by Fiona Faris
“I am goin’ to hold onto that idea.”
“Ye ken it may nae happen, Gavin. Aye?” She held his gaze for a moment. He did not answer but merely lowered his gaze back to the rockpool. “Why tell me this, Gavin? Ye are nae tellin’ me to ask for me blessin’, so what is it?”
Gavin rearranged in his seat, uncrossing his legs and looking down at the rockpool again. The lonely crab had been joined by another. Together they were skipping along the surface of the pearl-like water.
“I wish ye to help me persuade our faither to release her.”
Chapter Eighteen
“I am still nae sure about this,” Kenna whispered uncomfortably, with folded arms and a rigid spine. Gavin could see her resistance to the idea but could think of nothing else to help his cause. It had to be done. He was dragging Kenna down to the river where Idunn was collecting leeches. Kenna had objected nearly every step out of the way, not in protest, but in fear.
“All I ask is ye speak to her. Make yer own opinion,” Gavin pleaded as they neared the riverbank. Kenna’s want to define Idunn as a slave was not helping his temper. The only way to change her mind was to persuade Kenna to see the real Idunn.
As they neared the water's edge and came to a stop under the yew try by the leech bucket, he found Idunn walking easily through the water. She was full of energy today. Her cheeks were pink, and she bounded with health - jumping up and down in the marsh to stir up the leeches beneath her. Her blonde braid was tied higher to keep her hair out of the water. He had still not seen her without the braid. He imagined briefly what it would be like to undo those knots and runs his hands through the long, fair locks.
Kenna seemed aware of his mind wandering as they stood in silence on the riverbank. She elbowed him sharply in the rib and gestured to Idunn with a flick of her head. He nodded, rubbing the new sore spot in his chest.
“Idunn?” His voice made her head snap around with a smile. When her blue-green eyes landed on Kenna, the smile wavered. “I ken ye have met me sister, but I wanted to introduce the two of ye properly.”
“Good mornin’,” Kenna was polite but not warm. Idunn offered a nod in reply as she returned to her duties, vigorously kicking up the dirt beneath her and wincing as the leeches latched onto her skin. “I hear from the steward that ye have been doin’ good work,” Kenna continued, earning a surprised look from Idunn.
“I try hard,” she confirmed, though she kept her gaze on the marshes.
“Hmm.” Kenna’s fidgeting was not bringing him comfort. Gavin looked between the two women, wishing Idunn would be a little more welcoming.
“Idunn.” His warning tone only brought raised eyebrows from her. “Could ye nae be a little more…”
“A little what?” she smirked, watching him as she moved towards the riverbank. Her eyes flicked down to Kenna. “Your brother disapproves of my manner. He once described me as ‘acerbic.’”
“I see ye remember me word exactly.” Gavin wanted to bring her out of the water, but he knew he could not when Kenna was watching. Idunn still had to perform her duties. “All I am sayin’ is ye could be a little more amiable to me sister.”
Idunn’s smile grew wider, and she bobbed a jesting curtsy within the depths of the water.
“Good day to you, my Lady.”
To Gavin’s surprise, Kenna responded with a laugh.
“Nay Gavin, it is good to see the real Vikin’,” Kenna smiled, flicking her gaze between him and Idunn. “So, me brother thinks ye are acerbic, tell me what ye think of me brother?” Kenna smirked as she looked between the two of them. Idunn paused in kicking the dirt and looked at Gavin. He felt penetrated by her blue-green eyes for a moment, as though she could see inside him.
“I think he can be a little righteous.” To Idunn’s teasing, Kenna laughed again.
“She certainly has figured ye out.” Kenna turned away from the riverbank and whispered so only Gavin could hear. “As ye wish, I will help ye in askin’ faither to release her.”
“Ye will?”
“Aye,” she smiled as she gestured with her hand back towards Idunn in the water, “She is a woman who can hold her own with ye. It is a rare thin’ to see. And ye are right in another way.” Her gaze turned back to Idunn. “She doesnae belong catchin’ leeches.”
“Nay, she doesnae,” Gavin smiled, admiring Idunn as she continued to kick up the dirt with vigor, determined to do the foul job as best as she could.
Idunn stretched her head to look up at the sky again. She was leaning on the wall of the roof of one of the towers. Gavin was with her, his head resting in her lap as she played with his dark auburn hair, twisting the locks around in her fingers. He had already napped once, his eyes drifting closed as she brushed his hair. His eyes were flickering shut again, his breathing growing even.
“Are you going to sleep again?”
“Nay.” His eyes shot open as he turned to her, betraying a smirk. “Maybe a little.”
“You are a poor liar,” she laughed, as he wiped the sleep dust from his eyes, “You are tired. You should go to your chamber for some sleep.”
“Let us just stay here a little longer. Nay one can find us here.” He turned his gaze back to the night sky. “Tell me more about them.”
“You will not go to sleep?”
