“Laguz, the rune of water. For your mermaidspirit, his identity asWolf of the Nordic Seas, and the ocean which has entwined your fate and joined you as mates.” Oda’s soothing voice was soft and smooth as the blue silk gown. “Uruz, for the wild, untamed strength of the ox. Symbol of Njörd’sÚlfhéðnarpower and yoursjósongrmagic.” Heramma’seyes sparkled like lapis lazuli. “AndIsaz,the ice rune. For yourLjósálfarwedding in Ísland.”
“They are magnificent! I cannot wait for us to wear them.” Elfi slipped the ring on her finger, admiring the golden streaks shimmering within the deep blue stone. She reluctantly returned the wedding rings to the leather pouch, pulled the drawstring closed, and handed the parcel to Sif, who tucked it securely inside the wooden trunk.
Vilde had fetched another garment from the antechamber and now entered the room, displaying a full length, hooded cloak of glorious white fur, lined with the same shimmery fabric as Elfi’s gown. “This cape is made from ermine. It is perfect against the deep blue silk.”
Awestruck, Elfi caressed the soft, sumptuous fur.
Vilde added, “And it will keep you warm in the cold climate of Ísland.” With a proud smile, she wrapped the elegant cloak in a large swath of linen, then in a second layer of deerskin leather, placing the garment inside the wooden chest on the floor. She enveloped the silver bridal headpiece in fleecy wool to prevent damage to the precious gems, enclosing it in lambskin, which she placed inside the cloak. “I’ll tuck the black leather pouch with the rings beside the coronet. That way, they’ll be together when Sif unpacks your belongings for the wedding.”
“And—gods willing— when you and Njörd return triumphant to Étretat, you can wear it all again.” A mischievous glint gleamed in Oda’s shrewd eyes. “So yourfaðircan have the honor of hosting all the Norman nobles, including Jarl Rikard and Count Skårde. At your glorious Yuletide wedding, here atChâteau Blanc.”
While Elfi thrilled at the exciting thought of marrying Njörd twice—and wearing a full-length white fur cloak, like his wolfskin—Sif folded the silk wedding gown on the bed, preparing it for the upcoming voyage. “I’ll wrap this in linen, with a few sprigs of lavender, so it will have a lovely scent. And encase it in deerskin, like the ermine cloak, to protect it during the journey.” When she’d finished meticulously wrapping the wedding gown, Sif secured it inside the wooden trunk. She added an extra layer of leather to cover everything before closing and bolting the latch.
At Oda’s signal, a pair of strong castle servants entered the room, hoisted the heavy chest, and carried it away, to be secured inthe cargo hold of Njörd’sDrakkúlfrlongship.
At the sound of a young female voice, Elfi turned toward the doorway, where Ylva and Vivi—clutching armfuls of fragrant purple blossoms of heather and wild thyme—stood with Úlvhild.
Thevölva’sstriking face was painted with deep blue woad streaked with black, her crimson velvet gown covered by a midnight cloak flecked with falcon feathers and embellished with glittering gems, silver charms, and bones etched in blood. Atop her long, wiry black hair sat a braided silver circlet, embellished with amber beads, raven feathers, and a luminous moonstone matching the gem in her wooden staff. A trio of Nordic runes adorned the silver headpiece—Ansuz, for wisdom and divine communication;Laguz,for the flow of water and otherworldly intuition; andRaido, the journey, symbolic of thedrakkarships about to embark.
White catskin gloves hugged Úlvhild’s long arms, the curved wand of pale yew wood with its glowing moonstone tip clutched in one hand, an ornate silver bowl etched with runes and encrusted with glistening gems in the other. At the base of her long neck, the amber stone in her amulet was engraved with the image of Freyja, goddess ofseidrmagic. At her narrow waist, an elegant dagger was sheathed inside a black leather scabbard studded with rubies, amethysts, and amber. The wooden handle of the mysterious blade was inscribed with runes and etched with scrolls depicting graceful swans in flight.And in the dagger’s elaborate hilt, a ruby red garnet-- the same color as thevölva’svelvet gown-- glittered in the morning sun.
Noting Elfi’s rapt attention, Úlvhild patted her weapon with an eerie, enigmatic smile.“Freyja’s Whisper,” she crooned. “Reserved for blood rituals.”
An icy blend of exhilaration and trepidation shivered down Elfi’s spine.
“It’s time for the sacrifice andvardlokkurblessing,” thevölvaannounced. “Njörd has returned from his longhouse with several dozen of his warriors from Ribe. He’s down at the dock right now, assembling the men for the ritual.” Úlvhild adjusted the pouches of herbs, bone runes, sacred stones, andgaldrimbued crystals suspended from her leather belt. “TheÚlfhéðnarandLjósálfarare there as well, with the Danish warriors from Ribe.”
Luna arrived in the doorway, carrying a glittering crystal basin etched with Elven scrolls. “Here are the fish for the sacrifice. Three each of cod, sole, and turbot. Triple the blessing for the voyage— with the sacred number nine.” The lovelyLjósálfarsmiled at Vivi, noting the purple blossoms in the willow basket. “Such beautiful wildflowers. Rán will be most pleased.” The young blonde priestess in training beamed at her mother, delighted by Luna’s glowing praise.
Úlvhild nodded in agreement and raised her eyebrows at Elfi. “Shall we go?”
Elfi took a deep breath to calm her jittery nerves. “I’m ready.” With Sif, Vilde, and Oda right behind her, Elfi slung the leather satchel over a shoulder and followed thevölvaout the door.
