Page 33 of Wolf of the Nordic Seas (Valiant Vikings #2)
Return to Chateau Blanc
At the end of the evening, assured that úlf had recovered sufficiently for the voyage, Ildris said goodbye with the promise to return with the other Ljósálfar in the morning. The Light Elves would join Lugh and Luna in crossing the portal to the waterfall cave and aid Njord’s men in loading the three ships to set sail for ísland as planned.
Elfi and Ylva helped Luna wash the dishes with water from the Isilwenn spring while Lugh, Njord, and úlf cleaned the grill outside the cottage. When the chores were finished, Lugh and úlf retired to their respective chambers, and Ylva headed for bed in the room she was sharing with Luna.
Fetching a lit candle from the oval table, Luna escorted Njord and Elfi down the hall to the guest room she had prepared for them.
In the simple but elegant chamber, moonlight streamed through a large arched window which overlooked the glimmering lake. On one side of the room, a fire crackled in the stone hearth, and along the opposite wall, an elaborately carved armoire of frosted ashwood stood beside a plump feather bed covered in shimmery silver silk. When Luna lit the beeswax candle upon the small bedside table, the sweet fragrance of honey wafted into the cool, moonlit air.
“There is an extra blanket in the armoire, should you need one. And spring water in the pitcher on the table.” She nodded to an ornate silver ewer and pair of goblets beside the candle. “With a chamber pot on the floor in the corner.” Luna kissed Elfi’s cheek, her pearlescent smile radiant in the darkened room. “See you in the morning. Sleep well.” She inclined her head to Njord, exited the room, and closed the carved wooden door behind her.
“A beautiful view of the lake,” Njord remarked, admiring the dark surface streaked with silver moonlight and sprinkled with sparkling stars as he unstrapped his sword and stood it against the armoire. “And the bed looks inviting…” he flashed her a wolfish grin, a lusty gleam in his wicked eye.
A wave of warmth washed over Elfi, pooling between her thighs. “Indeed it does.” She smiled seductively and unstrapped her dragonscale sheath. Laying it on the floor beside the bed, she unfastened the trollkors talisman and necklace, which she placed carefully upon the bedside table. “Thank the gods, úlf has recovered. Do we set sail tomorrow as planned?”
Njord plopped down on the bed and removed his boots, then stood to shed his woolen tunic. “ Já , with the morning tide.” Moonlight glistened on the intricate tattoos which covered his muscled skin. Elfi’s pulse quickened when he loosened the drawstring waist of his breeches. One side of his bearded face curled up a sultry smirk as he observed her watching him lower the linen hose. Under her rapt attention, his body responded with ardor.
She inhaled sharply as a staggering wave of desire weakened her wobbly knees. Elfi lifted her dark blue gown over her head, followed by her soft linen chemise. Before she had even placed the garments in the armoire, his sinewy arms locked behind her back and the hair of his broad chest brushed against her tingling breasts.
Warm, insistent lips nuzzled her neck and shoulder. “Odin’s eye, I long to taste you.” As Njord laid her down upon the feather bed, Elfi’s clothes dropped on the wooden floor. “I said that I would worship every inch of you. And so I shall.”
His warm mouth claimed hers, his tongue parting her lips to probe and plunder, the rhythmic thrusts a promise of what was yet to come. He lapped and suckled her breasts until she moaned, writhing beneath him as he hovered over her, tormenting her with skilled lips and tongue. When his head nestled between her thighs, her body arched to meet him, aching with an empty hollow that she was desperate for him to fill. His fingers plunged inside her, the tip of his tongue caressing the tender bud between her thighs, rocking her with rhythmic waves until she convulsed with blessed release.
He flipped her on her stomach, raised her bottom in the air, and slid inside her warm, slick body, pummeling her from behind.
Elfi wrapped her legs behind his hips, pulling him in deep, her body gripped tightly around his. When he burrowed into her and filled her with his seed, her inner muscles clenched and contracted as she climaxed once again.
Njord hummed with pleasure and laid down at her side, cradling her against his thundering chest. “I love you, Elfi. I thank the gods you are mine.”
“And I love you, my Wolf of the Nordic Seas .” Elfi snuggled against him, blissfully content in his sinewy arms. As his muscles soon twitched and Njord drifted off to sleep, she gazed through the tall window to glimpse the moon in the starry night sky.
Tomorrow, they would return with the Ljósálfar to étretat. Finish loading the longships. And set sail for ísland.
She prayed that the gods would guide them.
And that the Norns had woven victory into the threads of their entwined fates.
****
Elfi awakened to the trills and chirps of songbirds, the crisp saline scent of the sea mingling with the fresh, earthy tang of the lake as a soft breeze wafted into the room. She smiled at the familiar hardness poking against her bare bottom.
