20 Chapter 20

Though the journey to Greenland passed as smoothly as could be hoped for, it was a long, tiresome sail, especially for Princess Thorgunna in her condition. The common morning sickness was given more spirit by the sea voyage, but she gritted her teeth and bore it all without complaining, even when she could barely move or eat. The one who liked to complain and rant was actually Father Wilhelm, who all of a sudden forgot the virtue of obedience to God's will.

When the ship approached the coast of Greenland, the princess felt better and was able to look with a fluttering heart towards the beautiful wild land that was going to be her home from now onwards. When they reached the harbor of Brattahlid, Thorgunna found enough strength in herself, and in Leif's arm that supported her, to descend towards the crowd that came to welcome them.

"There is your father!" Thjodhild cried happily, running off like a girl. Indeed, they noticed a stoutly built, wide-shouldered man with a greying red hair and a long beard in which the red shade was better preserved than in his hair. He cast around himself an air of reserved but undisputable strength, and everybody made way for him respectfully. That was Erik the Red.

"Erik! Erik!" panted Thjodhild, hurrying towards her husband with shining eyes and an expression of longing which could be held in far higher esteem if one remembers the couple had been married for thirty years. The old sailor was more reserved, and the warmth of his feelings was expressed only in how long he held his wife's hand in hers as he inquired after her health, and in the fact he had eyes for no one but her at first.

"I am glad you are come back, my wife," he said.

Then he looked upon his eldest son, who hurried towards him, and upon the young woman leaning on his arm - a woman of stunning beauty that was only slightly dimmed by the long journey, and of a nobility that shone in her every gesture. Erik had no way, of course, to know her identity, but he guessed this must be someone of high rank, and was astonished to hear Leif's next words:

"I seek your blessing, Father. I have married."

The next thing Erik noticed was the cross that now adorned Leif's neck, as well as that of the girl. A faint shadow of explanation began to take form in his mind. Could it be that his son accepted a baptism to gain this woman? It didn't seem like what Leif would do, but for such a beauty, who knows...

It was then that Erik's eye was caught by Thorvard's tall figure, and by Freydis and Sygni by his side. He received his son-in-law with exclamations of pleasure, for Thorvard's return was his dearest wish, and his reconciliation with Freydis a dream he hardly dared to indulge.

"Thorvard, my son! How happy I am to see you! What a pleasant surprise! And if I may ask - "

But his wife already placed a hand on his shoulder, and her lips were very close to his ear when she whispered:

"Erik, please, send the children off to bathe and change their clothes after the journey. There are a few things I must tell you."

..."She is with child, then," nodded Erik. "Well, I do not suppose they would be allowed to marry under any other circumstances."

"The king was so furious," Thjodhild told him. "Rightfully so, of course. But what matters is that eventually, they were given leave to marry."

"I assume Leif had no choice in the matter," remarked Erik.

"Why do you speak so?" his wife said in reproachful wonder. "You do not mean..."

"The girl is beautiful," said Erik, "and she seems kind. But I am not at all certain she is the kind of woman Leif needs. Life here is very humble compared to what she is used to, and I fear it will frustrate her. She was raised to be a queen, not the wife of a settler in a remote land."

"Leif thought so too," said Thjodhild. "But I believe you are both wrong. She loves him, Erik. I have a feeling that this will be a very happy marriage."

"I hope you are right," Erik shrugged in resignation. "What is the point of going over what is already done, after all?"

"I am so happy to be home, Erik," said Thjodhild dreamily. "For so many years I have dreamed of Norway, but when I finally came there, I realized that my true home is now in Greenland. And so many times I felt guilty for leaving you here alone..."

"Well, if you had not gone, neither could Freydis," said Erik, "and if she had not gone, Thorvard would not be back now. Since Thorvard has returned, this journey was worth everything - my being in want of you, the complications Leif created for himself, even what my poor daughter had to pass through. If what you had just told me is true, how foolish she must have been to get herself involved in such a scheme! I hope that now, finally, she will settle down."

"Freydis changed very much because of all that had happened," replied Thjodhild. "She suffered much, and Thorvard with her. But they must make it right now. They love each other so much."

"I am all hope that this time she will be wise," Erik said curtly and pressed his wife's hand. Only now that she was back did he understand how much he had missed her.

"I wanted to thank you, my husband," Thjodhild said gently, "for your pleasant treatment of Father Wilhelm."

In reality, Erik had ignored the priest completely and very openly, but Thjodhild was happy even for that. She had expected worse. She feared a display of rudeness from her husband towards the holy man of the church. When the holy father's name was mentioned, a shadow passed over Erik's face and he got up, distanced himself from her a little and crossed his arms.

