# Rune XXIX: The Isle of Refuge explained — The Kalevala > Chapter companion for The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot. ## What happens Lemminkainen, full of joy, sails to the Isle of Refuge to escape the warriors of Northland. He is welcomed by the island maidens, who offer him shelter and space to sing his magic songs. Using his wizardry, he enchants the island, creating trees, precious metals, and a well. He spends three summers there, delighting the maidens, but neglects one poor spinster. As he prepares to return home, the slighted maiden curses his vessel. A storm destroys his boat, but he swims to a magic castle where a hostess provides food and a new vessel. He sails home only to find his mother's cottage destroyed, and learns from an eagle and raven that his people perished due to his feud with Pohyola. ## Themes in this chapter ### Power of Song and Magic Lemminkainen uses his wizard-sayings to conjure trees, precious metals, a well, and food, demonstrating the transformative power of song. ### Revenge and Retribution The chapter is driven by Lemminkainen's flight from vengeance from Pohyola, and the slighted spinster's curse leads to the destruction of his vessel. ### Family and Kinship Lemminkainen's longing for his mother and the discovery of her death highlight the theme of family loss and the consequences of his actions. ## Character check-ins ### Lemminkainen The reckless hero flees to the Isle of Refuge, uses magic to enchant the island, spends three summers with the maidens, and returns home to find his mother's dwelling destroyed. ### Louhi Implied as the landlord of Pohyola whose warriors seek Lemminkainen's head for vengeance. ### Ahti Alternate name for Lemminkainen, used throughout the chapter as he sails, swims, and sings. ### Kyllikki Not directly present, but Lemminkainen's mother is mentioned as his 'helpful mother' and later mourned. ## Key lines > Blow, ye winds, and drive me onward, Blow ye steady, winds of heaven, Toward the island in the ocean, That my bark may fly in safety To my father's place of refuge, To the far and nameless island! Lemminkainen calls upon the winds to guide his boat safely to the distant, unnamed island of refuge. _This invocation sets the journey in motion and establishes the wind as a helper in his escape._ > Sang he alders to the waysides, Sang the oaks upon the mountains, On the oak-trees sang he branches, On each branch he sang an acorn, On the acorns, golden rollers, On each roller, sang a cuckoo; Then began the cuckoos, calling, Gold from every throat came streaming, Copper fell from every feather, And each wing emitted silver, Filled the isle with precious metals. Through his magic singing, Lemminkainen creates alders, oaks with acorns, and cuckoos that produce gold, copper, and silver, enriching the island. _This passage illustrates the theme of the power of song and magic to transform the natural world._ > Weep they for the loss of Ahti, For the fleeing Kaukomieli Guiding the departing vessel. Also weeps young Lemminkainen, Sorely weeps, and loud-lamenting, Weeps while he can see the island, While the island hill-tops glisten; Does not mourn the island-mountains, Weeps he only for the maidens, Left upon the Isle of Refuge. The island maidens weep as Lemminkainen leaves, and he weeps in return, not for the island itself but for the maidens he leaves behind. _This mutual lamentation underscores the emotional bonds formed during his stay._ > Where a mansion once had risen, There the alder-trees were growing, Shrubs were growing on the homestead, Junipers within the court-yard. Where his mother's home once stood, only wild shrubs and trees now grow, indicating its destruction. _This discovery marks the tragic consequence of his feud with Pohyola._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters/rune-xxix-the-isle-of-refuge - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kalevala_se/chapters