Eiric and Sigrun

“Hmmm, hm hm hm.”

Sigrun hums as she rests her head on Eiric’s chest. The two dance by Sanctuary’s river, a pastime they often enjoy, it’s as if their souls call for them to do so.

“I’ve seen many memories of us dancing.” Eiric said.

“Have I gotten better?”

“You’ve always been wonderful.”

“Only because I am dancing with you. I like how close we are, being in sync makes me feel like we are meant for each other. I’ll dance with you forever.”

Eiric spins Sigrun, pulling her close once more with her back turned to him. Her eyes remain closed, she trusts Eiric to lead her and she wishes to only feel his embrace.

“Sigrun. How much do you know?”

“Love, you shouldn’t worry about that. I will take every memory I must to help you. I will do all I can to help you succeed.” Sigrun pulls Eiric’s arms closer, “But I must use all my power to do so. Soon, I will be able to.”

“We can become stronger together.” Eiric picks Sigrun into his arms and spins her around.

Sigrun stretches out an arm and a leg, posing before giggling as Eiric continues to spin.

“Happy birthday, Sigrun.”

“You remembered. We’ve been so busy that I even forgot it was today.”

“In my old world we celebrate it every year. You’re 16 now.”

“I am.”

“How do your horns feel?”

“Fine. Care to touch them?”

“Isn’t that how babies are made?”

“I thought they were made of sugar.” Sigrun pinches Eiric’s cheek, “Eiric. I don’t say this enough, thank you for finding me.”

“Always. Life is a million times more beautiful with you at my side, so.” Eiric presses his head against Sigrun’s, “It is time.”

Vilgur cleans Nattlina’s gravestone.

“May I?” Freydis said.

“Please, and thank you.” Vilgur said.

Freydis helps clean the gravestone. The attack from Solgrad never touched the graveyard, though no one has been able to return to care for the gravestones ever since. Vilgur was happy to see his mother’s gravestone still upright.

The two are well dressed for the occasion, Vilgur wearing an expensive tunic and Freydis a long blue dress. She wears no veil today; her training allows her greater control of her magic and she is now confident without a veil past noon.

Freydis sets flowers around Nattlina’s gravestone before offering a final prayer.

“Is you dad going to be ok?” Freydis said.

“He will, I’ve never seen him cry like this.”

“Nothing wrong with tears of joy.” Keldan said, “May I?”

“Of course, but mom will scold you if you don’t get it together in time.”

Keldan smiles. “You’re right, I’ll do my best to regain composure.”

Vilgur and Freydis join Astrid, Eydis, and Torsten. The two parents are also teary eyed, a day they long expected still overwhelming their emotions.

“Oh, my little boy. He was just a tiny little rascal in my arms a few weeks ago. Where has the time gone?” Astrid said.

“To think I have the honor of being alive to see this day. How do you feel Vilgur?” Torsten said.

“I knew this day would come, I’m also happy we can see it.”

“There they are.” Freydis said.

Eiric and Sigrun arrive together. Their parents losing composure as they lay eyes on their beloved children.

Eiric wears a dyed tunic with a white, wool coat. The tunic is custom made, the intricate engravings matching that of Sigrun’s dress.

Sigrun wears a long white dress with flowing sleeves. Like Eiric’s outfit, the dress has been fitted to her body and has a flower branch design stitched throughout it. Sigrun radiates beauty, her eyes soft, her long hair reaching below her wait, her smile calm and peaceful.

Keldan sees Nattlina in his daughter, he too finds peace in seeing her on this special day.

Eiric and Sigrun stand at a makeshift altar just across Nattlina’s gravestone. Everyone but Keldan stands by Nattlina as he officiates the wedding.

The wedding begins, though Eiric and Sigrun are lost in each other’s eyes as Keldan speaks.

How many times have they married? Countless lives spent together, yet they never wish to be apart. They never wish to lose each other.

“Eiric, Sigrun, by marrying you are swearing an oath to protect, to be loyal, and to love each other. By touching Sigrun’s horns, you will forever be connected. Even death will not separate you, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Sigrun lowers her head. Her horns are full size now, extending around her head and remaining a dark color with a slight red tint.

Eiric grabs them both, the marks of her horns burring into his palms the moment he does. His mind is distant; memories of past weddings flooding his mind as the ritual begins. He returns within seconds however, the memories overwhelming yet bringing him happiness.

Sigrun’s smile widens as she lifts her head, the pain from her horns now gone and her love for Eiric ever growing.

“You are now forever interconnected, through time and space itself. Now, Sigrun, Eiric, you will exchange rings as symbols of your enteral promise.”

Eiric begins, placing a ring on Sigrun’s finger. “Sigrun, through every memory we have made together, my love for you continues to grow. Nothing has made me happier than you bringing me here, and now I promise to do all I can to make you happy. I love you.”

Sigrun places a ring on Eiric’s finger. “Eiric, I will always answer when you call for me. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I get to be at your side, that you wish to be at mine. My promise to you, through each and every life, we will find each other. And, in this one, we’ll achieve everything we ever wished for. I love you.”

“Eiric, Sigrun, it is an honor to be with you today. Under the blessings of everyone here today, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal your vows with a kiss.” Keldan said.

Eiric holds Sigrun close, timid as they have never shared a kiss. Sigrun’s eyes calm him, asking for him to pull her in close and never let go. With such warmth in her eyes, Eiric finds the courage to pull her in and kiss Sigrun.

·

As I stand in this dark, cold realm, it is your embrace that keeps me warm. I refuse to leave; I will do all I must to save you. To keep you by my side. Even if that means falling further into this pit of darkness.

I see them all here. Every time I have held you close as you took your last breath. Every time you have disappeared. Every time you have lost yourself. Every time you turned. Every time you called for me and I was too weak.

“Every time, every time, every time, every time.”

“Sigrun.”

Eiric embraces me, his arms wrapping around my waist and pulling me close. I’m brought back. From the despair swallowing me alive, from the coldness overtaking me, it is you that saves me. It is you that I want to save me.

“My love, please never let me go.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

I fall into Eiric’s arms, the darkness and bitter cold mean nothing so long as I am with you.

Thanks for reading! - E.F. Veda