eight

Several hours later Arietta awakened to the sound of scraping. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Gwyn sitting across the room, carding her wool.

Arietta lifted herself to a sitting position, throwing her legs over the side of the wooden bunk. She placed one hand to her swimming head, trying to still its rhythmic movement.

Gwyn placed the two spiked brushes on the table and came to sit beside Arietta. No one else was in the hut.

“Where is everyone?”

“Wulfric and Sidroc took the children with them. They said you needed the rest.”

Arietta’s mind was beginning to clear. “How did I get here?”

“Wulfric carried you,” Gwyn explained. “You have slept a long time. How are you feeling?”

“Hungry.”

Gwyn laughed, rising to her feet. “I will get you something to eat.” She placed slices of cheese on bread and handed it Arietta, who wolfed the lot down, drinking the cup of goat’s milk that Gwyn placed next to her.

“Arietta, there’s something I have to tell you.”

Arietta licked her fingers clean of the cheese residue.

“Edwynn has been injured,” her sister continued.

Dropping her hand slowly to her lap, Arietta grew very still. “How?”

Gwyn sighed, getting up and crossing to pick up her carding implements. She began scraping the brushes together without looking at Arietta. Knowing her sister, Arietta realized that something was bothering Gwyn that she was reluctant to divulge. “Tell me. How serious is it?”

Gwyn lifted her head and stared ahead unseeing. She glanced at Arietta, then continued with what she was doing. Finally she spoke. “Someone tried to kill Godfred. Edwynn stopped them.”

The blood drained from Arietta’s face, her body going cold all over. “I cannot believe it.”

“Well, it is true. A man from the village was about to shoot an arrow at Godfred when Edwynn noticed him and shoved Godfred aside. The arrow pierced Edwynn’s chest instead.”

Arietta came to her feet. “I have to go to him.”

Gwyn placed her carding tools back on the table. “Of course, but please wait for Wulfric to walk you to the village.”

Arietta was already heading for the door. “I cannot. I have to see how badly Edwynn is hurt.”

Though she might not love Edwynn as she loved Wulfric, she loved him nonetheless. He had always been good to her and her father, and although he aggravated her at times, he was her very good friend.

“Arietta!” Gwyn called.

Arietta turned sharply. “Do they know who did this?”

Gwyn was distressed, that much was obvious. “It was Aelwyn.” She placed a detaining hand on Arietta’s arm. “Please wait for Wulfric.”

“I will be fine.” She hugged Gwyn, then pushed her gently away. “I am not certain when I will be able to return.” She grabbed her cloak from the peg by the door and quickly hastened out into the cold before Gwyn could stop her, heading swiftly for the village.

When she reached Edwynn’s hut, she found several people gathered around it, murmuring amongst themselves. She pushed her way through, knocking briefly on the door and entering at Edwynn’s quiet voice bidding her come.

The room was semidark from a dwindling fire, the shutters of the windows closed against the biting cold. Godfred sat on the stool next to the bed, Wendella standing at his side. Both turned at her entrance. Though Godfred’s eyes were wary, Wendella’s shot sparks of pure rage.

Arietta nodded briefly to the two, then quietly took Edwynn’s good hand, kneeling beside the straw bed. His face was beaded with sweat even though the room was fairly cold. She had never seen him so lacking in color. A bandage was wound round his bare chest, binding his arm against his side.

“How are you?” she asked quietly, her searching gaze moving quickly over him.

“I am beginning to believe that I will live,” he croaked, his lips tilted with humor.

Wendella stepped forward, her eyes softening when they rested on Edwynn. “He saved my brother’s life, and I will be eternally grateful.”

Godfred smiled fondly at his sister, taking her by the hand. He looked at Arietta, the wariness still in his eyes.

“The man who did this has eluded us, although we know who it was. The village has called for the folkmoot as soon as the ealdorman returns.”

Arietta’s glance went from one to the other. “Were there other witnesses?”

“Several,” Wendella bit out harshly. She threw her long braids over her shoulder, her stance rigid. She reminded Arietta of a female version of Wulfric. The comparison un-settled her.

“It was Aelwyn,” Edwynn whispered.

“I know,” she said. “Gwyn told me.”

His eyes met Arietta’s, and a look of understanding passed between them. Aelwyn was the same age as Arietta, and they were close friends. Everyone in the village loved him, for he was kind and generous to a fault. That he could do such a thing was incredible to everyone.

“Why would he do such a thing?” Wendella choked out. She glared at Arietta as though it were all her fault. “What has my brother ever done to him? Your people call us heathens and savages, but what are they? They should all be slain!”

Arietta answered her softly, trying to stem the tide of rising fury. “Ten years ago when your people came to our village, they murdered Aelwyn’s mother.”

