Einarr came to visit me the next morning. He was limping slightly, from a cut to the outside of his thigh. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest in relief. He was alive.

It was noon when he arrived, and I was still asleep. The bearn had been crying his hunger every second hour, exhausting me. Soon after the birth, I had been washed again and my son left to sleep beside me. In the morn, Svana had taken him away, to my utter relief. I was so tired that I feared I would crush him in my slumber.

A kiss on my forehead woke me. I held out my hands like a well-trained dog, only noticing Einarr when no red and screaming little boy was placed in them. Feeling silly, I wrapped my arms around my husband's neck. "I'm so happy to see you well. I was worried..."

"I can say the same to you, my sweet wife. I am so sorry I couldn't be there to support you as I should, but as I predicted, you gave me a strong son. The color of his hair concerns me though; he might have inherited his mother's temper..." I pulled sharply onto his locks and he winked. "That's exactly what I was talking about."

He gave me a little peck and went on: "How are you feeling, little dreki? According to Svana's mother, it was fast and easy, as your labor was early. She would have feared for your life, had you been at full term. My heir," he gloated, "is tall and his shoulders are broad. He will make a fine warrior."

I had to smile at his fatherly pride. "If that was easy, I hope none of our future children will bide their time; I doubt I would survive it." I shivered at the memory of the pain. My whole body felt raw and fragile. "I take it that you were victorious? Was there any damage to our home?"

He shook his head. "Very little. I believe Sigurd placed his most seasoned warriors on the road. The dozen he sent to the house had hoped to storm the place by surprise, and didn't expect much resistance. They were not very skilled; three of them were badly wounded by the time we arrived and the others were held at bay."

I frowned. The defence of the house had been left in the hands of five soldiers, a number of servants and thralls, half of them female, and Lady Disaelfr, a woman of at least five decades. "How? We were outnumbered..."

The corner of Einarr's mouth twitched. "My mother had carts, barrels and bales of hay spread between the enclosure wall and the sea to block access from the road, and servants with slings positioned on the roofs. She posted our best men at the weak points, gave spears to the others and stones to women and children, and it was enough keep their assailants at bay."

"Really?" I was unconvinced. Lady Disaelfr had seemed so upset that I struggled to believe she had devised such a cunning strategy.

"My mother was a shieldmaiden in her youth, Sunngifu. She has fought many a battle, and my father had to court her for months before she consented to marry him. She had to sheath her sword as it is against the law for women to bear arms here, but she can still protect her people when needed."

My eyes widened. I had thought shieldmaiden legendary. The idea of a woman wielding a sword was foreign to us Saxons, although scop's songs mentioned them. "How is that possible? I was told she was of noble blood?"

"She is, yet she chose the path of the warrior. She travelled to the land of the Rus and fought for them. My father met her when she was visiting her family in Norway. He wasn't young but he managed to win her heart..."

He was rudely interrupted by our son's loud wail. He picked him up and cooed at him, beaming when the little one answered with a half-smile. "I rescind my earlier words. He has his father's good nature."

Einarr deposited the babe in my arms. I nursed my child, too absorbed in the contemplation of my little angel to berate his father for his taunting.

Yet he managed to get my attention. "I have to leave, Sunngifu, I must go to the Fjórðungsdómar (summer court)."

I raised my head so fast that my neck protested. "Surely they won't expect you there after this! What of the naming ceremony? And what will we do if Sigurd Godi tries another trick? He might not be fooled twice."

"I doubt he will. Yet he wasn't there. I was told that he left for court as planned while his men stayed behind. It is clever, really. He could deny his involvement, had he succeeded. Even with him failing, the fact that he wasn't there means that I have to bring the matter to the judges to obtain retribution."

Were my ears wrong? This wasn't fair. "Can you not wait for him to come back and ambush him as he did?"

Einarr gave me a tight smile. "Then I would be accused of murder and risk a feud or banishment. It isn't so simple, Sunngifu. We have laws. Had Sigurd been present, I could have killed him in battle without second thoughts. His absence gives me no choice. Besides, I have promised my help to Domarr."

I sighed. "I understand. Pray, be careful. I nearly lost you, I can't bear the thought of it happening again."

He kissed my lips, and then the bearn's head. "I won't be long. We will have to push the horses, but I will return in time to name the little one. Do not worry, I will accept him."

I pouted and swatted him with my free hand. "Of course you will. Or I'll expose you. Go now, before I lose patience."

With Einarr gone, I was in no hurry to return to our house. I was certain to face the wrath of Lady Disaelfr for disregarding her commands. Three days passed before I could gather the strength to travel home.

