Luna seated Elfi and Ylva at the oval table, fetching goblets of spun silver engraved with Elven scrolls from a pale wooden cupboard. As she filled them with a golden liquid from a sparkling crystal vessel, Njörd and Lugh returned from the hall.
“He’s asleep. He’ll most likely be out for a few hours. Perhaps he’ll awaken fornátmál.” Lugh gestured to an available chair for Njörd, waiting until he was seated before joining his guests.
Luna placed a chalice of wine before everyone at the table, a radiant smile illuminating her joyful face. “Praise the gods our trinity ofLjósálfarmagic healed him.” She raised her silver goblet in tribute. “Skál!”
As everyone drank in tribute, thankful for Úlf’s recovery, Lugh commented on the extraordinarywine. “Made from the sunlit grapes ofÁlfheim.The nectar of the gods.”His deep, hearty laugh was mellow and rich. “Indeed, Freyr himself prefers it to golden mead.”
Elfi lifted the goblet to her lips again, inhaling the heady aroma. As the velvety liquid lingered on her tongue, she savored the earthy, fruity flavor. Silky, lush, and slightly sweet, it tasted like liquid sunshine.
Luna placed a small white cloth, a silver bowl, and spoon in front of each person seated at the table. In the center, she set sparkling crystal containers of golden apples, cherries, and pears, with a silver spoon for serving. Passing the bowl of sliced pears to Elfi, the apples to Njörd, and the cherries to Ylva, she said with a warm smile, “Please, help yourselves.”
After they’d eaten and enjoyed the wine, Lugh arose from his seat. “You must excuse me. I have a task I must accomplish—a surprise for Úlf.” He flashed a mischievous grin. “I’ll return soon. In the meantime,” he said to Njörd, “you and Elfi might like to stroll along the beach. Perhaps even go for a swim.” He ducked his chin in farewell and disappeared out the door.
“That is a wonderful idea. I would love to explore a bit.” Elfi turned toward Luna “Would that be all right?”
“Of course. Ylva and I have a lot of catching up to do. You two enjoy your walk.” A gracious smile spread across Luna’s lovely face.
Njörd escorted Elfi outdoors, when the fragrance of roses mingled with the salty scent of the sea. “Let’s go down to the shore. There’s a path over there.” He led her across the meadow and down a trail which led from the elevated ledge of the cliff near the cottage to the white sandy beach a hundred feet below.
Graceful white birds soared amidst wispy clouds in the pale blue sky. The mild sun kissed Elfi’s cheeks and glimmered on the white capped waves. She inhaled the fresh saline breeze, sublimely content to be with Njörd.
Elation warred with concern in his wary gaze, and hesitation deepened his husky voice. “I am delighted that you are with child.” He pulled her into his arms and brushed soft lips upon hers. “But I fear for your safety as well as the babe’s. Úlvhild has foreseen a battle in Ísland. Mayhap you should remain in Étretat.”
Elfi gazed up into his deep blue eyes, immersed in their impassioned depths. Although waves of love and lust washed over her, anger and irritation spiked her tone. “I am a Viking shieldmaiden, skilled with dagger, bow, and sword.” She patted thedragonscalesheath whereÚlfbladwas strapped at her hip. “I have a white wolf dagger, capable of killingDökkálfaror troll.” She gestured to the iron amulet hanging around her neck. “Atrollkorstalisman to warn me of their approach. And anúlftiri,”she said, indicating the white wolf bone whistle tucked in the leather pouch at her waist, “to summon bothÚlfhéðnarand wolves.I can wield all of these weapons for defense or attack. But I can also unleash mysjóvættirmagic, which you have yet to see.”
They stood on the white sand near the water’s edge, at the base of the cliff below Lugh and Luna’s cottage. In the distance, the opalescent rock of the stone bluff curved away from the sheltered inlet, out to the open ocean.
From the depths of her mermaid soul, Elfi summoned the strength of thesea. As she had learned on theÎle de Sein, she drew forth her inherited power to form an enormous pitching wave, pulling it up from the ocean bottom to curl forty feet above the sea. Hurling the aquatic force like herÚlfbladdagger, she threw her arms forward, launching the mammoth wave toward the craggy cliff. As it crashed against the solid rock, the impact shook the shoreline beneath their feet, sending a spray of seafoam high into the billowy clouds.
Exhilarated assjóvættirpower thrummed through her veins like the immense wave she had just unleashed, Elfi faced Njörd, triumphant and proud. “Withle Chant des Sirènes, I can summon theMélusines—the giant sea dragon warriors of theGallizenae.” She touched the enchanted gems at the base of her throat. “And with this necklace, I can invoke the destructive fury of the sea. By calling forth my immortal grandmother, the Sea Goddess Rán.” She grasped his hands, squeezing them as if to convey the importance of her words. “I shall sail with you to Ísland. To wield the white wolf weapons and mysjósongrmagic. So that you may fulfill your destiny.” She fervently kissed his hands, tears welling in her eyes as she gazed up at him, willing him to understand. “Please do not treat me as my father has. Do not diminish my worth as a warrior because I am a woman. Believe in my ability and trust my judgement. I promise that I will protect our babe. And help you fulfill the prophecy.”
