Alan wrapped the fur-lined cloak around his shoulders to keep warm against the falling snow as he walked the road of the Viking settlement. His blond hair was now sheered along the sides and the rest of it was twisted into a braid in the Viking style.

As the days grew shorter in the winter months, the weather on the Scottish coast had become brutal. White flurries had begun to dust the rocky shore and an icy wind crept in along the paths of the newly established settlement.

They’d spent every minute reinforcing the cottages and making sure there was enough food to last the winter. Eamon had sent them a modest supply of food, for which Ragnar and his people were extremely grateful. It would be a long winter before they could till the ground and plant seed themselves, but spirits were high, and the people thrived. He glanced across the buildings now and a sense of pride rose up inside him. The settlement had come so far, and in such a remarkably short period of time. Bjorn and Helga nodded when he passed and gave a conciliatory nod. There were some people who still did not trust him, but that was to be expected. Alan was determined to make this work and that required time and patience – just like silver. He smiled back at them and ducked beneath the door frame into the main hall to warm himself.

When Alan came inside, Jain and Ragnar greeted him with a smile.

“Brother, I’m glad to see you have returned,” Ragnar greeted him with a clap on the back. “How are things on the west bank?”

The red-haired Earl looked exactly like his sister, Jain. They had the same green eyes and pale complexion that was common in Scandinavia.

“We finished securing two more horses, they should be sufficient to last the winter,” he responded in the Viking tongue.

Jain grinned up at him appreciatively and that made his smile widen. Her long red hair fell down across her shoulders and was adorned with colorful beads. She looked completely serene and in her element, being surrounded by her kinsmen. Ever since they moved to live in the settlement with her brother, they had been practicing how to speak. It was different than his native Gaelic and became frustrating at times, but the more he practiced the more the words began to flow. She taught him the language of her ancestors and about their history, making his lexicon grow larger every day.

His wife’s eyes twinkled when he came near to her and she teased him, saying, “Good morrow, Alan. I dinnae see ye when ye left this morning.”

He grinned and leaned down to kiss her on the lips. “I’m sorry, Jain. I dinnae want to bother ye in the wee hours. I ken how difficult the mornings are in yer condition.” 

She scoffed, reaching up to scratch the stubble of his beard. “I’m only pregnant, not an invalid. Ye could have said goodbye to me at least.”

Ragnar chuckled, listening to them quarrel. “Don’t be so hard on him, Jain. I asked Alan to get there early so we could get finished with the building before the storm, he was only trying to help.”

Jain laughed while standing up and using the table to support her weight. “Then it’s ye I should be angry at!”

When she stood, the folds of her billowing tunic exposed the gentle curve of her growing belly. Alan placed his arm around her to give extra support and kissed her on the forehead. “Dinnae be angry with anyone, my dear. It’s important that we think about the needs of our community. Now there is one more structure added to the settlement.”

She nodded. “I understand. It’s just difficult not seeing ye as often.” 

Ragnar smiled. “Well, come spring you’ll have another little one to keep you company. I’ll admit that I’m looking forward to meeting my little niece or nephew.”

Her eyes twinkled when she looked up at him and rested her hand against her belly. “If it’s a boy I was going to name him Erik after our father.”

The Earl of their settlement nodded. “That’s a fine tribute to his memory.”

“As soon as I’m on the mend and spring has come, we can talk about what happens next.”

“What about yer dreams of travel?” Alan prodded. “There were so many things ye wanted to see and do.”

She took him by the hand and smiled. “That’s true, but it wouldn’t be the same without my husband. We can have our own adventures later. I cannae imagine anything better.”

He kissed her softy on the lips and pulled away with a smile. “Neither can I. We’ve seen enough war to last a lifetime, hopefully with the changes being made we can look forward to a time fer peace that will last fer generations to come.”

Alan placed his hand on top of hers as it cradled their unborn child.

“Aye, my love. That truly would be an adventure and it’s one I look forward to having.”