Chapter 9—VARG VS THOR

The next morning had come, and so did the birds that sang to the world outside the hut. Lyra Luhr and Varg Drake were starting to wake up while they were still holding onto one another. Varg had taken in a deep breath into his nose and smelled the most wonderful scent of the woman, within his arms. She smelled like a bit of vanilla and lavender, along with a bit of rose.

He breathed out an enjoyable sounding sigh; he had not felt anything like this before. So rested and energized, in all his life. Sure; he was animated when it came to motivating his men. Or going into battle, but he never felt fully rested and having a feeling about living that day. He was not going to lie; he had slept with a woman. He had never just sleep next to one and have done nothing but hold to one another.

Varg felt like a God. He felt the mere needs of a human, who happened to overcome the desires that plagued men. Especially when they are around women. He was able to keep his control, throughout the night and allowed the two of them to sleep.

Lyra became awake as well. She sat up and stretched out her muscles, something that had always done when she woke up. She noticed that Varg was still lying upon his back, watching her.

She gave a shy smile. “How did you sleep?” She believed it was a good place to start talking, after a night of sleeping next to one another.

This caused Varg the chuckle as he replied, “I slept well, Lyra.” He seemed to calm down enough before saying anything else. “How about you? You don’t look like you were plagued by terrors of the night.”

Lyra almost believed Varg was not a Viking—more like a British gentleman with his words. She knew that most fantasies must end, and she sighed. “Thank you.” She glanced away from him as she went on to say, “I had slept well.”

Varg sat up and faced away from her so he was able to get his boots on and climb out of the bed. He then turned to where he was able to face her. He saw a questioning look upon her face; Varg could tell that she just wondered what he was going to do.

“I should go to the Great Hall. You can get dressed for the day.” He glanced away from where she was sitting. “I’m doing everything in my power that is within me to respect your honor. Milady.”

Finding out that Varg was not trying to run away from her brought a smile upon Lyra’s lips. She was glad to know he was just trying to keep her dignity as she still needed to get dressed in different clothes. Lyra took pity for the warrior and waved Varg away to indicate that he can go on his way. She needed some time alone, before going to the Great Hall for breakfast.

When the Wolf-Dragon left her hut, Lyra was still sitting on her bed, going through what had gone on from the night before. She had enjoyed every moment that she had shared with Varg: the kiss, the tender lips that she was still feeling at the moment, and the feeling of peacefulness that she had felt from waking up in his arms.

Lyra could not wait for more mornings like the one that she had, waking up to a strong, muscular man. It was every woman’s dream, to know that a man had cared about her and not feed into their own desires for that woman.

She crawled out of her bed and went to her trunk, which was at the foot of her bed. It was where she found a blue-gray dress and placed it upon her bed. She then took off the dress that she had been wearing, from the day before and tossed it over to the side. Lyra picked up the new dress and swinging it over her head. Crawls through it and punched her arms through the sleeves. Once the dress was in place, she reached for the back of her head and pulled the strings and tied them together.

When the dress was well-fitted upon her body. She found a leather strip and wrapped it around her waist and tied it before heading out of her door. The day was indeed grand that morning. The sun was out and shining; the birds of the land were flying about and singing to the beautiful day. Lyra felt like she was walking in a dream. Something that was so hard to describe because a simple word was not enough to say what she was seeing.

When Lyra had gotten into the Great Hall, she sat down upon a chair that she was sitting, from the day before. She saw Thor standing between the two throne chairs, once more. She knew that she would be facing the man again, but she was not ready for another round of fighting. Lyra also knew she would not win, by the likes of the God of Thunder.

She feared that he would use his mighty hammer and slam it upon her skull, or something close to that. But Lyra knew that Thor was not like all that, at all. Looking at him; he really played the role of Father well, well enough to wonder if he had children of his own. Would he be willing to share such knowledge, with other people around them?

Thor sighed; he knew that he needed to say something to his daughter. “I’m sorry for losing my temper with you. I just wanted to see if you were alright.” He had sorrow written all over his face. “You were upset enough to show me how much that statement was true.”

“I’m sorry, father.” Lyra tried hiding her face. She felt sorry more than anything with the man. “I didn’t know that you were worried about me. I was hurting from the overwhelming factor of facing a sea creature from long ago.”

She then glanced towards the man who had taken her away from her time. “It had gotten me to think about you.” She took a deep breath as she went on to say, “Facing another creature just like it.”

Thor faced the woman who he had been calling daughter and gave her a hug, “It’s alright, Lyra.” He sounded like a man who was tired from a long battle and trying to keep his calm for his child. “I forgive you, and I promise to keep an eye out for such an event like that again.” She pulled herself away from him, giving him a smile as her answer.

They were eating their breakfast, which contained what looked to be oatmeal. Lyra was listening to Varg and Carriage. Talking about transforming the Great Hall into something grand for the wedding. Which Varg and Lyra will be having at sunset, which was happening about ten or so hours, away.

