The Hermit Herbalist

Chapter 19 - Making Ready

Clint did not know much about sieges.  All his combat at involved either immediate all out fighting, or sneaking in and then finding a confrontation.  It was a different story here.  All he could do was join the men in fortifying the village and making sure that everyone who could fight, had a weapon.  He had to pick out boys who had just come into manhood and give them weapons.  He hated it as he handed a sixteen-year-old boy a boy and quiver.  "It's not right," he muttered as he helped Ragnar, Lanh and the others upturn wagons to create a wall in the openings between the houses.

"What's not right, Barton?" Nanook asked as he stuck arrows in the dirt strategically for the archers.

"That these young boys have to fight.  They should still be free and experiencing life.  Not possibly facing death," Clint answered as he kicked a clod of dirt out from under his foot.

"I don't know how it is in your culture, but here, our boys and even our girls, are prepared to give their lives to defend what they hold dear.  They have been trained for times like this.  Our young men are taught archery, swordsmanship, knife handling, and spear techniques.  Our young women are taught archery and how to use a knife.  We are proud to say that we can handle ourselves," Lahn informed Clint proudly.

"But do we know how many there are coming for us?  How many men Kael has with him?  They won't hesitate to kill everybody here, and I know both Ikol and I would hate to have people dying on our account," Clint said, and Ragnar put a hand on his shoulder.

"You and Ikol shouldn't be worrying your pretty heads about anything.  I'm sure she's already frightened enough without adding this to the mix," the older hunter rejoined.  Clint snorted.  It was already too late for that.  The threat against them had been issued two days ago.  They were waiting for word from their scouts as to where Kael and his hooligans would be coming from.  No word yet.  However, during that time, Loki had been having nightmares both nights about her attack, and panicking that innocents would be harmed because of her again.  Clint had had to reassure her that she was safe, and that everything would be alright.  Although, he did have some good reason to doubt the validity of his own word.  "Just go see her for a moment.  We'll be fine on our own," Ragnar said, gently shoving Clint in the direction of Healer Ogen's house.  Clint frowned and headed over, watching as children carried buckets and buckets of water towards an underground cellar that Ogen had under a separate building from his main dwelling.  The buckets of water for drinking as well as putting out possible fires.  Clint walked by them, saying hi and ruffling their hair, before he walked up the steps and entered the house.  The women were preparing herbal remedies and bandages.  Loki was leading the group as Ogen was with the rest of the village elders.  

Clint caught sight of her and smiled.  She was kneeling in the middle of a group of children, showing them how to roll the bandages and prepare bedding for any and all wounded.  "Go slowly now, Ulf.  You know we won't tolerate sloppy bandages," Loki said, ruffling the dirty brown hair of a young boy.

"I know, Ikol.  But... I kind of want to run with it streaming behind me," the young lad admitted.  Loki laughed and took the roll away from him.

"Maybe when this is over if there are wrappings unsoiled, I can let you do that," she promised.  That was when she saw Clint and stood up.  "What's wrong?" Loki queried.

"Come with me," Clint answered and Loki parted from everyone else.  Clint took her hand and led her away from everyone else.  "Listen, I want to have a serious conversation about the going's on with these raiders.  I know you feel guilty about what's happening," Clint informed her and Loki bit her lip.  

"You're right.  This is all my fault.  I achieved happiness by marrying you, but I have now condemned the village by denying Kael.  If I had accepted Kael's proposal long ago, I wouldn't have gotten you, but all these people would have been spared his wrath," Loki admitted, and Clint wrapped his arms around her.  He kissed her deeply and when they parted, he gently stroked her cheekbone.

"When it comes to your own happiness, the feelings of others come second.  Marriage is forever, and you have to be selfish when it comes to your spouses.  Honestly, if I had met you and then you had married Kael, I would have smacked you upside the head myself," Clint told her and Loki gave him a kind smile.  "You're my world now, and I want you to know that."

"I do.  But... I have many regrets, and you know that," Loki countered and Clint nodded.  

"I do.  And I want to inform you that your regrets are not a part of who you are.  You can make amends, and you have already in a way.  When you saved my life and took me in, you made amends to me, Loki.  I think I need to say this out loud, in case you haven't figured it out: I forgive you," Clint whispered and Loki teared up.  They slid down her face in rivulets and Clint wiped them away with the pads of his thumbs.  He cradled her face gently in his hands and kissed her forehead.

"You're too good for me, Clinton Francis Barton," Loki said and her husband grinned, lightly touching her temple with his lips.  

"Sometimes, I'm not good enough for you, Loki Nomansdottir," Clint answered.  Loki was going to say something else, but that was when they heard the giggle of children and they turned around.  Most of the village youngsters were eyeing them from around a corner, and they were laughing at them.

"Kissy, kissy!" one of the boys shouted.

"Ew!  They're holding hands!" a girl observed.

"Yuck!  When my mama and papa held hands, I got a sibling!" another child pointed out.

"So, they'll have a baby after they finish holding hands?" a toddler asked.

"Alright!  That's it!  Scram hams!" Clint exclaimed as he gave chase to the kids.  They darted off, screaming in terror as the mortal went after them.  Loki wiped the tears from her face as she laughed out loud.  Other adults stopped in their preparations and watched in amusement as the human man ran around trying to catch their children.  They were pleased to see their children smiling and laughing, considering everything that was going on.  Loki leaned against Ogen's house and watched as Clint threw a little girl over his shoulder.  However, that was when she felt something cold and looked down at her hand.  For a few brief seconds, she saw the cerulean take over and crawl up her fingers before it vanished.  Loki gasped and put that hand behind her apron.  

Not yet!  It can't happen yet!  We're not ready! Loki thought, but she knew nature had a way of enforcing its own will.  Her heat was almost upon her!