“That’s a pretty big smile for a girl leaving the room of an injured man,” Solaug chuckled.
Agnethe rolled her eyes, then giggled under her breath while she started to clean up from tending to Klaus.
“Solaug, would you please allow Agnethe and I some time alone?” the hooded woman asked.
Solaug stared at her cousin before she moved. Agnethe nodded. “I won’t go far,” she said and hustled through the front door.
Staring after her, the warm pot of stewed herbs in her hand, Agnethe stood stiff.
“Come, let’s sit and talk, Agnethe.”
“I don’t even know who you are.”
“Yes, I’m sure that is a bit unsettling.” The woman walked to a bench along the outside wall and sat down. Agnethe set the pot down, but remained where she stood.
“Should I check to make sure Klaus is asleep before we talk?”
“He is. We can speak freely.”
Agnethe knitted her brow and moved her eyes to look behind her toward the room where Klaus lay. “How do you know that? Who are you?”
“Please, sit and I will explain everything.”
Agnethe hesitated, then walked slowly toward her and sat on the edge of the bench. Why should I trust her? Please Freya, let her have answers for me.
“First, let me assure you that you are safe, I mean you no harm. Quite the opposite actually.” Reaching over, she stroked Agnethe’s arm.
Agnethe stopped wringing her fingers in her lap and she felt her shoulders fall away from her ears.
“I am curious and have a question for you first. When I stepped inside, your cousin assured you she hadn’t sought me out, why would you think she had?”
“I . . . I had some trouble earlier, and she thought a volva might be able to help.” Agnethe pulled her hands into her lap and began fidgeting with them again.
“Trouble? What do you mean?”
Agnethe took in a deep breath and met the woman’s eyes. “I have feelings that overwhelm me sometimes. This last one was especially powerful and I couldn’t hide it as I usually do.”
“What did you feel today?”
“It was sadness. Like when my mother died.”
“Where were you when it happened?”
“Outside. It washed over me, making me sick to my stomach and almost drove me to my knees. Solaug braced me up or I would not have made it into the house.”
“How did you learn your knowledge of herbs and healing?”
What? “My mother. Why are you asking me these things?”
“Interesting.” The woman stared over Agnethe’s shoulder into the air. “It is close.”
A chill brushed the back of Agnethe’s neck. Maybe this isn’t a good idea. “I think I should go check on Klaus,” she said and started to get up.
The woman snapped her eyes back to Agnethe and grabbed her hand causing her to stay seated.
“What I am going to tell you needs to stay between us. You mustn’t share it with anyone else. Can you agree to that?”
“Yes,” Agnethe whispered, unable to push out a full sound.
“You share heritage with a line of women whose fate has been woven by the Norns for a great purpose. Your mother knew this, but she was unable to share it with you before she passed. That is why I have come —
The front doors crashed open, hitting the wall and several men charged into the room making Agnethe screech and jump to her feet. The woman stood as well and pulled her cloak over her head.
“Where is Klaus?” The man in front asked. Agnethe recognized him as the man who’d told her that her father was dead.
“He is resting in the back, what do you want with him?” Agnethe asked, surprised at the strength in her voice when every part of her was shaking. When the man started to stride forward, she hurried to stand in his way. “Tell me what you need him for or leave my home.”
The corner of the man’s lips curled into a grin that looked intimidatingly like a snarl, but Agnethe stood her ground.
“I’m gathering my men to ready our ships. There will not be a wapentake, the decision to fight has been made,” the man stepped closer to Agnethe, “is that sufficient information to wake him from his nap?”
Agnethe swallowed and forced herself to stand taller. “He was injured and I’ve given him some herbs to make him sleep. I will give him the information when he wakes.”
“Injured how?”
“There was a fight. He was defending my cousin and I.” Several of the men snickered, but Agnethe kept her eyes focused on the man in front of her. “I will make sure he gets your information.”
“We will be leaving as soon as the ships are supplied and loaded. I will expect him to be aboard as well.”
Agnethe nodded, a heavy ball forming in her middle. The man spun and hurried through the door with the others. The hooded woman was gone as well, leaving her alone in the room, and no closer to knowing who she was.
15
Wedding
“I’m sorry that I am the only one that can help you,” Solaug said the next afternoon, as she placed flowers into Agnethe’s hair.
“Don't be sorry. Without you, I’d have no one.” Agnethe placed her hand on Solaug’s arm from where she sat on a bench. “Truly, I am grateful to you, Solaug.” I wish you were here too, Mother.
Solaug smiled and wrapped her arms around Agnethe’s shoulders. When she stood her eyes glistened with unshed tears that she blinked away before returning to work on Agnethe’s bridal-crown, adding several flowers to the sides of the ornate silver circlet that sat around Agnethe’s head over her outspread hair. The crown was her mother’s, found in her trunk, and had an intricate pattern of leaves and vines with jewel stones set in peaks around the circle. Long braided cords of crimson and navy hung down and flowed in with Agnethe’s hair. Stepping back Solaug surveyed her work and then added several smaller flowers throughout the gentle waves in a random pattern before deciding she was finished.
“You look beautiful!”
