Kapitel Sju

(Chapter Seven)

"Johan." The King paced the floor of his bedroom chamber. His hands clasped behind him. "I have decided that we should find an assistant to help Sven in the blacksmith shop. He has done such excellent work, but the demand is becoming too much for one man to handle."

"Yes, My lord, I agree. Sven is an excellent blacksmith, but...He is not a young man."

The King turned to Johan. "Prepare your horse and supplies. Scout the kingdom and find me a blacksmith."

Johan bowed low and long. "Yes, My Lord."

*****

The next few weeks went well within the castle walls. Sven was kept very busy. The work was long and hard, but he enjoyed, very much, his new responsibilities as blacksmith to the King. His Majesty knew that the burden of Sven's work had been lightened since Karl had come to be his new assistant.

Ingrid was not used to the help of maids and servants. She did like them all, very much, but still insisted on doing most of the things herself. Especially the cooking. She so enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. And Sven did like her cooking so much. Most of her days were spent in rolling doughs, washing fruits, making and baking all kinds of delicious treats. Before they came to the castle, she never seemed to have the time today o as much looking and baking as she wanted. But, now most of her days were spent in the kitchen. Cleaning, and mending chores were given to the maids. And a lot for outdoor chores that had to be done when they were in Sala, these were now all taken care of by His Majesty's servants.

Kirsten spent her days running through warm green meadows and Johan would laugh as he watched her role down long soft hills of clover. They spent a lot of days like this. And long cool nights before the fire, as they would lay within the gray stoned walls of Johan's private quarters. Love seemed to come overnight for Johan Na Kirsten. Their love had grown very deep over the summer. And very soon now, would come the day. The day that Kirsten and Johan were to be wed.

Gustavus sat on the balcony of his chambers, overlooking the courtyard and gardens that lay within his castle walls. He completed his breakfast and awaited the arrival Johan. He knew he must speak to Johan before he and Kirsten were to be married. Johan's identity and the future that lay before him, must be revealed to Kirsten. For his future was now not only his own, but Kirsten's future also.

He turned suddenly to the sounds of knocks on his chamber door.

"Enter."

The King's Guard swung the large doors open wide. "Johan, My Lord, as you requested."

"Johan, come in, ...Come in," the King spoke, as the guard closed the doors behind him.

"Have you had your breakfast?"

"Yes, Thank you My Lord. I had just finished when I received the message that you requested to see me. "

Gustavus motioned to the balcony.

"Come, sit, and we shall talk. I have sent for Sven, but before he arrives and I speak with him, I must talk with you first."

"I understand, Gustavus. What do you wish to talk with me about?"

"I am concerned as to whether or not you have informed Kirsten about the true identity of the man she is about to marry. Have you spoken to her of your father?"

"No, I haven't, My Lord. My father was an evil man." Johan said with anger in his eyes.

"Yes Johan, that is all true. He was a very evil man and he caused our country much strife and grief. But that doesn't change the fact that he was my bother and was once King Christian II of Sweden. Kirsten must be told,....must be told that you, son of my brother, flesh of my flesh, are heir to the throne of Sweden."

"Yes, My Lord, you are right, she must be told that one day, she, will sit on the throne as Queen Kirsten. Queen of all Sweden."

Johan knew the time had come to tell Kirsten the news, that for so long now he had kept secret from her. He should have told her sooner, but his hatred for his father was so strong that he didn't want any kind of association with him at all. But, as heir to the throne he dedicated himself to the fact, that his country would never be ruled under the iron hand as his father had ruled before.

Gustavus I knew Johan would made a wise and worthy King. He was content in knowing that as heir to his throne, Johan would rule with a great strength and with great honor.

Kapitel Atta

(Chapter Eight)

Johan and Kirsten walked hand in hand down the sloping green hills that surrounded the castle. The day was beautiful and the warmth of the sun shone on them and warmed them with it's rays. Kirsten's golden hair swirled about her face when the soft breezes blew and the warmth of her eyes reflected the love that was in her heart.

