Page 51 of A Viking's Captive

“Aye, ye ken I would be happy to help ye, as we discussed earlier,” Graham responded. “To make it easier, I’d like to bring the animals to my barn instead of having to ride back and forth between yer farm and mine several times a day.”

“Aye, a sound idea. Ye and yer wife can harvest any plants ye need from my gardens while we are away. I can’t tell ye what it means to my wife and me to see our daughter again and meet our grandson. Ye will need to tend to the meat in the smokehouse periodically as the men shot a huge stag today. I will share their bounty with ye.”

“When do ye need to leave?”

Rathnon answered, “We’d like to leave as soon as they can be ready to take advantage of the weather. I do nae wish to leave my wife and bairn longer than necessary.”

“I understand. I can be ready tomorrow. I wish ye a fair voyage.” They thanked him and rode back to the stone cottage. Rathnon sent his friend to the ships to alert the men to be ready in the morning. Olaf took the sack of clothes and items for Ilona her parents had given him and stowed it on the ship.

Rathnon and Olaf slept in the forest again and smoked meat and fish all night to take with them on the ship. Ready before first light, they made oatcakes and placed them in oilskin bags to protect them. Ilona’s parents, Rathnon, and Olaf doubled up on the horses to bring Ilona’s parents down to the sea.

The men on the ships bowed respectfully to them before Ilona’s parents boarded. As soon as they were aboard and the horses were boarded on another ship, they sailed away from the shore. Rathnon offered a rope to Ilona’s parents. Her father did not accept one, but he tied his wife to the bulwark protectively and then wrapped a warm cloak about her shoulders.

Ewan had sailed the seas many years. The first day was uneventful and they camped on Shetland Island, with Ilona’s mother happy to be on dry land again. They ate a hearty meal around the fire and drank ale. The men told stories, and Rathnon and Olaf translated for Ilona’s parents. They awakened early and set sail. They sailed all day and night, changing watches and rowing duties. On the third day, they sighted home, with Rathnon, pointing out landmarks to Ilona’s father.

They disembarked a short distance away, where they could easily unload the ship but leave little visible evidence of their having alighted there. Rathnon thanked and parted company with Olaf and the men. He provided horses for Ilona’s parents to follow him and ride home to surprise Ilona. Still early in the morning, they quietly made their way. They dismounted theirhorses and tethered them. Rathnon opened the door to his home and saw Ilona rocking their bairn to sleep.

Ilona was surprised he had returned sooner than expected. She stood and placed their bairn in the cradle before Rathnon swept her up in his arms for a fierce kiss, bringing a blush to her cheeks.

“I missed ye, Ilona, and couldn’t wait to return to ye and our bairn. I brought something back with me from my travels to surprise ye.” He turned, no longer blocking Ilona’s view, and she started as she saw her parents standing there before her on the threshold of her home. She could nae believe her eyes. Rathnon released her, and she ran into the waiting arms of her father and mother. She sobbed with happiness in seeing them again after so long.

“I can’t believe it! Ye are truly here! I dreamed about and wished for this moment. How did ye meet Rathnon to come here? Please come inside and put down yer things. I’ll make us tea, and Rathnon has whiskey, Father, to warm ye after yer journey.”

They first admired their sleeping grandson. The joy in their smiles was evident. Rathnon’s heart swelled, seeing Ilona and her parents’ joy at being reunited and seeing their grandson for the first time. They gathered at the table, and Ilona made tea for her mother and herself while Rathnon served her father and himself generous portions of whiskey. As they sat at the table, Ilona gathered bread, and placed it on the table with slices of venison and cheese, knowing they must be hungry after their journey. Earlier in the morning, Ilona had made a pot of soup, which they could have for dinner, giving them more time to talk together.

Ilona sat down at the table next to Rathnon, who grabbed her hand with his. It seemed he had missed her as much as she had missed him.

“How did ye encounter each other?”

“Child, we did not encounter each other. Yer husband, Rathnon, journeyed to our home to persuade us to come with him to yer home. He had written to us and invited us months ago to prepare. He has been quite considerate of us on our voyage here. I couldn’t wait to see ye and yer bairn with my own eyes, and I ken yer father was as keen as I to be here with ye.” Ilona’s mother’s eyes twinkled with happiness, a wide smile on her face.

“I am glad to be here with ye and yer husband and our grandson, and to see how ye live. I am happy to receive his invitation to come visit ye.”

“How did ye write an invitation to them? Ye don’t write Gaelic, ye only speak it. Ah, I ken—Sigrid helped ye compose it.

“Ye have been planning this for a long time to surprise me. I cannae believe it. It is a wonderful surprise husband!” Rathnon picked up Ilona’s hand and kissed it tenderly.

“Ye built a fine house, Rathnon,” Ilona’s father complimented. “Yer house rivals those of the best houses in Orkney. Will ye show me around the area?”

“Aye, I will. Before I take your father to show him the loch, burn, well, and other things, is there anything ye need?”

“Nae, thank ye. We have everything we need until tomorrow, when I imagine ye will wish to take my father hunting or fishing with ye.” Rathnon kissed her and the men left. Rathnon took hisbow and arrows with him in case he spied game when they were out.

Alone with her mother, the women embraced again. “Are ye truly happy here with yer husband? Is he a good husband to ye and father to yer son?”

“Aye, he is wonderful, Mother. At first, when he kidnapped me, I was incredibly angry he stole me away from ye and father. I was frightened and didn’t ken what would happen to me. Rathnon is an honorable man. He works for the King of Norway as a warrior, and last year he had to travel for many months to negotiate trade agreements with other countries. He is a good husband and father and works hard to provide for us and others in the village. He has been kind, loving, and patient with me as I learned his customs and language.”

“I am glad to hear it, Ilona. I have only ever wanted yer happiness. He shared with us how much he loves ye and yer bairn.”

“When I first arrived in this village, I stayed in the longhouse. Rathnon’s aunt, Sigrid, was helpful and taught me many things. She had been kidnapped from Scotland too. Rathnon built this home for us knowing I preferred to live with him in a similar way as on Orkney. He and other men labored many long hours to build this house. Rathnon placed his own comfort behind my happiness.”

“It is indeed admirable. I’m glad his aunt was an ally for ye after ye first arrived here. I look forward to meeting her and thanking her for yer care. Yer son is a handsome lad and looks like his father. I imagine he is quite proud of him.”

“Aye, he’s proud of me and our son. Let me show ye to yer room. It is all ready for ye.” Ilona walked into the guest room. “Here’s yer bedroom, and ye can place yer clothes in the chest of drawers or the trunk. When the men return, I’ll show ye the outhouse, well, and the loch. Ye must have seen our garden when ye came upon the house.”

“Yer home is beautiful, Ilona. Ye take pride in yer husband, which is a good thing. I admired yer lovely garden before we came inside.”

The men returned, and the women left, with Thor still sleeping soundly. Ilona showed her mother the area around their home. She wanted her parents to feel comfortable in her home. After the women returned, the men went out hunting. Thor awakened, Ilona changed his diapers, and nursed him. Then she gave him to her mother to rock, providing Ilona time to pick vegetables for dinner.