Chapter 5
Then her husband arose and went after her, to speak kindly to her and bring her back, having his servant and a couple of donkeys with him. So she brought him into her father's house; and when the father of the young woman saw him, he was glad to meet him. Judges 19:3 NKJV
Arvad stood at the door of his father-in-law's house, the palms of his hands sweaty. What would happen? The man whom Arvad recognized as Adena's father answered his knock.
Adena's father, Alon stood at the door, staring out at the young man who stood there. "Yes?"
"Sir, I was wondering if Adena was here?"
Alon stared at the young man before recognition came. "You're Adena's husband! Yes, yes, Adena is here. She is on the roof with her mother. Come."
Not two minutes later, Arvad saw his wife for the first time in a little over four months. "Adena. You're looking well."
Adena stiffened slightly at the look in his eyes. He knew! Of course, she would have been surprised if he hadn't known. Quietly she replied. "Arvad, I wasn't expecting you."
Arvad turned to Adena's parents. "May we talk alone?"
"Yes, yes."
Adena watched silently as her parents and younger brother left the roof, leaving her alone with her husband, the one she had wronged. As soon as she was sure that her family was out of hearing rage, she spoke spitefully. "What are you going to do?"
Arvad looked at her, anger glinting in their depths. "You are coming back with me, and there you will stay."
"I see I have no choice. You have neatly planned my future out for me."
"Adena," Arvard's voice was quiet, but filled with rage. "Don't forget. You are my wife and you will do as I say. We will leave immediately."
Adena nodded, quietly accepting her fate. Silently she descended the stairs and saw her father standing there. "Father, we are going home."
Alon looked between the two. "Arvad has just arrived. Surely you would not leave before being refreshed. Come stay the night."
Arvad glanced at Adena's father, feeling caught. "We will stay, but we must leave in the morning. We cannot waste time."
They stayed the night, but the next morning Alon found reasons to detain them once again, and so they spent several more days in Bethlehem. Finally, to Arvad's relief they left Adena's house and started the long journey back home.