Just as he predicted, Catriona was in the longhall. Today, she wore a sensual gown. Gone were her tunics and breeks. He took a minute to appreciate how she looked. Perhaps there was a message for him in the gown she had chosen. It had a soft white outer skirt, matching bodice and sleeves. The inner skirt was a deep velvet green and midnight purple with white lace and intricate floral patterns. Her red hair with sun kissed golden streaks fell softly around her face and down her neck – their beauty accentuated by the striking shade of purple that extended to the center of the bodice. The sleeves that stretched beyond her delicate wrists were a deep shade of black, green and purple. Looking at her reminded him of the colors of the evening sky from the night before. He smiled. 

Aware of his presence, Catriona looked up. Her eyes were even more perfect today. It took a minute for it to sink in. She had applied kohl. The dark black contrasting against her emerald green eyes. She smiled. He beckoned to her and she excused herself from the table. He found he couldn’t stop staring as she walked towards him. Today, that boyish half-skip half-stride was gone, replaced by a gentle swaying of her hips that added just a hint of bounce to her breasts. His eyes weren’t the only ones watching her. Suddenly, he found himself very jealous… very jealous indeed.  Perhaps… again, she was taking the lead here. If she intended to sweep him off his feet, she had succeeded! 

As she neared him, he spoke softly “How do you propose to ride a horse with that gown?” He knew she would be irritated with such a statement, but he enjoyed teasing her. 

“If I had known you were taking me riding, perhaps I would have stuck to the breeks”. She replied simply, not taking the bait. 

He laughed as he slid one hand behind her. Placing it possessively on the small of her back, he led her out of the hall. 

“Ye should bur those breeks. Ye look devastatingly beautiful in that gown” he whispered in her ear, the warmth of his words and his breath sending delicious shivers down her spine. 

“Now to hide you from the lusty glares of other men” he continued with a growl. And she basked in his attention and possessiveness. 

They walked slowly behind the castle. Standing before them was the large garden designed by Lady MacShane. At the entrance stood a grand ivy-covered pergola with patches of the tiny yet beautiful yellow celandine gracing its feet. Inside, stretched a huge meadow. The entire garden was fenced in with trees of all shapes and sizes, each in a different shade of green – from mellow to bright to dark green. Some were shedding their leaves while others were sprouting new ones, welcoming the spring. Stretched before the tree line was a huge thrift boundary – some sported red, some pink and some almost a brilliant white flower. 

In the center stood a circle of trees, each laden heavy with a variety of indigenous orchid. Some circled around the tree trunks in a spiral of colors, while others grew from pits in the trunks. Others competed with the tree’s own branches for sunlight - the brilliant blue and purple flowers peeking out from a maze of green. A large statue stood in the center of the tree circle. Stones shaped into flower petals formed a lazy walk all around the tree circle. The white of the grass-of-Parnassus, in full bloom, littered the sleepy meadow. Benches were scattered around, each graced by its own ivy-covered pergola. 

Olaf and Catriona walked slowly hand-in-hand towards the statue. Once there, he turned her around and embraced her. Their lips finally meeting. After a slow kiss, he sat her down on a bench and presented her with the pouch. He held both her hands in his as she clutched the pouch. Looking deeply into her eyes he spoke. 

“It is Norse tradition that every maiden wear a kransen - handed down from mother to daughter. I had this made especially for you. I do hope that you accept my gift.” 

Slowly Catriona opened the pouch. She put her hand in and drew a sharp breath as she saw the kransen. Many delicate gold wires were intertwined together to form a magnificent headband. Seven silver ivy leaves sat neatly on top, each holding within it a beautiful emerald – the shade of her eyes. In the center of the kransen lay a brilliant lavender tanzanite. 

“This... This is too much... I cannot” Catriona whispered. 

Olaf closed his eyes. He had known he had gone overboard. But he also knew that he wanted to give her everything that he had and this was nothing in comparison. He opened his eyes and spoke to her softly. 

 “This is but a small gift of appreciation for the joy you have brought me, pretty one. From the day that I have met you, I have known that I have wanted you. I was afraid to speak with you because I’d rather admire you from afar than have you reject me. When I almost lost you... the fear that I felt, the regret of never knowing how you felt... it was too much. If you will have me, I will love you and keep you safe forever. I will give you the family that you desire, the happiness and the life that you deserve...” 

