40. Mealtime
Willow and Varhog slept for twenty solid hours, just as Willow had predicted they might. And when her eyes snapped open, all she could think about was food. She was starving. Ravenous. But she didn't want to leave the warm comfort of Varhog's arms. As far as she could tell, neither one of them had moved significantly during their long slumber.
When she glanced toward the window and saw that it was light, Willow thought maybe only a few hours had passed. But that couldn't be right because she felt so rested. And so hungry! The air around her also felt warmer, which meant the fire in the front room had warmed the whole hut.
Sunset? Willow thought, hoping her dragon had picked up enough of what had transpired with the wolves to gather that she needed to go hunt and bring back some kind of meal for the wolves. The wolves. Had that been a dream? It seemed so surreal.
Her dragon replied, Sunshine. I am here.
How long has it been since I came in here with Varhog? Willow asked.
Almost a whole day, sunshine. It is now midday. The wolves returned as you directed. Black Thunder and I each brought them a great elk, and they seem most grateful that you saved most of their pack and provided them with such a ready meal. I would imagine that you have yourself some loyal guardians.
Willow laughed, which woke up Varhog. "Sorry," she said, a guilty look on her face. "Sunset just told me that the wolves seem loyal to me. If I ever do have to go to battle, I will be a formidable foe. Hundreds of fighting Urgralgra rams around me and packs of wolves. Let's hope it never comes to that." She grinned, and her stomach rumbled painfully.
Varhog smiled in return, stretching mightily, and Willow closed her eyes at the feel of his powerful muscles flexing underneath her. It reminded her too much of other activities. She abruptly sat.
"I have to get out of this bed. Now that I'm not dead on my feet, I'm ravenous. And feeling you move like that. . . . I'm glad we slept so long. We barely have any more time to wait before this blasted treatment will be finished. But until then, there had better be enough food in this hut to fill me up, or I'm going to join the wolves and pick scraps of meat off the elk until their bones are bare."
Varhog raised his eyebrows at her fierce manner, obviously having no desire to stand between Willow and her objective. He also sat, swinging his legs over the side of the bed so they wouldn't be blocking her exit.
Willow scooted over and jumped up, but not before giving him a quick peck on his cheek. She smiled and reached for his hand. "Come on," she urged.
Varhog stood and went with her to the kitchen. Willow picked up the bread he had made the evening she discovered they were having twins.
"Look how dry and hard this is," she mourned. "Maybe we can make some broth or soup to soften it with."
There were fruits and vegetables on the counter, along with some of the ready-to-eat food from their saddlebags. Willow grabbed an apple and started devouring it as she moved around the kitchen with swift efficiency, readying ingredients for several different projects so she wouldn't be caught unprepared like this again.
"What can I do?" Varhog anxiously asked. They had both contributed to meal prep and cleanup for years on the Isle, and they often worked together since they were such close friends. "I'm worried I'll just get in your way. I've never seen such a look of focused determination on your face while in the kitchen."
Willow smiled, directing, "Fill that pot with water and cook these beans and grains in it. Then prepare some of those vegetables for a soup. I need something filling with protein, and we need to use magic to speed the process. The babies are eating me alive!" She grabbed a carrot and ate it as quickly as the apple.
Varhog took the jug for drinking water and the pot, heading outside to fill them at the well. When he returned, Willow felt him using magic to heat the water in the pot.
"It snowed a lot while we were sleeping," Varhog informed her, stomping his boots off after closing the door. He walked to the counter, put all of the beans and grains into the water, and added several seasonings. Then he took the pot to the fire and hung it over the flames, fanning them with magic. The water was boiling in seconds.
Varhog returned to the kitchen and began chopping vegetables. Willow was now eating raw nuts and kneading some bread dough, which she had already prepared to that stage.
"Can I add some meat to this soup?" Varhog asked. "My body needs it now. Our wedding feast was the last time I had any, and I can tell it's time for more."
"Of course," Willow said after swallowing a mouthful of nuts. "Maybe the wolves will let you take some from the elk, if there's any left. I don't want you to have to go hunt right now. You can have any that ends up in my bowl." She grabbed the jug with drinking water and drank straight out of it, too thirsty to bother with a cup. It dripped out one side of her mouth, and she wiped it off with the back of her sleeve after she finished, grinning at him.
"Sorry. Now that I've taken the edge off my appetite, I think I can be more ladylike."
Varhog looked up and smiled. "It doesn't bother me, Eartheyes. I like it when you're a beast like me." He chuckled as she elbowed him.
