Note: Alfrún is one of Sigyn's many sisters, the one she gets along with the best. She is married and lives on a farm far from the rest of the family, and Sigyn goes to stay with her when she is fighting too much with her father to stay under the same roof. The "snake dream" is a recurring dream she has of her eventual fate, though she doesn't realize that's what she's seeing.

"I wish I could stay here." Sigyn hugged a pillow to her chest and looked up at Alfrún with imploring eyes.

Her sister looked down at her kindly. "So do I. But you cannot. Father would have you married and in a home of your own."

"I do not want to get married. Ever." Sigyn fidgeted and grabbed another pillow to hide under.

Alfrún laughed and tickled her ribs. "None of that, Sigga. You must finish packing. My lord husband will have the horses saddled soon. You return to our father's house today."

Sigyn groaned and flailed. "But what if my betrothed is ugly or stupid or cruel or dull?"

"You learn to appreciate his unique visage, educate him, bring him in line or enlighten him." Alfrún retrieved all the pillows and placed them at the head of the bed, and then wound her arms around Sigyn's waist and kissed her cheek. "Besides, Father would not do such a thing to you."

Sigyn's lips twisted. "You really think so?"

"Of course I do. I heard the man in question is a cadet in the Crimson Guard. You'd be two steps from the palace! Think of all the fancy parties." Alfrún grinned and tucked a lock of hair behind Sigyn's ear. "I am certain he is tall and brawny and handsome and courageous and possessed of fine humor and sharp wit."

Sigyn smiled and let herself enjoy the fantasy. "Will he have a beard?"

Alfrún leaned close and whispered, her eyes twinkling. "Just enough to make it interesting."

Sigyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Do not play that game with me, Sigga." Alfrún yanked her off the bed and to her feet. "Mother and Father might think you still innocent but I know you are no maid." She smiled and smoothed her hair. "And I am sure your betrothed has known the touch of a woman as well. But keep up the act, it feeds their egos. And the egos of men are precious, delicate things and we must take care they are well-tended less they perish."

Sigyn giggled helplessly, pressing her palms to her flaming cheeks. "Very well. Do not tell Father."

"Do not be ridiculous, the less Father knows the better." Alfrún ruffled her hair and then smoothed it.

"Can I tell you something, then? In confidence." Sigyn chewed her lip.

"Anything," Alfrún groaned and shoved her. "Just pack while you tell me."

Sigyn giggled and began packing. "The snake dream, the nightmare, that is not the only recurring dream I have. There is another, but it is less clear. I think… I think it might be dreams of my husband."

Alfrún smiled at her. "Truly? And what have your dreams foretold?"

Sigyn blushed and glanced down, feeling foolish. "Not much." She shook her head, trying to grasp at threads of dreams that always evaporated as soon as she woke. "It is simply… an image that repeats sometimes. He is tall. And lean." She folded a chemise against her chest. "I cannot remember much else."

"Perhaps your Crimson Guardsman is not so broadly built then." Alfrún winked. "How do you feel in those dreams. Do you remember that much?"

Sigyn frowned a little as she considered this, and began gathering up her jewelry. "Maybe. I am not sure. Sort of… excited? And maybe a little afraid. Sometimes angry and sometimes sad. Perhaps I am wrong." Her fingers curled over her bracelets. "Perhaps my dreams mean something else."

"Perhaps," Alfrún sighed. "But if not, I would say that excited and a little afraid are things I felt at first, though that did not last long. Anger is common." She . "And sadness is a given. Perhaps your interpretation is correct."

Sigyn screwed her lips to the side as she slipped the rest of her jewelry into her pack. "You do not make a very good case for marriage."

Alfrún barked a laugh. "That is not my doing. That is the fault of the men we inevitably chain ourselves to. Come." She hefted Sigyn's pack and kissed her cheek. "The one who no longer frightens nor excites me is waiting with the horses."