"Let us make this clear once and for all, Thjodhild," he said with determination. "I always gave you free reign - too much so, perhaps, I would say now. You decided to become Christian, and you are within your right. I see you swallow every word that comes out of this priest's mouth. I am surprised, and not pleasantly, and I do not like this, but I have no intention of interfering. Just do not get the idea, please, that I might take any part in all this."

Thjodhild shifted uncomfortaly in her seat because of the blunt directness of his words.

"I am certain, Erik, that when you get to know Father Wilhelm a little better - "

"I have no such intention," Erik interrupted her. "If you insist on building a church here in Brattahlid, well, you have my permission. But my feet will not go near there. And I will tell you something else - this new faith will make all of you soft. I have great fears for the brave spirit of my men."

"What are you talking about, Erik!" protested Thjodhild. "There are great warriors in Norway, and they are all Christians!"

She was a little disappointed by her husband's reaction, but it had not been unexpected. And he had given her permission to build a church, that is what matters.

But Erik shook his head stubbornly. "Christianity will be the end of the Vikings," he said, "but I do not suppose I can stop this process. There are enough Christians here already, and they, of course, will rejoice in the coming of this priest. He, of course, will have no objection to performing Thorstein's wedding ceremony."

"What?!" exclaimed Thjodhild. "What do you mean?"

Erik looked at her with amusement. It was so like him - to keep astonishing news to himself, and then throw it in her way all at once!

"Thorstein is going to be wed," he announced to her. "Soon, Thjodhild, we will have two married sons."

"But... who is the bride?" Thjodhild inquired, attempting to regain her senses. "Of course, Erik, this is wonderful, I am very happy, why did you not say - "

"He will marry Gudrid."

"Gudrid, the daughter of Thorbjorn?" Thjodhild gaped in astonishment.

"The very one."

"But... Erik... how can this be? We were always certain that Gudrid rather prefers Thorvald!"

"It turns out that our two sons had competed for the girl's heart for quite a long time, and eventually Thorstein won a stunning victory, for he is Christian, and that matters to Gudrid."

"Christian? Are you certain that we are speaking of the same Thorstein, Erik? Our son? Since when is he Christian?"

"Since the moment he understood it is necessary to win Gudrid's hand," replied Erik.

"Well, as far as I am concerned, it does not matter whom of our sons Gudrid chooses, as long as she remains in the family."

Erik spread a handsome feast in honor of his dear ones' return. But despite the generous amount of the roast meat and the fish, the fresh warm bread, the beer and the mead, this is not the court of Norway - so Leif thought while observing his wife's face intently, expecting to see a first sign of painful recognition that she had made an irrevocable mistake. But Thorgunna looked serene and well-pleased enough. The smell of roast meat had hit her nostrils with a force that made her experience another surge of sickness, and she preferred the fish.

"This is a very interesting fish," she remarked, looking at the specimen in her plate - a very long fish, silvery and scaly, with wide fins. "I have never seen any like it."

"It is a local fish, daughter," said Erik. "We call it 'the longboat'. I believe it is distantly related to salmon."

Not far from them, Father Wilhelm was playing with his food gloomily.

"Have another drink, holy father," Thjodhild surrounded the priest with excessive hospitality, despite her husband's obvious vexation. "And allow me to put some of this meat on your plate. I hope the wine is to your taste?"

"Yes, as much as runny, sour, foamy juice might be called wine," he grumbled quietly. "What kind of meat is this?" he asked and chewed a small bite with some apprehension.

"Seal," Leif said lightly. The holy father choked and grasped his throat.

"Leif!" his mother exclaimed in anger. "Of course this isn't seal meat, Father Wilhelm. It is salted pork."

But the priest did not touch another bit of meat throughout dinner and claimed to be satisfied, like Thorgunna, by bread and fish.

Thorvald sat across from Leif, as far as possible from his brother and rival Thorstein who was sitting at the other side of the table, bubbling with unbound joy and telling anyone who was prepared to hear all the details of his upcoming wedding to Gudrid. Thorvald pretended not to hear, and tried to get as much noise as he could from his food utensils.

Leif was well acquainted with Gudrid, Thorvard's younger sister - in her looks, she was the complete opposite of her brother. While Thorvard was tall and dark, Gudrid was of a small stature, and had long, thick hair the color of honey, and very clear light grey eyes. She was a graceful, sweet, sensible and good-natured girl. Taking all this into account, Leif wondered that she should prefer Thorstein to Thorvald. This means, he told himself, that bluntness and daring are necessary qualities to have success with women.

It wasn't that he loved Thorvald better than Thorstein, but the quiet, gentle-spirited, dreamy, soft-hearted Thorvald always needed his protection more than reckless, thoughtless Thorstein - and Leif was sorry that Thorstein, who could have loved any one out of dozens of girls, won in this contest over Thorvald, who had always loved but one.

