Page 36 of A Viking's Captive

While Rathnon ventured into the village, Ilona baked rye bread into large loaves. Shortly after she removed the bread from the oven, Rathnon returned to escort her to the longhouse for their evening meal.

Everyone enjoyed the venison stew and rye bread Ilona made, and they thanked her for the food. Rathnon’s spark of pride and his expressions as he ate her grandmother’s stew recipe brought her the most joy.

On another dark and cold winter night, the group shared an evening of tall tales and stories over their dinner and whiskey. The fire glowed, and Ilona basked in the nearness of her husband at her side. Tucked into their beds, the wee bairns slumbered, while the older children listened in rapt wonder as their elders shared Norse tales.

Candles flickered and shadows danced across the faces of the elders sharing stories for the edification of all. Ilona appreciated the tales new to her but held other tales her grandmother had read to her in her heart. Rathnon and Ilona bundled up against the cold and, taking a lantern with them, retraced their steps to their home.

Days later, Ilona spun yarn and wound it into balls. Afterward, she worked the loom and wove the wool yarn into warm and thick cloth. Women envied her skill at weaving and her artistry in selecting colors to blend into various designs. Little did they ken she wove her worries and hopes into each cloth. Mayhap her hopes would erase or mitigate her worries and fears.Will he ever let me return home, even to visit?It saddened her; Ilona feared she would never see her parents again.

Rathnon had completed the second bed, and placed it in the other bedroom. The beautiful carving he’d completed with Ivar’s help included forests, deer, two wolves, mountains in the background, and a star. Ilona fell in love with the carvings on the headboard.

“Ye did an amazing job carving this bed, Rathnon. It is more beautiful than the one I had made for us.”

“Thank ye, Ilona. Yers is beautiful, and I find peace in your arms in our bed. But we need to try out this bed to ken howcomfortable it is,” he said with an inviting twinkle in his eye. He lavished kisses upon his wife and laid her gently on the unmade bed. He took his time in pleasuring her, and he kent all her secret places that made her cry out for him. When they had finished, Ilona lay half undressed and blushing in his arms.

“I think it will do, husband, do ye nae?”

“I think we may need to test it a few more times,” he said with a wicked smile.

In the past, they had invited Sigrid to come share their home, but she insisted they live privately for now. “After yer bairn is born, I agree to stay with ye to help ye.”

“Ye are welcome anytime, Sigrid. Ye do nae need an invitation,” Ilona said. Gratitude filled Rathnon’s heart, kenning Ilona cared deeply for his aunt.

Gradually, the winter storms gave way to early spring rains. Initially, the days remained dark and intense, with stormy skies and leaden clouds. But every day, Rathnon and Ilona were grateful for the cocoon of their love and their physical relationship, which intensified their feelings. When Rathnon left for work, Ilona worried about him.

After dinner, when they were alone in their home, Ilona read a book Rathnon had brought back from his travels. Other evenings, she sewed by the light of the hearth and lanterns. Rathnon whittled and carved wooden handles for blades or tools. At times he joined Ilona in reading a book too, until he scooped her up in his arms and took her to bed.

As a young warrior, Rathnon had great stamina, but as Ilona’s pregnancy advanced, he took care to make her comfortable in their lovemaking positions. After their lovemaking, Ilona enjoyed snuggling and talking with Rathnon. Overwhelmed by his feelings of love for Ilona, his love for her grew day by day. Never had he experienced such feelings with another woman.

Particular about the women he had lain with in the past, his reputation as a man did not depend on his conquests of women. Rathnon did not care for men boasting of their prowess in seducing women. His reputation as a fearless and fierce warrior spoke for itself.

Unbeknownst to Ilona, Rathnon had been working in secret with Ivar to build and carve a large wooden cradle. The carving alone was taking months, never mind building the rocking cradle. He gave a lot of thought to the carvings. Ultimately, he thought he would carve part of his journey to discover Ilona on Orkney and their journey here. A carving such as this would blend the common aspects of their backgrounds.

When he reflected on his intense search for a woman to love and take as a wife, he was grateful for Ilona. Rathnon had almost given up on his search. Unable to imagine his life without Ilona, he contemplated what that loss would be like. Ilona illuminated his life—she was his light and his love. Finally, with Ilona at his side, he could sleep well throughout the night. Rarely now did he experience nightmares from the many battles he had fought. For interminable years, he didn’t think he would overcome the darkness in his past.

Rathnon loved and appreciated Ilona and the love she shared with his clan. Rathnon wanted to lavish his love on her in many memorable ways. Rathnon built a web of love to ensnare Ilona’sheart, for her love to bloom, and never want to leave him ever again.

Every day he battled against a voice in his head that whispered,She will still try to escape you. He held a vision for their love, life, and family, and he wanted to share it with Ilona.

Rathnon could rid himself of his nocturnal demons tormenting him when he made love to Ilona and lost himself in their passion. He had no fear in battle. His only fear was losing Ilona. His heart was already hostage since he had lost it to her.

Chapter 12

Spring Challenges

The heavy spring rains transformed into warmer and sunnier days, which led Ilona back to tending her garden. Happily, she returned to walking with Rathnon in the forest; while he hunted, she searched for herbs and healing plants. Ilona collected plants she could use for dyeing wool yarn. She shared her bounty of healing herbs and plants with Liv, who appreciated all she brought.

As her pregnancy advanced, Ilona found it more difficult to weave nonstop for hours on end. Instead, she needed to take a break, get up, and engage in other activities. Ilona spoke to Ivar, who reassured her. Ivar would complete her cradle with plenty of time in the remaining weeks of her pregnancy.

One day in early spring, Rathnon received a summons to attend to the king. This brought great worry to Ilona.

“Did his missive to ye indicate what he needs ye to do?”

“Nae, he did nae. But I suspect he wishes to discuss plans as his wife is due with their bairn soon, like ye. He wants to keep his commitments light so he can attend to his wife’s needs with their first bairn.”

“I ken he is anxious over his wife and their bairn’s birth.”

“Aye. I have nae heard there are any special concerns in our relations with other kingdoms. Aspects of our trade agreements need to be initiated when the weather allows. The king may wishto confer about how best to proceed, since I helped to obtain these agreements.