You awoke to the usual ambience of the Nordic household: quarreling, laughing, and yelling. At this point, the incessant drama was bland and expected. It was almost welcome, almost home.
Well, whatever home was to you anyway. For the past decade, "home" was never in one place. It was wherever or whoever did not beat you, neglect you, or scar you. For you, home was just a four-letter lie, a pathetic mockery of what your mother once meant to you.
You shook away those thoughts. This was not the time.
You bent over the stair railing and surveyed the living area, the epicenter of arguing. The three brothers were speeding all around the lower floor, gathering clothes, trinkets, and other various items. Shouts flew back and forth as the brothers bustled about. The atmosphere resembled the buzz of a busy kitchen.
"Dane." You heard Lukas call. "No hair products. We have limited space."
Mathias bounded into view. "Aww! Can't you make an exception? For me? Pwetty pwease?"
Lukas pinched the bridge of his nose. "No."
"Come on, Lukas! Don't be so cold. Let the big baby have his hair products." You batted your eyelashes in an exaggerated way.
His eyes narrowed the slightest bit, almost undetectably. He began to scan your face with a hint of suspicion. Now he was thinking.
"...Telling a Nordic country not to be cold..." He mumbled under his breath.
"What was that?" You chimed and cupped your ear.
Lukas closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine."
Mathias leaped up the stairs and hugged you. He lifted you up, swinging you from side to side.
"Sweet! I've never seen anyone change Lukas' mind! You are seriously awesome! Thanks, Turtle!"
He finished his rejoicing and released you from the embrace. Humming a giddy tune, Mathias ran off, eager to cram his leather bag full of oils and perfumes.
You sent a faint smile Lukas' way, only to receive a blank stare.
Suddenly, a firm hand clamped down on your shoulder. Its powerful grip made you stand stiff.
"...Did you like the carving?.."
You slowly craned your neck to face the hand's owner. Your fears melted away as you recognized who it was.
"Oh, yes. I loved it, Berwald! It was simply beautiful."
He held his frosty gaze with you and nodded, turning back to monitor his squabbling siblings. You swore you could see a rosy hue dust his cheeks.
"What are you all packing for? I hope I haven't scared you away." You giggled at your tiny joke.
"...We are heading to Dublin... It is... Urgent."
"Urgent?"
He exhaled a weary breath. "...We have little coffee..."
"Can't you just drink tea?"
Berwald's hand shot from your shoulder to your mouth, covering it completely.
"...Do not use...that word..."
He paused a moment and withdrew his hand from your lips.
"...Sorry..."
"You're fine. I didn't realize just how dedicated you are to coffee."
"...You would understand if you saw Lukas... without it..."
You curiously observed the busy Norwegian. He did seem a tad off, more tense than his usual, unperturbed self. Without warning, his eyes met with yours. Your eyes widened, and, as your smile vanished, you cast your sights elsewhere.
"Why didn't you wake me up sooner? I would have helped you pack."
"Because..." Mathias began excitedly. "Number one: you would have bitten my head off; number two: you snooze like a kitten. It's adorable."
Your face flushed. Eager to change the subject, you asked when they were leaving.
"Immediately." Lukas huffed and scooped up a satchel filled with spare clothes. He tossed the leather sack into your arms, doing his best to avoid meeting your eyes. With a startling slam, he rushed out of the cabin.
"What's wrong with him?" You asked.
Berwald tossed you a quick glance. "...Now, you understand..."
You cradled your satchel to your chest and advanced towards the door. "Oh, I almost forgot!" You slung your pack over your shoulder, flew up the stairs, and retrieved your valuables. Battle ax in hand, you emerged from the house. The morning was crisp and the light fog gave the surrounding lake a watery sheen.
A wide boat with a deep bottom was docked on the moist, black beach-stones. You leaned into the craft, nestling your things in a panel concealed along the bottom, where the other bags and parcels had been squeezed.
Lukas was kneeled before the water's edge. He was peering at something on paper... You spotted your own face smiling back at you. Your heart sank as you remembered the painting. Guilt and and tiny bit of courage encouraged you to take a seat beside him.
Lukas regarded you tepidly. "I am not in the mood to talk."
You offered him an accepting nod. "We don't have to talk. I just like your company, silence or noise; I don't care." You paused and began again. "This reminds me of that day."
He said nothing, but you could sense he was listening. He waited patiently, as if to say: "go on."
"We came out that lovely morning and just enjoyed painting, enjoyed being near to each other... I'm sorry if I offended you. This has been a rough period for me and I appreciate everything you and your brothers have done for me."
You slowly stood and started towards the boat. You looked at Lukas over your shoulder. "You know, you're not as cold as everyone thinks you are."
Mathias busted from the cabin in an explosion of baggage and hair products. "Hey, bros! Ready to get a move on?!" He leaped into the boat, almost flipping it into the lake.
Berwald marched after him with the remaining gear. You took a seat next to the stoic man and waited for Lukas to board. As soon as Lukas sat, Mathias dislodged the vessel from the beach with an oar. The lake hugged your boat with calm, crystalline waters as you drifted towards a thicket on the far end.
As you reached the shrubbery, Mathias and Berwald held their weapons and swiped at the plants, clearing them away. What seemed to be shore, was actually a shallow strip of water. It was an inlet to a vast, icy fjord.
The majestic landscape stole your breath away. Slopes of powdery white rolled down from the rocky cliffs, eventually melting into a sliver of green. Grass and flowers ringed the edges of the fjord, sometimes blending with jagged rock outcroppings. Mist hovered in the air, giving the area a mystical appearance.
"It's gorgeous here." You gasped.
Lukas, still gazing into the sapphire depths, replied with a soft "thank you."
"Heh, if you think this is great, you should see my home country!" Mathias declared proudly.
Berwald stared at the gloating Dane, before he said. "...My country's beauty... has no rival."
And the arguing commenced. Your anger surged forth.
Shooting up from your spot, you began to yell at them. "What is wrong with you people?! Why can't you just enjoy something for once!? Everything is a stupid contest and I'm tired of it!" You slammed your foot into the wood, causing the boat to jolt and rock wildly.
The talking ceased immediately. All eyes landed upon you, even Lukas'.
Mathias was brave enough to respond. In an unusually quiet tone for him, he whispered: "We're brothers. It's what we do."
The rage was replaced by confusion. It must has been obvious for Lukas asked a question that shook you. "Don't you have any siblings?"
You inhaled a deep breath of morning air, allowing it to ease your nerves, and returned to your seat. You cradled your head in you hands.
"I've never had any siblings. My mother died before I could have any. Father could have had children after he left, but they wouldn't care about me." You hushed for a moment before continuing. "I'm not sure if anyone cares about me anymore."
Berwald wrapped his arm around your shoulders. "...We do..."
"That's right! Warriors have each other's backs!" Mathias announced, scooting over and joining the hug.
You looked past the spiky, blonde hair in your face at Lukas. He smiled with his eyes. "Get off her, you two. You're going to sink the boat."
Mathias and Berwald settled back into their places. Beaming brightly, you thanked them.
To think that you were here, centuries before your own birth. You were transported in time, ripped from everything you have ever known and yet... It felt so much more natural, more welcoming. For once in a very long time, you belonged somewhere. You wanted to stay here forever with them, with your family.
If only that were possible...