Sometimes, the hardest thing was to let them go.
She had been a shieldmaiden, once. Long ago, she had thought the height of bravery was charging into battle, sword drawn, shield up, ready for death.
But dreams of defending her land and her people faded, when she met him. Tall and handsome, gentle and caring. A warrior, a husband, a father. They had sons together, tall and fair.
And now? Gone: some fallen in battle, some preparing for the hopeless battle that would come. She was a shieldmaiden, and when the enemy came she would defend those behind her with her all her strength.
But she knew, that was not the true test of courage. She watched the women around her, those who knew nothing of war, who still sent their husbands and sons above to defend what they loved.
That was true courage. To love, and let them go.