The weeks were slowly passing, post monster demon bear, but normal was returning. Magnus and Is?lde took a couple of weeks off – not that Is?lde needed it, she was good to go in a few days – but as the news went out to the surrounding villages of the demon''s demise, chiefs and Jarl''s were sending emissaries with tribute to the village of Elg Hjem and she was helping answer questions. The other villages were not only eternally grateful for the pair that dispatched the demon, but there were also many questions surrounding demons in general, holy relic spears, and Allfather''s. There was some ''splainin'' to do – and Magnus and Is?lde did it all.


    Magnus and Is?lde met at the training grounds a few times since the tributes stopped...but their work outs just felt trivial to them – like something was missing. Magnus could easily destroy a regular demon, and even swaths of lesser demons at this point. His monster hunting knowledge was exactly what it needed to be – and he had the Spear of Destiny for anything else. It seemed like the day-to-day training was done – Is?lde had done what she came to do.


    The last day they officially trained, Is?lde called a stop early, "Magnus, I think we''re done here – you''ve gotten everything you need from me...what do you think?"


    "I think we should go look at your boat, that''s what I think."


    The pair stowed their weapons and headed to the shipyard via Magnus'' hut. The small ship was about 80% finished. Magnus spent the rest of the day showing her the beautiful ship. Teaching her about some of the specialty craftsmanship that makes these boat builders so sought after. They spent dinner together and just a bit of time at Magnus'' hut in the early hours of the night, and Is?lde left – like she had every other night since they met.


    Magnus lay down and prepared himself for sleep, meditation and prayer, reflection on the day past. He was feeling a bit lost now that he and Is?lde were no longer training...he was wondering if he really was ready to be on his own, if he could do what he needed to do. "Hmmm..." he thought to himself, "is that really why I want to keep training with her..."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    There was a soft rap on his front door...he knew who that was, he could feel her strong spirit – he quickly rolled out of bed to answer the door. Is?lde stood outside in her "typical" Norwegian homespun get up. As the door fully opened, Magnus reached out for her hand and gently pulled her into an embrace. They stood for a couple of moments, "I couldn''t leave Magnus" she spoke softly, "I think you broke me – I love you." Tears began to slowly descend from her beautiful blue eyes. She had experienced fear like no other, now she felt love like she never had before. Magnus pulled her in even closer, leaned his head down and gently kissed her under her ear – "I love you too, Is?lde...if that is your real name." He leaned backed, just a touch, to gaze into her limitless eyes, and smiled.


    They stood embraced for several more, now awkward moments, but Magnus'' mind was racing as he poured over the ramifications of what his options could be in the next few moments..."My love, uhhh, the priests teach us that the connection between a man and a woman are holy, and that one should not simply act upon, umm...''urges'', but know that the love between us is sacred, and should be blessed by the Allfather – in marriage..."


    It was Is?lde''s turn to pull back from their embrace and chuckle. She grabbed a cheek (face cheek) in each hand and gazed into his forest green eyes, "You silly wonderful man – do you think I am some fallen angel who would just mess around with anything...I will promise myself to you, literally in front of the Holy Father, if you would do the same for me?"


    Holding the warrior angel by the waist he said, "In front of the Allfather most high, I promise myself to you, Is?lde."


    Is?lde looked to the heavens, "Do you hear that Grandfather?" she shouted, "we have pledged ourselves to each other, in your name, will you give us your blessing?"


    A flash of golden light caught Magnus'' attention outside the front door. The pair stepped outside, arm in arm, and were struck breathless at the sight before their eyes. The northern lights apparently turn gold and silver when you get your union personally blessed by the Allfather. They stood there for some time...as long as they could possibly stand it, but soon retired in order to spend the first night, of the rest of their life together, or rather truth be told, the rest of Magnus'' life...but who''s counting?