Epilogue
FOUR YEARS LATER
Wolf watched Ulf lift Einar into the air and start spinning on the spot.
The boy gave a shriek of pure delight, his little face illuminated by the light of the fire.
That afternoon, another wedding had taken place at the boulder.
Despite his young age, his grandson Rothgar had married the love his life, Asta, in a moving ceremony.
How many weddings had he seen since his arrival in the village, all those years ago, Wolf wondered?
Dozens, each happier than the last. Who would have thought that being sent into exile would end up being the best thing that could happen to him?
He leaned into Steinar who had sat by his side with Cwenthryth next to him.
“I remember doing the same thing with you when you were Einar’s age. And now here I am, watching my eldest grandson doing the same to his son. Four generations. I’m grateful to have been allowed to see this.”
“You never regretted not going back to Iceland?”
A booming laugh made his answer clear. “Regret? From the moment I arrived in this, my new country, everything took a turn for the best. People came to me for help and advice. This gave my life the meaning it had lost at the death of my first wife. And then I met your mother at that slave market. That day I started living the life every man would want.” He shook his head.
“No. I have nothing to regret. I’ve been blessed with a long and happy life in this village, the most loving wife and the best family. ”
“Yes. So have I.”
“One day you’ll watch Einar play with his son and you’ll think of me.”
Einar let out another shriek when his mother joined them, baby Brenna in her arms. “Mother!”
Ylva laughed as he ran to her and almost fell flat on this face.
On the other side of the well, Rothgar gave his new wife a kiss, making it clear that it would not be long before they disappeared into their new hut to start their own family.
Sven and Eahlswith were looking after the children playing in a corner, their son Espen the only boy amongst the group of five cousins.
Eyja was making her husband Moon and her brother Torsten laugh while Aife nursed her newborn son on a bench next to her.
It really was the perfect scene of family bliss. Only one person was missing. Just as the thought crossed his mind, a hand landed over his shoulder. There she was.
Wolf stood up and drew his wife into his arms. “Little one. I was telling Steinar about the day I bought you at the slave market.”
Merewen rolled her eyes. “Again? Sorry, Steinar, it must only be the hundredth time he’s told you about what happened that day.”
“It’s all right, Mother. It’s one of the best stories I’ve ever heard. Second only perhaps to how I met my own Saxon wife.”
With that, he gave Cwenthryth a kiss.
“Mm. Yes. But I think… Yes, I think that perhaps Ulf has outdone us all,” Merewen said in a laugh.
They nodded and looked at the man holding his son with one arm and his wife with the other. The wife who had tried to kill him the day they’d met and pierced his heart instead of his gut. Indeed.
Ulf had outdone them all.