Naya took a deep breath.

She was in pain all morning and she knew what that meant. She had a contract!

It was too early!

She tried to calm down and ignore the pain. But it did not get better.

Slowly she got up from the loom and went outside.

The sun was shining warmly on her, but Naya knew that she would soon have to go to the sweat house.

Again she breathed in and out. She took a few steps and held her back.

Greta came to meet her and looked at her sympathetically.

"It's time, am I right?"

Naya nodded and held onto the fence. She moaned softly.

Greta dropped the wood and gently rubbed her back.

"I'll tell you what we're doing now. We walk a few steps slowly. I know most of them are already in the sweat house, but I almost got my girls on the move and freshen up sooner. "

Naya groaned softly.

"I do not think I can go."

Greta laughed.

"I stay with you and support you. Let's go!"

So it came about that almost every woman on the estate knew that Naya would give birth and it was not long before Thorge came running.

"Oh well! Why did not you say anything?"

She leaned her torso against the fence and took a deep breath.

"I ... I thought ... too early!"

Thorge nodded, then started to grin.

"You know that it is customary for us to be born in pairs?"

She slapped him on the shoulder.

"I do not think that's funny, you son of a dog!"

Greta and Thorge started laughing.

Thorge leaned over and gently stroked her back.

"Jule had more verbal abuse in store. I think you have to make an effort! "

She looked at him and stifled another curse. Instead, she looked at him helplessly.

"Are not you afraid? I mean, it could be bad too! "

He shook his head.

"We have strong genes. It's gonna be okay!"

A few hours later he regretted those words.

At some point he'd carried her to the sweathouse, but Naya was still moaning in pain as he sat with Trygg, Tyr and Finn in front of him, nervously kneading his hands.

The women had sent him out, barely that he had dropped Naya.

"I do not know it that way, but I've heard that it can take a long time," Finn remarked softly.

Thorge glared at him.

"Jule was always very fast!"

Finn shrugged.

"Is not that different for every woman?"

Thorge could not say that. So far, he had mostly kept away from birth and even now he would prefer somewhere else.

"I think I can not stand this anymore!"

Tyr laughed.

"What? The way I see it, your wife does all the work in there. You just can not stand that you have to sit here idly. "

At that moment the gong sounded, announcing the arrival of a boat.

Thorge looked up and groaned. He had no time for that now.

Finn got up and pushed him down again.

"Stay here! It will be Lasse. He always has a nose for it when there is something to celebrate. I will welcome him. "

Thorge nodded his thanks gratefully and stared back at the door, hoping she would soon open for him.

"By Thor, how long was your boy away? I am really impressed!"

Stijn smiled proudly as he saw the fence Thorge had set up to keep enemies out of his estate.

"I always said that he will be a good leader!"

Tjark grinned and slapped him on the shoulder.

"He has our genes! Even if he is not of your blood! Odin blessed him! "

The boat docked at the jetty, but they waited for someone to greet them. With that they showed respect.

The gate opened and a giant stepped out. He glanced at the boat and the men for a moment, holding his battle-ax in order to defend the estate at all times.

"Who is that?", Asked Raik. "I do not know him."

Stijn shrugged.

"I have no idea, but I am amazed. It must be one of the men Ingulf had mentioned. So they really did not intend to return. "

The giant came to the jetty. A man with a forearm missing followed him. He wore a spear and Stijn was sure he could use it as if he still had both arms. Both men were impressive phenomena.

"Hey there! Explain! "

Tjark came forward.

"My name is Tjark Gunnarsson. Next to me is my brother Stijn Gunnarsson. We are here to see my nephews and brother. "

The man laughed and put his ax back in his pocket.

"I could have thought so! You all look very similar! Come and enjoy our hospitality. My name is Finn Gylvesson. Next to me is Jonte! "

Stijn jumped off the boat and helped Liv. She stared at the fence as well.

"That's what Thorge did? Our boy is really a good man! "She turned to Finn." Where is our son? Where is Thorge? "

Finn scratched the back of his head.

"The Jarl will surely regret that he did not greet you himself."

Liv smiled at her husband.

"He's Jarl!" She whispered.

