“Frida!” she cried with a sob, gathering her eldest daughter in her arms and pulling her close. “Where have you been? We have been so worried about you!”
Frida hugged her back. “I am fine, Mother,” she said.
Tears were running down Minna’s cheeks. “I am so sorry,” she sobbed. “Father and I failed you. We should have listened when you tried to tell us about Fritjof. Now he has caused more trouble.” She moved back and pointed to Fritjof, still sitting on the floor with Einar towering over him.
“Here is my bride,” Fritjof said, standing up. He pulled his pants up and started towards Frida. “I have come to claim you as is my right,” he told Frida.
“Not so fast, Fritjof.”
All eyes turned to the doorway. Torsten stood there, tall and powerful. He was a force to be reckoned with but Fritjof wasn’t giving in.
“I am claiming my bride,” he said stubbornly.
“No, you are not,” Torsten said evenly.
“Stay out of my business,” Fritjof snapped.
“You are hardly in a position to issue orders or claim anyone,” Einar reminded him. “You will go before the Thing for what you have done today.”
“I am still owed my bride,” Fritjof said, refusing to be swayed from his purpose.
“She is not yours,” Torsten told him. “The Thing’s ruling was that she has until sunset tonight to find a husband.”
“Well, there is no husband now so there will not be one by then,” Fritjof argued. “It matters not whether I take her at sunrise or sundown. She will still be mine.”
“That is where you are wrong, Fritjof,” Torsten said. “She has found a future husband.”
There was a collective gasp at this turn of events. A look of disbelief came over Fritjof’s face, followed by thunderous anger.
“And where is this supposed husband?” he snarled. “You are trying to deceive me.”
“No, Fritjof, it is the truth,” Frida spoke up.
Minna gasped again. How had Frida found a husband? “Who is this husband?” she asked tentatively.
Frida smiled, a huge, beaming smile that Minna hadn’t seen for a long time. “It is Torsten, Mother. He has claimed me before sundown.”
Fritjof roared with rage and charged at Torsten. At the last moment, Torsten stepped aside and Fritjof went sailing through the front door. He tripped on a rock and fell on his face in the mud beside the road. A shocked silence followed his sudden departure. Then Einar, who could clearly see Fritjof lying in the mud, started to snicker. He tried his best to hold it in but a moment later, he let out a bellow of laughter that shook the walls of the house and threatened to bring down the thatch. It was contagious. Soon they were all howling with laughter and gasping for breath, giddy with relief after the stress of the past months and the shock of the morning’s events. Unnoticed, Fritjof picked himself up out of the mud, slinking silently through the village towards home.
“This is an unexpected ending,” gasped Minna, wiping her eyes. “God bless you, Torsten.”
“What is all this about?” Alfonso entered the room, shock on his face as he took in the chaos along with the return of his eldest daughter. Farvald stood behind him, his mouth open in disbelief.
“You missed all the drama,” Minna told them. “But all is well.”
Einar felt weak with relief when he thought about how he had arrived just in time to save Sigrid from Fritjof. She was still sitting on the floor with her back to the wall, quiet amidst the noise and celebrations. She looked small and vulnerable and he shuddered when he thought of how close she had come to harm. He walked over and knelt in front of her.
“Are you sure you are unharmed?” he asked, concern in his voice.
She nodded. “I am fine,” she said. “Thank you for asking.”
“Would you like to stand?” he offered, arising and holding out his hand to help her up.
She took his hand and he helped her to her feet. She stumbled against him and he caught her around the waist to steady her.
“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him with gratitude.
He had never noticed her eyes before. Flecks of green sparkled through their blue depths, vibrant with life. They were fascinating.
“I think I need some fresh air,” she muttered.
Alarmed, he could see her swaying and caught her arm in case she fell.
“Let me help you outside,” he said and led her towards the door.
Outside, she breathed deeply. “I do not know what came over me,” she said. “I am not prone to illness.”
“You had a nasty shock,” he said. “You look tired.”
It was true. Dark circles ringed her eyes and her face was pale.
She nodded. “I am tired,” she said.
“Is there a reason?”
“Yes. I have been going to see Frida each night.”
He gasped. “Surely not! You have been awake each night?”
“Yes. It was the only way she would be safe.”
“Did your parents know?”
“No. I was the only one.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “So you waited until everyone was asleep at night and then you went to see Frida?”
She nodded. “I saved food from our meals to take to her.”
“And your parents did not suspect anything?”
“No. Not that I know of. Once Mother wondered what had happened to the stew we’d had left from the meal the night before but I made a comment that maybe one of the boys ate it and she accepted that.”
Einar couldn’t believe how tough and resourceful she was. “You are amazing,” he said softly.
Startled, she looked at him. “I only did what anyone else would do,” she said.
“Not everyone would be able to succeed at it the way you did,” he said.
“I must have failed,” she said drily. “Torsten found Frida.”
Einar chuckled. “Torsten is clever and resourceful,” he said. “I awoke this morning and found him absent from our house. I thought he had gone to work on Gerfrid’s house but now I suspect that he was finding Frida.”
