Spring Challenges #4
Brightness and vitality appeared restored in his son when he awakened hours later.
His son relieved himself in a chamber pot; Erik attended Hákon himself, knowing he would not want a woman’s help.
Hákon explained that Ilona had taught him much about playing chess.
Erik chuckled at his son’s enthusiasm and hopeful look.
He knew his son hoped he could beat him.
When Ilona awakened, she pulled her dress on over her head before she withdrew from the bed. Sleep had restored her. She checked on Hákon, who had returned to sleep, his fever abated.
“Hákon woke up for a short time and fell back to sleep. He shared how excited he was to learn and understand chess better after your guidance. Thank you for your care and instruction. I haven’t seen him this excited about learning something new in quite a while.”
“It is my pleasure. I’m happy that he is recovering.
Please excuse me, I will go outside and return in a few minutes.
” Ilona used the outhouse and then washed outside before returning to Erik’s longhouse.
She received curious looks and smiles as she went about her business.
A meal was set on the table for Ilona to eat.
Meats, cheeses, and fresh bread with fruit were served, and Ilona ate heartily.
Woden left to be with the men, satisfied by the care Erik and his staff showed for Ilona. When he returned, he checked with Ilona to see if she needed anything or had any concerns he could allay.
After she completed her meal, Ilona returned to caring for Hákon.
She prepared more medicine and tea and gave it to Hákon when he reawakened.
Ilona told him a story her grandparents had told her; she ken the boy might like the story since it related to a brave warrior defeating his enemies and winning a woman he rescued and loved.
When the story ended, she judged from the satisfied smile on his face that he had enjoyed it. Erik relished the adventure story and appreciated Ilona’s excellent storytelling skills. But afterward, she took the story further, asking both Hákon and Erik questions about it.
“How did the warrior prepare for battle? What choices did he make to claim the woman he loved? What would have happened if he had not prepared for the battle? What made the most difference?”
Erik gained insight into his son’s young mind and added extra insights for him to consider.
“My father taught me that chess is a game of strategy.
From stories of courageous men and brave women, we can learn strategy and prioritization.
These we can use to prepare for battles, whether literal battles or overcoming problems. We must recognize that we need more information to make wise decisions.
“We should not overlook people who have unique skills or status. In our village, everyone has good ideas to contribute. What would the oldest woman in the village tell you about growing food? What could you learn from the oldest man, and what made the critical difference? How would the carpenter tell you to build the best house or ship? Are there lessons in building a house similar to waging battles?”
“Your father is a wise man.”
While they dined, Erik talked about his parents and grandparents, and the lessons he had learned from them. Hákon asked him many questions before tiring and needing to sleep again.
Ilona observed their interaction, pleased with the results of her intervention.
Erik loved his son but did not want to be seen as weak and did not know how to communicate with his young child.
At the same time, Hákon loved and admired his warrior father but feared his disapproval. Hákon wanted to reach out to his father but did not wish to anger him. He understood his father held massive responsibilities and duties and was stressed enough as it was.
“With yer permission, I would like to take a walk outside for a few minutes.”
“I will accompany you since Hákon is better and sleeping. The women will watch over him.” He spoke to a woman who agreed to stay with his son.
Ilona wrapped her cloak about her and remained quiet while she walked alongside Erik. Her thoughts turned to Rathnon. Where is he? How long will he be gone? Ilona missed Rathnon and wished they were together again.
As she looked about her while they walked, Erik explained the buildings and their uses. The village appeared similar in many respects to Rathnon’s, but Rathnon’s was much larger. Ilona enjoyed seeing the gardens and spoke to one woman about what healing plants they had.
“Before I leave, with Erik’s approval, I will show you how to identify more plants with healing properties,” Ilona offered. “I will explain how to prepare them for the winter when less plentiful.”
The woman thanked her, and they returned to the longhouse. Ilona’s kindness to others shone like a beacon of light at sunset.
