A Bride For A Barbarian

Aurora continued to serve the other warriors quietly until Garik spoke over the crowd, catching everyone's attention including her own. She felt her heart quicken and her face pale as he glared at her, targeting her once again with is words. She froze in her place, holding the pitcher against herself as her mouth hovered open slightly, as if she was trying to find words to say. thankfully, a female warrior spoke first, gathering everyone attention with a teasing comment towards their leader, bring the whole hall into a fit of laughter. She let out a breath she did not know she was holding in and was about to go back to work until Garik spoke at her again.

He commanded her to sit and eat, right next to him no less. She did not know whether to take his as a high honor, or to look at this as some type of setup for another horrible deed. She listened though and made her way over to him, pitcher still in hand. She set the still full jug upon the table before slipping into the empty seat, looking over to Evyin uncertainly, as if she might be able to explain his strange and hard to interpret behavior. She glanced to him once more before reaching out to the bread and ripping off a good sized hunk, pulling it back and ripping off smaller pieces to eat. She also grabbed some meat, not much but enough for her.

She eat in silence, feeling a little uncertain as she had become the center of attention, at least for some. She could feel some eyes on her, though most had returned to earlier conversations and arguments alike. She hoped that he did not prod at her anymore, she was doing only as she was told and what was her duty, certainly she did not deserve such treatment...
 
Obedient and silent. Normally he would have been happy about this, especially since he was surrounded by women who weren't afraid to speak their minds. And yet he'd been raised to expect a fight from a woman, so when he got none, Garik found himself all the more riled.

The noise of the table subsided as the girl helped herself to the food. All who watched her quickly had grins spreading on their faces and once she'd taken a few bites they turned their attention to Garik, as if expecting him to do or say something mean to her. He considered a moment... Then decided against it. At least for now. So he removed his gaze from her and tore meat from his drumstick with his teeth. Those who had been observing quickly fell back into conversation and the feasting continued.

But she was just so well-behaved! Garik was a little bothered with the fact that the damn woman remained at the very front of his thoughts for the whole night and he felt as though if he didn't act in difference he would become transparent and everyone would realize. He did the only thing he knew and responded childishly, pretending to ignore her. But finally, after the food had gone and those in attendance had had much to drink, himself included, he slammed a fist down on the table top and drew the full attention of the crowd.

"We need some entertainment," he ordered and the mischievous smile upon his lips was enough to make the warriors and servants alike snicker. "Girl." He shifted in his chair to lean close to Aurora, invading her personal space and smelling of mead. "Sing for us."

Honestly he couldn't remember if she'd listed singing as one of her apparent skills but even if she couldn't carry a tune with a bucket he would be entertained nonetheless. And as if denying him was even possible, the warriors began to chant "sing", thumping their strong fists upon the table. Or, in some cases, a half filled goblet that sloshed mead every which way and made a terrible mess.
 
It seemed that Garik was pleased that she was eating and turned silent, the rest of the crowd also returning to their drinks and conversations. It was quite a relief for Aurora, who was so tense that you might mistake her for a statue of stone. She calmed a bit though as people seemed to forget about her, more entertained by the mead and the laughter that surrounded them. Aurora ate until she was full, which wasn't much but enough to tide her over for the rest of the evening. Soon, only mead was served, the plates having been cleared by other servant who were getting up from the table.

Aurora wasn't sure if she should join them, helping them gather plates and what not, but when Garik had called her out for working intently, she had gotten a little confused. What exactly did this man want her to do? Did he want her to sit still? To help? to just stand there and do nothing at all? She just could not read him, there was no steady example to follow. Not even a questioning glance to Eyvin could answer her question, the pregnant women busy with her own talks and drinking. She decided she had lingered long enough and was about to stand when Garik slammed his drink down, causing her to pull her hands back and sit upon her bottom instantly. For a moment she thought she was in trouble...until he smiled.

That smile would be the end of her, she was certain of it. As he looked to her, demanding she sing, she started to stutter in surprise. Her? Sing? Well, she was rather good, according to her parents, but that did not mean she was good enough to sing for a whole hall of people. Before she could protest, other people started to join in on the chatting, pinning her in a very tight spot. Saying no would mean punishment and saying yes...well, she'd probably fail and get punished anyway. Either way, she was going to lose. She didn't even know any good songs for a crowd of drunken barbarians. In the end though, she stood slowly, standing up and looking at Garik.

