Give me your girl, and Ill keep my mouth shut, he snarled.
Im sorry, I missed it, Ian, be a decent man, dont ruin this
What am I to you, Ian? Have you forgotten my name? Call me Ian Harcourt.
Have mercy, dont drag this to the magistrates
Ian stood up, straightened his shoulders until his shirt creaked. A fierce fire flared in his dark eyes, scorching the frail Zachary, whose shoulders slumped with fear. Zachary had been running the brigade for ages, but Ian only became the chair of the parish council a year ago. At first people doubted himonly twentyfive, barely out of school. Yet the county officers, seeing his knack for farm matters, his drive and sensible head, gave him the nod.
You’re a thief, Zachary Archibald, Ian said, his voice ringing with steel. If I say it, you cant back out; Ill bend the law like a shepherds crook.
The stooks vanished, didnt they? he continued. That was last spring, you think Ive forgotten? Ill hand you over to the magistrates if you dont come clean!
Zachary pleaded, I swear on my honour, I never took them. Lets make a deal, Ive got a wife and kids
Ian raised an eyebrow. Kids, you say? Want a bargain? You think Ill protect you whats in it for me? If I shield you, whats the risk?
Zachary stared at the chairman, hoping his words might sway him.
And your lovely daughter, Emily beautiful, isnt she? What if I marry her? I could take her as my own
Zacharys face went white. Think twice, Ian, shes still a child.
I hear you, but I saw her at the farm just the other dayshes ready for a bride.
No, shes only just turned seventeen, still a girl, still being nursed.
Enough! My condition is simple: you hand her over to me, and Ill keep quiet about your mistake. Refuse, and Ill whistle it up to the county boss, and youll end up in court. So choosegive me your daughter or go on baking biscuits and wonder if youll ever see your family again.
Zachary fell to his knees. What are you asking? Its an impossible load! How could I hand my girl to you? Am I some monster?
Ian went back to the table, fetched a fresh sheet of paper and began to write. So it shall be recorded: Zachary Ziegler dared challenge authority, meddled with the common good
Wait, dont write yet, Zachary croaked, I need to speak with Emily first.
Go ahead, Ian replied, shes a headstrong sort and might argue back you called her little.
Zachary swallowed. Youre the one who grabbed her, she got scared.
Then if the soul moves you, Ian smirked.
Zachary sighed heavily. If only my soul were willing
Later that evening Zachary shuffled back home, collapsed onto the kitchen bench and began pulling off his boots.
Why so glum? Mary asked, placing a pot of stew on the table, the oven filling the cottage with the scent of fresh bread.
Emily! he called out. Shes just come out of the bedroom, hasnt even finished braiding her hair.
What now, dear?
He stared at her. The council chair wants to take her as a bride.
Emilys lips trembled, her hands tangled in her curls, she stood like a shaking birch. Why would he want me? I dont want this
Mary dropped the ladle, sat down heavily.
Zachary sighed again. I know you dont want it, so I dont either. Its too early for you, but what can we do?
Dad, why are you letting him do this?
It wasnt my idea, love. Its the council, were stuck under the kings thumb.
Just refuse, and thats it, Mary suggested.
Dad, I wont go with him, hes wicked, everyones scared of him
Their younger son, Tommy, perched by the fire, listened intently.
Im sorry, I dropped the stooks in spring, my head wasnt right
Ah, youll be taken to prison for that, Mary whispered, horrified.
Ill be sent to jail, I hear Ian planning that
Then whats the point if he wants to marry Emily? Hell just leave you with a soninlaw you cant stand
Exactly, Zachary agreed, hand over my girl for my mistake I dont need a soninlaw like that.
Dad, you should complain, Tommy interjected.
Silence, Ill manage without your advice, Zachary snapped. If you speak up youll end up in trouble; hes still young, even if hes the chair
Dad, Im scared of him, Emily sobbed.
Zachary looked at his daughter, then at Mary, took a deep breath and started packing.
Where are you off to? Mary asked.
Pack, mum, dont forget the clean shirt, and the biscuits Ill go to Ian tomorrow morning, let him lock me up if he wants, but I wont hand Emily over, its too soon for her.
Mary hugged him, then Emily retreated to her room, lying on the madeup bed, listening to her mothers sobs and her fathers sighs. She hadnt even noticed her friends, only her cousin Fred, a year older, who seemed decent. The chairman, Ian, never crossed her mind; his stern, furrowed brow and his constant barking made her think he was a stranger.
