Dragon Bride

Chapter 21 Greenland

Bjorn and Olaf were the last to disembark from their ship. "We beat Lothar's ship by more than a day." Olaf said as they walked to the castle, "what are your plans."

"I will check in with our father and leave this evening for Greenland.The ship leaves with the next tide so don't have much time. I have a lot to get ready for Karlie. I want her to have a home to come to."

"You seem happier than I've ever seen you bro. You've always been so...so...grim." Olaf was smiling as he spoke and Bjorn laughed in response

"I'm just a grumpy old bear," Bjorn replied, "perhaps if you had a woman you'd be less grim yourself."

"Do you think Unni will have me?"

"She's kind of young, twelve I believe." Bjorn looked at his brother with a surprised look on his face. "Karlie told me she was twelve."

"No she'll be sixteen this month in a day or two, and besides I'm willing to wait. I have a couple of years to go before our father releases me."

"I'll put in a good word for you bro. I'll suggest he release you early. He really wants grandchildren. You know that if you wait to long someone else is going to snatch her up."

"I know," Olaf said sounding dejected, he signed deeply and several minutes passed without a word

.

"Come to Greenland with me," Bjorn said.

"I can't this trip but perhaps this summer when you take the girls I will."

"Tell Unni how you feel and let her know you plan to wait until she can wed."

"What if she says no?"

"If you don't try you'll never know. The worst that could happen is you have to look elsewhere."

"Then I will go with you to Greenland and cast my hopes to the wind."

*****

"Loki you look different!" Karliene whispered as she gently rubbed the dragons neck.

"You look so much brighter, glowing almost," Unni added.

"My lady dragon is coming in heat," Loki said, his voice deeper and gruffer than usually

.

"Can we meet your lady dragon?" Karliene asked.

"That would not be wise. We dragons go a little mad at this time. After the season I will ask her."

"Does this happen every year?"

"No little one, it has been at least a decade since she has called out to me. Soon the madness will be overpowering. Why did you call to me?"

"We were planning to ask you to fly us to Greenland for a few hours," Karliene said shyly, "But now..."

"Yes, I will take you. Then I will be away for several weeks."

"Where will you go," Unni asked as she climbed onto the dragons back.

"To the mountain of fire in the frozen sea. We will meet in the sky."

"We are hoping to locate Bjorn's family," Karliene said hopefully.

"I flew over them last time we visited," Loki said

"Are you sure?"

"Humans have scent, it varies by region and diet but I can sense family relations. I flew you right over his mother last time. He has a sister, a half sister too.

"Yes Brianna and Caoimhe."

"I can take you there, but I do need to be home by days end. I will be gone for several weeks. I'm counting on you to mischief makers to stay out of trouble."

"You sound just like Eric and Bjorn," Karliene said smiling.

"We'll be little angels," Unni added

.

Loki remained cloaked as he circled lower descending in an open field a short distance from a long house. "Are you sure that's the one?" Karliene whispered. They continued their decent and saw small strawberry blond girl waving and running toward them.

"I thought you were cloaked!" Unni said.

"I am."

The little girl began waving almost frantically and jumping up and down in her excitement. "Let's land and try to see if we can avoid further discovery," Karliene said. Loki touched down and the sisters dismounted. The child approached cautiously.

"I'm KiKi. I saw you and your dragon before."

"Did you now," Karliene said softly.

"You were nakie! You have clothes on now."

"It's cold today," Karliene said not sure where the conversation was headed.

"May I fly with you?" Karliene looked at her dragon who nodded.

"I'll stay cloaked," Loki said. Karliene mounted first and Unni handed the child to Karliene who positioned her in front of her. Then Unni mounted behind her sister. Loki took flight and soared slowly higher and higher. Karliene kept a tight hold on the child as they flew. "I know were we can go and talk privately."

"Yes, your island with the white sand and clear water," Unni said. In a heartbeat they were high in the sky above a small green island in a clear blue sea. Then they landed on the beach.

"KiKi you must promise not to tell anyone about the dragon," Karliene said. "I'm Karlie and this is my sister Unni. The dragon is Loki."

"I don't have any sisters," KiKi said, then she held up her hand with her fingers stretched out. I got five brothers. One is only a half brother."

"What half?" Loki said teasing. KiKi looked confused so Loki continued, "upper half, bottom half..."

"You're silly," KiKi said after giggling. "Bear is my mom and the kings son. He's much so-o-o much older than me."

"Are you Caoimhe and you mom Brianna?" Karliene asked. KiKi nodded.

"Bjorn always called me KiKi when I was little, he will be home soon to stay. Mama said he's hoping to get married."

Karliene had been hoping to surprise Bjorn by arriving but he obviously was not home yet.

"We know your brother," Unni said smiling with mischief, "Karlie and he are engaged." KiKi looked wide eyed at Karliene then smiled.

"Now I have two sisters!"

"Let's go swimming," Karliene said as she returned KiKi's smile, "we can talk and then fly you home." They undressed and entered the warm water with the dragon keeping watch.

"I want to fly nakie too!" KiKi shouted as she splashed.

"Only if you promise to not tell anyone we were here." KiKi nodded and Karliene continued, "Now tell me all about Bear."