Book Three- Eira Ragnarsdottír: The Twin of Björn Ironside

Chapter 1

The soft chilling air prickled on my skin as I walked out of my warm cabin. Snow fell freely on the ground but melted right away. Spring had reached us and soon we would be gone and headed across the sea.

"Mother!" I heard playful yells, "Mother!" I looked down to see Rekkr running up to me.

I scooped him up in my arms and swung him, "What is it, my love?"

"Can I play with Ubbe, Hviterk, and Sigurd?" He questioned.

"Well, I don't see why not." I placed him down on the ground, "You make sure you listen to Ubbe do you hear?" I yelled after him as he ran away in the direction of my youngest brothers. He smiled and nodded back at me as he ran. My smile grew as I watched him.

He was already four years of age. The years seemed to fly by and with every passing day, he was getting closer and closer to becoming a man.

"Perhaps you have time to play as well, wife?" I feltTorstein's arms wrap around my waist and I grinned happily.

My head rested on his chest, "I am not your wife." I giggled.

Torstein turned me around in his arms, "You might as well be, why not just make it official now?"

I poked his nose, "I will make you a deal," he hummed in response, "after we return from Wessex, I will marry you. And then I will bear you the son you desire."

"Why must we wait?"

I shrugged, "Because you keep asking me. The more you ask, the more I will say no."

He kissed the tip of my nose, "That is your stubbornness getting the best of you."

I grinned at him, "It appears so."

My eyes wandered up into the sky as the snow stopped and I sighed, "The water has unthawed and the boats are almost ready."

He nodded, "Yes, and then we will be sailing west again."

"I want to travel elsewhere," I admitted, "I want to see new cultures and meet new people. Maybe even establish peace with them. I want to explore, Torstein."

"We will, soon enough." He placed his hands on either side of my face and kissed me softly.

From the ground, I felt a tug on my dress. When I looked down, I saw Rekkr holding out his arms to me. I smirked and picked up and placed him on my hip. Torstein smiled at him and kissed him gently on his head.

We each made our way to the Great Hall where we would discuss our next adventure.

I greeted everyone as I walked in. Torstein stepped out to grab something and I set down Rekkr and held his hand through the hall.

"Eira." Siggy greeted me and pulled me into a hug, "It seems as though I have not seen you in forever." She told me.

"I am well, we are all well." I smiled at her.

She looked down at Rekkr, "And please tell me I get to watch your son while you are away?"

A chuckle escaped my lips and I shrugged, "Only if that is your wish."

Siggy smiled at me and nodded, "I love him, of course, I would."

I nodded at her and walked over to Bjorn as Rekkr ran off to Sigurd. I stood beside him and looked around the hall.

"Will Porunn be joining us?" I asked.

He sighed, "She has your stubbornness you know."I laughed at his retort, "She refuses for me to have a say in the matter. It is like trying to get you to do what you are told. . . you simply just do the opposite."