I hear a commotion surrounding us, and as Ragda is lifted off me, I gasp for air. Sitting up, I find myself surrounded by the crowd, witnessing Ragda being forcefully dragged away by four burly men. He continues to shout in protest.
"Release me! She is promised to me! She shall be mine!"
Feeling a sense of confusion and a throbbing in my head, I notice Boleslaw's outstretched arm, offering assistance. I grasp it and attempt to stand, but my knees betray me, causing me to slide back towards the ground. Boleslaw catches me before I hit the earth and carries me out of the crowd, guiding me back to my hut. He settles me onto my bed.
"Are you alright?" he asks, concern etched on his face.
"Yes, just a blow to the head when I fell," I reply, touching the tender area at the back of my skull.
"Thank you for rescuing me from that chaos."
"This man is deranged... You are not safe here, especially with his claims on you."
"It's alright. I will find a way to handle him."
"But how? He refuses to accept your rejection."
"I will come up with something," I assert, attempting to rise.
Boleslaw gently grasps my arm, preventing me from standing, and inquires, "What do you need?"
"Just some water," I request.
"I'll fetch it for you. Just stay here," he assures me.
"Thank you," I express as I recline on the bed, leaning against the wooden wall and briefly closing my eyes. Suddenly, I hear Boleslaw's voice.
"You should marry me," he states. My eyes snap open, and he continues, hope gleaming in his gaze.
"That way, all these men will leave you alone."
"Boleslaw, you know we cannot do that," I respond earnestly. "You are on the verge of marrying a real woman, someone who will bring you happiness and a family. I cannot be that for you."
"Maybe not now... but perhaps in time," he suggests, hope still lingering in his eyes.
"Thank you for the offer, and I know it comes from a good place. But honestly, you don't have to worry. I will maintain the facade of being married. I have already borne children, and they cannot force a widow to remarry."
He stands there silently, before finally filling the cup he had been holding with water. Handing it to me, I drink it down in one gulp. He speaks softly.
"If you want, we could pretend to be engaged. But before we wed, I will return to my homeland for trading. I will never come back, but everyone will know that you are spoken for, and they will leave you alone."
"You would do that?" I inquire, surprised by his unwavering commitment to my safety.
"To keep you safe? Absolutely, without hesitation."
"And this promise of marriage between us, it won't complicate things for you with the woman you are engaged to back home?"
"Not in the slightest. I will never mention you to her."
"Alright then, let's discuss this plan with Frida and see what she thinks of our little scheme," I suggest with a mischievous smile.
I send Ingrid, the neighbor's daughter, to fetch Frida for me. Soon enough, she arrives at my hut accompanied by Arne. We explain our plan for a pretend engagement, and Frida agrees that announcing it tonight at the feast is the best course of action. With more wrestling games scheduled for the evening, we decide that Boleslaw will fight Arne. After Boleslaw secures victory, he will publicly claim me, and I will accept.
Determined to make a statement, I dress in my finest attire for the occasion. At the feast, I immerse myself in the festivities, participating with newfound enthusiasm and trying to enjoy the event to the fullest. Despite feeling Ragda's intense gaze upon me throughout the evening, I resolve to ignore it completely and refuse to be provoked. Now, as the time for the wrestling match between Arne and Boleslaw approaches, I can't help but worry for both of them.
Just as they step into the designated area for the fights, I catch Boleslaw's eye and offer him a reassuring smile. It seems Ragda notices this and rushes towards the ring, pushing Arne aside, insisting on fighting Boleslaw instead. Before anyone can intervene, Ragda lands the first punch on Boleslaw's face.
Boleslaw responds with a smile and launches himself at Ragda. They engage in a fierce battle, and I tremble with apprehension. Boleslaw sustains a bleeding lip and a growing bruise beneath his eye. The two men appear relentless, each determined to triumph over the other. They exchange punches and kicks, all the while wearing broad smiles on their faces.
Eventually, Ragda, visibly exhausted, seizes a young man standing nearby, lifting him into the air and hurling him towards Boleslaw, causing them both to crash to the ground.
Before Boleslaw can regain his footing, Ragda pounces on him, raining punches upon his face. My heart stops, and I am convinced that Boleslaw will meet his demise at Ragda's hands. Overwhelmed with guilt, I rush in front of Ragda and shout.
