Chapter Thirty-Three

Danica did come again, before the month was out. She said that soldiers had stopped briefly at her small village but as the only girls were little ones, they’d left, not bothering to hide their angry frustration.

When introduced to Daroth, she voiced her admiration at his bravery and, when told of his escape, she merely nodded, as if being helped by wolves was a daily occurrence.

Having agreed to help Lamorna name the baby, the priestess prolonged her stay, waiting for the night when the full moon would rise.

*                      *                      *                      *

“Danica?”

“Hmm?” Sat behind Lamorna on Eva’s bed, the older woman continued to braid the young girl’s hair.

“Did you always know you would be a wise woman?”

She chuckled. “Not always. But I felt it by the time Vanora was born.”

“You were younger than I am now?”

“Yes.”

“And Vanora?”

“Oh, Vanora,” she said with a soft laugh. “I am convinced she heard our lady calling to her while still in our mama’s belly. Even as a child, she was different. I wasn’t surprised when she told our parents.”

“How old was she?”

“Eight, I believe. Or nine. There, I am done.”

Thanking her, Lamorna shifted around so they were facing one another.

“Why the interest?”

Lamorna shrugged. “I thought, before I had to leave, before Mam–” Her head shake was almost an involuntary movement. “I asked Vanora if I could be...” She shrugged again, ducking her head to stare at her hands on her lap.

“Oh. I see. And Vanora said?”

“That it’s something you feel, deep down, like you’re being called.”

Danica placed her finger under Lamorna’s chin and tilted her head up. “There is no need to feel foolish. If you did not ask, how would you have known? And there are other ways to serve the goddess.”

Lamorna’s whole body posture perked up.

“Live your life being true to yourself. Be gentle, kind and loving; that is a woman’s strength. Stand in your integrity.” She paused as Lamorna began to frown.

“What does that mean?”

“To stand in your integrity is to be true to what you believe is right. But you must also know which battles to fight; pick the ones that truly matter. You cannot fight them all, especially when you have children to protect.”

“But how will I know?”

“That will come with age and experience. Show Daroth the strength that can be had from embracing all that a woman has to offer. Live your life from a place of love, child, that is the way of our goddess,” said Danica with a smile.

Lamorna answered her smile with a broad one as she embraced the wise woman.

*                      *                      *                      *

The night the perfectly circular moon began its ascent to the heavens, Lamorna, holding her brother, followed Danica, Eva and a few other women to the forest’s edge.

The moon shone down on them as they knelt in a circle around the infant. Lamorna undressed him and giggled; he seemed to be scolding her for exposing him to the cool air. As she looked across at Danica, she was reminded of the night when Vanora had prayed to the goddess to protect him.

After singing a prayer, Danica raised her gaze and her arms to the moon and began to intone:

“Steora, Goddess of the Moon,

Mother to us all

We pray thee, bless this innocent soul

As we name him…

What do we name him?”

In reply, Lamorna and the women said, “Ligulf.”

Danica continued:

“Watch over Ligulf, Mother

Keep him from harm

Thou who wakest in starry heaven

We pray thee, bless this newly-named soul.”

By now, little Ligulf was making his displeasure known. He flailed his tiny limbs about as he wailed. Danica nodded to Eva, whose agitation was increasing with each cry he made, and the mute woman quickly wrapped him up again.

The priestess turned to Lamorna. “There, it is done. You are pleased with the name?”

Smiling widely, Lamorna nodded. “His name honours the wolves that cared for him. I couldn’t have chosen better, thank you.”

She’d spent many hours trying to think up a suitable name for her brother. She’d remembered what Vanora had said, that his name should reflect what he’d gone through. Then Danica had suggested ‘Ligulf’, explaining that ‘lig’ meant ‘flame’ and ‘ulf’ represented the wolf or ‘wulf’ as it was in the old language. It seemed perfect for it symbolized the danger he’d experienced and paid tribute to the part the wolves had played.

As they prepared to return to the village, Danica drew Lamorna’s attention to the edge of the clearing. The girl gasped; watching them was a lone wolf, as black as the night that was closing in around them, with eyes that shone like twin yellow lamps... so like the wolf that had accompanied her to this village.

“It is my wolf!” She was about to run towards it, but Danica held her back.

“You cannot know that, child.”

“But she is black like–”

“There are many black wolves, Lamorna. Even if it is the one that fed Ligulf, she has completed the task that she was called for, she has returned fully to the wild. You must respect that.”

Lamorna nodded, but she and the wolf remained staring at each other; secretly she knew this was the same wolf. She slowly lifted her hand as if to wave and whispered, “Thank you.”

The wolf remained a moment longer then glanced around as if acknowledging a call. With one last look, it turned and melted away into the darkening forest.

