Page 73 of Haakon's Fate
“Perfect. You two have been betrothed from the moment you met. I say it was time to finally make it official.”
Haakon gave a throaty laugh. “As you say. There was no escaping our fate.”
“Will you have something to drink and eat with us?” Gytha, who had finally gotten her voice back, asked.
“I will, thank you.”
The three of them sat down and finished the bread, cheese and meat she had placed on the table earlier.
“That was delicious, thank you. I will be on my way now, as I was actually going to the next village, but I will come back on Thursday evening in time for the ceremony,” her father told her, standing back up. “Your sister and Leofric will come with me of course. Anyone else you’d like me to tell?”
Yes, there was, and she gratefully gave him her list. Eadhild, of course, was already in the village.
Once her father had left, Gytha went outside, intent on enjoying the rays of the sun. Sitting on the bench, she could not help but overhear the conversation between Wolf and her father.The Icelander had spotted him saddling his horse and walked over to him.
“So, Elstan, it would seem that you and your family will soon be part of our community.” He sounded quite pleased by this turn of events, which pleased her in turn. She knew his approbation meant a lot to everyone in the village, and Haakon in particular. “Who would have thought?”
Her father let out a laugh. “Not me. I will admit that when I was elected I never anticipated to have so much to do with the people from this village, or that my youngest daughter would end up married to one of the formidable Norsemen.”
Wolf gave a laugh. “Haakon is formidable, I’ll grant you that, but he is the best of men. Don’t let his appearance fool you, he will look after Gytha properly, you can count on it. If not, he’ll answer to me.”
Gytha smiled to herself. There was no need to worry. Indeed, she would be happy here with her Norse husband, and well-looked after. As to his formidable appearance, it was one the things she loved most about him.
She let out a sigh of contentment.
Everything had seemed to magically resolve itself, as if all the stars had aligned at the same time. Once again she would live near her best friend. Now that she was marrying the man of her choice she wouldn’t have to worry about Oswald or anyone else bothering her, or wonder if she could find a man who would love her for who she was. And, of course, a long last, Matilda had been reunited with her daughter.
Everything was as it should be.
She waved at Inga, who appeared from the corner of the hut, walking arm in arm with the old woman from Matilda’s village, who had found a new home here. Grateful for what she had done for her daughter, Matilda had offered to let Elfida stay with them, which the woman had gratefully accepted. Shewould be able to see the little daughter she considered as her granddaughter grow.
Gytha smiled. Another Saxon in the village, another woman. Haakon’s father was still the only Saxon man living in the Norse community. Would there one day be another? They would have to wait and see.
A rumble of hooves announced her father’s departure. Barely a moment later she felt a presence behind her.
Already knowing who it would be, she turned around.
“Are you all right, Saxon?” Haakon asked, tilting his head. He seemed worried. “You look as if you’d been crying.”
“No, I didn’t cry,” she quickly reassured him. “But I almost did, precisely because I’ve never felt better.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
She shook her head, feeling slightly ridiculous. “I’m not sure I do either. But I love you. Maybe that’s what I’m trying to say.”
“Well,that, you can say in any way you want. I’ll always understand.” He leaned over to give her a kiss. “Come, let’s go back inside. I want to play with you.”
She snorted. “Is that what you’re calling it now?
“No, I don’t mean play in that way,” he purred. “I mean a game of dice.”
This got her interest. “Oh. Suddenly you’re not afraid of losing and showing a side of yourself you’re not proud of?”
He didn’t respond to her provocation but instead answered seriously. “No. With you, the woman I’m going to marry, who’s going to have to deal with me day after day, watch me grow old and gray, I’m afraid of nothing. You have already seen me at my worst anyway, and apparently it wasn’t enough to send you away, so I’m not worried.”
“When have I seen you at your worst?”
Haakon gave the throaty laugh she loved. “Oh no, I’m not falling into that trap. If you don’t remember I’m not going to remind you. Come.”