"I-I don't know any songs for great halls...B-but I'll do my best."
 
Putting her in the spotlight again gained an amusing reaction from her. Garik smirked behind his goblet before taking a big gulp and setting it back down. She looked similar to a doe startled into stillness, those eyes drawing wide with surprise, her already pale face turning paler still so that she almost looked sickly. And when the terrified doe feature wore off, she seemed tongue-tied instead. It brought out a low, husky chuckle from deep in his chest - that girl's embarrassed face. He wanted more of it.

"Your best is good enough. Sing, girl," he replied in accordance to her worries, all while the chanting and the thumping of the table continued. But before Aurora could begin, he shook his head and slowly rose to his feet, pushing the pelt of fur from his broad shoulders to leave in his high back chair. "Do it properly, silly woman," he grunted, grabbing her around the waist for the second time that day and easily lifting her off her feet.

This time, however, he was gentle as he moved her up to stand on the table where everyone could see and hear her properly. "Now. Sing for me." His hands fell away from her waist then and he reclaimed his chair and pelt.
 
Aurora didn't get much time to think as the chanting continued to get louder and louder, making it difficult to even start. She didn't get a chance to though as Garik stood and picked her up once again, making her squeak in surprise. Thankfully he was gentle this time and she was only lifted up onto the table instead of dropped into a pig pen. She stood there nervously with flushed cheeks, looking like a doe that was frozen in place. As she stood there the crowd went quiet finally, all watching her and waiting for her to start singing. Her heart started to beat wildly in her chest as she tried to calm herself was a deep breath. She couldn't keep them waiting forever. She took another breath before starting to sing...



When she was done singing she just stood there, almost uncertain if she should get down from the table or not. She dared not to turn back and look at Garik, thinking that me might be behind her frowning or plotting another nasty trick to surprise her with.
 
Would she sing? She looked even more terrified on her little makeshift stage. If she bowed out now he would certainly lose interest in her. He had no time for timid and cowardly women. Garik was about to reach up and pull her down from the table, but as his hand lifted from the armrest, Aurora's voice pierced the silence.

From the very first note he was captivated, as were the others, all of them gazing up at her with a softness in their eyes that barbarians rarely showed. Garik himself took to leaning his elbows on the table, one hand folded over the other, chin resting on the back of the topmost hand. And he listened, the hairs on the back of his neck and on his arms and chest tickling as they slowly stood on end.

The girl's voice was deep and soft and utterly hypnotizing, but it also left him feeling frustrated. His skin tingled and itched, the muscles in his arms tensing as they ached to reach a hand out and touch her. The appeal of her voice could be compared to velvet upon bare skin, satisfying the need to feel something delicate, yet not entirely acquiring the fullness, instead only being allowed "softness".

These thoughts were dangerous ones, for he reminded himself that this girl was only on loan. He could not treat her as his own bed warmer. And so he sought to put Aurora in a more innocent light, turning his thoughts to his childhood. As he continued to listen to the song, he was reminded of his mother, of how she would sing him to sleep when he was but only five winters old. Aurora's voice had a similar soothing, comforting quality to it. He felt his whole being grow warm with a happiness he hadn't felt in a long time. He was sad to hear the song come to an end, though he kept it well hidden from his expression, some of the warriors around the table having a bit more difficulty as sighs of admiration were just barely heard by those with a good ear.

No one uttered a peep, but several eyes found Garik's face, and he remained in his position for a few long seconds, gazing up at the girl. Then, slowly, he leaned back again, a hand lowering to encircle his goblet, the fingers playing at the engravings and decorations. "Though she's not much to look at, she's certainly worth listening to," he finally said, his voice even and calm and void of both praise and sarcasm.

"To the lovely siren, Aurora," Ropil added, lifting his drink, a grin on his face. The others replied with "Aurora!" and the drinking and conversing once again continued.

"Careful on the dismount, siren," Garik muttered, holding out his hand in offer to help Aurora down from the table.
 
