“Did you ever think you would be a rygr?”
“Never! We are both as good as orphans with no one to find us husbands.”
“We were blessed when we came here,” said Kaarina. “I thank God every day for leading me to find Landwulf.”
“And I am grateful that Halvar came back safely,” Eira said. “I feared that something terrible had happened to him when he took so long to return.”
“But he returned as he promised he would and now we have our wedding to look forward to,” Eira said. She linked her arm through Kaarina’s. “Not only are we cousins, but we are also best friends,” she said happily. “I am so glad that we will be living near each other.”
“Me too,” Kaarina replied. “Has it not worked out well that we can be married on the same day?”
Eira giggled. “Sigrid and Frida think it’s wonderful. Double the joy!”
“Speaking of Frida, there she is now!” Kaarina said as she spotted the dark-haired girl walking down the road ahead of them.
“Frida!” she called.
Frida turned and stopped when she saw them. They caught up to her.
“Frida, I would like to ask you something,” Kaarina said.
“Of course,” Frida replied.
“I know that Eira has asked Sigrid to be her heimbringa at her wedding. Would you like to be mine?”
Frida squealed with delight and hugged her. “Yes! Of course! Oh, this is so exciting!” She linked her arm through Kaarina’s and they twirled around, laughing till they were breathless.
Halvar stood back and looked at the second longhouse that he and the men were building. It would eventually house Canute and his wife and children, but for now, the villagers would share the two longhouses until they had built enough homes for everyone. It would be better than living in Ahren’s barn. He and Eira would move into the smaller storage house that he’d built near the first longhouse. He wanted her all to himself after they got married.
But there was much to do. Some of the men had planted crops as soon as they arrived in the hope that they would be able to harvest before the winter arrived. Others were working on the buildings, trying to provide shelter for people and animals before the cold weather arrived.
Halvar was acutely aware of the strain they were placing on their hosts’ hospitality. The sooner they were self-sufficient, the better. He looked around. Torsten was about to head back to the village for another load of lumber and he needed to send a message to Alfonso. Torsten could find Alfonso and deliver the message when he picked up the lumber.
Torsten ambled along behind the oxen. Nothing could make those beasts hurry, he thought wryly. An oxen driver had to work at their pace. But if they forced him to dawdle, there couldn’t be a better day for it. The sun was warm on his back, butterflies flitted in front of his face, and the smell of warm, damp earth rose to meet his nostrils. For the first time since he’d come to live here, he felt at peace. The awful memories of the village he’d left behind in ruins didn’t seem as vivid on such a beautiful day.
As he neared the village, he wondered where he would find Alfonso. He had a lot of respect for the village leader who had accepted them, welcomed them, and met their needs. He would be forever grateful to these people who had enabled them to rebuild and start again. He decided to ask the first person he saw where he might find Alfonso.
In the middle of the road ahead, he spotted Kaarina and Eira walking towards him, deep in conversation. Maybe they would know where to find Alfonso. He’d known Kaarina since they were both children; she was like a younger sister.
But before he had the chance to call Kaarina’s name, another girl darted out onto the road ahead of them and began walking quickly towards him. He recognized her as Alfonso’s daughter.
“Frida!” Kaarina called.
She stopped walking and waited for Kaarina and Eira to catch up. From a distance, she reminded him of Revna and his heart constricted with grief as he thought of the future he would never have with her. He watched as the girls stopped to chat; they must have had happy news to share because a moment later, Kaarina and Frida were twirling around, arm in arm, laughing and joyful.
Torsten couldn’t take his eyes off Frida. She was so beautiful, innocently unaware that he was watching her, so vibrant and glowing with the joy of living. His breath caught in his throat and he felt like a shy little boy, tongue-tied and bashful. Would such a beautiful creature even notice him?
“Beware, girls!” Eira interrupted their happy dance. “You will be overrun by oxen!”
Torsten jerked his attention to the present. While he’d been dreaming, the oxen had kept plodding along, right up to the joyful pair. He could feel his face flush as their merriment ended abruptly and they scrambled out of the way. What kind of oxen driver would they think he was?
“Torsten!” Kaarina scolded with a grin. “Who else would try to flatten us like a fritiling beneath the hooves of the oxen?”
Torsten felt the heat rising up his neck. “No one but you would be foolish enough to pay no attention!” he retorted.
“Are you calling Frida foolish?” Kaarina asked.
Torsten felt his cheeks go flaming red and he found himself lost for words. “That is an argument that you can have alone,” he finally managed. “Have you seen Alfonso?”
CHAPTER 13
K aarina awoke with a start as she remembered what day it was. Butterflies began to dance through her stomach and the excitement she’d been shoving aside all week finally bubbled over.
“It is my wedding day!” she sang aloud as she climbed out of bed. She wondered what Landwulf was doing right now. Was he as excited and nervous as she was?
She recalled the previous day when he had taken her to see the house he’d built. It was finally ready to move into and she couldn’t wait. She’d thought her heart would explode with love for him as he showed her all the thoughtful little details he’d added just to please her. She still couldn’t believe how fortunate she’d been to find a man who loved her and was willing to build her a beautiful little house. She was already feeling like a queen.