“I’m glad you’re awake.” Njord nuzzled the side of her neck, caressing a breast with one hand while he parted her thighs with the other, prodding at the entrance to her body. “Let’s make love one last time in álfheim.” When she murmured in delightful consent, he slid into her warm, willing body.
A while later, they emerged from the bedchamber and strode down the hall to find that Luna and Ylva had set the table for dagmál. “Good morning.” Luna gestured for Elfi and Njord to help themselves and join the others already eating at the table. “Barley cakes with lavender honey… skyr with lingonberries and hazelnuts…smoked silver salmon… and sweet pear juice, or mead infused with elderflowers.”
A wave of nausea swept over Elfi, an unpleasant symptom that plagued her more often lately. Fortunately, frequent meals seemed to help. As she filled her ceramic plate with a little of everything, she wondered how she would fare during the weeks at sea abord ship. She sat down beside Njord, taking a sip of sweet pear juice and sinking her teeth into a barley cake smothered with honey.
After they’d eaten, Lugh, úlf, and Njord went outdoors to clean and oil their armor and leather scabbards, assembling and sharpening their weapons. Ylva and Elfi helped Luna wash the dishes, cleaning the tables and counters in preparation for the long voyage when the cottage would remain empty.
While Luna packed clothing and gathered necessities in a large leather satchel, Ildris arrived with the Ljósálfar.
All were clad in dragonscale leather armor in varying shades of gold and green. Sheathed in gem-encrusted scabbards on their hips, their magnificent Light Elven swords and elaborate daggers glittered in the morning sun. And strapped across their broad backs over the gleaming armor were quivers of fletched arrows and elegant longbows crafted from frosted ashwood.
Elfi observed Lugh greet Ildris and the other Ljósálfar through the large arched window overlooking the Elandrian Sea. While she watched, Njord, úlf, and Lugh each donned their armor. In contrast to Lugh’s dark green dragonscale leather, the two úlfhéenar were clad in their respective wolfskin cloaks over chainmail brynja tunics and leggings.
When Lugh and Njord came inside to see if the women were ready, Luna emerged from the hall with her leather satchel. She nodded to Elfi and Ylva, and the trinity of Ljósálfar healers exited the cottage and joined the men.
Together, they descended the slope from the clifftop cottage and crossed the crystal bridge. Traversing the otherworldly portal from álfheim to the human realm of Midgard, they arrived in the waterfall cave of the Mermaid Cove.
When they approached the castle, Sk?rde, Bjarke, and Varg were training with Norman knights, Danish warriors, and the úlfhéenar on the castle grounds. Everyone waved to greet them, overjoyed to see úlf healthy and hale.
Sk?rde trotted across the field and swept Ylva up into his arms. “Thor’s thunder, I missed you.” He set her down upon the grassy meadow and kissed her just as Vivi — accompanied by Oda, Vilde, and Sif — came running out of the castle and threw her arms around her mother.
While his daughter hugged Ylva, Sk?rde noticed Ildris among the Ljósálfar. He extended his hand in a friendly greeting. “ Goean dag, vinr minn. It’s good to see you again.”
Bjarke and Varg joined them, as did Bodo, Flóki, Hrólf Redbeard and Njáll. When Njord announced that he intended to depart with the outgoing tide, he and the men headed down to the docks to finish loading Drakkúlfr, Hrafnvarg, and Skollrokr, the three drakkar longships which they would take to ísland.
Elfi remarked with a bemused smile how Njáll lingered near Luna before following his pack. Luna joined Elfi in the grassy courtyard.
Oda rushed up to embrace Elfi, ushering the women and Vivi into the castle. “Thank the gods, you healed úlf! Njord said that you were sailing with the tide?”
“Yes, we plan to leave as soon as the ships are fully loaded.” Elfi hugged Sif and Vilde, glad to be reunited with them again. When she spotted úlvhild headed toward her, she raced forward to greet the volva. “Njord wants to leave within the hour. Do you need to go home and pack?”
úlvhild nodded. “I’ll also fetch my dagger and chalice—for the sacrifice and blood ritual.” She turned toward Ylva. “We’ll chant a vardlokkur to invoke the blessings of the gods. And anoint the ships and warriors with sacred blood before they set sail.”
“Vivi and I will gather wildflowers for Rán. And a chalice of mead, to invoke the blessing of Njord.” Ylva grinned at Elfi. “How fitting that your betrothed was named after the Norse God of the Sea. We’ll pray he grants you safe passage for the voyage to ísland.”
“I’ll come with you—and catch fish for the sacrifice. Perfect for the god and goddess of the sea.” Luna joined Ylva and Vivi as they headed toward the double oak exit doors. She flashed Elfi a radiant smile, the moonstone gems in her necklace aglow with Ljósálfar light. “We’ll meet you down on the docks in an hour.”
