Rathnon’s Return #3
Ilona flung her arms around Rathnon awkwardly; with her pregnancy, she could nae get as close as she wanted.
She kissed him and said, “Thank ye for yer thoughtfulness, Rathnon. Those things are just what I needed.” Rathnon leaned over her and kissed her head, deeply inhaling her soft fragrance of heather and wildflowers.
They slid into bed and gazed at each other, smiling.
Rathnon tangled his hands in Ilona’s hair, trying to distract himself from putting his hands elsewhere for now, and sighed deeply.
He couldn’t wait to take his wife home. They drifted off into sleep.
With Rathnon’s arrival, Woden slept across the room to afford them more privacy.
They awakened early, dressed, and walked to the outhouse together. Back inside the house, the maids brought towels, soap, and a basin of warm water for Ilona and Rathnon to wash.
Ilona checked on Hákon, who remained asleep.
His father returned from a meeting with men outside and smiled as he gazed at his sleeping son.
Now, thanks to Ilona, when he gazed at his son, he did not see the past—only the promise of the future.
From their conversations with Rathnon and Woden, he had a healthy respect and admiration for Ilona’s husband.
“Did you sleep well?” Erik inquired. “You must feel relieved your husband has returned from his duties with the king.”
“I am glad the king did nae command him to be away for months, returning before winter blizzards stormed in earnest. If Hákon’s progress continues as I expect, we will return home in two days.”
“I’m sure, especially now your husband has returned, you are eager to settle at home before your bairn is born.”
“I am concerned about the cradle being ready as the carpenter promised.”
Rathnon listened to their easy interactions as he spoke with Woden. Hákon awakened, and his father initially assisted him. Ilona administered more medicinal teas, which Hákon accepted without complaint.
Rathnon drew up a chair to the lad’s bedside. “Are you ready for a game of chess, lad?”
“Yes, thank you. I would love to play now and learn from you.”
“Let’s see how much you have learned by playing with my cunning and shrewd wife. Set up the board.”
Hákon set up the pieces on the board. He confused only two pieces.
Rathnon praised him for his command of the board positions already.
“You move first,” Rathnon said. Hákon moved boldly and watched intently Rathnon’s response.
The child studied the board and the figures as they played across the board.
“Are you sure it is the move you want to make?” Rathnon asked Hákon wanting to ascertain his reasoning for the move.
“Ja, I’m sure.”
“Then you will realize why I am reacting this way.” Rathnon made an unexpected play.
“I understand why you asked me if I was sure. You have a masterful strategy that I wish to learn.”
“If you are serious about learning the game, I would encourage you to play with your father and others who excel in strategy. You can learn to anticipate the unexpected in their plays. It is similar in battle strategies as well.”
The game proceeded swiftly, since Hákon possessed novice skills. Rathnon indulged him by explaining his play and what alternate moves Hákon could have taken. Even though he lost the game, Hákon expressed his appreciation of the lessons he had learned.
“Thank you for teaching me. I hope one day to play as well as you.” They enjoyed a mid-morning meal, and Hákon’s appetite had increased.
After their meal, Erik challenged Rathnon to a game, which took considerably longer. Camaraderie existed between the men, each deep in thought as they played. Hákon watched intently.
Rathnon won the game, and Erik thanked him for the challenge. He hadn’t played in a long time since he lacked challenging partners. In the future, Erik looked forward to quiet evenings with his son and teaching him the finer points of the game.
Ilona said, “Now, it is time for you to walk to increase your energy.” Hákon did as Ilona bid. He gazed at her in adoration, and Rathnon contemplated how their child would gaze at Ilona similarly.
The reality of their child’s imminent arrival captured his attention more each day.
In the afternoon, Ilona gave Hákon more tea and herbs, and he took a brief nap.
She talked to the women about the benefits of healing herbs.
Later, Rathnon accompanied the ladies into the forest as Ilona pointed out the plants and how to differentiate them from others.
