Token of Loyalty

Chapter Eighteen - Together

"Papa, why are you wearing that?"

Hrafn startled at the voice before he recognized it to be from Eydis. She stood in the doorway of his bedchamber, holding a bear close to her chest. He couldn't form a smile for his next to youngest child, to one who always brought laughter to his heart. He sighed long as he gazed down at his chainmail and sword belt wrapped around his waist.

How could Hrafn explain to Eydis that the mercenaries were closing in on Taryn? The mere idea made him cave in on himself. He had promised them that nothing like this would happen again, and yet here the day had come. Taryn, as wounded as it was, had to fend for itself or be dismantled by rogue monsters.

"Darling, why aren't you with Gyda and the others?" he asked, changing the topic.

Eydis pouted. "Ulfr and Gunnar were picking on me. I didn't want to stay because I'd fight them."

"Fighting your brothers and sisters isn't an option. I'll speak to Ulfr and Gunnar myself later. Don't worry about them," he replied, then walked over to his vanity. He planted himself in the chair then patted his knee for Eydis. "Come sit, I'll do your hair the way you like it."

Eydis beamed before she pranced over. She plunked herself into his lap, then gazed at herself in the mirror. A face full of freckles and curly auburn hair reflected back at her. Hrafn grabbed a horse-hair brush from the top of the vanity, then brought it to her untamed locks. Each stroke of the brush was seamless and gentle, hardly tugging at her sensitive head. He found peace in caring for his child, yet the looming dread of the mercenaries weighted his heart.

Eydis danced her bear in her lap then glanced up at Hrafn, lifting the bear as well. "Solla could use brushing too."

"Solla's hair is too short, it'd ruin their coat." He giggled before he booped Eydis on her nose with his finger. "We could put a string around their neck and give them a necklace instead."

"Okay, and can I have ornaments in my hair too?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.

Hrafn shook his head. "No, those are for older people. You're too young to adorn those decorations–"

"But I want to be like Erlendr," she interrupted, then huffed. "It's not fair. Why do adults always get to have fun?"

Hrafn was taken aback by Eydis' astounding words. He didn't know what to say to that for a moment or two. To children–he supposed–the whole world seemed closed off to them because of the rules they had to follow, but it was only to keep them safe until they were of age to make wise decisions. Hrafn missed the days of his childhood more now than ever. Adulthood wasn't as entertaining as it appeared. Some days he wished to be young again, running through the cherry blossom trees.

Hrafn set aside the brush, then lifted Eydis under her arms, lifting and turning her to stand before him. She blinked upwards, clutching her bear close to her heart. He raised his hand before he rested it on her head, caressing her bouncy locks.