The Story Of Valhall

For the next 24 hours I had been thinking more that I had the last moth, all together. If I did this, it would be like selling my soul. My father would have been furious. Going to bed with his worst enemy, he would turn in his grave. But that was not all. I had seen something in Georges’ eyes, something that scared me pretty much. My family had always possessed the gift to see in to the future, and so did I. And right there, in Georges’ eyes was a little boy, running over the grounds. As he came closer he called me mum. He then jumped into the arms of George and smiled at me.



Did my future really lie in the hands of a nasty mayor? Even the future of my family seemed to lie in his hands. I looked out of my window and saw the children running around, laughing. Was I really about to leave my Valhall to the ruins? Kill everyone living here? The fate of Valhall lay in my hands, and I would prevent it from going under.



At the dinner table the following evening, I still had some doubts of what to do. I looked at Turok; he was such a brave man. He had given his life to protect me. He would do anything to keep me safe. There was no use to ask him. Then Turoks’ son came running over to me. I smiled. ”Grim! Just the boy I wanted to see!” I said sounding happy. He smiled, completely breathless after running. “I have two questions for you. If Valhall was in danger, would you have given your life to save it?” I asked serious. I looked at me for a few seconds. “Of course, madam!” he answered proudly. “Thank you for that, Grim, my love,” I said giving him a kiss on his forehead. “And then to the next question. Can you look after Severus for me until the morning?” He nodded quickly, smiling broadly. I smiled proudly at him as I walked out of the great hall.



I walked over to the grounds where George stood stroking his horse lovingly. He looked at me with a blank expression in his eyes. “Good evening, Alexis,” he said bowing deeply. “Good evening, George,” I said without making eye contact. “I am very curious of your answer,” he said slowly, still stroking his horse. “It has been very hard, but I believe that I have found the right answer to your proposal,” I said looking at him. He seemed to have a lot of love for his horse. It was almost annoying. “I have decided to take your offer, on one condition.” He let go of his horse and looked at me. “I knew you would make the right decision, Alexis. You are a very clever woman. So tell me about your condition.” This felt so out of place, I had never been in a situation like this before. And it freaked me out. “Well, a lady of my reputation would not do very good having a relationship without being married,” I started. “It would ruin a lot of things for both me and the village. I will not be considered a slut. So I will take your offer if you marry me.” He looked at me and smiled. “How could I ever say no to that condition?”



George opened the door to my chamber, let me in and he closed the door behind me. “You are so beautiful,” he said playing with my hair. He suddenly stopped and stared at me. “Do you really want this?” I was very surprised at this question. I didn’t think he would care at all. “I… I guess so…,” I stuttered. He suddenly kisses me brutally. He was holding me tight, starting to take of my dress. I must admit that this really turned me on, and I think he heard it. I was actually moaning. He put me down on the bed and threw of his jacket. He quickly lay down on top of me and started kissing me again. “George! Wait,” I said with a very high pulse. “I… I need to tell you something.” George smiled and kissed me on the nose. “Yes, Alexis, my dear?” I looked up at the ceiling. “I’m a virgin.”



He stared at me for a while. It looked like his eyes where going to fall out of his head. “You… you’re a… virgin?” he stuttered. What was wrong now? “Yes, George, I am,” I answered. He slowly got up from the bed and stumbled out the door. What did I do? I would have thought that he would like that I was a virgin. I had heard that men preferred virgins. But I must have been mistaken. If virginity was a good thing, he would not have left in such a way.



It did not take very long before he came back in. He looked… well, I don’t know exactly. His eyes looked bloodshot. He sat down on the bed again, just a little further away from me this time. “Alexis,” he started slowly. “I can’t do this, not like this. Not now.” I looked puzzled at him. “Why? You don’t want me?” I asked perplexed. He smiled. “Of course I want you, I have dreamt of you for years,” he said, reaching for my hand. “But I don’t think this is what you have always dreamt of. I can not take your virginity, not now. You don’t love me. It shouldn’t be taken like this. Your fathers’ ghost will murder me in my sleep.”



