Grimbold and Sabine
Fall, IY 484

As Summer cools into Autmn in Axeburg, Sabine and Grimbold begin to spend more time with one another. Without even realising it, Sabine begins to look forward to her daily meetings with her cousin. Breakfasts at Aunt Gerdas, walks in the countryside, and conversations by the hearth all begin to take on a most peculiar significance. Sabine is shaken. Duty dictates that she follow the plans set forth by her mother and her Aunt to marry Sighvat, a tyrant who is a powerful figure in the South. However, she has found in her cousin a warmth and thoughtfulness that has fostered an emotion she has never felt before for any man. She thinks how silly and girlish these feelings are. Sabine feels Grimbold stays close to her out of a sense of duty to his mother, not out of any mutual attraction. Furthermore, to stray from her duty could bring dishonor, or even ruin to her family if she were not careful. And yet, for all this reasoning she still counts the moments until she can see Grimbold's smile once again...

One day Grimbold can take it no more. "Sabine, I vill ask thee but vunce. Lay aside you marriage plans for Jarl Sighvat. He is the very devil himself. If we had not captured some suitable elves, he would have fed you aunt, my muzzer, und my sister-in-law and niece to his Trollish cow. The only use this bearldess troll has for vomen is to feed them to his demon-cow. It vould break my heart to lose you, for I believe I love you. Renounce him and ve vill run avay together and defy his devilments. If you will not renounce him for my love, do it for your own life, for your bridal bower vould become but a burial bier of bitter bereavement"

Sabine responds, tears welling in her eyes. "Grimbold, how long have I wished that you would say such things. I, too, have felt something for you. However, I am pledged to Sighvat. What of my family? What of the men that will surely come to Axeburg to claim me? I would not wish to become the reason for the demise of this town for which I have worked so hard the last year to help over the dread illness that befell it. We cannot run. Ah, ruin! How I wish that it were so that I could take up my weapon and smite this foul troll-cow myself! If only there were some way to fight off this yoke of Jarlsburg, I would run away with thee in an instant. Alas, I fear that I cannot in good conscience. My father was wise enough to keep my dowry from Sighvat until he received word from me. If the Jarl wishes to collect, he would be wise to keep me alive...at least for a time. I'm afraid that I cannot hold him off for long but I will do my best to discern the Jarl's true nature and report back to you on what is transpiring in Jarlsburg. Perhaps together we can put an end to the Jarl's tyranny".

Sabine pauses. Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she reaches for the sword sheathed against her leg. "Take this. This is the weapon that belonged to our Grandfather. As you know it serves only his kin. For the past five years I have been its mistress. If something should happen, you will know if you carry this blade on your person. It will lead you to me, and then I would ask that as you love me, you would rescue me from death or dishonor. "

She whispers, " I do not wish to cause any strife. Our future together depends on your will and steadfastness. Stay true, and let Gorm guide your blade".

Back to Saga