Aislynn woke knowing that there was something different about today. As she lay in bed, stretching lazily she went through her mental list of the day's chores there was something else she had to do this day.
Of course it was her wedding day.
Emotionally there was no sense of dread, no sense of anticipation she was just making an alliance with another ally. It had been that way for her three older sisters and it would be the same for her.
There was a slight sense of the unknown but this was only because she knew that after tonight she would no longer be a virgin.
This was part of being a bride, her own gift to her husband. She knew what she needed about making babies, had even helped deliver them, so although she had not been intimate with a man it did not frighten her. Aislynn was a very logical thinker, at times maybe too practical, but she had decided it was a good thing.
So this business of being with a man shouldn't be that bad, after all animals and people had babies year after year so it should be alright, or there would be no babies made at all.
The bedroom door opened and Aislynn's Mother came in carrying the bridal gown. The mother and daughter both looked alike, with sandy red hair and dark brown eyes. They shared the same wide friendly smile and warm personality. Of all the sisters Aislynn was the youngest and the most favoured by her mother.
"Mama?" Aislynn started to ask, as the older woman sat her up and started to brush out her long thick hair. "What is he like?"
"Who my pet?" her Mother asked smiling to herself she had been well prepared for these questions. Only wishing that her baby could have married for love not for property or alliance.
"Peder.... I have only seen him once since we were children...what is he like?" Aislynn continued, her thoughts caught up in a dream of a handsome and tall man with long fair hair and blue eyes.
"He is a little older than yea, he is dark and fine looking a bit taller than yea, but a goodly man Pet!" her mother answered trying to sound confident, there was something she didn't like about this man, who was to wed her youngest and sweetest.
Annya her sister came in with a bunch of fresh wild flowers picked from the moors. "Good morn' Mama, good morn' Aislynn!" She smiled, her pregnancy was heavily advanced and she eased herself down on the chair, "this wee one is taking it's time in comin Mama!" she said with a grin.
"Well you had best be used to it Annya it is your third wee one, maybe a boy this time!" her mother said gently, she was so proud of her four daughters, now her baby was leaving for her own husband and family.
"Mama please don't cry!" Aislynn said startled at her Mother's sudden tears.
"Oh don't worry your old Ma is just being silly, how's everything out there Annya everyone here yet?"
"Yes Mama we had better see about getting the brat ready!" Annya teased as she pulled herself up and helped thread the strings of tiny pearls through Aislynn's hair.
Finally after fastening the jeweled girdle around her hips Aislynn was ready, her cream woolen gown clung to her shapely form, the bodice trimmed with frothy lace. Tiny gold roses embroidered around the hem. She was so beautiful, gracefully she followed her Mother and sister out, stealing herself for the ceremony ahead, not even letting herself think of what happens later.
The attack was sudden and violent, coming from the north, the Viking raiders took the guards by surprise, out numbered and out fought, the guards surrendered to the raiders, hoping to be spared and enlisted to fight.
The Vikings knew exactly what they were doing and what they were looking for, keeps like this were easy pickings for the more experienced warriors. One man stood apart from the others, fighting only when he was personally attacked. He watched with a detached interest, these raids were so boring but it kept his men happy, he was there to see what they could reap for themselves and if there were any worth selling in slavery.
His thoughts drifted back to the Spring just gone, when his best friend and brother died in his arms after a raid gone wrong.
Now he offered his ship to others and went along as planner and to lead the attacks, but that was it, so far it had been a very profitable plan.
When the keep had been robbed of the riches, the Vikings herded the women together in the courtyard, they were treated with some respect and none were attacked or raped, the more game women who had tried to fight the Warriors were subdued and had their wrists tied tightly to prevent any further trouble.
With swiftness that came with practice they herded the women into a cart, ready to be taken to the ship. The guards and men who were not killed were chained together in two rows and placed ready to march behind the cart.
Then the leader, called his men to him and they did a final search of the keep, they came across a locked door, bursting through they found an old woman huddled in a corner, she had long grey hair tied in loose plaits and dull grey eyes.
"Please Sirs, thank the Gods that yea are here, I was a prisoner I was!" she wept, praying that the accepted her story.
