The Love That Bonds Us

Chapter 42 : The Sacrifice

IDUNA

My mind was in chaos as I raced back home passed thickets of trees.

I didn't know what to think anymore. On one hand I hated the fact Agnarr was engaged. On another I didn't want him to risk everything for me. And on another still I was angry with him for being someone he was not.

Everything was even more messed up than before!

I just wanted the simple life, I always had. Maybe I'd once wanted an adventure, but my journey to Arendelle and leaving behind my Northuldran life had been enough of an adventure to last me a lifetime.

I'd never wanted all this drama when it came to romance either; I had pictured myself having the most amazing time with the man of my dreams, but while Agnarr was that man, our romance was anything but simple and wonderful.

The only thing that was clear in my mind was the fact I had to make sure Agnarr and Renata got married.

I was as I told him - nothing more than a distraction. So long as I was in Agnarr's life, I was a temptation, something that would take his mind of what he needed to get done. Maybe it was a good thing he had changed then, and his advisors had rejected my ideas. But it all came down to me fogging his judgment - as was made painfully clear by his willingness to sacrifice the entire Alliance just to be with me.

The idea alone was madness! I had been taught how important that Alliance was, and if marrying Renata was the only way to make sure it stayed strong, then that's what needed to be done. If he pushed for me, he could end up ripping the Alliance apart and putting both Ebiza and Arendelle at war.

I couldn't let that happen. The casualties, the innocent lives: it was the Forest all over again ...

I soon found myself panting outside my house. I unlocked and pushed open the door, before tearing to my room where I collapsed on my bed and finally let my tears slide down my cheeks.

All the way home I'd been thinking of ways to ensure Agnarr and Renata's union, and what I now knew I had to do was not going to be easy.

Halima must have heard my commotion as, in between my sobs, I heard my door creaking open.

"Iduna? Are you alright? What's happened?" Halima's voice was as soft and sympathetic as it always was when I was upset.

I remained silent for as long as possible, letting my tears continue to streak down my face; I needed to cry this out otherwise I'd never go through with my plan.

Halima seemed to understand this, and silently cradled me in her arms, offering her comfort in the only way she knew how until I told her what was wrong. Though, even then she probably wouldn't know what to do.

Eventually I managed to regain control over myself. My body still trembled and my eyes were flooded with tears, but I could speak.

"Agnarr is engaged." I choked out.

Halima's eyes widened and she brushed a wet lock of hair out of my face, but she didn't say anything.

"It's to Princess Renata of Ebiza. And she's lovely. But her father isn't so kind. He called me a Witch and claimed I was trying to steal or manipulate Agnarr for his power. Agnarr of course stood up for me, but there was no point. That man hates me -"

"Oh Iduna, I'm sure -"

I flapped a shaky hand, "That's not the worst part. Agnarr said he didn't want to marry Renata and that it had all been set up."

"Bless him ..."

"He then went on to say he didn't care about the Alliance, he just didn't want to loose me again."