Shieldmaiden (34 page)

An unwelcome effect of all this praise was the attention paid to me by some local chieftains. Did they see me as a warrior queen ready for bedding or a strong woman who could run their farms or simply as Hakon's niece and a way into the royal household? I began to worry. A king's memory can be as long or as short as it suits him. How long would Hakon's gratitude last? How long before I was a part of his political games?

The talk was not all about victory and glory. Three ships had escaped, albeit one with its sail in flames. Fishermen reported seeing two war-ships on the open sea heading west. But the damaged dragon-ship had vanished with its crew. And then there was Olaf Biornson. Was he gathering a fresh crew, waiting to attack from a different direction? Was he heading north towards allies in the Upplands? Every day the Jarl's and the King's ships set off to guard the entrance to the fiord and at night warriors in full armour stood guard over the ships in the harbour and on the beaches all round the Lade peninsula.

Four days after the hostages' return we were still celebrating and chieftains and jarls were still arriving to share in the feasting and pledge their loyalty. In the constant coming and going, I wondered how the housekarls were able to tell friend from foe but someone in the King's household always knew who everyone was. I was tired of attention and took as many opportunities as I could to spend time with my children. We paddled in the Ladebeck and chased butterflies in the meadows. We borrowed a small rowing boat and went fishing in the fiord. I took care not to go close to, or even look towards, the small island where my brother's head sat with those of the other traitors on a line of stakes, displayed for all approaching ships to see. It was hard enough to hear the shrieks of the gulls and know what they were fighting over. When gripped by dark moods I held on to the thought that my children were safe and that returning to Cumbria was no longer an impossible dream. Anything else I pushed aside like a difficult task to be dealt with later.

It was during one of our little fishing-expeditions that Kveldulf called out from his seat in the prow.

‘Who's that? There! It looks like Father and Tofin. And more men.' I followed the direction of his finger and then I saw as well; four men on foot followed by two on horseback. It looked like Ragnar and Thorfinn. It had to be them. Fear emptied my lungs of air. My heart leaped to my throat. They would be killed! I must get to the guards before they got to Ragnar. Anlaf and I took an oar each and brought us to the beach in a few strong strokes. I left the children with Anlaf and ran sobbing with fear. I saw the housekarls set out with bared swords. I tried to call out to them but I was too far away. As the housekarls closed in, Ragnar and Thorfinn dismounted, removed their helmets and sheathed their swords. The housekarls surrounded them, swords and axes glinted in the sun. I screamed but, like in a nightmare, no one heard. The housekarls kicked the four men on foot and they fell clumsily to their knees. I could no longer see Ragnar and Thorfinn.

People came running from all directions. King Hakon and Jarl Sigurd stood by the entrance to the hall. I arrived, stumbling and out of breath and was jostled by men and women eager to find out what was happening. I pushed my way forward until I could see. They were there, unharmed but closely guarded. But why were they giving themselves up?

Ragnar and Thorfinn removed two bundles from their horses. They were led between two columns of housekarls who had to beat their way through the excited crowd. They stopped at a respectful distance from the waiting King and Jarl. Still flanked by the housekarls, Ragnar and Thorfinn knelt and gave their names in confident, proud voices. Neither King nor Jarl showed any emotion or gave any response. Ragnar and Thorfinn put down their sacks and emptied the contents on the ground. Golden drinking horns, neck-rings and bejewelled belts mingled with coins in the dust. A murmur of excitement and appreciation spread through the assembled crowd. Then the captives were relieved of their bloodsoaked burdens. When these were untied, six heads, bloody, hideous and gaping, stared up at the King.

The crowd cheered. The King stayed silent. The noise died down and everybody looked at him. I couldn't see how he had a choice. Even knowing who Ragnar and Thorfinn were, even knowing how they had mocked his housekarls by sneaking into my mother's house to see the newborn Harald, he must accept their homage because in front of him, with his hands tied on his back, knelt Olaf Biornson and next to him rested the severed head of his brother Helgi. But still Hakon stayed silent. I held my breath. The yard was so still I heard the cooing from the dovecote behind the byre and the humming from the hives in the meadow. Jarl Sigurd whispered to Hakon. He gestured at the housekarls and Ragnar and Thorfinn got their swords back. Ragnar held up Bearkiller and Thorfinn Iceflame. With stony face and reluctant hand, Hakon touched the proffered swords, accepting their homage.

