Tove sat hunched over on the floor crying, trying to stifle her sobs, but they only sounded louder when she let them out. She had known seeing her sisters again would be painful, that if they refused to try and live as she did then they could no longer accept her as part of their family. She had renounced her father and his way of life, and in so doing had renounced her sisters as well. She knew she had to do this, but she never could have imagined the pain it would bring. Parting from her demon had hurt, but this pain was much deeper.

After a few minutes a soft knock sounded at the door, and Tove rushed to stand up and wipe the tears off her face, swaying slightly on her feet. The door opened and the cook stepped into her room, while behind her waited a small clump of guards and the maid, all looking worried. Tove did her best to look composed and choked back her tears.

“I am so s-sorry, did I bother you?” She sniffed, looking away and feeling embarrassed at making so much noise again.

“Do you need company ma’am?” The cook asked, stepping inside the room. She gestured for the group behind her to move away from the door, shooting a knowing look at them, mouthing words that could have been her sending one of them to Hrollief. Tove felt herself blush.

“Please I-I am fine, you do n-” Tove tried to send them away, to not have to bother them any more this late at night, but she choked on fresh tears. She felt the cook’s arms wrap around her and she leaned into the embrace. The older woman lead her toward the fireplace and they sat on the floor, Tove curling into herself with her head resting on the cook’s lap. She felt her heart easing as she let out rattling sobs.

With the cook stroking her hair and the fire warming her, Tove was reminded of when her mother had comforted her as a child. They used to curl up in front of the fire on cold nights and her mother would wrap her up in a soft blanket and let her cry or talk for as long as she needed. That had been so long ago, and so much had changed since then. She had left everything from her past behind, everything she had ever known, and for what? I left it behind for him, and for myself, our lives will be so much safer and better this way. But was it the right decision? Should I have stayed with my family? What if none of my sisters can be saved from their demons? Her mind was trapped in an endless loop. Tove knew she had made the right choice in staying with Hrollief, but what if it made her sisters’ lives more dangerous? What if her father took out his anger for her on them? And what if staying here had been a mistake?

Thinking about what could come of her actions made her sob even harder. After a while she felt there was nothing left inside her. She had spent all her emotions and all of her tears. It was then that she finally noticed the smell of warm spices and pine, and felt Hrollief’s hand on her shoulder. Tove sat up and hid her face between her knees. She had never cried like this in front of him, and she had hoped she never would.

“What happened Tove?” Hrollief asked, taking the cook’s place on the floor beside her as the older woman got up and left them alone. Tove took a moment to calm her nerves, sniffing and clearing her throat before answering, her voice rough and cracked.

“Only what I knew must happen. I renounced my father and his way of life, so they have-- disowned me.” She croaked out, the pressure on her heart easing as she told him, a few more tears spilling onto her face. Hrollief pulled her into his lap and held her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned into him, listening to his heart beat.

“Then they have lost the kindest and most beautiful woman from among them,” He told her. They both blushed.

They spent the rest of the night curled up together on the floor in front of the fire. Tove found peace with him there, and eventually they both fell into a dreamless sleep.

* * *

In the morning Hrollief and Tove parted, both of them stiff, and he went to his room to freshen up. Even though they had been laying on the floor, he had enjoyed sleeping beside her. He thought over how he could best comfort her after her sisters had left as he trimmed his beard and dressed. Later he met Tove outside her door and together they walked to meet her sisters in the dining hall for breakfast. A thick and heavy silence reigned over the meal, and no one attempted a conversation. Hrollief often glanced towards Tove, who had circles under her eyes, but otherwise she seemed to have recovered from last night. As soon as the meal was over Erica asked Hrollief to escort them to their carriage. He took Tove’s arm and led the family out to the courtyard, where King Hagen’s carriage waited in the fresh snow.

As Erica began to climb into the carriage, with the coachman’s help, Asfir approached her. Hrollief watched as Erica paused and listened to her sister whisper something in her ear. After a long moment of thought, Erica shot a glare towards Tove then nodded to Asfir, who stepped away from the carriage. I wonder what that was about, Hrollief thought, trying to guess what the sisters were planning.

Erica nodded towards Hrollief, who returned the gesture, then she disappeared into the cabin. Freya followed, smiling at Hrollief, then Ingrid, who gave him stiff nod. None of them acknowledged Tove beyond Erica’s glare, and Tove kept her eyes on the one of the horses harnessed to the carriage. After the three sisters were inside Hrollief looked towards Asfir, who was standing awkwardly beside Tove. At his gaze she spoke up.

“If it is no inconvenience King Hrollief, I would like to stay for a few days, just until our father comes to fetch me.” She spoke so quietly Hrollief could barely make out her words over the chill wind. Well, I suppose I had better post more guards in the halls, just in case. As Hrollief’s thoughts strayed to whether this princess would try to kill him, he almost forgot to reply.

“I would prefer not to have your father visit this castle again, but you are free to stay for as long as you wish, though I would ask that you give your sister some time to recover from last night.” He gave her a knowing glare that made Asfir pale and Tove blush. He turned towards the door and offered Tove his arm. She accepted and they walked back inside, Asfir trailing behind them.

* * *