Free to Love

Roderick's moan was wanton as he felt Vidarr's hot, thick juices filling him.

"Love you, Vidarr," he husked, his voice rough from screaming his joy.

"Yeg elsker dig. By all the gods I love you, Roderick," Vidarr gasped. "Truly, in your arms, I have visited the Halls of Valhalla whilst still on this earth. Never have I felt such pleasure."

"Truly?" Roderick asked, a shy blush staining perfect cheeks.

"Most truly," Vidarr grinned. He kissed his lover slowly and tenderly until, with a groan from both men, Vidarr's spear left its sanctuary. Taking advantage, Vidarr moved their bodies to cradle Roderick snugly in his arms. "Now I think you need to rest," he instructed, having seen lethargy in heavy-lidded, molten eyes. He kissed his boy gently, with love.

"Stay with me?" Roderick asked.

"Of course. Later, whilst you sleep, I will tend to the animals and make sure we have a good meal ready. You can see the farm tomorrow, after you are rested. It is very small."

"It is yours, so it will be perfect," Roderick said around a wide yawn, smiling and blushing. He nestled closer. "I always want to sleep in your arms," he confessed softly.

"For as long as it is within my power, my love, you shall," Vidarr vowed.

****

For the next couple of months life was idyllic, if somewhat hard, for Roderick. He learnt how to tend the farm and local herb-lore, becoming a welcomed assistant to the Healer. Initially experiencing mistrust from some of the townsfolk, word of his fortitude aboard ship soon spread and his quiet nature and easy smile contributed to his slow integration. He also discovered a talent with silver thanks to Olfun. His jewellery soon became very popular, even enticing visitors to the village. He and Vidarr now wore matching silver thumb rings that he had created. Both men were experiencing a level of happiness greater than they had ever known. If apart by day they spent the evening reacquainting themselves each with the other's body, and into the night making long, slow, sweet love.

Roderick had spent the afternoon in his small ante-room off the main Smithy. He looked up and smiled as Olfun came in. The big man squeezed Roderick's shoulder companionably.

"Remind Vidarr that a man does have some choices in his life," he said enigmatically. "Remind him he was to come and speak to me when you were healed. I would still have that talk with him. Tell him it must be before he makes any other decisions."

"Truly you speak in riddles, Olfun," Roderick said. "But I will do as you say."

"It adds to my allure." Olfun bellowed a laugh and watched as Roderick left for the day, smiling widely.

Vidarr was already in the village and waiting outside the Smithy. It was neither usual nor unusual for him to be there, although he would normally tell Roderick in advance if he was going to meet him. Roderick received another squeeze to his shoulder and the two men began their walk home. Roderick immediately noticed Vidarr was subdued. There was no easy banter or chat as they headed home. Roderick did not comment. He focused on hailing those who greeted them on their journey, praying his lover would talk once they were home. As the door closed and locked behind them, Roderick was pulled into a hard, tight embrace.

"What is it?" he asked his blond husband fearfully. He had felt the desperation in the bigger man and it scared him.

"The Chieftain is considering sending another raiding party to your land," Vidarr said wearily. He pulled Roderick to cradle on his lap as he sat down heavily.

"No," Roderick breathed, hugging tightly to his lover. "You could be hurt...killed. You are not the man you were when you came to my town." He buried his face on the thick blond hair. "You never liked killing and have no desire to plunder."

"I had nothing to lose before except a life I would not have missed. Now I have paradise on earth with you. But to be one of the raiding parties is expected of me. My farm can be left."

"A man has choices, Vidarr," Roderick said looking tearfully into the big man's eyes. "Olfun said you must speak to him before making any decisions."

Unexpected hope flared in Vidarr's breast. He remembered the conversation with the Smith when Roderick was ill. Although intending to seek Olfun out, Vidarr had forgotten until now. He did not want to raise any false hope in Roderick. Instead he nuzzled at the soft skin at his lover's throat.

"I will speak to Olfun tomorrow," he promised. "You know I love you. Share your body with me. Make love with me, my dark beauty."

"You know I cannot resist you, my golden warrior," Roderick husked. "Sheath your weapon within me."

Vidarr stripped Roderick slowly, relishing the sight and taste of each patch of skin he bared. He began to suckle at dark nipples as he worked open the ties of Roderick's leggings, letting them slide down smooth limbs. He felt nimble fingers delve into his own clothing to free his rampant manhood. Vidarr growled approvingly as Roderick moved to straddle his body. Vidarr reached for their salve and, as Roderick kissed him slowly and passionately, his fingers delved into tight, moist heat as they prepared his young lover's sheath.