“Thank you,” Agnethe looked down into her lap.
Solaug knelt in front of Agnethe and took hold of her hands, “You’re mother would be proud and your father would approve, I know it.”
Looking up at the love and sincerity in her cousin’s eyes, Agnethe couldn’t help but let tears trickle down her cheeks.
“Now, let’s not have any more of that. We can’t have you walking up to Klaus with red-rimmed eyes, he’ll think you have doubts.” She winked and stood up bringing Agnethe to her feet with her. “Let’s get you dressed.”
Draped in one of her mother’s finer dresses, Agnethe looked around her home one last time before they headed outside. It was her family home, but she’d be returning to claim it as her own. As a wife. Shivers ran down her spine and left gooseflesh on her arms, but she smiled. Biting her lip, she tried to keep a giggle from escaping without success.
Solaug slipped her hand through Agnethe’s arm and wagged her eyebrows. “Let’s get you married.” They walked through the door and headed toward the outskirts of town where they would meet Klaus and the priestess in an open field of wildflowers.
At the edge of town, the girls walked up a grassy knoll as amber streaks colored the evening skies. At the crest of the hill they could see Klaus, three unknown men, and the priestess in her ceremonial robes. Agnethe watched as Klaus turned her direction and stood still like a majestic elk, without a hint of pain from his injuries. He wore a deep green tunic with a sword hanging from his waist and even from the distance she could tell he’d trimmed his beard tight along his strong jaw. Butterflies took flight in her stomach and she pushed forward on shaky legs.
Agnethe locked eyes with Klaus as he took her hand and smiled. All other thoughts and sounds faded from existence except the love she felt for the man in front of her. Far away words reached her ears, but her focus never strayed. A sash wrapped their hands together, she nodded when she heard her name and even managed to mumble through some words she was told to say. Then sh
e was pulled into an embrace and kissed. Every muscle melted, and she had to hold tight to Klaus or risk sliding to the ground. When they finally parted, a silent tear fell from each eye and she couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up from her feet.
“I love the sound of your laugh,” Klaus said, leaning down to kiss her again. He jolted forward, causing Agnethe to pull back and snap her eyes open wide.
“Let’s go feast so the rest of us have something to do while you ignore us with your new wife!” The man belly laughed so loud Agnethe cringed.
Klaus winked at Agnethe. “Garran takes some time to get used to, but he’s not so bad after you get to know him. Although, we shouldn’t push him, he does get less predictable when he’s hungry.” Klaus smiled and tucked Agnethe’s hand into the crook of his elbow and started to walk toward town, but turned toward the priestess. “Thank you. You are welcome to join us as well if you’d like.”
“You are very kind, however, I must decline. I have matters elsewhere that I must attend.”
“If you change your mind, you are welcome in our home.”
Our home. Agnethe couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face as she looked up at her husband. My husband. I don’t think I could be any happier.
It was fully dark by the time the small wedding party entered the home that Klaus and Agnethe would now share. Solaug had helped Agnethe spread out furs and prepare for the feast the night before. Now she hurried about stoking the fire, setting out bread and cheese and pouring mead. Agnethe tried to help her, but Solaug wouldn’t allow it.
It wasn’t long before everyone was eating, and drinking so she could join them any how. Reveling until the early hours of the morning, the men found places to sleep amongst the furs in the long room. Solaug, Agnethe and Klaus walked to the back bedrooms.
Agnethe felt her cheeks burning and her heart hammering against her ribs as Klaus held her hand and stopped at the doorway to the main bedroom. Solaug gave her a quick hug and ducked into the bedroom that used to be hers. She swallowed and tried to calm her breathing.
“Shall we change rooms?” Klaus asked her in a whisper, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch of his fingers created a sizzling sensation throughout her body and hindered her thoughts.
“No,” she squeaked, her voice too thick in her throat. “We prepared this room already.” Peeking at Klaus’ face she smiled and lowered her eyes.
“Agnethe, look at me.”
She bit her lip and let her eyes rise to meet his. Klaus took both her hands into his. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop the trembles that started in her knees and ended in her fingers.
“Do you trust me?”
She nodded.
Leaning down, his lips met hers in a soft kiss, and then he backed them both through the door curtain into their bed chamber.
The main room was empty save for Solaug when Klaus and Agnethe entered the next morning. The men had spared time away from preparing the boats for only the one night. They would be leaving within the next couple days to meet up with others heading south into Mercia.
“You two look refreshed,” Solaug said with a giggle.
Agnethe frowned at her cousin. Of course she had to tease. “Can you help me pack some food for our trip?”
Hands covered in flour and dough from kneading bread, Solaug stood tall. “You are still going away?”
“Yes.” Klaus rubbed his hand along Agnethe’s arm. “I will catch up to my men,” he said in a lower voice.
“Oh. I’ll finish this and help.”
“Thank you,” Agnethe said in a small voice. “I’ll go pack some of my things.” To avoid further embarrassment, Agnethe hurried from the room before her tears fell.
Several minutes later, Klaus slipped into the room and pulled her into an embrace. “I’m sorry I have to leave so soon.”
“Your injuries aren’t even healed.”
