Njörd twisted and turned the Light Elven blade in the moonlight, admiring how the starstone sparkled like white fire within the intricately wrought pommel. Unlike Njáll’s curved blade, this dagger was sleek, slim, and straight. But it, too, pulsed with palpable power. He returned theLjósálfardagger to Bodo, who sheathed it at his waist..
“When I was a boy in Norway,” Njörd began, addressing all members of his newÚlfhéðnarpack,“a white wolf appeared to me in the forest where I lived. I sensed the same immediate bond with him that I did with each of you tonight. Bodo told me today that my father sent hishámrspirit in the wolf—as a guardian to protect meuntil I became a man. When the wolf died, a voice inside my head—which must have been my father’s—told me to wear the white wolfskin each time I went into battle.”
Njörd removed the leather package from his waist and unwrapped the bones of the sacred white wolf. “The voice in the forest also told me to save these, for weapons which would protect my future mate.” He handed the bones to Úlf, who examined and passed them along to the other wolf warriors. “Today, when I visited thevölvato inquire about weapons with the white wolf bones, she foretold that aLjósálfarwould craft them.” Njörd unwrapped thetrollkorstalisman. The trio of lapis lazuli gems sparkled like dark stars in the moonlight. “In aseiðrvision, Úlvhild also foresaw that a troll threatens Elfi, my betrothed.” In his outstretched palm, Njörd displayed the amulet to hisÚlfhéðnarpack. “Úlvhild gave me this talisman— imbued with my blood, Nordic runes, and enchanted gems. Bodo thinks theLjósálfarnamed Lugh will be the one to craft the white wolf weapons for Elfi. Can he craft a weapon that will kill a troll?”
Úlf returned the bones to Njörd. “With these, yes. They exude Brökk’sÚlfhéðnarpower. Combined withLjósálfarmagic, Lugh could craft a wolf weapon specifically designed to kill a troll. Pray to Odin that he does so very soon, for if thevölvaforesaw that a troll threatens Elfi, your mate needs it at once.” He gestured to the amulet in Njörd’s palm. “Have her wear that at all times. Unlike theDökkálfar,who raise our hackles and alert us to their deadly presence, trolls can shroud themselves in a veil which conceals them from our detection. At least, if Elfi wears thetrollkors,she will be protected from harm.”
Golden eyes of his black wolfskin cloak glowing in the incandescent light, Njáll growled his displeasure. “Tell Lugh about the bloody troll. Because a troll can shift into any form. Even a human, like Jarl Rikard.Or one of us.” One side of his bearded lips curled up in smirk as he eyed Njörd. “But theÚlfhéðnarwould know immediately if he tried to appear as one of us. Forweshare an innate bond that is instantly recognizable to warriors with the blood of the wolf. Like our unique individuallupine scent. A troll could never replicate that. But to a human, he would appear as one of us.”
“I will give Elfi thetrollkorstomorrow. I’ve promised to train her with weapons—she wants to hone her skills as a shieldmaiden and reclaim her brother’s stolen sword. She and I plan to practice every afternoon near Dag’s burial mound in the sacred grove, where Úlvhild said theLjósálfarwould find us. I hope he comes there soon.” Njörd carefully wrapped the talisman and the white wolf bones inside the leather, securing the parcel at his waist as theÚlfhéðnarprepared to departla Forêt du Loup.
“You did very well tonight.” Hrólf Redbeard wrapped a swarthy arm around Njörd’s neck in a fraternal embrace. “It’s good that we have three weeks before Lord Thorfinn’s return toChâteau Blanc. That gives us time to train with your Viking warriors from Denmark andJarl Rikard’sknights of Normandy. So we’re prepared for battle against the Frankish army, if the Count of Soissons decides to attack again.”
“It also gives us time to train here every night as wolves of theÚlfhéðnar.For you to develop your strength and skills, and learn to control when you shift,in case we encounter anyDökkálfarhere in Étretat. Or when we sail to Ísland and retrieve the Dwarven sword.” Bodo clasped Njörd on the shoulder with a wolfish grin. “C’mon, let’s head back to the castle for thenáttmál. Even though we all gorged on venison, I’m still starved. And I want to say goodnight to my new sweetheart. Elfi’s pretty thrall, Sif.”
Senses reeling, spirit soaring, Njörd followed his pack back home.
He couldn’t wait to see Elfi.
His siren with the sea goddess eyes.