Roderick found his nakedness in the presence of Vidarr remaining dressed strangely and inexplicably arousing. He raised his body so that his love could snug his sword at his prepared scabbard and slowly lowered onto solid flesh. Once Vidarr was fully impaling him, Roderick began to move, raising and lowering himself with Vidarr's hands around his hips to assist. They kissed deeply, their tongues dancing to music as old as time. The younger man's shaft rubbed through the fur of his lover's abdomen to leave glistening trails of silver desire amongst the golden curls. He keened softly as Vidarr's masterful hand took command of his rod, stroking and pumping, bringing Roderick ever closer to fulfilment.

"Yeg elsker dig," the big man rasped. "I will always love you."

"And...I ...you," Roderick panted. His head fell back as he reached his zenith. With a cry of Vidarr's name, he began to spurt, feeling his channel clench tightly around his lover's flesh.

Vidarr gave a soul-deep groan as he felt Roderick's warm, wet release on his heated body. That this boy loved him meant everything to the farmer-warrior. He pulled the convulsing form down hard onto his spear as he thrust upwards, burying his body as deeply as he could, trying to merge their bodies as he knew their souls had long-since done. With a guttural cry his seed erupted into the contracting velvet channel.

"Love you, Roderick. Love you." He felt his mate nuzzle at his neck.

"Yeg elsker dig, Vidarr and I pray a way can be found that I do not lose you."

"Nor I you," Vidarr added passionately, the sound of those special words spoken in his language sending another wave of love through the big man and he held fast to his smaller lover.

****

Roderick accompanied Vidarr into the village the next day. Roderick visited the Healer whilst Vidarr continued to the Smithy. He was greeted by a wide grin and a powerful slap to his back.

"Well met, my friend," Olfun said good-naturedly. "I'm glad you decided to come."

"You spoke of decision," Vidarr said. "On two occasions now. If the choice were mine to make I would not leave my boy."

"You and I are more alike than you know," Olfun said. "The one I love comes from a village some distance from here. When he can, he comes to visit me. His village thinks he comes to visit an ailing cousin and believe soon he will have to remain permanently. I have long said that I have a cousin whose home I will move to when I am not able to work here. I admire that you are known not to favour the ladies and yet are a respected warrior, but I was afraid I would not find the same acceptance when in my youth and the lie has become a part of our lives." He gave a rueful smile at Vidarr, then continued.

"I am pestered to take an apprentice. But that is not what I want. That would take up more years of my life than I wish to keep up my charade. My lover deserves so much better." He slapped Vidarr's chest hard and the other blond barely flinched. You are strong, capable and I believe that, with the right motivation, you could replace me in less than a year."

"Right motivation?" Vidarr asked. He was struggling to take in all Olfun had revealed, but, if it gave him a chance to stay with Roderick, he would do almost anything Olfun suggested.

"Your love for the boy," Olfun said smiling. "If you are my apprentice and I am...struggling...to work, you would have to remain here and work the Smith whilst the other men raided foreign lands."

"I would never need go on another raid," Vidarr said wonderingly, joy shining from his eyes at his unlikely benefactor.

"Styrr would support us and the Healer, too," Olfun said hurriedly. "We need to get you here and working quickly. Then the village elders can make their petition to the chieftain for you to remain here.

"Let us begin now," Vidarr laughed. The right motivation indeed. For Roderick, Vidarr would have walked on the hot coals, not just use them to heat and bend metal.

****

Vidarr was pleased and proud to discover that skill with metalwork came as easily to him as Olfun had predicted. Although it would take time to perfect, Vidarr made good progress in a short space of time. Privately, Olfun had no immediate plans to retire, ensuring Vidarr had the specialist training he would need. He did, however, bemoan a shoulder problem's recurrence and praised the gods for their benevolence in sending such a talented man in the shape of Vidarr to maintain the Smithy. As he had promised, Olfun enlisted the Healer and Styrr to speak to the village elders and they in their turn spoke to the Chieftain.

It was an elated Vidarr who came home just a week later to swing Roderick around in his arms for joy. The Chieftain accepting his talents were needed at the Smithy and that the raiding party could manage without him. That night, Vidarr and Roderick made love again and again until the rosy-hued dawn began to kiss the landscape whilst the lovers slept unaware, sated and content in each other's arms.

