When Lugh and Njörd came inside to see if the women were ready, Luna emerged from the hall with her leather satchel. Shenodded to Elfi and Ylva, and the trinity ofLjósálfarhealers exited the cottage and joined the men.
Together, they descended the slope from the clifftop cottage and crossed the crystal bridge. Traversing the otherworldly portal fromÁlfheimto the human realm of Midgard, they arrived in the waterfall cave of the Mermaid Cove.
When they approached the castle, Skårde, Bjarke, and Varg were training with Norman knights, Danish warriors, and theÚlfhéðnaron the castle grounds. Everyone waved to greet them, overjoyed to see Úlf healthy and hale.
Skårde trotted across the field and swept Ylva up into his arms. “Thor’s thunder, I missed you.” He set her down upon the grassy meadow and kissed her just as Vivi—accompanied by Oda, Vilde, and Sif—came running out of the castle and threw her arms around her mother.
While his daughter hugged Ylva, Skårde noticed Ildris among theLjósálfar.He extended his hand in a friendly greeting. “Goðan dag, vinr minn.It’s good to see you again.”
Bjarke and Varg joined them, as did Bodo, Flóki, Hrólf Redbeard and Njáll. When Njörd announced that he intended to depart with the outgoing tide, he and the men headed down to the docks to finish loadingDrakkúlfr, Hrafnvarg,andSköllrökr,the threedrakkarlongships whichthey would take to Ísland.
Elfi remarked with a bemused smile how Njáll lingered near Luna before following his pack. Luna joined Elfi in the grassy courtyard.
Oda rushed up to embrace Elfi, ushering the women and Vivi into the castle. “Thank the gods, you healed Úlf! Njörd said that you were sailing with the tide?”
“Yes, we plan to leave as soon as the ships are fully loaded.” Elfi hugged Sif and Vilde, glad to be reunited with them again. When she spotted Úlvhild headed toward her, she raced forward to greet thevölva.“Njörd wants to leave within the hour. Do you need to go home and pack?”
Úlvhild nodded. “I’ll also fetch my dagger and chalice—for the sacrificeand blood ritual.” She turned toward Ylva. “We’ll chant avardlokkurto invoke the blessings of the gods. And anoint the ships and warriors with sacred blood before they set sail.”
“Vivi and I will gather wildflowers for Rán. And a chalice of mead, to invoke the blessing of Njörd.” Ylva grinned at Elfi. “How fitting that your betrothed was named after the Norse God of the Sea. We’ll pray he grants you safe passage for the voyage to Ísland.”
“I’ll come with you—and catch fish for the sacrifice. Perfect for the god and goddess of the sea.” Luna joined Ylva and Vivi as they headed toward the double oak exit doors. She flashed Elfi a radiant smile, the moonstone gems in her necklace aglow withLjósálfarlight. “We’ll meet you down on the docks in an hour.”
“That will be perfect. See you soon.” Elfi watched the trio slip out of the castle.
“Come upstairs. I have something to show you.” Oda’s merry eyes twinkled as she grasped Elfi’s hand and winked at Vilde and Sif, both of whom seemed excited at the prospect.
Heart pounding, Elfi followed herammaup the stone stairwell to the second floor. When she entered her room at the end of the hall, Oda and Vilde disappeared into the adjacent antechamber.
Sif motioned to the open wooden chest set upon the pinewood floor. Inside the trunk, Elfi spotted several folded gowns, her lamellar armor, two blankets, and an extra woolen cloak. “I’ve cleaned and oiled your armor, and packed additional clothing and blankets.” Sif gestured to a leather bag laid atop the vanity table. “Your personal items are here—antler comb, sticks and mint leaves for cleaning your teeth, leather thongs for tying your braids. I also packed an extra tunic and leggings, to wear under your armor.” She gestured to another leather bag on the floor. “And my belongings are in there.”
While Elfi smiled at Sif, grateful that everything had been so well prepared, Oda swirled into the room. A glorious grin crinkled her soft cheeks.
“This must be carefully packed.” Oda beckoned Vilde, who entered from the antechamber, holding a magnificent gown made from the exquisite blue silk Njörd had given Elfi as a bridal gift.
Elfi gasped as she beheld the sumptuous silk.
Glittering gems and shimmering silver embellished the low cut, rounded neckline. Like her Persian necklace, a pattern of turquoise, emerald, and lapis lazuli droplets glistened amidst embroidered Nordic runes. The long sleeves were fitted to the elbow, but below a silver band of embroidery and gems which matched the pattern along the shoulders, the luscious silk fluttered like wings over the wrists, the inside edge extending almost to the floor. A similar border below the fitted bodice displayed the same gems and Nordic runes, and richly decorated blue and silver lacing fastened the gown behind the back. Morning sunlight, streaming though the open window, danced on the billowy blue silk like rippling waves of the Nordic Seas.
Elfi was stunned speechless. It was the most breathtaking gown she had ever seen.
“We worked on it during your trip to theÎle de Sein. And finished it while you were inÁlfheim.”Bright eyes shining with delight,Oda motioned for Vilde to give the gown to Elfi.
Elfi held it up against her body, imagining herself wearing it for Njörd. The decadent silk caressed her skin like kisses from his soft, smooth lips.
“For yourLjósálfarwedding in Ísland.” Oda gave Elfi an affectionate squeeze.
“With this upon your head.” Sif handed Elfi a slender silver crown whose swirls, peaks, and dips depicted the fluid movement of waves. Nestled among etchings of the Nordic runeLaguz—the symbol for water—droplets of lapis lazuli sparkled in the morning sun. “Njörd had the castle silversmith craft it. With gems he’d bought in the Far East.” Tears welled up in Sif’s large brown eyes. “You will be such a beautiful Viking bride. I hope there will be wildflowers in bloom, so I can tuck them into the intricatebraids I shall plait in your long, lustrous hair.”
Elfi wrapped an arm around Sif and pulled her close. “I am so glad you will be there with me. What would I ever do without you?”
Sif wiped her eyes and smiled softly as Elfi kissed her crumpled cheek.
Oda stepped forward, opening a small black leather pouch to withdraw two silver rings, each inscribed with Nordic runes and set with lapis lazuli gems. “Njörd also had the castle silversmith craft these wedding rings, to match your bridal headpiece.” While Sif took the blue silk gown and laid it upon the bed, Oda placed the rings in Elfi’s palm.
Elfi’s breath hitched at the sight of the exquisite jewels.
For her bridal ring, a large, droplet-shaped lapis lazuli stone was centered between two swirls of silver, like waves curled protectively around the glittering gem. Inscribed in an intricate pattern along the delicate band, a trio of Nordic runes sparkled amidst the silver swirls. In Njörd’s matching band, three lapis lazuli droplets were nestled amidst the same runes engraved in Elfi’s ring. As Elfi ran appreciative fingers over the familiar Norse characters, Oda explained why Njörd had selected this trinity of runes.