Seconds turned into minutes and minutes stretched on like hours. But she didn’t speak. This whole time, his heart was stuck in his chest. His breath caught in his throat. Why didn’t she speak! Taking a deep breath, he gently placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face. Seeing the look in his eyes, the tears she was holding back poured freely from her eyes. “Shhh… don’t cry, pretty one. It’s alright. Say what you must.” 

“Will you put it on me” she said smiling through the tears. He laughed nervously, the tension leaving his body. He embraced her once again, kissing her fiercely. He knew her answer and his joy knew no bounds! 

Her heart beat faster as his lips met hers. Eagerly she opened her mouth to welcome his. Her hands circled his neck as his circled her waist. Gently, he broke the kiss and took the kransen from her hands. He sighed with relief when he placed it on her head. He would have killed Aengus if it hadn’t fit! 

“I have something else for you.” 

“Och! No, no no, no. No more expensive gifts!” she said, hand rushing to her mouth. 

“I’m sorry my love, but this one is tradition. It signifies that you are spoken for. And all those men better know that ye are mine! I apologize, but it is not as elaborate as the kransen.” 

He put his hand in his pocket once again and brought out two silver chains. To her relief, they were simple in comparison to the kransen. He held them up for her to see as he explained the designs. From the first chain hung a medallion with a symbol etched into it – three interweaving triangles. The second sported an eagle, with its claws hooked, as if clutching something invisible. The two chains when put together, fit neatly – one atop the other – with the eagle sitting on top of the medallion. 

“This is my family crest”, he explained. “While the eagle signifies sovereignty, the three intertwined triangles signify the afterlife. Together, the two symbols represent our rule over the nine Norse worlds for all eternity, in life and in death...”   

It hit Olaf like a ton of stones falling off a cliff. She wasn’t speaking… again. Only this time she wasn’t smiling. She looked… horrified. Something was wrong. Maybe it was something he said? How could it be though? Maybe she hated it? Were they too plain? 

Slowly she reached for the medallion. She ran her fingers over the design. She closed her fingers around the medallion and cried softly. Then she just… took off. Lifted her skirts and ran away from him. The medallion making a soft thud sound as it hit the ground. 

Olaf sat there in utter disbelief. He didn’t know what to make of her reaction. Why was all he could think. Slowly, he picked up the medallion, dusted it and placed it back in his pocket. Then he began his long embarrassed walk back to the castle. He needed answers. 

As he neared the longhall, Kieran was waiting for him. “What did you do? What did you say to her? Why did she flee crying? If you hurt her, I swear I will …” 

Olaf didn’t stop to answer Kieran’s questions. As he walked past he, all he said was, “Damn if I know. Women!” 

Together the two men stomped towards her chambers. 

“Dinnae follow me” Olaf barked at Kieran. 

“Ye aren’t married to her yet, ye cannot be in there with her unchaperoned.” 

Olaf grunted and continued to run up the stairs, two at a time. He steadied himself in front of her door before forcing himself to knock gently. The last thing he wanted was to startle her more than she already was. About what though, he still hadn’t figured out. 

When she didn’t answer, Kieran opened the door and peered in. She was sitting on her bed sobbing softly. The two men walked in quietly. 

“Cat what’s wrong?” Kieran said softly as he sat next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders offering his support and hopefully, brotherly comfort that she would welcome. 

“Ye can tell me, if Olaf did or said something to hurt you. I will have his head.” 

It took a few minutes for her sobbing to die down. She wiped her eyes before standing up and walking to Olaf. She handed him an old cloth, with something inside. 

“Explain this to me” she said softly. 

Nervously he lifted the corners of the cloth before gasping at the object hidden within. It couldn’t be. By the Gods it just couldn’t be! Olaf found himself speechless. 

Kieran’s frustration mounted. “Someone please, for the love of Gods, explain to me what the hell is happening.” 

“Where did you get this?” Olaf asked. 

“It was my mothers. She left it for me when she died.” 

“It cannae be. It just cannae be” Olaf said shaking his head in disbelief.  “Ye cannae be!” he shouted. 

This time he looked straight at her. “Bit she... ye... she died!” Several long minutes of silence passed by. 

“Asdis?” he whispered, tears glistening in his eyes. 

*** Lost love found... yayie. Can I get a hug or two? A star maybe pwease!