《Viking Tribute》Epilogue
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For six weeks we were blissfully happy. I had a cradle made for my son as I didn't like the custom of having him in our bed. I feared that we would smother him. Einarr had it carved with images of his gods, so that they would protect our little boy in his slumber. I would have preferred a less overtly pagan theme, but I had to admit it was beautiful, and it could rock side to side, which did a lot to ensure the peace of our nights. I teased my husband, wondering openly about his strong need for sleep, and whether he might be too old to be a father.
"You are wrong, Sunngifu," he answered me with a wiggle of his eyebrows, "I am training him to be at ease with the movement of a ship. It wouldn't bode well for him to be sick on a raiding party, a trait he might have inherited from his mother..."
I released an outraged gasp and he chortled. "Do not worry for my sleep, there are other activities I wouldn't want our son awake for, although to achieve this I might have to gag his mother."
I shrieked in fake rage and chased him into the Hall, to the amusement of our servants. Since my heroic bout and the birth of an heir, the reservations they had about me seemed to have melted. Following in Lady Disaelfr steps, they now treated me with the respect due to their Godi's wife.
There was something different about Einarr too, although I couldn't quite pinpoint what is was. I put it on his accession to fatherhood, and on Sigurd's defeat. After months of worry about our safety, he could allow himself to enjoy life.
So I was unprepared when one evening, as we were having dinner with a group of travellers on their way to the Althing, he stood and toasted me. "To my wife, whose courage and strong character saved our lives. May she carry many more sons. To Sunngifu!"
My face was on fire as I stammered what I hoped was a graceful answer. While women were sometimes mentioned in toasts, they were not usually the sole object of it. I was more embarrassed than flattered.
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Einarr was aware of it, but it didn't deter him. He fumbled in his satchel and retrieved a small silk pouch. There was a ring inside, of thick silver engraved with runes. He took it and raised his hand for all to see. Then he slid it on my finger.
I looked at it in awe. "I cannot read this, what does it mean?"
He smiled. "Beloved wife, mother of a son, fierce warrior. An accurate description of its bearer, I believe."
"I do not think so, save, mayhap, for the middle part." This was exaggerated, at best. I was no heroine.
He brought my hand to his lips, his eyes fixed on mine. "You have the heart of a warrior, if not all the skills, little dreki. And you are beloved," he whispered, pausing to kiss my fingers. "I had this ring made to let you know that you regained my trust. Actions speak louder than words, and you have proven to me, to all of us, that you were worthy. I love you, Sunngifu."
I was at lost for words. My lips trembled as I struggled to hold my tears, until I couldn't and threw my arms around his neck. "Thank you, thank you..."
He silenced me with a kiss.
Soon it was time for Einarr to go to the Althing. With him were his mother, his men, the farmer who had warned us and Sigurd's defeated warriors, who were fairly angry at how they had been used by their Godi. My husband and Lady Disaelfr had convinced them that Sigurd's claims were unfounded, and they loathed him for their injuries and the death of their companions.
The Althing court ruling was quick and harsh. Sigurd was outlawed and banished from the island. No one was to house or feed him and he could be killed on sight. Several Godar rode back with Einarr and stood outside Sigurd's Hall while they allotted his properties to my husband, his men and Sigurd's farmers as wergild.
Hrefna's freedom was rescinded. She was an escaped slave who had attempted to commit murder and did not belong to Sigurd, and therefore, he couldn't free her. She was returned to Einarr, and I pleaded for her to be executed. I didn't want her anywhere near our home.
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My husband, however, didn't agree. "She is a young and beautiful thrall, Sunngifu, killing her would be a waste. It will be a far more cruel punishment for her to live a long life as a slave, now that she has had a taste of freedom."
So she was scourged as I had been, thrown into the shiel for a night, and then dragged kicking and screaming to the trading post and sold to a trader leaving for Heiðabýr, a large merchant town on the route to the land of the Rus. She was bartered for the price of two cows, which is what I bought with the coin Einarr gave to me. I thought these animals were a suitable replacement for her.
Sigurd left on the same ship, his fare paid by Einarr in memory of their past friendship, and I was relieved that he wouldn't be able to hurt us again.
After this chaotic start, our life settled into a peaceful routine. Every summer after the Althing the ships would be brought to sea. The men would leave for the summer raids and we wouldn't see then for months. During that time we worried and prayed that they would return to us. Both Mildred and I have been lucky, as both our husbands have survived storms and battles to this day.
I have birthed many children, six of which are still alive. My second son was born with badly deformed legs. The labor was long and hard and I lost so much blood that I was unconscious for a day. When I awoke I searched for my child and I was told that he had been exposed. My heart broke and for months I cried over my lost boy. Einarr told me that he had stabbed the bearn's little heart with his seax, sparing him long hours of agony in the bitter cold. I couldn't blame him; it was necessary. The poor angel could never have survived the hardships of this world. But his death will forever be a thorn in my heart.
All my surviving children are married but my youngest daughter. She had been fostered by a prestigious Godi and is promised to his son. My farm will be her dowry. Soon enough all my earthly possessions will be useless to me. I wish that the illness eating my breast will let me live long enough to attend her wedding.
