‘The wedding vows were taken by Idoc — not by you,’ Brendan said quietly.
The four friends looked startled. ‘What are you saying?’ Caradawc almost shouted, while Viviane turned white.
Brendan continued calmly. ‘I am saying that Viviane has undertaken a task, and she must not be hindered in carrying it out. If you love her...’
‘Of course I love her. I have always loved her! She is mine!’ yelled Caradawc.
Brendan said nothing more, but turned on his heel and walked from the room.
There followed a long, uncomfortable silence.
It was Viviane who broke it by bursting into floods of tears — sobbing out that the task was far too difficult for her, and that no one could reasonably hold her to it. The men immediately agreed with her.
Olwen alone remained silent. It was not until the tears ha
