KAPITEL FEM

(Chapter Five)

"Sven." She called from the small house. "Your lunch is ready."

"I'm coming, Ingrid. " Sven, laying down his iron made his way to the house. He had started his work early that morning, much earlier than usual, in order to finish up on the work that had to be done that day.

Ingrid, puttered around the house, preparing the table. Sven ascended the two short steps that led to the porch of the small cottage.

"Papp, have you seen Kirsten this morning?" Ingrid asked, with a note of worry in her voice. "I haven't seen her all morning."

"Don't worry, Mamma," Sven replied, "She left the house early this morning as I was starting my days work."

"And, where was she going, so early in the morning?"

"She said she was going for a walk down in the meadow, by the forest. Don't worry Dear, I'm sure she will be home soon."

Sven and Ingrid sat down at the table and started to eat. They didn't say much to each other, just glancing up now and then or taking a quick look out the window to see if there was any sign of Kirsten.

"More kroppkakor?", Ingrid asked.

"Yes, I believe I will." Sven took the dish from the table and filled his plate with more of the potato like dumplings.

"It's because of you, Dear, and all the delicious food you cook, that the size of my middle is somewhat larger than it should be or use to be." , Sven chuckled.

Ingrid smiled, " You're still like a growing boy Sven," she replied. "As long as there is good food in front of you, you will eat. You remind me of our son Pater when he was just a small lad. I only wish I had enough time to do the amount of cooking and baking that I'd like to."

"Ja.", was all Pappa replied.

Sven looked up from his kroppkakor quicly. "What's all the noise outside, Mamma?"

Ingrid listened. "It sounds like we have some travelers coming into town.
Let's go see."

Sven opened the door of his small house to the sound of villagers scurring through the street.

"It's the Royal Guard! The Royal Guard," the villagers shouted. Sven soon heard cries from the crowd.

"Kirsten is with them, she's with the Royal Guard."

Sven turned to Ingrid, "What?", with a puzzed face. "Why is Kirsten with the Royal Guard?"

The Royal Guard advanced toward Sven, standing on his porch. Behind them, Kirsten, riding on the beautiful black stallion, with Johan behind her.

"Pappa," she waved vigorously. Johan dismounted and reached up his arms to help Kirsten off. She ran to her Pappa's side.

"Pappa," she turned and lookd at Johan, then back again. "Pappa, this is Johan Nilsson. He is craftsman and goldsmith to His Majesty, King Gustavus I. The King needs a blacksmith and Johan has come to offer it to you."

Sven gave a slight nod of his head. "Sven Olofsson."

Johan acknowledged his introduction. "Tis true, Sven. I have come to see if you would come be blacksmith to His Magesty. The King is in great need of a blacksmith with skills likened unto your own. Your work is well remembered Sven, by the King, And I well remember the stories I heard as a lad, of Sven, the blacksmith of Sala. Many a blade was forged by your hands when His Majesty led the revolt against Christian II." Johan turned and looked at Kirsten, as the corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly and he smiled softly..."And such a beautiful daughter."

Sven chuckled. "Ja, a right beautiful daughter I have, takes after her mother, you know."

Johan bowed his head and acknowledged Ingrid standing on the porch. She smiled. Sven turned to Johan and bowed low. "I would be honored to serve My King."

KAPITEL SEX

(Chapter Six)

The sun rose slowly over the rolling hills of the valley. You could hear the melodical rhythm of the mountain streams as they cascaded down the sloaps of the mountains and made their way to the river below.

The valley beyond unfolded into a wide open meadow the color of an emerald. The sun peeked over the mountains, while below, unseen by man, the faries danced in the early morning light. Their wings reflecting the early morning sun, appearing as gold, cast ghostly blue shadows over the meadow.

Johan awoke to the warmth of the early morning sun, as it crept through the window and across the gray stone walls of his castle room, and cast a soft yellow glow. He must arise, for today is the day he is to go to Sala and escort Sven Olofsson and his family back to their new living quarters within the castle walls.

"Enter." Johan responded, to the knocks on the ornately carved door of his quarters. A small dainty maiden with long golden hair, entered softly.

"Your breakfast, My Lord."

Johan thanked her, and she curtsied gracefully, placed the tray on Johan's table and then left quietly.

Johan crossed the room and sat down at the small round table, graced with candles that cast a soft glow over the table top. Johan ate and contemplated his day. He thought of the maiden Kirsten, lying in the meadow. He had been thinking of her everyday since they'd first met. It had been impossible for him to forget her. Her beauty had been forged in his mind.

"Today will be a good day.", he whispered to himself. he looked forward to seeing her face again.

Sven and his family also arose with the sun this morning. This was a big day in his life, as well as his family's. It wasn't everday that a simple blacksmith from a small village was chosen to live within the casttle walls and given the honor of serving his King. Gustavus I, was a wise and just King. If he had not been, Sven would have never rendered his services in the revolt against Christian II.

"Hurry along Kirsten.", Pappa shouted from outside the cottage.

"Coming Pappa." Kirsten appeared in the door, her arms loaded with personal belongings.

"We've got alot of packing to do before Johan gets here with out escort."

"I know Pappa," she said, as she loaded her belongings in the large wooden cart. "This is the last of my things. I'm going now to help Mamma."

The horses, hitched to the cart began to prance and whinney. It was as though they knew that they were about to make an extraordinary trip. They were full of excitement and anticipation.

Pappa made final adjustments on the harnesses and to the wagon, just at the moment that Johan, accompained by the Royal Guard, could be seen coming down the street of the village.

"They're here." , Pappa cried. "Johan and the Royal Guard have arrived."

"Kirsten looked a ther Mamma. Her eyes lit up.

"You have been looking forward to seeing him again, haven't you, my Dear?"

Kirsten smiled..."yes, Mamma."

"Mamma's know these things, I can see it in your eyes." Ingrid looked out the front door toward Sven. "And I do believe," she said with a smile, "your Pappa has taken quite a liking to him."

"I hope so.", Kirstne said quietly, as she walked out onto the porch.

Johan's eyes met hers. It was good to see her again, as he had dreamed of her face quite often since he'd first met her in the meadow that day. In his mind he had remembered the softness of her hair and her eyes; like the blue of the sky reflecting in the clear waters of a lake.

"We're ready.", Sven said to Johan, as Johan dismounted his horse and walked to Kirsten's side.

"Then let our journey begin. The King anxiously awaits our arrival."

He helped Kirsten into the back of the horse drawn wagon, as Sven lifted Ingrid into the buggy. Johan mounted his stallion.

"To the castle", as he motioned the Royal Guard forward. Johan rode near the rear of the wagon. He had longed for the day when he would see Kirsten again. Now, she would be close to him always. The ride to the castle would go quickly with her to talk to along the way.

They started slowly down the village street. Friends and loved ones were waving and shouting good wishes as they made their way down the dust covered street and soon dissapeared into the shadows of the forest.

TO BE CONTINUED.