“Ah, there you are,” he said to Magnus when he entered. “I want to make sure everything is perfect. I acquired this smoked salmon and want to make sure it is as close to what you are used to as possible.”
Osgar offered Magnus some of the fish. The taste tantalized his taste buds and the aroma of smoke filled his head. He’d always preferred fish over meat and whoever the smoker was, clearly knew what he was doing. Magnus smiled to himself and appreciated that Osgar would take the time to consider his palate as well as Elspeth’s favourite dishes.
“It is perfect,” Magnus said. “Clearly the maker must have Viking blood flowing through his veins.”
The cook stood a little taller and puffed out his chest. He nodded in Magnus’ direction, then went about his business again.
“You truly like it?” Osgar asked.
“I do. I appreciate all your efforts on our behalf and I am sure everyone will compliment this as the greatest feast this region has ever seen.”
Now it was Osgar’s turn to puff up.
“Thank you. Now, there is one thing I want to mention to you, before the ceremony,” he said. “I have assigned a large parcel of land to the North for you and my sister. You can stay here for the next few months and we can start a build for you in the spring.”
Magnus’s heart sank. It was a generous offer, but it was not what he wanted. He would have to speak to Elspeth as soon as possible about what she wanted. What if this was her greatest desire? Would he be willing to give up his plans if this was what would make her truly happy? For now he would have to put all of those thoughts aside and focus on today’s ceremony.
* * *
Elspeth smoothed her skirt and lifted the fabric then let it fall. The heavy red velvet was glorious to the touch. The gown had been her mother’s and had long since been put aside for her wedding day. Gold stitching framed the square neckline and an intricately stitched design of doves fronted the bodice panel. When Saga, Vigdis, and Freydis entered her chamber they all stopped and stared.
“Please speak,” she said. “You’re making me nervous.”
Vigdis came forward first and lifted the fabric to examine it closer. “This is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
“’Twas my mother’s and made for a time when she visited the king’s court.”
“This is why I must visit the markets in Edinburgh and York,” Vigdis said. “I want to wear gowns like this.”
“When you are the lady here, you may wear as many of these as you wish,” Elspeth said.
Of all of them, Vigdis was bound to adjust to the differences in cultures the easiest. She was eager to learn everything there was to know about running a castle. In contrast, Elspeth, while excited to learn more about Magnus’ life and village, she was worried the expectation would be more than she could satisfy. How would she fit in with the other Viking women? Those like Vigdis perhaps, but she had nothing in common with Saga. In fact, the only one of the three she could relate to was Freydis.
“Do you wear your hair up or down for your wedding ceremonies?” Vidgis asked.
“Down and veiled. Once I am married, I will keep it covered.”
“Fascinating,” Vigdis said and moved to the table on which rested Elspeth’s hairbrushes and the rings and necklace she would wear on this day. They too had belonged to her mother. Four shiny round rubies were set to the sides of an oval one creating the central focus of the dark yellow gold necklace. Once clasped around her neck, the oval ruby would rest on her chest and a small droplet of gold would be positioned just above her cleavage. She’d always admired the piece and was excited to finally be permitted to wear it.
On her fingers were three gold rings that fit together, also with tiny rubies surrounding one large one in the centre. Once she was dressed, she sat so that her maid could remove the cloths from her hair allowing the tresses to flow down her back. She placed the necklace around her neck and her veil was pinned to her hair. Except that her belly was about to flutter apart, she was ready to begin her life with Magnus as her husband.
She’d spoken briefly with Freydis the day before and was now excited to share her wedding night with her husband. She had a surprise for him and she couldn’t wait for him to discover it.
“You do not look as nervous as I would expect a bride on her wedding day,” Saga said. “Though you do look lovely. I do not know how you can tolerate those heavy gowns. I wore them for a fortnight and was ready to burn them,” she said and chuckled.
Elspeth could not picture the tall shield maiden wearing this sort of gown and smiled imagining it.
“You looked just as regal as you always do,” Vigdis said. “Truly, I do not know why you fussed so much.”
Elspeth watched the sisters banter as Freydis approached. She sat beside her and clasped her hand.
“All will be well, my lady.” Freydis squeezed her hand and Elspeth heard a soft voice in her mind saythe gods have confirmed it.
“Aye,” she said. “I know it to be true. I do not know how, but I believe you.”
Freydis had shed some light on her theory of Elspeth’s gift and she had to admit, the woman could be convincing, but Elspeth would make up her own mind in time. She’d also spoken to Father Fothad over the last few days and shared everything with him during confession. He had considered her to have had an episode of the mind and sent her off to prayer for the day absolving her of any wrongdoing and not believing her when she told him of her and Magnus’ time together. Time, he’d said, does not work that way and only the glory of God can sanction a marriage. He’d claimed she was not married, and she’d not had a wedding night or any other night with Magnus and that had been that. It has all been a little bizarre, but she trusted that he knew best in terms of what would or would not offend God so she said her prayers and now here she was about to marry a Viking. Father Fothad had been surprisingly accepting of Magnus. A part of her wondered if that may have anything to do with the generous sum Osgar had to pay him for his services. She shook her head at the thought of it. Osgar had seemed fine with the arrangement as did the priest and so who was she to concern herself with it when she was getting what she wanted? The main thing was she truly felt safe for the first time since being in the tower with Magnus. Her mind boggled trying to make sense of time and so she focused her mind’s eye on the man she would soon call husband.
She wondered if Osgar had told him of the land he had put aside for her. Magnus also had land set aside from Gunnar and so she was excited to talk to him about which they would accept. Elspeth cared not. She wanted to be wherever he was and if that was on Islay, Prestwick, or Iceland, she would be happy. She couldn’t wait to talk to him and plan with him.
