It's the day before the festival and I can barely believe that I'm happy about it. I can't believe I get to write that.
Ivar said I didn't have to do the outdoor chores so my day was spent making the meals and making my dress for tomorrow. It was nice of him, nicer than he usually is but I guess he's glad to be rid of me.
I worked in my room so Artúr didn't see, it's not as big of a tradition here but it's important at home and I want to honour that.
I used the pale purple silk that Jova bought for me all those months ago,. It felt odd, because I know I was meant to get married in this dress just not to this person.
I think he'd be happy to know I had a shot at happiness, even without him.
Somehow, I managed to get the sewing done before it started to get dark, and before the others get home.
Then I packed up my few possessions, so I'm ready to leave as soon as possible.
Day 6
I still woke up early, even though breakfast was Æstrid's responsibility today. Today and now always.
Eilidh had decided to curl up next to me in the middle of the night, I'll miss her later and I know she'll miss me. I really don't want to leave her.
Eventually, I have to get up and put on my dress. It felt so weird, putting on the dress I worked so hard on yesterday. It wasn't as neat as my usual work, and it didn't have as much ornamentation I would have planned, but it was good enough for today.
I met Artúr by the house door. He was dressed up in his nicest clothes as well, and they looked far nicer than mine. He still gasped when I came down the stairs, which made me smile.
"You look beautiful," he whispered as soon as I was close enough.
"Thank you," I whispered back, taking his arm.
I kept my bag holding this book over my shoulder, a way of keeping him close even while I leave him behind forever.
Walking through the village arm in arm with him felt surreal. Going through the motions of the day, I am in a daze. My only thought the whole time was, "I'm free, I will be free."
Finally it is done, I'm his for the rest of his life.
We sneak away from the feast in the Assembly Hall, I said my goodbyes to my siblings this morning and my luggage was taken into the ship, so there was nothing more holding us there.
As we left the island, I cried because I was leaving Eilidh behind.
I never really like the smell of boats, it just makes me think of the damp and rolling waves that night when we first travelled away from my home.
That said, Artur's cabin is warm and comfortable when we step inside.
"It's a lovely room," I told him which maked him smile.
"I wasn't expecting a guest, so sorry if it's not the most comfortable," he said.
"You've already given me so much," I said, "it'd be unreasonable to want anything more."
He smiled at that. "Your dress is beautiful," he said then, "where did you get the material on such short notice?"
That made me a little sad at the memory of it. "Jova, he got it for me," I told him, while I fought not to cry, "it survived the storm but he didn't."
"He had good taste," he said, "and I wish I never had to see it."
"Thank you," I said. I'm not sure if it was the right response but it was all I could come up with.
I'm writing while he is already asleep, I can't quite manage to go to bed yet.
