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“FATHER, STOP.”
“Dara, he’s a Norseman.”
“I know.”
Abbot Sean held his hands up toward the guards. “King Malachy,” Sean interrupted, “call off the guards for a moment.”
Malachy gazed at Lothar, noting the man remained motionless. He raised his head. “Guards, back to your post.” He groaned, then turned to the Abbot. “Explain your reasoning.”
“If we join these two in Holy matrimony, the church will see to their conversion into Catholicism,” Sean interceded. “Having them marry under Christian doctrine would change the villagers’ view of them from pagan and barbaric to civilized people.”
“Making them part of our kingdom. I understand your advice, Abbot.” Malachy nodded, settling back onto the chair.
“King Malachy,” Lothar interrupted, “Valkyrie here,” he said and turned to Dara, “she nourishes my heart and soul, and if you release me, I would gladly change our two worlds into one. Though first, I must explain how I came here.”
The king tapped his finger. “Proceed.”
“I am a trader, like my father the chieftain of our people, and was returning home on my knarr, when a storm last autumn wrecked my ship. The next morning I awoke on the shore, where Dara found me. I know only one other crewman survived and departed on Rolf’s ship three months ago. He will return and he’ll bring others with him.”
“If you’re a trader, why do you believe he’ll return?”
“He’s following my brother Ulin’s order, to have me killed. The night of the storm, he stabbed me with a broken oar. He now knows I survived. By now Ulin has the golden cuff that matches this one.” Lothar revealed the cuff from his raised robe sleeve. “Together, they signify the wearer’s right of leadership for our clan; separate they are fought for. Before I left for trading last summer, my father was ill and gave the cuffs to me as I am his first born.”
“Does your brother follow the family tradition of trading?”
“No, he raids for profit, that’s why my father kept him close when I left, to keep Ulin from destroying what my father created. Understand, if you kill me, you will be killing a Norseman, and at the very least, blood money will be demanded for repayment. If you release me, I will train your men against the attack that I’m sure will come soon.”
“If he’s escaped three months ago, how do you know it will be soon?”
“I know Ulin. Once Ivarr returned they would have begun preparations for returning. With Ivarr’s help they will tell my people that you have killed me and they will exact revenge for my death. We must get ready for their attack.”
“We? But you’re one of them,” Malachy said.
“As Sean said, if I was married to Dara in a Christian ceremony, we would be bound together, and also tied to this land. She is my life, and together we would be happy. Know that she would not want for more.
“How will you protect her and us from your people?”
“I don’t know when the attack will be. Ivarr vowed to kill me. I know he’ll return.”
“Why don’t we kill you for him and be done with you?”
“The attack will happen anyway and I would not be here to train your men and women.”
“Women?” King Malachy eyes went wide. “You want women to fight?”
“Yes, those who are able, and don’t have bairns to care for. The more people we have trained on our side, the better chance the village survives.”
“I cannot allow women to fight.”
“The women have the same reason to fight, as protection from men. Brunhilda and Boudicca are two of the fiercest warriors I have heard of.”
“Bah!” Malachy scoffed.
“You seek peace with your own wife when she is angry with you.”
“That is a different matter.”
“No, the same principals apply when women battle. They’re ruthless when they fight and use different methods that make some men cringe.
“King Malachy,” Abbot Sean interrupted, “Lothar’s correct. I barely escaped the brutality inflicted upon my fellow monks on Iona. The women will need to defend themselves.”
Malachy waved his hand. “I may not like it, but I’ll approve only if the women volunteer to fight.”
“Agreed. I’ll begin training them and the men in the ways of Norse combat. But first, I need to fulfill our bargain.” Lothar bowed his head then turned. “Sean, you will perform the wedding for us.”
“You’re not calling me knee-bender anymore.”
“There is a time and place where I change my view about a person. I will respect your name and no longer call you knee-bender.”
“When do you want the service performed?”
“I still need her father’s permission to marry his daughter,” Lothar confessed.
“Dara, come forward,” Malachy waited for her approach. “Is this man, Lothar, your choice for husband?”
She stood next to his chair. “Yes, father,” she nodded with a smile.
“Are you sure?” Malachy lifted an eyebrow. “Park or even Serle are among some of the men that I could choose for you as your husband.”
Dara gasped and quickly knelt, grasping the chair’s arm, “Please, not them!” She stared at Malachy, noticing his lips twitch on one side. “You’re testing me.”
The king nodded and patted her hand. “I wanted to be sure your feelings for Lothar matched his.” He lifted her hand from the chair and turned to Lothar. “You have my consent.”
“Does it have to be in a Catholic ceremony?” she asked her father.
“Yes,” replied Malachy. “The ceremony will be in full view of the townspeople to convince them that you’re not a witch, and don’t perform magic. This needs to be soon, if our plan is to be put into action before the attack.”
“I will perform the service, after the King signs the special dispensation that the marriage rite is performed in haste with the royal blessing and that both parties are willing to marry.” Sean beamed rubbing his hands together.
Lothar looked at Dara, and clasped his hand in hers and gave a gentle squeeze. “Please do.” Turning, he led her a few steps away. He cleared his throat as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.
“Dara, my sweet Valkyrie,” Lothar began. “I will be honest with you. Fate brought me to you. I have tried to leave, to return home to prevent an attack on your people. I would have come back to be with you, or convince you to come with me to my land, yet destiny has kept me here. My life is incomplete without you in my arms at night, and your waking smile brightens my day. You are the only woman I want in my life. I ask you to join with me so we journey through our life as one, you in my heart, and I in yours.”
“I will marry you, Lothar. I won’t make you choose between your people and me. You will need to return to your home someday and I’d like to be with you. I hope, as you said, they will accept me as your wife as they did your mother.”
“I am certain they will, Valkyrie.”
“Lothar, Dara,” The king interrupted them. “You two stay here as we write out the dispensation,” Malachy tilted his head for the Abbot to follow.
Sean whispered to Dara and Lothar, “The paper needs to bear the King’s seal, and your mark then I can perform the ceremony anytime you’re ready.”
“Not today,” Dara said watching Lothar turn to her with raised eyebrows.
“Why?” Malachy asked as he strode towards Dara. “The dispensation only takes a few moments to complete.”
“I’ve just been acquitted of being a witch, been proposed to a second time, and now being married in a Christian ceremony. I need time, say by the next full moon, for preparations and be happy about the occasion.”
“That’s seven days from now,” Sean said.
“I agree with Dara.” Lothar smiled. “Let our wedding be a joyous celebration.”
“Fine, Lothar will spend his time here then, training our men in Norse tactics,” the king proclaimed. “This will also give the Abbot time to prepare the special dispensation and oversee the ceremony preparations.”
Sean bowed to the King.
“Dara, you will spend your time with my wife, Enid, to prepare for the wedding.”
“No,” Dara stated with her chin held high. “I need time to be alone, to prepare myself. I will be back for the wedding.”
“How can we be sure?” the King asked.
Dara looked at Lothar. “So is my word, so is my bond.”
“She’ll be back,” Lothar smiled. “I believe her.”
Dara returned his smile, knowing his words of trust were enough.