35 Mother's Approval

It was early morning when Tyr and Macha finished training. They laughed and sparred in the moonlight enjoying each other's company throughout the night. He originally wanted to be there to ease her pain, but she also helped to ease his pain from losing his father.

Tyr sat in his room and looked at the fire burn. It was just before dawn and he watched the embers lick at the logs. A log creaked before splitting into two.

Tyr contemplated his body's reaction throughout last night's dinner. He was unable to keep his eyes off of Macha. She had always been like a child in his mind, he rarely perceived her as a woman. Tyr frowned and his eyebrows drew together. He reflected on how the sexual attraction to Macha was an anomaly that seemed to reoccur more lately.

A thought of love crept into Tyr's mind, but he shook his head to push it aside. Macha was a good friend to him. Tyr did not want to ruin their friendship as Taylen had with him. He wished Taylen had kept her feelings to herself. Her selfish desire to change their friendship to something more ended up doing the opposite. Things now seemed awkward between them.

Tyr felt a heavyweight in his heart. He also reminded himself that Freyr seemed to be interested in Macha. Bitterness tugged at Tyr. He thought that if Freyr wanted Macha, he would not be able to compete with his cousin.

****

The Valois family held a small private funeral. Luna didn't want people to see her husk of a mother, lost and unable to converse. Ever since her father died, her mother barely spoke a word.

After the funeral, Hrod placed her wedding band on Hymir's head and recited the Death Spell of Remembrance. Hymir's body turned to ashes and condensed into a bead. Tyr explained to Macha on the way back to the house that his mother instilled her favorite memories of his father into the bead. It was a way to honor and remember him. Eventually, when his mother died, his bead would be burned with her corpse and they would return to the earth together.

Only Hrod, Luna, Tyr, and Macha resided at the estate, so the cavernous dining hall was quiet. They ate a dinner that consisted of Hymir's favorite dishes. The clinks of the silverware on the plates echoed through the room.

Luna made light conversation. She talked about her upcoming plans for the guild and asked Tyr what he wanted to do with the piece of land he bought from their mother. Tyr replied with one or two-word answers, which quickly ended any hope of conversation that Luna had.

Hrod stared at Macha the whole time. She gave Macha the same penetrating gaze that Tyr could give. Macha felt the weight of Hrod's gaze. She looked down at the chicken on her plate. "The chicken is delicious," Macha said with a smile.

Hrod looked down at her untouched food. She cut the chicken breast and remembered her husband. They ate this chicken the night they were married.

Tyr picked up his napkin and wiped Macha's mouth. The action came naturally and he did not give it much thought. Macha had a tendency to miss her right corner when she wiped her mouth. He thought how silly his concerns were the other day when he sat by the fire. Macha was a child. There was no way she could ever be more than that to him.

Macha looked up at Tyr and blushed. "Sorry," she mouthed. Tyr did this often while they ate, so she realized she had missed that spot again. He liked to make fun of her in private about it.

Hrod couldn't believe what she witnessed. Tyr was not a child known for his caring nature. She remembered him as a cold, anti-social, and impatient child. Tyr had always been the least amicable one out of the three of her children.

Hrod put her knife and fork down on her plate. She made her decision. "Fine. I can see that Macha is important to you. I will allow it, only because she saved us," Hrod announced. She then got up and left the dining room. Hrod did not want to see any more of this display of affection.

Hrod remembered that Freyr still seemed to like Macha, so the chance of Tyr actually ending up with the girl was low. If a miracle happened, and Tyr ended up married to Macha, she would demand his other wives be women with positions of power. Hrod reminded herself that allowing him this one girl could stop him from ending up like Skadi. That was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

When Hrod left the dining room, and the doors were closed, Luna jumped up with excitement. "This is great! Now you don't have to worry, Tyr. I'm so happy for you two." She rushed to Macha and gave her a hug. Luna reflected on how sad the day began, but how it ended with good news. Her mother's acceptance surprised Luna, but she did not care. Hrod never went back on her word once she gave it.

Macha hugged Luna, but looked at Tyr with an uneasy face, "What is she talking about?" Macha did not understand why Luna would have been worried. She also did not understand what Hrod's words meant.

Tyr shook his head. He thought his sister's reaction was melodramatic. Tyr explained in a calm voice, "When my mother came to visit Marseille, I got into an argument with her about our relationship. She felt it was below my station." Tyr did not care about his mother's disapproval. He would continue his friendship with Macha even if she disowned him. If he gave in to his mother's whims regarding his friends, he knew she would eventually control all aspects of his life.

