She looked at the hearth again when the remaining log split and the halves rolled away from one another. Getting out of bed, she reached for the poker and another log. Once she had the fire raging again, she grabbed the top fur, wrapped it around herself and snuggled into the chair near the fire. The table with food and drink was within her reach so she topped up a goblet of mead and drank deeply. The thick liquid soothed and comforted as she swallowed. She’d always enjoyed the flavour of honey and silently thanked God for the person who had invented it.
She had no idea of the time and for how long she’d slept. Vigdis had not returned to the chamber so she assumed the festivities were still ongoing. Was there a bedtime for Vikings? She chuckled to herself. Considering how seriously they took everything else, she doubted it. Vigdis had said the feast would go on for three days and then they would set sail for the mainland.
Home. It would be a welcome sight. Not that she was in any hurry to stitch cloth, but she was ready to sleep in her own bed and fall into a familiar routine. If only this chamber had a window she could look out and see if it was yet dawn. She’d wait another while before checking in case there were only men about. Should they be well in their cups, they were company she would not want to keep.
Elspeth was not certain how long she sat there staring into the fire. Two goblets of mead and more meat and she again felt the heavy pull of slumber. She threw more logs on the fire and again crawled under the furs.
The next time she woke, someone was laughing beside her.
“And then I said, no, you surely jest, and he said, no you’re jesting…”
Vigdis was half under the furs and facing her, with her eyes closed and a big grin on her face. Elspeth couldn’t help but smile. Clearly the woman had drunk too much mead. Moments later Vigdis’ soft snores prompted Elspeth to drag the covers over her more completely. Her gown would have to wait until morning.
Everything seemed so simple for Vigdis. Her sweetness seemed to make life so much easier for her. Mayhap she was wrong, but the same was true for her brother. Nothing overly complicated ever seemed to happen to him. His thoughts were always clear and he never seemed to ruminate over anything too long.
This match between them was surely sanctioned by her gods and his as well. Oh, how to have one’s life so laid out. And was that what she wanted? The romantic side of her wanted the grand passion she had heard about between the shield-maiden and the MacDomnail. But surely that kind of wonderment between two people only came along but rarely. Well, mayhap twice if Vigdis and Osgar could be counted.
Elspeth sighed and turned over to stare into the fire. For a few brief moments she’d felt the tentacles of intrigue reaching out toward Vigdis’ brother and could have sworn he felt the same. But it was folly to think that the man wouldn’t have had some attachment, previous or current. Most men did, and that was the way of things which was what usually turned her off from anyone who came to speak to her brother about her. Each and every one came with some kind of history that was easily discovered; how she knew she wasn’t sure, but it was likely an inkling stemming from her gift. When she finally did form an attachment with someone, she would be sure and certain of his loyalty.
Unable to sleep, she resumed her cozy nook in the chair by the hearth remembering the sea spray on her face and moments of feeling truly free.
“You sigh a lot,” a sleepy voice said from behind her a time later.
“And you snore,” Elspeth said with a chuckle as she turned toward her.
Vigdis sat up rubbing her eyes. “I should have removed my boots at least.”
“You were mumbling until you fell asleep and you looked so peaceful I didn’t have the heart to disturb you.”
She smiled. “Thank you for that. I had a wonderful night and I suppose the mead and the excitement caught up to me.”
“And I can think of no better reason to fall into a deep slumber,” she said. She was truly happy for Vigdis and would be pleased to call her sister. They would always be close, she knew it in her bones.
“You were missed,” she said, suddenly looking serious.
“I can’t imagine by whom. I knew only you and my brothers. Nay, I was better off catching up on much needed sleep. Did you know my brother’s galley does not have a proper bed? I slept on a pallet the entire time I was on board.”
“I did not know that and you are changing the subject. Magnus was disappointed that you retired.”
“I doubt that and I am certain he was able to find alternate amusement.” Elspeth didn’t like the sound of her own voice or the words that came out of her mouth. In that moment she was well aware she sounded like a ridiculous woman whose jealousy concerned a man over whom she had no claim.
“You couldn’t be more wrong. Yrsa is the sister of Magnus’ best friend. She’s been following him around for years and he’s been quite clear he is not interested in any sort of relationship with her except respecting that she’s Bjorn’s sister.”
“I don’t understand. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be saying anything. It really is not my business.”
“Oh I believe you are wrong again, Lady Elspeth. I believe it very much is your business. Yrsa saw you two together as did the rest of us and became jealous of the intimate world you two were lost in for a short time. You two had the look about you that end up in stories told in song. Please do not doubt my brother or your moment earlier before Yrsa interrupted.”
Elspeth didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t been angry, or spiteful, rather disappointed, because in her heart she did feel that connection to which Vigdis referred. That it had been visible to others around them should be testament to its validity, but she still had doubt.
“Yrsa left shortly after you did with a smirk on her face. Magnus was miserable for the rest of the evening. He sat with Gunnar for a time, but then left the hall. I found him later sitting on the beach alone. I asked him if there was anything I could get for him and all he replied was ‘more time’. Does that mean anything to you?”
In a sense it did. They’d just scratched the surface of getting to know one another. But the last thing she was about to do was try to interpret Magnus or any man’s meaning.
“I have no idea,” she said. “Mayhap he can clarify it for you in the morning.”
“Mayhap, as you say,” she said. “I admit, that is an odd word, but in any case it already is morning. You should get dressed and take a stroll down to the beach. I expect the scenery there might be appealing to you andmayhapyou might find some clarity.”
Elspeth grinned as Vigdis snuggled down under the furs so deep only a couple of her blonde curls poked out. “Good-night,” she said in a muffled voice.
