Midwinterblood Part 7, Chapter 3 Summary

The Sacrifice

  • Queen Melle is still screaming. She loves her husband and doesn't want to watch him die, so she tries to move toward him, but she stumbles in the snow. Thorolf motions for two women to restrain her.
  • Eirikr looks at his queen. He loves her, but he has to do this; the people need him.
  • He's also been loading up on the dragon orchid brew, so his mind is a teeny bit foggy. (Okay, he's totally high.)
  • Eirikr really hopes that this works. Maybe his death will save the people. He's not sure that it will, but he has to do something so, you know, fingers crossed.
  • Beside, if it doesn't work, they'll all be dead within a month anyway.
  • Eirikr steps onto the stone table and lies on his back. He sees Thorolf's face, but can't quite make out what the old man is thinking. He's mysterious like that.
  • Melle is still wailing uncontrollably, but Eirikr just looks up at the night sky. Once he dies, will his life just be over? Or is there something else? Maybe more lives to live? We think he's onto something.
  • Thorolf tells the executioner it's time to start and the man steps forward and pulls off his red hood (which he isn't supposed to do). It's Gunnar. Ah—his horns appear.
  • Melle screams again and one of the warriors tries to hit her with a hammer to shut her up, but Melle lurches to the side and the warrior hits one of the women holding her arm instead. Melle manages to break free and rushes to Eirikr.
  • Eirikr sits up. He's a little annoyed right now because he's just seen Gunnar, though he's still pretty out of it because of all that good dragon orchid magic he's been drinking up.
  • Thorolf sees that Eirikr is about to make a move and he swings his golden hammer down to smash him, but only grazes the side of Eirikr's head. He lies back on the table, dazed.
  • Melle falls back and Gunnar grabs her, but Eirikr speaks. The magic of the dragon orchid is flowing through his veins and these are his last words.
  • He tells everyone that they cannot kill him—not really. He's Eirikr, the One King, Forever Strong. Sure, his body will die, but he's going to live again.
  • Eirikr turns to Melle and tells her that he's going to live live seven times and that this is only his first go round.
  • Whenever he comes back, he'll look for her. They'll always be together, and he'll always love her in every life. Will she follow him?
  • Before Melle can answer, Gunnar slashes Eirikr's throat. Blood gushes out.
  • He can't speak anymore, but his lips still move. He looks at Melle and mouths these words to her—"Will you follow?"