Danica stood behind the girl with her hands on the young one’s shoulders. “Lamorna...”

Moonlight glistening off her damp cheeks, Lamorna turned to her and smiled.

The priestess hugged her. “Let us return.”

Eva handed the baby back to Lamorna who cuddled him close, kissing his smooth, soft cheek.

“Such a beautiful night,” said Danica with a sigh. “I hope Sewell is done with his sulk by now.” She was referring to the man’s grumpy mood, which had come about when he’d been told that he could not attend the naming ceremony.

Lamorna chuckled. “It is a shame that he couldn’t be present.”

“Only the child’s father is allowed that privilege.”

“Still...”

“I know it seems unfair, especially as you think of him as your father now.”

Stopping mid-stride, Lamorna glanced at her. “Is it so obvious?”

“There is nothing wrong with that, it does not mean your love for your true father has diminished in your heart.”

“No,” she said, closing her eyes momentarily as Logan’s visage surfaced yet again in her memory. “Yet it eases the pain.”

“Of course it does.” Putting her arm around the girl’s shoulder, she gave her a quick hug. “As you ease the pain of loss for Sewell. I believe the goddess knew what she was doing when your paths crossed.”

Lamorna allowed herself a smile. “He tells me I must talk of my mam and papa, that it will keep their memory alive. I still find it hard, but he is so very insistent.” Sewell also insisted she speak of the living, of Janina and of Maldon and Marden, the friends she missed so badly.

“He knows the truth of his words. When he first came, he never spoke a word of his family, but, in time, he did and he is glad of it.”

“Then I believe I will be glad of it also.” She looked down at her brother, dozing in her arms. “And in time maybe Ligulf will be glad of it.”

They walked on in silence, the lights of the village beckoning them.

“I have already sent word to Vanora that you have decided to make this your home. I know she will be glad to hear it.”

“Do you think she will come? When we parted, she promised we would meet again.”

“Then I am sure she will.”

“It is strange to think that I will never see Mother Lulie and the twins again.”

“You do not know that,” said Danica. “Who knows what the future holds, hmm?”

Lamorna had to smile for it was comforting to think that one day, goddess willing, she would see them all again.

“We too are glad that you consider this your home now, my dear,” said Alina’s mother. “Alina feels she has found a new sister.”

“I feel that way also.” Having Alina as a friend eased Lamorna’s hurt of missing Janina. Lamorna frowned slightly for every time she thought of Janina, she remembered her friend’s apprehension at being married; she constantly prayed for Janina’s happiness.

Alina’s mother reached out and patted Lamorna on the cheek, interrupting her thoughts. “And we feel our village has gained a talisman.”

“Talisman?”

The women laughed at Lamorna’s bewildered expression.

“Yes, you are our talisman, one that has been blessed by the White Lady.”

“Oh.” The frown remained on her brow. “But... a talisman?” She pulled such an appalled face that they burst out laughing again.

“And I am glad that Daroth has chosen to stay,” said Danica. “He is a fine young man.”

“Under Sewell’s care, he will be an asset to our village,” said Alina’s mother. “Already the younger lads look up to him.”

The other women voiced their agreement.

As they neared the village, they could see the women’s menfolk waiting. Lamorna was glad that Sewell was still there; he had not been happy for the women to be out so far on their own. Her heart skipped a beat when she realised Daroth was with him. A warm feeling enveloped her, one she found comforting yet exciting.

“Sewell,” said Danica as the women walked away with their men. “As you can see, nothing happened, we are all safe. Stop scowling.”

“You take a child and a baby out at night with no–”

“We were protected, as we always are. And I am not incapable.” Her tone was quiet but her expression dared him to contradict her.

A sound from Eva caught their attention; they glanced at her. She ducked her head but it was obvious she’d been laughing. A giggle escaped Lamorna.

Sewell’s disapproving glare dissipated. With a resigned sigh, he raised his hands and shook his head. “Alright, alright, you came to no harm and that is all that matters.”

Danica’s smile only made him grunt and gesture at them to walk ahead of him.

Daroth fell in step alongside Lamorna. “The ceremony went well?”

She nodded, smiling up at him. “It was... magical.”

“I wish I could have witnessed such a ceremony.”

Her breath catching, she looked away, feeling herself colouring. “You will,” she said softly. “Danica said a baby’s father is allowed.”

“Oh.” His step faltered. “That, that is good to know.”

She stole a glance at him; he was looking ahead, not at her but was sporting the widest grin she had ever seen. She had to stop herself laughing out loud.

In that moment, Lamorna knew – after all she had been through, all that Daroth had been through – she now knew how much she wanted to be his wife, and how much she wanted to make a life for them and her brother in this village, their new home.