That night we did not make love, we just shared bed. And it felt good. I felt safe, and that was a feeling I hadn’t had in a long time. Now and then he kissed me, and it was ok. I actually liked it. There was nothing wrong with it, he loved me and he just wanted to show me. He just wanted to be near me. How did I know he loved me? I felt it; I saw it in his eyes. He would not have just slept beside me if he didn’t.



When I woke up the next morning George was gone. He must have left early, for it wasn’t yet noon. He was a powerful man with a very important job. He couldn’t stay with me all day, even though I sort of wished that he would. I felt slightly stupid for thinking that, just after one night together.



When I opened the door, I found Turok standing outside. He almost looked relived to see me. “Is there something wrong, Turok?” I asked slightly concerned. “I was so worried, Madam,” he said looking at me. “The Mayor was in your quarters all night. I thought something was going on. That he might have harmed you.” I smiled and stroked his cheek. “No, he hasn’t harmed me. But I suppose I should tell you what’s going on,” I said seriously. “Will you eat breakfast with me? I can tell you then.”



So I told Turok everything. He didn’t seem too happy about it, but he said that he trusted me. Therefore he also trusted this decision. He also said if George was trying to trick me, Turok would kill him. Then he smiled and said “lets hope it won’t come to that”.



Later on that day there came about fifty men in armours, led by a man on horse. They had brought two big wagons with them too. The man on the horse walked straight over to me. He bowed very deeply. “Are you Madam Valhall?” he asked polite. I smiled and answered that I was. “I and these men have come on the order of Mayor Wickham to stand guard in Your village. And I have come to train Your men, in case there should be a war in the near future. With Your permission, of course.” He was quite the gentleman. “I am happy to give my permission. Sir?” I said smiling. “Ah, I must apologise my bad manners, my name is Tengel Wood.” He bowed again, clearly to apologise himself. “Well, both You and Your men are most welcome, Sir Wood,” I said smiling. Then he gave me a roll of parchment, bowed for the third time and walked over to the wagons.



I quickly opened the roll of parchment and read the note.



Dear Alexis.

As you will know by now, some of my soldiers along with my Captain has been sent to Valhall to stand guard along the outpost of the village. I have given my Captain, Tengel, the mission to train the men in Valhall. The soldiers and Tengel will stay in Valhall until we have cleared off the war, or, God help us, the war is over. I hope that is in order. It is only for the wellbeing of Valhall, and most importantly you.

Since I rejected you last night, in a way I shall not mention here, I suppose you do not wish for me to come tonight. And I will understand if you don’t. But if I am mistaken, please send me a note and I’ll be there before you know it.

For I am forever yours.



George Wickham



He really put some effort into this. Trying to convince me that he wasn’t just playing around. He had even sent me his Captain. I was already starting to like him, a lot. And I wasn’t sure that was a good thing. Particularly since I didn’t really like him in the first place. And this Tengel, he was quite a special guy. Not just because of his looks, but the entire man was somewhat admirable. He started working at once he had my permission. And he was very polite, of course. But there really was something about his looks. He was very tall, broad shoulders, big arms and chest. His face was as pale as snow, his nose long; his eyes where black and deep like the sea. His hair was black and kind of greasy. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought he was from the far east. That he was a Saracen or something. But the colour of his skin said otherwise.



Tengel and his men didn’t waste their time. They were starting to build watchtowers along with most of the village men. They where chopping wood, lifting stones and making tow. During this I wrote an answer to George’s message; I would like him to come. Not much more than that. But it was enough. So I called for one of the messenger men to ride to town and give the note to George. Only moments later Tengel came walking towards me. “What may I do for you, Sir Wood?” I asked with a smile on my lips. He bowed deeply for the fourth time that day. “Please Madam, call me Tengel.” He said correcting me. “I was only wondering if You have beds for all of us, we are quite a few men…” I smiled broadly. “But of course we have enough beds, Tengel. My father once insisted on building a house with room for a hundred men, now I obviously see why.” I said pointing towards a large wood house. “I’ll ask some of the girls to help me make the beds. How many are you?” He smiled broadly, revealing a beautiful row of pearl white teeth. “You truly are an angel, Madam! As is your father!” And with this he returned to his work