“I’m delighted with this silver fox fur,” Úlvhild exclaimed, referring to the three luxurious pelts theBlóðsmiðrhad obtained for her in Vågan. “The pale grey and ice blue colors are the same as Skadi’sfrostdragonscales. It’s perfect for her cloak—and there is enough leather for Skjöld’s scabbard as well.” She sat by the fire, stitching the skins together for the wedding gift she would give Skadi. Nearby, Haldor whittled a section of birchwood which Úlvhild would wrap in fox leather to craft a sheath for Skjöld’s dagger. “With his scabbard made from the same pelts as her cloak… our wedding gifts unite them as one.”
As they worked together on the presents they would offer Skadi and Skjöld for their upcoming winter solstice wedding, a shout sounded from outside the cave.
“Haldor…Úlvhild… I’ve returned!” Cheeks flushed from the icy wind, snow and frost clinging to his thick blond beard and white bearskin cloak, Skjöld’s wildly exuberant face peered between the reindeer hides at the mouth of the cave.
With a quick, stunned glance at Úlvhild, Haldor leapt to his feet. “Come inside, out of the cold.,” he said, welcoming Skjöld back into the cave and helping him out of his cloak, which he hung on a hook beside their own. “What’s happened? I thought you’d be back in Vågan by now.”
“I’ve had a vision.” Skjöld gripped Haldor’s forearm, his wild eyes flicking between him and Úlvhild. “I sent my spirit into the fjord… and what I saw…” He stammered, his voice trembling with emotion. “I simply had to share. It cannot wait. Please, sit down.”
Úlvhild’s heart hammered in her chest.What had he seen? O, Freyja…please let it not be a dark omen …”
Haldor settled down on the furs beside her and squeezed her hand. He smiled reassuringlybefore turning toward Skjöld. “Tell us what you saw.”
Elation blazed in Skjöld’s fiery gaze. He leaned forward, piercing Úlvhild with a penetrating stare, as if he could see into her soul. “A deep green vine, with a trio of white moonflowers, has unfurled across your belly.” His whisper was haunting and otherworldly.
Úlvhild’s mouth went dry, and her limbs quivered. She nodded, unable to utter a sound.
“Freyja spoke to me through the fjord.” Skjöld’s radiant smile illuminated the entire cave. “She said that the moonflowers on the vine are the three babes you will bear Haldor. For when she blessed you withFreyja’s Bloom, she not only healed you…she mended your womb.”
Úlvhild felt faint. She couldn’t believe what Skjöld was saying.
Freyja had healed her womb?
Before she could find her voice, he continued. “The white blossom above yournafliis the daughter you carry now.” He raised her chilled hand to his warm, beaded lips, bright eyes glistening in the firelight.
“And the others—one curled protectively inside each hip—are the sons you will soon bear. Freyja’s gift to you, sweet Úlvhild, is that which your heart longs for most.”
His faraway voice echoed from the Otherworld.
“To bear your Falcon’s heirs.”
The cave tilted. Darkness hovered at the edge of her vision. Úlvhild’s breath came in shallow gasps. Could it be true? After twenty desolate, desperate years of longing to bear Haldor’s child… had Freyja given her this most precious gift?
Her mind raced, as thoughts flooded like a raging river. She hadn’t bled in two months, but she’d attributed that to her illness. She’d been tired and queasy, but had dismissed it as part of her recovery.
Tears welled in her eyes, slipping silently down her cheeks, the endless years of grief, longing, and loss washing away in a cleansing catharsis. As Haldor gently cupped her chin and turnedher crumpled face to look at him, the lovelight in his joyful eyes lit up her entire soul.
“A daughter…” Haldor whispered in awe as he brushed a long lock from Úlvhild’s face. “Let’s name her Freyja. For this divine gift.” He leaned in to brush soft lips against hers. “The goddess who healed us both. And created this bloom of new life from ours.”
Haldor’s words wrapped around her like a warm cloak.. The divine gift of life—Freyja’s Bloom—from the goddess of theseiðrmagicwhich bound their two souls. And now, a daughter. A living embodiment of their love.And a future together at long last. She flung her arms around him, buried her face upon his strong shoulder, and sobbed with joy.
Skjöld rose and smiled down at them both. In his contented gaze, Úlvhild saw gratitude and fulfillment, as if sharing his vision had been as profound a gift to him as to them. “I must reach Vågan before nightfall. Skadi and theBlóðsmiðrwill wonder why I’m delayed.”
Haldor stood with him, fetched three wooden cups, and poured mead into each. The honeyed liquid glinted in the golden flames. “We must first share a toast.”
Accepting the proffered cups from Haldor, Úlvhild and Skjold exchanged affectionate smiles.
“To Freyja.” Haldor lifted his cup high. “The goddess who granted me the wings of a falcon,…” His fierce, dark gaze held Úlvhild’s. “…who healed the woman I love…” A tender smile spread across his tattooed, bearded face. “And who has blessed us withFreyja’s Bloom.”
Úlvhild stood beside him and raised her wooden cup. “To Freyja, the Goddess of Love,Seiðr, and Fertility.” She beamed, her heart overflowing with love. “And to Freyja, the beloved daughter cradled in my womb.”
Skjöld lifted his cup last. “To the goddess who healed you both. Who bound your souls throughseiðr.Who has given you a future together.” His jubilantcheer echoed off the cave walls. “To Freyja!Skál!”
With a kiss for Úlvhild and a firm forearm grasp for Haldor, Skjöld donned his bearskin cloak, bid them both farewell, and stepped out into the softly falling snow.
Chapter 35
Freyja’s Eyes