Godfred jerked his head up sharply but said nothing. Wendella was not so reticent. “My brother had nothing to do with that. He was not on that raid.”

“But Aelwyn blames all Norsemen, just as you are blaming all the English for this deed.”

Wendella stared at Arietta a long time. Several times she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. She finally retreated into silence.

Edwynn tugged on Arietta’s hand, and she turned her attention back to him. At his uneasy look, Arietta tensed.

“I am sorry, Arietta, but I think we must postpone the wedding.”

Arietta’s heart gave a quick leap. She had forgotten the forthcoming wedding in all the excitement. But the relief that flooded through her also brought a deep sense of guilt.

“That is all right, Edwynn. There will be another time.”

Wendella’s eyes narrowed, and she silently studied the two. She turned back to her brother. “We must go.”

He nodded and rose to his feet. “I owe you my life, Edwynn. Whatever you need, you have only to ask.”

Edwynn’s eyes flicked briefly to Wendella, but the girl had already turned away, missing the look. Arietta, however, did not, nor did Godfred. He cast an anxious glance at Arietta, opening his mouth to say something. When Wendella turned back to Edwynn with a smile, Godfred pressed his lips together tightly.

“I will come again tomorrow to check on you,” Wendella announced. “As my brother says, whatever we have is yours.”

A closed look shuttered Edwynn’s face. He took Arietta’s hand and began stroking it. “There is no need, Wendella. Arietta will care for my needs.”

Wendella’s vivid blue eyes darkened with anger. Pressing her lips together, she turned and shoved her way out the door. Godfred stared after her, his look one of utter confusion. Shrugging, he gave Edwynn a lopsided smile. “I leave you in good hands. I will see you on the morrow.”

Edwynn nodded, and the Norseman left.

Edwynn turned his head so he could more comfortably see Arietta. “You look tired. What have you been doing?”

“Not very much,” she said, not wanting to bring up the subject of helping Martha when she knew how he opposed such action. “I was at Gwyn’s when they told me of your accident.”

One corner of his forehead lifted slightly. “Accident?”

She sat down on the stool Godfred had vacated, fixing her long woolen skirt until it warmed her chilled legs. “You know what I mean.” Arietta stared off into space for some time, not realizing that Edwynn was watching her. “What do you think will happen with Aelwyn?”

“I am not certain,” Edwynn answered softly. “The folkmoot will have to decide.”

“He could lose his land.”

“Arietta.”

Recognizing the urgency in his voice, Arietta tilted her head at him. “Yes?”

“I wish to release you from your promise to marry me.”

Surprised, Arietta stared back at him. “Why?”

Edwynn tilted his head back on the pillow until he was staring at the ceiling. His jaw clenched and unclenched several times before he finally spoke. “I did not want to say anything in front of the others, but the muscles in my arm have been injured pretty badly. I probably will not be able to work a forge again.”

Arietta frowned. “But what has that to do with our marriage?”

Edwynn took a deep breath, glaring at her. “Do you not understand. I can no longer support you.”

It took her a moment to follow his reasoning, then her green eyes grew stormy. “And you think that I would leave you because of that?”

His jaw worked convulsively, his nostrils flaring in anger. “I will be a beggar! Do you not understand that?”

Arietta got quickly to her feet, too perturbed to stay in one place. She paced the small confines of Edwynn’s hut, twining her hands in agitation. “How little you must think of me,” she whispered harshly, and his eyes widened in surprise at her tone.

She came back to the bed, leaning over him. “Now you listen to me, Edwynn. Our marriage may have been postponed, but a promise is a promise. Would you go back on your word?”

“I will not have you married to a cripple!” he shouted angrily.

“Do not make me take you before the folkmoot,” she told him quietly, repeating his earlier words.

“Arietta.”

She placed a finger over his lips, smiling slightly. “Enough for now. Just get well.”

His eyes softened. “I really do love you, you know.”

She gave him a half-grin. “I know, but not like you love Wendella. If only there was some way for the two of you—”

“There is not,” he interrupted ruthlessly. “A Viking woman would never accept a weak man, and you know it.”

Arietta shrugged, unaccountably hurt that he hadn’t bothered to deny it. “Then I guess you are stuck with me.”

“Arietta!”

“Go to sleep. You need your rest. I will return to check on you later. Is there anything that you need?”

He shook his head slightly. Bending over, she brushed her lips across his cheek. Wrinkling her nose, she rubbed her fingers lightly over his jaw. “A shave perhaps?”

He grinned. “I apologize. I have not had the time.” He glanced down at his arm. “Nor the energy.”

Laughing, Arietta went to the door, commanding over her shoulder, “Go to sleep.”

She was met outside the door by several concerned faces.

