Chapter Two
Two weeks later we arrived in Oden's village. It was close to the mountains, and the people seemed mostly like farmers, and not as much raiders, as my village was.
It's people were friendly and welcomed us with food and water. It was exciting to me that these people might become my friends.
They led us to the chieftain's home, and Oden's father greeted mine with loud greetings and a bear hug.
I was eager to meet Oden and shifted on my feet while the two men talked. My mother stood on one side of me, and my aunt Halla on the other. She was one of my favorite people in the world. She always knew what to say when I came to her with a problem or a question.
Oden's father turned to me and smiled. "Welcome, daughter of Asvald!"
I gave a nod and smiled. My stomach turned fron nervousness.
A young man stepped out of the longhouse and I caught my breath. He was tall and lean, but what really caught my eye was his flaming red hair. His eyes were a deep blue. And he smiled when he met my gaze.
"You must be Britta," he said and stood in front of me. I had to tilt my head back to look at him. "That is a beautiful name."
I smiled and tucked a strand of hair beind my ear. "Thank you, Oden."
He gave a nod and reached for my hand. I offered it to him and he lifted it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on the back before releasing it. "I am very pleased to meet you."
"As am I," I said, trying to keep my voice from trembling.
He seemed to sense my nervousness. "Would you are to take a walk while our parents agree on how much we are worth?" He smiled, joking with me.
"I would love to," I said and placed my hand on his arm as we started away from the longhouse. Halla winked at me and I blushed.
We walked in silence for a while, and I tried to remain relaxed and calm.
"Tell me about yourself," he finally said, breaking the quiet between us.
"What would you like to know?" I asked, feeling like a fool.
"What are your passions? What do you like to do?" he asked, smiling down at me. He was friendly and easy to be with, I realized. I felt almost comfortable with him.
It seemed odd to me that he would even care. "Well, I like to swim and climb trees. And I love to sing."
"I like to sing as well," he said and we came to a stop under a tall tree. I leaned against it's trunk and Oden stood in front of me. His shoulders were broad, but he was not hugely muscular, but he wasn't skrawny at all, either. He was somewhere in the middle.
"Maybe we can sing together sometime," I said softly and gave him a shy smile.
"I would love that." He retuned to smile. Mmm, he was handsome. That smile seemed to make my heart flutter. I remembered that I would be making a choice if I would marry him on our return to the village. How could I make such a choice in such a small space of time?
"Are you aware of how the wedding ceremony works?" He asked gently, reaching out to touch my arm lightly.
I nodded and began to blush. "Of course I do."
"Good." He gave a nod and held my gaze for several moments before looking away. "I know this seems like a rash choice, but you and I both have been raised preparing for this moment. But I want to ask you now, away from your mother and father. Would you consider me a man worthy of your hand in marriage?"
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might jump right out of my chest. I looked down at my feet and tried to take a few deep breaths. "You seem like a nice man and my parents spoke very well of you." I forced myself to look into his eyes. I was a good judge of people. Something I picked up from my mother. Usually I could look into a person's face and see what kind of man he was.
Looking into Oden's face, I saw no sign of ill will or evil. His eyes were gentle and pure, not a single bit of lust or greed in that deep ocean of blue. I was already falling for him. Maybe that was a good sign.
I nodded. "All right, Oden. I will be your...wife."
His smile grew wider. "I am truly honored, Britta. You are a fine woman indeed."
We returned to our familes and told them of our agreement. Our fathers had worked out the price of the dowry and the bride-price, and with a shake of their hands before the witnesses, it was done. I was going to be Oden's wife.
My family stayed in a longhouse in the village with another family. They were kind people and made sure we were comfortable and well fed. But I couldn't relax, and I couldn't sleep. I couldn't even eat. My wedding would be happening by the end of the week.
My mother tried to get me to talk to her, but I pushed her away. She wouldn't understand. She was not born here and she didn't understand the customs.
But my aunt Halla also reached out to me. "Do you want to walk with me?"
I nodded, though I felt too tired and weak to move from lack of sleep and food. We walked through the calm forest and I breathed in the refreshing smell of nature.
"Is there anything you want to talk about? Feel free to ask me anything," she said without pressuring me.
"Did I agree too quickly? I mean, I saw him and he was beautiful, and I wanted him." I blushed, looking at my feet as we walked.
I expected Halla to laugh at me but she didn't. "No, I think you made the right choice. You are attracted to him and that is very important in a relationship. But looks aren't everything, either. Does he have good character?"
I looked at her. "See, that's the problem. He treated me well when we met and was very respectful, but that could all be a show. I don't know him."
"Well, I have known him for a while myself. This village and ours have always been allies and friends. Though they attached our village a few years before you were born, we made peace since Oden's mother helped your mother escape to Ireland. He's a good man, Britta, and he comes from a good family. Take my word for it." She reached out and gave my hand a squeeze before releasing it.
"Halla, I don't want to give up being young and happy and care-free," I said passionatly, fighting tears.
"Just because you are getting married doesn't mean that everything will change. Yes, you will have to care for your husband and your household, but you can still go swimming and run through meadows."
I nodded and blinked away my tears. "Right. Some things will not change."
"You will like having a husband. He'll be a shoulder to cry on, and he'll keep you from being lonely. You will share your heart with him and he will share his with you. He'll keep you warm at night and you'll have someone to laugh with. Trust me, marriage is a beautiful thing." She smiled at me and I knew she was being truthful with me.
"I'll make the best of it. How long does it take to fall in love?" I asked, coming to a stop.