"Not beastly enough to eat meat," Willow teased, though it actually didn't bother her in the slightest. She knew Varhog needed meat in a way she didn't, but she wondered if she might also need some to sustain her pregnancy through the winter when fresh plants were not as easy to come by, at least here in the mountains. She felt a momentary pang of homesickness for the Isle, where fresh plants grew year-round in an astonishing variety.
Willow opened a cupboard and began sorting through the array of bottled fruits and vegetables. "I was thrilled to find all of this that first day you went flying with Black Thunder. If we spend much more time here before returning to the Isle, it will help to have plants in some form. I want to try some of this jam with the fresh bread. And we should put some of these tomatoes in the soup. We can also let the broth soften that dry bread so it doesn't go to waste."
Varhog shook his head in agreement. They had both learned on the Isle not to waste food. He took all of the chopped vegetables and added them to the soup. "I'm going to check on that meat. It looked like there was plenty, though it might be best if you make the request."
"Then I'll come with you," Willow offered. "But let me put this bread in to bake. I cheated and helped it rise with magic. I did it right whenever I made it last week, so I'll forgive myself this once." She smiled at Varhog as he walked into the kitchen and retrieved a sharp knife and bowl.
"I want to be prepared in case the wolves don't mind sharing," he explained.
Before opening the door, Varhog set down the bowl and knife on the nearby chair and said, "Let me grab our cloaks."
He quickly returned from the bedroom with the cloaks, first helping Willow into hers. Varhog then wrapped his around his shoulders, drawing up the hood as Willow did the same. Their cloaks matched their dragons, something they had decided together years earlier, liking the idea for some reason.
Varhog complimented, "You look ravishing in that color, Eartheyes. I've always wanted to tell you that but never knew what you would think before."
Willow smiled. "Thank you, Yelloweyes. And you look as striking as ever in all black. Our dragons must have known their colors would complement our good looks." She laughed as they stepped outside.
The world was peaceful and silent, as was always the case after a snowfall. Large flakes still tumbled lazily from the sky. Twelve wolves—apparently the whole pack hadn't been hunting, though Willow recognized the nine who had attacked the previous day—were off to their right in the direction of the trees, surrounding two large carcasses. The snow all around the dead animals was bloody and spoiled with tracks. Varhog hung back while Willow approached the stunning all-white female with whom she had communicated the most.
The wolves, including the three new ones, all respectfully regarded Willow as she crouched down not far from the white female and said in the ancient language, "My mate requires meat to sustain his body, as you do. Is there enough here that you would share? I don't want him to have to hunt now, and he won't require much. He would even be willing to break open the ribs so you can reach the tender organs inside." She added the last bit when she noticed that the wolves had tried to reach in through the opening of the ribcage but hadn't made it far. From what Willow could see, though she tried not to look at the carnage for long, Varhog would be able to get enough meat from what remained on the legs.
As if on some unspoken cue, all of the wolves backed away from their meal, looking at Willow expectantly to show their approval of her request. Some of them sat, licking their chops and their paws as they waited.
The handsome gray wolf whose skull had been crushed boldly approached Willow and rested his head in her lap. She knelt under the weight, grateful for the protective barrier of her cloak between her legs and the snow. The wolf's eyes looked so gentle and trusting. She stroked the thick fur between his ears, and a contented growl rumbled in his chest. It reminded her of Varhog, and she giggled. The wolf licked the hand resting in her lap.
Varhog glanced at her in amazement as he slowly approached the carcasses. Since he had almost singlehandedly wiped out their pack, he was obviously mindful that the wolves perceived him as more of a threat than Willow. They regarded him warily, clearly aware of the danger and also that he now meant them no harm. The first thing he did was break open the ribcage of each animal with a powerful stomp of his foot on the sternum. The strong bones split right in half, and Varhog used his hands to carefully pry them open even further.
Willow was impressed by his massive brute strength. He rarely ever used all of it at once, but she could see that he was now, and it made the work he was doing seem effortless. He also broke the front and back hips by jerking sharply on the legs and split the head open wide by tearing apart the jaws. Willow shuddered a little at how easy it seemed for him. His hands were so deadly when he wanted them to be, but she knew his intention was simply to make the wolves' job of cleaning the carcasses as easy as possible. Now there would be no bones to prevent them from reaching soft innards.
