A/N: Thanks for all your kind and excited words over the last chapter! Anyone else seeing all these pictures and posts about the beginning of filming for the 2nd season? Anyone else smiling like an idiot about them? NO? Just me? Oh, okay…cool guys! lol j/k
We belong together
Like the open seas and shores
Wedded by the planet force
We've all been spoken for
-Gavin DeGraw
Athelstan smelled the light odor of fresh bread just on the cusp of burning, and it woke him from his restful slumber. Blinking his eyes open, he saw the beginnings of sunlight peeking through the windows and settling on Gyda, who was sitting by the fireplace braiding her dark blond locks.
"Gyda," he whispered, clearing his throat of the grogginess it held, "the bread is about to burn."
The young girl gasped and pulled the bread out as fast as she could. She waved her hand over the bread to get rid of the wisps of burning that had begun. Athelstan rose from his mat, feeling the absence of Helena's presence at his side that he had become accustomed to over the past year. He stretched and dressed in his day clothes before joining Gyda at the table.
"Thank you for breakfast, Gyda."
She gave him a soft smile before breaking the bread and pouring him a glass of ale. She nibbled at her portion while carefully watching him eat his.
"Are you nervous?"
Her voice was a reflection of the rest of what Gyda stood for: quiet, calm, always worried about others before herself. Athelstan finished chewing his bread before answering her.
"No, I'm not nervous. I'm anxious, excited…and terrified."
She giggled loudly, which woke the rest of the household. Bjorn and Ragnar groaned as they got out of their beds and came out to the eating area of the house. Dirt kicked up around their dragging feet from the floor that desperately needed sweeping but had gone to the wayside thanks to all of the attention on the wedding.
Gyda placed their breakfasts in front of each man and cleaned up the mess that she and Athelstan had made. As the temporary woman of the house, she needed to keep everyone on track for the day's festivities while her mother stayed with Helena at Floki's house. She pulled out their celebratory outfits and readied Athelstan's ceremonial one.
"Do you need any help, Gyda?" Athelstan questioned, watching as the girl flitted about from corner to corner, smiling about nothing in particular.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you. Father will have to take you to the bath house soon so ready yourself."
Athelstan didn't know what that should have entailed but he puttered about to make it seem as if he was doing something to prepare for the day's event. Walking outside while he waited for Ragnar, he looked to the sky as if a sign from God would be awaiting him. He was greeted with bright blue skies scattered by thin white clouds and flocks of chirping birds. The trees were in a vast array of changing colors; gold, red, and orange merged with the defiant greens to make a natural bouquet. Athelstan grinned, giving his thanks to God for what could only be a blessing on his upcoming life change.
"Ready, priest?"
Athelstan turned to find Ragnar dressed and eager to get a move on to the bath house. He chuckled and nodded before they walked in the direction of Kattegat.
Steam was the first thing that greeted the two men as the entered the house, the next was the fresh scent of clean rooms and bodies. Men walked past them as they left, nodded to them as a greeting. Athelstan was assuming that having a thorough cleaning was a tradition prior to a Viking wedding, otherwise he did not know why they would have come here; it was not customary for men to travel such a distance for something that took so long.
Ragnar instructed Athelstan to strip down before guiding him to another room that held a large pool of water, surrounded by young women in white garments. Athelstan hid his shock surprisingly well on his face before fumbling to cover himself. Ragnar chuckled at his side and clapped him on the back.
"Be careful, ladies, he's to be married today. But he does not have much practice with women!"
The girls giggled as the men entered the water, and Athelstan held back his urge to strangle his friend for giving away such information; it was unnecessary to share. The water instantly relaxed him, and soon he forgot his annoyance with the man across the way. Ragnar was laughing once more as Athelstan's eyes popped open when one of the girls started to scrub his shoulders, dipping into the water to wash his chest and stomach.
"I-I t-think I-I can manage myself, t-thank you," he stuttered, gently taking the cloths from her hands and moving away from the edge. She looked confused but stepped back and allowed him to wash himself.
"It's not as if they're touching you for pleasure, Athelstan. They're just trying to ensure that you are clean for your wedding. Relax, will you?"
"I understand their job, but I think I can manage just fine."
Ragnar rolled his eyes. "Will you allow Helena to touch you tonight, or will you be able to manage just fine yourself?"
Athelstan glared at him. "That's different."
Ragnar let out a boisterous laugh before laying his head back on the side and allowing the women to clean him. After giving it a moment's thought, Athelstan gave a shy look at the girl who had tried to wash him earlier before walking back to the edge and handing the cloth over.
"I promise that you can wash certain areas yourself," she said with a kind smile.
"Thank you for understanding."
Feeling quite refreshed and relaxed, the men left the bath house and returned to the home where people were beginning to gather for the celebration. While most weddings took place in town within the confines of a large building made just for such a gathering, Athelstan and Helena decided that they would prefer to stay at home with only the few people that had decided they wanted to witness their joining as man and wife. It was the family, some neighbors, and a few of those who had voted to allow them to be married just a couple of months ago.
