The Viking and His Wife

A Home

Morning had broken and Namitha awakened in bed. Sitting up slowly, the blanket of fur fell away at her waist and she searched her memory in vain since she could not remember covering herself with it nor the exact hour she fell asleep.

The sleep was wiped from her eyes and she looked over at her snoozing husband. She remembered his stories. How much she didn't want sleep to take her for his stories were full of wonder and adventure farther than her imagination could ever dream of.

Namitha laid back down facing him and reached a hand out to touch his hair only to jump in fright as a hand shot out to stop her.

Lufner awoken from slumber blinked up at the captive limb and loosened his hold. If it were someone else, their arms would have long been twisted and broken beyond repair.

"You startled me," Namitha said.

"Sorry. It's my instinct."

Namitha cocked a brow and her heart fluttered in delight when he turned on his side towards her.

"It'll take more than that to scare you. Wouldn't it?"

"I can't say you're wrong."

Lufner smiled and waited for his wife to do the same but it never came.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Your stories," she said and then pulled up the tail of the fur that clung to her legs. "And for this."

"You're welcome."

Namitha moved timidly forward and Lufner lied in wait. Her fingers found his hair and as no space was to be left between them the door opened. It was one of her mother's servants. Her name was Connisse.

She bowed her head and Namitha sat up to welcome her. Unease was present in her voice.

"Connisse, is my mother okay?"

Lufner looked between Namitha and the servant girl. He did not know much about the chieftain's wife. Had heard of her sickness. But that was long ago. It was a wonder she still lived.

"Her condition is stable, my lady. However, that is not the reason I am here. Earl Genzic wants you and Lord Lufner in the halls to join him and his men after you've washed. The bathing arrangements have been prepared."

Lufner and Namitha separated and met again at the Earl's table.

Upon seeing each other again, they moved fast to secure a seat beside the other but without their knowledge, their seating arrangements had already been made thus.

In the room sat the Earl and his counsel. They welcomed them in silence and once seated the mood lifted like a cloud of fog. Genzic was all smiles and by the scent of his breath, Namitha could tell that he had one too many cups of mead.

"Are you okay, Father?"

On his face, Namitha swore she saw long streaks of salt.

The old man was distressed but carried it well.

"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be? I trust that you two had a great night?"