Horwendil and Gerutha marry in the winter, when neither war nor harvest prevent the guests from traveling a week and staying at Elsinore for two. Gerutha is seventeen, so weighted down with gold and jewels, velvet and brocade, that her back hurts. Dancing and wine "free her body to an animal heedlessness," and her hair flies all around her. This is the last time that she can wear it down in public. Gerutha and Horwendil were taught the steps of the stately, processional dances. Formal dancing is new to Denmark, and the Church has not yet taken a stand on whether or not it is a sin. As Rorik offers Gerutha a parting blessing, she sees the age in him for the first time. He is tired.....
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