Dragon Bride

Chapter 30 Unni

Unni walked holding Oonagh's hand as they led the cows out to pasture. Gretchen was busy feeding the chickens when Oonagh pointed into the sky and shouted "Dragons!" Gretchen shielded her eyes with her hand looking.

"I don't see anything," Gretchen said just as Loki and the golden dragon unshielded.

"Loki, she's beautiful!" Unni said softly as the dragons landed softly hidden by a stand of fruit trees

"I like her, Lokhoggr," the golden dragon said.

"I missed you so MUCH!" Oonagh said loudly as she hugged Loki around his neck and kissed him.

"These are the dragons," Unni said to Gretchen who simply stood wide mouthed and in shock. Loki you know. He's eaten over several times. Loki shifted into human form smiling at Gretchen.

"Perhaps if we go inside we can talk. Marta just wanted to meet you. She needs to check on our egg."

"I'll be right back," the golden dragon said before cloaking and jumping into the sky.

"Where is Karlie?" Loki said as they walked into the long house.

"We are not sure," Unni said, "but I believe she is hiding in your  old cave. The one with the trolls." Loki looked concerned as Unni related the incidents of the last few days and Karliene's disappearance.

"You're correct Unni, we would know if Karlie had been killed. But getting her away from the trolls will be difficult. Attacking them in the cave would put her in grave danger."

"I've considered that," Unni said, "I want you to take me to Greenland to get Bjorn. Maybe we can come up with a plan together. We don't have a lot of time, Karliene is starving away in that cave.

*****

Unni was a little apprehensive as she walked up to the door of the long house and knocked. A tall red haired woman opened the door when she heard a shriek from inside the home.

"UNNI!. Did you bring Karlie and my dragon!"

"Loki flew me here KiKi. Karlie didn't come this time." Brianna stood at the door looking confused as KiKi pushed past her shouting her greetings to Loki. "May I come in. I need to speak to Bjorn." Brianna nodded and stepped aside. "I'm Unni, sister to Bjorn's fiance."

"Please come in," Bjorn said motioning to her. "I didn't see any ships arrive. You said Karlie didn't come?"

"I flew on dragon back," Unni said then added softly, "Karlie needs your right now."

It took most of the day to get the story out. The dragon was a shock to everyone especially when he shape shifted to Loki the man. Loki flew Brianna and KiKi about fully cloaked while Bjorn packed. They sat for dinner, Loki sitting with the family as Bjorn read the letter Karliene had dictated. He read it aloud sharing it with his family.

"She didn't expect to live, did she?" Bjorn asked.

"She was hopeful and very determined," Unni said as she wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks, "but no she did not expect to survive."

"And you think she has?"

"I know she has and so does Loki. So we came to fetch you."

"I once told Karlie that I would fly on dragon back to get back to her. I didn't mean it literally of course, but I meant it."

Meanwhile back at the cave Karliene soaked luxuriously in her pool of warm water. She had her floral scented soap and pomade and found several scented candled that now added their glow to the cave. She had helped herself to a generous portion of sliced ham and made an inventory of one of the piles of treasure. She had spent time describing how tasty the ham was shouting through the fissure to the trolls causing them to have another violent tantrum.

"You cut my hand!" one troll screamed accusingly to his brother.

"You knocked out my tooth," the other yelled. This was followed by evidence of renewed fighting.

"If you two can't stop fighting I'll send you to bed without dinner, again." She mocked them laughing from her safe space in the treasure cave. She spoke loudly enough to be heard over their fighting. She had by now found several pieces of colorful silk and created several toga's which she had devised several methods of tying them into a dress. Her favorite method left one shoulder bare and ended above her knees. She considered bringing them with her when she left. She would share them with her family and wear them for Bjorn. The thick furs made for a soft warm bed for sleeping. She did however miss company. Teasing the trolls however was fun and they always reacted entertainingly to her taunts.