Athelstan and Ragnar greeted those who had already shown up before heading inside the Lothbrok home to help Gyda and Bjorn with the last minute details.
"Here you are, Athelstan." Gyda handed him the solid silver band that he had asked her to keep on her person until the wedding. It was to be Helena's for when they exchanged rings. "I don't want to worry about losing it while I set up the food."
"Is your mother not here yet?" Ragnar asked, going to his room to put on his cleaner set of clothes.
"No but she should be shortly."
Athelstan turned the ring over and over in between his fingers before deciding to put on his ceremonial clothes to continue to greet guests. He pulled on his brown pants and boots before letting his white tunic slip over his head. Straightening everything, he put the ring into his pocket and joined Bjorn outside, taking one last look at the corner of the house that had been his for almost two and a half years.
"Good to see you," Athelstan greeted one person to the next, shaking hands and giving warm smiles. "So happy that you could join us."
He caught sight of Lagertha carrying Ivar, joined by Floki, as she rounded the corner and into the yard. She gave Athelstan a glowing smile, telling him with the simple gesture that she was just as happy and excited for him as he was about this day.
"Good morning," she said, passing him to go into the house. "We will see you soon, okay?"
"Okay. Where is Helena?" he asked, looking around for her brown locks and kind face.
"You will see her soon enough. Patience."
Athelstan sheepishly stared at his feet before nodding and moving on to talk to others that he had missed before. He noted that Helga was missing as well, and so he assumed that Helena was still with her, though only a few yards off and not still back at Floki's house.
"Are you ready to begin?" a voice came from behind him as he spoke with one of the slaves of the neighbor to the west.
Athelstan turned and found one of the Norse priests standing there. He had agreed to oversee the wedding ritual as long as Athelstan and Helena agreed to follow Norse traditions and not their old ones. Athelstan gave him a smile.
"Yes. I've been ready since first light," he joked, and the priest allowed himself a chuckle.
Floki saw the exchange and gathered the attention of the crowd to stand on either side of the priest so that they could begin. Once all were settled, Athelstan spotted movement from the nearby woods, and his heart skipped a beat as he saw Helena emerge.
She was a vision in dark green; his favorite dress of hers and a recent purchase thanks to the raids. Her hair flowed around her shoulders, adorned with a wreath of white flowers; the last time she would be allowed to wear her hair loose according to the Viking customs. She carried in her hands a great sword, and on her face, a radiant smile. Athelstan could not help but return the gesture, feeling as if he was the most blessed man in the world at that moment. Helena was his, and he hers.
"Good day to all gathered here today to witness the joining of Athelstan and Helena," the priest's voice boomed over the crowd, but could not completely drown out the songs of the birds in the trees. "First, we will have the exchanging of swords. This is to show the strength of a marriage bond, and to ensure safety for the first-born son."
Ragnar had explained to the couple a few days prior to this moment how exactly the ceremony would go so that they would know what was to be done at each point. Now, Helena took Athelstan's battle sword in her one hand and in turn gave him a new one to be able to continue fighting in the future. As she held the old sword in her hands, Athelstan could hardly believe that one day she would hand that sword to their son so that he could follow in Athelstan's footsteps.
"Next, the exchanging of rings. As the rings are placed on your fingers, be reminded today and always that the circle is a symbol of unbroken bonds, as your marriage may always be."
Helena took a ring from Helga's waiting hand and smiled at Athelstan before placing the band on his left index finger. He took her ring out of his pocket and also placed it on her finger, adding a gentle kiss to it, which caused Helena to giggle and the priest to clear his throat as the crowd hummed.
"Finally, we will take Athelstan's sword and recite the vows."
Athelstan put his sword between him and Helena, placing the tip into the ground. They joined hands on the handle and bowed their heads.
"Athelstan, repeat after me: I, Athelstan, pledge my life and my love to you, Helena."
"I, Athelstan, pledge my life and my love to you, Helena," he stated in a clear voice so that she was sure to hear him.
"And Helena."
"I, Helena, pledge my life and my love to you, Athelstan," she said with as much conviction as he had just mere seconds ago. He held her hands a little tighter, and they exchanged grins over the sword.
"This has been witnessed by the god, Odin, and the goddess Frigg has been made happy. You may kiss your bride, Athelstan."
Athelstan sheathed his new sword before taking Helena's face in between his hands and kissing her, holding back since they were surrounded by so many. He faintly heard as those around them clapped in joy for the newly married couple.
Athelstan looked to his right where his new bride sat, smiling and glowing as she watched their guests dance well into the evening hours. Her hands clapped along to the music and he found himself taking a hold of one of them and giving the palm a kiss.
"Are you happy, Athelstan?" she asked, stroking his cheek lovingly.
"The happiest I've ever been," he answered honestly, leaning into her touch.
"We will see," Helena smirked, and he knew immediately of what she spoke of. He blushed before turning back to the crowd before them.
