HIS NAME VIKINGS 6

Dear Father.

The journey was quite adventurous, as you called it. On my arrival, I was quite well received by the Viscount, Lord Hirlvington, who introduced me to his family. During my stay, I have already made a friend by the name of Henry, with whom I feel we quite rhyme. Your thoughts on William and I having the best brotherhood are not quite as accurate as you think. He has been nonchalantly watching my moves and, in addition, hates me when I talk to his father, for reasons that I don’t know. I was not able to make my first dance, for I was too shy to compete with the men for the lady with whom I wished to start my ball dance with. I am doing well, father. Take care.

Regards, Vikings.

I knew my father would be mad if I did not write to him, and so, after my occurrence with the local neighbors in London, I took the opportunity at night to write to him. However, having a lot on my plate, the King had asked for me to personally decide the fate of the lady who mocked me in front of people, which I had postponed to today. Some days have passed very quickly, but today, with the letter in my hand, I called the Viscounts guards to send it to Father. "Are you set for Vikings?" The viscount asked me in his authoritative voice, "Yes," I replied. Today, after two weeks of hearings and confessions, the judgment of that lady was to be decided. Most citizens, especially in the lower class, were compelled and outnumbered with regard to laws and rules. The expected outcome of any allegations, mockery, or sending of abusive words to a member of the nobles or royalties always led to imprisonment, death, or being bailed out with a huge payment, which one would take a lifetime to pay, hence becoming a slave to the person he/she mocked. I was of course ready, and today even William was joining us, along with Henry, of course, to hear the hearing. The following day, there was to be a ball at the baron’s place, where he would celebrate his daughter's betrothal to the prince of Russia. Therefore, the works of today were supposed to end today, and tomorrow would be a new day full of joy for the nobles.

