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there are medicinal herbs to mix. Lung ailments increase by the day. My people require treatment. I'll leave you in peace for now, brother.”
    “Take care returning to the hall. My thanks for the food.” He unwrapped the cloth from the bread and cheese. Dried meat rounded out the meal. “You forgot the ale.”
    “I'm not your keeper, Eoghann. If there is something you prefer, you should fetch it yourself.”
    She grinned and the carefree girl he remembered from their youth beamed from his memory.
    “Ealasaid.”
    “Yes?” She cocked her head.
    “Pray to Hlín for me too.”
    “I already do.” She disappeared out the door.

 
    Chapter Four
     
    Idunna balanced Fulla in one arm while she ground yarrow to paste using a mortar and pestle with her opposite hand. The baby refused to lie quietly while Idunna worked, only happy with being cuddled close.
    “Demanding as your mother, little one. Fortunately, I believe you'll grow into a strong woman.”
    Her day slid past in a blur of herbs, oils, and sick villagers asking for remedies to ease their coughing or running noses. While Ealasaid attended most of them, Idunna served her purpose fetching various pots, jars, and clusters of cures. The work kept them busy and more importantly, took her attention away from the constant thoughts of her husband.
    “She resembles Skuld.” Ealasaid paused her own grinding to run her hand across Fulla's scalp. “Her hair's turning red.”
    “To match her fiery temper.” Idunna pressed a kiss to the baby's forehead. “And her passionate heart.”
    Ealasaid's smile wobbled. “I don't know if I can bear to send her across the sea to her uncle when spring arrives. How can I refuse? She deserves to know her brothers and what remains of her family.”
    Idunna hugged Fulla closer. “We're her family, the only one she's known.”
    “She's young, Idunna, she'll forget us on the shores of Normandy.” Ealasaid ground herbs with twice the force she'd used before. “She's not ours to keep.”
    “Skuld ordered us to look after her. Are we not raising her well? She's fat and healthy here among her cousins.”
    “Yet not even a daughter or niece to either of us. When the winds warm and the ice melts, Hella will send word to her uncle. It is the right thing, no matter how it pains us.” Ealasaid's hood hid her face, but sorrow spilled from her words.
    Ealasaid's blessings were many—a devoted husband and a handsome, smart son. Though she seemed content with her life, how would losing Fulla affect her? The queen had held Fulla for the first time moments after her birth and had hardly let her go since then.
    She'd delivered the child with Ealasaid's help. Idunna loved her as much as any mother, and her heart plummeted when she thought of sending the girl across the sea. Idunna's secret ache for a child of her own blossomed more each time she looked after Fulla.
    I would take her into my house and call her daughter without hesitation. If it were possible, but no one in Solstad deserved to love the child as much as Ealasaid. She'd risked everything for the settlement. May the gods have mercy and give Fulla to our queen.
    Birgir burst into the room, his face flushed and bearing a grin. His cloak twisted around his shoulders and a few snowflakes sparkled in his hair before melting. “Ma! The men are gathering in the courtyard to spar. Da sent me to fetch you. He needs you to cheer for him.”
    Ealasaid rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “How many will earn bloody wounds for me to tend once they've burned off their pride?”
    Birgir tugged his mother's sleeve. “Come on, Ma. We'll miss it.”
    “No one is waiting for remedies now. What can watching a few moments of sword-wielding men hurt? I'll clean up here and join you soon if you'll take Fulla.”
    “I will!” Birgir reached for the baby. “My favorite little lass.”
    Idunna laughed as she let him take Fulla. “Who's your favorite grown lass?”
    A charming smile that perfectly