[center][h2][color=ec008c][i][b]DEJA VU[/b][/i][/color][/h2][/center]

Reidun was walking onward and the sun was beginning to set when she heard screams up ahead. Aksel’s voice was not loud but he waved the men forward towards the group of obvious criminals that had set up camp just off of the road. Hearing the obvious screams and fear from the scuffle as many of them lay dying she found a place to sit next to a tree and closed her eyes for a moment. She felt someone’s eyes on her and when she opened hers she saw Aksel in front of her. 

[color=f49ac2]“What is it Aksel?”[/color] His eyes were questioning her but he didn’t say anything at all. He just walked towards the camp to see what all the fuss was about. She leaned her head back again.

Conall was following the rest of the group as they stalked through the forest.  He could feel his hands twitching to grab his axes and go to town on these bandits.  He had had a very stressful past few days and this would let him blow off some steam.  He moved up closer to Reidun to make sure if anything went south he could at least get her out.  He had learned in the past never to underestimate another the hard way.  Seeing Aksel had signaled them forward he began to move up trying to stay low.  Well as low as a giant of his size could.  Something seemed off to him though.  While they were bandits, they weren't usually this careless with guards or lookouts. 

Reidun heard laughter and opened her eyes. One of her friends from back home was grinning at her sitting on the ground. Oppa reached over and grabbed her by the hand and pulled her to her feet. She chuckled and began walking again. [color=f49ac2]“Oppa, my feet are tired.”[/color] She said laughing. [color=f49ac2]“And now my feet hate you!”[/color] He dropped to his knees and told her to get on his back.  Her musical laughter rang out and many turned around to see them playing. She moved her axes aside and climbed onto the large man’s back. She giggled like a young girl and many of the men teased them as Oppa took off running through the forest floor with her on his back. Laughter rang out from both of them until they were in the middle of the criminal camp. Oppa put her down and chuckled. 

Smacking him on the arm playfully she went to look around but then she heard familiar screams. They rang through her and her body stiffened. She began to walk away from the camp before someone remembered.

Conall had been wandering around the camp that was now mostly covered in dead bodys.  As he was wandering around he saw Reidun quickly leave the camp in a somewhat altered state.  He quickly ran off after her making sure she would be fine.  Calling out to her in a somewhat lower voice so he did not draw any unwanted attention to them.  Seeing as how she didn't say anything she just kept moving he knew something was up. Finally catching up to her he placed a hand on her shoulder asking her [color=00a651]“what's wrong Reidun? You don't seem ok.” [/color]  

Reidun turned to Conall and was about to say something when Oppa ran over and yelled, [color=fff200]“Reidun! Come quick, Aksel needs you!”[/color] Oppa gave her an urgent wave and she looked at Conall and closed her eyes for a moment. Begrudgingly she started back to the tent. She gave Conall’s hand a tight squeeze and she went into the tent where the pregnant woman was laboring. Aksel was there and he was not alone. Oppa had followed her in so there were four of them. The woman was having trouble and her screams were [i]ungodly [/i]loud and full of pain. Reidun took one look at her and said. [color=f49ac2]“I can’t do this.”[/color] She turned to go but the entrance was blocked by Oppa. She knew better than to try to move him so she pleaded with him.

[color=f49ac2]“I’m not doing this, Oppa move!”[/color] She looked at his chest and wouldn’t meet his eyes. Aksel moved over to them and he pulled Reidun over to the woman. 
[color=gray]“Why is she having so much trouble?” [/color]He demanded. Sighing in defeat Reidun splashed the bowl of clean water over her hands and took a look. She bit her lip and dropped her head and shook it.
 [color=f49ac2]“The babe is backwards. It’s coming out feet first and it’s not supposed to. It needs to be turned.”[/color]
[color=gray]“Do it!”[/color] Aksel commanded.
[color=f49ac2]“I don’t know if I can.” [/color]She shook her head. All she could see was Brona and her baby in her mind. 

Aksel leaned over and put a hand on each of her shoulders. [color=gray]“It’s not the same as before. If you don’t do something this woman and her baby will die.”[/color]
[color=f49ac2]“How is that not the same?”[/color] She asked him. Aksel shook his head.
 [color=gray]“She is not bleeding to death already. Reidun, just do it!”[/color]
Reidun threw off all of her gear and rolled the sleeves of her dress up and pulled her hair back. Oppa went outside and stood in front of the entrance so they wouldn’t be bothered.

Reidun spoke to the woman hoping she would understand that she was trying to help her. The woman seemed to understand and Aksel’s hand was grabbed by the woman and he was recruited to stay. Reidun was not happy about the lack of supplies on hand. Once she had her hands inside the woman and started turning the baby the woman screamed and eventually passed out from the pain. Reidun worked faster once the woman was unconscious. It seemed like there was no noise coming from outside but she was so focussed on what she was doing that she didn’t notice that the camp was quiet. 

It was going on two hours of pushing and pulling and turning before she got the baby turned and delivered. She had had a moment where she had to work the cord over its head so it wouldn’t choke but she did it. This time after she was done she put the baby in Aksel’s hands since its mother was still out cold. Aksel carried the baby outside and announced that it was alright. The crowd, largely family men roared with glee and Reidun walked out behind him and cleaned her arms and hands up.  She’d finished up with the mother and she wanted nothing to do with any of it. Her expression was one of weariness.

Conall during the whole affair had waited outside the tent with oppa making sure no one would try and enter.  When everything was done and he saw Reidun sneak out of the tent as Aksel showed off the new child he began to follow her.  He could tell that delivering the child took its toll on her, more than usual.  As she kept moving Conall followed her at a safe distance wanting to give her a moment before he started asking questions.