Emily felt sorry for herself, trapped between a forced marriage to that crabby Ian and a father about to disappear. She began braiding her hair, pulling at it in frustration, then went back to her parents, snatched the sack from his hands. Dont go anywhere, Father, she said, finally speaking to him as an adult.
If I had agreed, I wouldnt be hurting you now. Youll have a tough time with him Ill serve my time, at least youll live without tears.
Dad! Emily clutched him. Dont go! Hell lock you up and never blink. People will judge us, my sister Antonia will be blamed too, and she already has a husband and children.
Zachary slumped onto the chest at the door, the makeshift bench for his belongings. I know, Antonia will suffer, itll be a disgrace, theyll say Zachary Ziegler stole the hay thats what scares me.
Tell him tomorrow Ill agree, let the matchmakers do their work, Emily pleaded.
Mary gathered the packed things, put them by the stove, and wiped her eyes, setting the table.
That night Zachary and Mary lay awake, talking, shifting, sighing heavily. From the next room Emilys cries could be heard.
No, Mary, shes scared of him, marriage would be a burden, especially now. Get up early, grab my sack, Ill head to the yard, go to Ian, let him do what he wants but I wont give him our girl.
Mary, hearing this, leaned on Zachary. Zachary, as you wish, well manage without you
When dawn broke they slipped out, careful not to wake the children. While they were in the yard, Tommy slipped out the gate. By the time they grabbed the sack, the sun was already high.
Wheres our little one? Zachary asked.
I dont know, maybe he ran to school, I didnt see him this morning.
Fine, hell come back. Ill stay home a bit longer
Darling, stay at home till lunch, well need you in case Ian shows up, Mary said, still hoping the war would pass them by.
Zachary decided not to rush to prison.
Meanwhile, Tommy rode a horsedrawn cart with Uncle Matthew, heading for the county town.
What business do you have in the county centre, lad? Matthew asked.
School gave me a task I have to fetch some certificates, Tommy replied, making up the story.
Matthew nudged the horse, the clatter of wheels echoing as they entered the town.
There they met the district secretary, Mr. Greene, a solid, taciturn man in his midforties, who seemed the right person to help.
What do you want, boy? Greene asked.
I need Alexei Mitford, Tommy blurted.
What for?
I have a matter, he replied.
Children dont belong here, Greene said.
Just then the head of the council, Mr. Greene, stepped forward.
Whats this, lad? he asked, eyebrows raised.
Im Alexei Mitford, Tommy stammered, I have a problem.
The councils not for children, Greene repeated.
But the chairman, Mr. Greene, appeared. Tommy launched into a frantic story, blaming Ian for the missing stooks and his plans to marry Emily.
I know its Ian Archibald who wanted to take Emily off our hands, Tommy claimed.
Oh, thats the chap whos been accusing me of theft, the secretary said. Hell be in the yard soon.
Ian, having just toured the fields and farms, was reprimanding a lazy tractor driver, Petey. When the council head entered, everyone fell silent. Ian straightened up, ready to report on the days work.
Tommy lingered by the council hall, watching the windows, not one to complain unless someone was wronged. He felt sorry for his dad, not wanting him in jail, and wondered what would happen to his sister.
The council head, Mr. Greene, asked, Tell me, how do you run things here?
Im Alexei Mitford, just as usual, trying to keep things together
I see youve lost the hay early this spring, why speak up now? Did you wait for a convenient moment? And how can you be so sure Zachary is guilty? Is it just because his daughter refused you?
Ian paled with each question. Im guilty, he admitted, It wasnt Zachary, someone else took it I tried to scare him.
Youll answer for that, Greene said quietly but firmly, Youll be taken to court for overstepping.
Tommy burst in, pointing at the radio. Turn it on, please, theres news
Greene flicked the switch, and the broadcast announced war newsJune 22, 1941.
Ian, looking gaunt, said, I cant deny my fault, but nows not the time. Dont bring me to court; let me go to the front, Ill be drafted anyway.
Greene, stunned, pondered his next move.
The hay was eaten, Ian continued, who ate it, we dont know. Im needed on the front now.
What about those left behind? Greene asked.
Therell be men, like Matthew Ilford, older but fit enough to run the council
Alright, Zorin, Ive other things to attend to. Well think about you later.
A week later, wagons gathered around the council hall, villagers lining the streets, some crying, some singing, some laughing. Ian bowed, lifted his sack, and stepped into the circle. The fiddler cranked up the tune, and for a moment Ian, the stern chairman, let loose, dancing with surprising vigor.