Unaware of what either of his brothers was thinking, Thorstein called from his place:

"I suggest raising a toast for Leif and his new bride, who justifies by her graceful form the name people had given my brother! Yes, Leif, you are Lucky indeed, as far as it concerns whom you brought here."

"I wouldn't define this quite so broadly," Erik remarked with quiet vexation, sending an unpleasant look towards the priest, but no one heard him. His words were swallowed amidst the clang of cups.

When the feast was over, Leif led Thorgunna towards the house he had built so long ago, and in which he hasn't lived since the death of Maura. The time that passed had dimmed the memories and dulled the pain, but something still lingered in the air when they crossed the threshold. The first woman I brought here had been a slave, and the second a princess, thought Leif - and while Maura had felt like a queen here, that would be very unlikely for his new wife, who was raised in riches and luxury far greater than anything he can ever hope to give her.

"It is a humble place, I told you," he said modestly, "but there is a spacious soft bed with clean linen, and I took care to have the house thoroughly cleaned and heated."

"It is fabulous," Thorgunna said warmly, lifting up the oil lamp in her hands so that she might see better.

"If you have no objection, I still have some directions to give to the household men," said Leif. "It might take a little time. Go to sleep, you need not wait for me."

When he returned to their chamber, Thorgunna was already asleep. Leif observed her peaceful face, lit by the weak light of a fluttering candle, and was filled with remorse. The room was so small and poorly furnished compared to her chambers in Norway, he felt with a pang of sorrow - a simple room built of thick wooden logs, without carpets or tapestries. Well, for those who had grown up here this is a very good house indeed, but for her... he also noticed that all the blankets and furs in Thorgunna's possession were piled atop her. The room is so cold, and winter has not even begun yet!

With alarm he felt how his regret is taking over him, paralyzing his limbs, grasping his throat. He could not move, nor say a word. He breathed long and deep, fearing to step towards her and wake her. Finally, he must have made some very slight noise, for she opened her eyes and looked at him:

"Leif?" she called. "Why don't you come?"

He made a few steps, sat down on the edge of the bed, and took her little hand between both his own.

"Can you forgive me?"

"What for?" she wondered.

"For wavering so much," he replied, "for doubting you."

"You wanted what is best for me," she said after a moment's silence. "I understand."

"You were right," he said. "You were right all along. I cannot find the words to express how happy I am that everything had worked out just as you suggested from the start. Anything different would have left me full of bitter regret until the end of my days. I just hope that you... should not be sorry," he finished quietly.

She smiled and lifted her hand to his face, slowly caressing his scruffy cheek.

"According to the king's plan, I was supposed to get close to you and make you fall in love with me," she said, "but that didn't play out exactly as my uncle wanted. For after getting to know you, I could no longer see myself marrying someone who is but a doll on strings, and no real man."

Her green eyes looked at him bravely, and again he remembered Maura. From a first sight, what could she, a simple serving girl who knew nothing but disdain and cruelty, have in common with this girl, a princess so beloved by her people? But both of them, it turned out, had this courage, the direct independence, the readiness to choose her own path and walk it without turning back. Both abhorred lies and half-truths and longed for the simple, the clear, the honest and open.

And as it seems, Leif realized, no other kind of woman could ever have won his heart.

Upon the morrow, quite early, he had an unexpected visit from his brother Thorvald. Some of last night's dejection had passed away from his face, but he still looked more somber than usual, and older than he really was.

"I regret having to bother you so early, Leif," said Thorvald. "I know this is not very gracious when a couple had been recently married. But I must speak to you."

"There is no bother. Thorgunna is still asleep, while I have been up for a while now. Have you broken your fast yet?"

Leif ordered the servants to bring milk, hard-boiled eggs, cheese and fresh bread, but Thorvald ate little and spoke even less. He slowly broke the bread with his fingers - strong but gentle fingers, thought Leif, much more delicate than my own. Finally Thorvald lifted up his eyes and looked at his elder brother.

"I intend to sail to Vinland," he said.

Leif was unsurprised. "When?"

"As soon as possible. I know it was settled between us that we should sail there together," Thorvald hastened to add, "but I suppose you will not want to leave your new wife in her condition."

Leif perked up and raised an eyebrow.

"Freydis told me," explained Thorvald, a little embarrassed.

"Of course," nodded Leif. How predictable. Well, it was obvious to him that people would soon guess anyway. But this doesn't matter - they are already married, and as for the gossip that might pass behind their backs, why should they care?

"I understand that you do not intend to stay until the wedding?"

"My presence there will not be necessary," said Thorvald, "and I doubt I will be missed by anyone."

Leif considered the matter, weighing his words so as not to hurt his brother.