Several days later, just a few days before the raiding party was due to leave, a small boy called at Vidarr's farm. He recited a message from Olfun that Vidarr was needed at the Smithy. The big blond was puzzled as he had seen Olfun just the previous day and had been told to spend time at his farm and with Roderick.

"Shall I accompany you?" Roderick asked, as he moulded himself to his lover's broad body.

"There is no need, my love," Vidarr smiled. "It cannot be anything serious. I will race there and back as quickly as possible. You can see to our animals and pull some vegetables for our evening meal. When I get back, we can then spend the rest of the day in our bed." The last of the big man's words were spoken in a low, husky rasp and sent shivers throughout Roderick's body. Vidarr's smile was feral as he palmed the bulge, which was so enticing, at his dark beauty's crotch.

"You undo me with words and voice," Roderick moaned as he leant into the intimate caress.

"Take care whilst I am gone, my sweet," Vidarr said as he kissed his lover tenderly.

"Come home soon." Roderick purred, as Vidarr reached their door. "I have an empty space that aches for something big and hard, that only you can provide, to fill it."

"Imp," Vidarr growled, feeling his own leggings become tight.

"Incentive," Roderick laughed.

****

Roderick knew that it was likely that Vidarr would be gone an hour or so. The farm was distant enough for solitude, but near enough for necessities. He went to their barn and fed their cow before doing the same for the pig and their few chickens. He spotted a couple of eggs and gathered them first, taking them into the house. He got a woven basket and headed to their vegetable patch. As he began to make his selection, he heard a noise. He looked up and found he was being watched by Eirikk. The look on the big warrior's face was one he'd seen before and it sent an icy chill down his spine. He tried to project a confidence he did not feel.

"Eirikk," he shouted his greeting. "What brings you here to see us?"

"Vidarr is not here. I watched him leave. By the time he gets to the village and back here, we will have concluded our business," the big man replied, moving closer.

"You and I have no business," Roderick replied, his fear mounting incrementally.

"You are not even of our race, much less our village and yet you had an instant effect on Vidarr. As long as I have known him, he kept his distance, preferring his solitude, now he walks with a smile on his face and a greeting for all he sees. He is to be the village Smith, not accompanying us on raids. The Smith itself gets visitors from other villages because of your talents. Even the Healer speaks highly of you, an alien to our world. So, I decided that I would like a taste of what Vidarr has enjoyed. If Styrr had not voiced his support of Vidarr, I would have challenged for you. And I can assure you, you would not be walking as freely around my homestead as you do here. Perhaps, once I have topped you, I might find my life changes for the better, too."

"You...you want to...to rape me?" Roderick asked in a choked voice. "How do you propose to explain your evil?" Roderick was painfully aware he could not defend himself against this warrior. He knew Vidarr would race home once he realised he had been tricked, but Vidarr was too far away to help. Time was against him and Roderick tried desperately to stall for the precious commodity before committing himself to a course of action.

"You are not one of us. With only Vidarr, who is biased, to gainsay me I will tell the village I came to see if you could not persuade Vidarr to sail one last time with us. When I arrived here, you seduced me into taking you. All know I am a woman's man and a man of this village. You cannot hope to be believed over me."

Eirikk leapt and caught air.

Roderick ran as he had never run before. His legs ached and his lungs burnt, but he did not dare reduce his speed. All he could think was a mindless chant of 'Run, run, run.' With a cry he tumbled to the ground as Eirikk successfully tackled him.

The two men tussled and rolled as Eirikk tried to subdue the smaller man who had turned into a hellcat; kicking, biting, scratching. Roderick was using every ounce of his strength to try and free himself from Eirikk's hands. His struggles both inflamed and infuriated the bigger male. In his deluded mind he had envisioned the boy acquiescing to his demands. He had pictured Roderick worshipping at the altar of his phallus with his mouth before lying back and offering himself willingly. With a frustrated growl, he straddled the slender, thrashing form.

"You cannot hope to beat me, boy," he said. His manhood ached, pushing against his leggings, eager to taste the sweet body beneath him. He began to unlace them.

"I... will not ... yield my body," Roderick panted. "Not...to you. Not...to any man." He struggled vehemently. "You will...have to fight...for what you take."

