The Ice People 12 - Yearning. Margit Sandemo

helped at all, I suppose?”

      “No, Aunt Cecilie. Not at all,” Irmelin answered, who was taller than even Cecilie. But she seemed slight when she stood next to Dominic.

      “We probably shouldn’t have written to each other,” Dominic said pensively. “Because, at times, letters can become explosive. But we were allowed to write and those letters have been rays of comfort during this difficult time.”

      “I agree,” Irmelin said. “You’re right, Dominic. Letters can be dangerous. They can keep the fire burning, create illusions, bring two people closer to one another than if they were in the same room.”

      “That’s true,” Cecilie answered. “So what do you intend to do now?”

      “I haven’t thought beyond the moment when I’ll see Villemo once more. I’ve yearned to see her again for more than eighteen months now,” Dominic said as he picked roses for the old lady.

      “And I haven’t seen Niklas for three years,” Irmelin said. “I don’t dare imagine anything beyond just seeing him, hearing his voice, touching his skin. But I know my place, Aunt Cecilie, we won’t violate the pledge which we’ve given our parents.”

      “We all know that. But just be careful with Villemo, Dominic. She’s the wildest of you all and she’d be only too happy to be carried away by her feelings.”

      “Not any longer, it would seem,” he said thoughtfully. “Her parents are very pleased with her and very surprised at her complacency.”

      “Yes, I’ve heard my daughter, Gabriella, mention it. But still waters run deep, so they say. This is something that concerns all four of you: try not to be alone with your beloved ones and don’t expose yourselves to temptation. The Ice People’s legacy shouldn’t be taken lightly! Thank you very much for the gorgeous roses, Dominic. You have fine taste and have managed to pick the very best, which I intend to put on the wedding table.”

      She glanced thoughtfully at the two young people as they walked away. How she understood their dilemma! Her thoughts went back to the time in a shed by the churchyard back home at Graastensholm. How easily had she given in to temptation? With a young priest and just because he resembled Alexander, whom she wasn’t allowed to marry.

      And now these young people, with their fervent love, were to meet again after a long time. Cecilie shuddered. It was as if Tengel the Evil’s shadow glided past her.

      None of them realised that the Danish navy had left the Sound in order to enter the Baltic Sea and meet the Swedes there. The Ice People were convinced that they would be allowed to celebrate the wedding in peace and that everyone would return safely afterwards. There was no reason to hurry – Sweden and Denmark rattled the sabre all the time, it was nothing new.

      And so the vast Norwegian branch of the clan arrived. Cecilie was the first to catch sight of them. She had sat by the window all day, keeping a look-out.

      “There they are! They’ve arrived!” she shouted, excited and proud at being the first one to bring the happy news.

      Everyone rushed out to meet the carriages. Servants from Gabrielshus had already waited quite some time in Copenhagen to welcome the Norwegians and escort them.

      Villemo waited and was the last one to leave the carriage. She bent her head, not daring to look up, believing that she couldn’t face up to the emotional pressure. She felt as though she were in a trance and everything seemed hazy before her eyes, preventing her from seeing clearly, let alone thinking clearly.

      Grandma Cecilie took her in her arms and Villemo was surprised at how little and frail her grandmother had become, she who had always been so tall with such a straight posture. But then again, Villemo was bound to have grown a bit since the last time they met.

      Here was Irmelin ... While they embraced one another, Villemo gazed at the lush rose garden across Irmelin’s shoulder. Everything was diffuse, as in a silver mirror. How nice it was to meet her childhood friend again.

      My God, was that really Tristan? That tall, young adolescent with the sad eyes? What had happened to his pimples and his insecurity?

      And there was Lene. It’s certainly been a long time.

      “Warmest congratulations, Lene. I look forward to meeting your Örjan.”

      She could laugh and joke! Her voice was okay and her lips moved. Villemo was quite surprised at herself.

      Aunt Jessica. Just as sweet and warm as always, but her hair was turning grey. Members of the clan said that this was because she was concerned about Tristan. But nobody was really able to explain the exact reason for her worries.

      Apparently Aunt Jessica was saying something to her: “You’re quite grown up, Villemo and very pretty. And you’ve let your hair grow long again!”

      Uncle Tancred – jocular as always. “Gabriella! Who does this Paladin take after? Your daughter is so beautiful. She also appears to be intelligent – when she doesn’t open her mouth, that is!”

      “Don’t listen to him, Villemo,” Gabriella laughed. “He always teases when he’s moved!”

      Villemo smiled but she was tense with excitement.

      ‘I know you’re here, Dominic. I can see your tall, dark shadow from the corner of my eye. But I dare not look. Not yet.’

      A difficult meeting: Dominic’s parents. A deep curtsy from Aunt Anette. I’m half Paladin, but she’s de Saint Colombe through and through. From Loupiac in Béarn.

      ‘I’ve always felt slightly scared of Aunt Anette. She always looks slightly uptight. Mum says I shouldn’t think about that, it’s only because Aunt Anette is so unsure of herself and she’s afraid of doing something wrong. Mum says that she’s actually very nice. Only I don’t think she likes me. She knows. She knows that Dominic has asked for my hand in marriage, which is why she’s scared of me. Paladin is prestigious, but what about Kalebsdatter Elistrand? She’s bound to be the only one in the family that looks down on Kaleb because of his humble extraction. My Dad, who happens to be the finest man in the whole world! ... After Dominic, of course. No, I refuse to get angry.

      Uncle Mikael. The dreamer. I feel a warm sensation in my heart. Uncle Mikael is so sweet, so lost in this world. They are just so incompatible, those two. However, I saw her take his hand secretly and squeeze it just a moment ago. As if to gather her strength to meet the entire clan. Maybe it’s true what Mum says – that Aunt Anette’s mother ruined her when she was a child? It’s a shame if so.’

      All of these continuous thoughts just to postpone the big moment. Villemo sent Anette a beaming smile across Mikael’s shoulder and received a thin, prim and anxious smile in return.

      Poor Uncle Mikael. He gave me an extra tight hug. He, too, knows everything but he understands my pain. Now there’s only one left ...

      His deep voice. “Hello, Villemo. So nice to see you again.”

      ‘Be strong Villemo! You’ll get some satisfaction when you bid him farewell. Until then you must obey your parents.’

      “Hello, Dominic. You’ve grown so much!”

      At last she can lift her head. He laughs. They all laugh. This was the meeting which everyone had dreaded.

      ‘I’ve struck the right note. Everyone’s relieved. I’m the only one to feel Dominic’s lingering handshake. We’re the only ones who see the yearning and the warmth in each others glance. All the others embraced me. Dominic didn’t do so. Thank you for not doing so, my friend. We both know that we wouldn’t be able to handle it. Nothing has changed. Maybe it’s wrong to think like this but ... Thank goodness for that!

      My God, I don’t remember him being so charming though! That, of course, has a lot to do with my own emotions, but I felt a pang of unbearable yearning in my heart. It was a physical pain. I was drawn to him and was just about to allow myself to fall into his arms.

      Actually,