When that job was done, Varhog swiftly skinned the haunch of one animal that had remained mostly untouched by the wolves, as it had been on the underside of the body where they hadn't yet been able to reach. He cut off what looked like a huge amount of meat to Willow, though she knew his hunger must be intense and his body's need for the flesh honest. He probably also knew he wouldn't eat more again for some time. On the Isle he usually only consumed animal flesh about once a week, and then about one meal to fill him was all he allowed himself, though she guessed that was probably less than he desired.
When Varhog left the carcasses, the gray wolf lifted his head out of Willow's lap and licked her cheek. She patted him once more as she stood to join Varhog, saying, "I'm glad you're better." The wolf's eyes showed his gratitude.
"I'll wash my hands after I've prepared this further," Varhog said. "But I can do that inside so you don't get cold." He turned back to the wolves. "Thank you, brothers . . . and sisters," he added, apparently deciding that was more appropriate. "I appreciate you sharing this meat with me and leaving us in peace. May this meal sustain you through many long weeks."
As they returned to the hut, Willow glanced over at the dragons, who were huddled together some yards off to the left of the hut—opposite the wolves—in a spot they had melted and warmed with their flames, as the scorch marks on the ground clearly indicated. Black Thunder had a great wing over Sunset's smaller body, where she nestled next to his warm belly. Willow smiled at how like she and Varhog it was, especially in their cloaks just then.
Willow thought to them, Thank you both for bringing that and helping us keep our word.
Sunset breathed a small stream of flames toward her, which only extended a dozen feet from her jaws, but Willow felt the warmth. You are welcome, sunshine. It is my pleasure to help some fellow carnivores as long as they do not threaten you again. Willow laughed.
Varhog transferred the bowl to his bloodiest hand, carefully opening the door for Willow so he wouldn't get the handle dirty. He waited for her to enter then followed her and closed the door.
Once inside, Willow tended the soup, adding more seasonings and a jar of the bottled tomatoes while Varhog cut the meat. When it smelled done, she pulled the bread from the small wood-burning oven she had always heated with magic, and Varhog transferred the meat to the stew.
"It will be done in a few minutes, when that is cooked," he informed.
"Perfect," Willow replied. "Will you please crumble that dry bread? Oh, here let me help you," she amended, noticing him washing his hands. She went and poured water over them while he scrubbed with soap, pausing her effort to give him a chance to work up a good lather and clean under his fingernails.
"Thank you," Varhog said with a smile as she poured once more when he seemed ready.
"My pleasure, sweetheart," Willow easily said, loving how it again felt like they were a family. Varhog dried his hands and, before completing her request, wrapped her in a tight embrace.
"I love you," Varhog whispered, kissing the top of her head. "There were so many times in the kitchen on the Isle when I wished I could have done this. Especially that day we were talking about what we wanted in a mate. You seemed to notice that everything I said perfectly described you. And when I said I had never thought about taking a mate before, I meant before I met you."
"That's how it seemed to me," Willow said, looking up at him. "But the thought that we might ever be more than friends had never entered my mind. I was so surprised when I realized that you're everything I ever wanted in a husband and so much more." She smiled blissfully, and he leaned down to kiss her smiling lips.
"Good thing I'm so hungry," she commented. "Takes my mind off forbidden things. I love you too, Yelloweyes."
Varhog reluctantly released her, grabbed a clean bowl, and broke the rock hard bread into smaller chunks. Willow set the food, some utensils, and glasses with water on the table while Varhog took two bowls to the pot, ladling soup into them until they were full.
"Did I forget anything?" Willow asked, glancing over the table and into the kitchen.
"Doesn't look like it," Varhog answered, setting the two bowls down as he reached her side. "I'll grab anything we might think of. You sit here so I can be closest to the kitchen." He pulled out her chair.
"Why thank you, kind sir," Willow cheerfully gushed.
Varhog bowed in teasing gallantry. "You're welcome, my lady," he joked along with her, also sitting. As Willow reached for the dry bread, Varhog bowed his head and was silent for a moment before opening his eyes and also taking some of the hard bread.
"What were you doing?" Willow curiously asked.
"Praying to Rahna, She of the Gilded Horns."
"What did you say?"
Varhog shrugged. "'Honored Mother, thank you for this meal and the beasts who gave their lives so I can partake of their flesh. Thank you for Willow and that she is healthy. Thank you for our babies and that they are well.'"
Willow smiled, touched. "May I say it next time?" she requested.
"Certainly," Varhog replied, and they began eating.
"Mmm," Willow approved with her mouth full. Before swallowing, she mumbled, "The soup is so good, Varhog. Well done."