"Oh. I'm happy she approves then, I guess," Macha shrugged her shoulders. Macha never thought friendship should be something someone's station in life should affect, so this didn't seem like an accomplishment to her. She felt happy that Hrod would not disapprove of their friendship though.

Luna stared at the two. She expected their reaction would be different. Hrod basically said they could get married if they wanted to. This was more approval than Tyr ever got when he dated Fenrir.

Luna did not understand why Tyr acted so reserved with Macha. When he dated Fenrir, Fenrir always sat on his lap or touched him. Macha was different, they had such a pure relationship she mused.

Luna also noticed they were at ease with each other. They often traded the foods they did not like while eating. It was a form of affection that her brother did not show before. "Macha, what sort of man would you marry?" Luna asked in a playful voice. She wanted to make her brother nervous.

Macha contemplated for a few seconds. "In this world, I know people can marry multiple people... I would want a man who promises not to marry another woman. I wouldn't do that to him, so I don't think he should do it to me."

Luna laughed. She enjoyed hearing Macha's views, sometimes they seemed so fair. "Women aren't allowed to marry multiple men. Is that all you would require?"

Macha put both hands on the table. "That's unfair. If men can marry more than one woman, women should be able to marry more than one man." Macha thought about the other question and said, "Other than that, I suppose a man who cares for me and that I get along with." She hoped she could find a husband one day, but was in no rush to do so.

"What about him being a good fighter, or rich, or from a good family?" Luna queried while looking at Tyr.

Tyr had stopped eating and was listening to the two women talk. Macha didn't seem to require too much from a husband, but Luna had brought up important points. He had learned that those were the qualities women truly sought.

Macha ate another bite of chicken and crossed her arms. Addressing each point on her fingers she answered, "If he's a good fighter I suppose that's good. It would depend on his occupation though. For example, fighting capabilities are useless if someone is a baker. If he's rich, that would be a bonus, but not required. Family background is useless. I don't think it means anything, no offense. In the end, I just want to be happy." Macha did not want to offend Luna or Tyr by saying that family background was useless, she just did not consider it a factor when marriage was concerned.

Luna smiled and said, "Perhaps you will get married soon then." When Macha was cutting another piece of chicken, Luna winked at Tyr.

Tyr didn't know what his sister was up to. Tyr understood his sister insinuated something with her wink, but he was not interested in Macha. He wondered if his sister meant to find Macha a husband. He remembered she used to play matchmaker when they were younger. "If you get married, I still expect you to work. I would prefer not to lose a secretary."

Macha looked at Tyr. She laughed, "Of course! I couldn't abandon you. Besides, who else would fit the small desk you got for me." She enjoyed her job and did not have any intention of quitting.

Luna smiled a big smile. She thought her brother hinted at marriage. Luna shook her head at how Tyr avoided talking about marriage with Macha directly.

Luna calculated that if Tyr got married, their mother would stop pressuring her to get married. Luna understood that her mother worried they would not continue the family line. Her latest run-in with the harpies made her parents worry about the family lineage.

****

That night when Macha and Tyr trained, Macha reflected on her conversation with Luna. She had never seen Tyr go on a date so she asked him, "What sort of woman would you marry?" Macha wanted to know what sort of woman he looked for. She expected Tyr to have impossible standards because he had remained single this whole time.

Tyr rested the end of his lance on the ground and leaned on it. He wondered if Macha asked out of curiosity or if it was just to make conversation. "I haven't given marriage much thought. If I married someone I would want them to understand me. What you said about happiness at dinner makes the most sense. As long as I'm happy, I'm fine."

Tyr remembered his relationship with Fenrir. That relationship started when he was still young. It had been filled with many highs and lows. Fenrir strung him along the whole time. Some days she would be nice while others she was angry. Tyr always worried about what he did or if she was happy. It did not leave much room for him to think about his own happiness.

Tyr's response surprised Macha. She did not expect his requirement would be so simple. "Do you think Luna asked me those questions because she thinks I should start dating?" A firefly landed on Macha's hair. She had been in this world less than a year and did not give dating much attention because she was still getting used to living in this world.

Tyr brushed the firefly off of her head. "I don't know what she was thinking," he replied honestly. He looked into Macha's eyes and added, "I don't want you to though."