come up with a plan that will work. Please!"

Erik sighed, his resolve wavering. Their plan, while hastily devised, wasn't entirely without merit. But their naïveté and lack of resources made it a dangerous gamble at best. He knew he couldn't guard them constantly, and reporting them would only lead to harsh punishment. Worse, if they waited until reaching Drakefjell to escape, they'd be alone in hostile territory with no chance of mercy if caught. Perhaps by helping now, he could buy time to find a better solution – one that might eventually lead them home with the understanding of what was right for them.

"I can help you," he offered, the words surprising even himself.

Both girls looked up at him, hope blossoming in their eyes.

"I was already planning to leave for Skipavik tomorrow to collect wedding gifts for your family," Erik said, his mind racing ahead. "I'll take you as far as the port city. Ships are always coming and going there. I can help you find passage with a trustworthy crew. And if needed, I could... stay on for a while, to ensure you're settled safely."

Unspoken was his intention to let them have a little adventure before gently guiding them back home in time for Astrid's wedding. He knew her family would forgive him once they understood the situation.

"Oh Erik, thank you!" Astrid cried, throwing her arms around him in an impulsive hug. "This means everything to us. With you by our side, it's as if Odin himself is watching over our journey!"

Sigrida flashed him a grateful smile over Astrid's shoulder as Erik gently extricated himself from her enthusiastic embrace.

"We should be able to reach Skipavik in two days if the winds favor us," Erik said, his voice steady despite the slight reddening of his ears. "I'll tell my family I'm retrieving wedding gifts. No one will question it."

The three huddled close, quickly finalizing the remaining details of their plan. As they parted ways, Erik's thoughts remained heavy with conflicting emotions. Still, he convinced himself that this was the right course of action. It would allow the girls a taste of freedom while keeping them safe under his watchful eye. Surely, he thought, they would see reason once their spirits had been soothed.

Astrid and Sigrida moved away from the ancient elm, their hushed giggles and excited chatter carried on the warm afternoon breeze. The prospect of escape had lifted their spirits, filling them with a sense of hope.

"I can't believe it, Sigrida," Astrid whispered, her eyes alight with a mixture of excitement and relief as she squeezed her friend's arm. "We're going to be free! No more sleepless nights worrying about being alone with Einar. This whole marriage thing – it just ... it just made my skin crawl."

Sigrida nodded vigorously, her blonde catching the golden light of the late afternoon. "And no more fear of being handed over to Gunnar as a concubine," she murmured, her voice dropping even lower, tinged with disgust. "That vile man sees women as nothing but playthings. He already has four wives! I hate to think what he'd do to me."

The two girls clasped hands, savoring the heady feeling of control over their destiny, if only for a fleeting moment. Their naïve excitement was as endearing as it was fragile in the face of the challenges that lay ahead.

"Oh, Sigrida!" Astrid's voice rose with unbridled enthusiasm, her words tumbling out in a rush. "We're going to see places we've only dreamed of. Who knows what adventures are in store for us?"

"Nothing but freedom and the open sea!" Sigrida laughed, her usual restraint momentarily swept away by Astrid's infectious joy, the sound carrying across the sun-dappled meadow.

Erik watched the two girls depart, their laughter fading into the distance like the last notes of a melody. He sighed under the weight of his conflicting emotions.

Though he knew aiding their escape went against his oath to his chieftain, it pained him to think of Astrid trapped in a loveless union and Sigrida condemned to be a slave, used for her body. They deserved a chance to taste freedom, if only for a few fleeting days.

Erik tried to convince himself that he was simply escorting them to the port city for their own safety. He planned to gently reason with them once their impulsive passions had cooled. Surely, they would see that returning was the wisest choice.

His mind circled back to the tangle of potential repercussions. A part of him wondered if he should confide in someone - perhaps Astrid's brother Asbjorn, who might understand the complexity of their plight. Just to have an ally, should things go awry. But as he toyed with the idea, doubt gnawed at the back of his mind. Telling Asbjorn could unravel everything before it even began, and Erik reasoned that their absence would be brief and unnoticed if all went according to plan. They needed only a few days to quell their anxieties and see the sense in returning.

So, with a resolve tinged with uncertainty, he pushed the impulse aside. There was, he decided, no point in spreading worry over what he hoped would be a brief escapade.

With a heavy sigh, Erik turned back to the targets. He had made his choice, for better or worse. Tomorrow they would set sail for Skipavik under the guise of retrieving wedding gifts. And within a few days, they would return. Astrid would marry Einar as planned, and he would accept it, burying his own feelings deep within his heart.