“I give ye me word to try and stay awake,” he chuckled, as she pulled on his hair in reprimand, “Come on, tell me about the stars.” They had escaped their sleeping chambers long after everyone else had fallen asleep and climbed the tower away from possible prying eyes. Here they had talked of the Norse tales of the stars as Idunn pointed out all of the constellations. It was a rare clear night, and each star was visible, a bright white sparkle against the black.
“Well, I could tell you of the story about a woman who shares my name.” Idunn turned her eyes up to the sky, resting her head back against the stone wall. Her gaze danced across the different constellations, remembering how she had sat with her mother outside their house when she was just a child looking up at the same stars. She had told Idunn all the tales and how each star ended up in the night sky.
“Yer name? I am intrigued.”
“In Asgard, Idunn is the keeper of the apples of youth. Until one day, Tjaste kidnapped her.” Her mother had told her the story so often as they shared a name. “Tjaste had the help of Loki. Regretting what he had done, Loki rescued Idunn from Tjaste, but Tjaste was killed in the battle.”
“Sounds like justice was done to me.”
“Was it?” Idunn looked down at Gavin, who was watching her closely, his green eyes almost silver in the moonlight. “Well, upon Tjaste’s death, his daughter demanded compensation for the loss of her father. Odin first presented her with a husband, and then took Tjaste’s eyes, scattering them in the sky as stars as a warning for others against greed.”
She felt Gavin stir from her lap and sit up, to the point they were looking eye to eye.
“Ye come alive when ye speak of yer home. Ye ken that?” He smiled as he lifted his hand to her face and cupped her cheek. She looked down at him, aware of the longing growing inside her. She missed her home; it was still very much there, but different somehow.
“Would you like to know something strange?”
“How can I resist?”
“I do not miss it as much as I used to.” She raised her eyes again and shrugged. “Home. Is that a bad thing, do you think?” A part of her felt as though she were betraying her kin by making the confession. Saying it out loud made it all the more real.
“It is nae a bad thing, bandia.” He smiled and brought her to him, placing the softest of kisses on her forehead, making her lean into him for comfort. “It is just ye have a new life now.”
She pressed herself into him, feeling relief as his arms came up to embrace her. She had debated so many times in the passing weeks when she would make another escape attempt. Yet, each time she had considered the idea, she had pushed it away again. If she escaped, it would mean never being able to
see Gavin again.
It was not a choice she wanted to make.
As he dropped a kiss to her lips, drawing her into their intense passion once more, she considered how much had changed. She no longer thought of him as just the handsome Highlander. There was more to him than that. She had become entangled with him, not only in body, but as though her mind was bound to his.
As they kissed, he drew her forward until she was sat in his lap, straddling him and pressing herself against him.
“We should get some sleep,” she whispered, parting from his kiss momentarily.
“A few more minutes,” he pleaded, tightening his hands.
“A few more then.” As she relented, he quietened her with another kiss. They spent many minutes kissing, with her hands weaving into his hair and his hands clutching at her waist.
“So, tell me, bandia.” He pulled briefly back from their intimacy. “What do ye think of the Idunn in yer story of the stars?”
“I think…” She considered the idea, dropping her hands around the back of his neck and marveling at the feel of his fingers as he lowered his hold to her hips. She wanted to know what it would feel like if he dropped his hands lower. “I think she should have been able to escape without the help of Loki.”
“Ha!” Gavin laughed quietly, shaking his head in bemusement, “Perhaps it was impossible without help?”
“Or perhaps she needed a little more training as a warrior,” Idunn shrugged, masking the truth in what she said. She truly believed that any woman should be able to defend themselves, just as she could.
“Ah, so if ye were in her position, ye think ye would have been able to escape.”
“Undoubtedly,” she mocked herself, and raised her chin higher, “Have you not seen the warrior I am? I remember that I matched you in battle very well.”
“I have seen the warrior ye are. I ken ye are a great one indeed. Fierce, skillful, and formidable. A sight to behold, I will admit, but there is something ye are forgettin’.”
“I think not.”
“Oh, ye are. I remember the last time we sparred ye lost yer sword, and ye ended up beneath me on the floor.” His words caused a heated blush to claim her cheeks. “So I won our last match.”
“That is an unfair description. You were distracting me.”
“Pray tell, how was I distractin’ ye?” His hands tightened on her hips, knowingly pulling her towards him again. She gasped at the sensation, their lips merely inches apart.
“You know well how you were distracting me.” She lowered her hands to his chest and pushed him away a little, rearing back slightly to allow herself to stare into his eyes. “You were making me think of things other than battle and sword skills.”
“What was I makin’ ye think of?” he asked with mock innocence, his hands wandering lower still. She smiled, unable to stop herself from enjoying the sensation.
“Mostly this.” She gave in to her desires and kissed him again, holding tightly as his hands grasped her. He was the first to pull away, his smile so great it made her chuckle.
“Well, next time we spar, we’ll have to make sure neither of us are distracted.”
