Rikard’s fierce gaze held Njáll’s. He nodded once, in solemn acceptance.
“I’ll place three hundred men here.” Skårde indicated the dense forest to the northeast of the Roman road. “With Ildris and Olvir, my twoLjósálfar… and Bodo and Flóki, my twoÚlfhéðnar.”His gaze shifted to Jarl Rikard and Skjöld. “Once the ambush is under way, we’ll close in from behind. And Skadi can swoop down from the sky.”
Jarl Rikard stood and stretched his arms overhead. He reached for his goblet and raised it high, prompting everyone at the table to follow his lead. “To victory at Noyon on the vernal equinox. And to the new king of a united Francia— Hugh Capet.Skál!”
As the war council filed out of the solar, Skjöld noted that Skadi and Luna had been the only women present, since none of the others would be riding into battle at Noyon. He took Skadi’s hand and followed Luna and Njáll out the door.
“I’d like to wash up and prepare for tonight before we go toÁlfheim.” Skadi whispered into his ear.
Skjöld hailed Njáll and Njörd. “We’ll join you in the sacred grove at sunset. See you soon.”
With a nod, Njáll led Luna downstairs, while Njörd headed to the quarters he shared with Elfi at the end of the hall.
Skjöld slipped with Skadi into their private chamber, closing and bolting the heavy wooden door.
“I’m glad the battle of Noyon is still three moons away. All that talk of war made bile rise in my belly.” Skadi rummaged through her trunk and selected a deep amethyst gown. Stepping out of her grey woolen dress, she slipped into the dark violet and turned her back toward Skjöld so that he would tighten the laces in her bodice.
He wanted tountiethem, throw her onto the pile of furs, and make her cry out in ecstasy.
But instead, he did what she wanted, then sat down upon the bed. With appreciative eyes, he watched her braid shiny silver ribbons into her long, luxurious blonde locks.
When she was ready, she turned to face him, swirling slowly to show off her lovely gown. “It’s the same hue as the amethysts in the wedding rings yourMamanoffered us.” Gratitude and joy shone in her pale blue eyes as she proudly displayed the pair of glittering gems.
“You called her by the French name formoðir.”Skjöld kissed her softly, enormously pleased. “Just as I always have.”
A wistful smile curled her luscious lips. “You’ll have to teach me more Norman French. After all, we’ll be living here—at least some of the time—for many years to come. AsComtesse de Saint-Valéry-en-Caux,”she giggled with delight at her new title of nobility, granted by Skårde,“I will need to speak the language of our people.”
While Skjöld donned his white bearskin, Skadi fastened the glorious silver fox fur cloak that Úlvhild had so lovingly stitched in theDragon’s Leapcave. Eyes wide with excitement, she whispered, “Let’s go.”
At the base of the stairwell, Elfi and Njörd waited in the vestibule. Elation lit up Elfi’s pretty face. With her elegant white ermine cloak and Njörd’s intimidating white wolfskin, the pair ofsea wolvesmade a striking couple indeed.
“It’s time to go to the sacred grove.” Elfi could barely contain her enthusiasm as she linked her arm through Njörd’s. When Skadi hooked her elbow throughSkjöld’s, a jubilant Elfi led them out of the castle.
And into the glorious, golden light of the setting solstice sun.
* * * *
Slices of sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, glinting off the snow-dusted ground like glittering gems. The crisp piney scent of the forest mingled with the briny tang of the sea as Skjöld and Skadi followed Elfi and Njörd into the sacred grove where they had buriedGaladirbeside Dag two moons past.
Waiting for them in the clearing up ahead, Luna stood with Njáll, Lugh, and Queen Íssla, flanked by fourLjósálfarguards. Their gleaming Elven swords were studded withgildirstarstones, and the frosted leather of their silverydragonscalearmor was gilded by the golden sun.
Skjöld expected Luna and Lugh to lead them to the waterfall cave of the Mermaid Cove. But instead, Luna led them away from the sacred grove, toward the Forest of the Wolf. Emerald eyes as verdant as the towering trees, she whispered breathlessly, “Follow me tola Forêt du Loup.”
They traveled through the thick forest, headed toward a sheltered glen. “This is where theÚlfhéðnartrain,” Njörd said to Skadi and Skjöld. “I wonder why Luna has led us here.”
Skadi and Elfi exchanged a knowing look, excitement aglow on their eager faces.
“You both know why, don’t you?” Njörd flashed a conspiratorial grin. “Tell us.”
Elfi shook her head and giggled. “Luna swore us to secrecy.”
A deep chuckle rumbled from Njörd. “It seems we’ll soon find out—for here we are.”
They had arrived at the base of an enormous beech tree, where royal guards were assembled around Íssla. Standing between a visibly bewildered Njáll and a grinning Lugh, Luna anxiously awaited Skadi, Skjöld, Elfi, and Njörd.
Once they had all gathered near, Luna faced Njáll and took hold of his scarred, swarthy hands. In the golden light, the amber eyes of the enormous black wolf atop Njáll’s long black hair gleamed with an otherworldly glow.
“I have a gift for you, my beloved wolf.” She looked up into his perplexed, expectant face. “And this is the perfect spot. In the heart ofla Forêt du Loup—the sacred Wolf Forest— enshrouded in protectiveLjósálfarlight.”