Aurora was nervous with the silence. There was not clapping, not even a small bit of praise. However, a small happy sigh drifted to her ears, thought that could have just been the wind trying to play a trick on her. She noticed that everyone was looking behind her, looking at Garik to see what he would have to say. After a moment of trying to calm her racing heart beat, she turned to look at him as well, her hands clenching at her dress as she turned half way to look at him. She spoke simply, not praise or sarcasm to be heard at all. Thank goodness...At least he did not think she was terrible.

Ropil caught her attention next and she turned to look at him with a small blush. It seemed that he at least liked her song, as did the others who raised their goblets in her name and cheer it loudly before the conversation returned to normal. Well that was a relief! She had succeeded in entertaining the barbarians and did it on a last minute expectation. Garik's voice caught her attention once again, noticing the emphasis he put on the nick name Ropil had given her in his praise. She looked upon his hand for a moment before she took it gently and took a step down on the chair she had once been sitting upon. Then with one more step to the floor she was sitting upon her chair again silently, still a little nerve wracked from the performance.

She was surprised that they had liked the song, it certainly wasn't meant for great halls. In fact, it was a lullaby that her mother used to sing to her when she was little. A simple song that had been passed from mother to daughter as a tune to lull their babes into a peaceful sleep. She did not know what much of the song meant but her mother told her that it was the home of her family and how no matter how great another place could be, home was still home. The song actually seemed to fit her situation. Here she was, far from home and unable to return there until her father could pay. All she could do was dream of her parents and home, only to be awakened once again by reality.

She shook off the sad thoughts though and just let the conversation catch her attention, looking over the people talking and listening to Eyvin talk loudly at Ropil about something, though Aurora was unable to hear from all the other chatter happening around her...
 
In due time the adrenaline caused by that lovely voice deminished, his heartbeat slowing and settling once again into a calm. And although Garik returned to his story telling and joking, his thoughts never strayed far from Aurora.

At times he could be difficult to please and earning his respect was an even greater task. Until the moment she had parted her lips to sing, Garik had thought very little of Aurora and what he did think of her was not very complimenting. But now she at least had earned the right to be a constant in his thoughts. Did she have more interesting talents? With little hesitance, he made up his mind to have Evyin make sure the girl prepared his morning meal. She'd claimed to be a good cook. He would be the judge of that.

Another hour. They'd traveled deep into the night. The chatter around the lengthy table had fallen to soft murmurs broken by the snoring of those who had already passed out. Garik slowly stood from his chair and stretched his strong arms, twisting his back and rolling his shoulders. Evyin and Ropil had left but a moment ago and most of the servants had headed back to their homes.

He took two large steps toward the door that lead into the corridor but paused, glancing over his shoulder back at the table to see if Aurora was even still there. Had she slipped away at some point? Or maybe she'd fallen asleep like most of the others?
 
After much more talking and drinking, the hall started to slowly simmer down into silence. Those that were still awake started to leave while those that were not were barely staying up in their chairs. Only goblets remained as dishes along with a few empty pitchers. However, Aurora was one of the unfortunate one's who had fallen asleep at the table, one of the first in fact. She was not used to such late nights, oh not at all. She should have been asleep long ago but she had been working. Most nights all chores would have been done long ago but this wasn't a farm, this was a fortress.

She curled up a bit in her chair, her arms folded on the table and her head resting on top of them, Her back moved up and down slowly, moving with her every breath as she rested. She looked so innocent, so unsuspecting. Certainly she couldn't be anything special at all! She get out a small groan as she shifted a bit in her chair, her body obviously saying that she was uncomfortable even though her mind was fast asleep. Eventually she settled once more and slept there, still in the same spot as before.
 
Sound asleep she was and reflecting an image of such innocence that Garik almost felt bad for all the teasing he'd put her through that day. Almost. He did, however, decide any further teasing for the night would be too cruel; he couldn't just leave her there for her back and bottom to be sore in the morning. But a quick glance around would show him that all the servants were either gone or of no use at all.

