Dear all, my attempt at continuation. Thanks for stopping by!
As always, thanks to Wattle (Accidentally There) and Dreams of Valhalla (More than what we seem?) Their stories are AWESOME!
Of course, I put this up when was half asleep, so I made some changes. Thanks for reading.
Chapter 1
Anna could not stop smiling as Kristr carried her through the cheering guests and well-wishers. It was their wedding day, and she had just confessed to him her secret that she was with babe. Judging by his whoop of delight and his huge grin he was every bit as delighted as she. The love that they shared would continue to grow, at first within her womb. She hoped that their child would have its father's distinctive Celtic hair. She did not care if it were a son or a daughter. Regardless of birth, it would have the love of two families from across the waves, who would care for it, and teach it the ways, myths and legends of both their worlds.
Carefully helping Anna to her feet, he reluctanly led his bride to the assembled women who arranged her on the bridal chair, decorated with ivy, dog roses and oak. He stared in adoration at his wife seated in front of him. He repeated the words to himself, my wife. She looked like a mystical Celtic deity, the embodiment of all that was perfect in nature. Her beautiful rich brown hair, decorated with flowers, her red robe flowing gracefully over her delicate frame, its rich colour bringing out the sparkling blue of her eyes, and luscious pale skin, her cheeks today pinked with excitement and joy. He restrained a growl as he thought of that creamy skin, flushed with different emotions, in their chamber later that eve when they would consummate their marriage and complete the ceremony, sealing their union. Taking to his own seat, his throne for the day, the crowd hushed as Raymond stood to address them.
He cleared his throat 'My Clan, Kin and esteemed guests, I would like to thank you for attending the bridal feast to celebrate the wedding of my only daughter Anna of RathSteele to Kristr Greysteinn of Halsarfjord.' There was a murmur of approval before he continued, 'As you all know, Anna and Kristr started their courtship in a most unorthodox manner.' He looked over to the happy couple who were now both blushing furiously, Kristr from shame at his actions four moons ago, Anna from her embarrassment at falling in love so quickly with a man who had captured her for ransom.
It was only a season ago that Kristr the Viking had abducted Anna of RathSteele in an act of revenge. Anna's betrothed, Jack MacHyde had cheated Kristr out of coin, and determined to retrieve it, and he had taken Anna as a hostage. Neither of them had expected to fall in love, and when the duplicitous colours of the evil MacHyde were finally shown to all, Kristr had the chance to redeem his previous callous actions and rescue Anna from his sworn enemy. MacHyde had joined forces with Kristr's jealous former lover Helgena, on the Shetland Jarlshof, where they had plans to make Anna into a bed-slave for the amusement of her fosterlings. During the daring event, Helgena had been captured and MacHyde had thrown himself over a cliff during a battle with Kristr. Helgena would be tried at an Allthing, the Norse system of justice, for her actions, and no one had even bothered looking for tattered evidence of MacHyde. He did not deserve any funeral, Christian or Norse.
Raymond of RathSteele prepared to continue with his speech. His family had been restored; his rath which was almost razed to the ground by MacHyde was rebuilt and reinforced. The guilt that the proud strong chieftain had felt when he had failed to protect his daughter was now tempered with the knowledge that she would be safe in the hands of her groom. 'I believed that I had lost my daughter for ever, that I had failed my darling Breda,' he was silent for a moment as he thought of his wife, the woman who had borne Anna, and who was taken from him so cruelly fifteen Winters previous, 'but now I know that she has met a man who will love her, cherish her and care for her as she was meant to be. I beseech the Lord in Heaven to grant them a happy marriage. When they sail may the wind always be in their back, where they travel may the road rise to meet them, and may there be many fine Norse sons and Irish daughters for generations to come!'
Not noticing the wink that Kristr gave Anna, Raymond raised his cup of mead and gave the traditional address in Gaelic 'Slainte agus Beannachtai!' The crowd repeated the cheer of 'Health and Blessings' in union, and the feast had begun.
After drinking, dancing and storytelling into the wee hours of the night, Kristr finally decided that it was time that they claimed each other as husband and wife, and he would leave in the way of the ancestors. This exercise was for merriment now, its origins in the old days of bride-stealing. Pushing his chair back, he stood up and threw Anna over his shoulder, who gave a squeal of playful outrage. He drew his sword and shouted to every man in the hall, 'I, Kristr Greysteinn take Anna of RathSteele as my own.' He brandished his weapon at the guests. 'Anyone who wishes to challenge me must stop me before I reach the door, otherwise this night she shall become my wife!'