"If you do not wish to attend this wedding," he finally said, "and I understand you if that is so, you can always arrange for a journey to Iceland. You don't have to go southwest. Vinland is attractive but dangerous - do not forget, we already witnessed enough to know the Skraelings are capable of anything."

"And yet you meant to return there," said Thorvald, "or is the danger of the Skraelings far more threatening when it is me we are talking of? Perhaps you think me incapable of leading the expedition?"

"Thorvald, do not be offended. You know you have less experience in both navigation and battle skills, that is all. These are simple facts, not something I boast of."

"But you have a wife now," said Thorvald, "and you are going to have a child. It means you must value your life far more. I, on the other hand..." he didn't go on, merely shrugged his shoulders bitterly.

"Listen, Thorvald," Leif began cautiously, "I know this probably won't be any consolation to you, but I truly think it would have been much better for Gudrid if she..."

"Please, let us not talk of this," his brother stopped him. "She made her choice, and I wish to her and my brother every imaginable happiness. And to you, Leif, I come with only one question - will you help me?"

There is no sense in arguing further, Leif thought to himself, although a sharp twinge of worry prickled his heart even then.

"You know I would do anything for you," he said. "Just promise me you will take Einar and Stein with you. They had already sailed with me before and know all the places. If I know they are with you, I can be comfortable."

Thorvald asked to see the maps, and Leif brought them - the guarded rolls of parchment containing knowledge that was more precious than gold - and unrolled them upon the table.

"See," he said, "a sailor does not have to know his letters, but on such a long journey to barely known lands, even if you are an able navigator and have a good memory, you must always have someone with you who can sketch maps. This way, the people who come after you will have a firmer basis upon which they can plan. And even one who cannot read letters, must at least acquaint himself with the maps before going on a journey. Here, these should be highly useful, especially if you have unexpected currents or a storm."

"I should not have any trouble if the west coast is within my sight at all times, should I?" asked Thorvald.

"I believe so, but you never know for sure. Look, you must sail south - past Helluland and Markland, and south to those is Vinland - and there are the Skraeling lands, across the bay. There you must not go on any account, those parts are far more densely populated than Vinland, and to feel safe there you would need far more men than you will have."

"Thank you, Leif. I will take care to have a copy of this map made."

And I will take care to check your gear and supplies at least twice or thrice before you are on your way, Leif thought to himself. He felt not at all comfortable with the thought that Thorvald is sailing without him, and this wasn't the vexation of an explorer who knows he will miss out on a famous adventure. He was truly concerned for his brother, and he didn't think this journey was a very good idea. Still, he understood he can do nothing to stop Thorvald, and therefore was determined to do, at least, all that is within his power to make sure his brother comes back safely.

Still, at that stage he did not yet completely give up the idea of preventing the expedition from setting out, and gave his reasons to his father.

"Thorvald has no knowledge of those parts, he is not good at navigation - not good enough, anyway - he was always a poet more than a man of action. Admit, Father, that it will make far more sense if he waits until a time when I can sail together with him."

Erik frowned. Thorvald, his middle son, the quiet one, the reserved, the serious, always got a lesser portion of attention which was divided chiefly between Leif - the elder, the clever, charming and promising one, and the young Thorstein, that reckless braggart and heartbreaker. The presence of Thorvald was prominent mostly at times when he had to take upon himself the task of making peace between his two brothers.

"I agree with you," said Erik, "but I cannot blame Thorvald for wishing to get as far as possible from Thorstein and Gudrid."

"He loves her more than Thorstein ever will," Leif claimed with bitter zeal.

"What are you saying!" his mother protested when Leif's words were passed on to her. "Leif, we all love Thorvald dearly, but Thorstein is my son as well - and he, too, will make a good husband to Gudrid, I am certain of that."

Leif even tried speaking to Thorstein, so that his youngest brother might convince Thorvald to stay for the wedding as a gesture of reconciliation - but the rivalry between the brothers, although it never came to a state of open feud, created an estrangement. Thorstein was indifferent to Thorvald's intended absence.

"It is not my fault," he claimed, "if he cannot stay here and face the fact that he lost and I won. It isn't my fault, either, that Gudrid is too lovely to give up just to spare my brother's feelings."

Leif's last hope was to consult with his friend Thorvard, and plant in his mind the idea of sailing together with his brother. But here some very material objections came up: Thorvard's father, Thorbjorn, was ill and needed his son, and furthermore, Thorvard had no wish of leaving Freydis so soon; he wanted even less to take her to Vinland with him, out of fear that her resentment towards the Skraelings will drive her out of her senses again.

And so, all that was left for Leif to do was make sure that Thorvald is well-supplied and accompanied by the best men upon his journey to Vinland. This didn't make him quite at ease, but he attemped to suppress his concern.