He looked at her for a moment, then followed her nervous stare to a tapestry. Striding over to it, he wrenched it aside, hidden together was a heavily pregnant woman and a younger woman, dressed as a bride. Holding his hand out he helped the sisters out of their hiding place. He looked at them carefully for a moment, the expectant one was of no use, she would probably drop the child before they docked, "Go, thank your Gods today I feel merciful!" he growled at her, then he turned to the young bride, "You on the other hand, are now my property, move!" he grabbed her slightly harder than he wanted to, she was so pretty, her large doe like brown eyes held him captive for a moment.
He dragged her behind him leaving her tearful sister standing there. They passed through what was to have been the wedding hall, here they found the bodies of her betrothed and of her father. Sobbing freely now, Aislynn pulled on his arm, "please if you have any decency let me bury my family!" she begged, tears rolling her face.
He looked down at her, for a moment then shrugged. "you have two hours make the best of them!" he said and walked away, no longer able to look at her face.
They boarded the ship later in the day, he ordered for the young bride to be taken to his cabin, the rest of the female slaves were locked in cells below, the decks. The men were chained to the massive oars, to power the vessel north.
Aislynn sat sniffing miserably, she had no idea if her mother or her sisters lived through the attack. He came in finely and sat down opposite her, tired he rubbed his eyes then took a good look at Aislynn. "I have decided to keep you for myself, you will tend my needs as I require it, you need not fear, I don't take women against there will, they come to me eagerly, you can use that bunk over there, can you cook and clean girl?" he asked gruffly.
Aislynn lifted her head high with pride and looked at him directly in the eyes, "Yes I can cook and clean and tend to anything yea require......my name is not girl, it is Aislynn!" she finished proudly, he had not broken her yet.
He looked at her for a minute longer then shook his head, he was too tired to worry about a sassy slave. "help me with my boots Girl..Aislynn, you can call me Verk or whatever you want, when I am not in ear shot!"
The journey lasted ten days, during the time on board Aislynn tended to the needs of VHerk quietly, without complaint, biding her time. With the weather getting a lot closer as they traveled north, VHerk ordered that the slaves be given extra furs and warm food making sure they were well cared for paid off in the long run.
He found Aislynn busy tidying the cabin, she kept it so clean, he could scarcely believe it was the same room, she worked quietly and with little complaint. There was something about her that reminded him of someone along time ago. Before his heart hardened and he became so indifferent to people.
VHerk watched her move around the cabin, the sway of her hips, the way she hummed to herself as she worked, he tried to stop thinking of her so much and to concentrate on the charts and maps in front of him on the table but his attention kept returning to her.
"Aislynn come, sit and talk with me!" he finally spoke, to distracted to work.
"And what do yea want to talk about?" Aislynn asked as she sat down on the chair opposite him, trying not to make eye contact with those beautiful blue eyes of his.
"Whatever you would like!" he answered absently, all he really wanted to do was to take her to his bed.
"Why are yea so cold and so mean?" Aislynn asked directly, deciding she could speak plainly with the man, if he was anything like she thought he was.
VHerk looked at her with a hard cold stare, she had more going for her than looks that was for sure but he wondered about just how direct and sharp her tongue was.
"You do not worry about how you speak to me? you should Girl!"
VHerk grumbled.
"No Sir I don't and please do not call me Girl!" Aislynn stuck to her direct line of speaking, "and yea haven't answered my question!" she reminded him.
"I am not mean or cold! I just don't bother with people anymore!" came his reply, his mind wondering back to a time long ago. He shuddered and turned his attention back to Aislynn.
"She must have hurt yea pretty badly!" Aislynn said suddenly earning her a hateful stare,
"mind your own business Wench remember your place!" VHerk snarled.
"How can I forget?" Aislynn snapped back, VHerk jumped up his hand ready to slap her face. Then he stopped when he saw her defiant face turned to him, how she braced herself for the slap and he lowered his hand and stormed out of the cabin. Happy to have the sea wind in his face, and to be alone with his thoughts.