I do not fear death. Five years after I came here, the Althing decided that the island would become Christian. Einarr was reluctantly baptised, yet he still retains his former beliefs. I know that he still worships his gods in secret, a practice that was allowed at first but is now forbidden. I will not tell, even to the priest. It would be unbecoming for a wife to betray her husband, and I love him too much for it. The pagan temple was turned into a church; I am glad that I will be buried with the rites of my religion. It will allow me to be with my Einarr again at the end of times.
On sunny days I stand on the cliffs and watch the sea, hoping for a sail to appear, telling me that he is coming home. When it doesn't my eyes wander away, far over the glistening waters, where sits the land I used to call my own. I think of my father, my brothers, Ailith, and wonder what has become of them. Do I have many nephews and nieces? At the start Einarr was coming back with tidings but then he ceased to go. He never ransomed them again, they were kin. My captivity was their freedom.
As I remember my last day in my father's hall I have no regret. I cannot wish or imagine a better life. My reckless behavior ended up being a blessing in disguise, for without it, I would never have become a Viking's tribute.
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Mine.
"You still don't get it do you?" he asked, anger dripping in his every word."Get what?" I asked, my face morphing into confusion at his question."When I said you were mine, I meant it." he stated, then before I knew it.His lips were on mine.--------------------------Octavia Hill, 19, has just graduated over a month ago from high school and doesn't know what she wants to do now, if she wants to go to college, if she just wants to start working, none of that, what she does know is she wants to live her life to the fullest. Ryder Salvatore, 24, owner of the biggest company in New York, Salvatore inc. by day and biggest New York gang leader by night, Ryder knows what he wants and when he wants it, he'll do anything to get it, although having everything he could have, one thing he still found missing and he had yet to discover what it was. --------------------------What will happen when the biggest gang leader in New York happens to meet a girl who makes him question everything? What will happen when Octavia finally knows what she wants? Are these two the answer to each other's questions?
8 128GEETIKA
My Very First FF...GEETIKA (Actual Start: Mid 2011) LANGUAGES: English, Hindi, Tamil (All languages typed in English with necessary translations) A Love Story of GEETIKA IYER and MAAN SINGH KHURANA 💞 This is my Baby when it comes to writing as this was the first time I had penned down my imaginations on Maaneet... ❤️. As I have mentioned in my personal introduction, GEETIKA is the one which bought the writer out of me...I became a writer OVERNIGHT... 😂 and even today I think that its a 8th wonder to imagine myself as a writer...😜 I was pitying the poor readers..😜. but GEETIKA is the one which made me believe in myself and also way back in 201 and even till date, I had got highly positve reviews from my readers and that's what encouraged me to write further and contributed in writing many more stories...that's why SHE (GEETIKA) has become a important part of ME. 😍...and SHE holds that strong place even today. 😘 (WORK UNDER PROGRESS)
8 87rick grimes x reader
you meet during the apocalypse and slowly begin to get to know eachother. rivals or not, there's a connection between you both that you cannot deny.--------y/n's pronouns will be they/them (i want everyone to feel comfortable whilst reading this.)y/n is black as they're related to Tyreese and Sasha!--------love interest is ONLY rick...maybe someone else on the side :) 2nd love interest may be a woman, respect that please. --------i will update as soon as possible! enjoy! leave comments!& thankyou for over 1k reads!!! i'm so greatful
8 83The Emperor's General
"I vow to be loyal and sacrifice my life to my country." This was the oath he made when he first joined the army. Now here he was surrounded by hateful gazes of his own people for murdering their country's Mother Empress.He was once a mighty general known as the God of War and now instead of dying a prideful death, he was convicted of treason. A traitor to his own country.Su Ying only wanted one more chance to make things right. He wanted to prove himself as the trusted General of the Emperor he had once been. He wanted to go back to the man he loved. He wished he could go back to the time where he could watch the man silently."Only if I knew things would end up like this, I would have already confessed my love to you." This was the last thought of Su Ying before he was beheaded.He died full of regrets but never did he think he would get a second chance.
8 220FORBIDDEN ||KookV||
There was a sobbing tone in Taehyung's voice as he said, "You're crazy! I am your son!"Who would have imagined that when Jungkook heard these words, he sneered and said, "I don't have a son like you." Taehyung said with cries, "Why, am I not your son?"Jungkook said, "I do not regard you as my son." A forbidden romance between father and son. (Not blood-related)If this topic triggers you, you can skip it. Please do not report.THIS STORY DOESN'T BELONG TO ME. IT IS A KOOKV ADAPTATION OF A CHINESE BL NOVEL. ALL CREDITS GOES TO THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR AND TRANSLATOR.Author: Xī ZǐxùEnglish Translator: StormFrostHighest Ranks 1 in #father-son1 in #forcedrelationship1 in #badending6 in #controled1 in #manipulation1 in #jungkookxtaehyung2 in #KookV
8 191Emilia ✔️ NOW PUBLISHED!
⚠️ Published version Available in Paperback & E-Book through Amazon!This WattPad version is a well-loved rough draft, enjoy it! But be warned it's the unedited, raw version of the book. •••Even when it seems that all hope is lost, is it truly lost forever? The continuation of Aiden. ♥️♠️-------**Mature Romance****Mature Audience 18+****Strong Language****Sexual Content**
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