Day 4, morning
Despite my late night, I woke up early to begin my day's work. The room was dark and cold, so I had to dress quickly before I went down stairs to check the fire and start breakfast.
I'd just hung the pot over the fire when I heard someone move behind me. It was unusual because I normally have to wake all of them up, but we have a guest at the moment who is apparently a much lighter sleeper.
"Good morning," he said. When I turned around he was already sitting down in the same spot where we sat last night.
"Morning," I replied as I turned to face him. Artúr smiled, "Why are you up so early?"
"I like seeing the sunrise," he said, "It's beautiful to see over the walls of the castle at home."
"That's just showing off," I laughed, "your own castle."
"You'll like it," he said, "if you are sure about what we discussed last night?"
"You offered me my freedom," I reminded him, "I'd be a fool to say no."
"I just want to check before I ask him."
"Inform him," I corrected, "I am my own person, not his property."
"Okay," He said, "I'll ask while you are out."
That grated slightly, but at least I know he's asking so it won't be a surprise when Ivar announces it at dinner.
Day 4, Evening
I helped in the village during the day, while the others watched the sheep in the hills. It's mainly cleaning and decorating the streets for the festival in a few days. One I might get to participate in after all.
At lunch time, Artúr came to see me in the village. He was leaning on his staff but he wasn't accompanied by his attendant.
"Did you ask him?" was the first thing I said when he was close enough for no one else to hear.
"Not yet," he admitted as he sat down on the hillside, "but I wanted to wait until you were there, like we would at home. Like you wanted."
"But that's not these people's tradition," I said, sitting down next to him.
"It is yours," he said, "and you should be allowed to leave here following our tradition, not theirs'."
At dinner, he kept his promise and spoke to Ivar. It was hard to listen to really, Ivar trying to negotiate a price for me.
"Stop!" I said eventually. "Ivar, when you married my mother you promised to raise Eilidh and I within our home traditions. That includes my marriage, which should follow my traditions."
"And what does that mean?" he asked.
"It means the bride-price is mine, not yours." I told him, "it means that I am mine, not yours."
"Do what you will," he shouted, "but I want you out of my house by the end of the week."
"No problem," Artúr said, "my ship will set sail the same evening."
