Midsummer, Part 2

"Nothing!" she said, as though she had something to defend. Bjørn released her, and she straightened her dress, which had slipped down over one shoulder.

"Do you think this is acceptable behavior?" Ragnar said, eyeing Bjørn.

She noticed the irritation beginning to rise in the knight.

"Nothing of interest transpires here," Sigrid said, stepping away from Bjørn. "Calm yourself, Ragnar. There is no cause for your anger."

From afar, Erik's commanding voice cut through. "Bjørn, I need a word."

Bjørn hesitated, glancing between Sigrid and Ragnar.

"Go, I'll be fine."

With a reluctant nod, he departed, leaving her alone with Ragnar.

"You are playing a dangerous game, Sigrid."

"And you are a fool if you think you can control me."

"You... like him, don't you?"

"I like no one... especially not you." She threw her hands on her hips and turned with dramatic flair, adding, "Not anymore, at least!"

"Not anymore?" he said, following her.

"Yes. To be honest, I thought you were utterly vile when I first met you, but then you grew on me ... perhaps a little."

Ragnar laughed softly. "And you grew on me as well," he said with a glint in his eye.

She fixed him with a sharp gaze. "If you really like me, why did you act that way?"

Ragnar's expression softened, and he let out a quiet sigh. "I regret it terribly."

Sigrid shook her head. "Don't. You will always be a flirt. That is who you are."

"Me? What about Bjørn? The one who got another woman with a child before marriage!"

"That is not true!" Sigrid said more harshly than intended.

"Oh, but it is. And he even left her! Just ask him yourself!"

"What is going on here?" Thora said, stepping between them and pulling Sigrid along.

"Nothing," Sigrid said, holding Ragnar's gaze. "We're done."
Even as she walked away, she kept casting glances over her shoulder.

"I don't understand why he doesn't just give up," Thora said, exasperated.

"Not that it excuses anything, but... Erik mentioned Ragnar shared a close bond with his mother. She passed when he was very young. It can't have been easy."

"You are right in that; it excuses nothing. But what about Bjørn, then?" Thora nudged her playfully.

"Oh, he is... fine, I suppose," Sigrid said, feigning disinterest.

"Fine? I see the way he looks at you."

Sigrid looked up, startled. "He does not look at me any differently. Besides, he'll be leaving soon, anyway."

"Unless he finds a reason to stay."

Sigrid took Thora's hand and held it. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"There is nothing to apologize for. In truth, it saved me."

Sigrid noticed the tears welling in Thora's eyes.

"I shouldn't be saying this, as he is your brother, but..."

"Say it, Thora."

"I'm not certain what he intended, but..." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I believe Åsmund stopped Sigurd from..."

"Did Sigurd harm you, Thora?"

"No, I swear he didn't get the chance."

"Good," Sigrid exhaled in relief.

"But I believe he would have, had Åsmund not come. I'm afraid of him, Sigrid. I cannot be alone with him in that house again. Do you understand?" At last, she released the tears she had held back, sobbing.

Sigrid wrapped her arms around her. "I swear, you won't have to go back," she whispered, holding Thora.

They sat in silence for a while before Thora turned to face her.

"Good thing you got away from Knut," she said. "I heard that one maid in his house barely escaped with her life. He's a cruel tyrant, Sigrid."

"What?..." she said, shocked as they heard footsteps behind them. It was Leif. He sat down on the grass beside them.

"What's this about?"

"Nothing," said Sigrid, wiping away a tear. "Just men and their foolishness."

Leif smiled. "Speaking of that, Ragnar thinks there's something going on between you and Bjørn."

"So do I!" Thora said instantly, with a smirk.

Sigrid sighed. "There's nothing between me and Bjørn. He was simply being polite."

"Listen," Leif said, "I love my brother, but Bjørn is much better for you than Ragnar."

"Must I choose between them?" Sigrid asked, flopping back with a sigh.

"No," said Thora. "But perhaps you should find another man to free yourself from Knut."

"Why don't you like Bjørn?" Leif asked. "He's the most loyal man I know."

"Ragnar says otherwise," Sigrid said, irritated that Ragnar's words had swayed her.

"Don't listen to Ragnar!" Thora said. "He only wants to ruin things for you because he cannot have you."

"That's not entirely true," Sigrid said, blushing. "I kissed him."

Thora and Leif looked at each other in surprise.

"Calm down, it was just to get Leif reinstated as leader. But he acted like a fool afterward, so now I'll never forgive him!"

"That explains his mood. My brother has always been impulsive, but he changed after Mama died."

"What did he say about Bjørn?" Thora said, eager to steer the conversation away from Ragnar.

"That he got a woman with child and abandoned her."

"I've never heard of such a thing!" Leif said. "It doesn't sound like him at all."

"It doesn't matter. I've decided to steer clear of men for all eternity."

They glanced up the hill, where the men had begun a tug-of-war. Ragnar and Bjørn stood on opposite sides, their stances determined.