“Landwulf!” Minna teased. “That is the third time you have checked your hair!”
Landwulf shot his mother a sheepish grin.
“I understand,” she said, softening. “It is the biggest day of your life and you are nervous.”
“What if Kaarina changes her mind at the last minute?” he asked.
“She will not!” Minna stated firmly. “You are just feeling fearful. Do not worry about it! Enjoy your big day.”
“I know you would have preferred me to marry a girl from Alahsan, Mother,” Landwulf said seriously. “But I need your assurance that you accept my decision and that you will treat Kaarina the same as you would if I had taken a wife from our people.”
“Your father and I realized that we need to allow you the freedom to make your own choice,” Minna said. “I am sorry that we sent you to Alahsan when you had already chosen Kaarina.”
“It was not a bad thing, Mother. It made me realize what I really wanted and that Kaarina was worth fighting for.”
Minna smiled. “Just remember to fight for her and not with her,” she teased. “You are stubborn like me, Son. And Kaarina is also strong. May there be peace in your home.”
“So are you telling me that we have your blessing?”
“Yes. Kaarina will make you a good wife and in time, I hope she will be a good mother to your children.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Landwulf said, hugging her. Her blessing meant a lot to him.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Minna went to answer it and found a stranger standing there. Behind him stood a cart with a woman seated in it. Perhaps they were travelers.
“May I help you?” she asked courteously.
“I was told I might find Eira lodging here,” the man replied politely. “She is kin.”
“Just a moment. I will find her,” Minna said. “Eira!” she called. “T
here is someone at the door to see you!”
Eira was in the sleeping quarters where Sigrid was helping her to pin up her hair in an elaborate hairstyle as was the custom among her people on their wedding day.
“Coming, Minna!” she replied.
A moment later, the hair partially secured, she went to the door and opened it.
“Father!” she screamed, throwing herself into the arms of the man at the door.
He wrapped her up in a huge bear hug and spun her around. Then she glanced over his shoulder.
“Mother!” she burst into tears and flew into her mother’s arms. “Oh, I am so happy to see you both!” she cried. “How did you know it is my wedding day?”
“Your intended, Halvar, sent word with Arvid the leather seller,” replied Astrid, wiping tears from her own eyes.
Eira had a vague memory of a leather seller visiting the village weeks before. Her heart burst with love for Halvar who had arranged this moment to make her happy.
“It is such a long journey!” she exclaimed. “I thought you had forgotten all about me and would never come to visit!”
“We have missed you, Eira,” her mother said softly. “When we heard that you were to wed, we wanted to be here. We planned to arrive earlier but we had to stop for a repair to the cart.”
“I’m so glad you have made it in time,” Eira said, beaming with delight.
“So are we, Daughter,” Bjarni said. “You will make a beautiful bride.”
“Thank you, Father,” Eira said. “Come into the house. Do not wait outside. You are honored guests!”
Eira led them inside, her heart brimming over with happiness. She couldn’t believe that the one shadow over her big day had been lifted by Halvar’s thoughtfulness. Surely her heart would burst with love.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the pfaffo said. “Landwulf, you may kiss your bride.”
Landwulf tenderly lifted the lína from Kaarina’s face and looked into her eyes. Then he lowered his head and kissed her, his lips firm and warm on hers. She couldn’t believe that they were finally married. She was sure her heart couldn’t hold more happiness.
Beside them stood Eira and Halvar, exhilaration beaming from their faces as they watched Kaarina and Landwulf make the same promises that they had just made.
“You may now congratulate the couples,” the pfaffo told the crowd that had squeezed into the dingstat. The villagers started clapping and cheering as both couples made their way to the door, stopping to receive well wishes and hugs along the way.
Kaarina felt as if her face would soon fall off from smiling so much. “My face hurts from smiling!” she told Landwulf.
“Soon we’ll be able to relax, my love,” Landwulf replied, patting her hand as it rested through his arm. “Soon we shall be able to dance and eat with everyone else. What a fine celebration it will be!”
“I cannot believe we are really married!” Kaarina exclaimed. “Now we can be together always!”
The fiddle struck up a new tune and the psaltery and rebec joined in. Torsten sat on a bench along the barn wall, smiling as he tapped his feet to the rhythms of the fiddle. He’d already enjoyed several of the dances and had decided to sit this one out. He’d eaten well at the wedding feast; the women surely knew how to cook. Some of the dishes were unfamiliar to him but they were all delicious.
His eyes turned to Frida, whirling past with Landwulf, her brother. They were both good dancers and he found himself watching with admiration. She’d been the most beautiful heimbringa he’d ever seen. Her dark hair was long and loose; it flew out in a shining arc as Landwulf whirled her around. Her brown eyes sparkled with delight and she laughed as Landwulf stomped and flapped his arms, overplaying his role in the chicken dance. Torsten couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
“Torsten! Are you dreaming?”
