Page 42 of Mastered By the Viking King

“No, I didn’t know that,” Frode said, his thumb slipping from his mouth. He took a lock of Tove’s hair and wrapped it around his finger.

“Well, it was—and he refused to return it.”

“But Thor did get it back.”

“Of course he did. Mjolnir belongs to him, and him alone.”

“So, what happened?” Knud asked.

“The giant said he would give it back if the beautiful goddess Freya agreed to marry him.”

Knud pulled a face. “Freya wouldnotwish to marry an ugly giant.”

“No, she would not. Luckily, Thor had an idea. Do you know what he did?”

Both boys shook their heads.

“He gallantly disguised himself as Freya, traveled to Giantland, and pretended to be part of the wedding.”

“And then what happened?” Knud asked.

“As soon as the hammer was returned to Thor—the giant believing he was now married to Freya—Thor raised it up and destroyed the giant in a single blow.”

“Thor did that?”

“Aye, he did.”

Knud slithered off the bed and banged his hand against his fist. “I will be as brave and powerful as Thor one day.” He rushed around the bedroom, punching the air, acting out a slaying scene in his imagination.

Frode was quick to join in, growling and snarling, pretending to be a giant.

Tove laughed. Her new sons were full of energy, and would grow to be fine Viking warriors.

Frode rushed to the table of treasures. As he rummaged around inside it, an amulet clattered to the floor.

“Careful.” Tove climbed off the bed to retrieve it.

“I am Thor the mighty.” Knud bumped into his brother as a comb fell out, landing by Tove’s feet.

“Knud, Frode, please be careful.” She picked it up, but as she did so, both boys barged into the furniture. The box with the dragon clasp slipped from the end of the table and crashed to the floor, the contents spraying onto the furs.

“That is enough!” she snapped. “These are treasures.”

“Sorry…” Knud came to a halt. “Sorry, Mother.”

“Knud! Frode!” Wanda’s called. “Come for your bath.”

“Aye, we will.” Knud took off at a run.

Frode followed, quickly disappearing.

Tove sighed and bent to retrieve the box. Around it was a scatter of hairpins, brooches, bracelets, and necklaces. She scooped them into the box, then plucked several beads from the fur. Standing, she stared at the banished queen’s treasures now safely back in their box.

“Tove!”

She looked up.

King Njal stood holding the curtain, his eyes narrowed and his mouth a stern line.

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