Ragnar, though strong, looked like a mere boy compared to Bjørn, who appeared almost godlike in his stature.

Ragnar's face showed his anger as his team lost in a vicious and brutal contest. He threw the rope down in frustration. His flushed face filled with anger.

For a moment, he seemed ready to charge at Bjørn, but Sigrid let out a sigh of relief when she realized he was taking a wide turn instead.

"Come," said Leif, as the music of flutes filled the air with lively folk tunes. "The dancing has begun."

"I shall not dance," Sigrid protested, her arms crossing in defiance.

"No need to," Thora said with a grin. "But you must come and watch." She tugged at Sigrid, pulling her toward the gathering.

Sigrid followed, her posture stiff and arms still crossed as the crowd formed a circle around the fire.

A hand grasped hers, startling her. She hadn't seen him approach-it was Bjørn. Without giving her a chance to protest, he took her hand in his.

"I am not going to..."

"It has begun," he said with a grin.

Sigrid opened her mouth to protest further, but before she could speak, another hand gripped hers from the other side. She looked up-Ragnar had joined, his face set with determination.

Caught between them like the very rope they had just fought over, Sigrid stood. Neither man seemed willing to let go, their gazes locked in a fierce, silent contest.

They ignored her, glaring at each other with intense focus.

"Let go of me!" she asked loudly, but neither man acknowledged her plea. The music swirled around them, the crowd dancing in a lively rhythm as the fire crackled beside them.

"Enough! I've had enough of this rivalry!" She pulled her hands free with a sudden force, and in the process, their hands tangled together, leaving the two men standing there, holding each other's hands.

"You are both fools!" she said as she turned away with a swift motion.

Her dog followed at her side, as if he understood that she needed to escape. She ran into the woods, her heart racing, until she was sure no one would follow. The deep shadows of the forest felt like solace.

She pondered, as she had so many times before, should she return to her family? Should she marry as they wished, as her family expected? Or should she remain here, amidst these people, risking yet another fracture in their delicate peace?

The weight of shame settled in her chest. She had never spoken the truth aloud, but she knew it was true-her defiance ran deep, as Sigurd often reminded her. She questioned everything and ignored the wisdom given to her.

Had she, perhaps, woven this web herself? Had she, in fact, stirred Ragnar's jealousy? She needed to remain true to herself-part of her relished the power of being desired by both men, but she had no wish to see them harmed by her selfishness.

She lay down on the mossy ground, exhausted, and curled into herself. Balder lay beside her, a comforting presence.

"Perhaps it would be easier just to go home?" She said out loud to Balder, her thoughts turning to Thora and the consequences of returning. "What fate awaits her there?"

She sighed and rose to her feet, brushing dirt from her skirts. "Come, Balder."

When she returned to the clearing, she saw the last embers of the fire flickering in the cool night air. A few scattered figures remained-drunk and slumped against each other, murmuring and laughing.

Sigrid approached the water, intending to let Balder drink; however, a voice startled her. The dog growled low in warning, and she spun around, startled. She was surprised: Ragnar lay near the water, seemingly lost in thought.

For a moment, she hesitated. Should she help him? He appeared helpless, vulnerable; his long, tangled hair, interwoven with leaves and bark, made him seem childlike.

"Ragnar? What are you doing here?"

He mumbled something incoherent, but when he recognized her voice, he struggled to sit up.

"Sigrid? Is that you?" He croaked, his voice thick with drunken slurring.

"Yes, it's me, you foolish boy," she said, kneeling beside him. "You cannot lie here; you'll either drown or be taken by the water spirit."

He groaned in response, reaching for her with shaky hands. "Sigrid... Do not leave me..."

She knew she couldn't leave him here in this state. "Come now," she whispered, using all her strength to help him rise. She could barely manage it, but with Balder's help, they got him to his feet.

"Hold on, Ragnar. We'll get you out of here."

As they moved up the slope, Ragnar stumbled, and she nearly lost her balance. She spotted Bjørn in the distance, surrounded by Thora's friends. He stood apart from the others, his gaze distant, looking as though his mind were elsewhere.

Just as Ragnar faltered, his weight dragging them both down, their eyes met.

"Sigrid!" Bjørn said after her, rushing over. "What's happened?"

Without hesitation, he took Ragnar's full weight, lifting him with ease.

"It's nothing. He's had too much to drink. I found him by the water and had no choice but to help him."

Bjørn lifted Ragnar with little effort, tossing him over his shoulder like a sack of grain, his expression unreadable.

"I did not intend to upset you," Bjørn said, his voice calm, though there was a flicker of concern in his eyes.

Sigrid shook her head. "I do not wish to come between you."

"We will manage. I'll speak with him tomorrow."

"Good," she said as she turned to leave. But before she could walk away, he called after her.

"I'll stay longer, make sure things are calm, and Sigrid...I am glad about it."

A warmth rose in her cheeks, though she masked it with a soft smile. "Oh, very well. I too am glad," she said before turning to walk away and left him there, standing as he watched her disappear.

●●●