Huw chuckled and Astrid sighed, as they reached out for one another’s hands.
***
Sif was so angry, stomping through town and muttering fiercely to herself, that it took her some time to notice the people rushing towards the town square. Finally, however, the buzz of excitement was so loud that it broke through her angry reverie.
“What’s going on?” she asked a man who was hurrying along the street. The man did not tarry but turned his head and said excitedly, “Holmgang!” as hejogged along. Sif joined the growing tide of people rushing to the center of town.
Holmgang.Someone’s disagreements had escalated to violence and was going to be settled by a fight to the death. Hazel rods would be laid out to make a square, six feet by six feet. Two men would enter the square, but only one would leave.
Sif’s hand flew to her mouth as she reached the town square. Two men were readying shields and weapons, outside of the square made by the hazel rods. One of the men she didn’t know.
The other one was Hakon.
For a moment, Sif became dizzy and felt as though she was about to faint, before she put a hand on the wall to steady herself. Sounds of conversation, which had faded to a dull buzz, became discernible once again.
“Let everyone hear once more,” called Hakon, “Hvitserk, I have no quarrel with you. This thing does not need doing. Cease, and we can both walk away.”
The crowd murmured in discontent.
“Then you admit you are a coward and struck a coward’s blow last night?” snarled Hvitserk.
Hakon shook his head. “That I will not do. You fool, I was trying to save your life.” He gripped hissword and shield and stepped into the square. Hvitserk readied a shield and heavy axe then joined him. The crowd hushed.
Hakon was balanced on the balls of his feet, shield high on his left arm, sword with point levelled at Hvitserk. He seemed to be waiting. Finally, Hvitserk gathered his strength and swung his axe in a lethal arc. Hakon did not even step back but shifted so that the axe passed harmlessly to his right.
The noise of the crowd rose as the two men circled within the tight space marked by the hazel rods.
Sif could not look away, and as she felt dizziness for a second time, had to remind herself to breathe.
Hvitserk stepped forwards again, his axe swinging low towards Hakon’s lead leg. Hakon quickly moved back, the axe missing his knee by inches. Still, he had not swung in response. Sif, who could read Hakon’s body language better than anyone, noticed a tiny shift, as if he had moved to a new level of readiness. Her heart pounded.
Hvitserk brought his axe high and swung down, a skull-crushing blow, but halfway through the motion took a hard step, checked his swing, and spun as he changed his attack to a flat horizontal slash at neck level.
Sif gasped. It was a beautiful, life-ending feint. It was also the move Hakon had apparently been waiting for. Hakon crouched down so that Hvitserk’s axe whistled overhead. As soon as the blade had passed, Hakon sprung upwards in a powerful thrust, driving the point of his sword directly into Hvitserk’s throat.
It was a clean strike, perfectly timed. Hvitserk dropped like a boned fish, dead before he hit the ground.
The crowd erupted in approval, and Sif’s heart rose. She realized, in the great flood of her joy and relief, how terrified she had been of losing Hakon. The thought had been overwhelming.
Sif did not want to live a life without Hakon in it.
She ignored the cheering, gesticulating crowd, as if it did not exist, and walked directly towards Hakon. As she drew near the triumphant Hakon, the crowd hushed, expectant. He turned to face her, his eyes alight with excitement and battle lust. In front of the crowd, Sif held Hakon’s gaze as she dropped to one knee before him, and then lowered her head.
“I consent to your terms, Hakon,” she said. “In exchange for your sword, I will become your woman.”
Hakon dropped his shield, drove his still-bloody sword into the earth, and lifted Sif back to her feet,claiming her mouth with a passionate and ferocious kiss. The crowd, not entirely sure what was happening but knowing a joyous result when they saw one, let out an enthusiastic cheer. Hakon put his mouth to Sif’s ear and, under cover of the cheering, whispered, “Then I command you, lady, to come with me.”
Sif felt all of her nerves light up and whispered back, “Yes, my Lord.” The two of them walked, hand in hand, through the cheering crowd.
***
When Hakon arrived at his house with Sif in tow, there was someone waiting for them.
“You’ve had a busy day,” said Gunnar.
“You got here quickly!” replied a surprised Hakon.
“One may travel more swiftly than two. I did pick up your sword and shield where you left them, in case you might need them.”