“He is well for now,” she told them. She looked at one young man hovering on the edge of the group. “Bass, will you please keep Edwynn’s fire going?”

The boy stepped forward. “Yes, Arietta, I will do that.”

She smiled her thanks, turning to find Wulfric stalking toward her, his face as black as a thundercloud. The others departed hastily to their homes when the Norseman strode into their midst. “You should have waited,” he ground out savagely.

Arietta’s eyebrows lifted. “I have walked this village for all of my life. I am in no danger here.”

Wulfric’s jaw tightened, a tick forming in his cheek. “There is a madman on the loose,” he retorted through gritted teeth.

Recognizing his concern, Arietta nevertheless had to make him understand. “Aelwyn is no madman. He is full of hatred and anger, but he is not insane.”

“Hatred and anger breed insanity,” he returned, his voice tight with suppressed feelings.

Arietta’s face softened. “Maybe so, but Aelwyn would never hurt me.”

When she went to walk by him, he grabbed her forearm, his eyes meeting hers. It seemed an eternity before Arietta pulled her arm from his grasp. She walked ahead of him, aware of his seething look scorching her back.

When she would have turned into her own gate, Wulfric stopped her. “Gwyn is expecting you.”

Arietta sighed, rubbing her neck tiredly. She rolled her head on her shoulders. “Tell her that I will come tomorrow.”

“And Martha?”

She closed her small gate between them. “I told her that I would return today, and I will.”

“You are going to wear yourself out.”

The smile she gave him reached all the way to her eyes. “I am not too tired to play you a game of hnefatafl.”

He met the dare head on. “When?”

“Since I promised Gwyn that I would help with her spinning and weaving, tell her that I will come tomorrow. After that, I will play you a game.”

“I will look forward to it,” he told her, his eyes sparkling.

Arietta watched him walk away, wondering what form of insanity had come over her. All Wulfric needed was another challenge, but then maybe playing the game would take his mind off other pursuits.

She went inside her hut, closing the door against the cold winter air. Taking the flint and steel, she started a fire in her fire pit. The room was freezing. She climbed the ladder to her room, grabbing a blanket off the bed and dragging it with her back to the main room.

Wrapping the blanket around her, she huddled near the fire, her mind already wandering in different directions. That she wanted to spend time with Wulfric was beyond her denial, but she knew it would not be wise. The more time she spent in his presence, the harder it became to keep her feelings hidden.

Then there was poor Edwynn. Her heart swelled with pride in him that he had risked his own life to save that of a despised Norseman. Had Godfred been able to overcome Edwynn’s fear and animosity merely by doing business with him? They had seemed on rather friendly terms.

And what now? If Edwynn couldn’t work his tools, what would he do for a living? The more she thought about it, the more she concluded that there was really no option. She couldn’t turn her back on Edwynn now.

He was right. A Viking woman would hate weakness in a man. It was too bad that Wendella would not be able to see past Edwynn’s affliction to the kind man within.

As the fire warmed the room, Arietta’s thoughts grew hazy, her head bobbing with drowsiness. Before long, she was fast asleep.

❧

Wulfric watched Arietta’s cottage until he saw her come out the door. He waited until she was some distance into the forest before he joined her. She glanced at him in surprise. “Where did you come from?”

He ignored the question, asking one of his own. “You are going to Martha’s?”

“I am.”

He reached to take the basket from her arms so that she would be free to shield herself from the wind with her woolen cloak. She thanked him politely, wrapping the cloak tightly around her.

Arietta looked at Wulfric askance. “Do you not ever feel the cold?”

He wore a fur vest and long sleeves, but still he seemed impervious to the freezing temperatures. He laughed lightly. “You think this is cold?”

Arietta’s look went over him from head to toe. She envied him in his puttee leg bindings, and trousers. Even under her cyrtel and tunic she was freezing. “I suppose it gets much colder in Norway.”

A twinkle lit his eyes. “Indeed it does.”

They continued the rest of the way in companionable silence and found Martha on her feet. She was weak, but she promised to pace herself and let them know if she needed anything. Then she took Wulfric’s large hand into hers, bending her head to press her lips against it. When she straightened, Martha smiled into the Norseman’s eyes. “Thank you. Thank you for everything.”

Arietta hid a laugh behind a cough as embarrassed color swept through Wulfric’s face. He glared at Arietta, defying her to say anything. She prudently remained silent.

Martha thanked Arietta as well, but she gave Arietta a hug.

When they left, Wulfric walked beside Arietta this time, his frown thoughtful.

“What are you thinking?” she asked him softly.

He hesitated slightly. “Tell me about your God,” he re-quested quietly.

