“Something I never anticipated,” Wolf admitted.
Detta’s aging eyes softened with memories. “I didn’t care much for your grandfather when I first met him.”
“You never mentioned that.”
“It was trivial to what came soon after, a love that still wraps me in its warmth and strength to this day. A love I’ll always be grateful to have found.”
“I never thought I’d be grateful to have Raven as my wife, but now,” —he shook his head— “I don’t know what I’d do without her in my life. It’s as if she’s become an essential part of me, that without her…” He shook his head again. “I don’t want to think about life without her.”
“You don’t have to. You belong to each other now and your love will grow along with a family, and peace among families will grow as well. All will finally be good.”
His grandmother’s strong, confident words had always reassured him through the years and he was always glad to hear them. This time, however, there was one thing that cast a doubt on her forecast.
“Brynjar,” Wolf said in a whisper and his grandmother shivered beside him.
Wolf stood at the top of the hill looking down over the village. He was proud of what he had established here and he hoped in time to see it all grow along with the many children he and Raven would have. The thought brought a smile to his face. His grandmother was right. Life was going to be good and Raven had a lot to do with that.
Having deposited his grandmother safely in the keep, it was time to find his wife. Halfway down the hill, he spotted Iver and he hurried his steps, glad to see he had returned and eager to hear what he had learned. Raven would want to hear it as well and he glanced around hoping to spot her.
Iver hurried his steps to Wolf when he neared the bottom of the hill. “You need to speak with Brother Noble. He returned here with me, but has little time to spare. He’s on a mission for Abbott Thomas. He waits for you where you usually meet.”
Wolf nodded. “Find Raven and wait in the common room for me.”
Iver bobbed his head and took off.
Wolf called out when he reached the wooded area where he usually met the leper. “Brother Noble.”
A raspy cough sounded before the familiar brown-robed figure stepped partially out from behind a large pine tree.
“You are well?” Wolf asked.
“As well as can be expected,” the leper said, though his rough cough stated otherwise.
“These missions are too much for you,” Wolf cautioned.
“The end will come soon enough and I will know peace at last.”
Wolf didn’t want to think of losing the man who had become a trusted friend to him, but he supposed death was welcoming to one who suffered greatly. “I am here for you, if you need anything, my friend.”
“You are appreciated, Wolf, but I have little time and must be off soon. Some information has come to light that you should know about. King David and the Earls of Orkney vassals to your King have continued their bitter disputes over the Orkney Isles, leaving them little time to care what happened between you and Raven.”
“Are you saying they had nothing to do with forcing a marriage between me and Raven?” His remark implausible to his own ears.
“I am, though they were quick to agree to it, each thinking it could benefit them in some way now or in the future. King David made no complaint about releasing the prisoners he had demanded from you, his foreign exploits not going well and costing far more than he expected.”
Wolf rubbed at his beard, his brow pinching tightly. “That would mean someone manipulated both kings into agreeing to the marriage.” He shook his head. “But who would have such power to present such a proposal?”
“Or courage,” Brother Noble suggested.
“Or who would benefit from such a union?” Wolf shook his head again. “Raven would be the only one to benefit, since our union freed her brothers and others from not only her clan but other clans as well. But she denies she had any part of the proposal.”
“Do you believe her?’ the leper asked.
Wolf gave no thought to his response, he needed none. He knew his wife. “I do. She has no reason to lie about it.”
“She’s been truthful with you?”
“We both have. I trust her explicitly,” Wolf said, not a shred of doubt in his voice.
“Then you are blessed with a good union.”
“I am blessed with a woman who is brave enough to love her foe,” Wolf said, thinking on his own words.
“Perhaps she is brave enough to forgive her foe and to recognize that there is always more to situations than what can be seen.”
“Raven is brave,” Wolf agreed. “She is also a wise woman and foolish as well, stubborn and strong, and beyond beautiful.” The last of his words drifted off in a whisper on the cold wind.