12 Too Few, Too Many

Hrothgar stared at me, then threw back his head and laughed from his belly. It was a wonderful sound, like water bubbling in a creek, but deeper in tone. I found myself grinning back at him. His good humor was contagious.

"Ah, you are a wise one to stipulate your own tent, for I surely would have you in my keeping otherwise." He looked at me, humor still in his eyes... and something more. "Tell me, Agatha, Daughter of Frode, are you truly alone in this world? Does any man have a claim on your heart?"

I blushed and stared at my feet, remembering my encounter with Prince Vilhelm. "My heart is my own, your Highness... but your brother has kissed me." I would not lie. I had only just reclaimed my honor.

Silence. I could not break my eyes away from my bare toes. I fiddled with the hem of my sleeve.

"Blasted man!" shouted Hrothgar, making me jump and look up. "He is always trying to usurp me, in any way he thinks he can get away with!" He ran a hand through his hair, a frustrated gesture. Then he got a certain gleam in his eye. "I'll just have to level the playing field, then."

He grabbed me in his arms, and spun us around. "I should have done this right when I saw you spying on my men from the woods, but that blasted sword distracted me."

I was already clinging to him with my good arm, my right being trapped by my side by his embrace. I was unused to being picked up like this, but Hrothgar lifted me like I weighed nothing. I was focused on his chest, unable to meet his eyes.

He nuzzled his face into my hair, my ear, the dip in my shoulder. "Ah girl, you smell of the pines and the wind." A fluttering feeling in my chest started to bloom. He kissed the line from my shoulder to my ear, then spent time kissing the hollow behind it.

I gasped and trembled. He seemed to take that as an invitation, because his lips found mine. My left hand found it's way to the back of his head, my fingers threading through his hair of their own volition. My right arm still trapped, but the pain forgotten. His arms held me so tightly, so snugly, that I could feel his heartbeat.

Our kiss was a lifetime hanging on a moment, but finally, he set me on my feet. I gazed into his eyes, searching for something I couldn't name. His hand cupped my chin, his thumb tracing over my bottom lip.

"I love the sight of a well-kissed woman." He said.

Something about that statement displeased me. I looked down and stepped back, blushing, confused at the conflicted feelings bubbling up in my heart. Remembering what Rebekah had said about women who went too far with men that weren't their husbands, I tried to express these feelings.

"I am an honorable person, Hrothgar." I finally got out.

He tilted his head and looked curious. "Of this I have no doubt."

"I.... I must keep my family's honor." I stuttered, trying to make him understand.

Now he just looked confused. "You have done well by them, and cleared your father's name."

I had been alone too long to have much finesse or tact, so I ended up just blurting out, "I will not be an unwed mother."

Hrothgar slow-blinked at me, then raised his hands to my shoulders. "You will not have a babe from kissing." How like a man to be so obtuse.

I batted his hands away. "I know that!" I said, indignantly. "But you do have babies from.... from sharing a tent!"

He raised an eyebrow. "You have already said that you will have your own tent.."

I blushed frustatedly at him. "You are a King... I am just.... I'm just me!" I hugged myself. "I'm a good, honorable woman." I was repeating myself. "You shouldn't play with my heart."

Hrothgar stared at me in confusion, then gently brushed his finger under my chin. "I forget that you have been alone so long, and have no experience in courtship."

I closed my eyes against the embarrassment welling up inside me.

"Look at me." said Hrothgar gently, "Agatha, look at me."

I opened my eyes, taking in his sky blues. I don't know what he saw there, but he kissed me softly on my forehead, and said "I am a King, Agatha, and I don't play games."

He released me, and after another long, searching look, he turned and walked away.

He shouted over his shoulder. "I'll have some men put up a tent for you, you'll find it next to mine."

I watched him walk through the camp, straight and tall, every inch a king. My heart fluttered in my chest, excitement and anxiety mixed. My first two kisses, on the same day, with a prince and a king. I should have been flattered and giddy, but somehow I was left feeling overwhelmed.

I sat down in the grass and put my head in my hands. I focused on just breathing, trying to get men out of my head.

Something cold and wet touched my shoulder, and I barely stifled a scream.

It was that blasted dog from yesterday! In particular, his nose. When I jumped, the dog extended his fore legs in a play-bow, tongue lolling out of his mouth, tail wagging furiously. The dog and I stared at eachother a moment, then he raced around me in several circles, before again stopping in front of me again, asking to play.

I burst out laughing. The dog zoomed around me, then wiggled his nose under my left arm, sitting next to me so I could pet him.

I was very pleased with this, and told "oh, you are a very nice and handsome dog, aren't you?" He seemed pleased with me too, and swished his tail against the ground. The dog's goofy expression made me laugh again. "What is your name, Mr. Dog?" I asked, but he seemed not to know, or at the very least had no response at that time, but continued to wag his tail at me.

"I believe I will call you Happy, then. Since it seems appropriate." Happy cocked his head at me, trying to understand.

"Happy!" I said, petting him. "Good boy, Happy." He raced around me and barked... happily! The name was perfect.

I got up then, feeling better. I wandered towards the camp, on the lookout for an evening meal. Happy trotted by my side.

I sighed. "Happy, it seems that I've gotten myself into another situation. I've gone from no men to too many men in the space of a day. What should I do?"

Happy once again had no response, but wagged his tail at me.