He looked over and blanked as if he just realized Magnus was there. “I feel like horse shit.”
Magnus smiled. He was awake and coherent. That was a good sign. “You gave us a bit of a fright.”
Gunnar looked at Elspeth again then down at the cup in his hand. He emptied it and passed it back to her again. “I will be well.”
Elspeth placed the pitcher of mead and cup on a small table beside Gunnar, collected the used cloths and pan of water, and left the chamber.
“What happened with Einar and Short-Beard?”
“I sent Einar away and Short-Beard went of his own accord not long after realizing he had nothing to bargain with. He’ll be back, but he will need more than a falsified document from Einar before he can push his borders east.”
Gunnar tilted his head, a little of the usual glint entering his expression. “You handled all of that without me? And you didn’t toss them out on their arse?”
He chuckled. Elspeth may have been given a gift of sight straight from Odin, but he’d been given a gift too. One of patience. Perhaps the gods were smiling down on him and showing him his path too.
“I did not. And I don’t think you’ll hear from either any time soon though.”
Gunnar flicked back the furs and swung his long legs over the side of the bed. His boots hit the floor with a loudthunk.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Magnus asked.
“I have work to do, Magnus. My little brother has just gotten married and proved himself a right and proper leader in this clan,” he said. “I have a feast to prepare.”
Magnus helped Gunnar out to the main hall which was thankfully empty except for two men stoking the fire-pit. Once seated, Gunnar asked Magnus to fetch Elspeth.
“You wanted to see me?” she asked when Magnus returned with her a short time later.
“Thank-you,” he said. “I know how much that must have cost you and I hope you are not harmed.”
“She is not harmed,” Magnus said. “And I was there the entire time. You know I would not let anything happen to her.”
“I do know that,” he said. “And I appreciate you both being here and am grateful for the company. I am getting sick of listening to Bjorn lament over having no one to love.” He rolled his eyes and started to laugh then went into a fit of coughing.
“Seriously, Gunnar how long have you been unwell?”
“Not long,” he said. “Now that I have some of my family back, I will take better care of myself, I promise.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Elspeth said.
“And now we must plan a feast in your honour,” he said. “My lady, what is your favourite meal? And we must talk about the blot sacrifice. I will marry you both this day to honour our gods and be sure your marriage is also recognized by them.”
Magnus listened as Gunnar told Elspeth all about the purpose of the sacrifice and how he was pleased to be able to perform the ceremony himself.
“Is it your wish to engage in this ceremony today?” he asked her a time later when Gunnar was off talking to the cooks. New life appeared to have been breathed into him now he had a function to plan.
“I am looking forward to it and learning all about each and every one of your gods. I believe I know one fairly well already.”
He chuckled. “I have not yet told you how grateful I am.”
“For what?”
“What you did for my brother,” he said and kissed the top of her head.
“I am happy you think so. I know you were worried.”
“I was worried about his wellbeing as well as yours. I don’t know what I would do without you now.”
“The gods have offered you good fortune and I do not think you will ever have to worry about being without me.”
