They left Gudvangen the next day, with Embla’s mother beside them. Asa was excited about the journey, for she had never been so far from Bergen, and Runar could see the excitement shinning in her eyes as she carried her little pack of clothing with her. She saw it as an adventure and a way to get to know her new son-in-law better.
The boys walked with them to the cave, helping them with their packs. At the cave entrance they said some heartfelt goodbyes, and then left with their guard to return to Gudvangen. Embla waved them off with a smile.
‘We will see them again, when we return with your mother in the autumn,’ he assured her.
‘I know,’ Embla said with a smile. ‘But I have also realised that they are growing up. I cannot keep fussing over them. As much as I love them, they are not my sons, and I must learn to let go of them. They will be grown men soon enough, with their own paths to walk.’
Embla’s mother patted her arm. ‘You have more sense than me. I struggled to accept that fate for years. I am looking forward to the future, though. Being closer to you and Gertrud will be a joy, but to have a life and home of my own...that will be wonderful! I only wish I had done it sooner.’
‘You have decided to stay in Gudvangen then?’ Runar asked. So far, he had only spoken with her about staying with them until autumn.
‘Yes, there is nothing for me back in Bergen. It is time for me to be brave and make my own choices, like Embla,’ she said proudly.
Later, as they exited the caves and stepped out onto the ridge that looked down the mountainside, a surprising sight awaited them.
People were walking around Runar’s cabin, and not just Issko, but half of the tribe were there too. They were busily clearing a large space and building what looked to be a new barn.
‘How did they know I wanted to build a new barn?’ Runar mumbled in shock. ‘I never asked... I was not even certain I would return here!’
Embla laughed. ‘I was telling your mother and the elders that it is the only part you have not been able to repair fully on your own. They must have decided to remedy the problem!’
He looped an arm around her shoulders and pecked her cheek with a little kiss, not daring to do anything more in front of her mother. He already felt guilty enough about the short wedding ceremony they’d had with thegothiand his uncle that morning.
Embla was delighted to learn that she was related to Gertrud through both blood and marriage now. Runar had not meant to deliberately keep his relationship to Thorin from her. But after what had happened with Gertrud, he had always considered himself an outcast, without family. It was good to know that Thorin had not felt the same.
They walked down to greet the group of men and women who were busy at work on the new frame and foundations. The Sami were excellent boatbuilders; their ships were used to hunt whale in the deepest waters. So a building, although unusual, was not beyond their skills. Already Runar could see that it was going to be an impressive barn.
‘Mother!’ Runar called out as they approached, and he even followed it with one of his sharp whistles.
Miljá emerged from the cabin not long after. Welcoming them with a wide smile, as she joined them in the clearing. Stopping to kiss Embla’s cheek, she looked at the hat on her head.
‘You have covered your hair again. Did he finally marry you?’ she asked, and Runar suddenly felt like a naughty child.
Embla giggled. ‘He did! Although, I really do like this hat.’
His mother grinned and slapped his arm sharply. ‘Finally! I told him to bring you back. For once he listened! And who is this...your mother?’
Asa returned her warm greeting with an affectionate smile of her own, and in no time they were laughing and heading inside the cabin like old friends.
‘I think we will need to empty out everything from our stores to feed this army,’ Runar said to Embla, and she grinned.
‘No problem!’ she said slapping her palms together. ‘I will have a feast ready before nightfall.’ She hurried away from him, a bounce in her step that he found utterly adorable.
Embla had never been happier. People filled the clearing around their house, and the snow had mostly melted apart from the pillowy banks Runar had made from sweeping the clearing. People draped these with skins to sit on, or used some of the fallen trees as seating.
The fire inside was too small to feed this many people, and so she had made two fire pits in the centre of the clearing. Some of the young men had broughtlavvuswith them, and had pitched them around the sides, while others had bedrolls and would sleep in one of the two barns, or in the animal section of the cabin. Embla had already decided that she and Runar would give up their bed for their respective mothers, and would sleep together in alavvuuntil the tribe moved on.
She had a thick stew going with the cured boar and remaining winter vegetables, as well as a whole stag roasting on a spit that one of the hunters had brought back proudly. Nearly everything had been dragged out from the stores to be used. But neither she nor Runar cared; it was now spring. There was plenty of time for them to restock, and they had to show their gratitude for all the hard work thesiidahad done for them. She made so many flatbreads her wrists ached from the kneading, but she didn’t care.
She would miss thesiidawhen they travelled to the coast. However, she took solace knowing that they would return in the winter. Even in the wilderness, you didn’t have to be alone...not if you didn’t want to be.
She banged a pan with a metal spoon, calling everyone to come to the fire, and Runar joined her, making sure to bring their large chairs with him. After helping to serve, she brought them each a platter to eat and sat in her seat with a satisfied sigh.
‘We look like a king and queen sitting in our thrones,’ she laughed, passing him his platter.
‘You are the queen of this new barn,’ Runar said with a teasing smile.
‘It is a very impressive barn! I love it. What will we do with the old one?’
