The Last Marigold

A Reckoning

Somerhild came upon Su'a sitting on a large stone behind the main hall. Her hands hung limply over her knees. Her eyes were red. They gave a vacant stare directly ahead, seeing nothing and everything all at once. Her cocoa-colored cheeks, beset with tears.

"Marigold, the holmgang...it's starting. We should be there." Somerhild pointed her thumb toward the front of the building, where the fight was being staged.

"I left him, Somerhild." She uttered through her sobs, "A man who loved me, despite my faults. I left him out of fear. I could not even fight for us," Blood-shot eyes turned to Somerhild.

"Su'a" She whispered gently. Leaning forward, she gathered the greiving girl in an embrace, pressing Su'a's cheek against her chest, "Fear wields powerful influence. Do not be so hard on yourself.  Wolfgard will see sense soon." At least that is what she hoped, for all their sakes. 

Su'a wept harder, throwing her arms around Somerhild's midriff, "My silence was venom and my inaction the final dagger, destroying everything we had. And now, I can't see the point of it."

Somerhild rubbed a hand soothingly over the crown of Su'a's head, "Hush, my love, dry those tears. Everything will be alright." She hummed with motherly affection, but in her heart she knew how inscrutible Wolfgard could be. If it would take an act of God to change his mind, then that's exactly what she'd give him. 

*****

Somerhild guided Su'a to a seat in the crowd, nearest the square. She stole away hoping to find her husband loitering before Wolfgard's chamber. Lucky for her, that is exactly where he was. 

"Wife," Alrik called, "Should you not be with Marigold? Her heart must be heavy with grief." He shook his auburn locks frowning, "Wolfgard has not been the same since this pregnancy. I have never seen him like this." He appeared contemplative as he said, "I am sorely vexed and worried over this conundrum we find ourselves in. Is there nothing we can do?" 

A brilliant smile broke out on Somerhild's face. He could see the wheels turning in her devious mind. There was a plot afoot.

"An odd time for you to be smiling, Somerhild. One would think that you are enjoying this." But soon, he too was smiling. "Well do not keep me in suspense, woman. What has you grinning so?"

Somerhild threw her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his cheek, "I've had a brilliant idea, husband."

Alrik gave a hearty laugh,"I knew that wasn't far off."

She pressed her lips to his in a long but satisfying kiss, "I'll need your helping in seeing it done."

"You have that and more. Will this plan end in death and dismemberment?" He asked sliding his arms around her waist, pressing her body closer.

The light caught against her brown eyes at just the right angle. They glowed a beautiful sepia, "If we are lucky, it will, and it will see the rift between the ones we love mended."

*****

Su'a's eyes followed Orm as he stood in the square, preparing himself for battle. A supporter of Wolfgard's jeered at him. His face reddened in anger. He stood there, a child, grossly expanded to adulthood. 

The irritation in his anger, a sort of impetuousness. His once luxurious locks appeared a thin mousy brown. It moved over skin yearning for a touch more sun and a whole lot of rest. His eyes were on the small side. Always leering, as if afraid to let any light in. 

His mouth was small and rigid. Seemly, it's only use was the sort of smiles that masked cruelty. Perhaps from a lifetime of suspicion and a special kind of superiority that radiates contempt. He brushed the non-existent lint from his frock and stepped gallantly across the square putting distance between himself and the man.