Chapter 11

As the days past, Valerie grew larger. Her heated sex with both men turned into gentle lovemaking, and she was content to have them that way. She was showing now, her belly huge and round, and her hand loved to caress the swell of her baby’s rump. She moved awkwardly around their two-room hut.

She reached a hand to ruffle Hrolf’s hair while he ate a hearty breakfast. The boy was thankfully filling out. None of the children looked so painfully thin, and it was a joy to hear them playing without fear. There was a big celebration in the spring for weddings planned. Valerie was happy and content.

She wasn’t certain if she felt annoyed or not when she saw Ulfr give his attention to a few of the other women. But he kept coming back to her, only he seemed different. He seemed restless and in need of something, Valerie was hopeful he would find what he was looking for.

Hott on the other hand was deliriously happy. He was smitten with his new son. He took Hrolf with him whenever he was able. Hott said it was to give her some peace, but she knew he loved to spend time with the boy. When Hott climbed into bed beside her at night, he placed his hand on her belly. He would laughingly alternate from wanting a boy to a girl.

Hrolf spun his bowl on the table. She had taught him to use a spoon, and eventually he stopped attacking his food with his mouth on his own when he realized he would get enough to eat. The bowl spun again. It was his subtle hint he wanted more. Valerie took his bowl and squatted as best as she could to his eye level.

“Say, more please, Mother,” she encouraged.

He had yet to speak. One of the sweetest things she had heard was his laughter. Hott had made him laugh when he tossed him in the air and captured him to his chest. The boy also loved to sit on a horse before the large man and ride through the hills hunting. Hott was teaching him a great deal. The boy learned quickly and had already brought home a dead rabbit he had killed with his little bow and arrow. How quickly Hrolf had become their child. It was hard to remember a time when he wasn’t theirs and living with them. She loved him as her own. Both she and Hott did.

Hrolf just smiled at her. He cocked his head to the side in imitation of her. He took the bowl and handed it to her again. Valerie sighed. When she stood she could hear Petal’s tail thumping on the wooden floor. The bitch had grown very large in a short time, and she was pleased the dog had grown to the fair size of her littermates. Porky lay beside the dog for warmth. Both animals had become fast friends, and they were good companions to both Valerie and the boy.

Valerie ladled more porridge into the bowl. Hrolf loved it best with a bit of milk, when she could get it, and some drizzled honey. She straightened, and then dropped the bowl to the ground. Her hand clutched her belly and she gasped in air. A pool of water suddenly formed beneath her feet. She had taken to wearing dresses as her pregnancy progressed because they were more comfortable.

Her hand rested on the tabletop to steady herself. Both Petal and Porky had jumped to their feet when the bowl clattered to the ground. Petal whimpered. Hrolf watched her with fear. She attempted to move to a chair, but another contraction seized her, and she yelped in pain. Her legs buckled, and she dropped to the floor. Petal moved close to lick her face. Hrolf was in front of her. His anxious little face was close to hers, his hand resting on Porky’s head.

“Hrolf, my son, get your father,” she pleaded, then doubled over in pain. “Hurry.”

Hrolf raced from the hut.

* * * *

Hott was in the cabin. The men had been discussing a hunt. There was too much snow, some argued. Alfarin was listening quietly to everyone’s opinion when the cabin door slammed open, and Hrolf came flying inside followed closely by Petal. Hott smiled at the child until he noted the boy’s wild frenzied look. Petal was barking out a rapid series of high yelps, which was odd for the dog as she was normally quiet. Hrolf raced to him and tugged at his wrist. Petal grabbed his pants and assisted the boy.

Hott’s concern intensified when he saw the boy wore no warm outer clothing. Valerie would never have allowed him to come outdoors without proper clothing. Hott pushed the dog away and knelt before the child.

“Where is your mother?” he asked.

Hrolf’s terrified pleading look settled onto Hott. He was making odd sounds in the back of his throat, whimpering. Again he yanked on Hott’s wrist. Petal lunged forward and grabbed Hott’s other wrist. Her teeth were gentle yet the strength of the pup was amazing, and Hott actually found himself pulled to his feet. The dog and the boy then shoved his behind in the direction of the door.

Sultan and the other female pup began bouncing and barking. Sultan lunged at Ulfr’s behind. He had been standing watching the scene with confusion near Hott. The dog’s huge paws landed on Ulfr’s ass, and he spiraled forward into motion.

“Damn, man! Are you dense?” Ulfr yelled, stumbling to keep his feet. “Would it take a toss on your ass to see something’s happened to Valerie?”

Hott raced out of the cabin followed closely by Ulfr and by every man, woman and child who had witnessed the scene. Many paths in the snow had been made but everyone ran single file down the main path to Hott’s hut. Hott reached his hut in record time. Valerie was panting on the floor with Porky standing guard. Hott raced to her.

“Is the baby coming?” he asked with concern.

“No I just enjoy laying down here,” she ground out through clenched teeth.

Her hand clutched her belly, and her face contorted in pain. She gripped Hott’s hand tightly until his fingers actually squished together.

Almighty Odin, she was breaking his hand!