It was a strange to ride, with my sweet bearn strapped to my back by a length of cloth. I was terrified that I would fall, breaking his fragile bones, and still uncomfortable astride on the saddle. Yet it was a short enough trip, a few hours, and we soon were in sight of our home.

There was no sign of a fight. The improvised barriers had been removed, and the yard was no different than when I had left.

I dismounted and plastered my sweetest smile to my face. Svana helped me unwrap my son and I took him in my arms, just in time to see Lady Disaelfr appear in the doorway.

She nearly ran to us, all pretence of dignified posture forgotten. "Sunngifu, I am so glad to find you in good health. My son told me what you did for him, it was foolish, but it saved his life. I would have done no better at your age."

She opened her arms and stepped closer, likely to hug me. It was so strange that I hastily proffered my wiggling little bundle. "This is your grand-son. Lord Einarr has an heir." I couldn't hide the pride in my voice. There is no worse fate for a wife than to be barren, but carrying only girls is close second. Bearing a boy as a first child was no small accomplishment.

"He is beautiful, Sunngifu. You must be hungry and thirsty, as I was when nursing Einarr. Come inside, we will sit and talk."

And just like that, I went from being a necessary nuisance to a perfect wife in Lady Disaelfr eyes.

Over the next few days I spent all my free time helping to prepare the feast for the Sumardagurinn Fyrsti, the first day of the summer, which happened to fall at the same time as the naming ceremony. Lady Disaelfr was delighted, as it was a good omen. We discussed names, wondering what Einarr would decide. It was important. A name could shape the life of its bearer, or so they thought.

We were ready, the word had been spread, but on the eve of the feast, there was still no news or sign of Einarr. I was mad with worry. What if Sigurd had not gone to court? He could have delayed on the way and lured my husband into another trap. What if Einarr's case had been overturned by the court and he ended up accused of either the attack or his former wife's death?

And what if he had an accident on the road?

I slept very little that night, and got up in the morning feeling sick. I fought my tears while nursing my son; there was no need to upset him.

Lady Disaelfr squeezed my shoulder. "He will be there, even a god couldn't stop him."

She insisted that we should proceed as planned. So we ate our breakfast, dressed in our finest garbs, covered ourselves in all our jewels, while the guests poured into the hall. I was losing hope when the sound of galloping hooves made me rush outside. There, leaning on an exhausted horse and covered in dust and mud, was my husband.

He grinned at me, sent me a kiss, and ran towards the bath house. I sent a servant to fetch his clothes and followed him. I found him in the tub, caring little that the water was cold. I passed him the soap and threw scented oils in the water, before sitting on a bench beside it. "I'm so glad to see you, I have missed you much. Did you achieve what you were hoping for?"

He paused his scrubbing to answer me. "I did. Sigurd's fate will be decided at the Althing, in a few weeks, and Domarr won his case. In the meantime, I get to enjoy my wife and son. You might soon get tired of me."

I moved closer, careful not to stain my dress. "It won't happen. But we have to hurry if you still wish to do the ceremony. What name have you chosen?"

He smiled. "Always so impatient, Sunngifu, you will never change. And I wouldn't have it any other way."

He rose and I noticed the angry mark on his thigh. It wasn't healed, but it was clean. Then my eyes wandered and he chuckled. "If you do not look away, we are going to be very late. I had breakfast but there is another hunger I'd love to satisfy..."

I huffed and shook my head. And he dared say I would never change? What about him?

As soon as he was dressed, he took me in his arms for a quick kiss and we made our entrance into the hall. I let him walk alone to the dais while I picked my bearn and lowered him carefully to the ground in front of his father.

Einarr greeted the crowd and nodded. I brought the child to him and installed him comfortably in the crook of his arm. He beamed at his son. "I give you the blessing of the great god Thor," he bellowed, tracing a sign alike a cross on the tiny forehead.

Lady Disaelfr advanced, carrying a ceremonial bowl filled with water. Einarr dipped his fingers and sprinkled the babe's face, causing it to scrunch up. "I name you Harald, in honor of your royal ancestor. May you bring this name pride and glory. Behold, my son and heir!"

The room burst in acclamations and a file of people formed, bearing gifts.

Soon after, the summer celebrations started, and the day was filled with joy and laughter.

Late in the evening, as Svana minded little Harald in our room, and the guests were deep in their cups, I walked to the edge of the fjord with Einarr. His arm was around my shoulders and I rested my head on his chest.

"Do you miss your family, Sunngifu?"

I nestled deeper in his warmth. "I used to, not so long ago, but not anymore. My place is here, with you and my son and all the others. You are my family now."

I turned and leaned against him. He wrapped his cloak around us and we remained there, immobile, listening to the waves crashing on the shore.