Dream Love

V

Not another one! Erika whimpered in her sleep. She was so tired of these memories/dreams. Although, this one was their wedding day. So it was a good one. Maybe.

Ylva was nervous. Her world was about to change in ways she didn't understand. Her nurse, Agatha, had explained as gently as possible what was expected of her tonight. "Of course, child, if you will allow yourself to enjoy it, it will be much more pleasurable. You need not look at this as a duty. That young man, while fierce looking, does seem to have a great fondness for you. I've hardly seen him that he wasn't either in your company or seeking you out. Remember child, it will be up to you to enjoy this night. Your soon-to-be husband doesn't strike me as an inept fool. No. I believe that he will treat you in bed just the way he has treated you out of it." She had blushed. She grew up on a holding with lots of livestock. She had even accidentally seen her father's steward with the cook one afternoon in the large storage room off the equally large kitchen. When she had realized what was going on, she had quickly backed out and quietly shut the door.

Her nurse led her down the stairs to the large hall that served the keep as a meeting hall, a dining hall, a place where parties were thrown, and raid and acts of war were planned. The keep servants had outdone themselves. The walls were cleaned of any soot. The reeds and rushes on the floor were also clean. In fact, the overly large chair that her father sat in to preside over keep clan business was clean, shiny and covered with what looked like new furs. The shields were hung on the walls with new coats of paint. The brass on them gleaming from the fresh polish. The huge fireplace at the end of the hall was filled with wood and contained a roaring fire. It could get cold at night in the highlands, even in summer.

As she and her nurse reached the foot of the stairs, her father took her hand and led her to the place where Haldor, his father and the priest were standing. As her father placed her hand in her soon-to-be husband's hand, she trembled. Haldor, feeling the tremors running through his bride, smiled at her and said, "Calm yourself, Little Wolf. This is a good thing, for both of us. I promise, I will do my utmost to ensure that you have no cause to regret this union." Having said his peace, he turned them both toward the priest as the wedding began

"Erika...Erika. You must wake up. You need to eat. You have slept through the evening meal and it is morning. Come, time to break our fast. My housekeeper is a wonderful cook and I'm sure you are hungry." Erika was aware of someone standing next to her bed talking to her. However, it was morning and she had not had any coffee. All of her friends knew better. she simply growled at the voice and rolled over.
"Go away. I'm tired. I want to sleep."
"Erika, get up. Its time we talked." Erika let out a shriek as the covers were yanked off of her and she was picked up.
"Are you insane! Put me down. I mean it Haldor, put me down right this instant!"
Haldor stopped dead in his tracks and looked down at the woman in his arms. She didn't look like his Ylva, but it was her just the same.
"Woman, even after all these years, you still hate getting up in the morning." He replied with a small uncertain smile. "Come, I have coffee in the kitchen."

After that, he once again picked Erika up. However, this time she was tossed over his shoulder and carried like that. The whole time she was spitting and fussing. The words coming out of her mouth were words that his Ylva would never have uttered. This woman was not the sweet and gentle highland lady that he had wed all those years ago. Once they reached the kitchen, Haldor carefully lowered Erika into a chair at the table. She was about to throw her tableware at him when she smelled coffee. Ranganr stood to her left holding a cup of what appeared to be a cup of very strong coffee.

"For you, milady. I have taken the liberty of fixing you a cup of some very special coffee and a rather large plate of food. I know it's been a while since you have eaten. I looked through your phone," Erika started to protest and Ragnar merely held up his hand. "Haldor and I were worried about you. By your own admission, you have not been sleeping or eating well. People who don't eat or sleep well are often the ones who fall ill. You, milady, have just been located. We cannot risk your health. Therefore, we checked your phone for photos to see how much weight you have lost. I must say, ma'am, you seem to have lost a whole other person. However, your bones are starting to poke through. That means malnutrition. And that, milady will not be tolerated. YOU are too beloved by many and we have searched for you for too long for you to put yourself at risk. Now, sit and be a good girl and drink your coffee and eat your breakfast."

Haldor watched his love eat with gusto. She said nothing as she picked up a fork and began to eat. When she was finished the plate was almost picked clean and she set back with a sigh of satisfaction and patted here distended belly. "Oh my god. That was awesome. I had forgotten how much I loved food. Thank you, Ragnar. That was lovely."

"I had nothing to do with it, milady. Haldor ordered his housekeeper to fix more than enough and to brew this coffee." Erika looked over at Haldor and felt something shift in her soul. She could feel the weight of destiny sit on her. At the same time, she could feel emotions, unknown emotions, rise up in her as she watched him. Something in her heart clicked and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I have missed you so much, husband. My arms ache to hold you." Haldor could no longer wait. He pulled Erika up out of her chair and into his arms and crashed his mouth down on hers.