Athelstan caught sight of Bjorn off to the one side, a young girl sitting next to him. Her lips moved though he could not make out what she was saying. Bjorn's face turned a light pink color and the girl playfully ruffled his hair. Athelstan then saw Ragnar in his peripheral vision, and the two men exchanged knowing looks and laughs over the telling scene before them.
"How was your night last night?" he asked, turning back to Helena.
She rolled her eyes to the heavens. "Floki would not stop talking about the ceremony and all of the traditions, and how disappointed he was that we wouldn't be celebrating for a full week like other Vikings. I had a terrible time trying to get to sleep because of his constant gibbering."
Athelstan raised an eyebrow. "Do you need your rest tonight, then?"
Helena gave a bold laugh. "Whatever my husband wishes…"
"Then you will have to wait for rest, dear wife."
She laughed once more and kissed him full on the mouth. "Just as I suspected."
Athelstan smiled and watched as Lagertha, Gyda, and Helga walked over to them. The two older women had expressions of mischief while Gyda looked slightly embarrassed. It must be time to start the wedding night, he thought, changing positions in his chair as a nervous tick.
"Helena, come with us. We need to take you to the house to ready for tonight," Lagertha informed the bride.
Helena stood and gave Athelstan's hand a squeeze before moving on with the small group of women. She said her good-byes to the guests as she passed them, thanking them for their well wishes and presence on her special day. Athelstan continued to watch the women until they disappeared into the darkness of the night, mere shadows in his vision.
Ragnar sagged down into Helena's previous seat, Ivar sleeping soundly in his arms. He smirked over to Athelstan before saying, "Are you ready for this, priest?"
Athelstan swallowed prior to answering. "Yes. And no."
Ragnar chuckled. "Do not worry. Helena does not have high expectations due to your inexperience. It will come with time. And then your children will roll their eyes at you and Helena as mine do to Lagertha and me."
Athelstan could not hold back the snort that escaped him. "I suppose that makes me feel better."
Floki came up to the men and clamped a strong hand down on Athelstan's shoulder. "Are you drunk enough yet for tonight, priest?"
"You two do realize that I have a name, right? Please stop constantly referring to me as 'priest.' It's disconcerting now that I am a married man; even more so when you consider what you two are discussing."
The others shrugged their shoulders as they did not care. A few more minutes passed before Ragnar called over Bjorn to take Ivar so that he could deliver Athelstan safely to his new home.
"Be careful, Bjorn. I saw that girl flirting with you earlier; this could be you soon enough," Athelstan joked, winking at the teenager. "Marriage…baby…are you ready for that?"
Bjorn's eyes grew larger at the idea, but in fear instead of excitement. "I'll be careful, I promise."
The grown men laughed at the boy's expense and began the journey to Athelstan and Helena's new residence across the fields. Athelstan shook hands and gave hugs as he thanked guests. His heart began to pitter patter a little faster in anticipation, spotting the firelight coming from the house. He became confused when he spotted all of the women outside of the home.
"You have to carry Helena over the threshold so that she does not trip and curse your marriage," Ragnar explained after seeing Athelstan's furrowed brows.
"What happens if I trip?" he whispered back.
"Then you're truly doomed," replied Floki, gulping the rest of his ale.
Athelstan chose to ignore him and continued to meet Helena while Ragnar and Floki hung back. The women took their own steps away from the entrance, allowing Athelstan to open the door and gather Helena in his arms, taking his time as he passed over the threshold before shutting the door with his foot.
"This looks amazing," he said as he put his bride down and saw all of the lighted candles and fireplace roaring. The heat felt wonderful, as the nights were slowly becoming colder.
"I'm glad you like it," she answered, shrugging her outer robe off, revealing a thin white garment underneath. Athelstan's breath caught in his throat.
"Helena…" he choked, unable to form any more words after that.
She closed the gap between them and gently kissed him, her lips feather light as they moved across his. He pulled her flush against him, eliciting moans from both of them before wrapping his arms around her thin waist and deepening the kiss. He sucked her bottom lip and their tongues began a duel for dominance. Her hands snaked up his neck and into his thick curls, burying deeply so that he couldn't escape her (not as if there was any chance of that happening anyway).
Athelstan's senses were in overdrive as, for the first time, he did not have to hold back, did not have to stop himself from loving her. The heat building from their bodies, the lack of air to his burning lungs, and a sudden panic forced him to pull back and rest his forehead on hers.
"If I hurt you or I do something wrong, ju—"
"Athelstan, you will be perfect. You can't hurt me, remember? Now shush and take me to bed," Helena interrupted. She dropped her hands from his hair and eased his tunic over his head before splaying hers hands on his chest.
Athelstan's eyes shut on their own accord, the slight chill from her hands on him causing a shudder. He kissed her once more before picking her up and taking her to their bed.
A/N: I researched Viking wedding traditions to know what all they entailed, but I can't be sure of the correct words used, so sorry if it's short! Also, I've contemplated writing a companion piece which would be their wedding night, but I've never written out a love scene before so not sure if I would be any good at it…would anyone actually be interested, or are you okay with using your amazing imaginations? lol Please give me some feedback on the wedding and a possible companion piece! I love to read your reviews!