Once breakfast was over and done with. Varg snapped his fingers, for the maids to come forward. Five women came to the throne. Each one of them was working in the Great Hall that morning.

Varg spoke out for all to hear; there were quite a few people within the Great Hall. Most of them were warriors. He was waiting for a battle or even a workout that usually happens after breakfast.

“I want you five to get my wife-to-be to get ready for the great party at sunset. I want her to look like a queen, which she will become. I also want all of you to take good care of her.” He then glared at each one of them in turn. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, my lord,” answered all five women.

The war leader had waived his hand towards Lyra, indicating for the women to take her away and to do what needed to be done for her. Two out of the five women had walked towards her; each one of them had grabbed an arm and led her out of the Great Hall.

As the group made their way through the village. Most of the people had stopped what they were doing. They watched their future lord’s wife being led back to her hut.

Lyra felt uneasy from all the stares that she was getting. Once the group had reached the hut, one of the women became the leader and started telling the others of what to do. Lyra sat down upon her bed, waiting for her turn to be told what she needed to do.

***

Varg had watched his woman leave the Great Hall. Thor had leaned towards him and asked, “Why are you allowing those women to assist your new wife?” With a thoughtful glare upon his face, he asked, “Don’t you realize that two of those women want to be your wife and will hurt her in order to do so?”

Varg growled. He hated people questioning him, but he needed to get his point across. “They know better than lay a hand on Lyra.” He glanced around the Great Hall. “They know that they will find their way into the loch creature’s mouth if they try anything.”

Thor let out a loud grumble. “I do hope that you know what you’re doing.” He clapped his hands together like a thunder strike. “Well! Since there are no women around, should we take the men out and do some war exercises?”

The only answer that Varg had given was a laugh while the men that were within the hall stood up and gave a cheer. Since the day that Lyra had dropped into their leader’s life, he had not been able to work out with his men. The Wolf-Dragon gave a smirk and got upon his feet and led his men out of the building. He kept on walking until they were out of the front gates.

The village was getting too small for them to do any war games, and he made a point to do them outside the protected gates, after a while of walking—just get as far away from the Viking village for safety reasons, along with distance away from the noise that would get back to Lyra’s ears. Varg did not want her to hear all the fighting and feared that she would stop it once it had started.

The men had found some clear enough earth that did not have any rocks or fallen trees where they could do some battle warmups that would not kill one another. It was enough to test out their abilities to iron out before a real war would come about. Each one of the warriors had picked up an axe or a sword and swung at each one another.

Varg had picked up his double-headed axe. His signature weapon that he has always used, the one that everyone has learned to fear him with. He held it with his right hand, at its middle, where he had the most control. While his left hand was holding the area that the axe was meeting the wooden handle.

Varg was standing in front of Thor, who picked up a mortal sword. When all the battle had started. Thor had used his sword to block all the swings that Varg was using his axe against him. The war leader was having a hard time, trying to get Thor to slip up. But having little effect upon the Thunder God.

The only thing that Varg was doing was getting himself to tire faster than normal. The other men upon the clearing were showing off their muscles at work either by blocking the other person’s attack or bringing the attack upon the other.

Varg felt every muscle upon his body move. As he was blocking each one of Thor’s swings. Because every hit that made its way to his axe blades, he could feel throughout his body. When it became time to use up his energy, he swung the axe, which caused it to sing through the open air. It came down, towards the God before him. He stopped the mettle from hitting him, with his own mettle that he had within his hands.

Varg was trying to prove to Thor that he could be just as strong and powerful. But Thor was doing within himself to try not to hurt the mortal man, for he could easily hurt him.

Neither man was doing well. Thor had to use some of his energy to weaken Varg, so he could give up the idea of wanting to show off. Varg was putting more an effort to prove that he was not weak, and he was able to protect Lyra. His goal was to become a God, later within his life, to show that he was an equal to Thor.

Ever since, he was old enough to remember the stories that his father had told him. About the Gods and Goddesses from Norway. He wanted to become one and live out his days as a mighty warrior among the Gods. He had even dreamt that he would be marrying a Goddess or a daughter, to one of the Gods. It seemed that one of his dreams was about to become true, and he was hoping that the other would be true, as well.

“Varg, stop,” growled out Thor. He did not want to see his future son get tired before the wedding. “I don’t want to hurt you!”

Varg stopped what he was doing and settling his axe down—not on the ground but rather at his side as he was facing the Thunder God. The Wolf-Dragon sighed and huffed, “Sorry, Thor.” His voice became raspy from his workout session with the god.

“I wanted to show you that I could protect your daughter.” Varg closed his eyes for a moment. “I also wanted to have a chance to becoming a God some time in my future.”

Thor laughed for a moment until he was able to calm enough down. With a smirk forming on his lips, he said, “Don’t worry about it, Varg, but it’s not my will to make you into a God.” He saw the despair upon the young man’s face.