The carriages were two, one carrying the Viscount and the other carrying William, Henry, and I. At the back of my mind, I was rethinking the actions and occurrences that the lady would be sentenced to. Her course was already predetermined when Henry spoke, "Brothers? Why the silence? Has anyone died?" Henry was always the talkative type, I came to realize. The silence seemed to certainly bother him as it were now, and so he continued, "Hey William, what do you think of the princess?" Hearing Henry talk about the princess made my mind and heart race. I wasn’t ready to hear what William would say about a girl I was crushing on, but in a real sense, or, I’d rather say, on the other side of my mind, I so much wanted to know. I saw William smile at the words, look outside, and then open his mouth. And started, "Amazing. She's really amazing (foolishly smiling) and her hands are so soft. Her mouth alters the most knowledgeable words I have ever heard. At least I might see her today, for even as far as she may be, my heart will be contending. But tomorrow, her dance wishers will have to live on imagination, for I, will take the first step to ask her for the dance." After William said those words, Henry tapped twice on my lower thigh near my knee, as if to cool me down. I wanted the princess, of course, to dance with me, but hearing the voluminous words, unto her, that William used, a certain urge to back off came in as fast. I wanted that girl, but maybe everything I like is meant to be shared, or rather, I am the type who deserves nothing ‘cursed’, as they ‘all state. "So Willock, we can’t wait to see one who appeases your eyes for your first dance, isn’t it Henry?" William stated. I did not have any words for that; my heart was tangled and my mind empty. I had never lost in my whole life until it came to one with whom we shared an age. My only losses were in arguments concerning family, for I would never let my mouth alter any words that would be used against me, and so I stated, "Of course, I want a lady of my wants to close dance with me. Therefore, that means my first dance might not be even tomorrow; maybe the women here do not quite appease me in comparison to those in my hometown." Henry was busy watching the road, quiet for the first time, as if just listening to us. This was the first one-on-one conversation I had with William since the day he stormed out on me while taking breakfast. "You don’t wish to dance with just anyone. I see." William stated. I knew he was trying to get on my nerves, or maybe it was my thinking and, of course, the frames of jealousy that were eating me alive inside my body. "Of course. I want one of my liking," I stated, when I heard him sniff a laugh, and he stated, "Too much expectation. You will end up alone, cousin." The words were not quite fundamental to my liking. I was not the type to make rude statements, even on occurrences of hates and dislikes, especially talks. William’s words broke me in every part. I was always afraid to be left alone or to be told I would be left alone. A part of me seemed scared—scared that my life was meant to be like this. The traumas of this never seized to state their roots, but they always sprouted, once someone called me a loner, or that I was meant to be alone. A truth that I knew but never seemed to accept. With William’s statement, I had nothing to say, not a single word. At the corner of my eye, I saw him waiting for an answer, but I never engage in talks with people who mock others ideas and wants. Even Henry, as I saw his acts, had noticed the change in atmosphere, but he did not add or reduce anything. He was quiet, and it all became quiet till the carriage entered the king’s palace. Most people seemed to have arrived to listen to the course of the lady’s acts, and as we left our carriage, we left for the judgmental residence house at the left side right door chamber, on the fifth floor, the highest. The house was set up in a way, siiners would be thrown down from the tower towards a certain river that flowed behind the towers of the palace. It was the same place where the blade was used to chop off people’s heads. All the consequences were not only dictated by the king but by the people too, so the course of this lady will be dictated by her own, and hence, the King’s hands will be clean from any bloodshed, as he loved to state, ‘it is the will of the people'. As I entered the chambers, my eyes scanned around the house when they stopped and locked with those of the princess’s. Her sight only, was enough, to make my body’s temperatures rise to extraordinary levels and my heart race. I so much wanted to confiscate my eyes as fast as possible from hers, but there was still the urge to just watch her another bit, maybe for the last time. She wore, rich, just like a princess should, accompanied by her sisters and brothers, and sat on the high tables. She being the first to break eye contact, I decided to observe if Willock was also eyeing her as I was. He did, and my heart dropped when I saw the princess was also in a staring contest with him. If hurting was the word that explained this, if feelings of hate were the words that explained this, then right now, I would not deny saying that I felt both when the princess again looked at me. I knew I wasn’t ready to play mind games, and so I tried as hard as I could to ignore her eyes. But as much as I tried, a larger part of me wanted to look at her, and when I decided to do so, she had already left, and so we sat in one of the arm chairs, arranged for our seats, as I erased those memories.