His mind soon drifted back to when he was a young man facing his wedding night. The cold hearted young woman who lay waiting for him in his bed, she had promised him to love him forever, Gebah said she adored him, until they were wed, then she had changed, he tried to get her face out of his mind, her long dark hair and almost black dark blue eyes. Her chilling laugh after they had spent their wedding night together, truly she was a witch and had enchanted him. The birth of his son, should have brought about a time of rejoicing and have brought both he and Gebah closer together, instead she refused him completely, she had what she desired, a husband of substance and a son and heir to her husband, now all she wanted was to cause his death, to let their son take his place instead. Jarrod was only six months old the last time he had seen them, before Gebah had her own soldiers attack and try to kill him while she fled with their son, years of trying to find them made him bitter and dead in his heart. It was fifteen years since, he had last seen Jarrod, he would be a man and unknown to him. Now there was this intriguing young welsh woman with a fire inside that he hadn't seen inside for a long time.
Thumping the balustrade he stormed back into the cabin, "If you must know I was married and had a son, she made a fool of me and took my son, I will never.....!" he yelled, stopping when he saw her tear stained face, he sat down asking "what now?"
"I-I am sorry!" she gulped back her tears and stood up, "I will go get your meal for you!" she said quietly, trying to be a good slave, though it grated against her nerves.
"SIT, please sit down Aislynn!" he tried to be patient.
Aislynn sat down delicately sniffing back another wave of tears, she hated crying in private let alone in front of a man like VHerk but she felt so alone suddenly, her family, her familiar surroundings all gone.
Slowly he started to talk, bit by bit the story of Gebah and Jarrod came out. While he talked he felt like a great weight was being lifted off him.
"Oh Sir I am so sorry for yea, it must be so hard to lose a wee one like that!" Aislynn placed a hand on his arm tenderly and looked into his eyes, "it must have broken your heart!"
VHerk looked at her for a moment, she was so gentle and so sweet looking, it took everything in him not to pick her up and bed her there and then, suddenly a head appeared in the door way, "land ahead Sir, we are getting ready to dock!" the warrior said quickly and left without waiting for a reply. He knew his Captain well.
VHerk stood up and looked down at Aislynn, a touch of regret around his eyes. "Stay in here until I send for you!" he warned as he left.
Aislynn stared at the door for a few moments after he had left, then she sat back and tried to relax.
It seemed like an eternity before he came back for her. Aislynn felt like she was going to faint, when she saw her childhood nanny and companion Annie behind VHerk, "Annie!" she cried running into the older woman's arms.
"The two of you will travel in my wagon with me, I have decided to keep you!" he spoke gruffly to them and then left.
"Oh Annie!" Aislynn sobbed her relief at seeing a friendly and familiar face overwhelmed the usually practical and sensible girl, her tears fell freely and she clung to Annie like a lifeline.
The castle loomed large as they got closer to it, Aislynn watched in wonder as the people working in the fields near by and in the village, cheered and welcomed their Lord home. He was so popular to them, he was a very different person than the one she knew who had raided her family home and taken her as a slave.
Inside children ran around under the watchful eyes of their minders, it seemed to be a happy and relaxed place, which shocked her even more. The two welsh women were led to a room where a large tub of steaming water and clean dresses for them were prepared for them. Feeling more alive after bathing Aislynn waited for the next shock to hit her. A young woman with yellow plaits and the palest of blue eyes came in and took Annie by the hand, "You are to be working in the nursery with the children!" she said leading the elderly woman away, leaving Aislynn alone once again. Slowly she walked to the window and stared out, watching the people move around the castle. She saw him then, tall and handsome, standing a head and shoulders above the others. He stopped and spoke to some men, obviously they had a good rapport with the workers, then he stopped and played with some children, wrestling them playfully. There were so many different sides to this man, he confused her totally.
"Please come with me!" a voice came from behind, turning around Aislynn faced the same young woman again,
"What is yea name?" Aislynn asked as she followed her along the corridor and up a steep flight of stairs.
"I am known as Ingrid, Miss please we must hurry!" Ingrid urged Aislynn on up the stairs.
