Fire and Ice

Chapter 25



“De Gant is dead? How?” Ulfric was listening to Thorvald and Ragn’s story.

“He diced with death once too often, Ulfric. My friend, Bjorn, killed him for implicating his daughter in his escape. It must have been true or how would he know her name? He definitely said Freya had asked him to take her with him. I mean - what a stupid thing to say to a full-blood Norseman!”

“How am I going to explain this to his father? And don’t forget Giselle. She and Richard were so close and she’ll be devastated.”

“He died a warrior’s death, Ulfric,” Thorvald offered in their defence.

“You mean the blood-eagle? That’s not an honourable death to a Norman.”

“You had nothing to do with it, my brother. Forget him, he brought you nothing but trouble and don’t forget Juliana, she would have been giving birth to your child in Bertone if he hadn’t dragged her halfway across the country.”

“I know. Part of me is glad he’s dead, but I don’t know how I’m going to tell his father.”

“Don’t tell him anything.”

“I can’t leave him with false hope that one day his son will return.”

“No, I suppose not.” Thorvald gave up trying to make excuses.

“I’m going to get Juliana, the woman and boy. I’ll bring them here under your care, Ragn. I understand you have promised to find work for the woman in this house?”

“Yes, it’s the least I can do for her. She has looked after my niece like a mother, she will be honoured among my household. The boy will continue working for Hjarter, it will be a useful occupation for him. Take one of my servants and a wagon for their belongings.”

Ulfric left the other men and instructed a servant to hitch up a wagon and horse to collect Juliana and Kristen. He had visited her every day for a week now but had not stayed with her overnight as the room was too small for all of them. Ragn had taken pity on Ma and she was more than happy to work for him and live in his house. At least she and her son would be fed and clothed.

Juliana was waiting with Kristen in her arms when Ulfric appeared at the door. He dropped a kiss on his baby’s head and then turned his attention to his wife who had dressed in the clean clothes sent to her by Ragn. Her hair shone and her eyes were bright. Her smile took away Ulfric’s breath and he thought he had never seen her look more beautiful, motherhood certainly became her.

“What are you looking at? Is there something wrong with my dress?” Juliana asked, inspecting her gown.

“I’m just thinking that I’m the luckiest man in the kingdom to have such a beautiful wife. Come wife and kiss your husband. Tomorrow we leave for Bertone.”

Juliana grinned her pleasure and handed Kristen to her father. “Really, Ulfric? We can go home?”

“Yes, and the sooner we get there the better. I’ve had enough of chasing you around the country.”

“Yes, but you caught me in the end, didn’t you?” she said mischievously.

Ulfric was suddenly serious. “Juliana, I have something to tell you.”

Her smile left her lips and concern clouded her eyes. “What is it, Ulfric, my love?”

“It’s de Gant,” he said shortly. “He’s dead!”

Juliana swayed as the shock hit home and Ulfric reached out to steady her. The news was not unwelcome, in fact she was relieved to hear that he would not be causing any more trouble for her, but somehow it seemed so final.

“How? When? Who?” was all she could say.

“A few days ago. He apparently angered one of Ragn’s friends who’s still not averse to disposing of Normans, especially those he suspected of dallying with his daughter.”

“Poor Giselle, she loved her brother.”

“I know, but my problem is how I’m going to break the news to his father.”

“Well, the sooner we get home the sooner we can sort everything out.”

Loading the cart did not take very long and Ma did not even look back as they left, but Juliana did.

“Never look back, my lady. Always look forward to the future,” Ma patted Juliana’s hand.

“You are a wise woman, Ma. I am indebted to you.”

“You have healed my heart, Juliana. I can now remember my daughter with pride instead of pain so no, you owe me nothing. I am indebted to you.”



***



The journey back to the coast was simple thanks to Ragn offering to go with them as far as the Humber. They took horses and carts which would return with Ragn and a few of his servants before they headed back to York. Juliana was quiet, nursing her baby and singing songs in a soft lilting voice that Ulfric found comforting. When they stopped for the night at an inn, Ulfric was amazed to find Alice and her family were happily running the place. Alice too was relieved that she would no longer need to be looking over her shoulder for Sir Richard. Ulfric was glad Alice was happy and in good health, but Juliana still seemed distant and quiet. Once they were alone and she was nursing the baby, he asked, “What ails you, my sweet? You have been very quiet these last days.”

Juliana seemed sad as she replied, “I keep thinking about everything. I want to know that my mother is well but also I dread to go back and find she is no longer there.”

“Is that all? I feel that you are keeping something from me,” he asked gently.

Juliana thought her heart would break if he continued to question her so gave him a sidelong glance which he could not fathom. He had not seen that look for many months, she was angry with him, but for what he had no idea. Her eyes flashed and he edged away knowing that her fiery temper was something to avoid, but it also attracted him. She was unique in the way that she could be ice one minute and fire the next. If it had not been for the baby in her arms he felt that she would have struck him, so fierce was the look she gave him. He was about to argue in his defence of something he knew nothing about when he saw her face crumple and her shoulders shook with sobs.

“Juliana, my love, what’s wrong with you? I don’t know what I’ve done but I’m sorry for upsetting you.”

