‘You’re impossible!’
Far from being grieved by the accusation, he only laughed the louder and made no move to stop her as she flung away from him and marched off towards the stairs.
Elgiva woke with the early light next morning and eased herself from the bed, throwing a baleful glare at Wulfrum as she did so. However, he slumbered on unaware. He must have retired very late for she had not heard him at all. Unwilling to disturb him in case it provoked another conversation like the last, she gathered up her clothes and dressed in haste before slipping away. Osgifu was waiting for her with a basket and with few words the two of them made their way to the gate where stood Ironfist, armed with sword and axe. Instructing the guard to let them through, he followed the two women to the forest.
The sun was high when they returned with laden baskets. The rest of the morning was devoted to tying bundles of herbs for drying, or steeping them in hot water, or grinding them to mix with goose grease to make salves. The room was filled with the smell of their potions, a scent that Elgiva associated with healing and well-being. Part of a woman’s role in the household was to know what nostrums to use in the treatment of all ailments from a fever to a cut, from a boil to the toothache. It was a role that Elgiva enjoyed. Each season brought its own flowers for harvest. She knew them all and the places where they grew.
As she worked, it occurred to her that she wielded considerable power—not all plants possessed solely healing properties. Three or four grains of digitalis would provide relief from heart pain; eleven grains would kill. A few nightshade berries mixed in a stew would achieve the same end, as would the leaf or pounded root of monk’s hood. She banished the thought, smiling in self-mockery. The chances of killing all the invaders were remote and those who survived would soon discover what had befallen their comrades and would exact a terrible revenge. If Halfdan thought one of his favoured earls had been a prey to treachery, he would be merciless. Besides, she knew it was one thing to think about taking life and quite another to do it. The Danes might hold life cheap, but she could not. Poison was a coward’s weapon in any case. She might detest the invaders, but she could not murder in cold blood. Her part was to save life, not destroy it.
She was interrupted in these thoughts by Hilda, who burst through the door, wild-eyed and breathless.
‘Help me, my lady! I beg you.’
‘What is it?’ Elgiva turned, and wiping her hands on her apron, went to comfort the girl. Hilda threw herself into her mistress’s arms and clung to her, sobbing. Osgifu frowned, lowering the pestle she had been using.
‘What ails thee, child? Are you hurt?’
Hilda shook her head, but before she could say any more half a dozen men appeared in the doorway, led by Ceolnoth. He spied Hilda and grinned.
‘Come, my bird.’
He stepped forwards and took hold of Hilda’s wrist, drawing her away from Elgiva. Hilda shrieked and struggled, but he held her without effort.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ demanded Elgiva. ‘You have no right to hurt one of my servants.’
‘’Tis not hurt I intend, my lady,’ replied Ceolnoth. ‘I would have her to wife.’
Osgifu glared at him. ‘You cannot wed without Lord Wulfrum’s permission.’
‘He has given it. The girl is mine.’
‘Yours, Viking?’
Brandishing the pestle again, she took a step closer, but Elgiva laid a restraining hand on her arm.
‘He speaks true, Gifu. Lord Wulfrum has given his consent.’
Osgifu stared as outrage gave way to shock. ‘Is this so?’
‘Yes.’
‘My lady speaks the truth,’ said Ceolnoth with a grin.
Hilda burst into tears.
‘Can you do nothing, my lady?’ demanded Osgifu.
‘I tried, Gifu, but Wulfrum’s mind is made up. If there were women enough to go around, he would marry them all to his warriors.’ Elgiva turned to Ceolnoth. ‘Go, wait outside. Hilda will be out directly, but first I would speak with her.’
He frowned and, for a moment, she thought he would refuse. However, one glance round the room assured him that the girl wasn’t going anywhere since there was but one door and a small window.
‘Very well, my lady. But don’t keep her too long. I grow impatient for my bride.’
With loud laughter the warriors left the room and Osgifu closed the door behind them. Elgiva turned to Hilda.
‘You know there is nought I can do to change this, Hilda.’
‘I do not wish to wed him.’
Elgiva looked to Osgifu and the older woman stepped forwards.
‘Hilda, listen to me. You have no choice but to wed Ceolnoth, unless to become the plaything of all the rest.’
Hilda drew in a ragged breath and stared at her in horror.
