Klaufi and the Skogsruss: Chapter 2, The Saga of Ragnfridr Hallbjornsdottir

Klaufi and the Skogsruss: The Saga of Ragnfridr Hallbjornsdottir1

Chapter 22

Her second year on the island had been characterised by a wet summer and exceptionally cold winter. While the wet cool summer brought an abundance of water to the soaks, and even re-awakened several dry ones, it did not provide abundant crops. Fridr was grateful for her garden in the small dell, for it gave her some vegetables to sustain her. Winter fare was bland, nuts, acorn gruel, and dried fish. Twice she slaughtered a yearling lamb. The following year had not been so bad, weatherwise; but she had to work harder to rebuild her larder. Now, for the second time in her life, her world was in total turmoil.3

* * *4

The men went down to the beach, built a fire and slept against the dune, warm in the reflected heat. Even Klaufi left her, to spend a little longer in the company of people, and perhaps get another handout. This left Fridr feeling truly alone. The aloneness hit her like a hammer. She spent a restless night contemplating her future. Stay? Return home? And, was she safe with these men?5

Stigandr visited fortnightly to enquire after her wellbeing; or to bring her some smoked cod. He told her tales of the wider world; of the farms and villages of Gotland; of the mainland, and of the tribes to the south who traded with a new people called Romans. They traded for the amber that washed up on local beaches.6

Besides her brothers and father, and the few other farmers on Fårö, she had seldom seen men. Now she was the only woman on this island, and at the mercy of four men. She didn’t yet know if to trust them or not. Her culture required fair treatment of women. But her mother had filled her with stories of abuse and rape. This too added to her confusion.7

Stigandr was about a decade older than she, and weathered, as she was now weathered. Jovial with his men, yet always in command. Gentle with the animals. Hard working with the boat. She did not know what to make of his stories about villages and trade. She did believe him about the death of his wife in childbirth. That was a common enough event in her world. She had certainly seen it often enough with the livestock.8

* * *9

Klaufi began barking her happy bark and ran out the cottage door. Curled tail wagging, she escorted Stigandr into the cabin.10

“Good morning Ragnfridr Hallbjornsdottir,” he greeted formally. 11

“Good morning to you, Stigandr Eirikrsson,” she answered with some gravity. She knew why he had come. Today she must decide. Stay or go.12

In one sense, the decision was easy. She had been marooned her for several years, and no longer craved an isolated life. Yet, she loved her austere island and its animals. She had even prayed, to her unknown high god, for wisdom. Desire to be reunited with her family won out.13

“I will go with you,” she said simply.14

“Will you, and Klaufi help us rounding up the animals? That is our last task.”15

The next day was spent in selecting the horses and sheep to be taken off the island. Klaufi was in her element, as Fridr shouted herding signals to her. 16

“In the morning,” Stigandr said to her as she began her walk back to the cottage.17

“In the morning,” she acknowledged.18

After a night of thought, she decided to leave everything behind except a basket, one extra dress, her sealskin boots, and the rabbit skin cloak. Some other person might have greater need for the cottage and its contents than she would.19

In the morning the boat was rowed around to Fridr’s side of the island. She took her basket and waded out to the now crowded boat. Klaufi paddled after her. Fridr handed Klaufi up to Hakon, and the basket to Stigandr; and then hauled herself aboard. She sat in the bow as the crew backed the boat out of the shallows and began the long pull for home. 20

The boat, larger and newer than her father’s craft, was crowded to the gunwales with barrels of salted and smoked fish. A ram and four sheep vied with two mares and three younger horses for space. Klaufi spent her time atop a barrel, nose to nose with the horses. When not there, she was in the bow, snapping at waves. Stigandr worked his way to the bow to talk with Fridr.21

“I landed in the middle of the island’s west coast,” she observed. “That means I could have easily drifted past the island.” 22

“You would have perished. There are no other islands, only many miles of open sea until the mainland. The gods made you lucky.”23

“I do not know about lesser gods, but after my years on the island I believe in one High God, who rules all. I will give my thanks to that nameless one.”24