Ian Harcourt, your hands could hold a wife, but now youll have to hold a rifle, Matthew Ilford remarked, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
The Ziegler family saw their soninlaw leave, Antonia clinging to him like a rope, until a shout rang out: Off with the wagons!
Hard winters and unpredictable springs followed, with women taking up the fields, the woods, the farms. Zachary never got the draft call, but he worked as if three mens quota had been assigned to him.
Cold Siberian winters, fickle springs and grim news kept coming.
Mary, she sighed, looking at Emily, it seemed wed escaped one disaster only for another. Now this feels like a dimming fire in the hearth.
Four years later, Murashi was a shadow of its former self, widows and orphans multiplied. Yet spring 1945 revived spirits, drawing the war towards its end.
Fedor returned in March after a wound, his conscription ending just after he turned eighteen. He was now a dashing fiancé.
Why are you turning away from Fedor? Emily asked, now grown. Where else will you find a man like that? Hell propose, you know.
I get it, Mum, but I just dont feel it
Feelings? Youll stay a spinster forever, love.
A month later Ian Harcourt came back. Women stared as he trudged the dusty lane, his coat missing a sleeve. Good day, ladies! Wheres my mother?
She laughed, Shes on the farm, you should cheer her up, its a celebrationour sons home.
Soon after, at the next council meeting, Ian was suggested for reelection.
We have a chairman already, he said, Matthew Ilford kept the farm running through the war, doesnt he deserve to stay?
Selfremoval? the villagers asked.
It seems so.
Ian changed; his pride softened, his voice lost the harsh edge it had before the war.
Good to see you, Zachary Archibald, Ian greeted, long time no see.
Good to see you, Ian Harcourt.
No need for formalities, Im younger, I used to be cocky I thought about you all the war, regretted not asking forgiveness. So Im saying now: forgive me for the stooks, I knew I wasnt at fault
Zachary coughed. Then forgive me too, I was the one who moved the stooks
How?
Its simple. The farm ran out of feed, the higher orders said dont touch the stooks, keep them as reserves. I ignored that, took a few Zachary removed his hat, clenched it, his emotions spilling. But I didnt profit, no guilt there
Ian nodded. So you fed our cows, then
Exactly, lets not dredge up old stuffthis was before the war.
Tommy, now a teenager, asked, Dad, why are you talking like that? He was a snake, now youve ripped his sting out.
Tommy got a swift slap.
You know little! You havent lived, yet you start judging. Ian didnt spare a life on the front, he has two medals not a snake at all.
Dad? Tommy said, Im remembering the past
Forget it just remember one thing: its easy to make a mistake, hard to fix it. He patted his sons shoulder. Alls well, son, the wars over, well live on.
The farms draughting yard filled with barrels of milk, ready for dispatch. Ian tied a horse with one hand, turned, and Emily, carrying a barrel, walked towards him. Hold on, lets do it together, he said, taking the other side of the barrel. As they moved the barrels, he gently rested his hand on her shoulder, trying not to frighten her.
I only wanted to help.
You already have, he nodded toward the yard. Everyones shuffling crates.
He nudged the horse, and Emily watched, her heart swelling with pity. She felt an odd compassion for Ian, despite his past cruelty.
A few days later Ian didnt return; the young men from the Voloshin family took over. One warm May afternoon Emily spotted a familiar silhouette, the outline of his coat. He hopped off a cart, smiling. The wars over, Emily, the nightmares ended.
She leaned her head against his chest, both surprised, then hugged him. What good news, she whispered, weve waited so long.
He, feeling her breath, stumbled over his words. I dont have both hands to hold you, he said softly.
She looked into his eyes, whispered, I have two hands, and together well have three. Thatll be enough.
He brushed her hair, lifted her veil, kissed her damp cheek, then pulled her close, his breath catching. I wont let go. I didnt survive for nothing.
Mary rummaged through the chest by the door, filling it with embroidered blankets, towels, and sheets. She packed pillows, a special quilt for Emily, laying it on the chest as if it were treasure. Emily felt rich, not for the items, but because her future husband was finally near, someone shed once refused.
Why did you take off your medals, Ian? Matthew Ilford asked, meeting the former chairman.
Because medals arent what matters now. My only prize is Emily, the one I must cherish.And as the sun set over the wheat fields, Emily smiled, took Ians hand, and whispered that together they would rebuild their lives, planting new hope wherever the old scars had once lain.