Surprised, Arietta felt a small glow that grew into a burning flame. She told him of the Scriptures and things the church had always taught. She explained her thoughts and feelings about the verses Brother Bertrand had taught her and the other young people as they copied the texts for him.

Wulfric listened to her intently. When she spoke of God, she forgot who she was talking to. She opened herself to Wulfric like a flower to the sun. Suddenly, she stopped where the two paths diverged, one to the village, the other to Gwyn’s. “I must return to the village,” she said. “I need to check on Edwynn.”

Wulfric’s eyes darkened. “Edwynn was a very brave man to do what he did. Not many people would take an arrow meant for another.”

Arietta met his eyes. “Edwynn is a Christian,” she said simply.

“And that makes a difference? What has your God really done for you?” Wulfric asked, not certain he wanted to know.

“He promises us eternal life with Him. A life of beauty and peace. A place where there are no tears, no fighting, no hatred.” She tilted her head. “What do your gods offer you?”

Wulfric remained silent.

Shrugging her shoulders slightly, Arietta said, “Tell Gwyn that I will come early tomorrow.”

Wulfric glanced down at her. “I will tell her when I see her. Right now I am walking you to Edwynn’s.”

“Wulfric.” Arietta sighed with annoyance but did not argue further. She allowed him to walk with her until she reached Edwynn’s house. Aggravated with his insistence on following her around, she did not bother to thank him for his undesired protection. She knocked on the door briefly, entering quickly and shutting Wulfric out.

Edwynn turned his head toward her when she entered. The flames in his fire pit were burning brightly, taking much of the chill from the room. After the cool, clear air outside, Arietta squinted her eyes against the smoke in the room.

“Are you feeling better?” she asked him, crossing the room and laying a hand against his forehead.

He took the hand and pushed it away irritably. “I am well.”

There was a knock at the door, and Arietta went to answer it, confused by Edwynn’s surliness. An old woman from the village stood outside, a pot in her hands. “I have brought some soup for Edwynn.”

Arietta smiled, opening the door wider. “Bring it in, Werburg.”

The old woman wrinkled her nose, handing the pot to Arietta. “No, that is all right. You can give it to him.”

Arietta reached for the pot, her look tender when she smiled at the other woman. “Are you certain?” At the other woman’s vehement nod of the head, Arietta shifted the pot into her own arms. “Thank you, Werburg.”

She watched the other woman scurry away before turning back to the room. Edwynn lay with his face away from her, his body tense. Frowning, Arietta set the pot on the table. “What is it, Edwynn? Are you hurting?”

When he turned his head back to her, tears hovered on the fringes of his eyes. “Arietta, I have been so wrong.”

Seeing the tears, Arietta became alarmed. It was so unusual for her unemotional Edwynn to display any kind of feelings. “What have you been wrong about, Edwynn?”

She sat down on the stool, taking his hand into hers. He squeezed her fingers lightly.

“I have always complained about the way you help others, but now I see that it is the way you show love and concern. All day, people have been bringing me things or stopping by to see if I need anything. Even people I complained about when you were helping them.” He sighed heavily. “Many have taken the little they have and have given it to me.”

Glad that Edwynn had finally seen the light, Arietta twined her fingers with his. He looked into her eyes, and she smiled. “You have done a lot for these people, Edwynn. They appreciate you.”

He snorted. “What have I ever done for them that it did not cost them?”

“You came and lived here when you could have made a fortune had you lived in another town. They appreciate that.”

His look brightened. “You mean that?”

“Of course I do,” she chided. “When have you ever known me to say something that I did not mean?”

He looked relieved and happier than Arietta had seen him for some time. “Thank you, Arietta.”

She smiled, getting to her feet. “Well, I can see that I am not needed here. I will leave you in other capable hands.”

By the time she left Edwynn’s house, the winter sun was waning. It would soon be dark, and for the first time that Arietta could remember, she loathed the idea of returning to her lonely house. Then she noticed Wulfric leaning back against Edwynn’s house, his arms crossed, one foot resting on the house behind him. He stood away from the wall when he saw her, glanced over her head to the door beyond, then returned his gaze to her face. “Well? How is he?”

Arietta smiled, suddenly glad to have Wulfric waiting for her. “He is well. There is no fever, and the villagers are caring for him. He has discovered that he is greatly loved.”

Wulfric’s look was intense. “And you? Have you discovered that you love him too?”

The smile fled from Arietta’s face. She moved past Wulfric, walking toward her own house. “I have always loved Edwynn,” she told him firmly.

He took her by the arm, turning her to face him. “I do not believe you.”

She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “You do not want to believe me.”

She managed to make it to her own yard before he jerked her to a stop. His eyes glittered dangerously. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her with an intensity that left her breathless.

Setting her away from him, he slowly shook his head, backing toward the gate. “No, I do not want to believe you.”