They began in December, long before the groom in question would even receive orders to turn back home. Hagar fa Hiortborg, a warlord coming from an established family in the Grimhold Mountains, had welcomed Hrólf fa Wyrmssköld to his holding. The initial intention was to discuss political matters and metal trade, but as things often do between Scanrans, the talk soon turned to family. Hagar had a daughter, Edel fa Hiortborg et Ritterhorn, only a little older than Lieffån, but Hrólf would have none of it––Lieffån was still much too young, there were still too many things that could happen in the time between. Marrying off his daughter was a far more pressing matter, what with her failed engagement to some barbaric Bána boy who killed his own Asúlf. It just so happened that Hagar had a sister who had married a Tortallan nobleman and who had a son just about Brynjá's age. Seeing the opportunity to form good relations with Hrólf's family and his own, Hagar agreed to send for his sister and invite Hrólf back when he received word that she would come.

In very late January, a messenger came to Hrólf at Wyrmssköld bearing an invitation to Hiortborg. Aina of Mindelan was going to be there to negotiate a possible marriage arrangement. By the third day of February, Hrólf arrived in Hiortborg once more and sat down with Hagar and Aina to talk matters over. Why, where was his daughter? Aina wanted to know, to which Hrólf was smug to reply, Why, in Corus! What more appealing than to have one's daughter attending court in Corus? She must truly be an accomplished and level-headed sort of lady to have spent so many months there on her own. Then came the usual questions, followed by a survey of benefits and disadvantages to the match––all resolved that it would make a good marriage. Border relations would improve significantly, since few wanted to mess with lands owned by a family tied with Hiortborg and Wyrmssköld. They could all mutually benefit from each other, and better yet, the girl was Scanran! Aina couldn't have been more thrilled at the prospect of having something in common with her daughter in law. Hrólf, quite pleased with how all of this had gone, gave his full consent to the match––on the condition that his daughter consented to it as well. What do you mean, we must leave today with all of this unsettled? Hrólf then assured Hagar and Aina that Brynjá was perfectly sensible, that she wouldn't be so haughty to refuse an offer as good as this; and if she did, she knew full well that she'd likely never get another half as satisfactory.

With mixed feelings did Aina return to Mindelan, while Hrólf made himself comfortable at Hiortborg. Hagar sent his fastest messenger south to Corus, bearing Hrólf's tidings and with strict instructions to return immediately to Hiortborg with the answer. While they waited, Hrólf and Hagar formed a steadfast friendship and made many more plans for the future of the states of western Scanra. Of course, it was all talk, they'd be damned if the other factions would even give a pence about strength through unity. The two of them hunted and talked of war, played chess and contemplated death. In fact, they were just sitting down to another philosophical supper with one another two weeks later when the messenger returned with word from Brynjá. The anticipation was acute as the messenger recounted his journey and what the girl had to say about the marriage. At length, the messenger finally shared with them that Brynjá had given her full consent to the match and desired to know when she would be wed. Delighted, although hardly expecting her answer to have been the opposite, the two men invited the messenger to join them and spent the evening in merriment and drink.

By morning Hrólf bade Hagar good-bye and readied himself for the trek back to Wyrmssköld. Once the messenger had rested sufficiently, Hagar sent him to Mindelan to inform Aina and her husband of the good news. Messengers passed frequently from Mindelan, Hiortborg and Wyrmssköld throughout the following weeks and months. Arrangements were made, the dowry was settled, the war ended; by late April the groom was home in Mindelan and informed of the marriage––he would hardly have a chance to recover from battle before he'd be sent down the aisle.

And all the while, Brynjá remained isolated in Corus except for the occasional message sent her way. First was asked for her consent, second she was greeted by her inlaws, third she was informed that her husband-to-be had returned safely from the war and fourth she was informed that soon they would all be in Corus for the wedding. Brynjá knew only that she could expect them in late May, perhaps even June, and that all the arrangements had been made beforehand. She once received a letter from Siarl, two full pages' worth, but she was still struggling to learn to read and even yet was having difficulty trying to decipher what her father-in-law had to say to her. Only just yesterday she received a notice from the Master of Ceremonies, much more to-the-point and certainly more clearly written: would her ladyship like to review who had been invited to her wedding?

With a sigh Brynjá laid aside the note and raised her eyes to their reflection in the mirror. Dagmar's attitude about the marriage was optimistic and encouraging, and she asked her mistress a smiling question about her husband. Had he written? No, no he hadn't.