That evening I sat again with Hakon and Jarl Sigurd at their table on the dais. Ragnar and Thorfinn had places close to the top of one of the trestle tables running the length of the hall and I was able to look and smile at my love and our friend. I don't imagine he'd been invited but Olvir sat between Ragnar and Thorfinn and the servants didn't shoo him away. Jarl Sigurd asked to hear how just two of them had overpowered the whole of Olaf Biornson's crew. Thorfinn gave his account with one of the appalling drapas he was wont to compose. There was no stopping him. He stood on the bench to declare. Ragnar looked at Olvir and they shook their heads and laughed. Drinking horn in hand, Thorfinn spoke:

Hiding from the hand of Hakon
Warriors willing to prove their worth
Waiting to win the favour
Of high-born Hakon the Good

Ship stranded with smoking sail
Looking for loot from Lade
Vile Vikings pouring their venom
On faithful followers of Finehair's son

Ragnar pulled a face and tugged at Thorfinn's breeches until he toppled backwards off the bench.

‘Friend,' he said, ‘I think the Jarl just wants to know what happened.'

Everyone in the hall, King, Jarl, guests and household laughed. I suggested that maybe Thorfinn could take his time to compose his drapa while Ragnar told of their adventure.

‘We were hid…ah…hunting in a spot two day's riding away to the west.' Ragnar's embarrassed grin gave him away but the King let it pass. ‘We spotted a fleet heading for the Trondheimsfiord so we set off to see what help we could render. Other dragons came from the harbour and we saw some fierce fighting. Two of the ships turned. They were under sail and heading west at speed. The others sailed on towards Nidaros. The next day we came across another ship. It was beached in a small inlet and the sail was spread out in the sand. The crew were trying to repair it where it was damaged by fire. We stayed hidden waiting for an opportunity to attack. Men went in small groups hunting for game and collecting fresh water. We sent those to Odin's hall. The others grew suspicious when their comrades failed to return and stayed by the ship. They had look-outs during the night but one or two of them fell asleep and didn't wake up again.'

Ragnar paused to drink from the horn he shared with Thorfinn and the hall filled with noisy approval. He wiped his unkempt whiskers and continued: ‘A couple of days passed then a small knorr joined them. At first they all seemed pleased to see each other but it soon went sour. We couldn't hear what the disagreement was about but weapons were drawn. Then the sail from the knorr was hoisted on the dragon and the crew made ready to leave. None of the men from the knorr joined the dragon. When the ship was out of sight they dragged a large chest from the knorr, emptied the treasure it contained into sacks and began walking inland. We followed. At nightfall they set up camp. By morning there were only four left. You know better than I who they are and what they have done.'

It all sounded a bit too easy for me but the King, the Jarl and all others in the hall seemed happy. Ragnar smiled enjoying the praise heaped on him. I wondered what the King would do. There was a clear expectation for him to honour and reward Ragnar and Thorfinn.

‘You are an outlaw,' he said and the hall fell into horrified silence. I half rose to get to Ragnar's side. My mother pulled me back. Hakon waited a moment before he resumed: ‘You were made so by my father after a treacherous act committed by your father against him. Your actions here have been brave and have put me in your debt. You shall no longer live outside the law and under threat to your life but there is no place for you in my service. It would be better if you left Norway.'

Ragnar blanched when Hakon first spoke but as he grasped that he was pardoned he smiled and rose from his seat.

‘I am grateful to stand again a free man. I am sorry you have no use for my service but it is your land and I must do as you bid me.' He drew a deep breath as if he was gathering pace for a run up before jumping a hurdle. ‘Lord, I have a request.'

I saw his knuckles white against the tanned skin on his fists. My mother sat next to me, tense and alert. The King radiated displeasure. He was on the spot. It would be difficult to refuse the new hero. The hall was silent as a grave and even the smoke from the hearth seemed to hang still in the air, waiting to hear the king's reply before dispersing. I clasped my hands to stop them shaking. What would he ask? How dared he risk the displeasure of the king? I couldn't look at Hakon but I heard him, gruff and curt.

