Snorri was getting impatient. Nicko's ship was so close, and she could make out his face without the spyglass. He was nearly docking, and she stepped back just enough to avoid getting wet. The workers were laughing, they had known her for ages. One called, "That your young man then, lassie? He's a good looking one!"

Snorri laughed, still looking towards Nicko's boat "He'd better be! If one of his lookalike brothers learned to sail just to trick me, I'll push em over!"

"There's a good lass," Gunnar, who had taught her how to sail when no one else would, said. He shushed the laughing bunch behind him, and Snorri returned her attention to Nicko's boat.

He had docked now, and they locked eyes. Snorri grinned as they ran towards each other, Nicko even vaulting the side of his ship. She was so happy, she was rambling in her own tongue, completely forgetting that he wouldn't understand her. She was in his warm, comfortable arms, and he was in hers, and he was tall. Really tall. Laughing, she told him so, and Nicko grinned.

"Hi," he said, and Snorri was replying before she realized that he wasn't speaking the Castle's language. Had he learned it for her? His accent was atrocious, but it was an effort, and she appreciated that immensely.

"Hi," Snorri said. "Did you learn Uifuri for me?" She laughed at his blush.

"...Yes," Nicko said rather quickly, before rather obviously changing the subject "Do you want to see my boat?"

Snorri nodded her agreement, and they boarded the vessel. Gunnar yelled after them, "No funny business you two!" Snorri sent a rather rude gesture his way before Nicko dragged her up the recently lowered plank.

Laughing, she pulled Nicko towards her, and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad you're here," she said, "Now show me this new boat of yours. You came alone?"

"I always do, silly! The only one I've ever wanted to sail with is you." Nicko was so ridiculously sappy sometimes. Snorri secretly liked it, but decided to tease him instead.

"Well then, Mr. Lone Sailor, show me your Cabin!" Nicko was blushing again, this really was fun. "I need to make sure you left enough room for me if you plan to whisk us away on your fancy boat!"

Nicko led Snorri into his Cabin. He knew she was teasing him, it was obvious. But that didn't mean he wasn't flustered. The embarrassment, luckily, was entirely overcome by his excitement of seeing her again, by the prospect of hearing about her life, and her of his, of dancing and dreaming under the stars together, of holding her close, and of being held.

Nicko was brought back to the moment by a tugging on his hand. He looked down. Snorri was leading him now, when he was leading her before. They were in the cabin now, sitting on the bed, and holding hands. He pulled himself back to reality. There was a silence, but it was not awkward. It was simply two good friends meeting each other again, after a long separation.

Nicko opened his mouth, but shut it when he realized Snorri had spoken at the same time. She blushed, (he saw why she teased him now, it was adorable) and continued speaking.

Snorri wanted to ask him so many questions, she wanted to ask him why he had come, if he had found someone at the Castle, how his many brothers and his sister were. But she didn't. Instead, Snorri simply asked, "How long will you stay?"

"As long as you want me here," was the reply. "I missed you Snorri, and if every day in the Castle is a day without you, I'd stay forever." He wasn't blushing anymore, but looking at her with those intense green eyes. "So what do you think? Can I stay for a while?"

"As long as you stay, I'll want you." Snorri paused, before leaning forward and whispering "Can I kiss you?"

"Of course," he said, before she pulled him into an absolutely remarkable kiss.

Snorri smiled inside. She wasn't lonely anymore. Neither was Nicko.