So, it's up to me then? he asked himself, not without a frown upon his face. Sighing softly, he stepped over to the chair where Aurora was sleeping and gently leaned her back onto one of his arms, the other then slipping under her thighs. Scooped her up from her chair he did, gently, attempting to keep from waking her. Then he headed for one of the corridors, boots making minimal noise thankfully because he did not wish for anyone to witness him carrying this damn women like his bride.

And yet, as he made his way down the hall, he couldn't help but take note of how light she really was. Barely any muscle at all to weigh her down. He thought with a little amusement that she must have difficulty back on her farm keeping her feet on the ground when a strong gust came along. Suddenly his grip on her became even more gentle. He was afraid that he'd break her if he held her too strongly.
 
Aurora was as light as a feather in Garik gentle hold, only a small murmur slipping out before she settled in his arms. She was deeply asleep, not even the movement of his steps would wake the resting girl. Her arms curled up in her lap as he carried her along, her head nuzzling into his chest lightly as she leaned into his warmth. If she had been away and aware of what she was doing she would certainly be blushing like mad and stuttering wildly. After all, she was cuddling into the barbarian leader, something that people would think to be absolutely crazy. But her mind was elsewhere, in a dream of sweet design and her carried her along.

As he made the way down the hall she would shuffle again, only a little though as her body naturally tried to get comfortable in her sleep. Her hair slipped into her peaceful looking face and her chest moved up and down slowly, her heart beat finally having a break from all the nervous beating it had been doing that day. Her eyes were fluttering though, not as a sign of awaking but of a dream. Though Garik would not know what her deram was he would be able to see that it was a happy one, the faintest of smiles on her lips.

She was dreaming of her parents and of the farm, her mind going to better days when they had the gold to pay for their safety. The farm was in bloom and all the cows were eating grass in the fields as the pigs roamed their pen and cooled off in the mud. Aurora herself was sitting in the grass with her family, something they would do together on days they had finished work early. Sadly, it was but a dream...but she did not have to know that until she woke up.
 
Was she...nuzzling him? Eyebrow cocked, Garik glanced down at his fragile armload only to see her still deeply unconscious. But she was cuddling into him, as if she were some kind of starved-for-affection kitten. The act made his heart quicken, but only a little! And he grumbled under his breath, muttering about damnable women. Nevertheless she seemed happy about whatever she was dreaming about, and he could probably take a stab at what it was and strike the target in the center.

Finally he stopped in front of a door, shifting her gently to lean more on his shoulder to free up one hand and turn the handle. The room was dark, though his vision quickly adjusted and he strode across the floor to the bed. He thought about tossing her down on it, he really did, but the night was old and even great warriors like him eventually grew tired. So he placed her lightly on the bed, even going so far as to unlace her boots and slip then from her feet.

For a moment he gazed down at her, wondering how long she'd have to remain here, wondering if she would be able to survive the struggles that were imminent. Winter was the lull before the season of bandits and invading tribes. The Hrithgar Mountain Tribe often fought with another tribe, a more savage one than the barbarians, that dwelled on the opposite side of the mountain range as Dardeen. Every spring without fail the two tribes would clash. Aurora would need all of her strength and courage if she were to remain here during that time.

But she had to be at least a little strong-willed, Garik thought, because she had weathered his teasing and abuse today. "I wonder... What it would take for you to bite back," he murmured as his fingertips softly pushed away the hair that had fallen into her face. Then he stood, covering her sleeping form with the blankets. He picked up the pack that belonged to her from the end of the bed and set it down on the chair in the corner of the room. He had no idea what was inside the pack to make it so valuable, but Thaya had been very certain about its worth.

As silently as he'd come, he left the room, the door softly clicking as it closed behind him. Bed was the only thing left on his agenda.
 
Aurora moved very little after that, just laying in his hold as he carried her along and opened the door to her room. It was a shame that she could not see it, but she would certainly be happy to find that she would not be sleeping under the table for the whole time of her stay. She laid upon the bed limply as he set her down, her head falling into the pillow gently as he removed her shoes for her. If only she was awake, to witness this would certainly change her opinion upon the Barbarian leader. Then again, maybe it was for the best, or else he would not have the strong hold of fear on her. Even so, knowledge about this would at least calm her worried about what else he might possibly do to her.

