In passing by the castle kitchens, storage rooms, servants’ quarters, and guardrooms, Skårde remarked how each area was contained inside a separate chamber with a designated space and wooden doors for privacy, cleanliness, and efficiency. Very different from the cramped, crowded, single room interior of a Viking longhouse with its enormous fire the length of the central hearth.
In contrast, the castle interior ofChâteaufortwas bright and airy, with numerous windows which allowed for much more light and ventilation. As he deeply inhaled the fresh, briny tang of the nearby sea, Skårde realized how much he preferred a spacious Norman castle to the gloomy, smoky interior of a Danish Viking longhouse.
Harald, clad in a deep blue cloak over a white tunic embroidered with silver, clasped Skårde’s forearms in an affectionate greeting and bent to kiss Ylva’s cheek. “Welcome, Lord and Lady ofChâteaufort. Tonight, your royal wedding festivities continue!” Atop his regal head, Skårde’s father wore a silver crown studded with glittering gems. His hearty grin revealed his distinctive dark tooth.
At his side, Gunnor wore a deep red gown in the same vibrant hue as Richard’s ducal robe. And Úlvhild had chosen an amethyst colored gown. Her long black hair glinted with flecks of purple in the fiery glow of the amber pendant around her neck.
Skårde glanced up at the enormous heraldic banner proudly displayed above the double oaken doors leading into the Great Hall of his new Norman castle.
On a background of rich emerald green edged with a silver border of Nordic runes and Norman knotwork stood Skårde’s new coat of arms as theDragon of Normandy.
Boldly outlined in black, the silver castle depictingChâteaufortwas protectivelyencircled by an enormousdark green dragon with sharp, extended claws. Beneath the dragon’s castle, in the lower half of the emblem,Thor’s invincible hammer overlapped a silver Norman sword.
A blend of Skårde’s Viking heritage as the Dragon of Denmark who now defendedChâteaufortand the White ChalkCliffs asthe Viking Dragon of Normandy.
He inhaled deeply, pride filling his lungs with the fresh saline scent of the Narrow Sea.
Four liveried guards flanked the double entrance doors to the Great Hall. Wearing the distinctive green and silver colors of theDragon of Normandy, the attentive knights greeted them at their approach.
A blare of trumpets announced their arrival to the hundreds of guests already seated in the expansive Great Hall. While Skårde and Ylva waited in the vestibule with Richard, Gunnor, Gyda, and Úlvhild, the castle seneschal escorted Harald through the carved oaken doors.
“Hear ye, hear ye, Vikings of Normandy! All hail Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark and Norway!” The deep baritone of the herald’s booming voice resounded throughout the chamber amidst the din of applause and cheering. A dozen Danish guards joined the royal procession, following their monarch toward the table of honor.
“Lady Gyda of Norway and Denmark and the esteemed VikingvölvaÚlvhild.” A pair of liveried pages escorted the duo of ladies through the entrance doors, close behind Harald’s royal guards.
“His Grace, Richard the Fearless, Count of Rouen and Viking Duke of Normandy, and his lady wife Gunnor, Duchess of Normandy!” As the herald’s trumpet and booming voice introduced Richard and Gunnor, another pair of formally attired attendants escorted the duke and duchess to the royal table, a dozen of Richard’s guards from Fécamp following in a ducalcortège.
Finally, as Skårde proudly approached the entrance doors with Ylva at his side, he smiled down at his beautiful wife. Together, they would rule as Lord and Lady ofChåteaufortand govern thePays de Caux.Skårde’s heart thundered like Thor’s hammer as Ylva looped her arm through his and the trumpet blared throughout the Great Hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen! It is my honor to present Lady Ylva and Lord Skårde ofChåteaufort, Count and Countess of thePays de Caux,Tonight, we continue the celebration of their royal wedding and the Viking alliance between Norway, Normandy, and Denmark. All hail the Dragon of Normandy! Long may our alliance endure!"
As the crier’s booming voice resounded across the vast chamber, Skårde—flanked by a pair of royal pages and followed by a dozen Norman knights ofChåteaufort—escorted Ylva into the Great Hall.