“You have a strong mind,” Stigandr observed, “and a strong will. And I must negotiate with both today,” he smiled. “I need to get this cargo to my village as soon as possible. With your permission I would like to sail directly home, bypassing your farmstead on Fårö. Once I have unloaded I can sail back to your home.”25

“She stood looking out to sea, and did not answer.26

“There is another reason for you to accompany me. It may be ill mannered, but I remember how my wife felt about her looks. You have been on the island several years. If you stay briefly in my mother’s house, then she can tend to your clothes and…” he hesitated… “grooming. You would be more…ah…presentable to your family.” 27

His awkwardness amused her. But he was right. Her hair hadn’t seen a comb in years. She’d used a knife to try and trim it, with invariably poor results. Bathing in the brackish Baltic water left a salt residue behind. Her clothes, though made with her best skill, were still those of a castaway. It would be humiliating, to her and her parents, for her to turn up looking like a slave from the piggery.28

“Agreed,” she answered. Then, turning to face Stigandr she smiled warmly, and added, “Thank you for your thoughtfulness. It wasn’t ill-mannered at all.”29

Stigandr brightened visibly and moved back to the crew.30

Fridr maintained her watch at the bow, detached. No longer of the island. Not yet returned to her home. Stigandr brought her some cheese and dried fish, and then she slept in the bow. They passed Fårö in the night, and she was spared that emotional challenge. 31

* * *32

At midmorning of the third day, they rowed into a natural harbour with a river emptying into it. There were several docks scattered along the harbour’s shoreline, and many fishing and trade boats. Each served a baer laid out further inland. The river’s outflow seperated the northen settlements from the southernmost. The crew rowed to the southern groin. Here a plank dock was laid over stones a short distance into the harbour. On shore, set back from storm tides, two stone and wood barns stood on a knowl. Back from them stood a large farm stead. A true baer, it covered several meadows, enclosed fields, homes, outbuildings, additional barns and sheds. 33

Several men came down from the baer and began to help unload the boat. A plank was laid the short space between dock and boat. The casks of fish were rolled into the barns. Stigandr sent Fridr to stand in the path next to the larger barn. Klaufi danced nervously, waiting to work the animals. The horses were tied into two lines, and given over to Fridr’s care. She and Stigandr began the walk up the cobbled path to the baer. Klaufi worried the sheep along behind. “This baer has been in my family for five generations. We call it Helmsbaer. To the north, on the other side of the river is Visbaer. It is older, much older and larger, than here.”34

As they reached the lower fenced meadow Stigandr instructed, “We will leave the animals here. He openned the ancient moss covered gate, and they released the horses and sheep into the paddock. Behind them the crew and farm workers were walking home, deep in discussion Fridr realised, about herself.35

On the left side of the cobbled path stood a substantial house. Stigandr said, “This is the home of my mother. I will introduce you, and she will care for you. Tonight there will be a celbration at my home.” He pointed up hill to a new, and more substantial house.36

* * *37

Hvítastjerna’s slave girl openned the door as Stigander and Fridr walked up the path. Stigandr she recognised, and acknowledged with respect. Fridr she gawked at openly, as being beneath even her lowly estate. 38

Walking behind Stigandr, Fridr entered that largest, most ornate home she had ever seen. Axes, shields and swords, in bronze and iron, hung on the hallway walls. There were tables and chairs in abundance, covered with the skins of animals she didn’t recognize. On the tables sat silver trays and cups. The main fireplace, though unlit this summer’s day, was huge. There were back rooms, and a stairway leading to a second storey. The floor was made of flagstone, smooth from years of use.39

Hvítastjerna sat in at chair by a window, carding wool. She looked long and hard at Fridr, though not with disdain. Fridr held her stare. Behind the poverty and shabbiness she saw the strength of character. In her eyes she saw intellegence. Hvítastjerna greeted her son with warmth and love. Then waited. Stigandr introduced the scarecrow that stood in his mother’s hall, “Hvítastjerna, wife of Eirik, this is Ragnfridr Hallbjornsdottir, castaway on father’s island. I have brought her to you for care before I return her to her family on Fårö.”40

