“Mother!”

Thora was tearing up as Einar embraced her, Valgard waiting his turn as he arrived at their new home.

“Son, you’ve grown!” exclaimed the man who he had won over through hard work, giving him a quick hug and slapping Einar’s arm a few times. “Do you eat everything in sight?”

“Usually. I must say, the house looks much different than I remember.”

Both of them grinned, nodding as they motioned to a well-lit room with a large table and furnishings that hadn’t been there before.

“Let’s just say we made a little bit of money off your fights and the coin you continue to send has helped us enjoy a life I don’t think either of us would have expected.”

The sound of crying came from the back room and a young woman brought out the bundle to Thora who was beaming.

“You haven’t had a chance to meet your sister yet have you?”

Shaking his head, Einar waited for the crying package to be brought near, seeing the brown-haired child, who was now about three months old.

“She looks, unfortunately like Valgard, same temper and all.”

Thora scoffed, handing the crying child to Einar as he took her. He smiled and shushed the infant, bouncing her slightly.

This feels so weird… when was the last time I’ve held a baby?

Still his heart felt light at this moment. He could see the pair embracing each other, smiling as they watched him try calming his sister.

Sticking his pinky into her quivering lips, the baby began to suck and quiet down.

“It’s Thurid, right?”

“It is son and it appears her hunger for food is only matched by yours.”

Chuckling, Einar watched as the eyelids opened slightly, warm brown eyes looking up at him.

“She’s beautiful you two.”

Both of them beamed as he held her another moment before passing her back, watching the young woman take his sister and began to nurse her.

“It’s so weird to think of a baby… I mean… part of me knows some of you are old.”

“Watch it!” snapped his mother, winking at him. “I’ll still take a stick after you!”

“And I’d endure it if only to not break your spirit,” he replied. “Now then, you both know why I’m here. Tell me, have either of you got any problems if I stay in town for the time until the wedding?”

“We understand,” Thora replied, coming to massage his cheek for a moment with her hand. “Just seeing you again and knowing you are doing what Odin wills does more for my soul than you can know. Go have fun in the town while I listen to these two whine daily.”

Chuckling, he pulled the woman who had guided him since he arrived in this world close and kissed her on the forehead.

She wiped a tear away as he pulled back and held out a hand to Valgard.

“I left a few gifts outside. As always, if you need me, just send a message, and I’ll come as quickly as possible.”

“There is nothing we could ask of you. Go and be the man you have already become.”

Breaking the handshake, Einar waved and turned, quickly leaving through the door and past the servants who were chopping wood with the same axe he remembered using thousands of times.

A single tear formed and for a moment, Einar felt the pain of what it was like to be able to come home.

***

“Fuck Guat, what the hell happened to you?”

Shrugging, the brown-haired Viking ran his finger along the scar, which ran from his left ear to his mouth.

“A troll inside the barrier managed to almost rip my face off. Thankfully he didn’t but it still wasn’t something our healer could remove completely. It appears you’re as spotless as always. Still hiding in Einar’s shadow?”

Both men laughed and hugged as Osvif joined Einar at the table he and Guat had been sitting at.

“The longhouse has gotten a lot bigger. In fact this whole fucking town has grown.”

“Aye, my dad says every day he has to turn people away, wanting to come here for work and to have their children train at that damn facility outside of town.”

“I did see that,” Einar stated. “How many is he housing now?”

“Over forty.”

Osvif whistled as he heard that number.

“Gods, that's insane. Imagine having to take care of that many people.”

“Not my responsibility. As you both know, my job is much harder.”

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“Still, I appreciate you taking care of this task. I know it’s not easy.”

Shaking his head, Guat frowned.

“I’m not looking forward to tomorrow. I’ll ask forgiveness just make sure I don’t get killed.”

“You two are still going forward with it?”

“Do you see any other option? You said this was the best path. Tell me we’re wrong.”

Osvif frowned at Einar.

“There isn’t one.”

Giving the table a slap from his hand, Guat stood up as he pushed his seat back.

“Then let me congratulate you now on tomorrow. Make sure Avitue knows I’m happy for you two.”

Standing, Einar forced a smile, knowing the one he saw on his friend looked just like his felt.

“You’re my favorite ugly brother,” he said as the man who once killed him met his embrace.

Both of them laughed, and then Osvif hugged Guat before the warrior they trusted with everything left the corner they had been sitting in.

“He’s stronger than I ever realized,” the red-headed Viking said quietly. “He really would do anything for you.”

“I know… and it means just as much knowing you’re the same way.”

“Like hel I am,” replied Guat with a grin. “No way I’m dying for you.”

***

The town was bustling as the moment finally came.

Each building was cleaned up better than Einar could ever remember, and all along the center of the town, a packed crowd, those who had not earned a position, lined the street that led to it.

Flowers lined the edges of the street, and people were wearing armor, each ready for battle if necessary.

