# XVII: The Wood-Sun Speaketh with Thiodolf explained — The House of the Wolfings

> Chapter companion for The House of the Wolfings by William Morris.

## What happens

After the battle, Thiodolf seeks solitude in a dale to rest and plan. He falls asleep and awakens to find the Wood-Sun, who confronts him with sorrow and love. She warns him of his mortality and the danger he courts, and they share a tender moment. Thiodolf swears oaths to fight for the Wolfings and to love her, then dons the dwarf-wrought hauberk and returns to the folk at dawn.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Prophecy

The Wood-Sun's warnings and Thiodolf's oaths highlight the tension between fate and free will, as he chooses to fight despite foreknowledge of danger.

### Sacrifice and Loss

Thiodolf's willingness to die for the Wolfings and the Wood-Sun's sorrow underscore the theme of sacrifice for the greater good.

### Honor and Heroism

Thiodolf's oaths to fight and die for the kindred, and the burial of Heriulf, emphasize the heroic code of honor and duty.

## Character check-ins

### Thiodolf

Thiodolf seeks solitude after the battle, falls asleep, and is confronted by the Wood-Sun. He swears oaths to fight for the Wolfings and to love her, then dons the hauberk and returns to the folk.

### Wood-Sun

The Wood-Sun appears to Thiodolf in the dale, expressing sorrow and love. She warns him of his mortality and urges him to live for the Wolfings, then shares a tender moment with him before departing.

### Heriulf

Heriulf is laid in a howe on the ridge-crest after the battle, honored by the Markmen.

### Solvi

Solvi is a man of the kindred whom Thiodolf trusts; he is left in charge while Thiodolf goes apart.

## Key lines

> Now the Markmen laid Heriulf in howe on the ridge-crest where he had fallen, and heaped a mighty howe over him that could be seen from far, and round about him they laid the other warriors of the kindreds.

The Markmen buried Heriulf in a large burial mound on the ridge where he died, and placed other fallen warriors around him.

_Describes the burial of Heriulf and the fallen warriors, emphasizing honor and ritual._

> I have dwelt a while with sorrow since we met, we twain, in the wood: I have mourned, while thou hast been merry, who deemest the war-play good.

I have been sorrowful since our last meeting in the wood, while you have been joyful, thinking war is good.

_The Wood-Sun expresses her grief and contrasts her sorrow with Thiodolf's joy in battle._

> Two things by these blue edges in the face of the dawning I swear; And first this warrior's ransom in the coming fight to bear, And evermore to love thee who hast given me second birth. And by the sword I swear it, and by the Holy Earth, To live for the House of the Wolfings, and at last to die for their need.

I swear by this sword at dawn to bear the warrior's ransom in the coming fight, to love you always, and to live and die for the Wolfings.

_Thiodolf swears oaths to fight, love the Wood-Sun, and sacrifice himself for his people._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters/xvii-the-wood-sun-speaketh-with-thiodolf
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_of_the_wolfings_se/chapters