The initial shock of the Viking's actions mellowed, as the assembled realised the game that was to be played. Each man drew their sword, and made a mock challenge to Kristr, who fended them off easily, scowling, snarling and shouting at his 'enemies' that the woman over his shoulder was his. 'Shh!' he whispered in amusement, 'You are meant to be reluctant!' Her giggles continued; the last time he had abducted her, she was most definitely unwilling, this time she would have carried him out the door, if she had the strength.
The spectacle continued until the groom reached his final two assailant sbefore the solid oak doors of the hall. First there was Joseph, his dark eyes finally softening to the giant Scandinvain before them. Their swords touched with a low clang.
'Look after my sister, Northman.' Joseph finally smiled 'Or I will come for you, brother to brother.'
'She is my everything. I am proud to have joined your family this day, my brother.' Their swords clinked again.
Lastly, it was Raymond, sword drawn, his expression fierce, but his eyes were filled with a father's tears. They parried for a moment before Raymond yielded to the younger man.
'Look after my girl, she may be your bride, but she will always be my daughter.' He leaned on his sword as he addressed his son-in-law.
Kristr's sword touched Raymond's lightly. 'My chieftain, I give you my word. We are now of the one clan, RathSteele and Greysteinn. It is my hope that this union of Norse and Irish will keep peace between the two races.' Letting Anna down, to kiss her Papa goodbye, he then threw her over his shoulder again and strode to their chamber, her laughs carrying into the night.
The door to their room was ajar, the golden glow of the blazing hearth bathing the room in soft light. The women of the rath had prepared their room with newly tanned furs, scented oils and fresh spun linen sheets. Finally letting Anna stand, she looked up at him expectantly. They may have lain together many times, but tonight was different; they were both coming to the union of marriage of their own free will, and tonight she would be his. He was proud to know that he was her husband, and would delight in telling his friends of his good tidings. He gave a low growl as she bit down on her soft lip, and gently freeing it from her perfect white teeth, he leant in and kissed her as if for the first time. His lips pressed onto hers, his tongue exploring, dancing, claiming her sweet pink mouth. He groaned in desire as she met every move of his, welcoming his caresses with soft moans of longing.
Breaking from their embrace she moved to pull off his grey tunic, her eyes limpid lakes of desire when she saw his taut muscular chest and the tattoo over his heart that never failed to arouse her. She touched it lightly.
'Did it hurt?' she asked,
'Ja, but not like pain I felt when I believed I lost you.' It was true; the pain of the ink over his heart was but a scratch compared to the hole that had been left in his chest when he had found her belongings at the edge of the woods in Halsarfjord.
Taking her hand he led her to sit on the bed, tracing a finger slowly along the neckline of her gown, before following it with soft nipping kisses. Continuing his veneration of her soft tender breast bone, he opened the score of buttons on her dress, trailing from her nape to the cleft of her sweet behind. When she stood up, her dress fell in a ruby pool onto the floor, the fine wool fabric rippling in soft waves. Walking a few steps from Kristr, she twirled slowly, displaying her perfect female form for him. She fondled her hands over the curve of her breast, smoothing her palms into the valley of her still slender waist, crading the barely visible swelling of her abdomen.
In the soft flickering light her creamy skin had taken on an ethereal sheen; he was transfixed as he gazed in awe at the goddess made flesh before him.
'Take me, now Kristr,' she breathed softly, 'make me your wife, Husband of mine.'
He did not need a second invitation from the enchanting view before him. Kneeling before her, he pressed his forehead to her belly, savouring the aroma of her tender flesh, planting tender kisses from hip to hip. She carried their child within her glorious body. He raised his arms in reverence to stroke and caress her perfect form; the woman who had so entranced him. Enraptured by her deep blue eyes, her soft pink mouth and her loving face, he stood up and scooped her into his arms. Bestowing a soft kiss on her forehead, laid her on the soft linen, and slowly, sensually, they consumated their marraige as two became one.
hang in there - I promise, it is going somewhere!