Ilona cut them, tied them in bundles, and gave them to the ladies to carry back to the longhouse. “If Erik can spare you, I think our healer would be happy to teach you more when the weather is nicer. You can ask him to arrange it with Rathnon in the summer.”
Back in the longhouse, Erik invited Rathnon to spar with him and the men. Hákon begged to watch, and Ilona agreed. “Aye, but you need to dress warmly. You can watch for just a few minutes. You do not want to get sick again. Ja?”
“Ja,” he replied, secretly hoping once outside and watching the men fight with swords, she would relent.
Hákon wasted no time to comply with Ilona’s request. Dressed warmly, he wore a hooded cloak.
Hákon’s eyes were bright with excitement at watching his father and Rathnon, both mighty warriors, fight. He couldn’t wait.
On the training field, Rathnon and Erik were shirtless as they sparred with others first. Rathnon defeated every opponent quickly.
Erik defeated each opponent too, and their match became an exciting event, so people in the community came to watch.
Ilona and Hákon arrived before their match.
Hákon heard the clang of steel when the swords struck each other and mightily thumped against shields.
The rest of the warriors had stopped their sparring to watch the two powerful warriors fight.
Clear from the beginning to the observers, Rathnon, as a professional warrior, displayed more skills. He allowed himself to be defeated so Hákon would see his father the victor. Ilona insisted Hákon return to the house after their match. Once inside, she gave him more herbs and medicinal teas.
Excited about the match between his father and Rathnon, Hákon spoke excitedly to Ilona about his observations. He slashed his arms in imitation of the strokes of the men. With an expression of adoration, he shyly said, “Do you think I could come visit you sometime to see Rathnon fight again?”
“You can watch your father and the men here fight and can learn by studying them. What can you learn from Rathnon that you cannae learn here?”
“I have worked with the men here. I know I need to gain greater skills. Rathnon is one of the best warriors who works for the king and has engaged in many battles in other countries.” It appeared to Ilona that to Hákon, Rathnon had become a warrior champion despite his father winning the match.
“After you progress to real swords, with your father’s approval, you can write to Rathnon and ask for his permission. Do you ken how to read and write?”
“Ja, a little.”
“Warriors need to learn to read and write well. You need to ask your father to devote more time for you to learn more so you can read and write. It is important if you wish to send a respectful letter to Rathnon. After your nap, I can help you if you like.”
“I would love it, thank you.” Ilona tucked him in bed and sat by his bedside as he fell asleep.
She requested of a maid, paper, ink, and quill pens, and when they were brought, organized them on the dining table to begin her lessons.
When Hákon awakened, he began his lessons with enthusiasm.
Ilona asked him to write an imaginary letter to a friend and describe the best part of the sparring.
“Tell me what you ken you need help with when writing.”
“I don’t have all the words I want to use, and my writing is not neat.”
“Okay, I will have you practice writing a few words to begin with. If your writing is not precise, others can misunderstand yer intentions or may not be able to understand your writing.”
Hákon nodded in understanding. Ilona gave him words to write and then assessed his understanding of the words. She wrote out a few words for him to compare his penmanship with hers. She corrected his spelling of a couple of words.
“To improve your spelling, you need to read more books. Can you ask yer father for one of his books, so I can read to you and you can practice reading?”
Hákon absorbed all she said and continued his practice until nattmal. When Rathnon and Erik returned, they saw Hákon hard at his studies. But he quickly lost focus when he could talk about fighting skills. The men enjoyed his enthusiasm and admiration.
“I see Ilona has made you busy with writing. Your writing has already improved,” said his father.
“Ilona has taught me a lot. I wish she and Rathnon lived here with us. Father, may I read your book after dinner? I wish to improve my reading and my writing.”
Ilona explained, “It is important for a warrior to read and write well.”
In approval of his son, Erik said, “I’ll get it for you.”
Rathnon said, “It is not only warriors who need to read and write—and don’t forget that sums are equally important. Blacksmiths must learn weights and measures, carpenters need mathematic skills to build furniture, houses, and sailing ships.”