‘Gifu is right,’ said Elgiva. ‘We are none of us free to choose, unless it is to take the lesser of two evils. As the wife of Ceolnoth, his companions will not touch you.’
‘He has already forced the girl,’ replied Osgifu. ‘’Tis no wonder she is not minded to have him.’
Hilda drew a deep breath, and dashed away her tears with the back of her hand. ‘He has taken me against my will and mayhap I already carry his child in my belly. Must I breed a bastard too, and let it suffer the world’s scorn?’ She paused. ‘I know you can do nothing, my lady, for you are in as sore case yourself. ’Tis just that I am so afraid.’
She began to cry again and Elgiva held her close to comfort her.
‘I was too, Hilda.’
‘You were never afraid, my lady. I was watching the day you wed Lord Wulfrum, the way you looked about with such calm, facing down all those men. All their eyes could not make you quail.’
‘Not so, Hilda. I wanted to run away so far and so fast they would never find me. If I did not, it was because I knew I would never succeed, and I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing my fear. And so I am Earl Wulfrum’s wife for good or for ill. There is naught to be done but make the best of it.’
Hilda heard her in wondering silence and then took another ragged breath. ‘As I must do with Ceolnoth.’
At that moment a heavy fist pounded on the door.
‘Will you come out, wench, or must I come in?’
Osgifu strode across the room, pestle in hand, and put her face close to the wood. ‘She’ll come when she’s ready, Viking.’
‘She’ll come out now, old woman, or I’ll know the reason why.’
‘You come in here and I’ll brain you, you charmless oaf!’
Further heavy pounding shook the door. Osgifu started back. Elgiva bade Hilda bathe her eyes in cool water from the bowl on the table and then went to the door and opened it. Ceolnoth, startled, lowered a clenched fist.
‘Lady?’
‘Hilda is coming. Be patient a few moments more.’
The quiet tone was courteous enough, but it bore a command too, and Ceolnoth hesitated. Though he would have liked to push her aside and drag Hilda out by main force, he dared not; he knew well that Lord Wulfrum would not take kindly to any man laying violent hands on his wife. Therefore he swallowed his anger and let his hands fall to his sides. Elgiva remained in the doorway, blocking his path. A few moments later Hilda joined her on the threshold.
‘I am ready,’ she said.
Elgiva stood aside and let her pass. The girl had regained her composure now, though her eyes bore signs of weeping still. For a moment she and Ceolnoth faced each other in silence. Then he smiled and offered his arm. After a brief hesitation Hilda took it and they walked together through the gathered group of warriors to the waiting priest. Elgiva removed her apron and tossed it aside and then, with Osgifu beside her, followed on.
The ceremony was brief enough and through it she recalled her own wedding day and the terror in her heart. For all she might have fooled the onlookers, she knew it would have taken only a small thing to make her run. Suddenly she became aware of someone beside her, and she looked up to see Wulfrum. He put an arm round her shoulders and drew her close. Still smarting, Elgiva tensed and tried to pull away. The arm tightened. Together they stood thus in uneasy proximity until the brief ceremony was over. Ceolnoth’s friends clapped him on the back and gathered round the pair. However, seeing Wulfrum, they fell back a little. He moved among them, his arm still round his wife, drawing her with him to congratulate the newly-wed couple.
‘Live long, Ceolnoth. Live long, Hilda.’ He took off one of his silver arm rings and gave it to Ceolnoth. ‘Wear this in recognition of your service to me. In addition, I will give you one hide of good land. There you may build a home and raise fine sons.’
A rousing cheer greeted his words.
‘You are generous, lord,’ replied Ceolnoth. ‘My wife and I thank you.’
A shocked Hilda stammered out her thanks. Clearly she had not been expecting anything like this. Neither had Elgiva and she looked at her husband in surprise.
‘This night we shall feast to celebrate your union ,’ said Wulfrum. ‘Mayhap in future we shall celebrate many more.’
Another cheer followed this and then conversation broke out in different groups. Elgiva looked at Ceolnoth and Hilda and then threw a quizzical glance at Wulfrum.
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘It was a generous gift.’
‘It is fitting I should reward those who serve me well,’ he replied. ‘Besides, land gives a man a stake in the place and ties him to it, ensuring his loyalty and that of his kin.’