XL. Ready for Death

Eksel closed his eyes inhaling slowly. The only last words he had he wanted to whisper into Elva’s ear as she laid next to him.

The last words he had he did not want to say.

Because he did not want to die.

Not before they even had a chance at living their life.

He slowly opened his eyes, shifting his gaze to his brother. His back burned and he could feel the blood dripping down to his legs. His face pulled on the scab on his cheek and he grimaced.

How did they end up like this?

Agnar’s face contorted, angry at his brother’s refusal to speak.

He stepped forward when a voice called out from the shadows.

“Stop! Please, stop!”

Elva emerged from the darkness. Her eyes widened with fear and desperation as she witnessed the brutal confrontation. Tears streamed down her eyes and Alden ran behind her, reaching for her and calling her name.

Eksel frowned, his heart hammering in his chest, “What are you doing here?”

She looked at him, her chest heaving but did not respond and looked to Agnar, “Please. Please don’t kill him.”

Alden reached for her arm but she pulled it from his hold and he whispered and apology to Eksel.

Agnar shook his head, still pressing the tip of his sword on Eksel’s neck. “After everything? There is no going back.”

“Elva, go,” Eksel pleaded, grimacing from the pain in his body. Agnar’s sword against his neck held him still, but the wounds on his back left him useless.

“You’re surrounded,” Sten stepped from the shadows, eyeing Agnar with disdain.

Sigrid stood beside him and his eyes wandered to Elva, his body tense but ready to move in case he needed to protect her.

Eksel looked around, relief filling him for just a moment before he returned a wide eyed gaze to Elva.

Agnar looked around with flared nostrils. He blinked fast, realizing his predicament. Blood filled the air and it was his men that were either in piles on the ground or kneeled with shackles around their wrists.

Panic surged through him and he lifted his sword in the air, determined to slice his brother’s neck.

But Elva screamed, her heart in her throat and she lunged, stepping between the brothers.

Eksel yelled, as he struggled onto one foot. “No!”

Agnar stilled, his lips lifting in a scowl as he eyed the tiny woman before him. “Move.”

She shook her head and exhaled a broken breath, her lips trembling.

She was afraid of dying. More than she would like to admit.

But dying for Eksel would be something she would do without thinking twice.

She expected Agnar to slice her throat now and she looked behind, over her shoulder and looked at Eksel for what she believed would be the last time.

Eksel, still on one knee, locked eyes with Elva. In her gaze, he saw a mixture of fear and unwavering resolve. His heart stopped in his chest when he understood that she was willing to die for him.

With a sudden burst of strength, he pushed himself up, pressing his hand on his knee for support.

Agnar was still hesitating, taken aback by Elva’s courage. but when Elva returned her eyes to him, his mind was made up. “Fine. Have it your way.”

As Agnar raised his sword to strike, Elva closed her eyes, bracing for the impact.

She breathed in, ready to die for the man she loved. She mourned the loss of their love. Mourned the loss of their future. Of what could have been.

She mourned the loss of those dreams she cherished in the night.

The dreams of a home.

Of children.

Of peace.

Of love.

Of him.

She braced.

But the blow never came. Eksel, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, managed to push Agnar back just enough for the attack to miss its mark.

The brothers grappled, swords clashing in a desperate struggle.

Elva snapped her eyes open, gasping as she realized that Eksel was still fighting.

Eksel struggled but he gained the upper hand. He hesitated but with his heavy heart he plunged his last knife into Agnar’s chest.

Agnar’s fear was evident in his wide eyes as he gasped for breath and blood spilled from his lips. The village fell silent as the realization of what Eksel had finally done settled in the air.

Elva shook, the fear still lingering, but now mixed with a somber relief.

Eksel stepped back, looking down at his hands stained with his brother’s blood. The weight of the act, the culmination of years of rivalry and resentment, settled upon him.

Tears stung his eyes, hating that he had to do what was necessary.

Agnar, now on his knees, clutched his chest, his eyes locked onto Eksel’s. “I will haunt you, brother.”

Eksel, his breath heavy, met Agnar’s gaze. The conflict within him was palpable, a storm of emotions raging beneath a stoic exterior.

Elva, sensing the turmoil, stepped forward, a hand on Eksel’s shoulder.

Eksel murmured, his voice heavy with regret. “It didn’t have to end like this.”

Agnar’s body slumped forward, and Eksel lowered him to the ground, the forest floor dampening with his brother’s blood. The air was thick with the weight of the choices made.

Elva watched, her eyes reflecting the sadness that hung heavy in the air. Eksel, his gaze still fixed on the lifeless body of his brother, exhaled a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. The village, once echoing with the clash of swords, was now eerily quiet.

He turned to Elva, but his body failed him. He winced, falling to his knees.

Elva gasped, lowering herself to her knees in front of him and cupping his face in her hands as he clutched at his chest.

“Eksel, my love. Please hold on just a bit longer.”

Eksel pressed his forehead to hers. He wasn’t able to speak from the pain but he knew that he would make it through. The worst had finally ended.

Sten and Sigrid appeared beside him and helped him to his feet.

“He-He needs to rest. He needs to see a medic.” Elva stood with him, following behind as they helped Eksel onto a cart.

“I’ll fetch one.” Sten nodded after making sure Eksel sat without toppling over. He turned and ran into the village without looking back.

“I’m sorry, Elva,” Eksel said, his voice a whisper, as if afraid to disturb the stillness around them.

Elva moved to stand in front of him, offering silent support. “Sorry for what?”

“You shouldn’t have had to- I should have been strong enough. Why would you-”

Elva pressed a kiss to his lips, silencing his rambling. She shook her head as as she pulled back to look at him, “Together, remember? We do this together.”

Eksel looked at her, his chest filling with warmth and his gaze wide with admiration. She was the bravest and strongest person he had ever met. And she had chosen him. She had almost died for him.

He swallowed, “I am yours, Elva. Always.”

She smiled, nodding. “I am yours.”

She kissed him again, gently, but when she pulled back, worry distorted her brows. He was pale, his face broken in painful shudders.

Sten’s footsteps crushed against the gravel as he ran toward them panting for breath, “Lay him on his stomach. The medic will take a look at him.”

The soldiers that surrounded them began to disperse, moving the curious villagers to give Eksel the privacy he deserved.

Elva held onto his hand and never let go.

She stood by him.

Sat by him.

Laid by him.

For days.

Until strength returned to him and he woke from his slumber.

His eyes fluttered open and his gaze found hers instantly. A frown marred his face, but it was instantly replaced by wide eyes and parted lips.

He hadn’t been dreaming.

It was over.

And they had won.