Page 52 of A Viking's Captive

Once Ilona finished with the vegetables, she made more bread for dinner and breakfast the next day. She kent her mother would help her to prepare meals since her mother prided herself on her cooking, but for today, she wanted to cook for her parents and Rathnon.

“This is a lovely rocking chair and rocks smoothly. Did Rathnon make it for ye?”

“Rathnon and the carpenter both created it and the cradle. Rathnon did most of the carving with the carpenter’s help. He surprised me with the rocking chair when I returned from caring for the sick son of a neighboring chieftain.”

“He is a gifted artisan who takes great pride in his work. I imagine he is that way about other aspects of his life.”

“When Rathnon first captured me, I tried to escape, but to nae avail. It seemed as if he could read my thoughts and anticipate what I planned next. I thought I had successfully escaped from him, cutting the tie binding me to him when relieving myself in the forest on our way here. I was just ready to congratulate myself in the dark, when his powerful arms grabbed me from behind, he tied me to him again. Rathnon demonstrated when I attempted to flee again, he would cut the tie shorter and shorter. I had nae opportunity when we arrived at the King of Norway’s castle, as he posted a guard on my door.”

“I see,” said her mother, studying her daughter intently.

“A few days before we were married, I tried to steal a boat to sail back home. He followed me stealthily and sabotaged the boat by placing many heavy stones in its bottom. Covered with a thick layer of pine boughs, it was too heavy for me to push into the water. Rathnon caught me on the beach, and I was devastated. He never reprimanded me or punished me but continued to show me how he loved me.

“Rathnon remained gentle and caring and took me into the woods after we wed. We were alone after we were married instead of staying with the others in the longhouse. I fell in love with him little by little in so many ways and finally forgave him for kidnapping me. I asked him to take me to visit ye, and he took my letter to send to ye when ships sailed to Orkney Island or close by. I kent ye both would be worried about me when ye came home from fishing at the loch to discover I had vanished.”

“Aye, we were distraught and worried about what could have happened to ye, with no note left behind. We asked everyone in the village, and at first nae one had any information to share with us. One day in the inn, yer father spoke to the men over a cup of ale, and a relative from one of the men reported one ofhis cousins had been captured by Vikings at the same time ye disappeared. We thought that is what must have happened to ye as well. We were heartbroken ye were kidnapped and had nae idea where ye had been taken.”

“I’m sorry ye had to experience that. I wrote to ye as soon as I could, and the letter was taken to be sent to ye when the weather was favorable.”

“I understand, Ilona. Ye are nae to blame or at fault for anything that happened to ye from the day ye were kidnapped. I am happy Rathnon is a good husband to ye and a good father to yer son. Neither yer father nor I cast any blame upon ye. I am happy if ye had to be kidnapped, Rathnon is the one who claimed ye for his wife.” She smiled at her daughter before her loving gaze returned to her adorable grandson.

“Thank ye, Mother. Ye have lifted a weight off my shoulders. I half expected father to chastise me in front of my husband and blame me for getting kidnapped. I hope I have somewhat redeemed myself now by bearing his grandson, since I am only a disappointing daughter.”

“Ilona, yer father has learned to regret not valuing ye more as his daughter. After ye were kidnapped, he began to recognize how much light and joy ye brought into our lives, and he came to appreciate ye as the grown woman ye are. I’m sorry he did nae show greater appreciation for ye earlier while ye lived with us. He blamed himself for yer abduction and felt he should have protected ye better.”

“Mother, ye and I both ken assigning blame is useless and he was nae at fault. Sooner or later, Rathnon would have captured me after the first time he saw me. He told me he was spellbound the first time he saw me. I have nae idea what he saw in methen that made him ken I would be a good wife for him. He had been raiding for the king for many years and captured countless women, but never wanted one for himself until me. It is still a mystery to me, perhaps to him as well. But now, I am happy he did capture me.”

Ilona worked to make loaves of bread after the dough had risen. Vegetable soup was ready on the stove when Rathnon and her father returned from hunting with pheasants and rabbits, which they prepared outside. They speared them with wooden branches and placed them to roast over a fire on a spit. After they washed, they entered the house, and Rathnon hugged and kissed his wife and then saw Rhona holding their bairn. Ewan quietly approached his grandson sitting in his wife’s arms to avoid startling or scaring him. He spoke quietly and Thor smiled at him, melting his heart. Ilona took Thor from her mother so she could eat. They sat down to eat the vegetable soup with hot bread and butter.

“Ilona, yer soup and bread are delicious and welcome. Rathnon marched us all over to find the game. I quite enjoyed myself. It is a beautiful location ye have chosen for yer home, and the area reminds me of the forests on Orkney.”

“Ilona is an excellent cook and baker,” Rathnon said. “Of course she’s a good hunter too. Something I ken the other women envy. Tomorrow we can go fishing if ye wish, and then we will join everyone in the longhouse for dinner. My aunt, Sigrid, is looking forward to meeting ye both.”

Thor made his voice known then and cooed and vocalized, making them all laugh.

“I ken ye are tired. Yer room is ready if ye’d like to rest until dinner. I’ll tend to the roasting meat while ye rest. Pleasemake yerselves at home here.” Placing his arm around Ilona and smiling down at her, he said, “We are very happy ye are here with us and to meet your grandson. We are hoping this will be one of many visits to see him grow.”

“Thank ye both for yer hospitality. We will rest for a short time,” said Ilona’s father.

Ilona cleared the table and washed it. She carried Thor and accompanied Rathnon outside while he checked on the meat.

“Thank ye for taking my father hunting with ye. He loves hunting. Did he shoot any of the game ye brought home?”

“Aye, he shot a couple of the pheasants, which pleased him. I could tell he enjoyed hunting. How did things go with yer mother?”

“She was impressed with the house you built for us and of course she loves her grandson. Her eyes twinkle when she gazes at him. It is gratifying to see them together.” Rathnon took Thor to hold. Thor watched intently, secure in his father’s strong arms, while the flames leapt up in the firepit.

“Did my parents say how long they could stay?”

“Not directly, but they implied a month—perhaps longer.” They sat side by side, content and smiling deeply at each other while holding hands. The scent of the roasting meat smelled tantalizing. Ilona returned inside a few minutes later, roasting the vegetables in a shallow pan over the hearth. Before the meat had finished roasting, her parents awakened and emerged from their room, looking more well rested than before.

Ilona’s mother asked, “Can I help ye, daughter?”

“Nae tonight, Mother. There will be time later to help. I hope ye enjoy the dinner we prepared for ye. Here in the kingdom of Norway, they usually only eat two meals a day: one mid-morning and one later in the evening before bedtime. Ye will need to tell us when ye are hungry as we have adopted this practice. I usually have soup and bread or bread and cheese for us on days when we are especially hungry and cannae wait to eat.”

A short time later, Ilona set the vegetables on a plate on the table next to a large platter of roasted meat Rathnon had prepared.

Warm bread and butter sat on the table with plates, silverware, and napkins. Rathnon poured cups of ale for them while Ilona put the finishing touches on their meal. They ate with gusto, and her parents voiced their appreciation for the delicious food. They shared stories over dinner while Thor played in his cradle with a carved wooden horse Rathnon had made for him. After dinner, Ilona served fresh berries with cream and hot tea.