Chapter 34
Invocation of the Sea Gods
When Elfi arrived with Úlvhild and the women down near the docks, a crowdhad gathered on the grassy meadow to watch the three ships depart. TheLjósálfarandÚlfhéðnarstood in formation around the Danish warriors from Ribe who were sailing with them into battle. In the center of the assembled men, a small fire burned, encased in a circle of smooth stones.
Elfi spotted Njörd among hisÚlfhéðnarpack,their monstrous wolfskin cloaks both magnificent and terrifying. Gilded in the golden sun, thegloriousdragonscalearmor and luminous weapons of theLjósálfarexuded an otherworldly glow. Chain mail hauberks, conical helmets, polished axes, spears, and swords of ninety Danes glistened in the flickering firelight and radiant morning sun. As the Danish Jarl of Ribe and commander of the warriors sailing into battle, Njörd would remain with his men for the blood ritual. But he flashed Elfi a brilliant smile that made hersjóvættirspirit soar.
The Danes were kneeling in neat rows of ten men across, with three lines of warriors flanking the fire on each of three sides. Forming a semicircle behind them, theÚlfhéðnarandLjósálfarstood at attention facing the Narrow Sea.
As Elfi watched in wonder with Oda, Sif, and Vilde, Úlvhild began chanting avardlokkurto summon benevolent spirits, thumping her moonstone staff on the grassy ground. Swaying slowly with the rhythm of her chant, thevölvaled Ylva, clutching the willow basket of wildflowers, and Vivi, reverently carrying the silver chaliceof mead and a brush made from a tree twig, to the altar consisting of three large stones which she had grouped together parallel to the sandy shore. Ylva and Vivi joined in Úlvhild’s ethereal song, the three melodic voices floating on the sea breeze like soft, billowy clouds.
Luna glided to the shoreline, the long sleeves of her luminous white dress fluttering in the gentle wind. She placed the crystal basin of sacrificial fish upon the altar at Úlvhild’s feet, beside a shimmery silver cloth draped over the center stone. Pale blonde head bowed in humble reverence, Luna slipped back up the grassy bank to stand beside Elfi while Ylva, Vivi, and Úlvhild continued thevardlokkurchant.
Vivi set the silver chalice of mead on the flat stone to the right of center, and Ylva laid the willow basket of wildflowers upon the altar rock to the left. As the haunting, lyrical vocalizations of the trio of voices increased in intensity and the chant curled into a vibrant, harmonic swell, thevölvahanded her staff to Ylva and slowly withdrewFreyja’s Whisperfrom its gem-encrusted sheath.
Selecting a turbot from the crystal basin, Úlvhild gripped the fish in her left hand, positioning it over the silver bowl which would collect the blood. With her right hand, thevölvameticulously sliced the pale flesh of the fish, carefully collecting the precious blood in the silver bowl inscribed with runes and adorned with glittering gems. One by one, Úlvhild ceremoniously sliced the living fish, harvesting the sacrificial blood she would use to anoint the ships and bless the warriors and crew. With each strike ofFreyja’s Whisper, thevardlokkurvoices rippled through the salty air, their resonant crescendo rising with the level of liquid in the silver bowl. As the last drop of blood dripped into the basin, the furious chanting peaked— almost frantic in intensity, like a storm about to break. A primal call to the gods, the final note of thevardlokkurlingered in the air, leaving a hushed, sacred silence in its sonorous wake.
With majestic reverence, Úlvhild lifted the silver cloth and carried the sacrificial fish to the water’s edge, a sacred offering to the gods as she released them into the Narrow Sea. Goldensunlight glimmered on the waves and shimmery silk, bathing thevölvain sublime luminescence. As the fish drifted out to sea, symbolizing the acceptance of the sacrifice by the gods, Úlvhild’s voice rang out in divine invocation. "Hail Njörd and Rán, God and Goddess of the Sea, accept this sacrifice in tribute and grant us your favor. May your winds fill our sails and your waves carry our ships. Guide our warriors to their fates and return them safely to these shores.”
Úlvhild inclined her head to Ylva, who brought the willow basket of fragrant purple wildflowers to the water’s edge, tossing the blossoms into the waves which lapped at the soft white sand. “Goddess Rán, mistress of the sea, we offer wildflowers and seek your favor. May the fragrance of the land enhance your underwater realm as you bless the ships which transport your granddaughter Elfi, who sails to her wedding in Ísland.” When thevölvagestured to Vivi, the young blonde priestess approached with the ornate silver chalice, ceremoniously pouring the contents into the frothy waves along the shore. “O Njörd, God of the Wind and Sea, accept this golden mead and grant us safe passage. Guide thedrakkarships of the Danish jarl who bears your divine name. Njörd Ívarrsson,Wolf of the Nordic Seas.”
A hushed silence swept over the sheltered beach and grassy meadow, the crackle of fire and the lapping of waves the only sound. Therapt crowd watched with bated breath as Úlvhild removed her catskin gloves, handed them to Ylva, and carried the silver bowl of sacrificial blood to the threedrakkarlongships beached upon the nearby sand. Dipping her bare fingers into the blood, she anointed the dragon prows of eachdrakkarship, invoking the blessing of the gods.
“O Rán and Njord, by the sacred blood of this sacrifice, I bind these ships to you. May the sea grant them safe passage, the wind fill their sails, and your divine favor guide their course." When she finished sanctifying the ships, she returned to the group gathered in the glen. “Elfi Thorfinnsdóttir and Njörd Ívarsson, come forward,that I may bless your forthcoming wedding.”