Stijn nodded and turned back to Finn.

"Is he on a rampage?"

Finn shook his head, laughing.

"No. But his girl is just getting the kid. It takes a long time and he does not want to leave her alone! "

Liv straightened up, then turned to Tilda, who was still in the boat.

"Give me my bag. Naya needs our help! Quick! "

She turned to Finn.

"How long does it take?"

Again he scratched the back of his head.

"Well, I'm not sure. I think it started yesterday! "

Liv sighed and waited for Tilda von Tjark to help with the boat.

"Come on, Tilda. The girl will be scared because it takes so long. "

Finn led the women and brothers through the estate.

Stijn whistled through his teeth while Tjark could not get out of his amazement.

"I really could not imagine a nicer good. How does he manage that? "

Finn laughed.

"He hardly cares. I would like to say that we also have a stake in it, but if it is, it is very small. Thorge works like a horse. Naya had even had to give him sleeping herbs once, only to rest. "

Liv chuckled and Stijn nodded.

That's how he knew his boy.

The sweat house stood a bit off a small river. Three men were sitting on boulders in front of it. As soon as they saw the people, they got up.

"Father? Mummy?"

Thorge got up and ran for her. Stijn sighed. It was like before, only that the boy was now a whole man.

"What are you doing here?"

Liv hugged Thorge and gave him little pecks all over his face.

"We could not wait for you to come back to us. I hope you forgive us that. "

Thorge looked embarrassed on the floor as he heard the chuckles of his men. But then Stijn hugged him so hard that you heard the ribs crack.

He could only stare at his son and be careful not to cry like a little girl.

Liv went on, leaving Thorge Stijn.

He put his hand around Thorge's neck. He still could not say anything.

"Are you proud of me, dad? You do not say anything. "

Stijn pressed his forehead against Thorge's. He had always done that when Thorge was little.

"I'm always proud of you, Thorge. But now I'm almost bursting with pride. "

"I can not anymore. When will it finally happen? "

Greta did not look as cheerful as she had the day before. Naya recognized by her face that she was worried. She knew that it took too long now.

She grabbed Greta's dress.

"If I should die, cut here and get Thorges son out!"

She showed the spot on her stomach where she had also cut open Ida to fetch Kjell.

"If I'm dead, it has to go fast!"

"Nobody dies here today!" Came a firm voice.

Naya looked up and saw Liv and Tilda.

"Liv? As..."

Liv knelt beside her and wiped the sweat from her face.

"The gods have sent me well."

She looked at Greta and grinned.

"Hello, I'm Liv! I am Thorge's mother. Do not be surprised if Tilda and I talk strangely. From time to time we forget that we are Viking women. "

Again a woe came and Naya groaned. She wanted to scream, because she felt like she was almost torn to pieces. But she simply had no strength left.

Liv took a towel and wiped his face.

"When the pain is over, you will get up."

Naya shook her head.

"I already ran. The whole day. It does not help."

Liv touched her stomach, rested her head on it and smiled.

"You should listen to your mother-in-law, right? You will get up. And we bring Thorge in. He should support you. We can not do that too. "

Naya stared at her in horror.

"Thorge? He will drive me crazy! "

Liv laughed.

"I can imagine that. Shall Stijn come? "

Naya's eyes widened.

"He is here too?"

Liv nodded, laughing.

"Do you think Tilda and I would have come here by ourselves?"

Naya could not help laughing.

"I would have trusted you."

Tilda stood behind her and picked her up.

"You can still laugh. So we will not cut you! "She turned her head to the door." THORGE! Get your ass in here and do something! "

Liv washed her hands and lifted Naya's petticoat.

"It will not be long. Standing and running helps the babies. "

Naya laughed softly.

"So two!"

Tilda laughed.

"That's the way to secure offspring."

Thorge came in, but he did not look happy. But when he saw Naya, he went pale. Without having to tell him anything, he took her in his arms and held her tight.

"She has to stop, son. Otherwise the kids will not slip down. They are obviously very attached to the mother. "

Tilda shooed the women out.

"Get something to eat and drink. Naya needs strength. And mead for the men outside. "

She stopped Greta.

