# The Meeting of Osberne and Elfhild explained — The Sundering Flood

> Chapter companion for The Sundering Flood by William Morris.

## What happens

Osberne, recovering from a felonious attack, wanders into the woods and meets a carline who persuades him to visit her cottage. There he discovers Elfhild, his long-lost troth-plight maiden. Three men-at-arms, the same felons who had attacked him, arrive and threaten Elfhild, but Osberne slays them all. The chapter ends with Osberne and Elfhild reunited in each other's arms.

## Themes in this chapter

### Separation and Longing

Osberne and Elfhild have been separated for five years, each faithful and longing, culminating in their joyful reunion.

### Love and Sacrifice

Elfhild's unwavering constancy and Osberne's willingness to risk his life for her demonstrate the power of true love.

### Fate and Destiny

The carline's intervention and the seemingly chance meeting lead to the fated reunion of the troth-plight couple.

## Character check-ins

### Osberne Wulfgrimsson

Recovering from his wounds, he is wary but ultimately follows the carline to find Elfhild, and defends her against the felons.

### Elfhild

Living in the carline's cottage, she is reunited with Osberne after five years of faithful longing.

### The Carline

The wise woman who brings Osberne to Elfhild, performing a protective ritual before they enter.

### Roger

One of the three felons who attacked Osberne; he kicks Osberne and is later slain.

### Simon

Another felon who tries to pull off Osberne's hood; he is killed by Boardcleaver.

### The Red Lad

The name by which the felons recognize Osberne in terror before their deaths.

## Key lines

> If thou dost not come with me now, thou shalt rue it only once, to wit, all thy life long.

If you don't come with me now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

_The carline's persuasive warning to Osberne._

> O my sweet, where now is the Sundering Flood?

My love, what has become of the river that separated us?

_Osberne's exclamation upon embracing Elfhild, symbolizing the end of their separation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/lii-the-meeting-of-osberne-and-elfhild
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sundering_flood_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters