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Solveig Could not shake the horrible feeling. She tried tea. She probably should eat, but the thought of food disgusted her.

Maybe a little Battle practice. That always cleared her head.

As she was fencing she felt woozy and fell right over.

An alarm was raised and they took her back to her quarters and fetched the healer and a mage.

The healer took one look at her and laughed. It was such a loud and robust laugh that Asbjørn barged in very annoyed.

"What is so funny?!! My wife is sick, she never gets sick. Help her, this is not the time for humor"

The mage did a short scrying and started to laugh also.

Asbjørn was as red as his hair and looked ready to explode when the healer said "Relax! She is not that kind of sick. She is pregnant! You are going to be a daddy!!"

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Solveig was miserable. She felt ungainly and could not sleep. She needed to do SOMETHING to get her mind off her uncomfortableness.

She thought, "Whoever said pregnancy was a wonderful thing ought to be drawn and quartered. She even has the knife."

Asbjørn was impatient. His wife was grumpy and that made everyone in the compound grumpy. Many women relished their pregnancy, but not his wife.

She was the type to move constantly, loved combat and was a good leader of their people. He loved her so, but is current wife was none of that. Solveig was miserable, so that made everyone else that way. Though he felt relieved that the healer said she should give birth any time.

Solveig decided to see how the trainees were doing in the arena. After all..she was only going to watch..the healers should not have any issue with that..

She arrived at the arena and all activity stopped to watch her.

WELL? What are you looking at? Get back to work! A chair was brought to her and everyone started back.

The trainees all started their sparring exercises. Solveig notices one little girl at the end of the arena getting pummeled by the boy she was sparring with. She noticed the girl was a lot smaller than her partner, and he stance was not correct to battle with one larger than her. She waddles off to that portion of the arena.

Luiza was the girl's name and the the bow was Beowulf (a little pretentious a name she thought.) He was a brawny kid. Solveig thought that he was going to be a big one when he gets older. She smiled at that.

"Luiza! You are fighting an opponent that is larger than you. You can beat him, but you fighting stance need to change and how you hold your weapon. You will be fighting trolls larger than yourself, so you need to know how to defend and fight a larger enemy."

Solveig showed Luiza some stances and a little swordplay for fighting a larger enemy when..."OH!" She felt something was not right. She Sat down on the ground and the healer ran to her.

"We told you no fighting!!"

"I was not fighting, I was showing Luiza some moves."

"It is the same thing! you are moving in ways your pregnant body does not appreciate. Your baby is coming now!!"

"We need to get to the infirmary then.."

"No Time!! Your baby want to be born here.."

They made every one leave, secured a cot and a clean area for the baby to be born and called for Asbjørn

"What were you thinking!" he declared, You could have hurt yourself and the baby!"

"I'm sorry, I was bored and just wanted to watch the training. I had not intention of doing anything, but poor little Luiza needed a few pointers.."

A few pushed and they were blessed with a loud cry and stock of bright red hair and a health baby girl...

"Let's call her Sigrun. Our battlefield baby!!"

"Sigrun is good.. Let's get me back to my bed. I think i am done here.."

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Sigrun was playing princess again. Running around with her veil and gown.

Solveig sighs and says to her husband, "You really shouldn't have encouraged her on this Daddy's little princess thing. She really needs to know how to take care of herself. Especially if she wishes to be in the military. A princess is not a job nor is it a worthwhile endeavor for our daughter."

"I don't want anything to happen to her. She is our only child. We can protect her."

"I think that may be harder than you think. Everyone needs to pull their weight and Eide's must be an example.."

"Despite Asbjørn not being very supportive, Solveig forced Sigrun to take training for hunting and self defense."

"MOM! I don't want to go. Princesses have staff to protect them. This is stupid."

"If your staff gets killed or lost you need to know these things. You are special, but you are not a princess. Plus you need to understand how the world works."

Sigrun pouts and grabs one of the practice swords.

Into the test arena a new boy emerges. He is tall, a bit older looking than Sigrun. He looks down at her and says, "What is this? My parents sent me here to get more training to be a great troll hunter, not a babysitter for some silly dolly!"

"I am not a dolly! I am Sigrun Eide Daughter of the Colonel and General Eides. "

"You look like one of those simpering girlies we have at home…I thought being here would be different. I am Sven Löggersten, my family are the great Northern hunters at Rana. " With that he sweeps his legs under Sigrun and she falls face first into the muddy ground.

Everyone chuckles. Even Solveig is trying to suppress a smile. She hopes that being embarrassed by a stranger will wake some power within her daughter. Otherwise she will be the 'princess' she says she is. She Looks at her daughter and says "Well?"

Sigrun gets up and removes the gown that would impede her movement. She raises her practice sword and starts toward Sven.

Solveig watches the two spar. Sven has skill, weight and height on Sigrun, but Sigrun is fast and has an innate ability that she never noticed.

At the end Sven won, but he was definitely winded and he looks appreciative at Sigrun and Solveig.
"You had me fooled, little princess..I hope we can spar in the future."

Sigrun says, "Sure, I will be the best troll hunter ever, and I will beat you!"

"We'll see little princess..We'll see."

Solveig smiles and is very glad Sigrun's 'princess' stage is over…

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Sigrun watched Sven walk, no strut out of the training arena. She was still furious being called a dolly and being dumped in the mud. She looked down at her gown all muddy and torn. She picked it up and folded it carefully. She loved that dress. She walked over to her mother who was showing a sword move to one of the other boys in the clan. She watched how graceful her mother was. As she swung the sword at one of the test dummies there was a deep gash in its middle. All of her moves flowed as one contiguous movement. Graceful and beautiful. She wanted to be like that

The more that she thought about it the more she thought being a princess was silly. They did not get to go outside and do cool stuff. Like her mom she could be strong and beautiful, dependent only on herself and her teammates. She also wanted to whoop the pants off of Sven.

She sat and watched her mother with the trainees. The trainees were a few years ahead of her, but as she watched something clicked in her head. She could see what their next move was going to be, and noticed where they left themselves vulnerable. She will need to apply that to the next lesson.

The training session ended with Sigrun following her mother back to their apartments.

Solveig said, "Well?"

"Well what?"

"What made you change your mind? I do not think Sven was the only reason."

"Sort of. It was getting boring being a princess. I want to be able to do things. Plus it was fun trying to beat that smart-ass Sven. I Will do it and soon"

"You need to learn a bit more before you can beat him."

"I know, but you will see I will be the bestest!"

"Best. Tomorrow is tracking training, you need to give your body a rest. To be a good soldier, you need many skills."

Back in her room she brushed off her gown and wrapped it in paper and put it away. She will always look upon that muddy dress as the day she saw her destiny. She could not wait until tomorrow's exercises.

Sigrun proved to be an excellent student now that she put her mind to it. She was excelling in all of the exercises. She was ready to face Sven. She noted how much he had changed in the months he has been here. He was larger, broader and not to shabby in the looks department.

She pushed all of that aside. She owed him and she wanted to own him.

They bowed to each other and then the sparring began. Sven had improved as much as Sigrun did. They battled back and forth. Sigrun almost had him, but did not finish the maneuver. She saw Sven and her mother frown and wondered why.

After an hour a break was called and Sigrun went to her mother. "Why were you frowning? Was I not doing well?"

"You do not play with your adversaries, nor with your sparring partners. That is disrespectful and not becoming an Eide. In battle, you want to dispatch your enemies quickly and cleanly. Even if they are beasts and grosslings. They did not ask to become monsters. Always be respectful.."

"But mom…I was not playing with Sven. Honest! I was having trouble getting over to his unguarded side"

"It did not appear that way, but it is a good lesson for you. Leading by prowess is good, but there are things way more important. Treating people with respect and listening are the first priorities. Never make someone do something you would not do first. Always lead by example."

Sigrun thought, and maybe she was showing off a little. Sven was too good a swordsman to be treated poorly.

After their break they entered back in the arena. Sigrun bowed deeply and saluted Sven. Making sure he understood her respect and admiration of his skill.

The second bout was more intense, but both performed admirably. Sigrun struck the first killing move, but Sven would have gravely injured her also.

Wow!, She said. "We need to practice together more. You are awesome!"

"Yes, you are correct little princess. You will make a formable sparring partner. Would you care to join me for lunch?"

Sigrun thought she definitely needs to scrap the 'princess' moniker.

Chapter Text

As time wore on Sigrun's hunting and fighting prowess increased.  She was becoming one of the best fighters/troll hunters they have seen in a long time.  

As per procedure the young hunters worked with the more seasoned members of the clan. Usually four or five of the newer hunters, depending on skills and how many were ready to face the wilderness.  This would continue until winter where the best would be sent on winter duty.  

This will allow a more in-depth assessment of the fighters, and see if any should be groomed to lead their own team.

Solveig and Asbjørn were pleased to see their daughter grow so strong.  They were even more pleased that her friendship with Sven was developing into something more.  They would very much like him to stay.  He and Sigrun made a very good team.

This week's work consisted of going further into the wilds to try and clear out one of the larger villages.  Sigrun and Sven were some of the new members selected for the mission.  They both were excited, this would be the first hunt where they will face grosslings not just little animal beasts.  This will prove their ability and hopefully set them on a path to lead others eventually.

The party consisted of seven people, 4 trainees and 2 experienced captains.  They made it to the outskirts of the town.  A very large almost demolished building greeted them

"What is that? "

"It is an old warehouse of some sort."

"Should we go in?"

"Well we need to purge this area of all trolls and beasts.  This is a good place to start.  Remember your training.  Look all ways including up..be quiet..stay alert.."

"We will split in half Sven, Ragla, come with me.  Sigrun, Rolf go with Helga.  If this building has a large infestation, we need to leave and let the cleansers have at it."

As they entered the building, they noticed this one was never used as an infirmary or a hospital.  There was nothing to suggest it.

The Front side was totally destroyed and collapsed, but the back seemed relatively intact.

