Chapter 39: Chapter Eighteen

ADA

Our days carried out very similarly throughout the winter. We filled them with daily chores and training, passing time with each other.

Every morning, Cayden and I woke up and ate breakfast together. He would spend the morning completing whatever tasks he needed to in the town while I spent the mornings with Muireann and Kyra.

Muireann encouraged me to help settle disputes and solve problems with the townspeople. On other days, we would weave blankets and carry out various other tasks for our family.

Cayden, and usually the others, would join us for lunch in the hall. We laughed and shared stories about our morning work. I often retired for an afternoon nap, sometimes joined by Cayden.

Although, most of the time it was an excuse for us to be alone together.

Our afternoons were filled with training until dinnertime. I loved to watch Cayden in his element, helping the younger men sharpen their sword skills.

They spent hours practicing new battle routines and strategies to outmaneuver their enemies. A few times a week, Padriac and I would teach Kyra basic defense moves.

As promised, until she could confidently defend herself against one of the men, Cayden would not let her learn any sword skills.

I was happy to call Dundalk my home; it had brought me a peaceful life without any unwanted surprises.

I awoke early one morning to the sound of birds chirping, and I felt tears settle in the corners of my eyes as I lay there. For the past few weeks, I had done my best to deny that winter had passed.

There was no longer a chill in the air; little seedlings were beginning to sprout out of the ground. It would only be a matter of time until Sayer came to Dundalk to collect the men and take Cayden away.

“You have been very quiet today, Ada,” Cayden said during our afternoon meal. I looked at him and forced a half-smile, while inside dreading his imminent departure.

He placed his hand on my stomach, which had doubled in size since our arrival.

“Are you not feeling well?”

Before I could answer, the doors of the hall opened and in walked Sayer. Kyra ran up to him, almost tackling him to the ground.

She was talking so fast about the wedding and her training that Sayer looked completely overwhelmed. Cayden and I also stood to greet him.

Cayden peeled Kyra off Sayer and told her to tell their mother of Sayer’s arrival. The two brothers fondly embraced and shared a few words.

Sayer did not wish to speak at length about Kilcoran until he was able to eat. He took one look at me and gave his brother another hug.

“By the looks of you, I would say you are growing a Viking warrior in there.” Sayer leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“I hope your journey was an easy one.” I smiled back at him, privately thinking that one should never comment on the size of a woman with child.

The tears that had filled my eyes this morning started to return. Cayden and his brother sat at the table exchanging words when Kyra returned with Muireann, whose happiness at seeing her eldest son was immeasurable.

“Are you all right?” Kyra asked, finding a seat next to me.

“No, I don’t think so... I am going to get some fresh air.”

“Would you like me to come?”

“Oh no, I’ll be fine. I will see you later,” I said and slipped outside, wishing to be alone. It was warm enough outside that I no longer needed my heavy cape.

Instead of going home, I decided to take my thoughts to the edge of the sea. It had become my favorite place to find solace in Dundalk.

I was greeted by a few townspeople on my way, who also commented on my growing stomach. When I finally arrived at the shoreline, I found my usual spot on the log and stared out at the ocean.

There was something so comforting about the gentle breeze that came off the water on days like this, the smell of the sea air, and the sound of the waves rhythmically breaking on the sand.

Closing my eyes, I let my body relax.

“I thought you had gone back to the house to rest. Have you been here the entire time?” Cayden asked as he sat down next to me some time later.

I opened my eyes, looking at him in the sunlight. He had grown a very short beard since the wedding, and it covered most of his face. It made his hazel eyes stand out even more.

“Yes. I just needed some time to myself.”

“Hmm…” He stroked his beard. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Mind-reading is not one of my strengths. So, if you say you are fine, I will accept that answer and leave you to your thoughts.”

“I do not wish you to leave.”

“Okay, then I will stay with you as long as you wish.”

“No, not ~here~ on the shore. I do not wish you to leave Dundalk. I know that is why Sayer has come. It is time for you to return to Kilcoran.”

“I have no choice but to leave.”

“Why is that?” I asked, my hands clenched in my lap. “Is the pending arrival of your unborn child not reason enough to stay?”

“Ada, you know it is…” He trod lightly. I think he could tell just how upset I was about his departure. “You have to understand, it was a struggle just to have Barra agree to bring you here.

“But I knew I must. It was the only way to keep you and the baby safe. I have to return to Kilcoran to ~ensure~ you are safe.”

I wanted to protest, to kick and scream like a child might, but it wouldn’t change a thing. I eventually nodded in agreement. If I spoke another word, I would cry.

I was too proud to do so at this moment. If I fell apart now, then what I proposed to him later would be seen as irrational.

We walked back to our house hand in hand. As we entered the first room, I sat down and propped my feet up to rest. Cayden went over to the cupboard and took out some fruit and cheese for me.

Our house was now a home to the two of us. We used all the gifts the town had presented us for the wedding to decorate. Muireann even encouraged me to change the tapestry that hung in the windows to whatever I preferred.

“I will be coming back to Kilcoran with you. I want to see you off,” I finally said. The words had sat on the tip of my tongue since we left the beach.

He slowly turned his head to me, as if he did not know how to proceed. “Do you not think the journey will be too much for you?”

“No,” I answered curtly.

“What about the baby?”

“Freja said it would be fine. I still have a few months until the baby arrives.”

“What happens if we are attacked again?”

“Then you will protect me. I am sure of it.”

He was patiently trying to deter me from wanting to return to Kilcoran, but my decision had already been made.

“How will you make the return trip? You cannot stay in Kilcoran. We may never go back there.”

“I will bring some of our help with us. They will bring me back. It will also be a chance to collect the rest of the items from my old house.”

“Ada, you cannot come to Kilcoran. It’s too dangerous.” His tone was quickly changing. No matter how much he persisted, I would refuse to budge. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with him.

“Either we can spend the night fighting about it, or you can come to terms with it now.”

“You are not coming, and that is the end of it!”

I raised an eyebrow at his growing frustration, undeterred. “If you do not let me go back with you, then I will arrange for someone here to bring me after you leave.”

I stood up with my pregnant stomach between us. After a few moments of standing there, I nudged him out of the way and went into the bedroom. I heard him leave the house.

I wanted him to follow me into the bedroom, but he was just as stubborn as me.