“Well enough. Besides, there are still a few more days to receive your loving care.” Sniffing deeply the lingering lavender scent of her hair he nipped at her neck, earning a giggle. “That’s better than tears.”
Plopping down onto the bed, Agnethe disrupted Caesar who yawned and crawled into her lap. Klaus sat beside her, sinking into the soft mattress, and pulled her close. “I will be back. I promise.” Surrounded by his spicy scent, her heart slowed into a peaceful rhythm. “Always?” She tilted her head, remembering how he’d asked her the same a couple days before.
“Always.”
“How long will it take you to get to the cabin?” Solaug asked, while securing Agnethe’s pack.
“We’re getting a later start, but should still make it before dark,” Klaus answered.
Agnethe pulled Solaug into a tight hug. “Try to get along with Caesar.”
Solaug huffed, “I can’t make any promises.”
Hands entwined, Klaus and Agnethe strolled down the bustling street, swinging their arms as Solaug waved from the door.
16
At The Cabin
The cabin came into view on a rise between a scattering of trees, within sight of the River Trent. The thatched roof and dark planked walls blended in to the greenery of the surrounding shrubs. Tall grasses covered the path leading up to it and made it clear the structure had been empty for some time. When they opened the door a musty odor greeted them causing Agnethe to wrinkle her nose.
Klaus laughed, “Not what you were hoping for, I see.”
“I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve never left Saxebi before.”
“Never?”
She shrugged and shook her head while peering into the dark interior.
“Hmm. Let’s try to clean this up a bit and then when we are snuggled next to a warm fire, I’ll tell you stories of some of the places I’ve been.”
“I’d like that.” Dropping her pack in the grass, she gulped a deep breath of fresh air and headed inside.
The small cabin had only one room, with a bed along one wall, fire pit in the center, and benches pushed out of the way against the front wall. Nearest the door sat a trunk, filled with limited utensils and pots hung from crude pegs on the wall above. Agnethe went to that area first and examined the cookware.
“I will take these things down to the river and wash them, if you will shake out the bedding.” Please agree because if I see something crawl out of that bed I’m not sleeping there.
“That sounds like a fair plan, but first,” he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close, “a kiss from my wife.” A smile spread across her face as she rose to her tiptoes to oblige.
Humming a happy tune, Agnethe glided down to the river’s edge a while later with an armload of pots. While she scrubbed, she could hear Klaus flapping the blankets and moving things about inside.
The gods have been so good to me.
The thought struck hard as she thought of her parents and brother, and how much had changed in such a short amount of time. Lost in her memories she didn’t realize how long she’d been there until she felt a tap on her shoulder. Squealing she dropped the pot in her hand and nearly fell into the water, but Klaus grabbed her in time and kept her from an unwanted swim.
“Deep thoughts? I called out to you, but you didn’t answer.”
Her heart still pounded in her ears as she dropped her forehead to Klaus’ chest. “Guess I was.”
“What had you so distracted? My handsome face?”
“Maybe.” She smirked. “But, it was my family. I’m so happy with you and yet, I miss them so much.”
Klaus bent down and picked up the biggest of the pots. “I’m sorry for that, your father and brother were good men. Maks and I fought side by side on more than one occasion. There is no doubt they are in Valhalla now.” After dipping the pot into the water from the river, he started up the path.
Agnethe picked up the remaining cookware and hurried to walk up the hill together. “I forgot that you knew them. I shouldn’t have. That’s odd isn’t it?”
“Maybe
it’s good, you can keep me separate from those memories.”
Until you go away like they did. “You are probably right.”
As they reached the cabin door, Agnethe could hear wood crackling and smell the smoke of the small meal fire Klaus had started. Inside, the bed had been made, and it was surprisingly clean.
“I must have lost track of time. No wonder you came to get me if you did all of this while I only washed some pots.”
“Just doing as my wife asked me,” he said while hanging the pot above the flames.
“I could get used to that.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure it will wear off and I’ll be as insensitive as any other man.”
“Charming.”
“Hmm,” he tapped a finger against his chin, “Every thing is clean and the water will not boil for a while yet. What can we do to pass the time?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
She sauntered over to him, “I could get used to this too.”
Later, snuggled under blankets, they sat near the fire and nibbled on cold hard tack and salted beef. “I could stay here and never return,” Klaus said and kissed the top of Agnethe’s head as she rested it against his chest.
“Me too. Maybe we should try it.”
She felt him huff and let out a long breath. It was worth a try.
Staring into the flames, she felt warm and comfortable as Klaus ran his fingers through the waves of her hair hanging loose around her shoulders. Suddenly, her breath caught. Wrapping her hands across her middle, she folded herself into a tight ball as all her muscles clenched.
“What is it?” Klaus sat up and twisted her to face him.
“I don’t know.” Her chest heaved as tremors shook her body. “Aaah,” she cried.
“Agnethe! Tell me what is happening.”
The worry in his voice rang in her ears while she squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed at her throat. “Something is wrong.” Pushing the words out as a squeak, she stood up and paced. “We need to go back.”
The Viking Maiden Box Set Page 79