Vanish

Eiric is quiet for much of the journey home.

With only a week left in their travels, the group rests by a pond.

“I’ll go hunt something down.” Freydis said as she pulled out two small axes from her item bag.

“I’ll start preparing. Sigrun?” Vilgur looks at Sigrun who focuses past the trees to the side of the pond where Eiric should be, “Go ahead. Freydis and I can handle the food.”

“He hasn’t been eating. Maybe I can find some fruits he likes.”

“Try again. Or are you afraid he’ll hate you?”

“Even if he hates me, I will not leave his side. But I have no idea how to help him. What if I make everything worse.”

“Then you’ll fix it. Go on.”

Sigrun gathers the courage to approach Eiric after a shove from Vilgur. Sitting next to him, she grabs his hand in hopes of getting a reaction; much to her surprise, he squeezes her hand.

“Love, if you want to talk, I’m here.”

“I told Livhild I would succeed, that she could leave it all to me. I’ve promised the same to you, that I will help make this world better. But I’m not sure how to. I don’t think I’m strong enough.”

“You can do anything you put your mind to; I know it. We’ll train, and we’ll find a way to stop the angels. But first, I want to make sure you are ok. Take the time you need, there is no rush.”

“There is. You can see it as well.” Eiric places Sigrun’s hand on his cheek, “We’ll lose more if I am slow. I’ll lose myself as well.”

“You have time. I know it.”

“How?”

“I… I just do. You’re my love. I can tell when you change, when you keep secrets.”

“As I can with you.”

“I do have secrets. But if you ask, I will tell you everything.”

Eiric pulls Sigrun close. They’ve yet to share a kiss, but now their lips are closer than ever before.

“Have I ever hurt you?” Sigrun’s lips quiver, she’s unable to respond, “I see.”

“No. Never because-” Sigrun covers her mouth.

“How much do you remember?”

“Only fragments. They come as they please.”

“Mine as well. I’m sorry, I’d like to be alone for some time.”

“Eiric.” Sigrun stands, Eiric will no longer interact with her despite wishing to stay at his side, she believes she has made everything worse, “I hope you know, through every life time we have shared, my love for you has only grown.”

As the sun sets, Vilgur brings Eiric a plate of meat.

“Eat, or you’ll die before we get home.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“I won’t force you. Why did you send Sigrun away?”

“It’s for the best.”

“For the best? I disagree. Being next to those who love you can only help when mourning.”

“I just need to be alone.”

“And we’ll give you that time alone. But you have to give your word that you will call Sigrun when you’re ready. That you’ll call one of us. We just need to know you’ll be ok. The loss of someone is devastating, it is why she doesn’t want to leave you alone.”

“Fine.”

“That isn’t enough. Swear it.”

“I won’t. I will be ok by myself.”

“That’s only half true.”

“How would you know… I’m sorry.”

“When I lost my mother, I was the same way you are. Dad did everything he could to cheer me up, but I was stubborn. It was Sigrun that saved me then. That only happened because she forced her hand, she won’t do such a thing with you. She’s too easy on you. But I won’t be. Talk to me, please.”

“Everything is fine.”

“It isn’t.”

“It is.”

“It isn’t and that is ok.”

“I said it is! Why don’t you understand?”

“I was angry too. I couldn’t save my mother. I hated myself. Some things are out of our control.”

“She suffered for so long.”

“And that isn’t your fault.”

“She tried to fix things for me. If I was there every time, I have failed her every time. How can it be any different now? I am not like you and Sigrun. I am weak. I’ve made promises I can’t keep.”

“Eiric, you can’t say you’ve broken them before trying. Just like when you protected my mother’s gravestone, being powerless doesn’t mean you will fail. Find a way, but please, let us help you.”

“I will. Just a little more. I promise.”

“I will hold you to that. Call Sigrun when you are ready.”

“Vilgur, do you still hate yourself?”

“No. I think my mother would be proud of me for trying. And I won’t stop.”

“Come on, you need to eat. Eiric will be worried if you lose a lot of weight.” Freydis said as she attempted to spoon feed Sigrun.

“I should have stayed quiet.”

“Don’t say that. Relationships crumble with too many secrets. Just give him a little more time, he’ll come to you. Now please eat.”

“No. I’m a loudmouth and I’m fat and, and, I can’t do anything.”

“Enough of that.” Freydis wraps her arms around Sigrun’s head, “You’re just sad. It’s beautiful to see such love, but you need to be strong for when Eiric calls you.”

“He won’t. He must think he’ll hurt me now. Why did I say that?”

“I think he will.”

“You do?”

“During his time at the castle, Eiric would always talk about his parents and the family of his fiancée. He always described you as the most beautiful woman alive, as the light of his day. I hadn’t seen someone as madly in love since my father. He would always say your love transcends worlds, and I never believed him until I first met you.”

“What did I do?”

“Nothing. But, when you two are next to each other, it’s as if magic itself is happy. Father said soulmates rarely find each other, but it’s clear when they do. You two are meant to be, don’t ever forget that.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you. This has the been the most freeing experience I’ve had in a long time. I promise to repay it all when I can.”

“Sorry, Sigrun, he still wants to be alone.” Vilgur said as he returned, “But, I think he’ll call you soon.”

The trio stands, looking in the direction of Eiric. Immense power stands next to him, his attempt to fight them stopped after a single strike.

“Eiric!”

They run, arriving next to the river to find nothing. Eiric has vanished.