“I wonder how he found her,” Sigrid mused. “I must ask him.”
“I am glad he did,” Einar said soberly. “It would be torture for her to live with Fritjof.”
“She was planning to kill herself if it came to that,” Sigrid said quietly.
Einar whistled. “It was a matter of life and death for her,” he said.
“Yes. She would rather be dead than endure life with Fritjof.”
“You know, I do not blame her,” Einar replied. “She is not accustomed to living like a slave.”
“We value freedom,” Sigrid said.
Einar didn’t doubt that for a moment. He thought of Sigrid as he’d seen her in the past, fiercely independent, ferocious in her defense of the people and things that mattered to her. Blonde hair whipping around her shoulders, eyes snapping green and blue fire, she was a force to be reckoned with. Torsten had said as much.
“Do you remember when Torsten came to see you?” he asked.
She nodded. “He was trying to find out where Frida was,” she said.
“He had his plan worked out already. He wanted you to help him with rescuing Frida from Fritjof. But he said you turned him away.”
She grimaced. “I could trust no one,” she said. “All I could see was another man who could be dangerous to Frida’s freedom and wellbeing.”
Einar nodded. “I can see how it would appear that way,” he replied. “But Torsten really did want to help. It seems that he found a way to solve the problem without you.”
“I am glad,” Sigrid said. “It appears that Frida is happy about it.”
Einar grinned. “My brother will treat her well,” he said. “Even though we are brothers and do not always agree, I can say with certainty that he is a good man.”
“My sister will make him a good wife as long as he is kind and patient with her,” Sigrid replied. “She nee
ds someone who will be good to her. She is timid and gentle.”
“Torsten is kind,” Einar replied. He thought about how different the sisters were, in looks and personality.
Sigrid seemed to know what he was thinking. “We are different,” she said. “Frida is not like me.”
“I can see that,” Einar said with a grin. “You are little but fierce.”
She curled her fingers into claws and bared her teeth. “Do not forget it,” she said, then giggled.
Einar thought it was the loveliest sound he’d heard all day.
Later, as he walked home behind the oxen, he thought about the day’s events and the conversation with Sigrid. His heart had constricted with anxiety when he’d seen her sitting on the floor after Fritjof’s attack. She’d looked so little and defenseless, her beautiful blue-green eyes large in her pale face. He found himself wanting to protect and defend her, despite her assertions that she could look after herself. It was a thought that refused to go away.
CHAPTER 14
Alfonso looked up as Minna entered the barn. Ever since Frida had returned, he’d had a new appreciation of his family. He smiled at his wife.
“What brings you here to my barn?” he asked.
“Gerfrid has returned,” she said happily. “He brings good tidings. Wina has agreed to marry him and move into the house he is building.”
Alfonso was pleased. “She will make him a good wife,” he said.
“He says they will marry when he has finished the house.”
“Perhaps there will be two weddings in our family,” Alfonso said. “Frida and Torsten will marry soon, too.”
“Frida tells me that because there is no time limit set by the Thing, Torsten wishes to take his time and court her according to the customs of our people.”
“Torsten is a fine young man,” Alfonso said. “We are so blessed that he stepped in to save her from Fritjof.”
Minna shuddered. “It still wakes me in the night sometimes with fear,” she admitted. “We came so close to losing our daughter to a terrible situation.”
“I will always be sorry that we did not listen to her,” said Alfonso. “I was a fool.”
“You are not the only one,” Minna said softly. “I can see now that I was impatient with her and too proud to admit that I might be wrong. I have learned my lesson.”
“Do not be hard on yourself, Wife. We all have lessons to learn and faults to overcome. The important thing is that God had His hand over Frida and returned her to us unharmed.”
“What of Fritjof?” Minna asked. “Have you heard if he has been before the Thing?”
“Yes. I intended to tell you. The Thing council was stern with him and told him that he behaved against the laws of the land. Because of that, the agreement he made with me no longer stands. I do not have to pay him in cows or grain. And they have warned him to stay away from our family lest he becomes an outlaw.”
Minna beamed. “The Thing is useful after all!” she exclaimed. “That is good news.”
Alfonso nodded. “Our family is safe again,” he said.
“It is growing even as it shrinks,” Minna said cryptically.
“What do you mean, Wife? Speak plainly!”
“Our children are getting married and leaving our home,” she said. “That is a good thing. We are gaining new sons and daughters.”
“So far, our children have chosen well,” he replied. “I guess it was inevitable that they might marry into the families of this land rather than our own people. But we have raised them to choose wisely.”
“I think Torsten will be good for Frida. Have you seen how happy she is since they have begun courting?”
“It makes my heart glad,” Alfonso said. “Do you remember what a sweet little girl she was? She is still sweet. She needs someone who will be kind and gentle with her.”
Minna came close and stood on tiptoes so her mouth was near Alfonso’s ear. “I have a secret,” she whispered.
“What is it?” he whispered back.
“Kaarina and Landwulf were here just a short time ago. They had some exciting news.”
“Well, do tell.”
“They are expecting a baby! We shall be grandparents!”