"According to the laws, she has mocked one of the citizens." The prosecutor was busy reading the contemplations and deeds of the woman when boredom came across me, and I decided to leave to maybe take the opportunity to walk around the castle. On my rise, I saw everyone watch me, but that mattered little. Through the corridors, down the stairs, and towards the fields, I arrived. The grass and flowers that surrounded the castle were well kept, and different animals were enclosed at the right end of the field in order for visitors to see them. Various animals were observed, including zebras, African lions, and snakes, particularly the python, from which one of the guards died after attempting to wrap it around his neck or something. Maybe that's what happens when you think people trust you. As I was observing, a soft hand caught my shoulder, and so I turned to see who it was. "Enjoying the view, my lord." It was the princess, and even after touching my shoulder, she suddenly removed her hand and bowed to me as if nothing had happened. "Yes, they are healthy." That was the only thing that would matter right now when she continued, "Do you not wish to take part in the prosecution? It was you with whom they harassed." "Just a little bored, my lady," I replied as fast as I could. My heart, as for the moment, this time, was making somersaults, and my stomach was filled with butterflies, and I sure would lie if I said I wasn’t nervous. The talk suddenly changed into a stare. I watched her and for the first time, caught her eyes stare at my lips, which she averted as fast as she could, or so I thought. As for me, I sure had no doubts that I liked her, but I knew. As soon as I thought of the word ‘liking her, the words of William, like a script, alarmed my mind ‘alone’, and so I stated, "I here, my brother William, can’t wait to dance with you, tomorrow of course." I could not stand looking at her through her eyes, after my statement. For, I was afraid of hearing the truth, with which, her own mouth would utter. I had not even danced with her, but we talked like two people who knew each other for quite a long time. "And is that what you want?" She asked. Of course not. God, God, I wish she knew how much every inch of bone and skin and the deepest parts of my flesh wanted her for a dance. So I stated, "The choice is yours, princess; I lay no permit to state my wants and don’ts." She looked at me steadily; my eyes were already red, I know, with some tears forming, for the emotions and ache I felt. Seeing the lady leave with someone else, or imagining her dancing with another, made me ache, and my eyes were the weakest parts of my body. They always showed my fears—the pains I couldn’t tell nor showcase. "Is that a no, your highness? You wish to dance with me?" She asked. I did not say anything; my eyes had said it all, and I looked at hers. Full of worry and maybe hope, I may love to dictate. What I did not know was whether she claimed to dance with me as much as I did. For some seconds, we stared. I did not know what to say; my heart, if it had the vocals, and my eyes, if they had the tones, would have already stated it, but I was nervous and scared. I was not scared of stealing her from William, but I was scared of her rejecting my wants. I would rather have her reject me in the dance ballroom, where others who had been rejected would give me hope and strength that I was not alone, than here. Here I was vulnerable, and maybe if she did, my eyes would tear. "Your eyes show so much emotion, your lordship." She again stated. Oh God! And with that, I left her, knowing she had figured me out. I had offended her; I had become a weak man in her eyes, with whom’s eyes could not even siege the slightest of emotions, but honestly, I am still human, with whom is emotionally active, disregarding the allegations of the actions and roles, that different genders should plays. My legs walked as fast, up the stairs, through the corridors, and I arrived at the prosecution room. On my arrival, I heard the King, with whom I was speaking, say, "Oh, and here he comes. Please, Vikings, come and speak. Maybe the last speech, this lady will be here." With that, my emotions on this occasion became cold, as if I had switched them off. I was always like this. On speeches concerning other people, the serious and logical side of me took sage, but when alone, I was vulnerable to emotional hurts and wounds. And with me being given the chance to speak, I started, "I was never born a speaker; I would love to make my debut." I heard everyone laugh at that, and then I continued, "Today, I have not as many words to say but rather fewer, which might, in some way, influence y’all as much. Her wails were for society, but her actions were against the will of the law; she deserves a punishment." As I wanted to continue, the princess entered the building and stood at the door. Tongue tied, I stared for some seconds, and I knew I had done a wrong; I hate distractions, but I did not want anyone, especially her, to condone that the lady be punished, but either way, I finished the statement. Set to face the fires and anger of the chained bars, the lady was sentenced. The prosecution had ended, and the King called on some guards to transport the lady to the prison. As I was leaving, Henry strongly held my hand and stated, "I couldn’t help but notice the strange looks both the princess and you are having. Look at her; she’s looking here." " I don’t know your statements, brother. Excuse me, and with that, I left Henry tongue-tied and wondering what just happened. I did ignore the princess, with whom it broke me to see how she watched me wanting my talks, but none I wanted; she would make me a fool at some point. Was just what rang in my mind. And with that, I left for the carriage to wait for Henry and maybe Willock, with whom she might be trying hard to catch Henry’s attention. The princess was my yearning and desire. Every bone in me wanted her. Her presence triggered my brain, and I now understood, when I would hear men wail, that women would make even a grown man have second thoughts. She was perfect, as I described. She, one I did not know, and neither knew her name, made me nervous, and made a lordship’s heart race as fast. She, and all I can say is she. Maybe tomorrow’s ball will make me courageous. I just hoped no one caught or smelled a rat after my pause when she entered. Hopefully no one—I was in the king’s chambers, and anyone starting to research my roots would break me. I guess I would kill anyone who knew I was a bastard, or so I say.