With a quick, expectant glance at Njörd, Elfi rose and faced the ethereal queen.
Íssla’s ephemeral voice floated like falling snow. “So that you may enterÁlfheimand dwell inMiralirwith Njörd and your daughter soon to be born, I shall enhance yoursjósóngrpower as a billow maiden mermaid with theLjósálfarmagic ofmir glir—the Light Elven Song of the Sea.” With a graceful flutter of long, lustrous fingers, Queen Ísslabathed Elfi in radiant white light.
A collective gasp swept across the rapt crowd as the shimmer of Elven light was absorbed into Elfi’s glowing skin.
At the high table, the three couples rose and bowed before the resplendent queen.
Skjöld humbly inclined his head, resting a hand over his pounding heart. “Your gifts honor us, Queen Íssla. Skadi and I are deeply grateful for the moonstone cottage inÁlfheim.”
Skadi added softly, “The frosted starfruit of Lyrian Lake will remind us always of you.”
Bowing his head with Sif, Bodo expressed his reverent gratitude. “Our hearth will always carry your blessing.”
Elfi grasped Njörd’s hand and smiled at Queen Íssla.Ljósálfarlight shone in hersea goddesseyes. “AndMiralirshall echo your eternal name with theLjósálfarSong of the Sea.”
When everyone at the high table was seated, Lord Thorfinn rose, elkhorn raised high, a hearty grin stretching across his bearded face. “To King Sweyn and Queen Íssla, whose gifts honor usall…” He turned, beaming at the three couples seated beside him. “…and to the winter solstice brides and grooms, now bound by wedding vows.” He lifted his goblet higher. “Skál!”
The jubilant hall echoed the joyous cry with goblets raised, the golden firelight dancing on silver, silk, and swords.
Lord Thorfinn turned toward the hearth where poets and harpists waited in shadow. “And now, let songs fill the castle walls and entertain us all. Bring forth the trio of skalds!”
Skjöld recognized hisfaðir’sskald, who had entertained the entire castle ofChâteaufortwhen he was a lad. Now clad in Skårde’s heraldic colors, Bragi’s chestnut curls and neatly trimmed beard were threaded with silver, like the hem of his emerald green tunic. Singing in Old Norse and Norman French, thetroubadouralternated both language and instrument, accompanying his skaldic verses with lyre and lute as he performedThe Brown Wolf and the Loyal Heart, his wedding song for Bodo and Sif.
Egil was the next skald to perform, his long grey hair and beard braided with blue beads, a rowan wreath atop his humble head. Like Bragi, Egil accompanied his verses with a duo of instruments, alternating between lyre and flute in his rendition ofThe White Wolf and the Siren’s Song, his winter solstice wedding tribute to Elfi and Njord.
Elation illuminated Skadi’s lovely face as she watched the third skald stride into the center of the Great Hall. “That must be your uncle’s skald Óðleifr,” she whispered into his ear. “Look at his magnificent harp.”
Etched with blackened runes and images of dragons, the intricately carved harp was inlaid with Skjöld’s spirit stone of lapis lazuli, and glowing moonstones, in honor of Skadi’sLjósálfarblood. The nine iridescent strings shimmered like an icy fjord under starlight.
Óðleifr’s pale blond hair was braided down his broad back, his deep blue woolen cloak embroidered with dragons and flames. At the sight of the finely wrought silver brooch fastened at the skald’s shoulder, Skjöld’s breath hitched.
It was shaped like a dragon entwined with a shield, in honor of Skadi and Skjöld.
Óðleifr strummed the mellow notes, his deep voice smooth as golden mead, as he retold the tale of how Skadi met Skjöld in his winter solstice wedding song,Dragonfire and Dwarven Shield: the Saga of Soulbound Mates.
Skjöld’s spirit soared like Skadi’s wings at the jubilant sound of riotous cheers. The wedding guests had enjoyed the skaldic song as much as he.
Lord Thorfinn rose once more, his deep voice ringing like a bronze bell over the raucous din. “Tonight, we have heard a trinity of skalds sing a trio of winter solstice wedding tributes. To Bragi, Egil, and Óðleifr. To skaldic songs and wedding vows. Let us drink in their honor.Skál!"
He lifted his mead horn high. “Now let us dance in the snow around the bonfire, beneath the starlit sky and the winter solstice moon. Let the music begin!”
“I cannot wait to hold you in my arms.” Skjöld rose from the high table, grasped Skadi’s slender hand, and helped her stand. “Come, mysoulboundwife. Let’s celebrate our wedding night…and dance in the moonlight.”
* * * *
The salty breeze was cold off the windswept cliffs as Skjöld led Skadi out of the castle and into the clearing where the bonfire sent sparks soaring into the dark sky strewn with stars.
Young warriors clad in glinting chain mail sparred with real blades, their mock battles meant to impress the awestruck maidens gathered nearby, who squealed as sparks flew from clashing, ringing steel.
While musicians played lyres, lutes, drums, and flutes, theÚlfhéðnarhowled and hooted with laughter, dancing in wild abandon around the roaring flames.
Njáll danced with Luna, his sinewy arms wrapped protectively around the lovelyLjósálfar, whose moonstonenecklace glimmered like the glowing orb overhead.
Skjöld led Skadi to a more secluded section of the clearing, along the edge of the forest where Njörd and Elfi danced close by. “We can still hear the music, but we can talk here as well.” He swept her into his arms and leaned down to claim her irresistible lips. “You are a breathtaking bride. I am so glad you are mine.”
Skadi hummed and rested her head on his white bearskin clad shoulder. “Me too.”
“I cannot believe my uncle granted us theHrímborgcastle near the Vågakallen mountain. That’s where Haldor and Úlvhild are right now—in theDragon’s Leapcave.” Skjöld swirled Skadi to the thumping, rhythmic beat.
