10. TEN #3
Before Brünhilda can scramble back on feet, Sigurd overtakes her.
He scoops up her left leg, locking her ankle in the grip of his bulging bicep.
With gentle force, he pushes against the side of her foot with his other hand.
A sharp cry comes from Brünhilda, who makes a futile attempt to scurry away on her hands and right knee.
“Yes!” shouts Gunther, punching the air, “He’s got you!”
The shieldmaidens are clapping and jumping up and down. There are tears of joy in Birta’s eyes.
“Will you not yield?” asks Sigurd, lightly twisting her ankle and causing her to growl in pain.
“I—Agh! Ugh!” She’s competed against her challenger with all her strength, all the might of her giant kin. How many men have sought to win her, all of whom she cast off the precipice to their fiery doom? Now, at last, after so many centuries, she knows the humiliation of defeat.
“I yield!” she screams, slapping her palm on the temple floor, “I yield to my husband!”
Sigurd releases her at once, and Brünhilda collapses, panting.
“Gunther,” she says, “Oh sweet Gunther. Truly you are a champion among champions. A rival to both Samson and Achilles. What foe could ever hope to conquer your indomitable strength?”
Sigurd sends the real Gunther a wary glance.
“Come, Gunther,” says Brünhilda, “you have won me with your might. Claim your prize. Make love to me at once!”
Sigurd takes a step back. “What? No. No! We must first be wed!”
“But what do you mean? You have beaten me. The law of my ancestors binds us together.”
“Perhaps, but our marriage must be witnessed by the people as well. After all, our two kingdoms will be united.”
“Then let us hurry back to Str?ndheim! We’ll gather the people!
We’ll rush the shamans into the temple! We’ll quickly swear ourselves to each other and sacrifice two bulls on Freya’s altar—the mingling of the blood will be the mingling of our kingdoms. And then, I will bring you into my bedchambers, and we will have such a night that it will make up for all the ages I’ve been waiting, longing, aching for you—Oh Gunther! ”
Sigurd looks to his friend for help.
“What Gunther means,” says Gunther, “Is that he intends to take you back to his palace in Worms and marry you there. It must be a very grand celebration. We must allow time for heralds to be sent out to invite the kings and chieftains of all the tribes of Europe. You and Gunther will be very famous. All of Midgard will be buzzing with talk about this night. We must allow for that talk to spread, to generate excitement and morale. It will make for a most unique opportunity.”
Brünhilda looks at Gunther sadly. “You want to use our wedding as a means to gather allies?”
Sigurd badly attempts Gunther’s smile and cheerful enthusiasm. “Absolutely!”
“I know it seems a bit underhanded,” says Gunther, “but we are at war with the greatest empire on earth, after all, and we must win friends at any cost.”
“Very well,” says Brünhilda, “I understand this war is very important to you. I can wait a little while to be with you if I must.” She takes Sigurd by the hand. “But know that I am yours to do with as you please. Not only I, but all my armies, ships, treasure. All of Iceland is at your disposal.”
Gunther smiles deviously.
“I desperately look forward to … exploring my new wife,” says Sigurd awkwardly, causing Brünhilda to blush as he kisses her fingers. “But for now I must sail back to Worms where I will make plans for our wedding feast, and your coronation. I will return for you at the end of summer.”
“The end of summer?” Tears fill her bright eyes, “Gunther, do you know how long I have waited for a man who was worthy to become my husband? And yet you would force me to wait longer still? What have I done to deserve such cruelty?”
“It’s only four months!” he says, “and in that time there will be much to do!”
“Yes,” says Gunther, “you’ll have to meet with your advisors and prepare your sister Bekkhild to govern as reagent in your place, and mobilize your land and naval forces to join us on the front.
But before you do that, you’ll have to meet with the Guild of Commerce to discuss the changes in trade since you’ll now have access to wood at a much higher discount.
You’d be surprised at how much that can affect logistic operations. ”
“Not to even mention the wedding preparations!” says Sigurd.
“Time will fly by! And before you know it we shall be wed, and the two of us will have many long years together.” He looks again to Gunther, who nods, and he takes out Rowena’s ring and slips it on Brünhilda’s finger—though it’s quite loose and neither of them is sure it won’t fall off.
“This ring,” says Sigurd, “is a token of my promise to return. Look on it with hope and much anticipation. And now, my future wife, I take my leave. Let us both look forward to that joyous day!”
With that, Sigurd wheels around and walks urgently toward the stone steps that lead back down the mountain. Gunther follows on his heels, leaving Brünhilda and her shieldmaidens watching after them, perplexed.