“Hallbjornsdottir, you are twice welcome in my house. Your father was known to my late husband.” She called for her slave, “Ingr bring meat and cheese and bread. We have an honoured guest.” Ingr went to do her mistress’ bidding, wondering at the change of the scarecrow’s fortune. “Leave her in my hands, Stigandr. But have two of your men bring your late wife’s chest here.” A mood of pain passd his face, but he answered in the affirmative, and then took his leave.41

When Ingr brought the food she was ordered to heat a caldron of clean water. Hvítastjerna then held back her questions, so that Fridr could eat; but chatted away to her about the history of Helmsbaer. Only when Fridr was finished eating did she question her about he situation. Her admiration for the young woman grew, and she also wondereed if her son had an alterior motive for bringing her here. 42

When Hakon and Bjorn delivered the chest, Hvítastjerna had them carry it upstairs. Then she and Fridr went to look through the chest containing Stigandr’s late wife’s wardrobe. They found several sets of undergarments, and two fine dresses that fit suffciently well for style. Then it was back downstairs for the shock of Fridr’s young life. A hot water bath. 43

In the flagstoned kitchen at the back of the house Ingr and her mistress washed Fridr’s hair thuroughly. Then rinsed and scrubbed her body, cleansing away salt and dirt from the island. Finally they rubbed her face and hand with a fragrant balm, the nature of which Fridr could only guess. Next came a haircut. Ingr worked for over an hour to comb out tangles and snarls, trim and shape Fridr’s hair into the right length for braiding. While this was going on, Stigandr’s mother was letting out the undergarments and dresses to better fit Fridr. She expected Fridr to fill out appreciably on a proper diet.44

once Fridr was dressed in the fine linen dress Hvítastjerna said “Let us see”. The deep blue, almost black highlighted her eyes and auburn hair. She was so much different than when she’d arrived that even cynical Ingr was impressed at the transformation. A pair of sandleswas found for her. Fridr then assisted Ingr and Hvítastjerna to change for that evening’s feast.45

Lastly, Hvítastjerna took an artic fox fur cape from her own chest of clothes and wrapped it around Fridr’s shoulders. Tears welled in both women’s eyes, and Stigandr’s mother leaned close and whispered, “He needs you.” With that they began walking up to the main house. Klaufi, who had elected to stay with the horses and sheep from the island to keep them quiet, ran up and sniffed at Fridr’s new clothes, barking loudly. Then she trailed up to the house beside them.46

* * *47

As matron of the family, Hvitastjerna sat at the head of the table, with Stigandr on the left, and Ragnfridr, as honoured guest, on her right. All the relatives, workmen and their families, and the two house slaves sat or stood as there was room. A sheep had been roasted, pickled herring and fresh vegetables, all from baer, were served. And honey mead to drink in abundance. After the meal, Hakon made up a saga of Fridr’s time on the island. With a deliberate lack of fact, and an excess of legendary animals and mythic events, he kept everyone hilariously entertained. The mead kept them mirthful.48

During Hakon’s long storytelling, Fridr went and stood behind Stigandr’s chair. When Stigandr realised that she was there he darted a look at his mother, who nodded slightly and smiled. He knew his mother well enough to understand her tactics. She was endorsing Fridr as a new wife for Stigandr. 49

In the morning Stigandr found Fridr and Klaufi standing by the lower pasture, talking quietly to the island horses. “Do you miss your horse Edel?” Stigangr asked gently as he came up behind her.50

“Yes, greatly,” Fridr admitted. “I would not have survived without the work she so willingly did; and the companionship she provided. Edel and Klaufi were great friends, also. Yes,” she said again as she rubbed the flank of one of Edel’s fillies, “I miss her.”51

“Would you like her brought here as a wedding present?”52

Fridr turned slowly, and looked deeply into Stigandr’s eyes. Her heart lept at the emotion of a free choice. She smiled at his shy smile, and answered a quiet “Yes.”53

“Then we will fetch her from the island after we have visited your parents’ baer.”54

Together they walked to Hvítastjerna’s house to discuss the betrothal. 55

*56

And thus it was that the following week she found herself reunited with the family who thought her lost and dead. Within just ovr a fortnight she was back in Vibaer preparing for a wedding.57

The End of the Second of Three Chapters58