Hello, Smár Einn!

Thank you to Mel, Jill, and Paige!

.: Þrír :.

The moment I see young Erik appear on our farm, I know that Tove is in need of Eydís' services. I abandon my task, readying the horses so that she will not be delayed a moment longer.

As I'm bringing the horses out toward her garden, Little One comes running toward me, panic on her face.

"I," she starts, and then her eyes fall to the horses. I know immediately from the panic in her eyes that she does not know how to ride. "I don't know how."

I glance at the horses, deciding which of the two will be better at carrying us both before I turn back to her and nod.

"All will be well, Little One."

It fills me with profound hope to see the worry slip away from her at my words. Her shoulders ease, her jaw loosens, and her body nearly sways in my direction.

I want to take her into my arms, but there will be time enough for that. Right now, my mother needs to get down the mountain.

Eydís goes on without us, trusting me to get Bella down the mountain to help her. I mount the horse, then look at Bella. She hesitates before sliding her small hand into mine. It is easy to hoist her up onto the horse, and she takes a moment to settle, her legs straddling the beast. It is difficult to focus beyond the feel of her body pressed to mine, her silken thighs slowly being exposed with each small jostle in her seat.

I do not have time to focus on these things though, and I kick the horse into a trot.

Her body tenses under mine, and I feel her hands hover around before they land on my forearms, her grip fierce and hot even though she grabs at my tunic and not at my skin.

What I wouldn't give to feel her skin against mine.

We hasten down the mountain, and all I can think about is the slippery smoothness of her hair that keeps tickling my cheek and the fresh, sweet scent of her skin. It is invading my mind until I am aware of almost nothing else.

When the horse finally slows as we near our destination, Bella's grip begins to loosen from my sleeves. I cannot help my chuckle.

"Easy, Little One," I say, unable to hide my laughter. "You'll break your own hands with that grip."

She makes a grunting sound in response that amuses me further. I shift the bridle to one hand, my free palm brushing over smooth skin, and as one, Bella and I grow aware of how high her skirts have shifted.

I choke out a laugh, letting it end in a groan as I fight back the waves of desire for her.

"I'm sorry, Little One," I whisper, my words falling against her neck and ear. "Were we in less of a hurry, I would have let you enjoy your first ride."

I do not mean for my words to carry such weight, but it seems I am unable to stop myself. The feel of her in my arms, the warmth of her skin under mine…

The gods could not have created a more enticing temptation.

Before I can do anything rash, the village comes into view and I hear Little One sigh. "It's beautiful."

My eyes roam the village: small grass-thatched buildings clustered together at the crux of the great fjord.

I hum in agreement. "It is."

I feel Little One shift in my arms, and I glance down to see her turning to look up at me.

"Edvard, what am I expected to do tonight?"

I see the uncertainty on her face, and I wish to soothe her worries. As I comfort her, I feel her inquisitive eyes growing wider. Little One is hungry for knowledge and understanding.

This pleases me.

I want her to want this life. I want her to know her place in it, to know her power. I want her to choose it. If not for me, then for herself. Little One deserves all the greatest pleasures of this world, and in my heart, I know I will stop at nothing to give them to her.

…

It is not long before we reach the house of Egil. I climb off the horse, pulling Bella down after me. For a moment, I want to draw her deeper into my embrace, but then I let her go, sending her to aid my mother.

Once she is gone, I busy myself with securing my horse to a small tree nearby.

"Do you wish for water?"

I look up at Erik, Egil's thrall, and the cup he offers me. I nod, taking it. The water is crisp and cold and slakes an immediate thirst, though there is one lingering still.

"Have you ale?" I ask, knowing it won't satisfy this desire in me, but knowing it will at least help diminish it. Erik nods and dashes off.

He returns with Egil, who is carrying his own mug of ale. Erik hands me mine, and I silently thank him with a nod of my head. I turn to Egil, holding my cup out.

"To your healthy child," I toast.

Egil smiles and offers up his own mug, tapping mine.

"Skál."

We drink and I feel the ale warm my belly. "How do you fare, my friend?" I ask, bringing the cup from my lips when it is drained.

Egil lets out a breath. "The gods are about to bless my household with a child," he says slowly. "I can ask no more."

I smile at him. Egil is one of my oldest friends. Through Eydís, we are distant kin, but even without her, we've always been close.

"I must sacrifice," Egil says, handing his cup off to Erik.

I nod. "Of course. I'm going to set up bedrolls out here, if that is all right with the master of this farm?"

Egil laughs, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

"Of course, brother."

He heads off, and I busy myself with pulling furs together to make a bedroll.

"Can I help with anything?"

I turn to Erik. He's grown some since last I saw him. He's taller, more gangly, but I know that means soon he'll be growing into a man.

"Fetch a few more furs for your master," I instruct him. "Tonight we all sleep under the stars."

Erik nods and dashes off as I return to my work. I know that births can take a very long time, and since I believe there is no way for Bella to get home alone, I resign myself to stay.

I get the furs arranged before I turn my attention to clearing a spot in the grass. Erik returns and quickly makes up his master's bed before he aids me in finding rocks to ring our fire.

By the time Egil returns to us, I have a nice fire crackling.

He settles in the grass beside me, letting out a long breath. I glance at him, silently inviting him to speak if he needs to. He doesn't, not right away, and together we sit in silence while Erik gathers more firewood.

"I do not know if it is easier to have the baby born before our journey," Egil says after a while. I look at him. "Tove is strong; she would have protected our child in her belly."

I nod slowly. "Tove is strong. She will protect your child no matter what."

Egil offers me a small smile, nodding in agreement.

