Chapter Fifteen #2
“They blame you?” Tormod said. “How can they possibly blame you? Do you know how many months Ivarr and Olaf spent planning the attack? The number of men involved, the ships, the preparations…” He put a hand on each of her arms. “Your former king was foolish and ignored all threats. His army was unprepared, his decisions unwise. Alt Clut was an easy target for those who are not afraid of the sea and her moods. Only the strong survive. Your illness saved your family — it played no part in whether the raid happened or not. They should instead be searching for the Briton who told Ivarr and Olaf about the feast.”
Her understanding of the situation shifted. Was Tormod right? Was none of this her fault, after all? She had warned her stepmother about the attack, nothing else. And if another Briton had been the one to betray them, then she was not to blame at all.
She smiled at Tormod. Her family owed their lives to her, and if Ula chose to consider that a disgrace, then there was nothing Aoife could do about it.
She straightened. “You are right. I was not to blame. It was convenient for them to blame me. I don’t know why they attacked you here last night.
Other than as revenge. Maybe they oppose the agreement you made with my father.
I cannot believe that my father would do this — not when it might endanger me. ”
Tormod shrugged. “Perhaps we should pay him a visit and ensure he informs all of his people that if they do not feel bound by it, then neither do I.”
“I do not think that will help.” Aoife panicked at the thought. What would happen to her if, in doing so, Tormod discovered that there was more to her story? That she was truly cursed and had no value to her family. What if he sent her back there?
She wanted more time to prove herself. To make herself part of this community and indispensable to Tormod despite him having made it clear that love was not what he was looking for. Love she could live without—she just wanted a place she could call home. Was that too much to ask?
If the Norsemen knew how much her family feared her, would they accept her more easily, or would it mean she had no value to them? It was hard to know.
“You do not wish to see your family?” Tormod asked.
Her head jerked up. That was not what she had expected him to ask. “It has been a long time, and I’m sure you have realised my stepmother does not wish to see me.” She looked out across the water to where her childhood home lay just over the craggy mountains.
“I am sure your father will. After all, what father would not wish to see his daughter after her marriage and ensure she is well cared for?”
She continued gazing across the water, her mind racing. Was this a test? What would he say if she told him now? It might be for the best in the long run. She opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn’t get the words out.
“You would not tell him that we had treated you ill?” Tormod said as the silence stretched.
“No!” she replied, stunned that he even thought to ask.
“Those bruises were from before you came here.”
She drew in a breath. So, that was what concerned him. That she would lie? Or was it that he was concerned about her family judging him?
“I would never lie about who did that,” she assured him. There was a long pause, and then he nodded. “And I expect your stepmother already knows who is responsible.”
“I am sure she does,” Aoife whispered.
“I have arranged for you to work with Magda, H?kon’s wife.”
“Oh?” She smiled. That would allow her to remain close to Elisedd.
“That pleases you?”
“Yes. I will be able to see Elisedd and…”
His smile faded. “The boy? You care a lot for him.”
“Yes, I do. His mother was one of my only friends. Besides, the two of us are alone here and I am worried about her. And about the attacks on Car Cadell Elisedd spoke of.”
Tormod moved away and frowned. “Alone? You are alone within an entire village of people? You are alone with me, your husband?”
“You know what I mean. He is my kinsman.”
“I am your kinsman, now.”
“Yes.” She stopped. He was in no mood to listen and she must be careful when speaking of the boy.
If Tormod turned against him, then he would have little hope for a life here, and if they were to send him home…
She shuddered at the thought of what might happen if Rhydderch found out he had run away to the Norsemen.
Then she realised what he had said and drew in a breath, searching his face for any kind of emotion, and finding none.
“You are my husband. This is my home,” she agreed.
How she wanted those words to be true. She looked at the ground, not allowing the tears prickling at her eyes to fall.
She would not let him see how affected she was.
And, in reality, she did not know whether the tears had come because he had declared her his kin, or because she was frustrated by his jealousy.
“Let us go back. It is time to eat.”
They said goodbye to H?kon and Elisedd, then the two of them walked side by side in silence as they started along the path back to the village.
“You spoke of me working with Magda?” She hoped he would not now change his mind. Could he not see that the boy had only come here to be with her and save her from trouble? Why was he so against him?
“Yes. H?kon wishes to learn your language so that he may trade with your people. If you teach his wife, she will, in turn, teach him and then others. She will also teach you to speak Norse.”
“But what about Ragna? I thought she would do that. She expects me to take over the day to day running of the village from her.”
“And you will. After you have done this. I have decided, and Ragna will agree.” He said it so abruptly that it made her realise for the first time he truly was the one in charge of the village. His word was law.
“Very well,” she agreed. They had reached the crest of the hill and she turned to take one last look across the Loch Garw before they headed down towards where the village lay on the shore of Loch Long.