[littlemanpoet]

Ginna stood still, dumbstruck at his words. Her mind struggled to come up with a response but there was none. She had said all that she could, to no avail. She was spent. There was silence between them for a while. Finally her voice came, almost a whisper.

"Forgive me, I had thought only of myself. I love you, Harreld, and it is because of this love that I will respect your decision."

She touched his face, letting her hand linger for a few moments, and turned to leave.

Harreld reached out and caught her arm.

"Hold. Please."

She stopped, held by his hand, but did not face him.

"Ginna, please."

She turned. Tears were streaming into his beard. "I make one more decision. I do not see any way for us. But if a way may be found, I swear to you by all I am, I will walk it with you, though death take me. I swear it."

She looked up into his streaming eyes and gave him a weary, sad smile. "I wish Eodwine were here. He would know a way."

"Yes. He would. May he cheat death yet."

He took her in his arms and crushed her to him. Long moments passed before they let each other go.