After some time of walking he decided that they were far enough away to where they wouldn't be bothered.  He aproached Reidun for the umteenth time today.  Once again he had placed his hand on her shoulder [color=00a651]“what's wrong Reidun? What was up with you in there?”[/color]  He had not seen her like this.  It was strange to him.  It had a hint of the look he and Harek often shared but it was different somehow.   

Reidun stopped where she was and sat down. She could barely hear him. She was deep in a horrible memory that refused to go away. Reidun didn’t even realize that tears were flowing from her eyes until she couldn’t see but it somehow didn’t matter much. Sobs broke free from her pent up grief and she grabbed onto his shirt and cried for the second time today. She shook so hard she thought her teeth might rattle out of her head. 

It was at this point that Aksel appeared. Conall nor Reidun saw him but he saw her break and it brought tears to his eyes. After a moment he walked back to the camp quietly.

Conall sat down beside Reidun as he felt her grab onto his shirt.  Wrapping his arm around her as she began to cry into his shoulder.  [color=00a651]“Its ok. Its ok. Let it all out.”[/color]  he assured her.  [color=00a651]“Everything is fine.  You’re alright i'm here.” [/color] he told her in a kind tone as he held her tight.  Knowing this had to be something from her past he knew all too well it was best to let these issue come out on their own and you couldn't force them to.  [color=00a651]“Whenever your ready then you can talk.  Until then i'll stay right here until you feel better.”[/color]  He began to rub the arm he was holding onto gently as he placed a kiss on her head hoping this would calm her nerves.  

Reidun knew Conall was holding her and he wasn’t pressuring her. She cried until she ran out of tears. Then she told him about the last baby she had delivered, Aksel’s and Brona’s baby.  She told him how guilty she had felt. How she had blamed herself for their deaths wondering if she couldn’t save them because she had been jealous or hurt. How she felt about these feelings and how it had been impossible for her to continue in healing and that was why she had turned to being a shield maiden. By the time she was done she was severely dehydrated but she felt a lot better. She was nervous as to what Conall thought of her.

[color=f49ac2]“So now that you know this, do you hate me?”[/color]

Conall sat as he soaked in the whole story.  He looked at her for a moment before turning her face to his and kissing her.  [color=00a651]“Reidun i could never hate you for something like that.” [/color] he held her tight knowing it was never easy to let out something from your past.  [color=00a651]“Reidun” [/color]he began again [color=00a651]“I was serious when i meant that i will always love and want to protect you.  And as for what happened in the past that wasn't your fault.”[/color] Once he was finished he leaned his head on hers looking out towards the ends of the forest which were far out of sight.  [color=00a651]“Are you feeling better or do you still need a bit?  No rush take all the time you need.  I'll make sure to scare off anyone who tells you otherwise.”[/color] He had said the last part with a serious tone that still had a bit of laughter in it trying to lighten the mood.  

Reidun was so exhausted that within a few minutes she fell asleep in his arms. It wasn’t long before he shifted and she woke up. Sitting up she murmured. [color=f49ac2]“Let’s go back to camp. I need to check on the mother and baby then I’ll sleep.”[/color]

Once they got back to camp Oppa hugged her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. [color=fff200]“You did good Reidun. The mother is awake.”[/color] She smiled at her friend and entered the tent. Aksel was not there which kind of surprised her. She smiled and checked on the mother for extra bleeding and once satisfied that everything was alright she checked on the baby once more and then she went outside and was handed a mug of ale. Music was played and ale was passed around. There was a general happiness with regard to new life. A new baby was a blessing in all walks of life. 

Reidun saw Oppa and he knew what her eyes were asking and he pointed to Aksel near the edge of the woods facing away from the camp. She looked at Conall and kissed his lips softly. [color=f49ac2]“I’ll be back in a few minutes. I need to talk to him.”[/color]

Reidun walked slowly to where Aksel was sitting near his fire. Tears had recently been shed and he wiped his face when she appeared. Understanding, she sat down next to him. [color=gray]“You did good today. Without you they wouldn’t have made it.” [/color]

Quietly she looked at the fire. [color=f49ac2]“I just wish I could have saved yours.” [/color]
Aksel nodded. [color=gray]“I know. No one could have saved them. It’s not your fault. I hope you know that.”[/color] His breath shuddered. [color=gray]“Oppa told me that you blame yourself. That you thought the Gods were punishing you for being jealous. I don’t believe that. If anyone they were punishing me for leaving you.”[/color]

Reidun sat there in surprise for a moment. [color=f49ac2]“I- Why would- I don’t understand.”[/color]
Aksel stared at the fire and answered her. [color=gray]“Brona and I weren’t getting along and we fought all the time. She was not the same person that I had loved. I’ve never stopped loving you and I never should have left you.”[/color]

Reidun had no idea how to respond to his admission. She looked at him sideways and said, [color=f49ac2]“I’m glad you don’t hate me for their deaths. I’ll never forgive myself though. I should go though. Conall will-”[/color] Reidun was surprised with a swift kiss that held a lot of emotion. His feelings were in his eyes. [color=gray]“Go now before I do something that Conall will try to kill me for.” [/color]Stunned, Reidun got up and walked back to where she and Conall were to sleep and she lay down next to him and pulled his arms around her.

Conall had been laying down, fighting off sleep while he waited for Reidun to return.  When he had felt her slip down next to him and move his arms around herself he had a smile on his face.  This was calming to him, just having her here next to him helped him relax.  Giving her a quick kiss he pulled her into a tight embrace.  Before succumbing to sleep he managed to get out [color=00a651]“Hope everything went alright.” [/color] 

She nodded and snuggled further into his embrace. [color=f49ac2]“Yes it was.”[/color] She wondered about Aksel’s words as she drifted off to sleep against Conall’s chest.
[@Sly13]