Day 86: Love Story Part 3

As Hinn bounded up the stairs, the opened door revealed his worst nightmare.  His brother lay on top of Frida on the floor.  Heavy breathing could be heard, his, from the long run from the caverns, or his brother’s he couldn’t tell.  The troll rage thundered through Hinn.  The pounding of his heart joined the chorus of dissonance as he flew across the room.  The ringing of metal scratched across the sheath as he pulled out his sword.

Hurling himself forward, Hinn thrust the blade forward without hesitation.  Like a knife through butter, the sword slide through the neck of his older brother.  Blood sprayed through the air.  A grunt was all his brother uttered and he fell forward off Hinn’s blade, smothering Frida.  Tossing the sword to the side with a clatter, Hinn gripped the shirt with blood seeping down the back and flung the dead body to the side.

Blood covered Frida’s face and torso.  Her eyes closed to the world.  She didn’t stir.  Panic gripped his chest as he fell to his knees.  He gathered her up in his arms when he realized her blood seeped through her tattered skirt.  Standing up, he roared.  Her eyes fluttered open.

“Take me to the orchard house.”  They will call for Marketta,” her whispered words tore at his heart.

His long strides carried them down the path towards the castle grounds through the fading light.  As softly as he could, he kept her close to his chest to not jostle her body.  He longed to race to the house but knew the impact would cause further harm.  The trees whipped past him.  Birds flew up in fright as he passed under the branches.  A deer jumped out of his path.  Finally, he saw a trickle of smoke in the distance.  The trees changed from aspens to apple and plum as he made his way to the little house.  He pounded on the door.  The house shook from his big fists.

In moments, the door swung wide as a human female with large blue eyes traveled up to his face.  Her mouth formed into a circle of surprise and her eyes grew wider.  Her hands protectively clasped her growing womb.

“Help,” he pleaded.

Another woman popped her head around the door.  “Frida,” she exclaimed.  “Quickly, Hinn, bring her inside.”  She rushed to the table, clearing the mugs and plates with half eaten cookies off to the counter.  The pregnant woman of the house helped, though her hands shook almost causing her to drop the pot of steaming tea.

Hinn lowered Frida onto the flat surface.  Stepping back, he watched as the thin woman in a brown healer’s dress and ivory apron placed her hands on Frida’s abdomen.  Blue flame leaped from her fingertips and traveled up and down her body.  The flame from the woman’s right hand stopped at Frida’s female area.  The rest traveled quickly up to Frida’s head and winked out.  The woman moved her hand down to Frida’s pelvis.  The blue flame turned into a pulsing blue haze.

While the work continued, the pregnant woman poured boiling water and cold water into a basin.  With a clean cloth, she came to the table.  With gentle strokes, she wiped at the blood left from death of the troll.

Frida’s eyes flickered open.  Her hand grabbed out towards Hinn.  He stepped back in fear of breaking her further.  Shaking his head, he longed to flee from the room, but he must remain to know for certain she lived.  Never again would he place her in jeopardy.  Tears trickled down both of their faces.

The healer lifted her hands once the blue haze dissolved.  She turned to Hinn with her index finger pointed at him.  “You, you almost killed her.”

He lowered his head, guilt washing away the rage.

“No, Marketta, he saved me,” Frida sat up with the help of the pregnant woman who then melted into the background.  “I was attacked by a stranger.”

“A human didn’t do this.  You can’t convince me of that.  I know it was a troll.  It was him.”

Again, Frida reached out her hand, but this time she grabbed the healer’s forearm.  “Yes, it was a troll, but I don’t know who he was.”

“You are correct, Mistress Marketta,” Hinn interrupted.  “The fault is mine.  The troll that did this was my brother.  He was taking revenge on me by trying to cut my heart out through Frida.  I won’t allow this to happen again.”  He looked over to Frida.  “I will remove the body and clean the cabin.”

“You killed your brother, for Frida?” Marketta asked in disbelief.  “The trolls hold clan above all else.  You truly love her.”

Without diverting his gaze from Frida’s eyes, he addressed Marketta.  “Of course, I love her.  She is part of my clan.  I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.  This is why we will never see each other again.”

“Don’t be a stubborn fool,” Frida choked.  She slid off the table to take a step.  Her legs faltered, and she fell back to steady herself.  “I know the risks I take.  We are to bring our races together.  We can be together.”

“No,” he growled.  “Everything has changed.  I will have to be the leder of the clan now that my brother is dead.  I no longer have the luxury of mating with you.  My clan comes first.”

Before more could be said, he turned away from her and left the cabin.  His exit wasn’t soon enough.  He heard Frida's heart wrenching sob follow him out the door.  He hardened his heart as he sprinted down the trail to the cabin.  The words of the Doden Sang bellowed from his mouth.  The death chant of his clan.  At the end of the litany of the troll history, he added the refrain of his loss of a brother who betrayed him and the love of his life.