The climb down to Thrudheim was difficult and time consuming. The snow had stopped, but it had carpeted the already wet ground with an icy sludge, which made the path treacherous. At least they could take their time now that Astra was safe.
They each took turns in helping to carry or guide Astra down the miners’ path and a sigh of relief escaped all their mouths when the ground finally levelled and they saw the fires of the furnaces in the distance. It meant they were close to the workshops and ultimately Thrudheim.
The miners were woken from their beds and they immediately offered them shelter and hot mead. Messengers were sent out to notify the search parties that Astra had been found by the King and Queen. They were also offered a bed for the remainder of the night, but Skadi wanted the comfort of her own hall and it seemed foolish to stop when they were already so close to home. So, they were given ponies to take them the rest of the way, which wasn’t far.
* * *
A short time later they entered Thrudheim’s hall, with its wolf banners of blue and white draped from the beams, the central fire roaring cheerfully in welcome.
Agnar and Vali had stopped by the gate to deal with the messengers and presumably to prepare for whatever new challenge would fall upon them from Sven. They knew he’d made it down to his boat eventually, so they were prepared for another battle with him in the future.
They paused a moment to warm their hands and wave away the servants who hurried to offer them warmed wine and honey cakes. Skadi’s body was so shattered and cold that she wanted nothing more than to curl up in her bed.
‘Actually, Inga!’ she called out, as she realised what she actually needed. ‘Could you please put some hot stones in the King’s bed, and bring a cup of restorative tonic for the Princess, honey and chamomile, perhaps?’
Inga nodded and there was a flurry of activity as all the servants hurried to do as she asked. Skadi wasn’t surprised. Astra was well loved by the servants and her kidnap by a trusted member of the court had shaken everyone, not just Skadi.
She guided a sleepy Astra down the corridor.
‘Am I not sleeping in my room tonight?’ she murmured.
‘No, tonight I thought you could sleep with me.’
Astra didn’t argue, and seemed pleased by the suggestion. ‘I wish I had Freydis. I left her at the lodge.’
Skadi paused outside her daughter’s chamber. ‘Would you like anything else instead?’
Astra shook her head and they continued on, Skadi quietly reassuring her that her doll would be brought down by the warriors when they left the cabin.
‘Are you sure?’ asked Astra nervously.
‘I am certain they will see her and remember how special she is to you.’
A brazier had been lit in the King’s chamber and Skadi smiled at Inga, who was fussing with extra blankets and furs on the bed. They began to undress, a half-barrel was filled with warm water and they each took it in turns to stand inside and wash themselves with a foamy cloth of soap and then be rinsed off with a jug. It wasn’t as satisfying as a proper bath, but it was a welcome pleasure after the freezing cold and clammy sweat that had accumulated over the strain of their terrible day and night.
They had climbed up and down a mountain, had the fright of their lives and been exposed to the first heavy snowfall. This simple wash with hot water, followed by fresh linen shifts, felt like a luxury in comparison. She insisted on lamb’s wool socks for Astra’s feet and to brush and braid her hair in two plaits either side of her head, hating to see the ragged hair and knowing that Astra had been forced to tear at it to leave them signs of her kidnap.
Once she was done, Astra insisted she do the same. So dutifully she brushed and braided her hair in two girlish plaits and put thick socks on her feet, while Astra drank her tonic and even ate a small bowl of porridge that Inga had insisted on making.
Eventually, she could tuck Astra into bed and send the servants back to theirs, before joining her daughter. As she did so, Skadi noticed for the first that the bed was the new one that Agnar had commissioned. It had a wolf’s head roaring at the centre of the headboard, the fur inlaid with silver and a blue glass eye. Surrounding the wolf was intricately carved knotwork that looked like a swirling sea.
She smiled when she eased under the covers and noticed the ridged mountain range of Thrudheim carved into the footboard. It was also inlaid with silver to show the frost of its highest peak and the northern star above it was a matching blue to the wolf’s eye. It was whimsical and filled with artistry and imagination, not how she would have imagined a bed ordered by the stoic and practical Agnar might have looked.
He made it for me.The realisation made fresh tears sting her eyes and she fought to control them.
Astra was already drifting off to sleep and she snuggled closer to the familiar warmth of her mother with a whimper. Skadi stroked her back and the whimper turned into steady even breaths.
A creak drew her attention and she noticed Agnar standing in the doorway. He took one look at Astra in bed with Skadi and turned to leave.
‘Don’t go!’ Skadi whispered—as loud as she dared with Astra beside her. Thankfully, Agnar heard her, and he paused, turning back towards her with a curious expression.
Skadi slipped from the bed and padded towards him in her lamb’s wool socks that matched her daughter’s and the silly braids swinging at the sides of her head. She looked ridiculous, but she didn’t care.
Agnar smiled as she approached him, lifting one of the white-blonde braids with his fingers and stroking the feathered tip lightly. ‘This reminds me of when we first met. You had your hair like this.’
‘Come,’ she said, taking his hand and pulling him further into the room.
‘I’m filthy,’ he said.
