Greenland loomed before them. Anwen smiled. Despite the cold, she loved the lay of Greenland. They anchored in a sheltered cove on the western side of the island. They disembarked and made their way to a few ramshackle huts not very far inland. For Anwen, these huts provided more than just shelter. They provided stories of the Vikings who had come before them. They were a window to the past. Anwen loved the stories her father had told her of Viking shield maidens when she was a child.

“Mama!” a small voice cried.

Anwen turned to the sound of the voice. She smiled. Of all the things on the earth, only the sea and her daughter made her this happy. She met her daughter on the stoney beach.

“Asena, how I’ve missed you” she told the girl, swooping her up into a hug.

“I missed you too mama,” Asena replied wrapping her thin arms around her neck.

Few, if any, ever saw her this way. Happy on land. The idea seemed ludicrous but her daughter brought her the happiness the sea never could.

“Let’s go see your father,” she told Asena.

Asena’s father was a swordsmith, who was versed in the ways of the Viking sword. He was one of the few who stilled practiced it. Anwen had freed him from a prison transport along with many others. At the time, Anwen valued him only for his skills. It was why she’d let him join her crew as they sailed back to Greenland. Through talk of swordmaking and his required needs they became friends and eventually lovers. Anwen hadn’t know she was carrying Asena when she set out. She discovered very quickly that she was. The first month at sea she was bedridden with seasickness, which was very unusual for someone who basically grew up on a ship. Eventually, the sickness was tolerable and she was able to fight with her crew. Three weeks before they were due back to Greenland, after months at sea, Anwen went into labor. She still hated the idea, even after 7 years. Asena was born aboard the ship. She was as much a part of the ship as her mother was.