“That will be perfect. See you soon.” Elfi watched the trio slip out of the castle.
“Come upstairs. I have something to show you.” Oda’s merry eyes twinkled as she grasped Elfi’s hand and winked at Vilde and Sif, both of whom seemed excited at the prospect.
Heart pounding, Elfi followed her amma up the stone stairwell to the second floor. When she entered her room at the end of the hall, Oda and Vilde disappeared into the adjacent antechamber.
Sif motioned to the open wooden chest set upon the pinewood floor. Inside the trunk, Elfi spotted several folded gowns, her lamellar armor, two blankets, and an extra woolen cloak. “I’ve cleaned and oiled your armor, and packed additional clothing and blankets.” Sif gestured to a leather bag laid atop the vanity table. “Your personal items are here—antler comb, sticks and mint leaves for cleaning your teeth, leather thongs for tying your braids. I also packed an extra tunic and leggings, to wear under your armor.” She gestured to another leather bag on the floor. “And my belongings are in there.”
While Elfi smiled at Sif, grateful that everything had been so well prepared, Oda swirled into the room. A glorious grin crinkled her soft cheeks .
“This must be carefully packed.” Oda beckoned Vilde, who entered from the antechamber, holding a magnificent gown made from the exquisite blue silk Njord had given Elfi as a bridal gift.
Elfi gasped as she beheld the sumptuous silk.
Glittering gems and shimmering silver embellished the low cut, rounded neckline. Like her Persian necklace, a pattern of turquoise, emerald, and lapis lazuli droplets glistened amidst embroidered Nordic runes. The long sleeves were fitted to the elbow, but below a silver band of embroidery and gems which matched the pattern along the shoulders, the luscious silk fluttered like wings over the wrists, the inside edge extending almost to the floor. A similar border below the fitted bodice displayed the same gems and Nordic runes, and richly decorated blue and silver lacing fastened the gown behind the back. Morning sunlight, streaming though the open window, danced on the billowy blue silk like rippling waves of the Nordic Seas.
Elfi was stunned speechless. It was the most breathtaking gown she had ever seen.
“We worked on it during your trip to the ?le de Sein . And finished it while you were in álfheim.” Bright eyes shining with delight , Oda motioned for Vilde to give the gown to Elfi.
Elfi held it up against her body, imagining herself wearing it for Njord. The decadent silk caressed her skin like kisses from his soft, smooth lips.
“For your Ljósálfar wedding in ísland.” Oda gave Elfi an affectionate squeeze.
“With this upon your head.” Sif handed Elfi a slender silver crown whose swirls, peaks, and dips depicted the fluid movement of waves. Nestled among etchings of the Nordic rune Laguz— the symbol for water — droplets of lapis lazuli sparkled in the morning sun. “Njord had the castle silversmith craft it. With gems he’d bought in the Far East.” Tears welled up in Sif’s large brown eyes. “You will be such a beautiful Viking bride. I hope there will be wildflowers in bloom, so I can tuck them into the intricate braids I shall plait in your long, lustrous hair.”
Elfi wrapped an arm around Sif and pulled her close. “I am so glad you will be there with me. What would I ever do without you?”
Sif wiped her eyes and smiled softly as Elfi kissed her crumpled cheek.
Oda stepped forward, opening a small black leather pouch to withdraw two silver rings, each inscribed with Nordic runes and set with lapis lazuli gems. “Njord also had the castle silversmith craft these wedding rings, to match your bridal headpiece.” While Sif took the blue silk gown and laid it upon the bed, Oda placed the rings in Elfi’s palm.
Elfi’s breath hitched at the sight of the exquisite jewels.
For her bridal ring, a large, droplet-shaped lapis lazuli stone was centered between two swirls of silver, like waves curled protectively around the glittering gem. Inscribed in an intricate pattern along the delicate band, a trio of Nordic runes sparkled amidst the silver swirls. In Njord’s matching band, three lapis lazuli droplets were nestled amidst the same runes engraved in Elfi’s ring. As Elfi ran appreciative fingers over the familiar Norse characters, Oda explained why Njord had selected this trinity of runes.
“Laguz , the rune of water. For your mermaid spirit, his identity as Wolf of the Nordic Seas , and the ocean which has entwined your fate and joined you as mates.” Oda’s soothing voice was soft and smooth as the blue silk gown. “ Uruz , for the wild, untamed strength of the ox. Symbol of Njord’s úlfhéenar power and your sjósongr magic.” Her amma’s eyes sparkled like lapis lazuli. “And Isaz, the ice rune. For your Ljósálfar wedding in ísland.”
“They are magnificent! I cannot wait for us to wear them.” Elfi slipped the ring on her finger, admiring the golden streaks shimmering within the deep blue stone. She reluctantly returned the wedding rings to the leather pouch, pulled the drawstring closed, and handed the parcel to Sif, who tucked it securely inside the wooden trunk .