She faced me and took hold of my hands. "It can take years or it can take days. There is no time limit for love, sweet one. Really, it's your choice to love your husband. It'll grow every day if you water it."
I nodded, though I was unsure. "I think I need some time alone."
Halla kissed my cheek and headed back toward the village. I went to a log and sat down, resting my chin in my hands. Everything was going so fast, I hardly had time to think about anything. Girls were married at my age or even younger, and most were happy. Most men treated their wives well, for it they didn't, their wives had the choice to leave, taking with them some of their husband's money and a portion of their lands.
Attraction could be a start for love, couldn't it?
I heard a twig snap and my eyes darted to find the source of the noise. Oden was coming down the path. I was tempted to jump behind the log and hide, but that seemed foolish and childish. So I sat and waited for him to see me.
"I saw you come this way," he said as he came toward me. His face was a bit red from the chilly breeze, and his deep blue eyes sparkled. "May I sit with you?"
"Of course," I said, my voice much calmer than I felt.
He sat next to me, and I could almost feel the warmth from his body. "We only have a few more days until the wedding. I was hoping we could try to get comfortable with one another in that time."
How on earth could be get comfortable in only a few days? I glanced at him, and he grinned at me. My heart did a jig in my chest. I looked away, blushing. Oden was respectful of my space and did not try to touch me, and I noticed. It was kind of nice, but it made me wonder if he desired me.
"I mean, I certainly need to be comfortable with you. You'll be seeing me naked soon," he said and my eyes darted to his. He was grinning, his eyes mischievous. He was jesting with me.
I liked how he didn't say anything about me being naked in front of him. It was like he knew that would make me hide in my shell and never come out. "Well, you seem pleasing enough with clothes on," I said with a small smile, teasing him back.
He chuckled, then grew serious. "Tell me of your plans. What do you want from this marriage?"
Odd. Most men wouldn't care about that, would they? "I want to be cherished and loved, along with having your respect. I don't ever want to be struck in any way, and if you do ever hit me, I will leave. Someday I'll want children, but not for a while because I feel I am too young to be a mother. More than anything, I want you to be there for me." I looked into his eyes, hoping he wouldn't think I was silly or stupid.
He nodded, and smiled. "All right. Of course I'd never hit you, and I'm sure it won't be hard for me to love and cherish you." He reached out and touched my face. "I will be there for you, I swear."
My heart melted at his words. My body heated from his touch. If my heart was leading me in the right direction, it seemed I made a good choice when I agreed to be his wife. "What about you, Oden? What do you expect of me?"
His hand stayed on my cheek, his eyes meeting mine. "I expect only what you are willing to give."
I smiled and he smiled back. My heart fluttered again. "Will you kiss me, Oden?"
"Mmm, gladly," he murmured and pressed his lips gently to mine. I was unsure of myself, as I'd never kissed anyone before. His hand moved to the back on my neck to hold me in place, but his lips were soft and undemanding against mine.
I whimpered and scooted closer. The taste of his lips enticed me, and I wanted more.
But instead he pulled back and removed his hands. "We'll take things slow."
I nodded, though my heart was still pounding and my body was still heated. "We don't have a lot of time."
Oden ran his fingers through my hair. "I know. Everything will be fine, though."
I remembered that I had only known Oden for a day and I put some room between us. "Ahem. Yes, it will. I think...I need to go back to my family now."
"Sure," he said and stood. I stood as well and started to turn toward the path that led to the village. Oden caught my arm and I faced him again, my heart doing it's dance once more.
"I am looking forward to our wedding. I hope you are too." He leaned down and kissed my forehead. A thrill went straight down my spine, all the way to my feet.
"I am," I said before darting away down the path.
As I found my way back to the village, I found myself searching for the ocean. Of course we were too far inland to see the ocean, but I was longing for it.
The village was beautiful. Most of the houses' roofs were covered in sod, unlike my own village in that way. The houses had more rooms, and seemed to offer a bit more privicy. I wondered which one would become my own.
My father was speaking to one of his friends, but when he saw me, and said goodbye and came my way.
"How's my girl?" He asked, ruffling my hair. I smacked his hand away, but giggled. My father always did that.
"I am well," I said softly and wrapped my arm around his waist to give him a hug from the side.
"Are you ready to become a wife?" He asked and I sighed. I was getting tired of these questions.
"Yes, why?" I pulled away from him, annoyed. Was everyone asking me if I was ready because they didn't think I was ready?
Father shrugged and smiled down at me. "Just making sure."
I looked up at the sky. The sun was past it's peak. The day was slipping by. I had two more days before my wedding would take place.
That night I couldn't sleep, so I sat outside the house and watched the moon, which was nearly full. My stomach was in a tight knot as I thought about Oden and becoming his wife. And I would have to say goodbye to my family soon, for they would leave as soon as the feasting was over.
The night was quiet and still, with no breeze. Once again I longed for the ocean. Or maybe I was just longing for something familiar.
I slipped back inside the longhouse and went to my mother, who was curled up beside my father. I lifted the blanket and snuggled up to her.
Her eyes opened and she started, then realized it was me. I closed my eyes and tucked my feet between her lower legs for warmth. I had done that since I was a child and it always helped me fall asleep. She draped her arm over my waist and kissed my forehead, then fell back asleep with a sigh.
I smiled, but my heart ached. My mother was allowing this last act of childhood, but soon I would be snuggled against my husband for warmth and not my mother, and that scared me. My heart was beating fast and I calmed myself by breathing in the scent of my mother and my father, my family.
Thanks for reading! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Thoughts on this chapter? Please leave a review for me! Love all around, xoxo - Em
