Dragon Bride

Chapter 35 Friday (Frigga's Day)

"You had to pick a Friday,"Olaf said as they waited at the door to the little chapel with Fr. Francis and his wife and eight whitenesses.

"Friday is traditional," Bjorn said, "it goes back to our past traditions of the goddess Frigga, goddess of hearth and home, and I am nothing if not traditional."

"You are so full of it Bear, just admit you and Karlie picked today because you wanted a double wedding and today was the first day our engagement could be concluded."

"You got me there bro. But Frigga's day is traditional."

"I see them coming...Unni is so beautiful!"

Karlie and Unni walked together escorted by Eric and Gretchen. Oonagh proceeded them carrying a bouquet of bright flowers. The brides were both wearing crowns of bright flowers and wearing their swords.

"Fr. Francis seems to have fit right in with the community," Unni observed.

"That's because he was born here as was his wife Erica," Gretchen said. Karlie and Unni looked at her confused. "He is Fr. Peter's youngest son and pleased to be home."

The couples faced each other at the chapel door. Karlie and Unni were both barefoot and smiling as they approached. Bjorn withdrew his sword. "I give to you my sword, it is the sword of my ancestors which you in time will yield to my son." Olaf repeated the gesture to Unni.

"Karliene then withdrew her sword, "I give to you this sword which will become our ancestral sword. It transfers to you an unbroken power of guardianship and protection from my father to you." Unni repeated the sword transfer.

Eric took his sword and placed a ring on the hilt and Bjorn took it and placed it in Karlie's finger. "With this ring I take you as my wife." Olaf repeated the oath. Then Karlie and Unni with her eyes sparkling with mischief and joy took another set of rings from the hilt of Eric's sword and placed it on Bjorn's and Olaf's finger.

"With this ring I take you to be my husband," they said. Then after exchanging kissed were escorted into the chapel for the nuptial mass. After the ceremony the couples were separated and Olaf and Bjorn escorted to the mead hall. It was time for the bride's run. Laughing the sisters lifted their skirts above their knees and raced each other to the mead hall. Unni managed to beat her sister by a fraction of a second and danced wiggling her button "The tall one won!" Karlie laughed at her sisters antics. Bjorn and Olaf again withdrew their swords and jammed them into the archway above the entrance and taking hold of their new brides carrying them inside as they led the party goers in.

Once inside each couple held a double handled cup and drank mead to celebrate their union. King Lothar and King Sven had payed for the food and refreshments and the entire village came. They sang and danced and feasted. Then the couples were separated again and Karlie and Unni taken to the room they would share with their husband. Eleanor acting as mother for Karliene and Gretchen in that role for Unni helped the brides prepare. Earlier in the morning they had been in the sauna together then assisted them into the cool bath in which they had placed flower pedals. They were given instruction regarding what to expect. Now they helped them undress and climb in bed.

The men were now escorted by a singing boisterous crown and ushered into their rooms. Bjorn undressed and slipped under the covers. Karlie scooted over to embrace him. "I love your outfit my little huldra," Bjorn whispered.

"But Bear I'm not wearing a thing!" she smiled at her bear. Bjorn looked deeply into her dark eyes and knew he could see into her gentle generous soul. She was fascinating and so soft as she pressed herself closer. He loved feeling her skin against his, the warmth from her body, the feminine scent of her skin and the taste of her lips when they kissed. Even the sound of her gentle breathing and the tapping of her heart that he could feel as they pressed together face to face added to the sensations of being with her, of being as one with her.

"Are you afraid my little elf?" he whispered. She smiled as she looked at him, his love for her so apparent in the tenderness of his touch. She gently caressed his face and bit her lower lip. She shook her head to say no then spoke.

"A little perhaps...mostly I'm excited. I want you so much."

Bjorn kissed her again, deeply, passionately and relished the sound of her soft moan as she responded with eagerness and joy.

*****

The next morning they dressed and were off to the mead hall. The party was still going on and they were cheered as they entered. Bjorn and Olaf gently removed the crown of flowers from the head of their brides and before witnesses presented them with the morning after gift.