Ylva’s Gifts
As thecrowd erupted in jubilant cheers, lively melodies from lyres and lutes floated in the festive breeze. Guests flocked to dance around the bonfire which blazed in the grassy meadow above the white chalk cliffs. The floral fragrance of heather, gorse, and wild thyme mingled with woodsmoke as lyre-song rose into the starlit night sky.
Skjöld held Skadi tight, swirling her to the music. Nearby, he spotted Njörd dancing with Elfi, and the giant Njáll cradling Luna inside his black wolfskin cloak. Although Bodo limped, it didn’t seem to bother him at all, for he laughed with Sif as he twirled her in his brawny arms.
Skadi suckled the side of Skjöld’s neck under his trimmed beard, sending a staggering jolt of desire straight to his loins. “This reminds me of the night we first danced together in Dvalinn’s cave.” Her whispered breath was hot in his ear. “When we made love, shared ourfrostfiremagic…and becamesoulboundin water and flame.”She nuzzled the tuft of blond hair at the base of his throat, humming with pleasure as she deeply inhaled his scent.“I hope our private chamber has a window. So we can make love in the moonlight, like last night in Vågan.”
“It’s hard to believe that was just last night.” He pulled her close so she could feel his ardent desire. “So much has happened today… it seems like it’s been at least a week.”
After they danced for a while, Skjöld spotted Elfi sitting at the table. Njörd was speaking with Skårde, Lord Thorfinn, and Jarl Rikard, undoubtedly discussing the morning voyage toHeiðabýrto discuss withSweyn and Tryggvi the wedding proposal for Sigurd.
“I’d like to speak to Elfi,” Skadi said, withdrawing her arms from around Skjöld’s neck. He instantly missed her touch. “I want to talk about our weddings.” Skadi’s dazzling smile took his breath away.
As he led Skadi back to the table and seated her beside Elfi, Skjöld noticed Ylva sitting with Vivi. A sudden thought came to mind. “I’ll be back soon,” he said, kissing the top of Skadi’s pale blonde head. “I need to talk to my mother.”He smiled as Sif came to the table and joined Elfi and Skadi. “I’ll leave you three brides to discuss your winter solstice weddings.”
Skjold crossed the clearing and strode to the table where his mother and young sister were sitting with Thorfinn’s elderly mother Oda. Ylva smiled at his approach. “Maman, could I speak to you for a moment?”
Ylva turned to Oda. “May I leave Vivi with you while I talk to my son?”
The wrinkled cheeks of Elfi’sammacrinkled into a soft smile. “Of course. Vivi and I have much to discuss.” She squeezed his sister’s hand. “There are three winter solstice weddings that we must prepare.”
Vivi’s bright smile lit up her pretty face. “Skadi is beautiful. I am so happy that I’ll finally have a sister.”
Skjöld grinned from ear to bearded ear.
He led Ylva toward an enormous beech tree adorned with garlands of pinkéglantinewild roses. The soft floral fragrance wafted into the cool salty air.
Ylva’s blue seeress eyes searched his. “What is it, son?”
Skjöld inhaled deeply to summon the courage to voice his request. “Maman, you know gemstones, runes, andgaldrmagic. You once made an emerald talisman forFaðir.”
He glanced over at Skadi sitting at the table, laughing with Elfi and Sif. By the gods, he loved her. Skjöld remembered the extraordinary rings Haldor had shown him.Freyja’s Eyes—crafted by Dvalinn, with the same amber gems that the dwarf had used to create the legendary Brisingamen necklace.
And Skjöld didn’t even have a simple silver band for his beautiful bride.
He turned back to Ylva. “I have no wedding ring for Skadi.”
Ylva gently took his hand and traced thefjórúninside his left palm. “Deep purple amethyst ablaze with brilliant fire,” she murmured, examining thesoulboundrune, “And ice blue aquamarine, sparkling like the frosted fjord.” A faraway look in her seeress eyes, she gazed across the clearing at Skjöld’s beautiful bride. “For Skadi’s ring, I’ll select two droplet-shaped gems, set in swirls of silver shaped like flames. One pointing up, the other down, their tips meeting in the center.” She smiled at Skjöld. “And for yours, the gems set side by side, facing each other, encased in swirls of silver etched with runes.” Her radiant smile, which had always warmed his young heart as a boy, now filled his spirit with joy as a man.