"Ragda, look at me!" I demand, and as he momentarily halts his assault, lifting his head to meet my gaze, I stick out my tongue to express my disapproval.
That moment was all Boleslaw needed. Swiftly, he reversed their positions, tightening his grip around Ragda's throat. Securing him in place, Boleslaw glanced around at the cheering crowd, basking in their acknowledgment of his victory. As he released Ragda, I rushed to his side, wiping his face clean with a piece of cloth.
He seized my wrist, pulling me towards him, and enveloped my waist with his arms. With fervour, he exclaimed, "You shall be my prize and my future wife!" The crowd erupted in cheers at his proclamation.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, locking eyes with him. Despite the swelling, his blue eyes burned with a victorious and joyous flame. Drawing me closer, we shared a passionate kiss, the crowd's jubilation enveloping us.
The remainder of the evening was spent in each other's company. Boleslaw held me on his lap as we shared food and drink, indulging in the customs of love-struck couples. Well-wishers came to congratulate us on our engagement throughout the night.
As the dawn approached, we strolled back to our hut. Boleslaw walked beside me, his arm draped around my shoulder, humming a tune. Abruptly, he silenced himself and beamed at me, his smile radiating joy.
"Tonight was incredible. Such a truly magnificent engagement," he exclaimed.
In the days that followed, we reminisced about our time in the camp. We spent entire days together, conversing and fulfilling our village chores. With Boleslaw by my side, I felt safe and no longer experienced the depths of loneliness.
Today, we embark on a hunting trip, the first time I bring someone along. Uncertainty lingers, unsure of how this joint endeavor will unfold.
"I'm bringing you with me, but I've never hunted with anyone before. I hope we won't be too noisy," I express hesitantly.
"Speak for yourself, I'll be as silent as the night. If we don't catch anything, it won't be on my account," he teases, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.
"Let's start with something easy... I know where the rabbits usually hide."
We manage to capture a few rabbits before setting our sights on a more significant quarry. As we traverse by a breathtaking waterfall, I remark, "What a mesmerizing sight..."
"Indeed," he replies, but his words seem to hold a deeper meaning now. As I gaze at him, I witness that fire reignite in his eyes—the same passion he had back in the camp, before learning the truth about me.
"Beth," he utters, prompting me to halt and meet his gaze. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he draws me closer.
"What is it?" I inquire, captivated by his earnest expression.
"I yearn for our engagement to be genuine... I genuinely desire to spend the rest of my life with you. You bring me immeasurable happiness, filling my days with peace and joy... I'll wait for as long as you need."
"And can you accept a life with me, knowing I may never bear you an heir? Or that I might depart without notice?" I question, searching his eyes for a resolute answer.
"Look into my eyes and tell me, after all this time and everything we feel for one another, that you could simply abandon me and leave..."
I avert my gaze, overwhelmed by the truth in his words. The emotions I've developed for him have been steadily growing, his presence, his kindness, his unwavering love for me... It all floods my mind, making it difficult to summon thoughts of my family. Despite my attempts to recall their faces, with Boleslaw standing before me, his warm embrace enveloping me, his eyes locking with mine...
"Honestly... I don't know," I confess, my voice filled with uncertainty.
He pulls me even closer, and I bury my face in his chest. We remain there for a while, holding each other, finding solace in the rhythmic sound of the waterfall crashing against the earth.
Breaking the silence, he whispers in my ear, "I see a deer. Would you like to pursue it?"
I gaze up into his eyes, a smile playing on my lips, and confidence lacing my voice. "Oh, yes!"
Carefully and silently, we trail the deer. It leads us to an open field nestled within the heart of the forest. Boleslaw signals that he will approach the animal from the opposite side, and I nod in agreement. Concealed in the tall grass, I observe the graceful creature.
Suddenly, on the other side of the field, beyond the bushes, I spot a woman. She's dressed in a light, white gown adorned with flowers, unmistakably indicating that she isn't a Viking. She seems strangely familiar, but I struggle to place where I've seen her before...
She appears young, perhaps in her late twenties? Her long, curly black hair cascades down her back, and as she draws nearer, her dark eyes stand out against her fair complexion... Isabel... The name springs to my mind, memories flooding back.