Olaf woke with a groan. His mouth felt dry and his whole body ached. He sat up and gingerly swung his feet over the side of his bed. He groaned louder when contact with the cold ground sent sharp painful sensations up his legs. After taking a moment to compose himself, he reached across for the tally stick. In the dim morning light, he squinted as his fingers ran over the marks – one for each day since the wedding discussions with Kieran and Klaufi. 

Eleven days had gone, three days left. Olaf sighed, relieved that he’d made it this far. It hadn’t been an easy eleven days that’s for sure. His bottom ached from all the trips to the village by horse. His legs were stiff from running after animals of varying sizes. His arms burned with the continued assault from splitting wood, hammering nails and digging in the hard ground. And more recently, the unfortunate incident with the two-horned beast. He rubbed his sore ribs as he recalled the nightmarish experience. 

It had been an ordinary morning – the cheery sky had brought with it the promise of a great day. Unfortunately, not for Olaf. But he hadn’t known that as he stepped out from the castle, smiling and whistling. Albeit he would be doing his least favorite task – buying cattle – this would be the last of his trips down to the village. Eager to be done with it, he rode as quickly as his poor horse would carry him. 

By the time he reached, the market had been in full swing. Men and women crowded the streets, slowing down in front of each of the stalls to see what wares were being sold. Merchants shouted their sales pitch clearly over the din of the streets. Negotiations were underway at all stalls. He remembered navigating past the bakers, the smell of fresh bread making his mouth salivate. Then he swung left and walked past the stalls selling spices and wheat. Children running around the stalls often earned a few curses as they bumped into people. As he turned right, Olaf stopped to let a farmer pass. His horse seemed nervous in the crowd. Beads of sweat collected on the farmer’s brow as he coaxed the horse into behaving. 

As he crossed the street, his nose was assaulted by the pungent smell of dried blood that surrounded the butcher’s stall. Swarms of flies buzzed around the trussed up animals and the customers. Covering his nose with a handkerchief, Olaf walked further south till he reached the enclosures that housed cattle for sale. 

He walked past the sheep and goats, and stopped in front of the pen holding the cows. Tapping his foot impatiently, he waited for the farmer to show up. Three men sat on a bench not too far from where he stood. Lost in their gossip, ale and games they hadn’t noticed Olaf. A booming shout caught their attention, and a slight man with a tattered tunic rushed up to the pen, apologizing furiously to placate his potential customer. 

Olaf pointed to the two cows that looked the healthiest and the farmer opened the gate to the pen. Walking through, he waved to Olaf to follow. And that’s when Olaf’s day soured. Not only was he flapping his arms to shoo away the flies, he was constantly side-stepping swishing tails. At one point, he was nudged not-too-gently by a cow who had been offended when Olaf stepped on the hay she had been chewing on. But the worst was yet to come. Perhaps the cows in question had been in a foul mood to begin with, Olaf didn’t know. But when he began inspecting their eyes, ears and noses, they seemed to take offense. One snorted so hard, she left objectionable muck on his hands. 

The farmer offered Olaf a stained handkerchief as an apology for the cow’s behavior. Rolling his eyes, Olaf then ran his clean hand over her neck, back and hook bone, checking her hide for insects and skin diseases. None-too-pleased the cow seemed to sort her objections. Sweet revenge she sought, and got, when Olaf bent to inspect her hooves. One swift kick sent him flying into the wooden fencing of the pen.  

Horrified, the farmer stuttered as he apologized to Olaf. Grabbing at Olaf with shaking hands, he had sincerely intended on helping the large man stand, but his feet slipped in the loose dirt and both men tumbled over again. Laughter echoed around the marketplace as spectators watched the spectacle. He remembered the wild anxious look in the farmer’s eyes when he said “If I were you, I would march that troublesome cow to the butchers.” 

“Mah lord, mah sincerest apologies. Bessie isn’t usually like this. She’s a good cow. I can’t, for the life of me, imagine what has her so riled up today.” He patted her neck and spoke softly to the cow. The miserable creature stuck out her tongue and licked the farmer’s hands. 

“Mibbie she’s upset with being put up for sale. Ye see I have had her since she was but a tiny calf. She’s served me well all these years, but I can no longer take care of her.” Olaf’s eyes widened as the farmer noticeably sniffed and wiped away tears. His affection for the troublesome cow, apparent. 

Uncomfortable with the display of emotion, Olaf spoke quickly. “Alright, alright. Enough with the tears. Don’t be a lass now. How about we deal? ye give me two of your healthiest cows, and I don’t mean Bessie. And I pay ye double for yer trouble? Perhaps then ye can take this ... beast... home... and put her where she won’t kill anyone.” 

The farmer kicked at an invisible object on the ground, his head bowed in submission as he spoke. “Ah wish lord, bit that cannae be. I only have these cows and as ye can see, Bessie is the healthiest of the lot. She’s tame, I promise y. Perhaps once she’s settled in her new home...” 

Olaf rolled his eyes again when the farmer choked on his words, unable to continue. 

Reconsidering his options Olaf looked quickly about for other farmers selling cows. When he saw none, he sighed in resignation. He had no other options. Thinking a little bit, he spoke, “Ye have any children?” 

“Aye, four lads 'n' a lassie.” 

“Any of them good with Bessie?” 

“Aye, mah oldest laddie. He has a real gentle hands with animals, lord.” 

“How about another deal? yer lad stays with the servants at the castle and cares for Bessie? I’ll pay him handsomely for his services of course.” 

