The Sundering Flood · Chapter
XXII: Osberne Takes Leave of Elfhild explained
Osberne, clad in Hardcastle's armor and armed with Boardcleaver, prepares to leave Wethermel to rally the Dalesmen against the Baron of Deepdale.
What happens
Osberne, clad in Hardcastle's armor and armed with Boardcleaver, prepares to leave Wethermel to rally the Dalesmen against the Baron of Deepdale. He meets Elfhild at their trysting-place, where she grieves at his departure. He comforts her, explaining that he must seek his fortune and perhaps find her beyond the Sundering Flood. They part with great sorrow, and Osberne hears the horn summoning the Mote.
Themes in this chapter
Separation and Longing
The entire chapter is centered on the painful farewell between Osberne and Elfhild, their longing for each other, and the hope of reunion.
Heroism and Growth
Osberne steps into his role as a leader and warrior, donning armor and rallying the dalesmen, while also showing emotional maturity in comforting Elfhild and explaining his need to seek his fortune.
Love and Sacrifice
Osberne and Elfhild's love is tested by his departure; both sacrifice their immediate happiness for the hope of a future together.
Characters to notice
- Osberne Wulfgrimsson
Dons Hardcastle's byrny and basnet, girds Boardcleaver, and takes spear and shield; gives his bow and wonder-shafts to Stephen; bids farewell to Elfhild at the trysting-place, speaking of his need to seek fortune and find her beyond the Sundering Flood.
- Elfhild
Comes to the trysting-place in the fair weed Osberne gave her, wearing a garland of May blossom; grieves at Osberne's departure, but is comforted by his words; asks him to bring back 'thou thyself' as a fairing; weeps bitterly as they part.
- Stephen the Eater
Receives Osberne's bow and wonder-shafts to bear; rides with Osberne and the other men down the Dale.
- Hardcastle
His long byrny and gilded basnet are worn by Osberne, indicating Osberne has taken them after their encounter.
Key passages
“O if thou mightest but be here and thine arms about me! for now I see that some evil hath befallen, and that thou art arrayed to go away from me out of the Dale.”
Elfhild wishes Osberne were with her so she could embrace him, realizing he is dressed for war and about to leave the Dale.
Elfhild's immediate recognition of Osberne's warlike appearance and her sorrow at his departure.
“Must I not take chance-hap and war by the hand and follow where they lead, that I may learn the wideness of the world, and compass earth and sea till I have gone about the Sundering Flood and found thy little body somewhere in the said wide world?”
Osberne explains that he must embrace risk and conflict to explore the world and eventually find Elfhild beyond the Sundering Flood.
Osberne's justification for leaving: he must seek fortune and adventure to one day be reunited with Elfhild.
“Now this time when thou comest back to the Dale I will ask thee to bring me one thing more, and then I shall be satisfied. ... O my dear, and what should it be but thou thyself?”
Elfhild asks Osberne to bring back only himself when he returns, not any material gift.
Elfhild's poignant request that Osberne himself is the only fairing she desires.