Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 81

“I do not know if he still lives in that cave or if he is even alive, but I can tell you where it is. I have never shared this with anyone but Jessica, after her mother passed.” “Do you know his name,” Lumi asked? “Bréagán.” Raðulfr stood and walked toward the room where the meals were prepared. “May I offer you something to drink?” He asked as he walked away. “I'm afraid my selection is limited this time of year. Most of the fruit is gone but I may have a jar of cloudberry wine left.” Jessica followed him with concerned eyes. “Since your mother left us, his mind seems to have become more and more absent. I fear for him.” Joulupukki put his arm around her. “He seems so happy to see you. I haven't seen him smile so much since you left. Thank you for coming with me.” “You never answered the question that Lumi asked you.” Joulupukki knew her answer. “No, I didn't.” She looked deeply into his eyes, then snuggled as tightly into is embrace as she could. "Please, just hold me for now.” Raðulfr returned with an earthen jug and four goblets made from goat horns. A bundled piece of cloth dangled from the waist of his britches. Lumi stood and relieved him of the wine and goblets. “I'm sorry it's so sparse,” Raðulfr apologized. “It has been a cold growing season and the crops have yielded little to preserve.” He removed the satchel from his waist and spread it on the table before them. Several small pieces of dried meat, a handful of dried berries and a small piece of cheese was presented as a feast before them. “Please, help yourselves.” He grabbed the wine and a cup and poured some for himself. Joulupukki retrieved a few dried berries and a small portion of the cheese, before pouring a cup for he and Jessica, and as an after thought poured another and handed it to Lumi. Lumi looked at him not wanting to take from them the obviously needed food. Joulupukki gestured for him to take some, and he reluctantly picked up a few berries and ate them slowly. “Raðulfr, thank you so much for your generosity. This is wonderful.” The old man's face beamed at the kind words. “Although you have never asked for it, Joulupukki. Something has bothered me for some time,” he pointed out. “I know that you care deeply for my daughter. I am very glad to see you haven't forgotten her. Please, accept my blessing as an offer for her hand in joining. Take her away from this place.” Jessica began to protest, but he quieted her and continued. “I once hoped that you would someday take over my store. I'm afraid there is no longer a store to take over,” he chuckled sarcastically. “With this bad failure of our crops I'm afraid that our small hamlet has lost nearly half of its families. It was difficult to see them leave but impossible to blame them. I am getting old, Joulupukki, and I know Jessica will wish to watch over me in my senility, but I can't bare the thought of her giving up her life to take care of me. I have lived a good life, I was blessed with a beautiful wife, dare I say, as beautiful as her daughter, and a sweet and gentle child, both of whom I love with all of my heart. Then there was your mother, a wonderful woman if ever there was one, if things had been different..., well, who knows. I have no wedding price to give to you; however, I will, with witnesses, turn my mercantile over to you. I know it is not much and I would gladly have given it to you anyway, but perhaps you can find someone who will offer you something of value for it.” Joulupukki took Raðulfr's hand and shook it. “Thank you,” he said. “You need not worry about Jessica, Raðulfr, regardless of whether she chooses me, as I hope she will, or someone better than I, I promise you she will never need worry for her future.” Lumi excused himself feigning need for some water. “Your wine is tasty, Sir, but I think it may be playing with my head.” “There is a jug of water on the table young elf. Please, help yourself.” As Lumi glanced around the room, at the very limited stores of food, he felt an urge to help this kind old man and with the wave of his hand the larders were over flowing, meat and cheeses and dried fruits of almost every kind. Enough to feed the entire village through the remainder of the winter if need be. It is not possible for even a powerful elf to create food from nothing, but if there is a crust of bread or the skin of a dried fruit or even the smallest bit of cheese left in a mouse trap, it can be multiplied to great effect, and create the most exceptional of feasts. He did not wish to offend the human by offering to him unwanted assistance, but, from what he had observed, both he and Jessica had been starving themselves for weeks trying to make there rations last. Now they had plenty even if she decided to stay with him. He heard Joulupukki's voice as he passed back through the skins that served to separate the two rooms of their longhouse.