Helgi and Lyrata sat together on a love seat when Kara took a seat on the couch. They shifted their glances between her and Hallbjorn. Lyrata settled herself close to Helgi, and he put an arm around her. The dryad placed a hand on her husband's chest, offering him support in the way that Kara supported Hallbjorn.<br/><br/>Helgi looked over at Hallbjorn with a crestfallen expression as Kara explained what his choice had really cost his brother. "I never knew . . . how you suffered . . ." Helgi murmured and dropped his face into his hands. Lyrata gripped his shoulders. "When the soothsayer came to me, she told me that you would find the sword again . . . it would only be a matter of time, another century at most. But she said if I didn't give the sword to her then I would have to wait a thousand years for my bride and there were mounting odds that she would die in an Accession. I thought it would just be more time spent searching far-flung planes . . . not . . ." Helgi's voice cracked with emotion.<br/><br/>"And it was an offer with an expiration of five minutes." Lyrata added. "Five minutes to weigh a century against a millennium."<br/><br/>Hallbjorn looked over at Kara, and he grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze to thank her for being able to say what he was not.<br/><br/>"You must know, Berserker," Lyrata said as she comforted her husband, "that it was Nix who tempted my husband."<br/><br/>Hallbjorn stiffened just slightly with that knowledge. It was not something that he had known.<br/><br/>"I never wanted this rift between us." Helgi said. "I looked for you after you came for the sword and I didn't have it. After I found my nerve." Helgi admitted with some shame. "I was so afraid of you when you showed up again and I didn't have it."<br/><br/>Hallbjorn looked down at the ground. "I was very fearsome then."<br/><br/>"You're very fearsome now!" Helgi said. "I thought . . . I thought you were finally coming for revenge tonight." Lyrata stroked his shoulders soothingly.<br/><br/>"I am not a kinslayer." Hallbjorn said. "I do not . . . hold your choices against you or condemn the path you took." He turned to face his brother.<br/><br/>"Then why?" Helgi asked. "Why did you forsake me? I've prayed for forgiveness, even though, God help me, I'd make the same choice over again, even knowing what I know now."<br/><br/>Hallbjorn nodded his head slowly. It did not hurt him that Helgi admitted this. Now that he had his own mate Hallbjorn understood with his heart as well as his brain the choice Helgi made.<br/><br/>"I never asked you to forgive me, did I?" Helgi said, realization suddenly dawning upon him. "It's not that I gave up the sword. It's that I betrayed your trust and never told you I was sorry about that. All of these years fearing your reprisal, knowing you were alive but thinking you hated me . . . because . . ." The man looked for confirmation from Hallbjorn and received it in a curt nod. Helgi's hands went to his face and he gave a shriek of grief and pain. Hallbjorn cross the room to where Helgi sat, and Lyrata stood. Helgi's body was wracked with silent sobs.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, Hallbjorn." Helgi said quietly, and Hallbjorn embraced his brother. The two men hugged.<br/><br/>"I forgive you, Helgi. I am sorry that I made you suffer this, Helgi. I am sorry that I marred your life of happiness." Hallbjorn told his brother.<br/><br/>Lyrata moved to Kara's side. "Let's give the boys the room, hmm?" She said softly, and led Kara into the kitchen. The kitchen was very nice and modern. The appliances were all stainless steel, and there was a black marble counter top surrounding the stove top with chairs set on the opposite side so that people could see food cooking. Pots and pans hung from a set of overhead cabinets. A fridge and freezer combination thrummed in the background.<br/><br/>Lyrata grabbed a plate and set about putting out what she could for Kara. "I'm sorry for the poor hospitality." She gave Kara an apologetic smile. "We weren't expecting company and my husband doesn't eat, so there isn't much at hand." Lyrata was able to set out some crackers, grapes, and some cheese. It was nice cheese - a creamy brie that paired well with the grapes. "We have blood wine. Would you like a glass? It's a very full-bodied red infused with elk's blood. My husband tells me it has a richer, earthier flavour than cow or pig's blood and . . ." She traced a finger to her collar. "Well, between us girls, he says it's not earth-moving, but about the best one can do when they can't drink from their mate."