They entered the village from the beachside. The two of them talked the entire way back, updating each other on the last week they hadn’t spoken to each other. Johan joked about the string and the flowers and Note had immediately gone bright red, telling him that it had been Leif’s idea first. Apparently he and the other fishers were tired of Note’s sulking, which was hilarious to hear, so they had gone all the way to Solstad just to buy the string.

Coincidentally, Leif and the fishers were the first people Johan saw when they got back. They were all talking by the docks, all dressed in nice outfits, ready for the wedding, when Johan and Note came from the woods. Leif caught sight of them first and suddenly all of them turned in unison to watch them with big googly eyes.

“Sorry about them.” Note scratched the back of his neck with an awkward laugh and they cheered him on, some even giving thumbs up.

“How much did you complain?” Johan laughed, shaking his head, but he soon caught sight of something. There was a new boat he hadn’t seen before by the docks.

“Johan, Note! Come meet my children!” Odin was behind the fishers, further up the docks, and was practically jumping in excitement as he called them over with a waving hand, his smile so wide that his eyes disappeared into crescents. He must have noticed them because of the commotion, Johan thought in amusement.

They had to walk past the fishers to get to the chief and Note got multiple high fives, Johan even thought he could even hear one of them silently telling him ‘good job’.

Odin’s excitement only seemed to grow as they approached. “You two are talking again? That’s great, Signe will be so happy!” Then he proudly waved a hand at the two newcomers beside him. “This is my daughter Helga and my son Harald, they finally arrived!”

Right, Johan remembered someone saying Odin’s kids would be coming to the wedding. They were the only villagers that didn’t currently live on the island, and so also the only ones Johan hadn’t met before.

Odin turned to his kids. “Helga, Harald, these are the family of the bride-”

“Johan and Note,” Harald interrupted with a pleasant laugh. “We have heard so much about you both, and Signe of course.”

“Nice to meet you.” Johan greeted. He shook the son’s outreached hand with a smile.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Blond hair hung to Harald’s jaw and he had a thick beard. He was taller than Johan by almost a head, similarly to Odin himself, and wide too. He clearly trained a lot and Johan could see that just from his build, though the open vest showing off most of his chest made it even more obvious.

Helga was shorter than Harald but she was still just taller than Johan. In comparison to Harald she looked more refined and clean, her hair cleanly cut at her shoulders, and she was wearing a nice, bright red dress.

Both of them tok after their Odin, sharing most of his facial features, though Johan could see Hilda in them too.

“It’s nice to meet you too!” Harald replied enthusiastically. He nodded over to the group of fishers still chatting and laughing. “I see you fit in nicely with the crowd, haha. It’s great to have you here! I was so worried when I got my dad’s letter about the nøkks. Unfortunately I was out on the water and I didn’t get it right away, by the time I got back there was another letter there talking about how three heroes came and saved the village.”

“I was surprised to hear anyone moved here.” Helga added with a smile. “It’s such a small village and so far away from the mainland, more people move away than settle down here.”

“Like you?” Harald laughed, pushing her shoulder playfully.

“Unlike you.” She grinned before turning back to Johan. “I’m currently studying to be a teacher in the Northern Kingdom, with my husband and daughter. Though I guess my plans for moving back are somewhat ruined by me having a child. How do you find everything here?”

The Northern Kingdom…?

“Oh, we love it here.” Johan answered with a tense laugh and Note nodded seriously in agreement. “The Northern Kingdom…that’s - how is it over there?”

“Oh, you must have heard of what happened.” Helga waved a hand. “It’s a shame, the city faced a big loss at the king and his son. The last few weeks have been a bit rough for everyone, but things are turning around quickly! I heard the royal family will turn into a matriarchy now!”

“Ahh…” Johan nodded. She didn’t seem too upset.

“My condolences.” Note said and Helga laughed.

Suddenly a loud “Children!” was shrieked from behind and Johan looked to see Hilda running towards them as fast as she could, skirt held up in her hand.

“Mom!” Harald howled and took off.

“He was always a mama's boy.” Odin chuckled as Harald met his mom, pulling her into a big hug, her happy laughter filling the air as he hid his head in her shoulder. Johan smiled at the sight.

Wait a second. Wasn’t she helping Signe-

Hilda yelled again, this time to them. “Johan, Note! The wedding is starting! Come on, Odin we have to go! Leif, all of you, come on!”

Already?! Johan’s heart jumped in his chest.

“Now?!” Note paled and one heartbeat later they were on their way.

There was no way Johan was missing even a second!