Elfi shook her head to gather her wits and turned to face Sif. “I need to bring a gown and chemise. With a linen tunic and pair of breeches for Njörd.” At Sif’s puzzled expression, she explained. “I want to swim with him after ourdance with swords, and we’ll need dry clothing to put on. We won’t want to don our sweaty armor after a swim in the Mermaid Cove.”
Sif disappeared down the hall to fetch the clothes for Njörd. When she returned a few moments later with items that had belonged to Dag, Elfi swallowed another lump of grief as she accepted the tunic and breeches from Sif. “These are perfect. Thank you.” Elfi placed them inside the leather bag where she had stored a soft chemise underdress and a dark green linen gown. “I’ll be able to carry my armor in this satchel when I slip back into the castle.” Hoisting the bag of clothing over one shoulder and her quiver of arrows over the other, Elfi grabbed her bossed shield and prepared to depart.
Breathless anticipation laced Sif’s tremulous voice. “Tonight, at the wedding feast, I’ll dance with Bodo around the bonfire while you swirl in Njörd’s arms. I plan to weave wild thyme and sweet violets in my hair, and wear this purple dress that my mother and I dyed with woad and madder.” Golden brown eyes aglow with sheer delight, Sif dashed to the table under the window and lifted up the garment for Elfi to see. “While you’re training with Njörd, I’ll embroider the neckline with silver thread, so it will shimmer in the firelight and catch Bodo’s eyes. Oh, Elfi, I can’t wait for tonight!”
Elfi gave her an affectionate hug and kissed Sif’s cheek. “Neither can I. You will look lovely in this lavender dress. We’ll weave wildflowers in each other’s hair… I even have a necklace with amethyst stones and silver beads that will look beautiful with your purple gown.” She adjusted the bow strapped across her back, the satchel on her shoulder, and grabbed a lit torch as she headed toward the hidden stairwell. “I must go now. Njörd will likely be in the sacred grove, waiting for me. I cannot wait for ourdance with swords…and our swim in the Mermaid Cove!”
Sif laid her gown upon the table and crossed the room, lifting the heavy tapestry which concealed the hidden door. “I don’t want to bar the door and lock you out, but I don’t dare leave the door unlocked and unattended, either.” She gestured to the purple gown on the tabletop under the window. “I’ll wait here and finish the decorative stitching on my dress until you come back. That way, I’ll be ready to clean your armor—and hear all about the swim in the Mermaid Cove—when you return.” With a sweet smile and a soft laugh, Sif opened the door.
Holding her torch high to light the way, Elfi disappeared down the secret stairwell.
****
Njörd was indeed at the clearing in the sacred grove, hurling his dagger toward the wooden target affixed to the trunk of the huge beech tree. Although he owned impressive chain mail, which he always wore in battle, today he was clad in leather armor, like Elfi, for flexibility during their dance with swords. But while hers was lamellar armor made of connected plates of tooled leather etched with Nordic runes, Njörd’s armor consisted of boiled reindeer hide for resilience and strength. His white wolfskin cloak lay neatly folded on the leaf-strewn ground at the base of a nearby oak.
Elfi tried to sneak up behind Njörd to catch him off guard, but his keen lupine hearing made her stealthy approach impossible. He swiftly unsheathed his sword and whirled to face her, a feral glint in his dark, gleaming eyes.
She positively thrilled at sparring with him, for--just like her brother Dag--Njörd not only challenged her, but respected her as a skilled, worthy opponent. She blocked his blow with her bossedshield and lunged with a strike of her own.
“Odin’s eye, you’re quick! At least let me fetch my shield,” he laughed, dodging her thrust and leaping back, just outside the range of her reach. With a wolfish grin, he loped across the grassy glen toward a round wooden shield which leaned against the tree trunk near his fur cloak. When he picked it up, Elfi noticed the remarkable image of a fierce white wolf intricately painted across the front.
“A new shield?” She rushed forward to examine the exquisite detail. “It’s magnificent!”
Njörd’s dazzling smile drenched her in waves of want. “The woodcarver Sven crafted it as a gift, to thank me for saving his life. He delivered it to my longhouse this morning. I’m truly impressed with the quality and craftsmanship.” Pride glimmered in Njörd’s immensely pleased gaze. “It’s made from oak, for superior strength and durability. With iron around the rim, etched with Nordic runes. For protection and ferocity in battle.”
