The carriage hit a bump, and Tove shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her golden collar felt tighter than normal, and the white gown she wore was itchy, revealing, far too tight, and being weighed down by large gems and strings of gold. Her father had insisted on it, and him being the king of one of the largest strongholds in the country she was in no place to argue. She gazed out the window and watched the mountains grow closer, while the air grew colder. A chill breeze stirred the air inside the carriage, bringing the smell of pine forests and mountain air, and twisting Tove’s insides. This was her first time this far outside her own kingdom, and the first time her father had asked this of her. Her sisters had all been married before, and gone through perfectly with what their father had asked, but Tove was having second thoughts. Being the youngest she had been picked last to be married, and had watched all her sisters succeed in their marriages, but the responsibilities that came with it-- it seemed too much. How could she possibly go through with it?

Another rough bump and her mind went back to her surroundings. Snow lay on the ground beside the road, and the trees had begun to thicken as the ground sloped steadily upwards. Tove’s hands fidgeted with the fabric of her gown. She looked about the cabin of the carriage, looking for some form of support, but it was completely empty besides herself. Her father rode ahead of the carriage alongside the guards; an act of peace towards the king they were meeting. At that thought her cheeks flushed, and the gold collar she wore seemed to tighten. Every member and officer of her family wore one, it was their family symbol, and tied them to their heritage.

As the group made their way up the side of the mountain, Tove thought over the first time she had ever met this king they were visiting, King Hrollief. He had come to her oldest sister’s wedding to celebrate along with the groom. Tove remembered that the two kings had been good friends, but the only other thing she remembered about him was how tall he was. He stood a head over everybody, even her own father, whom she had always regarded as being quite tall.

As Tove let her mind drift through her memories, the group finally reached the grand stone castle, which was heavily guarded and walled off from any threats that would dare climb the mountainside. They passed through the main gate, and pulled up beside the heavy wooden doors. Her father appeared outside the carriage window and opened it with a cunning smile on his face.

“Are you ready my dear?” He said, offering his hand to help her down. She accepted and stepped down into the snow, shivering.

“I suppose.” She said. He tightened his grip on her hand, making her wince, and half-dragged her towards the door.

“You are ready my dear. No excuses this time.” He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, as if daring her to challenge him. She nodded meekly, and let herself be led into the grand hall behind the grand pine doors.

They passed rows of guards, following a young man dressed in furs, and finally arrived at another set of pine doors. Tove’s stomach churned, and a cold sweat broke out on the back of her neck.

I am ready, I am ready… She thought, trying to convince herself. The golden collar pinched her neck as the doors were opened, and they were ushered into a cavernous throne room.

There, seated on a carved wooden throne on a stone stage, draped with furs, sat King Hrollief of the northern stronghold. His bearded chin rested on his fist, and his cold blue eyes watched Tove and her father, King Hagen, like a wolf sizing up its prey.

“King Hrollief! We are honored to be in your presence,” Tove and her father stopped in front of the stage steps and bowed low. Tove itched to cover her exposed skin and accentuated figure, but instead rose up and clasped her hands in front of her, putting what she hoped was a pleasant smile on her face. The jewels sewn onto her fitted gown flickered in the torchlight, and Tove could see a faint flicker of light in King Hrollief’s eyes, which watched her and her father closely. “Thank you for accepting my proposal of peace and inviting us to your home.”

“I have accepted nothing, Hagen.” His voice was low and rough, as though he rarely used it. “You have come yourself although I had asked for a delegate with whom to discuss what you want from this ‘peace treaty’. And with your daughter, no less.” At this Hrollief’s eyes slid towards Tove, an odd look embedded in them. Tove looked into his eyes for as long as she could stand, then looked towards the floor, her cheeks flushed with color.

“Ah, she is a gift to you, dear Hrollief, whether or not you have already accepted my offer of peace, she is yours.” Hagen’s eyes darted towards her for a moment, then met Hrollief’s stare. “I had heard that you were in want of a wife, and I am sure my daughter will make you an excellent one.”

Hrollief looked at him with barely detained disgust. “So,” he said slowly. “You would give your own daughter as a bargain for an alliance with my kingdom?” Hagen’s face twitched, but he held Hrollief’s gaze. After a long moment of silence, Hrollief spoke. “She may stay, though I have no intentions to wed her, and this will not change my stance on your ‘peace treaty’.”

“Whatever you may wish to do, she is yours.” Hagen turned towards Tove, and as a servant came hurrying towards them he whispered in her ear, “You are ready. You will not disappoint me again.” He squeezed her arm, turned and bowed to Hrollief, then left.

Tove was guided through a maze of a castle to a large bedroom with many furs and tapestries hung on the walls and a roaring fire in one corner. The bed took up most of one wall, with thin windows on either side, and had curtains hung around it and more furs across its sheets. She stood awkwardly in a corner with a table and shelf full of bottles of liquor. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep warm, and admired the dual swords hung upon the wall, right next to a moose pelt.

At length the doors opened, and Hrollief strode in, his jaw clenched. He walked towards the shelf of liquor, barely glancing towards Tove, who had begun shivering.

“I assure you, I have no intention of defiling you tonight, whatever you or your father may think.” His voice made her jump, and she blushed deeply at his words. She began to speak, but he held up a hand to stop her. “I know why you are here Princess Tove,” He stared into her eyes and took a sip of his drink. “Your father plans to have you kill me in my sleep, the very night we commit ourselves to each other. Am I wrong?” He looked at her calmly, without any emotion in his voice or in his gaze.

Tove stared back, astounded. He was so blunt about his life being in danger, even at the hands of a woman.“N-no, my king, you are quite right.” Her collar squeezed her throat, barely letting her get the words out. Instinctively her hand rose to try and loosen it, but to no avail. Hrollief’s eyes narrowed, watching her closely.

“Many have attempted this feat, though none have succeeded, as you can see. I am no stranger to letting an enemy within my walls, even one as alluring as yourself.” She blushed a deep red, making the delicate freckles across her face stand out, and complimenting her pale gray eyes and light blonde hair. He let out a harsh laugh, one that sounded almost completely unused. “Make no mistake, Princess Tove, I am still a man with feelings and desires as any other, and you are a rare beauty, I must admit. I well remember seeing you at your sister’s wedding, and must admit I have seen none like you before, or after that occasion.” He paused, taking another sip of his drink and draining the glass. “However, that does not change the situation in which you arrived here. I hope you will not be completely unhappy staying here, and with any luck it will be better than your previous situation.” He looked at her knowingly, and her face paled, her hand twitching towards the bruises her sleeves barely covered.

“You see more than others. Thank you for your kindness towards me.”

He took off his own fur cloak and put it around her shoulders, exposing his well-built figure and covering her slender one. Tove stopped shivering as the warmth from his cloak surrounded her, and she quickly covered herself. Hrollief watched her closely. “A maid will be along with more suitable clothing, and tomorrow I will show you where you will be allowed to roam within the castle.”

He nodded to her, then turned and left, closing the heavy door behind him. Tove let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding, then crossed the room and collapsed onto the bed. He knew why she was there, so how was she ever to complete her mission? All of her sisters had successfully ended their husbands lives, and made it look like accidents or assassins sent by rivals, and her two oldest sisters had accomplished this feat multiple times. This was how her father had grown so powerful over the years; he formed a network of sons-in-law, had them murdered in their sleep, then took their kingdom for his own. Thinking of all this made her collar feel tighter.