Alfonso’s face split apart in the biggest grin Minna had ever seen. He opened his mouth to whoop for joy but Minna hastily put her finger to his lips.
“Shhh!” she whispered. “Kaarina wishes to tell Eira and the girls herself. We must keep this secret until she has told them.”
Alfonso clamped his mouth shut but he couldn’t hide his delight. “Grandparents!” he exclaimed in a whisper. “I never thought we would be grandparents!”
Einar heard voices approaching along the road that led to Leið Lykð. He looked up from the plow he was mending outside his barn and squinted towards the road. Sure enough, three figures approached around the bend. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized Sigrid. She and Frida were walking either side of Kaarina, their arms linked. Kaarina said something and all three of them broke into peals of laughter. His eyes were fixed on Sigrid. Her long, blonde hair swayed as she walked and her face was alight with life and laughter. He had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.
“Greetings, Einar!” Kaarina called out as they approached.
“Greetings, ladies,” he said courteously in reply. “Have you come to see Torsten?”
Frida blushed. “Not exactly. But if he is here, I will speak to him.”
The other girls laughed. “You may see Torsten. But you will have to wait until after we’ve seen Eira,” Kaarina said. “Can you wait that long?”
Frida pulled a face at her for her teasing. “I can even leave without seeing him at all,” she declared loftily.
“But you do not wish to,” said a voice behind them.
Kaarina gave a little shriek and Frida jumped with fright.
“Torsten!” Frida exclaimed. “You startled us!”
He grinned. “I need to know, why would you wish to leave without seeing me?”
“I do not. I just said that I can. Kaarina teased me about being unable to wait to see you.”
“Is it not true?” he asked, a sly grin on his face.
Frida blushed and dropped her gaze.
“It is true!” Kaarina exclaimed triumphantly. “She is so in love that she cannot wait to see him!”
“She is permitted to love her betrothed,” Torsten said. “Leave her alone, Kaarina!”
Eira came towards them. “I was outside and I heard your voices,” she said. “What is the special occasion? You do not often all come to see me together.”
Kaarina took a deep breath. “I have news,” she said. “I wanted to tell all of you at the same time.”
“Well?” demanded Sigrid.
“We are expecting a baby!” Kaarina exclaimed, unable to hold it in any longer.
Torsten and Einar let out a whoop of excitement while the girls squealed and rushed to hug her.
“That’s wonderful news!” exclaimed Sigrid. She reached out to the young men. “Come for a group hug!” she exclaimed. “This is something to celebrate!”
Einar suddenly found himself with his arms around Sigrid on one side and Torsten on the other as they all gathered around Kaarina. He was acutely aware of Sigrid beside him; she was so small and dainty. Once again, a desire to care for her and protect her arose in his heart. He quickly shoved the thought aside lest he should do something foolish. Such as kissing her in the exuberance of the moment. He felt heat flaming across his face at the idea. She would never be interested in someone like him.
“This is such wonderful news,” Frida exclaimed as the group hug broke up and they moved away from one another. “I will be an aunty!”
“And once we are wed, I will be an uncle!” Torsten exclaimed and everyone laughed.
“Where is Landwulf?” Einar asked. “Why is he not here sharing this news with us?”
“He went to Halvar’s farm today,” Kaarina replied. “No doub
t he is telling Halvar all about it as we speak!”
“You are very fortunate,” Torsten said. “Think about what happened to bring us to this place. We never thought it would turn out the way it has.”
Kaarina was suddenly sober. “I was not even certain I would be alive by now,” she said. “My father beat me so severely that I thought I might die or be permanently injured.”
“God has blessed all of us,” said Frida. “I could not have imagined being happy now, either. I thought I would be forced to marry Fritjof or remain in hiding for the rest of my life.”
Sigrid shuddered. “I hope that man gets what is coming to him,” she said. “Where is he, by the way?” She looked around, worried that he might suddenly appear.
“Do not be concerned,” Einar assured her. “He is working on his farm today. We do not see much of him. He keeps to himself.”
“I no longer fear him,” Frida said, looking up at Torsten. “I know that he cannot harm me.”
Torsten smiled at her. “He will have to argue with me first,” he said.
As Frida looked around the group, she thought back to the time they had first arrived, homeless and hungry. She had asked how they would feed an entire village during those first few weeks when the refugees from Myrkvior Fjall had nowhere else to go.
“We must care for them,” Alfonso had said. “They are people in need, as we once were. God has blessed us since we came to this land. There will be enough for us to share.”
Now, far from taking everything and leaving them impoverished, these people had become her dearest friends. She couldn’t imagine life without them.
Torsten seemed to know what she was thinking. “The loss of our village was a catastrophe,” he said. “But something good has come from it. We have found each other.”
“May the future be kind to all of us,” Einar said.
Frida slipped her hand into Torsten’s. “I cannot wait for the future to unfold,” she said. She looked up at him. “We will face the future together.”
He smiled down at her and squeezed her hand. “I would not have it any other way,” he said.
The End
Frida: Claimed (Viking Guardians Book 3) Page 9
