Maiden Wreath

Part 2

When asking forgiveness and accepting what gods have for me, I realized I had been reckless and rushed with the decision.

I sat on the bench next to the hearth and stared at my parents, Hagen and three sisters in silence, thinking was it some sort of joke? If they did, this was the lowest they could get.

"What exactly do you mean by has offered his hand in marriage?" And who? I scooped through all the people I knew, yet couldn't remember anyone called Dalek though dad said he lived near the village. The name was familiar, but no face was attached to it.

Hagen repeated his words long and slow, saying out the exact same sentence. I blushed. I knew what he meant, hadn't I gone through these three times already? I wanted to know, what he used for excuse not to show up himself.

"I don't even know the guy!" I found every right to be aggravated. So far the men had been someone I had met once or twice or had some connection that helped me to know, who I was to meet, but I had nothing about him. That didn't seem to help – I could see it on their shining faces. He had to be someone of importance then, I decided.

Great, I was getting an offer from another man, who would then spend his days searching new catch among servants. Not my understanding of a family life. It was common here, but in my hopes, I had set my eye on someone, who couldn't afford any more than few male servants and thus have the man all to my own. What a foolish thing.

"I do not..." I whispered, but stopped the moment I saw how sad they got. If I turn this one down too, it will be battle. "I'll think about it?" I offered fast and the sun returned to their eyes. I took my shall and spurted out the house before they could continue with the conversation.

My heart was cold as ice, but what could I do? I had given my promise to the gods. I guess they were angry and now ready with their vengeance. That went fast, I realized and sighed.

I was confused. I understood this was actually meant to make me happy, that I could help my family to get connections with strong family lines – why was it making me so sad then? Sacrificing my life to a man I probably saw as a baby wasn't quite how I imagined it either.

Sacrificing – only the word brought chills all over my body. No, this wasn't the word I wished to use; I better rethink the whole plight into something more appealing. Like...

Hagen said Magnus was traveling with the man, being his good friend and second in demand. Magnus was eighteen when he left and he was older, that would make...? I stopped right there – I had no idea, how old the man was and did it matter? He could be old as the rocks as far as Hagen cared. He had to be older than Magnus, I made a haste decision having no joy poking in knowledge I wasn't provided with.

Why hadn't even the messenger stay there long enough to talk at her presence? If he came from the boat, I knew why, I thought – being so long away from shore as they have been - full five years – she'd be homesick too. He probably just wished to see his family again and that's all, no hidden agenda in this plot.

I reached to the little stream we used for drinking water and cupped myself some to ease the thirst. My mouth was dry and dry was also my head – all the liquids were gone, only salt remained.

"And how long are you going to somber here, girl?"

I came to erupt stop the moment this timeless cracked voice reached my ears. I turned and gazed at the man standing next to me. He was dressed in light traveling cloths and his long beard was heavily groomed like becoming ready for a celebration. He raised his hands high as if waiting for a hug and I knew immediately I had seen the man before somewhere, long time back.