“Skadi has no female kin to help her prepare for the wedding.” Ylva pushed a strand of long blond hair away from Skjöld’s bearded face. Her eyes shone with maternal love. “Neither did I, when yourafiRikard came to fetch me in the Breton village of Saint-Suliac and brought me to Normandy to marry yourfaðir.But Skårde’sammaGyda—you might remember your great-grandmother…she passed away six winters ago… welcomed me with open arms when I arrived atChâteaufortfor my summer solstice wedding.”
Ylva smiled as her gaze found Skadi again. “Gyda had saved herkransenfor her daughter—but Katla died giving birth to Skårde. So she passed it to me, for my wedding to her grandson. Gyda and her servants, Norhild and Eydis, created a beautiful bridal headpiece for me with that heirloom circlet.” Her eyes glimmered with loving tears as she held Skjöd’s gaze. “I will want it back one day—for Vivi, when she comes of age. But I will create a headpiece for Skadi as beautiful as the one Gyda made for me.”
With a pale, slender hand, she caressed Skjöld’s bristled cheek. “Oda, Sif, and Vilde are skilled with needle and thread. They madeElfi’s wedding gown with sumptuous silk that Njörd brought back from the distant shores of the Caspian Sea.” Ylva glanced over at Oda, chatting with Vivi. “I’m sure they will be delighted to make a gown for Skadi—in palest blue, like her eyes. And I will embellish it with amethyst and aquamarine gems, to match your wedding rings.”
Her loving smile filled his grateful heart. “I will make her a most beautiful bride.”
“You have always known how to shape beauty from love,Maman. Thank you, for everything.” Skjöld bent down to kiss Ylva’s cheek, then escorted her back to sit with Oda and Vivi. He inclined his head politely to Elfi’s grandmother, and kissed his sister goodnight. “I’ll see you both in the morning. Sleep well.” With a warm, grateful smile at Ylva, Skjöld returned to Skadi’s side.
Njörd and Skårde came up to the table just as Skjöld arrived. Elfi stretched her arms overhead and yawned. “I’m ready for bed. It’s been an exhausting day.” She placed her hand on her rounded belly and gazed up at Njörd. “And our daughter makes me especially tired.”
“I’m going home with Bodo,” Sif said to Elfi, kissing her cheek, then Njörd’s. “We’ll come say goodbye in the morning.” Bodo and Sif nodded to Skadi and Skjöld, then headed off with a torch toward the village.
“Skårde and I leave at first light,” Njörd announced, helping Elfi to her feet. He grinned at Skjöld. “Haldor will be incredibly relieved to hear your father’s ingenious idea to wed Svanhild to Tryggvi.” He spoke to Skadi and Skjöld. “I’ll see you both in early December, when I return from Ísland. We’ll plan for our winter solstice weddings.”
Njörd kissed Skadi’s hand, then turned to say goodnight to Luna and Njáll. “You and theÚlfhéðnarwatch over Elfi while I’m gone,” he said to his wolf brother. “I’ll return as soon as I can.” Njörd said goodnight to Lugh and Ildris, who would remain as Thorfinn’s guests tonight and return toÁlfheimin the morning. He bent to kiss Luna’s cheek, nodded to Skårde, the rest of hispack seated at the table, and escorted Elfi toward the double entrance doors which led into the castle.
Skårde said goodnight to everyone as well. He grasped Skjöld’s forearms, paternal pride and profound love gleaming in his deep blue gaze. “I’m proud of the man you’ve become.” He pressed a bearded kiss to Skadi’s pale hand. “And delighted with your beguiling bride.” He straightened, watched Njörd lead Elfi into the castle, then spoke quietly to Skadi and Skjöld. “See you in the morning. Njörd and I sail forHeiðabýrafter dagmál.” He grinned. “I’ll formally invite Sweyn and Tryggvi to your winter solstice wedding. When they hear that Queen Íssla of theLjósálfarwill be here atChâteau Blanc, I’m sure they will wish to attend.” With a rumble of laughter, he inclined his head, waved to theÚlfhéðnar,and strode across the meadow towardYlva and Vivi.
