They Came on Viking Ships is a children's historical novel by Jackie French, first published in Australia in 2005.
At the beginning of the book, she comes to the aid of a small puppy who was attacked by a seagull on the beach.
Hekja is told that the puppy was one of the chief's litter, and she had already given it the True Name of Riki Snarfari (Mighty Rover).
It is a tradition of the village for girls to stay on the mountain when they become of age, and the girls look after the cows and produce cheese whilst up the mountain, with the women bringing supplies "twice every full moon".
One day, whilst still up the mountain, Hekja sees strange ships approaching from the distance.
Hekja tries to outrun the invaders, but is captured by a woman called Freydis, who is Erik the Red's daughter, and consequently is taken away as a slave.
Hekja's spirit and sheer determination means that she soon finds herself joining her mistress Freydis' expedition to Vinland.
Hekja is taken aback, but tells him to wait until she has finished serving her mistress in two years time even though she doesn't love him herself.