Free Viking Legend by Griff Hosker

nodded.  “It is hard for me to see him as he is now.  I always looked up to him.”
    “A man cannot change his nature, Ketil.  He is still your father. He is getting old.  Let his last days be happy ones.”
    Arne too had made a stronger wall and I was happy that my land was now encircled by strong walls.  We headed south over the col and the Grassy Mere towards the Rye Dale.  “I think Ketil will make a good jarl of Windar’s Mere when his father goes to the Otherworld.”
    “He would but does Windar’s Mere need a strong leader?  It is one of the safer parts of our land.  In all the time we have lived here it has suffered but one attack.” Aiden shrugged, “I am no war leader, Jarl.  Perhaps I am wrong.”
    I laughed, “No Aiden you are right. I should think of the good of all of the people and not individuals.”
    The realisation that I had, however accidentally, strengthened our borders made me feel quite contended as we rode down the fertile Rye Dale.  We paused to speak with Audun Thin Hair at the col. He always had fine beer and he was a good listener. He knew the mood of the farmers in the valley. His son, Leif, had grown considerably and was now a man.  He stood and listened as we spoke.
    “The farmers are happy, Jarl.  The crops grow well and we are safe, however…” he hesitated.
    “Go on Audun, speak.”
    “There are many young men who are restless.  Many of them tried to go with you on your last voyage but you took but one drekar. They do not wish to be farmers; they want to be warriors.  I fear that if they cannot go with you then they will seek others to lead them and leave this land.  We cannot afford to lose such young men. I am sorry, I have spoken out of turn.”
    “No Audun, you were right to speak as you did.” I looked at Leif, “You wish to be a warrior too?”
    “I wish to know what is within me, Jarl.  I want to stand in a shield wall and hold a sword in my hand. Perhaps I will only be one for a short time but when I return to the farm and have a wife and children then I will know that I can protect them.”
    I understood then the need for my young men to have the opportunity of testing their mettle.  This suited me for I had many journeys yet to make.
    My feelings of content disappeared when I entered my walls for a large crowd had gathered before my hall.  I saw Kara speaking with them. When they saw me they became silent and parted so that I could approach.  I saw two angry young men facing each other.  They were no more than fifteen summers old.  Both were being restrained by my Ulfheonar. I dismounted and handed the reins of my pony to Aiden. Turning to face the crowd I smiled, “Thank you for this welcome! It was unexpected.”
    I saw scowls flash across the faces of the two young men.  I recognised them now as Olaf Grimsson and Rolf Eriksson.  My daughter allowed the briefest of smiles to flicker across her face. “This is not a welcome for you, Jarl Dragonheart, father to our people but it is good that you have returned.  Here we have a dispute.  The two young men both wish to take the daughter of Thord the Shepherd, Hlif.”
    “And where is this Hlif?”
    “Her father keeps her in his home on the fells.  He says she is too young to marry.” Lowering her voice she added, “She is not yet thirteen summers and she is his only child.  His wife died two winters since.”
    I stared at the two young men, “It seems to me there is not a problem here.  Unless, of course, Hlif wishes to disobey her father and marry one of you.  Is that the case?”  I nodded to my men so that they released the youths. I did not think the dispute would continue whilst I was present and I was right. They stood glowering at each other. They remained silent.
    Behind me Kara said, loudly enough for all to hear, “Hlif is happy to stay with her father and to obey him.”
    “Then there is no problem, is there?”
    Rolf pointed an accusing finger at Olaf.  “I am happy