XIX: The Winter Passes and Elfhild Tells of the Death of Her Kinswoman explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Separation and Longing

  Osberne and Elfhild's trysts are hindered by winter and household duties; Osberne longs to cross the river and embrace Elfhild, while she shares a prophecy of future union.

• Community and Kinship

  The goodman improves Wethermel's household and hires new folk, reflecting the importance of communal bonds and kinship in the Dale.

• Fate and Destiny

  The carline's prophecy that Osberne and Elfhild will meet body to body and that Elfhild will become a Queen suggests a destined future.

Characters to notice

• Osberne Wulfgrimsson

  Attends the midwinter Cloven Mote, is paired with Gertrude, but longs for Elfhild. He expresses a deepening desire to cross the river and embrace her.

• Elfhild

  Reports the death of a less kind kinswoman and the arrival of a carline who teaches her lore. She grows fairer and sleeker, and shares the carline's prophecy about their future meeting.

• Goodman

  Heeds Osberne and Stephen's advice, improves household management, hires six folk, and rides down the Dale to acquire them.

• Stephen the Eater

  Advises the goodman to live less niggardly and helps improve conditions at Wethermel.

• Master Nicholas

  Rides back with hired folk and begins keeping good house at Wethermel.

• The Carline

  An old woman taken into Elfhild's house, teaches her lore and ancient tales, supports her secret friendship with Osberne, and prophesies their future meeting.

Key passages

• “So the goodman heeded their words and let himself be talked over, and while winter was yet young and before there was any snow to hinder, he rode with Osberne down the Dale, and looked into many of the steads, and amongst others, where dwelt the damsel who had been paired with Osberne on the day of the midwinter Cloven Mote.”

  The goodman took their advice and, while winter was still mild and snowless, rode with Osberne down the valley to visit several farms, including the home of the girl who had been paired with Osberne at the midwinter gathering.

  The goodman improves household management and visits Gertrude's stead.

• “And he thought her fair and sweet, and she received him joyfully and kissed him; but he was scarce so ready for that as he was aforetime, for he deemed she kissed him as a child and not a man.”

  He found her attractive and kind, and she greeted him happily with a kiss, but he was less eager than before, feeling she treated him like a child rather than a man.

  Osberne's growing maturity and emotional distance from Gertrude.

• “Three days afterward he kept tryst with Elfhild, and asked her if she had been at the Mote, and she told him No; that her aunts went every time but always left her behind.”

  Three days later, he met Elfhild as arranged and asked if she had attended the gathering; she said no, explaining that her aunts always went without her.

  Elfhild's exclusion from the Mote and her aunts' control.

• “And this, belike was the beginning to him of the longing of a young man, which afterwards was so sore on him, to be with his friend and embrace her and caress her.”

  This was likely the start of his intense youthful desire to be with his friend, to hold and touch her, a longing that would later become overwhelming.

  Osberne's emerging romantic and physical desire for Elfhild.

• “Said she: 'And it was the one who was least kind to me, and made most occasion for chastising me. Well, she is gone; and often she was kind to me, and before I saw thee I loved her somewhat. But now things will go better, because the other aunt, who was kinder than the dead one, hath taken into the house that old woman whereof I told thee, who hath taught me lore and many ancient tales; and though she be old and wrinkled, she is kind and loves me: and she is on our side, and I have told her about thee.'”

  Elfhild said: 'It was the aunt who was least kind to me and punished me most. She is dead now; I did love her a little before I met you. But things will improve, because my kinder aunt has brought in the old woman I mentioned, who teaches me wisdom and stories. Though old and wrinkled, she is kind and loves me, and she supports us—I've told her about you.'

  Elfhild's relief at the death of a harsh kinswoman and the arrival of a supportive carline.

• “But hearken, Osberne; the carline sayeth that all this thou shalt do to me, and that we shall meet body to body one day. Dost thou trow in this?' 'Nay, how can I tell,' said he somewhat surlily, 'when thou hast told me so little of the tale?'”

  'But listen, Osberne; the carline says you will do all this to me, and that we will one day meet physically. Do you believe it?' 'How can I know,' he replied somewhat grumpily, 'when you've told me so little of the story?'

  Elfhild shares the carline's prophecy of their future union, but Osberne is frustrated by the lack of details.