Aurora turned onto her side just as the door closed, Garik now gone and no evidence of him every being there in the first place, just like a ghost. Her sleep was restful and peaceful and just as the sun rose high into the air, the dainty woman awoke. It was her normal sleeping schedule to wake at such an early hour without anyone's help, her hair a little messy though as she let out a yawn and rubbed her eyes. She had no idea where she was but it was very comfortable, her mind slowly putting things together that she was in a bed. She must have been carried there by someone, possibly one of the men? Or maybe one of the stronger women? Well, she said a small thanks to them in her mind before she slipped from under the sheets and noticed she was still dress.

...It must have been a man.

She let out a small sigh before she walked over to her bag and pulled out new clothing, quickly changing into a blue version of her dress. She put on the apron and also tied her hair back, having packed a few hair ties into her bag as well. Once she was dressed she looked around her room for a small moment. It was rather nice, it was a relief to find she would not have to sleep with the pigs or in a barn. She then maid her bed and stepped from her room, closing the door behind her softly before starting to wander...hopefully she'd find her way to the kitchen on her own.
 
Drinking late into the night and sleeping just as late into the day. It wasn't always the story of a barbarian but often enough. Today was one of those days, evident just by how quiet the hall was, save for the kitchen where the two women whom had welcomed Aurora so warmly were singing and kneading dough. Without looking up from her work, Evyin informed the girl that the master's first meal would be made by her hands completely and that Evyin would only be supervising. "He mumbled some half-baked excuse that you claimed to be a good cook and he wants to judge for himself," the woman sighed and waved her hand in the air as if she were brushing away Garik's childishness. After a moment she paused in working the dough in order to slowly stretch her back and grin down at her belly. "Kicking... Gonna to be a boy, I reckon."

(Sorry for the small reply. Struggling to get back into writing.)
 
Once she arrived in the kitchen, she found the two women working happily on cooking breakfast. Before she could ask what her chore for the day was though she was told she would be making Garik's breakfast. The information was a bit of a surprise to her but she did not complain, only look at Evyin in a confused manner before approaching her at the table. She smiled a bit when the woman paused and looked down at her stomach, talking about her soon to be son or daughter.

"Well...Where shall I start? I-I'm no very familiar with his tastes..." She said softly as she looked at her current mentor. "I-I'd rather not disappoint him in anyway..." She added, the memory of the other day returning to her for a moment. She was very certain that she was going to be very nervous when around pigs for the rest of her life..

(It's alright, hope you don't mind a short post back!)
 
"Honestly I think that's part of his test," Evyin replied, returning to her work. "Just make something you think is delicious. He's a man. If it's edible, he'll eat it." She offered Aurora a smirk and then shuffled away to set the dough aside and let it rise. Anything the girl would need could probably be found right there in the kitchen supplies, though if she had trouble locating something, all she would have to do was ask Evyin.

Meanwhile, the warriors were finally stirring from the various places they'd passed out the night before. Some were waking up with spoons stuck to their faces from having slept slumped on the table. Others were groaning as they sat up on the cold floor. It wasn't anything they weren't used to though. One of them called for food, the plea traveling down the hall and into the kitchen. Thaya jumped to her feet and started spooning oatmeal into bowls, hurrying away to go deliver them while she yelled out, "Hold your horses! I've only got two hands!"

Apparently words only needed to be watched while in the master's presence.

After washing her hands, Evyin took over the chair Thaya had been occupying and simply watched Aurora work. "When you're ready, his room is on the left of yours," she informed after a few minutes, then rose to her feet to lazily stoke the fire in the stove.
 
Aurora did not gain much confidence in that statement, even if a small part of her thought that it was probably true of that brute of a man. However, she couldn't just stand around, she had to get cooking! She was not certain when he would awake but she had a feeling that he would not like to be kept waiting for his morning meal. Instead, she moved towards the kitchen supplies, trying to think of something that a man like Gurik might like.

The first thought that came to her head was meat and potatoes, the seemed to eat a lot of it around here anyway. As her mind started to tick she collected what she needed to cook, a frying pan and some knives, as well as a few other things like salt and pepper. Much to her surprise, and luck, she found some spices and herbs as well, probably nicked off of an unlucky merchant who had either said something wrong or just had bad timing. Either way, this was no time for pitying people that might not even exist.

