Good Morning, Smár Einn!
A quick note. I've done research on Norse wedding ceremonies, and while elements that I'm pulling were in fact real elements of their weddings, I'm also taking quite a few liberties. The bathing, the sword, and the events below are all elements that would have existed in some weddings, though I don't know that all would have been found at every wedding and in every region of Scandinavia. Too much is still unknowable, and for the sake of this fiction story, I've drawn some simple conclusions.
Okay, I know you are all excited, so let's jump right in!
Thank you Mel and Jill!
.: Fimm Tigir :.
More people than I've seen gathered here are at the top of the hill, waiting for us. Bjorn and Egil lead me to the center of the gathering, where Edvard is standing in a bright red tunic, his handsome face shining with his love the moment he sees me.
Bjorn and Egil stop, releasing me, and I give them a smile before turning to Edvard. Beside us, Kári steps forward, and I look up at him.
"Eðvarð Kárisson… Bella Egildottir… today these two great houses become kin!" His voice carries over the crowd and wind with ease. "Have you your rings?"
I look up at Edvard in surprise as he produces a gold ring. Beside me, Egils steps up and slides a ring into my palm before I can start to fret about being unprepared. I shoot him a grateful glance before focusing on Edvard.
He picks up my hand, and I feel warm at his touch. "May this gold be a symbol of our prosperity," he murmurs as he slides the ring onto my right ring finger.
I lick my lips. I have no idea if I'm supposed to say something ceremonial, so I let my heart lead. "May this ring be a symbol of our unending love," I whisper, sliding the ring onto his right hand. He smiles at me as soon as the ring is secure.
"The swords!" Kári shouts. Edvard and I exchange swords, promising to protect one another, and to protect our family. It very nearly moves me to tears.
When our swords have been exchanged, Kári claps his hands together.
"Bring forth the goat!" he shouts.
Someone brings a goat on a tether to us, and Kári nods, turning to Edvard expectantly. Edvard turns to me and I glance up at him. "Smár Einn," he says quietly. "Together we will sacrifice this goat so that our family will prosper."
At what I'm sure is an alarmed look on my face, Edvard steps toward me. "Come," he whispers. "I will be with you."
Egil steps up beside me, and I glance at him in surprise. "I'll hold the sword," he tells me. I hand it over to him as someone hands Edvard a large knife. He beckons me toward him, and though I'm terrified about what's about to happen, I know that whatever it is will be worth it.
I step toward him, and to my surprise, Edvard takes me into his arms, my back to his chest as we face the goat. "We will work together to cut the throat of the beast," he tells me, his voice a whisper in my ear.
I'm frightened, but I know I must overcome it. I am about to be the wife of this incredible man. It's time to set fear behind me.
Together, we kneel behind the goat, and Edvard reaches out, pulling the animal's head back. He waits for me to wrap my hand around the handle of the knife, then wraps his on the outside of mine. "Áræði, Smár Einn."
Courage. The word rings through me, centering me, anchoring me in Edvard's arms.
Edvard moves our hands swiftly, and the life leaves the goat in a single clean cut. Around us, people are cheering for us, and I feel Edvard press the smallest kiss to the back of my head before we climb to our feet. I have blood on me, and I'm still mildly in shock that I just did such a thing. Kári steps forward, a large fir branch in his hands, and he dips the branch into the blood of the goat before standing and sprinkling it over us. My mouth snaps shut in surprise as he utters a blessing over us from the gods.
"Eðvarð Kárisson and Bella Egildottir, your houses have been united!"
There is a cheer from the crowd that is nearly deafening, and I feel breathless with the sudden adrenaline from it all. Edvard reaches out to me, gently turning me to face him. I look up at him and he grins before swooping down to kiss me hard.
I'm nearly knocked off my feet, but Edvard wraps his arms around me, pulling me toward his body, and I sink into his embrace, winding my own arms around his neck.
"You are mine forever, Smár Einn," he whispers when we break apart to breathe.
I look up at him and grin.
"Forever," I whisper in English. "And beyond."