The Viking Slave

Chapter 25: The Sound of Bells

Three Weeks Later
"What does your heart tell you?" Heinrich asked kindly as he lit the candles around the alter. "Astrid you do not have to marry Deman if you do not wish. He would understand."

Astrid sighed with a nervous lump forming in her throat. "What other options do I have? If I deny him, where would I go?" She shook her head, fixating her eyes on the colorful stained glass which surrounded her. "I cannot let Lorna beat me. She needs to be taught a lesson and if that means-"

"It is your life, Astrid, not hers." Heinrich blurted out, setting his gaze upon Astrid. "If you are not satisfied with Deman in your life when you get married then you will always be dissatisfied, only you will then be like a mother figure to Lorna," he paused, biting the corner of his lip. "who will torment you even more."

Astrid buried her face into the palms of her hands, where tears began to prick her eyes.

"I cannot think anymore on it now." She hoarsely mumbled, glancing up at Heinrich. "I am getting married in the morning."

Astrid arose, inching closer and closer to the door.

"Very well," Heinrich nodded his head. "I shall see you later then?"

Astrid simply nodded in agreement before she stepped out onto the front step of the church. She stared aimlessly at the ground for several minutes before turning to face the door. Her body was perfectly still as she examined the marriage notice that hung on the door. Her finger traced over her name as tears began to flow from her eyes.

"Where are you now God?" Astrid mumbled under her breath, fleeing away from the church.

As she walked hurriedly throughout the village, people approached with words of congratulations. Her mind ran wild with thoughts she could not contain. She abruptly stopped once she arrived in the castle's flower garden, where she broke down traumatically. Tears poured from her eyes while her body shook tremendously. Her strong heart broke hard.

"Astrid?" Lorna's faint voice called. "Is that you?"

Astrid swallowed quickly and began to compose herself. "Yes, it is I." She called back, smoothing out her dress.

Lorna appeared soon from behind a small bush with a scowl upon her face.

"Are you really going to go through with it?" Lorna asked, plucking a red flower from the bush. Astrid stared at Lorna silently for seconds before she began to nod.

"Why?" Lorna spoke softly. "You do not want to I know. Why would you choose to marry someone like that?"

Astrid laughed slightly. "Because sometimes a woman must do what is necessary for them to make it in this world. Your uncle has offered me something I cannot refuse, whether I love him or not." She paused. "Lorna, you are young and cannot see it now, but one day you will realize that love does not exist in this world. If you marry a man it is for your survival, and if love comes, it is because you allowed it to grow within your marriage."

Silence fell among them. The chipper sounds of birds chirping echoed throughout their ears.

"I know you despise me," Astrid spoke, smiling sincerely at Lorna. "But I do not care anymore. I am thankful that I am here with you and away from the life I had. No matter what you do to me it will never be worse than my past."