‘Use it for firewood.’
She chuckled at his quick answer before saying thoughtfully, ‘The area is nice and flat. We should make it into a vegetable garden. Save you from buying from Gudvangen all the time, or having to forage for them.’
Runar nodded. ‘Good idea.’
‘And now we have a decent barn...the animals can go in there, and we can open up the longhouse more.’
He raised one brow at her. ‘You have plans?’
‘I always have plans.’
‘Then I shall be a very busy man.’
They were distracted by loud shouting from Iskko and Lejo, who appeared to be in a competition as to who could dance on a barrel the longest without falling. Both seemed to be bad at it.
‘Do you mind it? All these people being here?’ she asked quietly, her smile faltering with concern.
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. ‘It is good to be outside and working with them. I prefer that to sitting in a tent all together...and you are here with me, so it is easier. Although, I would be lying if I said I was not looking forward to when they leave.’
Leaning across, he brushed a light kiss across her mouth. ‘But I will have to learn to compromise,’ he added with a knowing look. ‘I cannot isolate you from the world. It would not be fair on you, especially after you have been so brave in joining me here.’
‘I accept you as you are. But it is good to know we will not always be alone. Your willingness to try is enough to make me realise that I made the right choice.’
He kissed her softly, and she forgot they were surrounded by people.
‘Stop that! We need a wedding first!’ cried Miljá and they both broke away, surprised by the interruption.
‘We married earlier today in Gudvangen,’ explained Embla, but Asa took her by the hand and pulled her towards the longhouse.
‘No harm in being married twice, especially if it is to the same man,’ she said firmly.
Once inside the cabin, Embla was dressed in a colourful blue-and-red dress, which was traditional to thesiida, and adorned with lots of silver and gold brooches that Runar’s mother cheerfully pinned to her. A silver crown was placed on her head, over several layers of scarfs and ribbons. Finally, beautiful snowy white reindeer boots were put on her feet and she was told to wait for her groom’s arrival.
‘I ask permission to marry the woman within!’ called out Runar as he strode in through the doorway.
He looked handsome in his traditional clothing. It matched hers in colour and embroidery style.
Accepting his outstretched arm, Embla replied, ‘Granted,’ and they walked outside to the cheers of thesiida.
Two couples in similar outfits waited for them: Iskko and Lejo, with two women she had only recently got to know today. They were from anothersiidathat was currently staying down by the lake with Miljá’s tribe.
‘They will be part of our procession,’ explained Runar.
‘Will they be getting married too?’ Embla whispered, unsure of the tradition.
‘No...although I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened soon. But for now they will just join us for good luck.’
‘Where are we going?’
‘Not far. We need to walk around our home three times and then we are married.’
Embla squeezed his arm with a delighted smile. ‘Then let us begin... I am looking forward to the wedding night.’
Runar grinned at that. ‘I swear, every night will be our wedding night!’ And she laughed.
Epilogue
Shadows flickered along the white stone as little and big hands moved to make shapes: a dog howling, a boar with teeth snarling, and then a raven flying across the sky.
