He leaned to the side, unwilling to give her up. Grabbing the bundle with an outstretched hand, he handed it to her.
Smiling, she untied the embroidered cloth and opened it. Inside was an eating knife with a whalebone handle, and a leather sheath that she could attach to her belt with a beautifully embroidered ribbon. She held it up to the firelight so that she could see it better.
‘It is to replace the one you killed the wolf with. The knife is my father’s, and the ribbon was embroidered by my mother, but the sheath I made myself.’
‘Thank you,’ she whispered, her voice husky with emotion, reaching up with one hand to stroke his cheek and press a light kiss against his mouth. ‘People will wonder how I came to have such a treasure!’ she said, tying it to her belt proudly.
He raised her chin with his finger and stared into her eyes. ‘Tell them that you are considered a great treasure this side of the mountain. Beautiful and powerful... You killed a wolf.’
She giggled, sinking against him as if she were falling into a dream. ‘They would never believe it.’
‘Then they are fools.’ He pulled her close, kissing the top of her head so lightly, he wondered if she would even feel it. ‘Youarea treasure.’
The Bifrost rippled overhead, creating a magical display that promised good fortune for the year to come.
Just like the Northern Lights above them, their time together was uncertain and fleeting. They could burn for several nights more, or tonight could be the last chance to see them this year.
No one could know their fate, especially not Embla and Runar, but they were both content to accept and enjoy this Yule for what it was: a gift.
Chapter Nineteen
The next few months were blissful. Runar did not dare mention the future or Gudvangen once, and neither did Embla. It was an endless winter in their minds, and they tried not to notice the melting of the ice on the trees or the lengthening of the days.
Sometimes they spent whole days in bed together, exploring each other’s bodies and comparing their childhoods. Learning all that there was to know about each other. Embla had always been surrounded by people and babies, while Runar had only had his parents for company.
And yet they had both been lonely, although in different ways. Embla had worked hard to be noticed, to be seen as valuable by those around her. On the other hand, Runar had welcomed the silence and the lack of expectation, allowing the beauty of nature to remind him of his value. Which was fine, until he visited thesiidaor Gudvangen, and then doubts and fears of others judgement would creep in his mind, stealing his confidence.
As they walked to check on his traps one day, he explained, ‘At first, I thought it was due to growing up alone, and finding a group settlement strange. But over time, I have realised it was because of who I am. I do not understand people, especially the Norse. They value different things to me, and I was never sure how to act around them. I find talking with both thesiidaand the people of Gudvangen exhausting, and I am far happier out in nature. Here, I do not have to prove anything or watch my words. I hated raiding with my father, the pointless violence, and for what—shiny trinkets? I would rather hunt for my own food than steal it. It can be lonely in the wilderness, but I am alive when many are not. I am fed and warm, while others starve out in the cold. I am lucky to have a home and a place to call my own. No one commands me here, or expects more from me than I can give... I am free.’
‘It is beautiful here.’ Embla nodded with understanding, smiling at some alpine flowers peeking through the blanket of snow on a rocky area beside them. The boulders had not been visible the day before, but now she could see green shoots and delicate golden heads trembling in the sunlight.
Picking one of the blooms, he tucked it behind her ear and then kissed her cheek.
The sound of dogs yapping announced the arrival of Iskko’s sledge before they saw it, and Runar’s heart plummeted to the soles of his feet.
‘Greetings, friends!’ shouted Iskko as he slowed the sleigh beside them.
Sten ran out to welcome the excited dogs, and there was plenty of barking and tails wagging in return.
Runar walked forward and hugged his friend. ‘Iskko, I wish I could say it was good to see you...’
Iskko gave his friend a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. ‘Ahh, so you haven’t convinced her to stay then?’
Runar looked to Embla, who was petting the dogs. She smiled up at him as he turned to her, but she did not know what they were saying.
‘Not yet,’ he said. ‘Are the western cliffs clear?’
Iskko nodded. ‘Yes, they are clear. I can tell her differently if you wish...’
Runar shook his head. He could not lie to her, not when she had always been so honest with him.
‘Is something wrong?’ asked Embla, her forehead creased with worry.
‘No,’ Runar replied. ‘Iskko was just telling me the western cliffs are clear... You can go home.’
Embla straightened, her expression disappointingly ambivalent. ‘I see... We should head back, then. Iskko must be tired and in need of some rest.’
Runar turned to Iskko. ‘Shall we go back to my cabin?’