Aislynn found herself in a large open room, a bed against the furthermost wall and a large fireplace near it, a large fire roared sending out its warmth. Aislynn turned to question the girl more but she was gone. Alone yet again, she moved around the room, fingering the heavy curtains at the windows, and the cushions strewn around the room, it was distinctly a man's room, his scent was everywhere.
"Do you approve?" a deep voice entered her daydreams and startled her, spinning around Aislynn faced VHerk.
"It is quite comfortable!" she stammered a little, her face flushed as she wondered if he knew what she was thinking about him.
VHerk stared at her for a moment, her long hair loose and freshly washed floated around her face, the plain warm woolen dress she had been given clung to her perfectly. The paleness of her complexion, she was a vision of beauty.
Slowly he moved towards her from behind, slipping his arms around her waist, he breathed in her scent, she was bewitching him. Turning Aislynn looked at him, he was so handsome, he was breathtaking. All of her reservations about him disappeared as she felt warm and safe in his arms.
"You are so beautiful, I never thought I would let another woman into my life, but I didn't think of meeting one like you!" he breathed, as he kissed the nape of her neck, brushing her hair aside. Aislynn felt shivers down her spine, with his touch, and found herself pressing harder against him. "I-I have never...!" she started but he turned her around to face him, gently placing a finger on her lips, silencing her.
He slipped the shoulders of her dress down, exposing her milky white skin, bending forward he kissed her neck and shoulders, with light small kisses, then, he moved to her moist lips, shuddering slightly Aislynn responded to his kiss, feeling herself melt inside at his touch. VHerk scooped Aislynn into his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her down, he stood over her for a moment her full white breasts spilled over the bodice of her dress, her face flushed prettily, his anger and hurt forgotten as he lowered himself over her, kissing her gently, this was so new to him, he had become used to having women for one thing and then moving on. She was totally intoxicating.
Aislynn looked at this mysterious man, he was so big but so gentle, he confused her but excited her at the same time. Reaching up, she pulled him closer to her, returning his kiss, a little brazenly, but her body and heart told her not to worry. She felt so comfortable in his arms. Smiling shyly she slipped the dress down over her slim hips and settled herself on the pillows. VHerk drew in his breath, as he looked her. Her full round breasts and pert nipples, her flat stomach and tiny frame.
Slowly he removed his leather jerkin and pants, smiling as he heard her gasp. She raised a finger and slowly traced the scars that he bore from his many fights. He was so different to the man she had prepared herself to marry, the excitement she felt overwhelmed her.
VHerk stroked her hair moving his hand down to her breasts, there he lingered for a moment then he gently rubbed them, feeling them grow and harden under his hand. Keeping his eyes fastened on hers, he let his hand roam down to her stomach and then tenderly he massaged her inner thighs, Aislynn thought she was going to explode, she had never felt anything like this in her life. Gasping for breath Aislynn pulled him closer desperately needing to feel his skin on hers, to kiss him deeply. Sensing her urgency VHerk responded, slowly and carefully entering her. Aislynn arched her back and clutched at the bedding, trying not to scream, it was the sweetest pain she had ever felt. Though she knew about how babies were created, nothing had prepared for this onslaught to her senses. She felt like she was flying.
Aislynn woke to find herself wrapped in VHerk's arms, it hadn't been a dream, she smiled to herself and snuggled closer, it felt so good and so nice in his embrace. She watched him sleep, the smoothness of his skin, and the calm childlike look on his face, as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Mmmm good morn!" he muttered as he finally stirred, pulling Aislynn towards him,
"Good morn to yea VHerk!" Aislynn replied, her voice caught a little as she felt the excitement rise again.
"Well, well isn't this lovely Husband!" a woman's voice came from the bottom of the bed, there they saw a cold faced woman, with long dark hair coiled around her head, and piercing dark blue eyes, next to her stood a tall well built handsome youth, he wore armour over his leggings. He had fair straight hair, and the same dark blue eyes. "well, well take a look Jarrod, this is your father!" the woman spat out.
"Gebah?" VHerk jumped up, reaching for a robe, Aislynn slid further under the coverings trying to hide a little.
"So husband I see you have done well since I left, you managed to stay alive!" Gebah spoke as she walked around the room, feeling satisfied that she had managed to shock him and catch him unawares.
