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“Who was he?” asked the young boy while looking up at the night sky full of twinkling stars.
“That is my love.” answered the mysterious figure cloaked in the darkness of the night.
“What? What happened?” The boy asked while looking over at the dark figure with wide eyes trying to search for a face in the darkness.
“It started at the Battle of Dublinia…” The dark figure began to tell the tale of lost love and a sadness that blankets the heart and soul.
“What? What do you mean? Agnar, you can not go to battle!” Folkvar shrieked shocked at the news his ears had just heard. He just returned home from the town’s market with the supplies needed for dinner; a dinner that he cooked for Agnar every Þórsdagr (Thursday). He dropped his basket on the ground in shock and rushed across the room to where Agnar was standing. He wrapped his hands around Agnar’s neck, searched his eyes, and pleaded “What are you saying?”
“Exactly what I just said Folkvar. I have to go. My help is needed” Agnar said with as much courage as he could muster. Agnar averted his gaze to the ground. He knew he must go, but it still brought a great pain to his heart. His belly ached with the thought of leaving Folkvar. They have known each other since they were small children and stuck together through all of life’s twists and turns. Their adult lives brought them even closer. To the outside world they were the best of friends, but in the time alone together a great love grew. The secret love and lust that was only shared between the two of them created a deep love and appreciation for each other. They had never done anything apart, but Agnar knew that he must do this alone. “I have to protect you! I must keep you safe, and this is the only way.” Agnar reached up and placed his hand on Folkvar’s cheek searching the eyes that he longs to protect. He could see that Folkvar was fighting back tears. The agony of being away from each other would be hard for them both. Agnar pulled Folkvar towards him so that their foreheads were resting against each other. “I’m sorry.”
“Come back to me.” Folkvar whispered with a quivering voice.
“I always will” Agnar promised as he nestled his face in Folkvar’s hair that smelled of fresh soap. Agnar wanted to freeze this moment in his memory forever and had a sick feeling that reached the pit of his soul that he may have made Folkvar a promise that he could not keep.
The battlefield was brutal and the worst Agnar had ever seen. This was more than he had anticipated, but fought with no regret. He fought for peace, for the safety of his home, and for Folkvar. As the battle loomed on, Agnar thought of Folkvar.
Blood and death loomed around him wherever he looked. At times of rest, he longed for his home in the small village. He craved Folkvar’s touch, his laugh, and his voice. He closed his eyes and could see their home together. He could taste the food Folkvar cooked for him every Þórsdagr (Thursday). He thought of how their special bond of friendship turned into a deep love for each other. His love for Folkvar carried him through the dark nights and close calls of battle. He looked towards the day of seeing Folkvar again and fought to keep his promise of returning home. He would search the stars at night and send private messages of love towards home to Folkvar.
For two long excruciating years, Folkvar waited for Agnar’s return. He thought of Agnar always and held on to the promise Agnar made to return home. The time dragged on. Folkvar kept their home in the small town and made a special dinner every Þórsdagr (Thursday) as he had always done for Agnar.
On this Þórsdagr (Thursday) Folkvar was preparing the meal as he always did. He was startled out of thought of Agnar when there was a strong knock on the door. He wiped his hands on the cloth and answered the door with a dull ache in the pit of his stomach. The young man handed him a letter and left quickly. Folkvar stared at the letter as fear mixed with hope filled his body beginning in the the center of his chest. He slowly opened the sealed letter and sank to his knees as he read.
The war is over… the battle has been won… we are at peace… Agnar fought bravely with honor… Folkvar stared at the letter as his mind searched for the proper reaction. He read the line over and over … it is with great regret that we inform you of the death of Agnar… Folkvar heard screaming and bolted up off the floor with shaking legs. It was then that he realized the scream had escaped his own mouth. He was screaming out Agnar’s name and crying while gasping to catch his breath. This was a pain he has never felt. It was as if someone had ripped the soul from his body. He could not catch his breath and could not form proper thoughts. His heart was shattered. How was he going to live without his love; without his Agnar?
