House of Torbjorn

The ocean spray ricocheted off of the ship and glazed Eric Torbjorn’s face as he mournfully gazed back at the shore. Here he was, leaving the only place he had ever known, filled with all the people he loved, and for what reason? It wasn’t for adventure, although he looked forward to that. It wasn’t even for wealth, because he had no guarantee that he would even find any. The reason he was leaving was for love. The love of a woman that he was unable to obtain unless he made something of his life beyond being the son of a fisherman. You see, the woman that he was in love with was the local magistrate’s daughter, Astrid Anderson.

With wavy, golden blonde hair, a smile as bright as the sun, and pale piercing blue eyes that sparkled like stars, Astrid was the most beautiful girl you would have ever laid your eyes on. The ancients used to pass down through legend that the goddess Freya was the most beautiful woman to ever exist, and Eric believed that if she were real, even Astrid would rival her beauty. But beauty was not the only thing that made her desirable by any man in Scandinavia. In addition to her looks, she was well educated thanks to her father's ability to get the finest tutors, and her kindness knew no bounds. She wasn’t stuck up like the few aristocrats that Eric has ever encountered, but rather, she maintained a demeanor of humility and showed respect to everyone that she came across. She often spent her afternoons helping the less fortunate in the town of Stavanger, and teaching the impoverished children how to read and write as well. She even took the time to help him also, since growing up as a fisherman’s son, Eric wasn’t privileged enough to learn in schools.

Eric knew that Astrid would wait for him. He had made her promise as much when they last saw each other before he shipped off. Like many times before, Eric climbed the trellis leading up to her window, and said his goodbyes.

“When does your ship sail for Copenhagen?”

“In three days, at dawn. Luckily, I’m used to getting up before the sun thanks to working with my dad on his rig.”

“I wish you didn’t have to leave.”

“We both know why I have to leave. I can’t give you the life you deserve if I make you a fisherman’s wife.”

“That’s my father talking, and we both know that. Oh, things were so much simpler when we were children. Playing dress-up and make believe. I wish we could go back to that.”

"I know. If only we could make believe that I was a prince, or that there were no class divisions in this world.”

“My love, you are a prince. You’re a prince to me, and that’s all that matters.”

“Thank you for the sentiment. I can’t tell you how much hearing those words come from your lips means to me. However, until I can see myself in the same light as you, I will never be worthy of your affection. Doubts and fears will plague me for the remainder of our lives, and you deserve much more than that. I know this will be hard for both of us, but it won’t be long. I will return to you quickly, and when I do, it will be to ask for your hand in marriage. I know this is a lot to ask of you, but will you do me the honor of waiting for me?”

“My love, I would wait for you until the very end of the world.”

“I promise I will return to make you my wife. Not even Davy Jones locker could keep me from you.”

Leaving Astrid tore Eric’s heart to shreds, but he knew that this was just something he had to do. His family's name used to mean something when it was earned by Torbjorn the First so long ago. The man walked among giants including Ragnar Lodbrok, Bjorn Ironside, and Ivar the Boneless. The man himself could be counted among these legends, and his descendants as well. There was once a time that the name of the “Thunder Bear” sparked fear and respect into the hearts of all Scandinavia. Now, it barely garners the attention of a peasant boy. No more. Eric vowed to himself that he would make the name of Torbjorn great once more. He will make his name worthy of Astrid’s affections. He will give his parents a legacy to be proud of once again. He will feast with kings and not feel out of place, because by the time he is through, people will show the respect and admiration that he so desires. By the time he’s through, people will remember The House of Torbjorn.