It did not take her very long to make his breakfast, mostly because she was preparing only two items. However, she made quite a bit so he would not be hungry after this meal. Three thick slabs of fried ham were set on his plate, nearly taking over the whole thing. Along with it was a potato hash with some herbs and spices as well as some corn, an onion and some bacon. If this didn't stuff his gullet then his stomach must have been an endless pit.

With his plate fixed, she pour a large mug of meed and took the two items to his room, following Evyin's instruction. Once she arrived she seemed to pause for a moment, a little uncertain if she should knock or not. If she didn't then he might get mad at her for not bringing him his food and if she did, he might get mad at her for bothering him. Either way she would probably be yelled at...So there was no point thinking about it she suppose. She knocked on the door, making sure she was heard before she stood there and waited for the door to either be opened or for him to call her in.
 
After the echo died, there was a moment in which the hall and the room behind the door were both deadly silent. It took Garik a moment to realize why Evyin hadn't just walked right in on her own accord. It was because he'd ordered the new girl to make him his breakfast, he reminded himself, and grunted into his pillow. "Enter," he called out, voice sounding thick with sleep.

When Aurora would enter the room, she would find Garik still in bed, face buried in a pillow. He was as bare as could be, save for the scars that decorated his strong back and legs and for a corner of a blanket draped over his rear. Last night had been warm and it was probably thanks to the copious amount of drink he'd consumed, but now he felt a little chilled. He was just too lazy to bother with covering himself up.

With a sleepy groan, Garik shifted his arms up, hands disappearing under the pillow and he turned his face to gaze toward the door. The smell that wafted from that plate in Aurora's hand made his stomach growl and gurgle eagerly enough to force him to sit up.

Making sure to keep himself covered, he rolled onto his back, sighed, then sat up with his back against the headboard. "Bring it here, woman," he mumbled, hands busy tying back his mane, pushing the long black strands from his eyes and bunching it all up into a pony tail. The face fully revealed was rugged indeed, though had often been called handsome by any standards. This was easier to see now that his expression lacked intimidation, instead holding a softness akin to being half asleep.
 
With a patience like no other, Aurora waited until she heard him speak, slowly opening the door to find a slightly startling sight. It took all of her will power to stay calm, the obvious nudity having surprised her slightly. Thankfully he was laying on his stomach, or she was certain that she would have blushed and fainted with embarrassment. She approached slowly, doing her best not to look at him directly in the eye and instead focused on the floor, only moving faster once he was settled in a sitting position and covered a bit better.

She placed the meed down upon a small bedside table, along with a knife and spoon that she had grabbed on her way out of the kitchen. She let him deal with his hair for a moment before handing him his plate, the amount of food certainly enough to fill his gullet as it was started slip off a bit. He was certainly much more quiet when half asleep, and also less intimidating as well. Once he had his food, she stepped back a bit, waiting for his judgement on her cooking.

She prayed that he liked it, or at least found it tolerable. Many had told her that anything she made was delicious but she was never certain about it herself. Maybe it was because it was always coming from her parents or close family friends and even a stranger who didn't know her at all. Either way though, as long as he approved of it then he would not call her a liar and punish her...at least she hoped so anyway...
 
He'd always found potatoes to be dull tasting, no matter the hand that cooked them. He'd traveled to many a place and had tasted a variety of foods from flavorful to bland. And though the meat was nothing special, these had to be the best potatoes he'd ever had.

Nevertheless, he kept his pleasure from showing on his face. It was, after all, crucial that this woman returned home still thinking he was a cruel man that should be feared. After taking a few bites, Garik was sure to pause and look as though he were silently critiquing Aurora's cooking, just for the sake of making her sweat. However, he was happy with the meal and struggled with the idea of having her make his breakfast every day. He'd grow spoiled and wouldn't be able to enjoy the other meals.

As he cut into the meat, he addressed her, keeping his eyes on his task though. "So tell me, aside from cooking and singing, what else are you good for? Cleaning? Taking care of livestock?" A smirk crept up onto his lips. "Warming beds?" He lifted his gaze then and made it obvious that he was 'inspecting' her.
 
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