Chapter 25: The Sound of Bells

Three Weeks Later

"What does your heart tell you?" Heinrich asked kindly as he lit the candles around the alter. "Astrid you do not have to marry Deman if you do not wish. He would understand."

Astrid sighed with a nervous lump forming in her throat. "What other options do I have? If I deny him, where would I go?" She shook her head, fixating her eyes on the colorful stained glass which surrounded her. "I cannot let Lorna beat me. She needs to be taught a lesson and if that means-"

"It is your life, Astrid, not hers." Heinrich blurted out, setting his gaze upon Astrid. "If you are not satisfied with Deman in your life when you get married then you will always be dissatisfied, only you will then be like a mother figure to Lorna," he paused, biting the corner of his lip. "who will torment you even more."

Astrid buried her face into the palms of her hands, where tears began to prick her eyes.

"I cannot think anymore on it now." She hoarsely mumbled, glancing up at Heinrich. "I am getting married in the morning."

Astrid arose, inching closer and closer to the door.

"Very well," Heinrich nodded his head. "I shall see you later then?"

Astrid simply nodded in agreement before she stepped out onto the front step of the church. She stared aimlessly at the ground for several minutes before turning to face the door. Her body was perfectly still as she examined the marriage notice that hung on the door. Her finger traced over her name as tears began to flow from her eyes.

"Where are you now God?" Astrid mumbled under her breath, fleeing away from the church.

As she walked hurriedly throughout the village, people approached with words of congratulations. Her mind ran wild with thoughts she could not contain. She abruptly stopped once she arrived in the castle's flower garden, where she broke down traumatically. Tears poured from her eyes while her body shook tremendously. Her strong heart broke hard.

"Astrid?" Lorna's faint voice called. "Is that you?"

Astrid swallowed quickly and began to compose herself. "Yes, it is I." She called back, smoothing out her dress.

Lorna appeared soon from behind a small bush with a scowl upon her face.

"Are you really going to go through with it?" Lorna asked, plucking a red flower from the bush. Astrid stared at Lorna silently for seconds before she began to nod.

"Why?" Lorna spoke softly. "You do not want to I know. Why would you choose to marry someone like that?"

Astrid laughed slightly. "Because sometimes a woman must do what is necessary for them to make it in this world. Your uncle has offered me something I cannot refuse, whether I love him or not." She paused. "Lorna, you are young and cannot see it now, but one day you will realize that love does not exist in this world. If you marry a man it is for your survival, and if love comes, it is because you allowed it to grow within your marriage."

Silence fell among them. The chipper sounds of birds chirping echoed throughout their ears.

"I know you despise me," Astrid spoke, smiling sincerely at Lorna. "But I do not care anymore. I am thankful that I am here with you and away from the life I had. No matter what you do to me it will never be worse than my past."

"How can you stay so nice to me? I try so hard to make you want to leave!" Lorna yelled aggressively threw her hands in the air. "But you stay! Why!?"

"If everyone gives up on you, you will never amount to anything." Astrid replied, looking up at the cloudless sky. "I see a bright future in you that no one else sees."

"I hate you so much?" Lorna mumbled under her breath, glaring coldly at Astrid. "Can you not see it?" The tone of her voice increased loudly. "I am sure everyone can tell; everyone except you."

Astrid smiled calmly, taking Lorna by the hand. "Can you not see that I do not care?"

"You are crazy."

"And I am marrying your uncle." Astrid stated bluntly, turning away from Lorna. "You do not have to like it either. It is my life, not yours." She glanced over her shoulder. "I will not go back to Lundur, no matter what it takes."

"Was it really that bad?" Lorna snapped, leaning close to Astrid. "I think you just want to have riches and be crowned a queen."

"Having those things to look forward to is an incentive." Astrid replied, patting Lorna's head like a dog. "And making your life miserable just adds to the enjoyment." She spun around stared at the pathway thorough the garden that was before her. "Now if you shall excuse me, I have a wedding to prepare for."

Lorna rushed to Astrid's side, catching her by the arm forcefully. "You are making a mistake."

Astrid meekly smiled with a shake to her head. "I do not believe I am. If I am, however, I suppose I will learn to deal with it." She stated simply, as she slowly walked away.