"Get new clothes for Thorge too. He will need you! "

Greta nodded. She was relieved that her responsibility was taken away and that Liv took over.

Thorge was still holding Naya.

"I'm sorry," she whispered exhausted.

He frowned.

"You are sorry? Are you confused in the head? "

She shook her head.

"No! But I can imagine you do not want to be here! "

He kissed her on the temple.

"I am exactly where I want to be. And now be quiet. I want to see my strong wife and not a whining thing! "

She stared at him.

"Whining Something? Oh! That you just tell me that! Who was always complaining and did not want to take me along? "

She hears him laugh and knew that's exactly what he intended.

"Next time I bring your dad in! I swear that to you!"

He took her a few steps through the sweathouse, and suddenly she felt something slipping inside her.

Astonished, she looked at Thorge.

"Soon!"

He nodded and stopped when another pain came.

"Stands still. I can already see the head. Tilda, pick up the dress. "Liv ordered.

Then she laughed.

"A dickskull. Like the father. I have to cut you, child. "

Naya panicked, but then she felt a small sting and the child slipped on.

"Come on, honey. We're all here waiting for you. "Liv whispered.

Another woe came and Naya moaned while Thorge talked her well.

"Soon it will be done! Then Kjell has his first sibling! Just once more. You can do it!"

She gathered all her strength and pressed until the child came out of her. Immediately it started to scream.

Liv laughed and wiped the child clean.

"A young! And what a great guy! What does Thorge Kjell always call? Berserk? I think you have two in the family now! "

She handed the kid to Tilda and then clapped her hands.

"Then we want it again. This time it will be easier, I promise. The guy has already paved the way for his brother or sister. "

Thorge grinned at his mother.

"So two really?"

Liv nodded, smiling.

"Yes. And if the second child is just as big as his brother, then you've done everything right. "

Naya hung in Thorges arms and took an exhausted breath.

"What's his name?"

Thorge clicked his tongue.

"We wait until the second one is there and then think it over together."

She smiled happily at him and looked at her son.

"He looks like you!" She commented.

Thorge grinned.

"We will examine that later, too."

In the meantime, Greta came in again. She smiled and handed Naya a mug.

"Drink that. Hind brewed something to strengthen."

Naya took a sip and then she already felt that it was going on.

"OK then. The baby is smaller. I do not need to cut anymore. It makes it easy for you, Naya! "

After only two labor years, Liv proudly held her next grandchild in her arms. It was a little girl.

At last Naya could lie down. Thorge wiped her face and then proudly took his two children in his arms. As carefully as possible, he sat down next to her.

Naya leaned against him and looked at the children.

"A boy and a girl! And both are ... perfect! "

He smiled at her.

"I know that I should honor your father, but I would like to name them after my parents."

They heard something clanking and looked at Liv, who had dropped a bowl and clasped her hands over her mouth.

Naya laughed softly.

"Stijn Thorgesson and Liv Thorgesdottir. I think we will have another chance to get an Alvar Thorgesson! "

The arrival of the first children was celebrated properly.

But then it got serious.

Stijn, Tjark, Raik and Sjard sat with Lasse, Thorge and Einar and explained what they had learned.

Thorge gritted his teeth.

"This woman knows no boundaries. Ingulf intervened much too late. She wants the men back. She does not care about the boat. She probably has no one to warm her bed! "

Tjark nodded.

"I have already heard of that!"

Einar snorted.

"When I think that bitch was after me ..."

Stijn jumped up, but Sjard pushed him back onto the chair.

"She did not get it, there! Chill out!"

Thorge put his elbows on his knees and folded his hands.

"What should we do? Should we let it get into a fight, or will we catch it before? "

Raik raised his finger.

"Remember that she does not know we're here, too. Besides, it will not help if we intercept them before. You do not know when she's coming. "

Thorge nodded.

"What are you suggesting?"

Raik raised his eyebrows in astonishment. The Thorge asked him for advice, he wondered very much. But then he leaned back.

"It would be wrong if we just sit here waiting for an attack. We should prepare. I have seen the bay and I have some suggestions on how to make the boats harmless before. "

Lasse raised his head.

"Tell me!"