A test of courage and valor . . .

[Valka]

Valka let out a hearty laugh and stepped closer to him, as close as her belly would allow, and gently laid a hand on his young face. "En vino veritas, I love that!" Her eyes twinkled, giving away that she was, in fact, playing with him. "How could I forget such a night? We became a tribe of our own. We began a legacy here in these new lands."

[Arne]

A warm flush swept through Arne's body, and he shook his head in self-reproach.  "Serves me right for trying to match wits and words with a scop," he muttered, although he was grinning from ear to ear.  Reaching up to take her hand in his own, he replied, "Yes, we did start a legacy, Valka.  Would you be willing to take the next large step in that legacy with me?"

[Valka]

She raised her chin and coyly asked, "And what would that step be?"

[Arne]

Arne chuckled.  "Would you take me for your husband, Valka Ingersdotter?  Knowing that we are both as head-strong and as stubborn as mules, and that our children will probably be even more so?"

[Valka]

Valka gripped his hand tighter and she smiled from ear to ear with pink rosy cheeks in between. She spoke much louder than he did.

"Yes, I would take you for my husband, Arne Torvaldson."

[Arne]

Arne threw back his head and let out a roar of joy, then drew Valka carefully in for a kiss, mindful of her pregnancy.  "Then you have filled my life with even more joy, Valka!  I suppose that we should speak with Holmg?r?r so she can perform the ceremony, yes?  When would you like us to get married?  And do you think we should also send word to Sir Cedwyn and Sir Rodric?"

[Valka]

She seemed a bit overwhelmed by the questions but was happy to see him so excited. "Winter is an unfortunate season for a feast, but I wish to celebrate before I'm too big to! I swear we have a giant growing in here. We should speak with the priestess, she'll know what is best. But yes, we would undoubtedly send word once we complete the details. Our people will demand nothing less than a traditional wedding, or at least as close to one as we can have."

[Arne]

Arne put an arm around Valka's waist and nodded enthusiastically.  "Speak with Holmg?r?r, yes, that would be good!  Shall we, then?  I, ahhh, think she's at home right now."

[Valka]

She laid her head on his shoulder for a minute before letting him lead the way.

[Arne]

Arne stifled a laugh as they went to Holmg?r?r's lodge.  How long had it been?  All of ten minutes since he visited her last?  Knocking at the door, he called out,  "Holmg?r?r?  It's Arne and Valka.  We, ahh, need to ask you something important.  Can we come in?"

[GM Craig]

Holmg?r?r appears to have been expecting you. She has a bundle of herbs in her hand she is trying to dry, and she keeps working as you enter.

"Oh do come in, though I wonder what you could possibly have to ask of me." There is a smirk on her face.

[Arne]

Arne stopped for a moment. puzzled, then laughed.  "No, I do not think that would take a seer."  Placing an arm around Valka's waist, he said, "Valka and I are to be married!  Would you do us the honor of performing the ceremony?  We were also wondering if we should invite Sir Cedwyn and Sir Rodric.  And their wives, if course."  Arne hesitated.  "I . . . would guests be expected to bring gifts, though?  We don't have much to offer any guests in return except for our hospitality, and they have already done so much for us.  And I'm not certain how their wives would take to a ceremony that was not Christian."

[GM Craig]

Holmg?r?r raises an eyebrow. "No indeed. IF we are to do rites to Freya, the knights and their wives may be... uncomfortable."

[Valka]

"I doubt we would capture a Saxon in time, so I imagine we would sacrifice a sow if anything. If we even have one available. I know winter is not a good time for a feast, but when do you think would be best? Perhaps we could encourage them to attend that instead."

[GM Craig]

"They have winter feasts in this land. Pentecost, I am told, is a significant one. We could have a feast then, but perform the rites according to our ways prior. The feast would be a celebration, but separate from the rites. A compromise."