"I didn't know you took on a new thrall."

I shift in my spot, my shoulders suddenly carrying tension.

"She…" I pause, not sure how much to confide. It's perhaps unwise to tell too many people how Bella came to us, because some might presume I've stolen her from someone, but I trust Egil. "I found her in the woods," I say finally, looking back at him to gauge his reaction. "I don't know where she's from."

Egil looks surprised, but he nods slowly. "She's fair," he says after a while. "She is soft, like those in the south lands, but she is too fair for them."

I nod. "She didn't speak our language when I found her, so I don't know."

"And you have not thought to ask her now that she can speak with you?"

I shrug, turning my attention to the crackling fire. "I care not where she is from," I tell him honestly. "The gods brought her here, and that is good enough for me."

Egil makes a small noise in his throat and I look up at him.

"You love her."

It is not an accusation, nor a question. He says it without judgment, and I let out a heavy breath.

"It is more than that."

"So she has been your bedthrall?

My hand moves up, tugging at my beard as I shake my head. "No, she has been untouched by anyone in my family."

I can feel Egil's surprise, though I know it's not because he believes my family lacks any honor.

"You've always done this," he says, leaning back in the grass. I look at him. "Denied yourself pleasure until you are nothing left but suffering."

"That's not true," I argue.

Egil lets out a light laugh. "What about Inga?" he asks, his voice still carrying his amusement.

I wince at the name. "I was smart to deny Inga," I say, shaking my head. "All she knew was trouble and pain, and she craved both in equal measure."

Egil shrugs. "Perhaps. But you were quite tempted by her anyway."

I gaze into the fire, unable to fight off the memories of the woman I once thought I loved. She had been my first and only bedthrall, and despite how much Eydís despised her, I had been blinded by her beauty and the pleasure she continued to dangle before me. She would whisper in my ear all the things she could be, all the things she could do for me, if only I freed her. I was too young to understand that the love I thought I felt for her was nothing more than fabricated feelings derived from physical pleasure.

Inga begged me to free her, but I feared giving her her freedom would mean losing her, and I wanted with my selfish heart to continue to possess her.

She brought that out in me, and though she craved her freedom, I believe now that she loved equally my feverish covetous heart.

Above all else, Inga longed to be desired.

By the next summer, I left for the raids, and when I returned, it was to find Inga sold. She had worked out a deal in secret with my father, she was gone, living as bedthrall to Sten. She thought Sten could offer her more luxury, and that with his wealth, he'd surely offer her her freedom and make her his bride.

But Inga overestimated Sten, and it wasn't long before his cruelty proved itself. Before I could find a way to free her from his home, he killed her and her child. I never knew who fathered her son, but I'd never forgiven Sten for their deaths.

Enough time has passed that I no longer mourn the love I felt I lost, but she still hangs like a warning in the back of my mind.

"I was young," I say, shaking my head and clearing my throat. "And Bella is no Inga."

Egil hums. "No, I suppose not." I look at him, waiting for him to continue. "Eydís hated Inga. She knew, long before you did, how much trouble she was."

At this, I nod in agreement. "There was never harmony in our home when Inga was there."

"And now?" Egil asks.

I frown, gazing into the flames as I consider it. "My mother was upset to take on Bella," I say slowly. "But Bella has proven herself many times over. Mother likes to complain, but I think she's impressed with how much Bella has caught on."

Egil nods. "The fact that she is here tonight proves how much your mother trusts her," he points out. "Eydís won't accept help from anyone less than competent and reliable."

This is true. My mother may be many things, but generally speaking, she is a very sound judge of character. I've noticed her softening toward Bella, opening up to her, teaching her things about healing. I've even seen the faintest hints of admiration on my mother's face when she gazes at Little One.

Bella is no Inga, and for that I am grateful.

"I take it she is coming to Iceland?" Egil asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I look up at him. "Bella?" I ask, just to confirm. He nods once. "Yes, that is the plan, though I don't know how I'll manage such a task."

His fingers pluck at the grass as he thinks. "Well, if you want her to come as a free woman, I am happy to have her of my household."

I look at him in surprise. "You'd do that?"

He nods. "With the baby, we're going to need extra help. Plus, a healer trained by Eydís? Such a presence would be a gift in my household."

He has a good point. There aren't nearly enough competent healers around, and almost none are as good as Eydís. Anyone trained by her is likely to be better than most.

"I haven't the funds." I sigh, shaking my head. "I don't know how to free her and buy her passage."

Egil hums.

"I know Bjarni's son has recently wed his betrothed."

I frown at Egil. "Is that so?" I don't really care. I'm not close to Bjarni or his son.

Egil nods slowly. "They have decided to stay here rather than go to Iceland. His new wife is a healer and though she is nowhere nearly as gifted as Eydís, she is skilled enough to serve the village."

I watch Egil, wondering where this is going. His gaze shifts from the fire to the woods then to me. When he sees me waiting for him to get to his point, he smiles.

"Bjarni's son is looking for a home for his new family. Somewhere his wife can continue to grow her practice."

I bristle at what he is proposing. We had planned to leave the farm in the care of distant kin in the village, so that should we need to return, we have somewhere to land. I would have never thought to have sold it, because it is the land of my forefathers.

But Egil presents a very tempting solution. The land would go to someone who could care for it in the way it needs to be cared for, the village would continue to have a healer growing the proper herbs on the mountainside, and I'd have enough money to free Bella and give her safe passage to Iceland.

"I will think about it," I tell Egil, my voice tight.

He nods. "All will be well." He sighs. "I feel it in the air. This night is blessed, and all will be well."