Valknut

CHAPTER|43 Wedding

The next two days disappeared before Olaf could even register the happenings around him. From morning to late night, the entire island seemed to be running as if chased by some mad animal. Every room, every building, every garden seemed to have an endless number of people zipping in and out. Some carried buckets of water, brooms, mops, feather dusters and the like, while others carried tapestries or furniture and then there were those who were assigned the task of carting the food to the kitchens. Never before had Olaf seen the variety being gathered for the wedding feast. And each time one of them whizzed past him, his nose would sniff in appreciation, his mouth would salivate in anticipation and his stomach would growl as if he were a starving wilder-beast! Now those were the people Olaf sought to avoid bumping into, for he was certain, he would rob them of their load and eat till his stomach would literally burst. 

Fortunately for him, Olaf had his own last minute running around to do. The intricately carved shields, swords, and spears had been made to Olaf’s expectations, the two cows – including troublesome Bessie – had settled with their kind and the two palfreys – a beautiful brown mare and a white mare – had been housed in the stables. But the biggest surprise of them all, now that one, was still giving Olaf a headache. He had resorted to swearing, cursing, threatening, and bribing Erp and Gauk, but for naught. They couldn’t move faster than they already were and finally, Olaf jumped in hoping the extra hands would help move things along faster. Now, at the end of day thirteen, he grinned from ear-to-ear as the last of the surprise came together. Finally! 

Satisfied that everything was to his liking, Olaf rode back to the castle. All he sought now was some ale, some food and a good night’s rest. Come Friday morning – his wedding day – there would be an entirely new set of challenges for him to face. And he couldn’t wait!    

As the sun claimed its throne the next morning, the bride and groom couldn’t have had more opposing feelings. While Olaf was thrilled and excited, Catriona was anxious. She had never before witnessed a Norse wedding and she was so damn certain she would say or do the unacceptable thing. The pressure to live up to the image of a respectable Jarl’s wife was terrifying. She paced the floor of her chambers and chewed on her lip as she watched the skies turn from an ominous black to a soft pink. In her mind, she was berating herself endlessly. She had survived the death of her parents, and ostracization by her only living family. She had endured the zealot Abbess and lived by herself for so many years. True, she had found Kieran, Sir Connor and Lady MacShane True, she had learned of her real family and was now, living amongst them. She had also survived a war and almost died at the hands of the Dark Knight. So why did she fear a wedding? Her wedding? 

Excited hushed chatter followed by a soft knocking beckoned to her and she hurried to the door, almost tripping over her own feet. In stormed Ella, followed by several servant girls and a suspicious looking Norsewoman. Her bright red hair was a tangled mess and she wore so much jewelry it almost blinded Catriona. Gold chain upon gold chain sagged from her neck, her fingers covered from nail to palm in gold rings of all sizes; the pretty colors of the stones clashing with each other. Catriona bemused, wondered if the woman could even bend a finger under all that gold. Her pale skin looked almost translucent and her nose and jaw stuck out so sharply against the softer contours of her face that Catriona couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed. 

Remembering her manners, Catriona nodded a greeting to the woman. As she opened her mouth to speak, Catriona steeled herself for what, she was certain, would be a high screechy pitch. A soft calming voice greeted her instead, albeit thickly laden with a Norse accent. She strained to understand. From what she could grasp, the woman’s name was Helga and she was a gyðja; a priestess. And she was here to help. Help sounded wonderful to Catriona! Her spirits lifted just a tiny bit. Perhaps now she wouldn’t be so anxious!