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She slipped her hand into his and they set off toward home.

Together.

Chapter 21

The woods were so thick, and everyone so busy with chores, that no one saw them coming until they were nearly at the edge of the clearing. Then Dagney looked up and cried, “Gytha! Gytha’s coming!” and everyone dropped what they were doing and ran toward them.

For a moment, Gytha was so engulfed in hugs and arms and voices that she could barely speak. But she managed, “Just a moment! Let me introduce you!”

They had not entirely ignored Alexander, but now everyone turned their attention to him. A flush came to his thin cheeks, and Gytha took his hand. “This is Alexander, who was a bear and a prince.” There were exclamations, and when Gytha could get a word in, she said, “Alexander, this is my family: myfather Ivarr Bjornsson and my mother Hlif, Sigrid, Solveig, Ashild and Dagney, Randulf, Halvard, and Brinja.”

Ivarr’s gaze had caught on the scar that marred Alexander’s nose dragging from the corner of his eye downward.

Gytha could feel Alexander’s tension in his hand. He spoke in a quiet, courteous voice. “I am honored to meet you again.” He met their eyes in turn, and when he caught Solveig’s gaze, she smiled at him.

He smiled shyly, and at that, Ivarr shook his head as if he had just come to his senses. “I owe you an apology.”

Alexander blinked and ducked his head a little. “It isn’t necessary. I?—”

“It is,” Ivarr said firmly. He stepped forward and put both hands on Alexander’s shoulders to look him in the face. “I am sorry for hurting you, and I ask your forgiveness. More than that, I owe you my deepest gratitude for what you did for Hlif and Gytha, for healing their fevers. Without you, we would have lost them both, and maybe others, to fever and hunger that winter. Thank you.”

Alexander’s lips trembled, as if he were trying to think of what to say. Then he nodded. His voice was choked when he said, “I didn’t expect gratitude. It was an honor. Thank you for not hating me for taking Gytha away.”

Ivarr let his hands drop but remained close, his blue eyes taking in Alexander’s ragged scar, his dark eyes, tired and apprehensive, and the dark curls pulled back in a bit of ribbon. “I see now that you are a man of honor,” he said. “I would like to hear your story.”

“It is a not pleasant tale.” Alexander’s gaze flicked toward the younger children and then back to Ivarr. “But I would have no secrets with you, if you will hear it.”

Ivarr blinked in surprise, and Alexander took a deep breath.

“I want to marry Gytha. I loved her from the moment she put her hands in my fur, and I grew to love her more over many months of observing her character. She is beautiful beyond words, but that is not what I love most about her. She is lovely in her heart, and I want to spend the rest of my life, however long it is, in knowing and loving her. With your blessing, I will wed her when she is ready.” Alexander’s fingers squeezed Gytha’s nervously, but he held Ivarr’s gaze.

Ivarr studied him and then looked at Gytha, taking in her hopeful look. “Is this what you want?”

“Yes!” Gytha’s lips curved in a smile, and she leaned closer to Alexander’s side. “I love him, Pabbi, Mamma.” She glanced at her mother. “You will too, when you get to know him.” She smiled up at Alexander reassuringly, hoping he could see the affection in her eyes. “We still have much to learn about each other, but I know enough to be sure about my choice.” She looked back at her father. “Please, Pabbi. Love him, and get to know him, and welcome him as a son.”

Ivarr glanced at Hlif, who smiled warmly. He said, “If Gytha loves you so well, I am sure we will, also. It will be good to spend time growing close.” He kissed Gytha’s forehead and then put a strong arm around Alexander’s shoulders. “Come, Son, and have some lunch. We have much to talk about, and plenty of time.”

Alexander stumbled forward at the strength of Ivarr’s arm, and the man gripped his jacket to steady him. “You want to know me?”

Solveig said, “Of course we do! If you’re going to marry Gytha, we need to know everything. You’re going to be family.”

Alexander’s tentative smile widened, and a pink flush rose in his cheeks. He looked back at Gytha. “I didn’t know what I wanted, but now I do. I wanted this. Only this, and everything that comes after. You. Your family. Little sisters and brothers. Home.”

Ivarr let him pause, no longer urging him toward the house. “If Gytha accepts you, then this is your home, and we are your family,” he said, his voice warm and deep. “Have no fear of being separate or apart.”

“I was afraid,” Alexander admitted. He looked down at his boots.

“Well, don’t be,” said Solveig. She smiled at him. “I liked you as a bear, and I think I shall like you even more as a big brother.”

Alexander’s flush deepened. “Thank you, Little Sister.”

“Come, come!” Hlif urged. She took Gytha’s free hand and said, “You must help us draw him out, so that we know how to make him feel at home.”

Alexander chuckled a little, as if he were rusty at it, and said, “Thank you, madame.”

Hlif stopped in shock. “Never in my life!” she said, surprised but not displeased. “‘Madame,’ indeed! Call me Mamma! You’re to be a son by marriage if not blood, and we will have no artificial distance of titles and formality between us.”

They started toward the house, with Alexander engulfed in the happy group. The children began asking questions so quickly that Gytha could not answer them, and Alexander was so choked with emotion that he could not answer either.

Gytha kept her hand in his, and Ivarr kept his arm around Alexander’s shoulders, and soon they were settled at the table with tea and honeycakes.

“Now, then,” Hlif said. “There’s no hurry to tell everything. It’s not a race. This is the beginning of your life together. How shall we begin?”

Alexander could not speak; tears filled his eyes, and he looked down at the table before Gytha caught his hand again. She smiled at him. “Welcome home, Alexander.”