“It’s not the will of your actions that makes you become something more than a mere mortal man. If I were you, Varg, I would stop trying and enjoy life with what you have.” Thor gave Varg a meaningful look. “I already know that you will protect my daughter. Haven’t you proven that when you saved her from that creature?”

Varg closed his eyes; he really wanted to hit himself at times, and it happened to be one of those times. He knew that Thor was telling the truth. He was done proving the God before him and it was time for him to live out his life that he needed to. He was getting a wife, who was about to marry.

After their brief break. They went through more battle techniques, trying not to kill one another. They were enjoying the rest of the morning and early afternoon. Before it became time for them to get ready for the wedding.

The hour had become late, to where it is getting very close to the wedding hour. Varg Drake was in the Great Hall, where everything has been taken care of. The women within the village had decorated the place. With some of the wildflowers that have grown nearby. The men had brought in some fish, from the loch; ever since the monster had shown itself, it had not come back. It had caused many people to keep an eye out for it, so they would not be on its next food.

Varg was thinking about moving his people to another place and far away from the loch. The Wolf-Dragon wanted his people to be safe from any harm. He even wanted Lyra Luhr, to be safe as well.

Carriage was also in the Great Hall; sitting next to his grandson, trying to give Varg some sound advice. He could see that all his words had gone over his head because he was not listening to anything that he had said to him.

The Druid sighed. He was doing everything he could to get the young man’s attention, but nothing was working. Then a thought came to him and swung his staff that he had been walking with and hit Varg’s shin with it.

“OOOUUU,” Varg yelped. “What was that for, Grandfather?”

“That’s payment for not listening to me when I’m trying to give you some sound advice for being a married man.” Carriage sighed. “Here I am, teaching you that in order to have a woman like Lyra. You’re going to have to realize that she has a mind of her own. She can rule the land and may be better than you can.” The Druid closed his eyes, trying to calm his anger down. “She may even know what things could happen to our people in the future—more so than what I can tell you.”

Varg growled. He hated when his grandfather believed that he could not help him. “I don’t think she knows everything. Lyra comes from a time that is not like our own.” This was one of the times that he had to be the voice of reason for the old man. “2003 is far different from this day and age. She did not even know anything about what you were doing when you made her medicine.”

Thor was also in the Great Hall; he was listening to everything that they were saying. He was not going to tell them what really was going on, within her time. It may end up changing things for the world, and he was not allowed to change the human fate. No more than he was able to do for Lyra Luhr. Something that he was trying to keep away from his own father, about.

He was hardly a man with so little words, but he knew that he could change many things in 836, to whereby the time 2003 came by. The world would have built-in computers in every home. Robots for servers in restaurants; not just in people’s homes. Thor knew that Lyra would never change the outcome of history, but her children might. He fears that knowledge is not just learned by their parents, but also passed down through the blood.

Varg’s voice had cut through Thor’s mental debate. He was still talking to his grandfather. “I don’t think Lyra would give me any future knowledge, not even if it might save our people.” The war leader sounded tired; he was trying to talk to the old Druid. “However, she will try with the best of her ability to help our people grow.”

Thor had to smile at his future son. He was thinking like a true ruler that he was, and Thor knew from that moment that the Viking world was in safe hands. The Thunder God spoke up, “If your father could see you now, Varg, I would believe that he would be the proudest man alive.”

The Wolf-Dragon laughed. “That, or he could have sat me down while he started a war with you.” His eyes seemed to go far away from his train of thought as most people laughed. “I wouldn’t know,” sighed Varg. “I’m starting to forget things about him.” He took a deep breath before going on, “He died while I was still a young boy.”

The windows showed that the sun was making its way over the mountains, over towards the west. Thor gave a small smirk. “I think it’s time for me to get my lovely daughter and have ourselves a wedding.” He turned around, saying, “Shall I?”

The great warrior god walked out of the Great Hall. Leaving behind Varg and his grandfather within. Waiting for the wedding that will be upon them soon. Carriage leaned towards Varg, from the side of the throne. “I have been waiting for this to happen for you, Grandson.”

“Really, Grandfather?” asked a surprised Varg. They normally talked about things like this.

“Yes,” gasped out the old man. “You see, Varg, your father married my daughter very quickly.”

He did not look incredibly pleased, as he was telling the story about his own daughter’s wedding. “To this day, I don’t remember what happened during the wedding. I just know that some other Shaman had done the wedding. She wanted a longer wedding than what was given to her.”

Then a smile graced his chapped lips. “But she was happy with your father. He did everything that he could to put a smile upon her face.”

Varg sighed heavily; he had known what had happened to his parents. His mother had died during the winter, from the harsh cold weather. After Varg’s mother had died; his father had gone off to war and never came back. It was believed that he had died from his battle wounds.

Varg wished for a better life for his future family than what his parents had. He knew that they were happy, but he wanted to have a longer life with his wife. He could also see the future, with Lyra and a child within her lovely arms; a child, who would learn from the two of them. In Varg’s mind, he believed that his life was going to change and not just because he was getting married. But because he was willing to change for the woman that came into his life.