The Sundering Flood · Chapter
XXX: Osberne Goes to the Trysting-Place explained
After the guests depart from Wethermel, Osberne hurries to the trysting-place at the Bight of the Cloven Knoll, torn between hope and fear.
What happens
After the guests depart from Wethermel, Osberne hurries to the trysting-place at the Bight of the Cloven Knoll, torn between hope and fear. He finds Elfhild waiting, and they share a deeply emotional reunion after 511 days apart. Elfhild recounts a troubling encounter with a mysterious stranger who stayed at her home, raising Osberne's fears for her safety. They exchange tales and reaffirm their love before parting, with plans to meet again soon.
Themes in this chapter
Separation and Longing
Osberne and Elfhild reunite after 511 days, their longing palpable in their emotional exchange and tears.
Love and Sacrifice
Their love is tested by distance and danger; Osberne fears for Elfhild's safety and wishes he could protect her.
Characters to notice
- Osberne Wulfgrimsson
Returns to the trysting-place after the guests depart, filled with hope and fear; he is gaily clad and eager to see Elfhild.
- Elfhild
Meets Osberne at the trysting-place after 511 days; she is clad in black and recounts a troubling visit from a stranger.
- The Carline
Mentioned as Elfhild's companion; she is wise and protective, but not present at the tryst.
- Dame Anna
Elfhild's guardian; she hosted the mysterious stranger and spoke with him about the Dale's customs.
Key passages
“But on the morrow ere the day was old, the guests departed in all contentment each to his own folk, and Osberne and the Wethermel men led them out with blessings.”
The next morning, the guests left happily, and Osberne and his men bid them farewell.
Sets the scene for Osberne's departure to the trysting-place.
“He tarried for nought save to take up the gifts of Eastcheaping, and he had no weapon with him save his bow and arrows wherewith to flit the said gifts across the water.”
He only paused to grab the gifts from Eastcheaping, carrying only his bow and arrows to shoot them across the river.
Highlights Osberne's haste and the method of exchanging gifts.
“But when he came to his place he lifted up his eyes, and there to his great joy saw her coming up the ness; and when she saw him she uttered a great cry and spread out her arms and reached out to him.”
When he reached the trysting-place, he looked up and joyfully saw Elfhild approaching; she cried out and stretched her arms toward him.
Captures the emotional reunion.
“It was the fourteenth of May was a year that we parted; now is this the eighth day of October. That makes five hundred and eleven days: not oftener than that have I come here to look for thee.”
We parted on May 14 last year, and today is October 8—511 days. I have come here no more often than that to look for you.
Elfhild counts the days of their separation, emphasizing her devotion.
“He spake as his face cleared: 'Nay, my dear, it was not all for thee, but for me also; and it was not all for grief, but for love.'”
He replied with a clearing face: 'No, my dear, I wept partly for myself and partly for love, not just grief.'
Osberne explains his tears as a mix of sorrow and love.
“She said: 'I wish I had not said that to make thee weep for me, my dear.'”
She said she regretted making him cry.
Elfhild shows concern for Osberne's feelings.
