Hakon and Astrid stayed at Lade for another half moon. It was one of the most pleasant and healing times in Hakon"s life — a time filled with ease, and feasting, and laughter, and lovemaking. There were no schedules, no councils to attend, no chieftains to meet. Since this was Lade, Sigurd tended to his people"s affairs, leaving Hakon free to spend time however he wished. Most mornings, he would wake late and join Egbert at prayer before breaking his fast with whomever happened to be in Sigurd"s hall. Afterward he would play with Thora, or take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and hike or swim or ride with Astrid by his side. Nights were spent in bed with Astrid, or in the hall with those wedding guests who remained, or with his men at their campfires, filling his belly with ale