The entire castle stood cheering in riotous, enthusiastic applause.
Chapter 13
Children of Captured Concubines
At the rear of the Great Hall, situated upon an elevated wooden dais, the royal table was elegantly appointed in Skårde’s new heraldic colors of dark green and silver. An elegant verdant tablecloth embroidered with silver thread and embellished with glittering gems was topped with silver chalices engraved in Nordic runes. Perpendicular to the royal dais, each of the long trestle tables aligned on either side of the vast chamber accommodated seated, convivial guests. Affixed to the walls of the castle, resin-soaked torches emitted radiant light and the clean, fragrant scent of pine. Royal guards in chain mail armor and surcoats depicting the coat of arms of the Dragon of Normandy stood at attention on duty while other knights sat at tables to enjoy the sumptuous fare. While hundreds of royal wedding guests feasted in the Great Hall, an even greater number dined outdoors under the canopy of beech trees in the light of the waxing moon.
Jubilant notes from fiddles and flutes floated through the festive air. Cup bearers served chalices of mead to Harald, Gyda, Úlvhild, and Gunnor, who had already been seated at the royal table. As Skårde and Ylva approached with their escorts, Richard—who was standing in front of two seated guests—motioned for them to come to his side.
“Skårde and Ylva, I’d like you to meet Lord Lugh and his sister, Lady Luna. TheLjósálfarwho defend the Land of the White Chalk Cliffs.”Richard stepped aside to reveal his distinguished guests.
To Skårde’s astonishment, twoLight Elves with silvery blond hair, luminous pale skin, and elongated, pointed ears arose from the table to greet them.
“It is a pleasure to meet the new Count and Countess of thePays de Caux.My sister and I offer our congratulations on your royal wedding.” Lugh’s deep, rich voice had a melodic timbre, like the mellow notes of a harp. Half a head taller than the towering Duke of Normandy, he was broad-shouldered, yet lean and lithe. Although he wore a simple tunic and breeches in the muted colors of the forest, his fine clothing was embroidered in glistening gold thread. A spectacular gem—clear and pure as a sunlit stream—glittered in the ornate silver brooch which fastened his cloak. And a magnificent sword gleamed in the jeweled scabbard at his waist. Lugh’s radiant eyes glowed with otherworldly brilliance in the incandescent light.
“We have brought wedding gifts for each of you tonight.” Luna’s perfect teeth shone like pearls when she smiled at Ylva. “Lugh will present his to Skårde, and I have one for you.” The long, flowing sleeves of her diaphanous white dress gave Luna the appearance of a swan. A luminous moonstone pendant glimmered at the base of her slender throat. Like Ylva, Luna had long hair which flowed to her hips, but theLjósálfar’s locks were a much paler blonde. Her deep green eyes sparkled like the emerald in Ylva’s enigmatic ring.
The musicians who had been playing in the back corner of the Great Hall now filed into the wide, open area in the center of the room which had been designated for entertainment. Lively notes of lyres, lutes, rebecs, and flutes floated through the festive air.
“After we’ve eaten, I ‘ll introduce you for the presentation of gifts,” Richard nearly shouted to theLjósálfarduo above the melodic din. “We’re honored and grateful that you have come to celebrate the royal wedding. I hope you enjoy tonight’s feast!”
The seneschal Petroc quickly ushered Richard to Gunnor’s side while a pair of liveried pages seated Skårde and Ylva at the center of the royal table in the two reserved seats of honor just as the entertainment began.
Attendants served the first course—an appetizing array of scallops, oysters, lobster, and crab—and the costumed performers that Skårde had seen rehearsing under the canopy of beech trees on the castle grounds presented a humorous theatrical interpretation ofThe Theft of Thor's Hammer,the Nordic legend of howMjölnirwasstolen by the giant Thrym. With elaborate costumes, musical accompaniment, theatrical makeup, and hilarious antics, the performers evoked riotous laughter and enthusiastic applause.