Elfi ran appreciative fingers over the fearsome lupine face painted on the shield. “He symbolizes you. The white wolf of theÚlfhéðnar.A Volsung descendant of Odin.” She traced the engraved pattern of Nordic runes along the outer edge. “Wolf of the Nordic Seas. Imbued with the strength of the gods. Invincible in battle.”She gazed up at him and whispered with wonder. “Skalds will sing of your glory. And one day, this shield will hang in the Great Hall ofle Château Blanc. To commemorate your victories and incomparable valor.”
He tossed back his thick brown mane and roared with laughter. A feral glint in his provocative eye, Njörd positioned his shield and sword, preparing to attack. “Are you ready, shieldmaiden? Show me what you’ve learned, Elfi of Étretat.”
Two hours later, exhausted but exhilarated, she collected her satchel, shield, and quiver of arrows, bringing Njörd across the sacred grove and into the hidden entrance of the forested tunnel which led to the waterfall cave. As he followed her into the limestone grotto behind the thunderous cascade, she quickly discarded her leather armor and padded gambeson, laying them upon the earthen floor. She unbraided her hair and shook it free,the long brown tresses falling to her bare hips. She removed thetrollkorstalisman, placing it carefully atop her lamellar tunic, enormously pleased to see the unabashed lust in Njörd’s appreciative gaze.
“You’re as eager as I am.” He grinned and reached for her, but she slipped into the tumbling waterfall, shouting for him to join her.
“Follow me. Let’s swim!” From the rocky ledge of the white chalk cliff, Elfi dove into the turquoise depths of the Mermaid Cove.
When she plunged in, the icy water jolted her entire sweat-drenched body. Rejuvenated and revived, she swirled beneath the sparkling surface, her long hair floating amongst the gentle waves, her skin tingling and alive.
She felt the impact when Njörd jumped in behind her, reveling in the exquisite sensation of his warm, rough hands sliding up her long bare legs. Rising to the surface for a much-needed breath, she delighted in his explorative touch as calloused fingers caressed her shivering body and his dark head arose from the depths below.
He shook the water from his thick hair and wiped his mustache and beard, grinning from ear to ear. “I never expected you to dive off the cliff!” Treading water to stay afloat, he gazed up at the towering white chalk cliff, where the thunderous waterfall tumbled down over the mouth of the cave and into the secluded inlet behind them.
He floated over to her, warm lips nuzzling her neck as he wrapped his legs around hers. “I’d enjoy making love here in the water, but I can’t touch the bottom. Let’s go back to the cave.”
Elfi kissed his bristled cheek. “A wonderful idea. Follow me.” She swam to the shoreline, climbed onto the white sand, and wrung out her long hair, delighting in the gentle kiss of the late summer sun on her cool, drenched skin.
When Njörd emerged from the turquoise waters of the inlet, Elfi watched as rivulets trickled down his rippled body, through the dark hair on hischest and over the black scrolls and runes intricately inked upon his sinewy limbs. His magnificent body responded to her ardent gaze, flooding her with liquid warmth.
“Like what you see?” He pulled her close and lowered his lips to hers, swallowing her murmured agreement.
“I do indeed.” Elfi’s knees weakened with desire, but she managed to step back, take him by the hand, and lead Njörd up the grassy slope to the opening of the sheltered cave behind the plummeting cascade.
Inside the grotto, he spread the white wolfskin cloak upon the limestone floor, a ravenous hunger in his piercing gaze as his eyes roved over her bare skin. Like a famished wolf, he prowled toward her, seizing her like delectable prey. Strong arms wrapped behind her back as he drew her against his hardened body, his eager lips seeking and claiming hers. His tongue probed and penetrated the depths of her mouth while greedy hands gripped her hips and kneaded her bottom. He parted her thighs, his long fingers exploring her delicate folds as she moaned into his mouth. Njörd lowered Elfi onto the wolfskin fur and spread her legs wide to feast first with his hungry gaze, then his warm mouth and skilled tongue.
“Odin’s eye, I want you! Your taste drives me wild.” Njörd groaned, positioning himself between her thighs and nudging them further apart. He slid his hands under her bottom, tilted her hips up, and impaled her with a savage thrust.
Elfi moaned at the sudden rush of pleasure. She wrapped her legs around his hips, her arms around his taut back, clutching him tightly inside and out. As he pounded her with a fierce, relentless rhythm, the mounting tension in her loins curled and crested like a peaking wave. When Njörd arrowed into her, filling her with his ample seed, wondrous waves of pleasure flooded her like the ocean crashing against the white chalk cliffs.
Limbs quivering, she held him tight, kissing his shoulder and the side of his neck, savoring the sensuous taste of his sweet, salty skin.
