The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
XXII: Birdalone Wendeth the Wildwood in Fellowship with Habundia explained
Birdalone and Habundia journey through the wildwood together.
What happens
Birdalone and Habundia journey through the wildwood together. Habundia questions Birdalone about the sapphire ring given by Arthur, and Birdalone reveals it was originally given to another woman. Habundia hints they are hunting a mysterious quarry, neither wholly man nor beast, which makes Birdalone anxious. They rest by a stream, and Habundia encourages Birdalone to speak of Arthur.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone and Habundia journey freely through the wildwood, with Birdalone asserting her own feelings and choices regarding the ring and the hunt.
Love and Desire
Birdalone's attachment to Arthur is central; the ring symbolizes lost love and complicated emotions.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Travels with Habundia, reveals the ring's history, and expresses anxiety about the hunt.
- Habundia
Leads the journey, questions Birdalone about the ring, and teases about the mysterious quarry.
- Arthur the Black Squire
Mentioned as the giver of the sapphire ring; Birdalone speaks of him fondly.
Key passages
“Birdalone, my child, fair is the gold ring with the sapphire stone that the third finger of thy right hand beareth; seldom have I seen so fair a stone as that deep blue one; hangeth any tale thereby?”
Habundia asks Birdalone about the beautiful sapphire ring on her finger, wondering if it has a story.
Habundia initiates the conversation about the ring.
“I have now bethought me to ask thee whither we be going and on what errand; for at first I was so glad at heart, I know not why, and it was so merry to be wending the wood with thee freely, that I had no thought in me as to whither and wherefore.”
Birdalone realizes she doesn't know their destination and asks Habundia where they are going.
Birdalone's curiosity grows as the journey continues.
“How if I were to tell thee we were going a-hunting?”
Habundia suggests they are on a hunting trip.
Habundia teases Birdalone about their purpose.
“Yet art thou a fell archer; and thou mayest shoot from an ambush of the thick leaves, since June is in today.”
Habundia reminds Birdalone she is a skilled archer and could shoot from hiding.
Habundia encourages Birdalone to use her archery skills.
“For this is a strange beast which I have marked down; he is not ill to look on, and his voice, which we may well hearken, for whiles he singeth, is rather sweet than surly.”
Habundia describes the quarry as a strange but appealing creature with a sweet voice.
Habundia hints at the nature of their target.