Chapter 37
A Toast to Two Weddings
Sunlight glinted off the pristine white snow like scattered gems or fallen stars.
The fresh tang of the fjord mingled with the sharp brine of the sea as Skjold hauled the sled and skied beside Skadi.
They were bringing this last load of firewood, sacks of barley, and other supplies to Haldor and úlvhild before heading south to Normandy through the waterfall cave.
For their winter solstice wedding at Chateau Blanc.
“Welcome!” úlvhild exclaimed as they crested the ledge of the Dragon’s Leap cave where she simmered a cauldron over the fire of her small outdoor hearth.
“I have a pot of fish stew, with fresh haddock that Haldor caught this morning.” úlvhild placed the lid on her iron pot and rushed over to greet her guests.
She threw her arms around Skjold’s neck, kissed his snowy beard, then each of Skadi’s flushed cheeks.
“What an incredible lynx cloak!” Skadi removed her leather gloves and ran appreciative fingers over the soft fur.
“She looks like a cat goddess, doesn’t she?” Skjold chuckled, hugging úlvhild and glimpsing Haldor at work cleaning rabbit skins.
Haldor laid the white fur pelts on a rack to dry, rinsed his knife in a small bowl of melted snow, and wiped it dry with a cloth before sheathing it at his waist. He washed the blood off his hands, emptied the wooden bowl, wiping it clean with fresh snow, and set it upside down near the pelts.
Drying his hands on a clean cloth, he strode across the snow-covered clearing, a wide grin on his scarred, bearded face.
“We’ve brought the last load of supplies,” Skjold said, as Haldor wrapped a brawny arm around his neck and pulled him into a fierce bear hug.
He grinned, heartened to see the joy in Haldor’s dark eyes where sorrow and concern had long taken root.
“The Blóesmier will make the next few trips while Skadi and I are away. We’re heading to étretat this afternoon. ”
“For our winter solstice wedding.” Skadi hooked her arm through Skjold’s and pressed the side of her beautiful face against the white fur of his bearskin cloak. Her smile was as radiant as the sun.
“Come inside,” úlvhild beckoned, “The haddock stew is ready.”
After Skjold, Skadi, and Haldor unloaded the supplies and stacked the firewood, they hung their cloaks on hooks near the mouth of the cave and settled onto soft furs around the fire. The crisp, clean scent of juniper wafted in swirls of fragrant smoke.
As úlvhild served them each a bowl of haddock stew—the enticing aroma of wild garlic, crushed herbs, and carrots making his belly growl like a famished bear— Skjold spotted the Dwarven wedding ring on her finger.
The golden band etched with runes and set with amber that Haldor had shown him in Dvalinn’s cave.
“Freyja’s Eyes.” He whispered in awe, flashing a surprised grin at Haldor.
“She finally said yes!” He shot to his feet and swept úlvhild in his arms, swirling her around with glee.
Setting her gently down, he took both of her hands in his and pressed a bristled kiss on her soft skin.
“Congratulations. I am overjoyed that you and Haldor are finally wed. After all these years…” He bent down to wrap an arm around Haldor’s neck.
“And the goddess has blessed you with Freyja’s Bloom… ”
Skjold dashed tears from his eyes and rumbled with soft laughter. “A trio of healing…a triad of tattoos…and a trinity of children. The sacred number nine.”
“We had a private wedding here in the cave. Just Haldor and me. And the goddess who bound our souls through seier…and blessed us with a daughter.” úlvhild cradled a protective hand over her lower belly and smiled softly at Skadi. “We’ve named her Freyja, for the goddess who gave her to us.”
Skadi watched as úlvhild settled down beside Haldor, who wrapped an arm around his new wife and pulled her close. “I hope to bear Skjold healthy babes, too,” she whispered with hushed wonder. Lovelight glowed in her luminous gaze as she gave him a radiant smile.
Fetching two mugs from his pack and the two wooden cups from the stone shelf at the rear of the cave, Skjold filled them all with mead from the small barrel he had brought with the supplies.
“We must toast to your wedding,” he announced with a grin, handing them each a cup and keeping one for himself.
“To Haldor and úlvhild. May the rest of your lives be filled with joy.”
“And to your winter solstice wedding,” Haldor added, raising his cup and standing. “May you and Skadi be blessed with the same joy that úlvhild and I share.”
After the clinking of cups and shared bowls of stew, úlvhild rose and fetched two bundles wrapped in soft grey wool from her wooden trunk beneath the stone shelf.
She offered the larger parcel to Skadi and handed the smaller one to Skjold.
“Wedding gifts from Haldor and me,” she exclaimed brightly, golden eyes aglow like the amber gem on her finger.
She settled beside Haldor, snuggling under the arm he wrapped around her shoulder.
When she unfurled the magnificent cloak, Skadi’s eyes widened in awe.
“Silver fox fur…tinged with blue. By all the gods, it is beautiful!” She lurched to her feet, draped it over her shoulders, and twirled with delight.
“You stitched it yourself…here in this cave? Oh, úlvhild, I cannot thank you enough.” Clutching the cloak to her chest, Skadi bent to kiss úlvhild’s smiling cheek.
úlvhild beamed, amber eyes darting between Skadi and Skjold. “Skjold told me that his mother Ylva was crafting wedding rings with pale blue gems, and a gown of ice blue silk. I thought it would be the perfect color for your winter solstice wedding.”
“Open yours,” Haldor urged Skjold.
Skjold complied, unwrapping an ornate dagger sheathed in dark grey leather studded with smooth, glowing moonstones.
“I had M?htte in the Sámi village craft the blade with your spirit stone,” Haldor said, as Skjold unsheathed the dagger and ran reverent fingertips over the large lapis lazuli gem encased in the elaborate hilt.
“For eight winters, you trained with me. Became a warrior, vitki and noaidi. This blade is my gift to honor you as my equal… and to recognize you as my broeir.” Haldor’s piercing falcon gaze filled Skjold with fierce pride.
“úlvhild crafted the leather sheath from the same fox fur as Skadi’s cloak,” he added, pulling úlvhild affectionately against his side.
“She adorned the scabbard with moonstones—her spirit stone as a volva—so that our combined gift to you is for your wedding day…and the culmination of your journey.”
Skjold’s voice was thick with emotion. “Thank you both. I will treasure it always. As I will the life lessons you have taught me, Haldor.”
“Lugh and Luna have invited us to spend part of the Jól season with them.” Skadi leaned forward to grasp úlvhild’s hand. “Skjold and I will bring back wedding gifts for you and Haldor from álfheim.”
They shared oat cakes topped with úlvhild’s delicious blend of warm honey, dried lingonberries, and chopped hazelnuts, toasting to the winter solstice and both of their weddings.
Then, with warm hugs and fond farewells, Skjold and Skadi left the Dragon’s Leap cave.