Ferocity blazed like blue fire in his steely gaze. “I do not doubt your ability. Nor do I question your judgement.” He furrowed his dark brows. “But we have both seen the deadly damage of aDökkálfarblade with Úlf’s wound. It took threeLjósálfarhealers to cure him. Here inÁlfheim.” He gazed down at her, stricken with anguish. “If that should happen to you, there is no portal in Ísland. You would die on the ship, just as my father did. Elfi, I could not bear losing you and our babe.” He clutched her fiercely against his chest, wrapping her in a possessive, protective embrace. Njörd frantically kissed the top of her head, stroking her hair with trembling hands. “I’ll cancel the voyage. Stay at the castle with you. I cannot endanger your life, nor thelife of our child, for the sake of fulfilling a prophecy. You are all that matters, Elfi. I shall not go.”
She withdrew from his embrace and stared up into his beloved, bearded face. “Fate has entwined our paths, Njörd. We are meant to do this together.” Elfi stepped back, pacing along the sand, searching for the words to convince him. “This Persian necklace you bought for your future mate,” she caressed the jewels around her throat. “The siren with the sea goddess eyes.”She smiled up at him, pouring all the love in her heart into her imploring gaze. “Thevölvain Norway predicted that your fate and your mate lay across a distant sea. The sacred white wolf told you that his bones would be needed to protect your future mate. You met Bodo, who told you about your father, yourÚlfhéðnarblood, and the prophesied Dwarven sword.” She grasped his hands again, clutching them tight. “You and I were even drawn to mate in the waterfall cave, for me to conceive this child. So that I would haveLjósálfarblood, for the trinity of healers to cure Úlf. Don’t you see? Everything has lead us to this point. The white wolf weapons…mysjóvættirmagic…your innate shapeshifting power. We are destined to destroy the Dark Elf who killed your father and my brother. We will avenge their deaths. By slaying theDökkálfar Blacksmith of Dorestad.” She raised onto the tips of her booted toes and kissed his bearded lips. “And by marrying in Ísland, we shall foil the bloody Count of Soissons. We’ll return triumphant to Étretat, where I shall honor my sacred vow. And buryGaladirbeside my brother in hishaumrof the sacred grove.”
Njötd wrapped his arms behind her back, pride illuminating his somber face. “You are right. The Norns have woven the threads of our fate, and we must fulfill the prophecy together. We’ll reclaim the Dwarven sword…destroy the Dökkálfar and the troll… meet myLjósálfarmother. And marry in Ísland!” He swept Elfi off her feet, spinning her around and bellowing with laughter. When he placed her down on the soft white sand, he lowered his lipsto hers. “You,elska minn,are not only skilled with weapons and endowed with magic. You are blessed with the wisdom of Odin.”
Elfi’s heart soared like the wings of Freyja’s swans.
She scanned the shoreline, noting how the sand sloped and the rocky cliff curved on this side of the beach. Taking a few steps away from Njörd, she peered down to the bottom of the incline, where the rounded cliff sheltered a private which reminded her of the Mermaid Cove. An idea bloomed, and she dashed back across the beach and took hold of Njörd’s calloused hand. “Come with me…there is something I want to show you.”
Delight dancing in his dark blue eyes, he followed her down the sandy slope.
Chapter 32
Irresistible Lure
The iridescent rock of the cliff curved around the secluded beach on three sides, sheltering a small cove of the Elandrian Sea. The turquoise water was calm, with gentle windswept waves lapping at the soft white sand. Overhead, in the pale blue sky, the afternoon sun was warm on Elfi’s face as she led Njörd to the water’s enticing edge.
“You have yet to see me as a mermaid.” With a seductive smile, she removed her boots, sheathed dagger, blue linen gown and chemise, folding the garments and laying them upon the sand. She unfastened Rán’s necklace and thetrollkorstalisman, laying them both in the folds of her dress. As she stood gloriously nude before Njörd, his tongue lolled from his mouth, ogling her like a famished wolf. “I want to show you now.”
She waded into the water and called forth hersjóvættirmagic. Power thrummed in her veins, washing over her like an immersive wave. Her light brown hair, gilded with blonde, was now a deep jade, streaked with seafoam green. In the luminous realm of theLjósálfar,Elfi’s pale skin shimmered with a pearlescent glow.
“Your scales are the colors of the Persian necklace… And your hair is blue green like your eyes…” Hand raised, as it he wanted to touch her, Njörd approached Elfi, but she dove into the water and swam to the middle of the cove. “Come join me.” She splashed him.
A wolfish grin stretched across his handsome, bearded face as he removedhis wolfskin cloak and laid it on the sand. He unstrapped his sword and dagger, which he placed atop the white fur. Quickly shedding his leather boots, beige tunic, and black breeches, he stood proudly naked, allowing Elfi to admire his magnificently muscled, tattooed body.
Long brown hair tumbled over his brawny shoulders. Dark blue beads, braided into his neat beard, sparkled like the sunlit sea. Smattered cross his sculpted chest, dark hair trailed down his taut belly, where his aroused body stood at full attention just for her. Obviously pleased by her appreciative stare, he lingered on the beach, gloating at the effect he had on her.
