answered me first. “We are from a Gutthiuda village further up the Wisla. We will travel up the river next week to see them.
Bertram spoke next, “Ermentrude, we heard about your admirable qualities from Adalwulf. Your beauty is far beyond his descriptions of you. When we first saw you, we felt we must become better acquainted.”
My jaw dropped a little. “I am flattered, but I am merely a young girl of fifteen years. What do you want to know about me?”
“We only want to know you better, Ermentrude. What interests you? What are your passions? ” Bertram said, straining his voice over the noise of the family talking.
“I suppose we will have time to become acquainted, soon enough, lovely Ermentrude,” Arnold chimed in. “Let’s visit tomorrow when less family is about.”
Adalwulf seemed surprised at the attention I was receiving from his companions. He wanted me to have a proper suitor, and either of these men would be acceptable to both our father and himself. Adalwulf also knew that I was a free spirit and had no interest in any man, even though I was of age for betrothal.
I was more inclined to wander the land, on horseback, across the Wisla’s lowlands and through the forests of the Carpathian Mountains, than to settle down with a husband. I still had dreams of battling the enemy. I was not willing to stay at home anymore. I was trained with weapons just as Adalwulf was trained at a young age. I could defend myself. All women knew these skills, just as they knew how to sew and cook. I was quite young when I had held my first sword and shield.
My family talked and sang many songs of our ancestors’ brave deeds that night. We listened to stories, that a few of my younger cousins had never heard told before. Their faces flushed with excitement, and their eyes opened wide hearing stories about slaying an enemy. The next day, they would be eager to spar with their weapons.
Arnold and Bertram were shown to a corner bed, to share that night after the festivities. I attempted to sleep in bed with Ava, but I could only think of tomorrow.
Early, as the darkness crept away, I awoke to the sound of voices shouting outside. I listened; I thought I heard a hearty laugh. I noticed sounds of thumping wood and clashing weapons or tools, followed by more shouts and laughter. Being curious, I got out of bed, with my hair a mess, and stepped outside, with a woolen blanket wrapped around me. It was midsummer; it was chilly with a damp fog. Leaving the shelter of the house, I saw that it was beginning to grow light outside. I squinted to see what had caused all the noise. I could only see two pale figures over by the latrine, running around with something in their hands. Perhaps they were playing some strange tactical game with a hammer, sword, or ax? They each continued to utter beastly laughs, moving together, then apart, chasing each other.
Soon, the whole family stood outside, wondering what had disrupted everyone’s sleep. Ava was a bit frightened by the noise and clung to my blanket. Att-a walked toward the two unknown figures, with a sword in his hand, thinking they were intruders. His demeanor changed, when he recognized the two figures, as Arnold and Uncle Vaclav.
“Are you both trying to chase the skoh-sl (evil spirits) away, or awaken them?” Father shouted. They continued their antics, despite a short pause in their attacks on each other. “You both should be ashamed, acting as two wild men waking everyone!”
“We must determine the winner of this challenge, since Vaclav and I are eager to play pranks on each other!” Arnold exclaimed, almost breathless.
“Ja! Arnold thought I was a wild heathen, when he came outside to use the latrine. I leaped off the roof with my ax. He swung a club at me. You should have seen his eyes, when I jumped before him in the dark! I laughed so hard, I . . .” Uncle Vaclav said, as Adalwulf interrupted him.
“You men are so amusing, with only blankets draped around your waists, looking as though you are having the best time,” Adalwulf said. “Arnold, I see you left the house heavily armed.”
“That’s right, my friend! I dislike being attacked by a wild animal with my trousers down in the middle of this darkness and fog. When I saw it was Vaclav, I was determined to scare him in return!”
“Well, don’t go anywhere without your weapons, even in midday. Many dangers await you. You have not bathed in days, so your scent is ripe for predators, my good comrade,” Adalwulf added. Everyone laughed at that comment and returned to the house. Arnold and Uncle Vaclav shook hands and slapped each other on the back.
“Oh, to know Uncle Vaclav is to love him for his pranks,” I said to Ava with a cheery smile upon my face. “I remember when I was younger, Uncle came to our house, and hid behind my bed in the dark, scratching at the wood very quietly, as a small beast; ready to pounce upon me in the middle of the night. I yelled and cried for Att-a to find the beast. When Att-a found Uncle Vaclav there, he swept him out of his hiding place and let me hit him with the broom, all the way to the doorway, as Uncle yelped like a little dog. He is scary, but amusing.”
“I hope Uncle Vaclav never frightens me that way!” Ava noted. “I would tickle him, until he begged for me to stop.”
I hugged her and went into the house to help prepare a breakfast of sausages, bread with butter, and sticky porridge. We had to help with the laundry and feed the animals after breakfast.
At midday, when things had quieted, it seemed the men had nothing to do, except rest and talk amongst themselves; the women tidied up their houses and hung up the clothes to dry in the cool, midsummer breeze. It was Friday, so I was ready for an afternoon of leisure before cooking began again for the festival of the summer solstice. I reclined, with my eyes closed, on a pile of straw near the stalls, where we kept our pigs, cows, sheep, goats, and horses. I loved the smell of the animals nearby. Their familiar bellowing and neighing felt comforting.
“Ah! There you are, Ermentrude. We decided to keep you company,” Adalwulf announced. Arnold and Bertram were beside him. I sat up, startled.
“Oh! You came in suddenly—I wasn’t expecting you. What do you need, Adalwulf and friends?” I asked.
“We were looking for you, so we could talk,” Adalwulf said.
“You mean you want to torture me with endless questions!” I pouted.
“Ne, we just want to get to know you better, Ermentrude,” Bertram explained, “You said you wouldn’t mind.”
“Fine, what do you want to know, that isn’t your business?” I retorted, feeling bothered at the moment .
“For instance, you are fifteen. Have you ever thought of marrying someday?” Arnold inquired.
“Ne, not really. I have thought about marching off to battle with my sword, and perhaps marrying my horse!” I replied with my usual humor. “My wish is to wander about and see all of Middle Earth.”
“Well, you can do all that, er, except marry a a horse, of course!” Adalwulf declared. “You must seriously begin to think of marrying someone, Ermentrude. Our parents cannot afford to feed and clothe you forever.”
“Well, it seems they don’t mind feeding you; you eat more than me! Why haven’t you married, Adalwulf?” I answered, with a smirk.
“If you must know, I have plans to marry next spring . . . to Amalia,” he replied.
“Oh, I didn’t know, Adalwulf. That’s good news! Congratulations on your decision. Have you told Amalia, yet?” I asked.
