Her Heart's Desire by Allison Merritt

much as any wife needs the strength of her husband.

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    Every word of comfort Idunna attempted died on her tongue before finding her lips. What could she say to Eoghann that hadn't been said?
    She waited next to him alongside a borrowed horse that looked more likely to fall over than make the long ride to Ofan. The animal bore Eoghann's sleeping blankets and the food Idunna packed for him. This was goodbye, maybe for days, maybe forever. Worry stung and plucked at her like thorns.
    Ealasaid had inspected his wound, declared him well enough, but cautioned him against harsh activity. The likelihood of him facing danger worried his sister and Idunna. No amount of reassurances convinced either of them the departing men would return safely.
    Eoghann stood apart from the other warriors, his features brooding. The sparkle in his eyes died, reduced to a pinched look that made him seem fierce. His shoulders slumped beneath his cloak. The sun, reluctant visitor, had finally burned through iron gray clouds. Snow sparkled beneath its reach. In a few spots, the earth showed through again. The wind wasn't quite so bitter today, but she knew better than to believe winter was short and spring on the way. They'd barely tasted its long reach.
    Other men said parting words with their families, but the jarls who'd brought warriors from the nearby villages waited on the edge of the courtyard.
    She took Eoghann's hand and squeezed it hard.
    His expression softened. “Do not fret for me, wife. I'll return sooner than you expect.”
    “Swear it.” She pressed her hands to his face and pulled him closer. “Make the vow and a pledge to Vár. She'll see it kept.”
    “By any god and every god listening, I will do my best to return to you and Solstad in one piece, Idunna Fundinsdottir. I take my vows and promises to you seriously. If Odin sees fit, I will spend my days at your side.” His smile was soft, lightening the darkness that clouded his eyes moments ago. “Rest easy while we're apart. Don't fear for me lest it bring down trouble. Soon I shall return for you to fuss over.”
    She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I will try to be patient.”
    “Know that I carry the memory of our last hours together as a token to keep me warm on this journey.” He stroked his fingers across her cheek. “Take care, Idunna.”
    Tears blurred his face and she hurried to wipe them away. “You carry my heart as well, Eoghann. Treat it kindly.”
    He opened his mouth and his eyes blazed with renewed joy.
    “Eoghann.”
    Hella approached with Erland in his wake. The younger man carried a leather-wrapped object the right size to be a sword.
    She sucked in a breath. Regaining his sword meant Eoghann had earned Hella's trust. It meant he would not walk so blindly into any danger presented in Ofan. But it also revealed the seriousness of the situation.
    Hella gestured at it. “I pray you won't need it, but better safe than with a belly full of regret and enemy steel.”
    Erland lifted the sheath on the flats of his palms. “I hope you don't mind, but I practiced with it one evening against my father. Fear not, I sharpened the blade to an edge that would split bone like soft fat.” He smiled at the sword. “It's a thing of beauty. Fine workmanship. Whoever created it deserved every coin that went into it.”
    Eoghann's face paled. He reached for it, then drew back. Sunlight reflected across the exposed portion of the blade. “I did. A few months before the plans to raze Freysteinn were finished.”
    Erland's eyes rounded. He looked to Hella as though to say, Did you know?
    Hella's gaze was firmly on Ealasaid who approached carrying Fulla. Regret twisted the king's mouth into a sad smile.
    “You're sure, Your Grace?” Eoghann's voice was a leaf-dry crackle.
    Hella waved him off. “It may be needed. We cannot afford to ride into Ofan with unarmed men.”
    Idunna's heart squeezed painfully.
    At last, Eoghann took it from Erland's hands.