"You helped," he dismissed. "It's perfect with the bread soaking up the extra broth, just as you thought."
Willow nodded and ate eagerly for several minutes, adding meat to his bowl from hers as she came across it. After a time she said, "You know, Nar Garzhvog shared the story of Rahna and how she came to be your Holy Mother around the bonfire the night you were gone."
"Really?" Varhog replied. "I haven't heard that one in some time. It was always one of my favorites. Maybe that's why I was drawn to a beautiful human woman with shining hair." He smiled at her. "Why did he tell that story? It's one of our most sacred legends."
"Angela asked him if there were any stories that explained why the Urgralgra appeared to resemble both humans and beasts. He said there was a legend and told it."
Varhog ate for a few minutes before thoughtfully responding, "I can see why that story would have been relevant to Mooneater's objective. I never thought of that when she explained her purpose, but now I can see why knowing what happened to a human woman who had a child with her mate of a different species would prove valuable to Firesword and Arya. It makes me wonder what to expect—if anything—at the birth of their child. Or even ours, for that matter. There are some striking similarities, aren't there? Between Rahna and her mate and you and me?"
"Yes," Willow agreed. "I thought the same thing that night. All the way down to the twins. So you truly believe all of it happened, even the heavenly being part? Isn't some of it just legend?"
"We believe, Willow," Varhog said. "The Urgralgra believe in higher powers and that there is a divine power that organizes life and the earth. Why couldn't a representative from that realm visit this one?"
"I guess it would be possible if those were your beliefs," Willow allowed. "I have never given it much thought, though becoming pregnant has given me more cause to than ever before. I never thought there could be a god if he or she took my mother, brother, and father away from me. I didn't understand why a loving being would do that to an innocent girl, so it seemed more likely that it was a cynical being who delighted in torturing the hapless, helpless mortals who lived like pawns below."
"I can see why you would feel that way," Varhog compassionately said. "When we believe that they do everything to us, it's easy to get angry. But I believe they gave us our intelligence and agency and let us live without interference so we can make choices, learn, and gain wisdom. In the case of your family dying, though it must have seemed a cruel and unjust punishment at the time, can you also now see how it has shaped you into the person you are, preparing you for your calling as a Rider like no other set of circumstances could have? I believe we endure trials to strengthen our faith and our character. They can see the beginning from the end, They are wiser, and They know what we need, though it might seem the exact opposite of what we think we need. If we knew all they do, there would be no point to having faith. When you have a perfect knowledge of something, it no longer requires faith to believe it. You simply know. We can't know all the answers right now if we are to continue striving in faith."
"How very wise," Willow pensively remarked. "I can see what you mean. Sunset hatched for me right before my father died, so I wasn't completely alone. Becoming a Rider was like joining a family full of brothers. Murtagh and Sunset helped me make it through losing him. Then hearing your voice so soon after his death also seems like a tender mercy sent to carry me through just a little longer. You might make a believer out of me yet, Yelloweyes."
"And you coming to the Isle," Varhog continued. "That was a blessing in so many ways that none of us could have ever anticipated. Someone or something knew the Riders would most likely fall apart if we didn't have the unique influence of a female. But not just any female. We needed the singularly unique female—you—who could help us all in the exact ways we needed. You helped me and Knilf overcome our differences, and you helped ease the pain Murtagh and Firesword felt at missing the women they loved. You were the silly little sister they needed to lighten their hearts and bring humor back to their lives. You provided just the right female touch to keep us all from killing each other due to the overpowering male influences."
Willow smiled at him. "That's so sweet," she said. "I always thought Sunset must have seen something in me that I couldn't see in myself. Maybe she was aware of the mood on the Isle and knew she must intervene before all was lost. Hearing you mention Knilf reminded me. How do you think he'll react when we return, married and with me most likely ready to pop with our babies?"
Varhog chuckled. "He will be happy, Willow. He knew how I felt about you. Anyone with two eyes and two ears—except your two eyes and ears—knew I loved you for many years. Though he may resent the fact that we went and did it all behind his back. I wonder how they're all doing back there. We have been gone some time, and we mean to stay away quite a while longer."
"Yes! Soon I suppose we'll visit Roran and Katrina. Her baby is almost due, if I remember right from what Eragon said. And I would imagine we'll also make a trip to Ellesméra. I wonder how Hanin's doing. And Maehrí. I'm so glad we have another female Rider. There's no end to the good we female Riders have brought to the males, what with Arya's return and my invaluable contribution." She said the last with a self-righteous, teasing air. "We should scry them and find out. Tomath is probably missing his 'mother.'"
