Page 102 of Truly, Madly Viking

With both of them speaking at once, it was hard to decipher their words, but mostly they were talking about how exciting it had been to ice-skate, and wasn't snow the greatest invention in the world, and would he please, please, please be on their side in the upcoming snowball fight? Joe listened attentively to all they said, seeming to be able to decipher who was saying what. He nodded and smiled, tugged playfully on Suzy's braids, and whisked some snowflakes off Beth's eyelashes. And Maggie's heart swelled and swelled and swelled.

She looked at Meredith, and Meredith looked back at her with understanding.

Maggie had never realized just how much her daughters had needed a father figure in their lives—a man just like Joe. Was it really as simple as the fact that they had prayed on a wishing star, and God had sent them Joe?

Truly, she concluded, her Viking had been a miracle, too. A Christmas miracle.

Later that day, Jorund was still touring the Rosestead village.

"I'm impressed," he told his brother. "Not just because you have built a thriving shipbuilding concern, and a world outlet for Norse crafts, and a tourist attraction, but you help troubled children as well. And look at how much you do to educate people in this land about Vikings."

"I am proud of my work," Rolf admitted with no token show of humility. It was the way of the menfolk in his family. 'Twas especially important to me that this enterprise succeed so that I could find a place for myself in this new world. I'm not sure what I could have done, if not for this."

Jorund understood. "A man needs to find work that suits his talents and feeds his soul."

"Yea, that is it exactly. Oh, I suppose I could have gotten work as a carpenter, but I doubt I could have worked for someone else. I am too used to leading."

That sentiment Jorund agreed with, too. In truth, he was not sure he could fit in so well in this society.

"What will you do now?" Rolf asked. "Now that you have found me... does that not fulfill our father's wishes?"

"I am not sure," he answered truthfully. "One part of me is joyous and says I am finally free .... "

"Free to do what?"

"That is the problem, I'm not sure. Just free, I suppose. Another part of me argues that I must go back.

Do you know—I probably shouldn't tell you this but on one of the Enter-net history sites, it says that our father died in the year 999. That is only one year from the time I left. Mayhap if I go back I can forestall his passing on to Valhalla. And there was another thing, too. I saw my sword the very sword I carry with me now—pictured on that Webbing site. It said that the sword was buried in my grave mound. Surely that means that I must go back."

"The Webbing site also mentioned that the grave mound was for me, too, and I am not returning. It must be a mistake." Rolf frowned with bafflement.

"I do not know," Jorund answered desolately. "Mayhap I died far from home. All I know is that our father cannot be left ignorant of your fate... before he dies."

He added that last with a choked sound of pain. All of the Ericsson children were fond of their father.

Rolf put a hand on his shoulder. "Merrydeath is an expert on ancient studies, and she tells me that the dates in the tenth-century histories are rarely accurate. Besides, it is not your responsibility."

"He is our father," Jorund cried out.

"Yea, he is, and though I expect ne'er to see him again in this life, it does not mean I love him any less because I choose to live my life here."

"But it's cruel not to let our father know that we—I mean, you—are well."

"I will say this, brother: you were ever the one to take on all the world's responsibilities."

Jorund bristled. "What mean you by that blather?"

" 'Tis not blather. Many a man would have refused to wed Inga if tricked into wedlock the way you were, but you felt responsible. Many a man has lost children and not felt the massive guilt that weighs you down, but you feel responsible. Many a man would have considered his father-duty ended when he completed his mission, but you feel a responsibility to tell our father in person. When does your responsibility to others end and your own happiness take precedence?"

He accepted that Rolf meant well, and much of what he said was true, but a strong sense of duty was in Jorund's nature. He could not change. Nor did he want to. At least, that was what he told himself. Inside he was not so sure.

"What of your Mag-he? Do you have a responsibility to her, as well?"

He shook his head. "Mag-he understands."

"Does she?"

He cocked his head to the side. "Do you doubt that?"