Vilde had fetched another garment from the antechamber and now entered the room, displaying a full length, hooded cloak of glorious white fur, lined with the same shimmery fabric as Elfi’s gown. “This cape is made from ermine. It is perfect against the deep blue silk.”
Awestruck, Elfi caressed the soft, sumptuous fur.
Vilde added, “And it will keep you warm in the cold climate of ísland.” With a proud smile, she wrapped the elegant cloak in a large swath of linen, then in a second layer of deerskin leather, placing the garment inside the wooden chest on the floor. She enveloped the silver bridal headpiece in fleecy wool to prevent damage to the precious gems, enclosing it in lambskin, which she placed inside the cloak. “I’ll tuck the black leather pouch with the rings beside the coronet. That way, they’ll be together when Sif unpacks your belongings for the wedding.”
“And—gods willing— when you and Njord return triumphant to étretat, you can wear it all again.” A mischievous glint gleamed in Oda’s shrewd eyes. “So your faeir can have the honor of hosting all the Norman nobles, including Jarl Rikard and Count Sk?rde. At your glorious Yuletide wedding, here at Chateau Blanc. ”
While Elfi thrilled at the exciting thought of marrying Njord twice—and wearing a full-length white fur cloak, like his wolfskin—Sif folded the silk wedding gown on the bed, preparing it for the upcoming voyage. “I’ll wrap this in linen, with a few sprigs of lavender, so it will have a lovely scent. And encase it in deerskin, like the ermine cloak, to protect it during the journey.” When she’d finished meticulously wrapping the wedding gown, Sif secured it inside the wooden trunk. She added an extra layer of leather to cover everything before closing and bolting the latch.
At Oda’s signal, a pair of strong castle servants entered the room, hoisted the heavy chest, and carried it away, to be secured in the cargo hold of Njord’s Drakkúlfr longship.
At the sound of a young female voice, Elfi turned toward the doorway, where Ylva and Vivi — clutching armfuls of fragrant purple blossoms of heather and wild thyme — stood with úlvhild.
The volva’s striking face was painted with deep blue woad streaked with black, her crimson velvet gown covered by a midnight cloak flecked with falcon feathers and embellished with glittering gems, silver charms, and bones etched in blood. Atop her long, wiry black hair sat a braided silver circlet, embellished with amber beads, raven feathers, and a luminous moonstone matching the gem in her wooden staff. A trio of Nordic runes adorned the silver headpiece— Ansuz , for wisdom and divine communication; Laguz, for the flow of water and otherworldly intuition; and Raido , the journey, symbolic of the drakkar ships about to embark.
White catskin gloves hugged úlvhild’s long arms, the curved wand of pale yew wood with its glowing moonstone tip clutched in one hand, an ornate silver bowl etched with runes and encrusted with glistening gems in the other. At the base of her long neck, the amber stone in her amulet was engraved with the image of Freyja, goddess of seidr magic. At her narrow waist, an elegant dagger was sheathed inside a black leather scabbard studded with rubies, amethysts, and amber. The wooden handle of the mysterious blade was inscribed with runes and etched with scrolls depicting graceful swans in flight . And in the dagger’s elaborate hilt, a ruby red garnet-- the same color as the volva’s velvet gown-- glittered in the morning sun.
Noting Elfi’s rapt attention, úlvhild patted her weapon with an eerie, enigmatic smile. “Freyja’s Whisper ,” she crooned. “Reserved for blood rituals.”
An icy blend of exhilaration and trepidation shivered down Elfi’s spine.
“It’s time for the sacrifice and vardlokkur blessing,” the volva announced. “Njord has returned from his longhouse with several dozen of his warriors from Ribe. He’s down at the dock right now, assembling the men for the ritual.” úlvhild adjusted the pouches of herbs, bone runes, sacred stones, and galdr imbued crystals suspended from her leather belt. “The úlfhéenar and Ljósálfar are there as well, with the Danish warriors from Ribe.”
Luna arrived in the doorway, carrying a glittering crystal basin etched with Elven scrolls. “Here are the fish for the sacrifice. Three each of cod, sole, and turbot. Triple the blessing for the voyage— with the sacred number nine.” The lovely Ljósálfar smiled at Vivi, noting the purple blossoms in the willow basket. “Such beautiful wildflowers. Rán will be most pleased.” The young blonde priestess in training beamed at her mother, delighted by Luna’s glowing praise.
úlvhild nodded in agreement and raised her eyebrows at Elfi. “Shall we go?”
Elfi took a deep breath to calm her jittery nerves. “I’m ready.” With Sif, Vilde, and Oda right behind her, Elfi slung the leather satchel over a shoulder and followed the volva out the door.