Page 27 of A Viking's Captive

After a couple of minutes, Ilona said, “Ye look tired. How long have I been here?”

“This is the second day. Yesterday, it seemed ye were dreaming.”

“I’m sorry to give ye cause for worry and lack of sleep. Did ye get any rest?”

Liv allowed a few moments of privacy to the couple. She observed the expression of devotion and love on Rathnon’s face. Liv had prepared a healing broth and brought it over to Ilona.

“Lass, here’s nourishing broth for ye. Yer husband never stirred by yer side, unless he couldn’t hold himself anymore and had to relieve himself outside. He held yer hand and spoke to ye for hours while ye slept.

“Now Rathnon, ye can see Ilona is awake and drinking the broth. See to yerself. Take a nap and eat. Besides, yer wife needs privacy while I change her bandages. I will watch over the lass well in yer absence.”

“Aye, Rathnon, I ken ye are fatigued. Sitting in the chair and sleeping for a few moments cannae be comfortable. Please seeto yer needs. Liv will watch over me. I ken it will take time to change my bandages.”

Rathnon did nae want to leave his wife, but at the two women’s insistence, he decided to go relieve and wash himself. “I will leave only briefly. But I will return to stay with ye. Send someone to fetch me if ye need me before then.”

He softly kissed her lips and yearned to pull her into his arms but refrained, afraid of causing her pain or further injury. He stood and ran a hand through his beard, gazing at Ilona thoughtfully before taking his leave.

Returning to the longhouse, many people inquired about Ilona. Children and adults, young and old, mobbed Rathnon, asking him about his wife. They were relieved to hear she was better.

“Now, let’s get ye walking to make ye stronger. I have a chair with a chamber pot for ye to use.” Liv assisted her and then helped her to wash. Liv had Ilona lie on the bed while she redressed the deep wounds on her back. The poultice was effective. The lass had nae fever. It was a welcome sign. Ilona winced several times in tender spots while her dressings were reapplied.

“It is looking better, Ilona. Yer back will take time to heal. I will need ye to stay here for a couple more days so I can change yer dressings frequently.”

“Thank ye, Liv. Ye are a dear friend to care for me so well. I do nae ken if my husband will be pleased though. Ye must put me to work. I cannae sit around and do nothing. I am much better. Thank ye.”

“Before the bear attacked ye, how had ye been feeling?”

“I felt wonderful, but my breasts are more sensitive. I thought I had a bug bite but could find nae marks.”

“Anything else? Ye haven’t been ill in the mornings or noticed smells bother ye?”

“Occasionally, my stomach was queasy, but it quickly passed. Why do ye ask?”

“Have ye nae shared yer news with yer husband?”

“News? What news should I be sharing with him?”

“When were yer last courses, Ilona?”

“They are nae always regular, but I think my last courses were before Rathnon brought me here.”

“From what ye tell me, and the changes I see in yer body, ye are with child Ilona! Congratulations! Ye will be a mother in the spring.”

Ilona looked stricken. “Are ye sure? It happened quickly.”

“Aye, I’m sure, lass. Ye have a strong and virile husband who is devoted to ye. Ye ken it only takes one joining with a man. After he releases his seed inside, ye can get pregnant. See, the area around yer nipples has become darker, and yer breasts have gotten bigger and sensitive, as ye say. These are the first signs of pregnancy.”

“This wound from the bear and the medicines ye gave me will nae harm my bairn?”

“Nae, if there is nae infection. That’s why I want to watch ye closely. Now, why don’t ye take a nap before yer husband returns. Later, ye will have more time awake to spend with him. I ken he will be happy to see ye then.”

“Aye, I am sleepy.” Ilona lay on her side and, in a few moments, closed her eyes and fell asleep. After a couple of hours, she awakened and needed to use the chamber pot again. Liv made her more willow bark tea, and they talked, sitting at her table with soft pillows behind Ilona’s back.

“Yer tea is delicious, but I fear I’ll need the chamber pot again.” The ladies laughed.

“I will nae tell yer husband about yer condition unless it becomes necessary. But soon, ye will show, and ye should tell him before he finds out from someone else.”

“I still can’t believe it myself. After I heal from this, I will tell him. Otherwise, I fear he will restrict me to the longhouse to sit on my arse all day. I am used to fresh air and hard work.”