busy"Wolf-Wind"
A storm blew in not long after
Auduna had presented Dagny to the farm.
Shrieking wind flung flakes of snow
against the walls and windows.
Still people bundled up in thick coats
and gathered in the common house,
every hearth and stove ablaze,
the kitchen full of good things to eat.
They made hot chocolate and mulled wine,
baked countless loaves of bread and
filled cauldrons with fragrant stew.
Auduna fed her daughter and
then passed Dagny to Arnvid to hold.
He was still all excited about
having a new baby to help raise.
Elharn and the other men
brought in armloads of snowy wood.
Esja mopped the floor behind them.
Rowen had organized a game of kupp
for the children, using a set of wooden blocks.
Several of the adults were playing krypkille
and other card games at a table.
Auduna played a few hands.
She wasn't particularly good at cards,
but she enjoyed the company.
The bell at the door bonged,
loud enough to hear even over the wind.
That was odd; nobody on the farm
used the bell for more than
telling people it was time to eat.
"I'll go see what's up," Karin said,
heading for the door.
She came back carrying a baby.
"Someone left him in a basket,"
Karin said, unwrapping him with care.
He had a tuft of black hair and wide blue eyes.
"Bergren, Vendel, Borga, come with me,"
Elharn said as he hurried outside.
More people fell in behind them.
The baby began to cry.
"Listen to him -- he howls like a little wolf,"
Karin said, rocking him gently.
"He's hungry," Rowen said.
"Give him to me," Auduna said.
"It's been a little while since I fed Dagny,
and she doesn't take all I have."
She put the baby boy to her breast,
and he hushed at once.
Una brought out a batch of kanelbullar,
sweet rolls spiced with cinnamon.
Hands reached out to grab them
hot off the serving tray.
Inge stoked the fire with fresh wood,
her nude skin glowing pink in the heat.
Less than an hour had passed
when the searchers returned,
dragging a noisily protesting Elharn.
"The storm is getting worse," Bergren said.
"It's completely obliterated the trail."
"Why is Elharn so upset?"
Auduna whispered to Karin.
"Once before when this happened,
the mother had died not far away, and
Elharn was the one who found the body,"
Karin explained softly.
Auduna stayed in the common house
with Dagny and the foundling boy
until the storm blew itself out.
Elharn and Borga went to the village,
where they discovered that someone
had stolen a horse, which meant whoever
left the baby probably made a clean escape.
"The child was left to us, so he stays with us,"
Ola declared. "Who will take care of him?"
"I will keep him," Auduna said.
"I have milk enough for two,
and it's not hard to raise babies
with so many people helping."
The young men were circling around her again,
but this time Auduna knew why, and
she just grinned at them.
"Vendel, I choose you for Gefeilan," said Auduna
as she passed him the little boy.
Gefeilan gummed the collar of
Vendel's heavy woolen sweater
and fell asleep without making a sound.
* * *
Notes:
Mulled wine is a popular winter beverage in Scandinavian cultures; enjoy a recipe for it. Hot chocolate is another favorite.
Kubb is a traditional Swedish game, usually played outside, that involves knocking over large blocks.
Swedish card games include krypkille.
The baby on a doorstep is a classic trope.
Scandinavian cuisine features sweet breads such as kanelbullar.
Disturbing events, such as finding a dead body, can cause emotional trauma. Even with loving support, people often react strongly to a later situation which reminds them of that.
December 25 2014, 02:26:43 UTC 6 years ago
Well...
December 25 2014, 05:58:46 UTC 6 years ago