"That's a good idea," Varhog agreed. "We were gone all last week, so Firesword may have already been in contact with them. Hanin did say he would scry again two weeks after that day in Ilirea, and it has probably been about that long. So much has happened that it feels like we were in Ilirea years ago."
"Mmmm," Willow mumbled, her mouth once again full after taking a huge bite from a slice of the fresh bread slathered in jam. She set her piece down and prepared one for Varhog. When her mouth was free, she said, "You have to try this. Strawberry jam is my favorite. Did mother make it?"
Varhog accepted the bread from her. Before tasting it, he answered, "Or any of my sisters. They all learned from her. Trayin and Breetuk probably help her the most with the bottling and preserving, since they're the only two without mates. But all the women get together and work on it in the fall at harvest time." He took a bite and made his own sound of approval. "The bread is amazing too," he complimented.
Willow smiled. "Thank you. You taught me, if you remember. I was so surprised when I first learned you knew how to make bread."
Varhog grinned. "Any ram with a good mother—which is all of us—learns his way in the kitchen. She doesn't allow anything less, to ensure her sons are prepared to help their mates in all the ways he can."
"I love it here, Varhog," Willow confessed. "I could stay here forever. I wish we could have our babies here."
"When are they due to be born?" he wondered. "I'm guessing you already have that figured out."
"Yes," she immediately confirmed. "Beginning of the summer."
"Well, if we have already returned to the Isle before then, maybe we can come back here for the birth," Varhog suggested. "I would also like for you to have the help of my mother and sisters, especially with two being born at once. I will obviously be there, but there's so much I don't know. They would know what to do in any circumstance."
"If I can somehow convince Arya and Eragon to come too, then that's what I want," Willow agreed. She looked at the table and her empty bowl, which she had already cleaned of her second serving. "I think I've finally eaten my fill. It feels wonderful. How about you?"
"I need more," Varhog said, moving to refill his bowl. Willow arose and quickly tidied the kitchen while he continued eating.
When done with that, Willow went to the hall closet and found spare sheets. "I'm going to go change the bedclothes," she announced before heading to the bedroom.
Not long after, Willow came back to the room carrying the bloodstained sheets, and she noticed how much progress Varhog had made in her absence. "You didn't let on of how voracious your appetite was," Willow commented, "though I shouldn't be surprised. Eat all the fresh bread too, if you want. In fact, just finish everything. We can always make more, and then we won't have to put any food away."
Varhog smiled at her gratefully. "Thank you, Eartheyes. I didn't eat at all the day I was gone and I ran a long way before getting on Black Thunder. The food we ate during yesterday's breakfast at Arya and Firesword's wasn't nearly enough to make up for a full day of fasting, especially since I fought the wolves and we slept almost a whole day. This food is so fresh and delicious that I just can't help myself."
"Eat your fill," Willow insisted. "I want to fight when you're done."
Varhog raised his eyebrows. "I thought you were done making war," he said in amusement.
"Yes, I did too, but I never anticipated that we wouldn't be able to make love," Willow countered. "I have to do something with you to feel your body that doesn't make me crazy. Though it might anyway. But at least it will fill the time until we can return to Arya for her final assessment, which thankfully isn't much longer."
"Won't you get cold out there?"
"Not if you keep me busy enough," Willow said, her eyes sparkling merrily. "I'm going to clean these sheets while you finish."
When she came out of the washroom, Willow saw that Varhog had dutifully polished off every last crumb, and he was now clearing the table. She helped him quickly wash the dishes.
"I'm ready," he informed her, happily patting his belly. "That feels so much better. Though I don't have two babies growing inside of me, I think I know what you meant when you said they were eating you alive. My stomach was doing the same to me. Shall we begin?"
"Almost," she said. "First help me get more bread started. It can rise the slow way while we fight, then we'll have more right after it bakes if we want it."
"Gladly," he said, reaching for ingredients. It only took a few minutes to mix and knead the dough. Then they shaped the loaves and covered them with a cloth before washing their hands.
"Do you want to start with our cloaks on?" Varhog asked. "It's quite cold and still snowing."
Willow shook her head. "I have my coat on. Just keep me hopping," she teased.
Varhog again opened the door for her and followed her out.
A/N: At the very end of the following chapter (after the last -:-:-) you will find a brief mature love scene.