"Come back here!" Lorna called after her. "Astrid!"

Astrid continued walking at a steady, calming pace humming a cheerful tune. Her eyes focused on two birds flying above her, calling back and forth. For the first time she felt satisfaction with her life, although nerves still had the best of her.

She arrived at the castle momentarily, where she entered gracefully, passing by Deman who sat upon his throne. He flashed a cheeky smile her way, she responded with the same expression.

Deman motioned her towards him, patting the empty throne beside him. "I would like to speak with you very quickly."

"Yes?" Astrid questioned, inching toward him.

He stared at her closely without speaking a word. "I cannot wait to make you my wife." His voice whispered softly, causing a smile to creep upon Astrid's face. "Take a seat upon the throne, for it will be rightfully yours."

Astrid stared hesitantly at the red, velvety chair encrusted with gold around the edges.

"I am not worthy, not yet."

Deman closed his eyes and nodded. "Alright," he stood up, taking Astrid by the hand. "But tomorrow you will be worthy. You will be the queen- my queen."

Astrid nodded with a smile. "I would like to be alone for now." She paused, kissing him on the cheek. "I shall see you in the morrow."

Deman winked and returned to his throne. Astrid quickly left the room, making her way to her chamber, where she plopped forcefully onto her feather bed. Her eyes fluttered shut, until she was sound asleep. Dreams aroused her imagination as images of her family appeared before her, bringing back painful memories. A loud bang at the door startled Astrid awake.

"Hello," Camilla's soft voice echoed from behind the door. "May I enter?"

Astrid quickly sat up, straightening her messy hair. "Yes."

The door creaked open slowly while Camilla pulled in a heavy wooden tub lined with a white linen cloth. She exited for several minutes before returning with pails of heated water and lavender soap. Astrid watched her as she poured the water in, followed by the fresh scents of lavender and wild flowers that filled the room. Camilla turned around and faced Astrid once the bath was completely finished.

"Get in." Camilla said, motioning Astrid toward her.

Astrid dipped her fingers in the lukewarm water, creating a small whirlpool in the tub. She glanced up at Camilla who stood still with a blank expression upon her face.

"Thank you very much." Astrid whispered gratefully.

Camilla nodded and began to loosen the tightly pulled laces on the back of Astrid's gown, that she soon slid off onto the ground. Astrid leaned against the edge of the tub in her linen shift and began kneading her hands together.

"What is wrong, my lady?" Camilla questioned concerned.

Astrid shook her head slightly, sending a smile to Camilla. "I cannot believe I am getting married."

"Deman seems very excited also."

Astrid turned her back to Camilla and closed her eyes, before she slid the thin layer of cloth from her body, exposing her bare back covered with scars.Camilla gasped and stared intensely at the bold scars that stood out upon Astrid's pale back.

"I am sure Deman will have the same reaction." Astrid remarked, emerging herself into the tub. "Those scars are what keeps me from living. It is just a painful reminder of my bitter past."

"But you won." Camilla stated, picked up Astrid's loose articles of clothing. "Those scars should not define who you are, or who you can become. They appeared when you were fighting a fight you thought you could not win, but you did win." She smiled sincerely. "And now you are going to be a queen."

Astrid nodded. "I know..."

"What is it?"

"There was another man," Astrid trailed off, staring into a daze. "Who would have gave anything to be my husband." She shook her head and locked eyes with Camilla. "He would die of a broken heart if he knew I was marrying."

Camilla sighed. "That is a problem, my lady." She tilted her head to the side and smiled. "But that man is not here and will probably never be. As for Deman, he is here and a king. Your life is set from now on once you marry. Whoever your enemies were are now just in your past; they cannot hurt you anymore."

"I know." Astrid remarked, submerging herself under the water. She quickly came up, running it through her thick, dark hair. "I still think from time to time about them and about everything that happened to me. I worry that they will find me and I will be forced to return." She shook her head, slinging small droplets of water from her soaked head. "I cannot go back." Her voice trembled with the words.

"You will never have to go back." Camilla reassured her, stepping towards the door. "I shall get the dress you shall be wearing tomorrow." She left the room hastily, leaving Astrid alone.

Astrid closed her eyes and leaned against the siding of the tub, relaxing her body as much as she could until Camilla returned.