"As you wish, boy," Eirikk sneered. He slapped Roderick hard, smiling at the dazed look in the smaller man's eyes as the blow temporarily robbed Roderick of his senses. He reached to tear open the boy's jerkin and revealed smooth, mead-coloured skin and one dark areola and nipple. He bent down and bit roughly at the luscious nub and his hands began to work Roderick's leggings open.

"Take your filthy hands off me," Roderick screamed, as he recovered from the brutal blow. He slapped, kicked and bucked hard, trying to dislodge his would-be rapist. He succeeded in surprising Eirikk enough for the bigger man to lose his balance. As Eirikk fell to the side, Roderick scrambled to his feet and began to run a second time. He aimed for the farm, hoping he could bar the door against Eirikk, but once again his slender form was driven into unforgiving ground. Tears of pain, anger and fear began to fall. He couldn't save himself. He was going to be violated. His thoughts turned to Vidarr and he knew his lover would carry the burden of guilt for failing to protect him.

"Do not touch me," Roderick screamed. "Vidarr will kill you."

"Do you think I fear Vidarr?" Eirikk snarled, spittle spraying over Roderick's face. He grinned at the cry of pain torn from Roderick's throat as he squeezed the jewels between slim legs. "I will enjoy having you."

"No," Roderick shouted as his leggings were torn open. Then, suddenly, Eirikk was pulled from Roderick's thrashing body. The dazed young man tried to pull together his torn clothing to preserve his modesty. Eirikk was being held by Styrr and another man from the village. Vidarr was also there, restrained by two men Roderick recognised as village elders. It was clear that Vidarr was more than ready to attack Eirikk, whose deflating penis was displayed for all to see. There could be no doubt that Roderick was an unwilling participant.

"Vidarr," Roderick whispered in a voice hoarse from screaming.

Instantly Vidarr's attention focused away from Eirikk and with a cry of grief, he was released. He dropped to his knees and pulled Roderick's body to him. As Vidarr held the shaking young man, the Healer came forward to murmur quietly into one of the elder's ears.

From the harbour of Vidarr's arms, Roderick could see that there were several horses explaining how his rescuers had arrived so quickly. Roderick let himself sag in Vidarr's embrace. Now the danger was passed, all he wanted was to be held and loved by his bigger mate.

"You bring shame to the whole village," one of the elders growled, addressing Eirikk. "This boy may not look like one of us, but he has proven by his actions and deeds he is worthy to live amongst us, as one of us. Vidarr may choose whether he takes his retribution now or waits."

"I will not wait. I will not let Eirikk go now only to try and attack Roderick another time when I cannot be there to protect him." Vidarr said decisively.

"Fool," Eirikk spat. He lunged free of the men whose grip had eased and cold metal glinted.

Even as Vidarr moved to ensure Roderick's body was protected, Eirikk stiffened. The knife he held fell from nerveless fingers and a trail of blood oozed from between his lips towards his chin. He dropped to his knees and Vidarr saw Styrr's bloodstained knife and the look of grim satisfaction on the other man's face. Vidarr ensured his young lover was spared the sight, angling Roderick's face into his chest.

Eirikk's lifeless corpse fell to the ground.

"I do not apologise for the killing blow," Styrr said facing the elders. "You may punish me if you wish."

"Eirikk's actions brought about due retribution," one replied. "We will take his body back into the village." Wordlessly, they lifted the body to secure to one of the horses.

"Take Roderick home, Vidarr," Styrr murmured as he gripped tightly to one of the other blond's solid shoulders.

"Thank you, my friend," Vidarr replied, grateful for the helping hand to stand. He scooped Roderick into his arms. Although he would have liked to have driven axe or sword into Eirikk himself, he mused that it may have been hard on his boy's beautiful soul to have seen the man he loved kill in cold blood. He accepted Styrr striking the killing blow as the decision of the gods. He felt his lover bury his head in his strong shoulder and gave a silent prayer of thanks. He turned and began to stride to their home.

****

Inside the house Vidarr locked the door, still holding Roderick, unwilling to release him even for the seconds it would take to perform the simple task. He laid his precious bundle on their bed, sliding next to him, letting the smaller body seek warmth and comfort as he stroked soft, dark hair. They lay that way for long moments, neither man speaking; just the giving and receiving of comfort enough for both men. Finally Roderick's shivering stopped, much to Vidarr's relief.