‘Speak it.' Ragnar bent his knee. He spoke clearly but his voice trembled with emotion.

‘I have no use of riches or even land. All I want is the woman sitting next to you for my wife.'

‘The audacity!' my mother said under her breath but I though I heard a note of admiration in her voice.

The rest of the people in the hall cheered and clapped, especially the women and I'm sure I saw several of the maids dry their eyes on their aprons. The King looked at me. Over his shoulder I saw the Jarl's wife nod and smile.

‘Please, Uncle,' I managed to whisper. Hakon nodded. He looked relieved.

‘Then so be it. I shall tell the priest to celebrate mass for you and to hear your vows.'

A Christian wedding was not what I'd had in mind but the King made it quite clear it was that or nothing. Ragnar rode off with Thorfinn to unearth the silver he had buried for safe keeping and my mother and uncle each accepted their share of the bridegeld. My mother gave most of her share back to me for my dowry.

‘I don't need it,' she said, ‘and I want to know you'll have the means to look after yourself and the children.'

‘But you have accepted the bridegeld, haven't you? Please say you accept Ragnar as my husband.'

She did not answer and she had no smile for me when she helped me put on my best clothes and dress my hair with meadowflowers for the marriage ceremony. Then she spotted my Thor's hammer-amulet.

‘You cannot enter the house of God wearing that!'

‘It won't show. I'll wear it under my dress.'

‘No. Just this once, please do as I say. I'm not asking you to throw it away.' I submitted and she removed it from round my neck. She turned it over in her hands. ‘Where did you get it from?'

‘Father.'

Her eyes filled with tears and her hands shook. I took the amulet from her.

‘We should be friends on this day, Mother.' She nodded.

‘Let me put it somewhere safe for you.'

‘No.' I went to the door and called Olvir. ‘I want you to look after this for me until after the ceremony. You'd better wear it under your tunic. I'll get a ribbon.'

‘No need. It can hang next to mine.'

‘What? Do you have a hammer-amulet of your own?'

He nodded and pulled a small amulet worked in silver from under his shirt.

‘I was going to show it to you but so many things have happened. Ragnar gave it to me.' He blushed and grinned. ‘He said I'm his son and never mind the “foster”.'

‘Ragnar said that?'

‘Yes, when I told him about Harald. He was so pleased, you see.'

He looked so proud and happy I had to hug him.

I rode a white horse with leaves and flowers on its bridle. In front walked two pipers playing a joyful tune. Around me walked my children, my mother and all the women of Lade. Even the Jarl's wife did me the honour of accompanying my bridal train. They all sang as we came down the slope to Nidaros. A simple wooden building served as a church until Hakon's plans for something grander could be put into being. Hakon met us by the gate. We entered and my eyes watered against the smoke from the incense. The strong smell, after the fresh air outside, made me feel nauseous and I hoped against hope that the ceremony would be brief. Hakon led me between rows of guests up to the large table where Ragnar and the priest waited, their faces set in scowls of mutual dislike. Hakon placed my hand in Ragnar's and stepped aside. We stood hand-inhand and looked at each other. Ragnar winked and said in a low voice:

‘So here we are at last, my little shieldmaiden. I see they took your weapons off you as well. Odin knows how we are supposed to defend ourselves against this ferocious priest.' I bit my lip to stem my laughter. The priest cleared his throat and glared at us but all through the ceremony we kept looking at each other and giggling behind our hands. The priest said prayers for us and we exchanged vows. That is to say Ragnar had to take an oath for himself whereas Hakon spoke for me. I've always maintained that means I'm not bound by some of the more extravagant promises he made on my behalf.

Then the priest and his two helpers sang some of their tuneless, morose chants which seem to last for ever. Behind us the guests were made to kneel and get up several times. I could hear some of them grumbling under their breath. Then, at last, the drawn-out mass was over. Ragnar heaved a sigh of relief and under the guise of a kiss whispered to me:

‘By Frigga's hair when we get back home we shall celebrate such a bride-ale as people will remember for generations to come.' Then he gathered me in his arms and carried me through the throng of well-wishers out through the door towards the meadow where our horses stood ready saddled.