Taking Demeter and Carlotta to Gotland

[ostro_goth]

Teja is sitting by the door, turning the snake bracelet in his hands.

He is waiting for his friends to to turn up, so they may go visit his people together.

Comments

[fiery_ring]

"They could make jam, or pottery, or weave?" Carlotta suggests.

[ostro_goth]

"They will do all that, in the course of time," Adalgoth laughs. "That goes without saying. They will probably make music too, or tell stories to children when they are older, and brew ale."

[wheatencrown]

"We'll help them find many ways to thrive."

[fiery_ring]

"I've never known my mum." Carlotta admits. "So I've not spent that much time seeing what they do all day."

[ostro_goth]

"Just watch the women by the fire," Teja says. "That is what they do: - make food and clothes, provide drink and warmth and a home to come back to, bear and raise children, marry them off, and then tell stories to their grandchildren, if they are lucky."

[wheatencrown]

"They cherish and love them and in return are loved and see their children become their own people."

[fiery_ring]

"But in my time, many women want to go out to work, especially with the war." Carlotta says.

[ostro_goth]

"In wars, things are different," Adalgoth says. "In wars, women must take over while the men fight. But rarely does a woman turn shield-maiden and go forth with the men, as Haralda did, who came with her brother to rescue us after the battle of Mount Vesuvius, or as little Hilde is hoping to do, at least now, when she grows up."

[wheatencrown]

"Its hard to find a balance and everyone finds their own way. One of the hardest parts of being a parent is learning to let your children find their own way."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods. Her father doesn't know what she's doing in the war, but she suspects he wouldn't approve.

She looks at little Myrtia, wondering what she will become.

[ostro_goth]

Myrtia grabs Carlotta's hair with her chubby little hand and giggles, delighted.

"She will become lovely," Teja decrees.

He has a special fondness for that little girl, for no other reason than that she was named after his own long-lost lady-love.

[wheatencrown]

"Oh yes, the children here will flourish,"

There's a promise in what she says for this family is hers.

[fiery_ring]

"And hopefully not flourish a sword. War is not a thing I would want to wish on a child."

[ostro_goth]

"Thank you," Adalgoth says, knowing full well what that promise means. This is what is most important to him, after all.

"Swords bring honour," he says. "All the boys will use one, and Hilde might not be kept away no matter how much we try."

[wheatencrown]

"To know how to keep safe is important, but not everyone is meant to be a warrior. We all have our own paths,"

Demeter moves closer to Carlotta and kisses the top of her head, she worries so much about her.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta hugs Demeter with her baby free hand. She has to admit she worries a bit about herself at the moment!

Not that she would admit it, but she feels she's in a bit deeper than she's comfortable with.

[ostro_goth]

That is when Gotho turns to them, from the fire.

"Pancakes are ready!" she declares cheerfully.

[wheatencrown]

"Wonderful. Where would you like the twins while we eat?"

[fiery_ring]

"Pancakes, lovely!" Carlotta says, also looking for somewhere to put a twin.

[ostro_goth]

"Put them on the bench, and Rauthgundis shall sit beside them and mind them if they try to crawl away," Gotho decrees. "Now, please put up the tables and chairs so we may sit all together."

There are big plates stacked with pancakes by the fire.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter nods and takes Valeria over to Raughgundis before helping to set up the tables.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta puts Myrtia down very carefully, in case she should fall off.

[ostro_goth]

Rauthgundis proudly sits beside the twins and watches everybody else be busy, set up the table and chairs, lay the table, bring food and drink.

She's important -- she is minding the babies.

The babies are half-sitting against her, watching with absolutely riveted fascination. Little Myrtia squeals with fascination when Hilde brings the old golden goblet. Ooooh shiny!!

[wheatencrown]

Its a wonderful scene and the pancakes smell delicious, Demeter meets Teja's gaze to share a beaming smile.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta helps as she can, and waits to see what the protocol is for saying grace.

It's nice to be within a family, though it makes her pine for England a little.