Camilla returned shortly with a heavy silken cream colored gown in her arms.

"This dress also belonged to his mother." Camilla shared, helping Astrid from the tub. "I think you will be beautiful."

Astrid dried her body off with a linen cloth that was nearby before she slipped her shift on. Next, she pulled the wedding dress over her head.

The bodice was embroidered with shimmering silver lace along with colorful beads that glistening in the light. A shiny piece of lace circled the neck as well as the bottom which swept the floor. It hung close to her body, hugging her womanly curves.

"I think I'm ready for tomorrow." Astrid simply replied, running her hands along the smooth textured dress.

"You already look like a queen, my lady." Camilla said with a smile.

¤§¤

"She would not have came here." Knute argued, chasing after Erick who looked at the small village that sat upon the hill.

"Why not?" Erick snidely asked, spinning around on his heel. "This is her home."

"Not anymore. We took everything from her home and now it is inhabited by the French people." Knute boldly argued. "This is not her home anymore. It would only bring painful memories for her to return."

"We are still going to try!" Erick yelled angrily. "I cannot have Bard kill my newborn son."

The sound of church bells rang in the distance and echoed throughout the land making a nervous pit well in the bottom of their stomach.

¤§¤

The morning came rapidly before Astrid's eyes. She rustled herself awake, slipping out of her bed. Quickly, she dressed in her wedding attire and sat down on the edge of the bed, twirling the end of her braided hair nervously. Soon, Camilla entered and they left the castle together, making their way through the village to the town church. Astrid breathed steadily, rubbing her nervous palms against her stomach, which was jittery. In the distance she saw the church that was surrounded by many villagers awaiting the ceremony.

Heinrich stood poised upon the top step looking over the crowd which had gathered for the ceremony. Astrid stepped onto the left side of Deman and stared at Heinrich in a daze.

"Does anyone know of any reason the couple should not be married?" Heinrich asked loudly and clearly. A moment of silence was given before her looked to Deman and Astrid. "Do you have any reason to prohibit this marriage?"

Astrid glanced over at Deman, who done the same, and shook her head.

"Deman Bernard, wilt though have, Astrid Egger, to my wedded wife, wilt the love her, and honor her, keep her and guard her, in health and in sickness, as a husband should a wife, and forsaking all others on account of her, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"

"I will." Deman replied boldly with a nod.

"Astrid Egger," Heinrich paused and smiled. "wilt though have Deman Bernard jto thy wedded husband, wilt the love him, and honor him, keep him and guard him, in health and in sickness, as a wife should a husband, and forsaking all others on account of him, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

Astrid breathed heavily. She licked the outside of her dry lips. "I will."

"You may speak your vows now." Heinrich said, stepping back from them.

" I, Deman Bernard, take thee, Astrid, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death do we part, if the holy church will ordain it: And thereto I plight thee my troth." Deman said, holding Astrid's hand tightly.

"I, Astird Egger, take thee, Deman Bernard, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, till death do us part, if the holy church will ordain it: And thereto I plight thee my troth."

Heinrich stepped forward once again, reaching them the two golden bands that were clinched tightly in his hand. Deman slipped The smooth golden band, encrusted with small gems onto her thin finger. She done the same with a simple golden band. Once the rings were exchanged, Heinrich opened the large doors to the church and entered gracefully. He strolled towards the altar, followed by Astrid and Deman, walking arm in arm. They knelt before the candle lit altar and bowed their heads.

"Let us pray." Heinrich announced placing his hands together at his chest. "God, as you join us today, we ask for your blessings upon this couple as they unite in marriage. Let all their days together be happy and words be sweet. Bless their home and allow it to be a place of joy and serenity. Remind them to nurture each other's body with mutual love, honor and respect.  Let their spirits dwell within. As they learn from each other, may they grow stronger as individuals and closer as a couple. And as their wedded life begins today with prayer, so may they continue it, praying for and with each other. Amen."

Astrid and Deman arose before the crowd.

"I know pronounce you man and wife." Heinrich declared, lifting his arms upward. The crowd applauded as Astrid and Deman lifted their intended hands upward. The church bells rang loudly, alarming those not there of the matrimony that had taken place.

Thanks for reading! Remember to vote and comment! Thanks and God Bless.