Margit Sandemo - The Ice People 09 - Without Roots

When he heard the murmur of voices, he stopped abruptly. Where did they come from? As far as he knew, there was nobody nearby. He stood on the stairs leading from the drawing room to the cellar. There were a few rooms dow there, modest chambers that were only used if, for instance, the palace had many guests and the last arrivals needed to be put up somewhere.

A door was opened and the voices could be heard more clearly. Mikael dashed silently into the hall, hiding between a chest and an open door. It was a pure reflex movement and he didn’t understand it himself. He had nothing to hide, but maybe the others did?

Yes, that was it! Their voices had been low, secretive and disguised. A few men walked up the stairs. Mikael couldn’t see them but he could hear everything they said, and what he heard made his hair stand on end.

They spoke about a conspiracy against Duke Carl Gustav, the Queen’s cousin! Mikael became very frightened as he listened to their discussion intently. He didn’t recognise the voices but from their intonation he gleaned that they were aristocrats, and he picked up the most important thing: the time and place of the planned assault on the Duke.

Then they stopped, exchanged a few final, secretive words and left.

There had been three men. Mikael heard them disappear, one towards the interior of the palace, the two in the direction of the main entrance.

Who was in the palace now? Actually he didn’t know. The Court noblemen came and went, staying only for a day or two. Anette and her chambermaid were there, of course, but they were bound to be asleep at this time of the night. Most of the others had left to meet the Queen. Mikael had remained because Gabriel Oxenstierna had asked him to keep Marca Christiana company.

When everything was silent, Mikael hurried down to fetch the wine then ran as swiftly and silently as possible back to his foster mother. ‘Foster mother’ might not be quite the right name. Marca Christiana was only twenty-seven and had always been more like a sister to him. Her husband Gabriel Oxenstierna was only thirty-one, so Mikael had never really regarded them as his parents. However, nobody could have taken better care of him than these two. He would never dream of defying them, despite his despair at the planned marriage with Anette de Saint-Colombe.

“Goodness gracious,” said Marca Christiana. “You seem very agitated. What’s the matter?”

When Mikael had caught his breath again, he stammered and whispered everything he’d heard.

Marca Christiana was shaken. “Of course, I knew that Duke Carl Gustav had many enemies, but I never thought that it would come to this... ”

“We must warn him,” said Mikael.

“Yes, of course. But how? Just today there was a message to say that he wouldn’t be accompanying the Queen back here. He’s left to see to one of his castles.”

“Do you want me to ride there?”

Marca Christiana put her hand on his arm. “No, you’re getting married. Have you forgotten?”

Of course he hadn’t. He had merely suggested it as a means to avoid it.

Marca Christiana continued. “I think I’ll have a word with Count Arvid Wittenberg. He’s a tough person, but he’s Carl Gustav’s confidant, and he’ll be here tomorrow.”

And that was what happened. The next day Marca Christiana had a confidential talk with the seasoned general. He immediately sent an urgent message to Duke Carl Gustav, and so the planned conspiracy was averted.

Carl Gustav was back in Stockholm two days later. He called on Countess Marca Christiana, thanking cordially both her and her young relative. He asked if there was anything he could do for them in return.

Marca Christiana immediately got a twinkle in her eye. She informed him that there was, asking him if he would be so kind as to help them with a little something ...

Finally, a letter was sent to Anette’s guardian in the south of France. It said: Today, your charge will marry our beloved relative, Mikael Lind of the Ice People. Sweden’s heir apparent, Carl Gustav, Duke of Pfalz, has given his blessing to the marriage.

And so there was nothing Anette’s guardian could do. One doesn’t turn against the heir to the Swedish throne.

Chapter 2

There was a gloomy atmosphere at Anette and Mikael’s wedding.

Outwardly, everything was done to make the ceremony elegant and dignified. It was held at the palace chapel, although Anette had insisted on a Catholic priest. Like most members of the Ice People, Mikael’s relationship with Christianity was one of indifference, so for him it didn’t matter who married them. If it was important to Anette that he become a Catholic, then that was fine with him.

The chapel was beautifully decorated with flowers of the season and many members of the Court were present. The dinner afterwards was superb.

It was the couple’s inner turmoil that caused the gloomy atmosphere. It was true that children tended to obey their parents’ wishes when choosing a spouse, and none of those present had objected, but things had happened much too fast. The couple didn’t know each other, or what the other felt.

Mikael was to leave with his regiment the following day. He went through the ceremony in a trance, trying to act as if it was somebody else standing there by the altar, promising to love for better and for worse. After all, Mikael was nothing but a terrified boy of seventeen, which was something everybody seemed to have forgotten.

Anette was deeply unhappy for many, confusing reasons. She tried to act superior but didn’t at all like the fact that Mikael was so withdrawn and absent-minded. But wasn’t this to her advantage? If it was, what was she so angry about? She had no idea what she felt for him. He was a handsome young man but what about his personality? He was kind and polite, which were the only things she knew about him.

But he was a man after all and thus a pig! If only she knew what he thought of her. Although he had said that this was something he’d wanted for some time, Anette doubted him. Did he merely want her so that he could pursue his carnal pleasures? Or did he want her because of her noble descent and wealth? Or maybe he had said yes to the marriage because he had his back to the wall?

Whatever his reasons might have been, she was unable to shake off the heavy feeling of despondency. Maybe also disappointment?

She would like to know whether other young newly-weds felt the same way. What did they think on the greatest day of their lives? Were they full of anticipation, eager to make their spouse’s life as happy as possible? Did they think of the material advantages they would get? Or did they think of the wedding night and what it would be like spending it with somebody they didn’t know?

Anette knew perfectly well what her duty was and she was prepared to sacrifice herself, something her mother had impressed on her. You were not supposed to offer resistance on your wedding night because that would give the depraved the right to abuse his wife. Anette had to be prepared to suffer and hush up. But later... later she would be the one to wear the trousers.

Suddenly Anette felt that perspiration had made her palms quite sticky. Thinking of the night that lay ahead of her made her feel dizzy with fear and discomfort. But she must be brave and endure!

Mikael Lind of the Ice People sat grimly next to her, enduring all the congratulations, all the kindly encouraging glances and various ‘witticisms‘ about the night ahead. He and Anette had not had time to exchange one single word, which he felt was a disaster. Maybe a conversation would have created a touch of confidentiality and kindness between them? He stole a glance at her. She sat looking horribly pale by his side, displaying a trembling smile at the many toasts proposed in their honour. But she didn’t dare lift her head and meet his glance.