After days of crying and despair, Folkvar could not stay another second in their home without Agnar. He packed all he could carry into his satchel and left home in the darkness of night. He was not sure where he was going, he just knew he could not stay there without Agnar. The emptiness of the home and life in it without Agnar was too much to bear.
He stepped out into the darkness and took a second to feel the night’s breeze upon his face. He looked up at the starry sky thinking of the nights he shared with Agnar gazing at the stars. A brightness in the sky caught his eye. It was a cluster of stars that he had never seen before. Twenty- one stars clumped together in an area of the sky. Folkvar gazed at them in wonder. A cold sweat dripped down his back as his eyes bounced from one star to the next. A picture revealed itself to him there in the star covered sky. It was Agnar. He knew the look of him better than anyone. He felt the love flowing though his body. It was then he knew what to do. He was going to follow his love, his Agnar.
For three weeks, Folkvar traveled only at night following the stars of Agnar. It was as if Agnar was holding his hand and guiding him just one small step ahead. The pain of his loss was still eating away at Folkvar’s heart, but the visual of him in the nightly sky brought down a sense of peace. Folkvar followed as Agnar guided him.
He came upon the battlefield and understood instantly why he was there. Broken bodies and blood stained weapons scattered the hillside where the final battle had been fought. Folkvar made his way around the mass gravesite with tears streaming down his face. He he was calling out for Agnar in a whisper in hopes that he would hear him respond. He looked over to his right and that is when he saw him. Agnar was resting up against a large rock, his head slumped over. His sword lay next to him and his black satchel was tucked up under his legs. Folkvar fell to his knees in front of him. He was looking at Agnar in complete despair. He cried out his name. “Agnar!” Why? You promised me. YOU PROMISED ME!” Folkvar was shouting in anger overwhelmed with sadness. He lay in Agnar’s lap and wept.
As the lightness of dawn began to peak out over the eastern skyline, Folkvar noticed a piece of parchment tucked tightly in Agnar’s stiff hand. He worked the parchment out and unfolded it. He saw the neat slanted letters written in Agnar’s handwriting.
My dearest Folkvar,
It hurts me to the pits of my soul to think of never seeing you again. My love for you has carried me through the darkness of these last two years. As this battle looms on, I fear that I am to break my promise. I feel in my heart now that I will not make it out of this battle alive. Fighting for you and knowing you shall remain safe is worth all that may happen to me. You are the best part of me, Folkvar. You inspire me to be the best version of myself and you have filled my life with love and light. My heart aches knowing that I shall never hold you in my arms again and feel your warm breath upon my face. I am at peace knowing that I have loved you with every part of my being. You have been, and will always be my happiness, my love. I will always be with you. Find me in the stars. Please forgive me for my broken promise. I love you always.
Your Agnar
Folkvar grasped the letter to his chest. He looked up to the last of the night sky as dawn was creeping in over the land.
“I forgive you, my love. I will find you in stars.”
Folkvar worked most of the next day laying Agnar to rest. He buried Agnar near the river in a clear space that would allow the stars to shine down on the grave. He built up a cairn made of river rocks, marking the final resting place of the one love Folkvar would ever know.
Folkvar traveled the world at night following Agnar in the stars. He was a mystery cloaked figure that was given many names by the people of the world: The Hooded One, The Lost Soul, The Broken Man. He would share his story of love and loss with anyone brave enough to ask. He wandered the world with no true place to land. He was content spending his nights with the stars, with his Agnar. He wandered knowing that they would be together again one day.
Many years passed. Folkvar never loved again. He had no space, for his love of Agnar consumed it all. It was Þórsdagr (Thursday) as he slowly came upon the cairn near the river. He had left it there many years ago. Agnar had been leading him here for weeks. Folkvar knew in his heart that this was where he was to be. He sat down next to the cairn feeling a heavy tiredness creep over him. He laid down in the cool damp grass and gazed up into the night sky. He found his Agnar there above him shining brightly. He smiled, closed his eyes, and took his final breath.
He felt a great peace. He woke to the sound of a familiar laugh next to him. He rolled over to see Agnar laying there smiling at him. Folkvar had joined Agnar in the stars. They were together again. Shining brightly together for all eternity.