Free Viking Bride by Vivian Leigh Page A

Kelnar stood before the village elder that was to conduct
their ceremony.
    The elder had a bowl of mead in one hand and
a bundle of fir twigs in the other. The twigs looked like nothing
so much as a broom. He rose it up, down, then flicked it laterally,
spraying Eliza, Kelnar and the front row of people with tiny
droplets of mead.
    There were no vows. No Viking would allow
themselves to be ensorcelled in such a manner.
    “Will you keep this sword for our son?”
Kelnar asked.
    “Yes.”
    He passed it to her, hilt first. A simple
gold ring glittered on the hilt. Eliza took it, and let Kelnar set
it on her finger.
    “Will you defend me and our children with
this sword?” Eliza asked, presenting him the sword Ingrid had
carried.
    “To my last breath.”
    She slipped his ring onto this finger. They
linked arms and turned toward the audience.
    Eliza turned, caught Kelnar by the chin and
pulled him for a deep, satisfying kiss.
    A great cheer rose up, and Eliza knew she was
finally home.