Dragon Bride

Chapter 8 Betrothal

Karliene walked back to the long house after the second milking of the cows. She found Karl and Bjorn engaged in a mock battle with sticks as swords. Karl was thoroughly into the fight but was unable get through Bjorn's defense. It was obvious that Karl was having fun and Bjorn was barely defending himself. Not saying a word she picked up a stick and stealthily approached from behind. Then rushing up she poked Bjorn in the back. "Got ya, Bear!" she shouted.

Bjorn dropped is mock sword and fell to his knees. "Mommy," he said in a high pitched voice and collapsed. Karl and Karliene laughed as he preformed several kicks and spasms before lying quiet.

"Doofus!" Karliene managed to say between belly laughs.

"You called me that before."

"It was true then as well."

"I love it when you laugh," he said rising to his feet and dusting himself off.

"Whys that?"

"You look so cute, and your eyes sparkle and you nose crinkles."

"My nose does not crinkle," she said in mock hauteur then laughed only to have her nose crinkle again. "We're scheduled to meet with Father Peter, or did you forget."

"No, our betrothal mass is scheduled for Sunday. That is not something I would forget." He held out his hand, Karliene took it and they started walking toward the village. "You were visiting Father Peter every day for a while."

"Jenny was sick so Unni and I were bringing meals and helping."

"What about others in the village, did they help?"

"I love Father Peter and Jenny. I wanted to do it."

"Is that because of what they did when you were fifteen?" Bjorn asked holding her hand a little firmer.

"That and a lot of things," Karliene said looking into his eyes. "He was always nice to me. People usually shunned me but not Father Peter. His acceptance of me caused others to accept me and Unni too."

"Why was the village so negative to you?" Bjorn was frowning with concern.

"Everyone said I was a huldra." She let go of his hand and skipped forward a few steps and turned back smiling looking very elfish as she walked backward. "Do they have huldra in Greenland?"

"In Greenland and the Faeroe Islands they call them hulder or huldufolk. It means secret or hidden people. In Britain they say elf. They talk of them in every culture that I am aware of."

"Oh." Karliene remained quiet and pensive. Her usual contagious smile replaced with a frown.

"Karlie you are a beautiful talented woman. I love you just as you are, huldra or not. However, you are my little elf." She laughed at his declaration and stepped closer to be embraced.

"Unni and I were born with tails," she said looking carefully at him.

"It happens occasionally."

"Rarely," she corrected him.

"And you're telling me this because?"

"I want to be totally honest with you. I want to make sure you know what you're getting into."

"Do you still have a tail?"

"No. Why did your ask?" she looked at him surprised.

"Boys are all born with a tail. I would have liked to see yours."

"No they aren't! Boys are not born with tails," she said firmly as she shook her head.

"Oh yes they are...on the other end." Karliene responded by laughing.