They walked through a huge cavern that had old road building material in it.  Most of it was crumbled and small patches of greenery were peeking through where sunlight filtered through the wreck.

"This place is weird."

There were boxes many destroyed with names on them like SMÅSTAD , BILLY, BESTÅ

"Why would anyone name something persist, or pot or small town?  This town is that not small."

"Who knows what people did in the pre-rash world?  Pay attention!"

The building was reasonably well lit from the bits that fell in and what was once large windows all over.  

They slowly made their way through the building.  They came to sets of metal stairs.

They went up the stairs and there was another set going up.  

"You all look to this floor, we will continue up the stairs."

Sigrun and team came across a few beast nests, and made short work of them.  As they wandered through the building, they realized this place must have sold home goods and furniture.  

"If we can clean this up, some of these items would be useful home."

"That is the intent.  It will be better if we can recover items ourselves and not depend on the scavengers and have to pay money for them."

They slowly made their way through the floor.  

"It is odd that there is nothing bigger here isn't it?  The building is not very protected, but with all this stuff I would have expected something to build a nest. "

"Sigrun, you are correct.  I do not like this.  I think we should meet up with the others."

Just then they heard the crash.  They ran down the stairs toward the noise.

There it was..a monster.

"Giant!! Fuck! It's got Sven and Gia!"

The monster had six arms and Sigrun could see Gia hanging limply.  Sven had his sword and was hacking at the thigh sized fingers that held him.  The monster screamed and threw Sven at the wall.  Sigrun screamed and attacked.  They all started to hack at the monster.  Helga loaded an incendiary and shot it directly in the head.  The monster dropped Gia and was writhing.  All who were not injured proceeded to silence the monster and destroy it.  

Once it stopped moving, and they were sure it would not recover.  They grabbed Gia.  Sigrun was running over to where Sven was thrown.

She was pulling the debris from him.  He looked bad.  Though he was still awake.  

"He smiled at Sigrun and said, "Our first real kill princess!"  He sighed and closed his eyes. 

"NO NO NO! Don't Die!  I need you!!"

They carry out Gia and Sven.  Helga says they are alive, but barely.  She ties a tourniquet to Gia's arm and looks Sven over.  

"His skull is cracked.  Hopefully the brain won't swell.  We can use these metal Trollies to get them home. "

They put Gia on one trolly and Sven on the other.  There was an old world road.  It was not in the best shape, but it was faster.

"We need to hurry so we can get home before dark. They need medical attention and the longer we take the worse it will be for them"

They made it home and the medics attended to them. Gia lost her arm, but will survive to fight another day.  Sven's Brain injury was too severe.  Sigrun was at a loss.  

At the funeral she pushed the boat to the sea.  Because of her bond with Sven she was granted the privilege of setting it ablaze.  She stood tall and stern willing herself not to cry.  She felt hollow.  She so much wanted to hunt with Sven, maybe marry and raise kids.  Now she was alone.

Solveig and Asbjørn sent her on missions, while she was efficient in finding and eliminating nests, she lacked the camaraderie that the fighting teams needed to have with themselves and their commanding officer.  This allowed them to act as one unit. Sigrun could not lead if she could not be a team member.  They wanted her to lead a winter group, but she was not qualified.  So for this winter she would need to be on guard patrol.  A task Sigrun took very seriously.  

It was yule and the solstice was approaching.  Everyone was busy preparing for the party and feast.  

Sigrun volunteered for guard duty, not feeling in the mood.  

That night Sigrun dreamed.  She was running across a battle field.  She saw all of the wars past and was coming up to a palace.  As she got closer she saw him. She ran to meet with him.  They embraced.

"Am I dead?  Is this Vahalla?"

"No, This is the in-between place, where we get judged before venturing onward. The gods are giving you a chance, they and I are disappointed in you."

"Me? How, why? What did I do?"

"It is not what you did, but what you haven't done.  You have the potential to be greater than you are."

"The world is dark and sad.  I miss you.  I love you."

"Yes, there is much sadness and horror in our world.  It is up to each of us to live to our potential, fight those demons internally and externally.  Help others, live each day as it is you last.  Those are the battles that bring you to Vahalla. You are so much more than you are. You will have many great adventures ahead.  Live, love and fight those battles for us and anyone who cannot.   Then you will be worthy of me and Vahalla."

"Would I meet someone like you? " 

"No, that part of your life has passed.  You will meet many and your one and only will be someone you least expect.  Go back..live..fight.  Make yourself worthy of Vahalla.  Goodbye princess."

Sigrun woke with a start and realized that she had been pouting and mooning.  She will fight and continue on.

As winter progressed, Sigrun reforged friendships, created new ones, led and improved the Dalsnes in many ways.  The most notable was what she saw in herself.  The winter was dark and cold.  For some reason the Trolls were more active, and they were quite busy.  

At the end of winter, when the promotions were announced, Sigrun was pleased that she was promoted to team lead.  She still had a lot to do and prove before she made captain, but the cheers from everyone warmed her heart.

She still missed Sven, but knew they will meet in Vahalla.  Where she would kick his butt.