“Nei, I think not.” She smiled, making a pretense of moving away from him.
“Why nae? Where are ye goin’?”
“Well, I have now realized that I have a power over ye,” she smiled with innocence as she tried to disentangle herself from him, “It could prove useful when sparring with you.”
“How do ye mean?”
“Well, if I was to do this mid-sparring, then tell me…” She abandoned her effort to move from him and pushed herself more into his lap, planting a passionate kiss on his lips. She parted his mouth and claimed his tongue with hers. They danced together, exploring with soft touches to each other’s arms. She pulled back again with a smirk. “Tell me, Gavin, would that distract you from sparring?”
“Perhaps a little.” he laughed, “Fortunately, I have that power too.” He held tightly to her waist and swung her around until she was lying on the floor, and he could move over her, kissing her again.
“Faither, Kenna and I wish to have a private audience with ye,” Gavin asked, as he looked around the Great Hall in trepidation. He had never known such nerves when talking with his father, perhaps because he knew the true magnitude of what he wished to ask and how foul the response could be if he put a step wrong in the discussion. Every word had to be spoken with extreme care when discussing such a subject as the Vikings.
In front of him, Fergus sat in his Laird’s chair, clad in leather and brocade. He was attending to some paperwork the steward had brought to him. Beside Gavin, Kenna stood, fidgeting uncomfortably. She had argued against having the conversation so soon, but Gavin had won that particular disagreement in the end. His night with Idunn atop the tower had made the matter all the more pressing. He did not want to continue kissing in secret.
“Private, laddie?” Fergus repeated with a smile, “Must be a serious matter then. As ye wish. Leave us be.” He gestured to the steward and the servants that stood behind him. Gavin waited until they had all left and the doors closed before turning back to his father, preparing to begin.
Fergus was watching him with confusion, his white hair somewhat bedraggled by age. Kenna slyly kicked the side of Gavin’s foot, urging him into action. She clearly did not want to be the first to speak on the matter.
“Faither,” Gavin cleared his voice as he began, wary that the conversation could end in complete disaster, “Ye remember the Vikin’ warrior woman we captured?”
“The slave, aye.” Fergus rearranged his position. “The one that was to marry the Vikin’s leader? Ye spoke of her a few days ago over dinner.”
“Aye,” Gavin nodded, looking between Kenna and his father. She was biting her lip. Fergus seemed alert to both of their nerves with his own eyes narrowed. “Kenna and I believe that she should be freed from her duties as a slave.”
“I beg yer pardon?” Fergus leaned forward, turning his head to the side as though questioning his ability to hear correctly. His eyes darted between his two children.
“Faither.” Kenna stepped forward, moving to the side of Fergus in his chair. “Gavin and I have observed the woman at work. We have been watching her closely to monitor her progress and her manner. At first, it was natural to think she would rebel against her servitude, but on the contrary, she has accepted it. She has accepted this life. The girl works hard for us. The steward himself has praised her duties.”
“Aye, I have heard him do so. Ye words concern me, Kenna. What ye have said merely means that she is a good slave who has accepted her lot in life. It doesnae mean she can be trusted. Why should she be free?”
“We think she would serve us better nae as a slave.” Kenna shot a nervous glance to Gavin before launching into the reasons they had discussed beforehand. They had spent many hours preparing what to say. They had agreed not to mention Gavin’s wish to court the woman just yet, both knowing if their father were to be persuaded, then it would be with logic and reasoned arguments. “She has great knowledge of the Vikin’ tactics. If she were nay longer a slave, ye could make use of her with yer soldiers.”
“Ye want a Vikin’ warrior to fight for us?” Fergus’s brow creased, the line of wrinkles growing even deeper.
“Aye, but she could also teach our men of their tactics,” Gavin agreed as he stepped forward, “Her knowledge is invaluable. Her time here has shown she has accepted her lot in life. She has made nay attempt to escape and works hard for us.”
“I see,” Fergus nodded, still frowning, “Ye think she could be persuaded to fight for us?”
“I do. She was a woman of status before and a warrior. It is the life she kens,” Gavin nodded. The door behind them opened, and he looked to the side of the room to see Tadhg enter.
“Faither, she could be given other responsibilities,” Kenna pushed on as Tadhg walked towards them, “As she was a woman of some standin’ before, she will have knowled
ge of politics, knowledge of the Vikin’ world, and how they trade. Perhaps the warring with her kin could be over if she could forge an alliance for us. If we are to free her from her service, she could do much to aid us.”
“What is this?” Tadhg reached Gavin’s side and folded his arms.
“Yer brother and sister are makin’ a case for the Vikin’ slave to be freed,” Fergus said, his voice uncertain, though not dead set against the idea. Gavin could hear it – he had discussed plenty in his time with his father and could tell when he was hesitating on a subject.
“Freed?” Tadhg repeated, his manner clearly incredulous. He shifted on his feet. “Why should she be free?”
