Day 1 

This new book is so pretty, red leather cover decorated with gold lines that look like tree branches. Jova bought it for me and suggested I use it "to record my adventures while he is away," so I'll remember them to share.

"As if I actually have any adventures, stuck out here in the middle of the sea." I protested to him but he just laughed. 

"You always find your own type of wonder," he told me, which made me laugh too. 

I'll try to use this book to record my story, no matter how boring it will end up being. 

This morning my siblings and I took the sheep out for the day, we try to graze them in the upper fields in the summer, but we can't leave them out over night or we risk loosing them to the beasts.

When we saw the colourful sails of the trading fleet drawing in to the harbour, Æstrid offered to sort the others so I could head down to meet them. 

The summer heat makes the smell of the fishing boats almost unbearable but half the village were there to greet the trade ships anyway. Despite the large crowd, he spotted me as soon as he stepped on to the pier.  

"You're home early," I laughed when Jova wrapped me in his arms. 

"The weather has been kind," he replied, "There's talk among the bosses that we'll manage another trip before the storms come in, so that's good." 

The thought of him going out again ties my stomach in knots. On one hand, that will put us one step closer to being allowed to marry. On the other, I can't bare to be away from him any longer, he's already been away for most of the summer. 

I can't write much more, the others are coming and I have to get ready for bed. I don't really want them to know I'm keeping a diary, they'll only laugh or try to read it despite my threats. I think I'll hide this in my cupboard for now until I find a better place. 

Day 2 

Jova came to see me in the hills today. It was a nice break to the usual monotony of watching Frida, Eilidh, and Aleifr chase each other around while Æstrid sits and pretends she's above it all while she sketches away. 

Trying to traverse the rocks, he seemed to be enjoying being back on dry land, the sea never really suited him but I never thought the hills would either. When we were younger he seemed too much like his father for that. 

"I've been talking to the boss," was the first thing he said when he sat down next to me, but greetings have never been out thing, "he said that I'll have served my time as an apprentice after this next trip." 

"Does that mean you'll have to go?" I whined half-heartedly. 

"I'm afraid so," he said, "but at least we'll be married a year earlier than we thought."

I can't disagree with that, it is the only advantage to him being away. "At least there's that," I replied, then I kissed him on the cheek which made Frida giggle. 

Before he left, Jova asked me if I would accompany him to the dance in the Hall. It's a tradition to hold a dance when the ships come in to welcome the men back, but as an apprentice Jova hasn't been permitted to attend. Until now. 

I asked Æstrid to bring the sheep in so I could go home early to get ready. She agreed half-heartedly so I left them in the fields. 

I'm writing this now, looking at my pale green, woollen dress. I made it myself last winter, but I've only worn it a couple of times before. It's my special occasions dress and today feels like a special enough occasion.