"There is something that I must tell you Kirsten. I should have told you long before now, but it includes a part of my past that I hate, with all my heart."

Kirsten's hand reached up and gently stroked Johan's cheeks. "I am sorry that this is painful for you, but whatever it is that you must tell me, you must know that it won't change my love for you, Johan. For I love you more than life itself."

Johan smiled gently and took Kirsten's hand and led her to a small group of trees. They sat beneath the shade looking into each others eyes, as Johan began his story.

*****

The small boy sat crouched underneath the porch watching as his Mamma and sister came running toward him. The legs of thundering white stallion was all he could see and they came ever closer to his Mamma and sister as they ran toward him. In the blink of an eye, his Mamma fell before him. Her face in the dirt of the street and in her back, the long shiny spear of the white stallions rider. He looked up from his Mamma, only to see the horror of the white stallions hoofs, trample the small body of his sister. As the white horse came closer more of it's body came into view. His eyes scanned the horse and soon fixed on the rider of the stallion. The boy gasped in astonishment, as he uttered one single word. "Pappa!"

Crying, he watched the thundering hoofs of the horses stampeding down the dusty streets of his village. Not far from him he watched as his brothers fought, with swords in hand against the enemies that were invading their village. With one swift swing, the horseman's blade met the chest of his brother Erik and he fell to the street. His other brother, August, also fell to the street as an arrow plunged deep into his back.

The screams echoed in his ears and he clasped his hands over them, trying to drowned out the sound. There were bodies lying all around. A few feet from him lay his mother and sister...Their life's blood flowing from them, and mixing with the dust of the earth. Beyond them, the bodies of his brothers. The entire village was a sea of terror. Full of fire and destruction. Death and fear were all around him. Arrows flew through the air. Fear swept through the small boy. A fewar like he had never known before. The fire and the screams pierced his very soul and seemed to go on forever. Would it ever end?

The dark smoke curled toward the heavens, as it rose from the smoldering ashes of the homes and village. The thundering of the horses no longer sounded and the screams were gone. Now, all that could be heard were the moans and sobbing of the villagers as they roamed what was left of their once beautiful village. Cries of anguish could be heard through the streets, as one by one, survivors found the bodies of their friends and loved ones. Some met their fate by the sword; some by the arrow, others trampled beneath the hoofs of the thundering stallions.

Although the pounding of the horse's hoofs and the screaming of his people had stopped, the small boy could not find it within himself to appear from underneath the porch. The sight of his father's face burned in his mind like fire on a blacksmith's iron. He vowed from that day forward that his hatred for his father, unlike the fires in his village, would burn forever. He would never forgive him for murdering his mother, brothers, and sister.

The horrors of this day had left him weary. He closed his eyes, exhausted from the fear that had so enveloped him and repeating his vow over and over again in his mind. "Never forgive him! Never! Never!"

"Johan, wake up Johan."

Johan slowly opened his eyes to a slight nudge on his shoulder.

"Johan, it's your Uncle. Wake up. Everything's alright now, it's all over."

Johan's eyes opened wide as he quickly threw his arms around him.

"He killed them Uncle, He killed them all." Johan said, sobbing bitterly.

"I hate him. I'll never forgive him! I'll hate him forever!"

"You have nothing to fear Johan." His Uncle said, as he held him close.

"I'm here and I will be here for you, forever. You are my flesh and blood and I shall take care of you, always. From this day forward, you are no longer my brother's son. You are Johan, son of Gustavus Vasa."

*****

Kirsten looked into Johan's face as the tears ran down her cheeks. Her heart ached for Johan and she felt his pain. She knew what he was trying to tell her, that one day, she would reign as Queen of this beautiful land. But, that did not matter to her. For she loved Johan with all her heart, be he prince or pauper. Her arms reached out and embraced him. All she felt now was Johan's pain, for she loved him so that his hurt became her own. If only she could ease the pain and the horror that was within his heart. Her love was strong. She would make it strong enough to heal the wounds within him.

To Be Continued