Post by Johanna Reyksol on Apr 28, 2011 0:17:00 GMT -5
I was at the forefront of the women who waited. Waiting seemed to be the lot of women. Waiting for the men to come home from their raids, waiting for my brother to choose me a husband, waiting for babies, waiting for death. Some people railed against it, but I accepted it. To be honest, I loved my life. I loved the cold and the snow and the hardships that other people complained about. It made us strong. It made me strong.
I could feel Frieda behind me, the coldness of her glare boring into me, so much colder than the ice and snow that seemed to be everywhere, even in the spring. Spring came late to Skaldia. I knew Frieda had designs on my brother, but I was determined that he would marry better than her. Not that he would be averse to bedding her, but I ran interference there too. It would be just like her to get a child with him and I could not bear to share my niece or nephew with the likes of her.
I did not have much time to dwell upon that thought, however, as my brother rode at the head of our men, leading them back from victory. A smile bloomed on my lips that even Frieda could not dampen. I loved my brother, I was so proud of him, and I would do anything to ensure his success. He didn't think it was possible, but I knew if anyone could unite the clans, it was him. He thought that he was no Waldemar Selig, and he was right, he was better.
I laughed as he rode up to me, leaping down from his horse and embracing me tightly.
"We have returned victorious!" He shouted and the rest of the men cheered and shouted along with us. Later we would sit around the fire and they would tell us all stories of their heroism, but for now I was content to simply revel in the relief that my brother was home safely.
I could feel Frieda behind me, the coldness of her glare boring into me, so much colder than the ice and snow that seemed to be everywhere, even in the spring. Spring came late to Skaldia. I knew Frieda had designs on my brother, but I was determined that he would marry better than her. Not that he would be averse to bedding her, but I ran interference there too. It would be just like her to get a child with him and I could not bear to share my niece or nephew with the likes of her.
I did not have much time to dwell upon that thought, however, as my brother rode at the head of our men, leading them back from victory. A smile bloomed on my lips that even Frieda could not dampen. I loved my brother, I was so proud of him, and I would do anything to ensure his success. He didn't think it was possible, but I knew if anyone could unite the clans, it was him. He thought that he was no Waldemar Selig, and he was right, he was better.
I laughed as he rode up to me, leaping down from his horse and embracing me tightly.
"We have returned victorious!" He shouted and the rest of the men cheered and shouted along with us. Later we would sit around the fire and they would tell us all stories of their heroism, but for now I was content to simply revel in the relief that my brother was home safely.