Standing at the center of the town where the resurrection stone was located, Reinn waited, dressed in his best attire, a long fur cloak hanging off his shoulders as both axes hung from his belt.

His brown hair had a few strands of gray, and the Lendmann smiled at Einar who stood near him, just off the platform.

Drums were sounding and the people were clapping to the beat as the tempo began to rise.

“No running off or you won’t make it twenty yards,” Reinn said with a wink.

“I know. Hrein already told me he was going to kill me if I got cold feet.”

Both of them chuckled as Einar turned his attention to the street where a procession was coming.

Two columns came, shields out, axes in hand as his pack moved toward him.

They beat the edge of their shield with the head of the weapon, matching the drums that announced the coming of the bride.

Thorodd and Osvif led the lines, each of them smiling, their hair braided and pulled back.

When the men reached the center of town, they circled around it, finally splitting into one long line and came to stand before Einar, shields and weapons ready as they faced the road they had just entered from.

The drums paused for a moment and the slight breeze that blew was the only sound beyond the shifting of a few people in the crowd.

A loud yell came from down the road, and then more voices joined in.

Soon the drums beat faster and the crowd began to stomp their feet.

This time, two columns of women, spears and shields poised for battle, came down the road, trampling the flowers as they moved faster than the mens approach.

Shouting and waving their weapons they circled the courtyard, Avitue in the middle of the columns until they formed a solid line, facing the warriors who followed Einar, taunting and jeering at the men before him.

Einar didn’t care, his eyes were focused completely upon Avitue.

Her green eyes sparkled and her red hair caught the sun. Unlike the others who had braided their hair tight against their head, her’s was a double braid, filled with flowers.

The leather armor she wore hugged her frame and he couldn’t help but smile as she raised an eyebrow playfully, smirking as she watched him consume her with his eyes.

He stood there, wrapped in a wolf cloak, his blond hair pulled back and shaved so that his tattoo showed, the acknowledgement of a rune for all to see. His blue eyes, like glaciers from the north, gazed at her with a love he only now began to allow himself to feel. It burned hotter than the fires of Hel.

On his hip was the axe the King of the elves had given him, ready to be part of a different union, not needing to be a tool of death for a moment.

Avitue stood there, a shield maiden whose reputation in this town was almost as big as his. She was the first to earn them honor. She had tamed the one many thought would never be caught. Her armor was to remind them all that she was more than just a bride. She was a warrior, a fighter and she led a pack of women just like he led a pack of men. In her right hand was a small silver bowl, filled with blood-red wine, an offering to be given to the gods.

Clapping his hands, Reinn silenced the warriors and the drums, gaining the attention of all but the shield maidens whose eyes never left Einar.

As he spoke, his words carried a power and a talent, honed by years of being the Lendmann of this town. It almost sounded like a spell, drawing upon the tradition and reverence a moment like this was due.

“Einar, son of Valgard and Thora, protector of your people and warrior of this land. Do you stand ready to bind your soul to Avitue, shield maiden for Freya, who stands across from you?”

Nodding, Einar made sure there was no one who did not hear what he said, shouting his reply.

“I stand ready!”

Smiling, the Lendmann turned to the bride.

“Avitue, daughter of Hrein and warrior whose spear and blade is as swift as the wind. Do you stand ready to bind your soul to Einar, whose heart beats like the thunder of battle?”

She grinned, her eyes flashing with joy.

“I stand ready!”

“Warriors, let your charges stand behind you two!”

As one both groups moved in unison, creating a gap as they filled in the spaces next to each other. Then as one they spread out, encircling the stone and place where Reinn stood, allowing Avitue to walk to stand beside Einar.

Lifting his hands, Reinn motioned to the crowd and from it came Hrein, Thora and Valgard. As one the trio walked, chests held high and with purpose.

In Valgard’s hand was a sword, while his wife carried an axe.

Hrein held a metal shield, his eyes never leaving his daughter.

When the trio came close, Thora handed the sword to Einar.

It was older, well worn and yet it gleamed in the sunlight, having been prepared for this moment.

Avitue’s father, a scarred warrior with eyes of iron that appeared to almost leak, placed his shield into her hands.

“As is our way,” Reinn shouted, his voice rising above the wind, “you not only bind yourselves in love but in battle. A shield and a sword are stronger together, so you two shall be. Now, exchange your oaths by the will of the gods and the strength of your hearts.”

Einar stepped forward first, raising his sword high, the blade catching the light of the sun. “Avitue, with this sword, I swear to stand by your side, in this life and the next. In battle and peace, I will be your shield and your strength, as you have been mine.”

Avitue raised her shield, her voice steady and strong. “Einar, with this shield, I swear to stand by your side. I will defend you, as you have promised to defend me. In war and in peace, we are bound, our fates entwined.”

As their weapons met, a sound like thunder rolled across the sky. The crowd erupted into a cheer, the warriors slamming the metal of their weapons against their shields, while the women raised their voices in song.

The gods had witnessed, and their approval was felt in the very air.