Duty Calls #4
Finally, on a day with dismal weather and snow flurries, they rowed to shore in their longships.
Raging winds blew across the seas, splashing icy waves against the ship, and the heavy tunic Ilona had woven and sewed for him provided additional warmth.
Whenever he wore it, he noted the admiring glances of men and women.
Each day he wore it, he imagined the garment was Ilona’s arms wrapped around him.
Rathnon also imagined her legs wrapped around him, which brought him more heat.
The men cheered mightily at being home. They began offloading the ships and taking the items to the fortress, where the king’s men recorded the amount and each type of item.
Rathnon carried a few of the valuable items that he would take directly to the king.
He greeted Nanna, bathed, and changed his clothes.
At his meeting, the king clapped his arm and his back, happy to have him home.
“Rathnon, welcome home. It is good to see ye well. Tell me as we dine, how was your journey?”
They dined in the king’s private study, and Rathnon described his meetings with each sovereign or their dignitaries.
He provided the king with a chest full of documents regarding the details of the trade agreements, having successfully achieved more than the king expected, which made the king exceedingly happy.
Rathnon gave him sacks of gold and silver coins and jewels.
“What difficulties did you encounter?”
“No difficulties. The people we met with expected us and had spread the word. Those unsure took one look at my impressive warriors and me and thought better of it.” The two men laughed.
“Tell me about the agreements.”
Rathnon explained the trade agreements and the extra items he had included, which surprised the king.
“You have been more successful in making these arrangements than any of your predecessors. Thank you. You must be fatigued from your journey these many months. I imagine you miss your lovely wife.”
He grinned. “I do. More than I ever thought possible.”
The king laughed. “I’m sorry I needed to send you when I did, soon after you married.
But it is important to have these and build upon them in the future.
I’m hoping the time of wars is behind us.
I shall read over these documents to see if I have questions before you leave.
If all is in order, tomorrow you can return home to your wife.
I remember what I experienced when called away from my wife’s bed after we were married. ”
Rathnon bowed and left the study to retire to his chamber. He dared to hope he could see Ilona tomorrow. There was no point in sending a letter now if he hoped to ride home tomorrow. Rathnon couldn’t wait to see Ilona and surprise her.
He dressed the next morning and joined the king in the hall for the mid-morning meal.
His few belongings were packed and ready.
The king admired his jacket, and Rathnon said, “Ilona is a gifted weaver and seamstress. She made this for me as a wedding gift. It helped me feel wrapped in her love even though separated from each other.”
The king had no additional questions regarding the documents, so they spoke about other things.
“Accompany me to my study. I wish to gift you for your work, and then you can leave and return to your bonnie wife with my blessings.” Rathnon accompanied the king as he requested, and the heavy sack of silver and gold coins the king gave him came as a surprise.
“This gift is given with my deep gratitude for your work for me and on behalf of your country. I sleep better knowing you will come to my aid with your sword as a fierce warrior. You are equally invaluable as my trade ambassador with your keen mind and charm. Please give my best to your wife from my wife and myself. My wife sends her greetings but is not feeling well since she is with child.”
Rathnon clapped the king on his back. “Congratulations to you and to your wife. It is wonderful news, and you must be thrilled.”
“I am. The only thing that would bring me more joy is the safe delivery of a son and my wife’s continued health. I will call on you in the spring or later, depending on when my wife gives birth.”
“Thank you. I will leave now. I wish you and your wife well with the birth of your baby.”
Rathnon retrieved his belongings and went to the stable to saddle his Fjord Friesian horse himself.
He glanced at the skies to determine when it might snow again, hoping it would wait until he arrived home so as not to delay his return to Ilona.
Yearning for a family, on his ride home, he wondered when they would be blessed with a child.
Rathnon couldn’t quite imagine how Ilona would appear, big with his child.
When he returned, he would steal her away to their house and fill her with so much pleasure, she would scream his name. He would do his best to impregnate her with his child. It would mean he would make love to his wife many times, and he looked forward to her eager welcome.