His younger brother Einar stood in front of him, waving a hand in front of his face. Torsten blinked in surprise.
“I saw you watching her,” Einar teased.
“Who?”
“The heimbringa of Kaarina,” Einar replied. “She is beautiful, is she not?”
“She is. But it is because she reminds me of Revna.”
“Revna is gone,” Einar said. “Treasure her memory but live for the living.”
“Wise words, brother.”
“Come on then, go out and dance. You will never speak a word to her if you sit here.”
Torsten rose to his feet and followed his brother into the happy crowd. Soon he was whirling and stomping as enthusiastically as the rest of them. But he was unable to get close to Frida. She always seemed to have someone else waiting to dance with her. Frustrated, he finally withdrew and went outside into the fresh air. Summer was coming to an end and although the evenings were still long, they held a faint hint of the cool breath of winter. He stood near the corner of the barn, looking out over the ocean. He was sure he would never tire of looking at its vast expanse. A moment later, he heard hurried footsteps approaching and turned to see who was coming around the corner of the barn.
“Oh, I beg your pardon,” Frida exclaimed as she scurried around the corner, almost stumbling into him. “I had no idea …”
He caught her by the arm to steady her. “It is fine. But why are you in such a hurry?”
She looked behind her. “I do not wish to dance with Fritjof,” she said. “He is very insistent.”
Torsten felt his anger rising. Fritjof had lost his wife to the attack by Taft and no doubt the man was lonely, but he was far too old for Frida. Besides, Torsten couldn’t bear to think of her marrying someone like him. He wouldn’t treat her well.
“Leave Fritjof to me,” he growled. “He will not bother you again.”
She looked at him with gratitude in her soft brown eyes. “Thank you, Torsten,” she said, giving him a small smile.
He felt on top of the world. Not only had this beautiful woman spoken to him, but there was also something he could do to protect her and help her to feel safe. It felt good.
Kaarina sighed happily as she looked around the barn. The women had done a wonderful job of decorating it with flowers and ribbons for the occasion. It had been the best day of her life. She looked over at Eira, who was sitting on a bench on the wall. She was deep in conversation with her mother. Kaarina had never seen Eira look so happy. Not only had she married the man of her dreams today, but she’d also been reunited with the mother she thought she’d never see again. Kaarina couldn’t believe how their lives had changed since those days when Eira had first come to their village as an outcast with accusations of evil witchcraft hanging over her. She had only survived through the intervention of Halvar and Canute. Kaarina couldn’t imagine life without her now.
“You look weary, my love,” Landwulf said, sliding onto the bench seat beside her.
She laid her head on his shoulder. “I am so full of happiness that it has made me tired,” she said.
“It has been a wonderful day,” Landwulf agreed. “And I am looking forward to going to bed, too.”
Kaarina blushed as she caught his meaning. “Shh!” she scolded. “People will hear you!”
Landwulf looked at the dancers thumping past. “I doubt it,” he said cheerfully. “Besides, you are my wife now. They expect me to whisper bedroom talk into your ears.”
Kaarina blushed again. “I can wait until the bedroom,” she giggled.
“I am not sure I can. Why do we not just sneak away? We can go to our own house for the first time as husband and wife.”
“You know that is not the tradition,” Kaarina said. “We must take the ox cart that the women decorated with flowers and ribbons. And the people must escort us.”
Landwulf groaned. “That will take so long! I want us to be at home now.”
“Why, so we can go to our bedroom?” Kaarina teased.
It was Landwulf’s turn to blush. “Are my thoughts that obvious?” he asked.
Kaarina giggled. “Every husband is anxious
to whisk his wife off to bed as soon as they are married,” she said. “Everyone knows that is what you are thinking.”
“Let us tell them we are ready to go, then. They already know why!”
As the late evening sun sank towards the horizon, the two wedding carts turned in opposite directions. Some of the people went with Halvar and Eira to their new home. The rest walked alongside Kaarina and Landwulf as the oxen began their slow plod through the village. Kaarina leaned her head against Landwulf’s shoulder.
“This has been the happiest day of my life,” she said softly.
“Mine, too,” he said, covering her hand with his. “I am so glad you came to me and that someone else did not find you first.”
“I could not imagine a future with anyone else,” she said.
The End
LOVED IT? DIDN’T LOVE IT?
Did you enjoy the story of Kaarina? Were there things you thought could have been better? Why not leave a review and tell others about your experience? Your feedback helps me to know what my readers like so that I can create something even better in the future.
Kaitlynn xx
PS You can leave a review on Amazon,. Bookbub, or on Goodreads.
GLOSSARY: OLD HIGH GERMAN
Unhoflich
ill-mannered
Gartlih
garden
Widarrðzanti
dreadful
Eindingida
meeting
Alemannia
Germany
Pfaffo
Parson
Gizelt
Tent
Muoter
Mother
Brðtlouft
Wedding
Sambaztag
Saturday
Dwahal
Baptism
Westibarn
Kaarina: Rejected (Viking Guardians Book 2) Page 9