"What are you doing here Gebah, I thought you would never be game enough to show your face around me again!" VHerk snarled as he pulled his large broad sword from its hilt.
"Would you destroy the mother of your son in front of him?" Gebah hissed, smiling coldly as VHerk lowered the blade. "You were a fool when we married and you are an even bigger fool now!" she went to stand next to Jarrod "take a good look at your son VHerk, this is the last you will ever see!" Gebah threw a handful of a powder into VHerk's face. He collapsed coughing and choking scrubbing at his eyes. Aislynn screamed and rushed to his side wrapping a sheet around herself. "Now Jarrod destroy him, destroy the man who stands between you and greatness!" Gebah screamed at her son, a hint of insanity around her eyes. Jarrod pulled his sword and raised it to strike his father, but something inside him made him hesitate. Aislynn turned her terror stricken face to him, she could see so much of his father in his face. "Please I am begging yea, how can yea destroy the man who helped create yea?" she implored the youth. He looked at her then down at his father, who struggled to see, blinded by the powder, then at Aislynn, the pretty woman who was in his father's bed, then finally at his mother who stood glaring at him.
"I can't Mother!" he whispered lowering his sword,
"You're as weak as your father!" she screamed wrenching the blade from his hands. Raising it over her head she steadied herself to plunge it into VHerk's chest. Aislynn screamed in horror and snatched up the broad sword VHerk had dropped, thrusting it forward she shut her eyes and prayed to the Gods that she could stop the woman.
When she opened them again, she saw VHerk's hands over her own, Gebah was lying on the ground blood seeping from the wound in her chest, her lifeless eyes staring skyward. Jarrod stood over his mother staring at her, he had tried to feel something for her in death but the years of hatred and cold heartedness had turned him from his mother. He turned and met his father's eyes.
Aislynn gently washed VHerk's face once again, avoiding the burns caused by the powder, Jarrod watched in silence, the body of his mother had been removed, to be prepared for her funeral pyre. He watched the young woman tend to his father, the tender looks and touches between them. He grew up believing this man was a monster, but looking at him now, and with his new woman, he was not what he had pictured at all. Shrugging slightly the young man left them alone to tend to his mother's funeral and to give them some time together. Jarrod wandered through the castle talking to the servants and warriors, he found out how loved and revered his father really was.
Aislynn wept as she tended the burns on his handsome face, they were red and sore, especially around his eyes. VHerk gently took her hands in his and kissed them. She smiled through her tears and reached forward kissing him softly on the lips, her hands moved through the folds of his robe until she could feel the tight muscles of his chest.
"You saved my life! You could have let me die and escape!" he said quietly moving away from her slightly.
"I could never leave yea!" she whispered, "It would be too hard to leave now, I have given myself to yea!" she finished speaking with a small kiss on the palm of his hand. Tenderly VHerk took her into his arms and kissed her deeply then nuzzled his face between her breasts. She responded with a moan and pushed closer to him, she was truly his now. VHerk tugged the sheet away from her, letting her full breasts fall free, he cupped them in his hands kissing the tip of each nipple before he looked up into her eyes, "You have thawed my heart my Lady!" he uttered tears welling in his blue eyes.
The main hall was alive with activity, wreaths of bright alpine flowers were strewn around the walls looped with bright ribbons, freshly roasted meats could be smelt throughout the castle. An air of festivity and happiness prevailed. The good omens in abundance. The return of a long lost son, a wedding and a happy Lord once again.
VHerk looked more handsome than ever dressed in white furs and leggings, his son dressed in similar fashion, smiled at his father, then watched his young future mother make her way towards them.
Aislynn dressed in an ivory woolen dress trimmed with fur, looked a picture of heavenly beauty, her shiny hair loose and dressed with wild flowers and strings of pearls. She smiled when she spotted the beaming face of Annie, a team of children around her, she looked so happy and content being nurse to so many little ones again. This was the wedding of her dreams, she could feel the spirits of her parents with her, giving their approval of the joining of two wild spirits tamed by love. She may have been his captive to begin with but now she had is Viking heart as her captive.