He edged closer to her again and put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned her face on his chest and cried. All the pain, anger and suffering she had absorbed and held inside fell in a torrent of tears. Ulfric was at a loss, he was useless to her in times like these, but if he was to be a husband he would have to get used to it. Was it his fault his own mother had sent him away? If it had not been for Sir Baldwin de Gant, Richard and Giselle’s father, he would never have known a kind word. His childhood had been loveless, no woman had ever shown him a mother’s love, but he knew that the love Juliana had shown him was the real thing. A feeling of protective love and desire for this woman crying in his arms overwhelmed him and instinctively he let her cry until she was spent. Their daughter suckling at her breast had fallen asleep so he took the child and held her in his other arm. Juliana stopped crying and pulled her gown together. Ulfric felt she was somewhat embarrassed by what had happened.

“Our daughter is asleep, Juliana. See how like you she is?”

“I think she has your ears,” Juliana said.

“I just hope she doesn’t have your temper,” he replied smiling at her joke. “Tell me, my dearest one, what is troubling you?”

Juliana took a deep breath, “I’m sorry I forced you to marry me, Ulfric.”

Ulfric looked amazed at his wife. “You didn’t force me, Juliana. I had already made up my mind to marry you at the first opportunity. I just hadn’t realised it would be so quick.”

“I saw your face when I told you to fetch the priest. You looked terrified.”

“I am a warrior and not used to such things as softness and love. I have known nothing but fighting and killing since an early age. The circumstances in which we were married were urgent but I too wanted our daughter to be born in wedlock. Juliana, believe me, you didn’t force me to marry you. I wanted to – with all my heart.”

“Are you certain? I could not live with you knowing that you hated me for trapping you.”

“I’m certain, and I don’t feel trapped. I love you for who you are. I love your tenderness, I love everything about you – except maybe your temper,” he added laughing.

They both laughed together and their baby slept on undisturbed.



***



It was a bedraggled group who entered the Hall at Bertone. Everyone seemed to be about their work and ignored them. The hour was late and food was being served but it was as if they had stepped into a familiar but fantastical scene. They knew they belonged there but why was no one coming to greet them? Ulfric helped Juliana to sit in front of the fire and Thorvald was still looking around for someone to speak to when Erik walked into the firelight.

“At last, we’d just about given up hope,” he said with a matter-of-fact air.

He studied their bemused faces and then laughed saying, “Sam has been watching for you for the past two months, he saw you coming half an hour ago and ran back to let us know.”

“Well, thank goodness for that. We thought we had entered the wrong hall,” Ulfric laughed in return.

Juliana looked amazed when a woman resembling her mother, picked up the baby from her and began walking back and forth, singing lullabies.

“Who is that?” Juliana gasped.

“Do you not know your own mother? Surely you haven’t been away that long.”

Hilde grinned at her daughter and then laughed out loud.

“Mother, I... I was afraid you...”

“Had died?” Hilde finished for her. “I’m made of good stock, Juliana. Giselle managed to bend but not to break me. I am recovered thanks to Sara and my friends here. They told me that you had been taken but I knew you’d be back. You have mine and your father’s strength.”

Juliana let go of all the tension she had carried regarding her mother and relaxed into her chair reaching for Ulfric’s hand.

“I hope the coin around your neck means you are married, Juliana. It would dishonour our family if you have brought a child into this world with no vows having been said,” Hilde remarked.

“Yes, Ulfric found me and we were married just before the child was born. We hope that Father Matthew will bless our marriage once we’ve had time to settle again. We will exchange rings this time though, instead of swords.”

“I’m glad,” was all her mother said.

Erik beckoned into the shadows to call someone forward, and Ulfric’s eyes opened wide as Sir Baldwin de Gant limped to his side to shake his hand. “It’s been too long, Ulfric. We’ve a lot of news to tell each other, but that can wait until after we’ve eaten.” He turned around and brought Giselle forward. Juliana caught her breath when she saw her. She seemed to have shrunk in stature and looked much older than her years.

“Congratulations, Ulfric, on your wedding and your child,” she said with as much grace as she could muster.

Ulfric nodded to her accepting her good wishes but wondered how and why she had left the nunnery. “Sir Baldwin, my wife and I are tired and would like to eat and then retire. We will speak in the morning, but before we do I have to tell you that your son is dead. I’m sorry to be the bearer of this news, but it seems better to get it out of the way. With your permission I will tell you about it tomorrow.”

“It is only what I expected, Ulfric. I’m not surprised you killed him – he was always a thorn in your flesh.”

“No! I didn’t kill him, believe me. I wasn’t even there.”

Sir Baldwin looked relieved but unconvinced. His demeanour was a conflict of grief and chivalry at that moment. He turned to introduce Luke. “There is another member of our party who would like to meet you. Come – let’s sit at the table and we can begin our meal.”

Luke knelt at Ulfric’s feet paying homage to the lord of the manor. Ulfric waved him up to the table and Luke explained about his and Giselle’s plans for the future. Giselle sat silent, numb from the coldness in her belly and heart after the news of her brother’s death had hit her. She was already scheming and plotting her revenge.

Juliana was pleased to be home. Her baby had been fed and changed into fresh cloths by her grandmother. The Hall enfolded her like a comforting blanket. She was home. Her mother was healthy once more and her husband sat at her side. The servants were smiling but she longed for the peace and quiet of her chamber where she and Ulfric would live and love for a lifetime – or so she hoped.