“Do you have a loom for the women to use to weave wool for making blankets and clothes, or do you barter with other villages for those things?”
“We have one loom, and several women weave for everyone in the village. Do you weave often?”
“Ja (Yes), I weave frequently and find it very pleasant. It is enjoyable to search in the forest for plants to make colors for yarns, spin the wool into yarn, and weave the yarn into wool fabric.
“I try to help as best I can by churning butter, making bread and cheese, working in the gardens, and gathering healing herbs. I like to hunt and fish since my father taught me.”
“You are an amazing woman,” he said appreciatively. “How long will it take my son to recover?”
“I cannot tell yet. He can have a relapse if he does nae get enough rest. I will tell better over the course of the next few days. So he does not overtire, exercise or strenuous work needs to be gradually introduced. I am pleased with his progress.”
Returning to the longhouse, Erik said, “As am I. I cannae thank you enough for what you have done for my son and myself.”
“It has been my pleasure. You have a wonderful and considerate son. I hope he will fully recover and have more energy.” Erik sat beside Ilona and engaged her in conversation. She talked about her experience growing up in Orkney Island and Scotland.
Erik realized how lonely he had been. Ilona had reawakened his soul and yearning for something more. He felt alive again. He thought of how difficult it must have been for her husband to leave her behind when attending to the king. Perhaps the king had sent her husband on more raids.
As they spoke, Ilona shared that her husband had built them their own longhouse. “It resembles more closely the homes in Scotland with bedrooms. He surprised me with it after we married. During his absence last year, I added to our home. Did you grow up with your wife?”
Erik had not spoken of his wife in many years.
“Ja (Yes), we grew up together. But I was away for a few years. When I returned, she had transformed from a lass into a lovely woman. I knew she would be a good wife and mother; we married and had Hákon. We had hoped for further children, but she died of a wasting disease before we could have more.”
“I’m sorry. I ken you miss her. You must see her in Hákon. It sounds like you had many happy years you shared while she lived. That is a blessing. Many people never find the love of their life nor have much-loved children.”
“I haven’t spoken of her for many years.”
“We honor those who have died by talking about them and the good things they created for us to enjoy. What do you think? How do you feel talking about her and the blessings ye enjoyed with her?”
“It is helpful to look at it as you described. I miss her. I think I need to speak to Hákon more often about her life. She was a blessing to us.”
Erik insisted Ilona sleep in his bed again after they spoke late into the early morning hours. His admiration for her grew the more time they spent together under the watchful and wary eyes of Woden.
Woden noted how Erik devoured Ilona with his eyes when he thought no one saw. Although Ilona laughed with Erik and others in the village, she never looked at Erik the way she gazed at Rathnon. Woden slept at night on the floor close to Ilona to ensure she remained safe, day and night.
Hákon’s health continued to progress, and his curiosity and enthusiasm grew under Ilona’s influence.
Warriors, villagers, and elders in the village noted the surprising change in the previously dour-looking Erik.
Laughing more, he seemed to enjoy life. The healer had healed not only his son but Erik too.
In the last couple of days, they enjoyed her company and recommendations for health.
Shortly, it would be safe to return to her village, for Hákon had made amazing progress.
As Ilona shared part of her life with Erik and Hákon, she wondered about her husband and their child. Ilona continued to care for Hákon as his health improved and he recovered. She made aspects of his recovery fun for him, and his playfulness increased.
The pain and anguish in Erik’s eyes slowly dissipated. However, they were replaced by other feelings toward Ilona. Woden intervened to put greater distance between Erik and Ilona and to ensure she cared for herself properly.
In this time away and missing Rathnon, she compared him to others and saw more clearly his loving actions toward her in every aspect of their life. Ilona missed him more each day.
She finally admitted she needed to forgive her husband for stealing her to truly love him as he deserved. Rathnon was everything she admired in a man and in a husband. Ilona yearned for him and kent he would be a loving father—if he ever returned.
Although he knew it was wrong, secretly, Erik wished her husband would not return to claim her.