Chapter 13
Warrior Wolves of the Úlfhéðnar
Elfi was chatting with her grandmother Oda, Jarl Rikard,Varg, and Bjarke at the high table in the Great Hall ofChâteau Blanc,enjoying thenáttmálnight meal of roast boar, grilled fish, pottage, and fresh vegetables, when a servant ushered in six massive Vikings dressed in wolfskin cloaks of various colors over their glistening chain mail armor. Among them, Elfi spotted a giant blond warrior in an impressive grey pelt, flanked by an even taller Viking in an astonishing black wolfskin with glowing amber eyes, and a bulky brute with red hair and long red beard, clad in wolf fur of the same vivid color. Behind the trio was a shorter, slighter warrior in a wolfskin cloak of blended colors, a stocky man in a dark brown pelt with a pronounced limp, and a towering Viking clad in white wolfskin that made Elfi’s heart flutter.
Her betrothed, Njörd Ívarrsson.
Wolf of the Nordic Seas.
His riveting gaze found hers, inundating Elfi with waves of anticipation.
The wolf warriors of the Úlfhéðnar. As fierce in battle as the bearskin clad berserkers. Legends say they are capable of shifting into lupine form to kill the Dark Elves of the Dökkálfar. And Njörd is one of them!
As a stunned silence swept across the Great Hall at the astonishing sight of the unexpected guests, Bjarke—the First Knight of Étretat who, despite his injury, was still her father’s second in command—arose from the table and strode across the vast chamber to greet them. Count Skårde, Varg, and Jarl Rikard, the regal Duke of Normandy, quickly joined him.
As Elfi watched in breathless wonder, her pulse pounding in her parched throat, Sif rushed up to refill her goblet of mead and whispered in her ear. “The warrior in the brown wolfskin is Bodo—the stonecutter that I told you about. The one calledBodo le Boîteuxbecause of his maimed foot. He’s the man I danced with—and kissed—at the Welcoming Feast. Elfi, he’s one of theÚlfhéðnar,like Jarl Njörd!”
Oda leaned forward to speak to Elfi as well, her wrinkled cheeks crinkling into a gleeful grin. “With a half dozenÚlfhéðnarwarriorsamong our Viking army,,Étretat—and the entire coast of thePays de Caux—will be even better defended against the Count of Soissons. Andthe Frankish King Lothaire.” Eyes twinkling in the candlelight, she reached across the table and squeezed Elfi’s hand. “Here they come to meet you, Heiress of Étretat.”
While thralls scrambled to make room at the high table to accommodate the honored guests, Elfi arose, legs trembling, as Bjarke and Varg led a beaming Jarl Rikard, a grinning Count Skårde, and the beastlyÚlfhéðnarto her side.
“Lady Elfi, I am delighted to inform you that we have sixÚlfhéðnarwarriors among our Viking army. Your betrothed would like to present them to you as the futurechâtelaineofChâteau Blancand Countess of Étretat.”Jarl Rikardgestured for Njörd to come forward and introduce the elite band of wolfwarriors.
Njörd took Elfi’s hand, brought it to his bearded lips, and bent reverently to kiss it. “My lady, I am honored to present the members of theÚlfhéðnarwarriors of Étretat.” Rising to his full towering height, he indicated the even taller blond brute in the grey wolfskin. “This is Úlf, our leader. And Njáll, his second.” While Úlf bowed before her, Njörd gestured to the Viking wearing the black wolfskin with glowing golden eyes. He was undoubtedly the tallest man Elfi had ever seen. Njörd thenintroduced Hrólf Redbeard, Flóki, and Bodo, each of whom bowed before her as their leader had done.
Úlf’s deep voice reverberated across the room. “We will defend you, Lady Elfi of Étretat, as well asle Château Blanc, thePays de Caux, and the entire dukedom of Normandy. As Viking warriors with inimitable skill. And as wolves, should we encounter the Dark Elves of theDökkálfar.”
Senses reeling in the presence of the otherworldlyÚlfhéðnar, Elfi’s pulse hammered in her throat. She smoothed the sides of her dress and inhaled deeply to regain her composure. “We are most fortunate to have you defend Étretat,” she stammered, her voice quavering. “Please, join us at the high table for thenáttmáland a tribute in your honor.” She gestured to the available seating and waited for servants to escort theÚlfhéðnarto the high table.
Njörd took his place beside her, while Jarl Rikard, Count Skårde, Bjarke, and Varg returned to their respective seats.
Still standing, Elfi raised her goblet of mead, prompting others to do the same. “To theÚlfhéðnarwarriors of Étretat.Odin be praised they have joined our Viking army!”
Amid hearty cheers of “Skál!”,Elfi grinned at Njörd and the astonishingÚlfhéðnar, breathlessly seating herself beside her future husband.
Njörd grinned and helped her settle onto the elaborately carved wooden bench. “You will be a fine Countess of Étretat,” he murmured softly in her ear, leaning over to brush his lips against hers. “I cannot wait to make you mine.”
