Dream Love

III

She never slept while traveling. This time, however, was different. She was exhausted. All of the nights of no sleep for fear of the dreams finally caught up to her. Thankfully, she was in first class and could lie down and rest in relative ease.  She should have known that she wouldn't escape the dreams. They seemed to have intensified once her mind was made up and her travel plans set.

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The funeral pyre stood atop a grassy knoll. It was built with logs and filled with branches that had been coated with pitch so that it would burn quickly. Hopefully, sending Ylva into the next world quickly.  Haldor held his breath as his nephew handed him the torch with which to light the pyre with. Walking, he circled it, viewing his wife for the last time. As he touched the flame to the pitch covered branches he felt something in his soul shift. At the time, he had put it down to the pain of loss. Loss of a soulmate. Slowly stepping back, he made her a promise that seemed to rise from the very depths of his souls. "From this day forward, I will search for you, my love. I will find you. Even if I must wait for the ages to go past me. I will wade through them and find you. We will be together again!" 

The mourners at the site gasped as they heard him speak that oath. Just then a loud crack of thunder startled everyone. His nephew looked at him in awe for his defiance of the gods. The old witch that had served his father cackled and spoke, after not having spoken in years. "It seems the gods have granted your demand Haldor. You shall indeed continue to live through the ages as you hunt for your lost love. But beware. Her killer has also been given the chance to kill her again and again. Until you finally can kill him and protect her for all eternity, then you shall continue to repeat this day of mourning. Only when you can kill him, can you and your beloved journey through life naturally." As soon as she finished, another loud crack of thunder was heard, as if the gods were echoing the old witch's claim.

Erika's eyes flew open. She was cold. Not the kind of cold that was caused by cold air. Rather, this cold was from the dream she had just awoken from. She shivered and cursed whatever deity had decided to show her this past version of someone's life. It was never easy. Some, most actually, of the dreams were usually everyday life for Ylva and Haldor. The one that was her favorite was when the two had been introduced at her father's keep. Haldor and his father had traveled many days to meet with the highland clan chieftain. Haldor had always been considered a fine catch in Borgund. However, Ylva's father had no sons to carry on his line. Rather than turn the keep, vassal's, rich property and his daughter to the hated English crown, he had reached out to an old friend and secured a match for his daughter.  Their meeting was somewhat subdued. Haldor had taken one look at his new bride and fallen deeply in love. Erika remembered his and Ylva's reaction to each other that day.

The sun was out and it was a pleasant early spring day. The trees in the orchards outside the keep were just beginning to bloom and the grass was a lovely shade a emerald green. The stone keep ahead had looked ominous and somewhat foreboding. Haldor knew what he was here for. By marrying the chieftain's daughter, he would create an alliance and ensure Ylva's future. Their land, unlike the Northman's land, was lush and green for longer periods of time, ensuring a longer growing season. There were cows, goats and all other manner of livestock. But what had snatched his attention was the almost waif-like girl that stood next to the large chieftain. 

She was small for a man like him. She would come only to his chest. Her hair shone a bright red blonde, giving it an almost orange glow. Freckles had scattered across her nose and cheeks.  Her hair while bright, was long, as was the style of the day. The dress she wore was simply woven wool but looked to be a rich texture and the color a deep blue. It set off her bright green eyes. Her build was slight. He remembered thinking that he would have to be careful not to harm her. Gazing at her, he realized that she was probably terrified of him. He was a huge man, after all. Even bigger then her father and his. 

His father made a boisterous greeting to the waif's father. "Hail, Kian! It is good to see you after all these years." Haldor watched the girl's head jerk up and look at him and his father. Upon seeing them, her eyes went wide and panic could clearly been seen in them. Kian embraced his father and then turned to look Haldor. "You'll do. Quite well, in fact. My Ylva is going to need a strong man once I am gone."

At this the girl actually spoke. "Father, you shouldn't speak such. You're going to be around a long time." He could tell this was an old argument between the two. At this time he watched the chieftain lovingly indulge his daughter. "Yes, my dear. Still, I would that you were securely married to a strong warrior. Someone who could provide for you and keep you and this place safe from the English crown. Come, let us go inside and sit down to eat. You two are just in time for the even meal." Turning, their two fathers went inside, leaving them to follow behind.

Laying a hand on her should, Haldor spoke her name softly. Turning to him, she looked up at him and once again he saw panic in her eyes. Placing his hand under her chin, he keep her face raised to him as he spoke to her. "Little Wolf, do not fear me. I am not here to harm you. I am not a man who takes pleasure in pain. I will not beat you and I certainly will not be cruel to you. You are a prize to be won. I intend to do just that. By the time we wed in three days time, Ylva, I intend to hold your heart."

"Ma'am, we're about to land. I need you to secure all of your loose objects and sit upright, please." Erika felt a warm glow that chased away the cold at the beautiful memory. This were the dreams that she had enjoyed. However, she knew beyond a shadow of doubt, that they were not just dream. They were memories. The question she asked herself was, why?

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In this dream/memory Haldor call Ylva a little wolf. This is the nordic to english translation for this name. 

Ylva is translated to be YEE-va.

 You can find the pronunciation for on just about any website with nordic names. If any of my readers are of Norse descent please contact me and let me know. I have some questions that you can probably answer.