Valerie screamed and squeezed tighter.

“The pain is awful!” Hott yelled.

“She will be fine. Don’t panic,” Bera soothed as she entered the hut.

“It’s my damned hand! I think she’s broken it!” Hott bellowed.

He pried his fingers loose and shook his hand out.

Valerie scowled at him.

“Get her up. We can take her to the cabin where the other women can help,” Bera said calmly.

Hott scooped her up and Ulfr took Valerie’s hand for support.

“You are brave, brother,” Hott said grimly.

Ulfr looked at him questionably until another contraction seized Valerie.

Valerie screamed, Ulfr howled, and Hott yelped as the hand she had slung around his neck gripped his hair and skin.

“Oh,” Ulfr gasped. “I never realized having a baby could be so painful!” He pried his fingers from her grasp and shook his hand out.

They reached the cabin, and Hott strode with Valerie to a large room. She had insisted a bed be made up off the ground for when her time came. He placed her gently onto the furs and prepared to leave.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Valerie ground out.

“Well I…we were just going…” Hott muttered.

“You’re not going anywhere!” she said between gnashed teeth, her eyes narrowed dangerously onto him.

“She’s a bit spooky,” Ulfr whispered to Hott.

Bera came forward and checked between Valerie’s legs. “This is an impatient child.”

Hott went to stand at Valerie’s head. She reached up and grabbed his fur vest, pulled him close and growled.

“Get me drugs.”

Her words were in her homeland language, and he didn’t know what she meant.

“What, Valerie? What do you need?” he asked her with concern wondering if the pain was driving her mad.

“Booze,” she howled.

“The flask?” he leaned in closely and whispered. “I don’t think now is a good time for sex.” The look she leveled on him actually made him jump in surprise!

“There now, dear,” Bera soothed. “I have something for pain made up.”

“Well that’s a relief, my hand is killing me,” Ulfr stated.

“Get me booze, damn it! Shake a leg!” Valerie screamed.

Both men stood awkwardly for a second, looked at one another, shrugged, and each shook a leg in the air for her approval.

“Oh my God, I didn’t mean jerk around. I meant move faster,” Valerie said with a look of disgust on her face.

Ulfr raced from the room. Hrolf was standing in the doorway, one little leg in the air, wringing his hands with concern.

Ulfr grabbed the boy under his arm. “This is no place for an unarmed warrior, boy.”

Ulfr practically tossed the child to Alfarin who grabbed the boy in surprise. Ulfr raced around the cabin frantically.

“For the love of Odin! Someone find me some mead or ale.”

“Calm down, man,” said Finna’s brother.

Ulfr stopped dead and narrowed his eyes onto the young man. The smile died on the man’s lips as Ulfr slowly stalked him.

“What’s in your mug?” Ulfr snarled.

The young man gulped heavily, pinned to the spot with Ulfr’s wild-eyed stare. “Ale,” he squeaked.

Ulfr pounced. He snatched the drink and held it high. “I’m coming, little Valkyrie.”

* * * *

Valerie screamed when she pushed. Bera was between her legs waiting to catch the babe. Hott had one hand under her knee lifting her while she strained. Ulfr charged into the room with a sloshing mug. Valerie’s eyes lit up.

“Hurry, moron, I need that!” she howled.

Ulfr blinked. “Don’t you know me, Valerie?” he gasped.

“Just give it to her,” Hott snapped.

Valerie downed the entire contents in just a few swigs. Another contraction seized her. Ulfr held her under her other knee as she pushed again. It felt like her pubic hair was on fire! Good God how did women ever manage this all these centuries? She groaned loudly as she struggled for breath and pushed again.

“Push, Valerie,” Bera encouraged.

“Push,” chanted both men.

“I am pushing!” she bellowed.

Idiot men, what did they think she was doing? Her face must be as red as a baboon’s butt! Now there was an attractive picture. She pushed again until she could push no more, and just when she thought she would die, she heard a small mewling noise, that turned into a robust cry. She had done it!

“It’s a boy!” Bera cried.

Valerie strained to see him. “Is he okay?” she asked, struggling to rise higher onto her elbows.

Hott was before her. His eyes were wet. “He’s perfect. Biorn is perfect.”

Valerie smiled at him. He looked so happy she felt her own eyes overflow with emotion. Bera brought the cleaned and swaddled child to her. He rooted around until he found her breast and began suckling.

“A lusty boy!” Bera crooned happily.

“Just like his father and uncle,” Valerie said.

When the boy fell asleep, Hott very gently picked him up into his arms. Valerie looked at him with some surprise as he turned to leave the room. He winked at her. Not long after she heard his giant bellow of pride from the other room and could picture him holding their son high when he yelled:

“My son, Biorn!”

There was a great cheer, and Hott was soon back in the bedroom handing the babe into his mother’s arms. Biorn had slept through the entire thing. The bed was large enough, and Hott crawled in to bed carefully beside Valerie. Ulfr smiled at them before excusing himself. Again he had a look of need in his eyes, and Valerie felt sorry for him. She realized then she wasn’t enough. Ulfr needed more. It was just a matter of time before he sought what he was looking for.