The farmer almost jumped with delight, unable to believe his fortune. As sad as he was about having to sell Bessie, he was thrilled for the prospects his son would enjoy working at the castle. “Bless ye mah lord. Bless ye. Shall I have the boy bring the cows to the castle stable?” 

“Aye of course, I’m not taking the cursed beast with me. And farmer, have the boy wash the cows first. They smell.” 

With that, Olaf paid the farmer and began his walk back to his horse, relieved his task had been accomplished albeit at the cost of a few bruised ribs. 

Shaking himself free of the reminiscing, Olaf began preparing for the day ahead. Today, he would meet with Klaufi and Kieran to settle matters pertaining to the bruðkaup (Bride-price). Over the next two days, the remaining formalities would be completed and then he would wed Catriona. A big goofy grin firmly settled on his face. Nothing would shake the happiness he felt. 

An hour later, dressed in his finery, Olaf made his way to Kieran’s study. Booming voices and laughter echoed through the halls. Olaf hurried his pace. Looks like everyone had gathered already. All men in attendance stood and greeted Olaf warmly as he entered, muttering his apologies. Hands were shaken, backs were patted, and grunts were exchanged. The room was separated into two, on one side stood the bride’s family represented by Klaufi and Kieran and their witnesses, Sverting, Agnar, Gauk and Erp. On the other side, stood Olaf, with his witnesses, Bjorn, Aggi and Aengus. 

“Nay... Nay, yer just in time. sit, grab some ale.” Kieran said, pushing a chair towards Olaf. 

Once everyone had settled, and refilled their mugs, Klaufi spoke. “Sae what have ye got for us today?” 

“For the mundr, I offer ye two cows, four sheep, two palfreys with bridles, a shield, spear and sword.” 

Kieran nudged Klaufi for an explanation. 

“The mundr is the payment the groom makes to the bride's family. This arrangement is completed before the wedding. Think of it as a payment, in exchange for protection and guardianship of the bride till the wedding.” 

“Ahh ah see. That makes perfect sense. And what do ye think? As Catriona’s blood brother, do ye feel that is sufficient payment?” 

Klaufi scratched his chain, a smirk played on his lips. “Perhaps if Olaf offered an extra shield, spear and sword. After all there’s no way to split one of each between two brothers of the bride-to-be.” 

Bjorn and Aggi simultaneously raised their objections. “That’s more than fair. The bride's family is considered as one, not two parts having to split the mundr between them.” 

On and on the negotiations went till Olaf’s opinion thundered over the noise. “If Aengus has the time and inclination, he can make a second sword, shield and spear. For the timebing, what I have, I offer.” 

Kieran spoke next, “Agreed… what's next?” 

Kalufi addressed Kieran, “The morgen-gifu (the morning gift), would be the second payment from the groom’s side. But that isn’t due till the morning after the wedding.” He directed his question to Olaf, “Any thoughts on what ye will present to Catriona the day after the wedding?” 

“Ahh the usual Klaufi. Clothes, jewlery and such. Since I dont have much of my own land here, I am considering one hide of land at home? We dont have much free habitable land there either. But that should be more than sufficient to keep her comfortable if need arises.” 

Kieran searched the faces of those in attendance for reactions to gauge if said arrangements were sufficient. The shocked expersiions on Bjorn and Aggi’s face confirmed it for him. 

Bjorn spoke, “At this rate ye'll leave mother and father with very little to hand out when it’s our turn to settle down. Land is sparse ye know and of not much use in that form.” 

Olaf shrugged. 

“If I may”… Kieran began. All eyes turned to him. He fidgeted in his chair, uncomfortable with drawing everyone’s attention before continuing. “Its my fault that ye have settled here. I hadn’t thought about all this then. Perhaps I can help? How about half a hide back home and half a hide worth of land here? Ye could pick the land ye like. That way she has something closer to home if she needs it.” 

“Excellent idea.” Olaf said grining. “I have just the land in mind… Gauk and Erp have already done their magic with the place.” 

“Ye walked right into that one” Klaufi said to Kieran, jabbing him in the ribs. 

“Now that all of that is settled, let’s discuss the heiman fylgia?” Olaf offered. 

Klaufi groaned and Kieran’s eyebrows shot up at the reaction. 

Klaufi offered an explanation, “The heiman fylgia is the payment due from the bride’s family. A dowry if ye must.  Share of her family’s wealth. By our traditions, the groom – Olaf – will receive no part of the dowry. It remains Catriona’s. As her husband, he will watch over the money we give and, administer the land. It becomes Olaf’s duty to ensure that Catriona’s dowry remains cared for and unspent.” 

“Ahh” said Kieran. “Well that’s easy. She’s my only family. She gets half of everything I have.” 

Klaufi nodded. “Quarter of everything I have is hers as part of the heiman fylgia” 

“Well then glad to have all that settled. Shall we go inspect the mundr?” 

“One minute, what about the handsal?” Klaufi reminded Olaf. 

“Err… aye of course” Olaf said slapping his hand to his forehead. 

“Will the witnesses please rise?” Klaufi said standing up. 

The six men rose. 

Klaufi continued, “Repeat after me please, We declare ourselves witnesses that thou, Kieran and Klaufi, bondest Olaf in lawful betrothal, and with taking hold of hands thou promisest him the dowry and engagest to fulfill and observe the whole of the compact between the two families, which has been notified in the hearing of witnesses without duplicity or cunning, as a real and authorized compact.”