OOM: In Gotland with Bodhi and Galen

[ostro_goth]

 It is the very height of summer now, so the fields are turning golden, the young animals in the meadows are nicely grown and running around when they are not stuffing their faces with the abundant grass, and the people are busy in the gardens and in the workshops and among the granaries.

One of the children points up at the procession coming down the barrow-hill, and then everybody is running up to meet them.

Comments

[imthepilot]

Bodhi chuckles and ruffles their hair. "Well, someone will have to help me unload."

[ostro_goth]

There are so many calls of "Me! Me! Me!" that Bramble looks a little disapproving.

[imthepilot]

"Gently now. We don't want to frighten the horse." He looks to Galen for help to unpack his equipment before the children swarm.

Turning back to the children. "How about you clear a place to put it all down and I'll start opening everything up?"

[ostro_goth]

"Let's bring out the tables, and don't forget your chores!"

That's Gotho, coming out of the house with a few folding chairs already.

[imthepilot]

He smiles to Gotho. "I think maybe I got carried away with the treats and distracted them."

[ostro_goth]

"All about your business," Gotho orders the younger kids. "Bodhi will be here when you are done. Witichis, Alaric, you bring the trestle tables. Hilde, start laying the table and don't forget the good goblets we brought from Birka. Wachis, please go for more chairs. Thanks -- chop-chop!"

Everybody obeys like a well-trained army. Gotho, the only one without orders, keeps helping Bodhi to unload.

[imthepilot]

She reminds him very much of his grandmother - her practicality and directness. He smiles as he passes her packages and boxes, all especially sealed to keep them at just the right temperature. Some trick of the bar's.

[ostro_goth]

Wachis and Liuta are bringing chairs while the two oldest boys are setting up trestle tables fast enough for Gotho and Bodhi to put the food on.

In the meanwhile, Teja and Adalgoth are poring over the sickles. With a bunch of grass, Teja demonstrates how kama are used slightly differently.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi looks up between loads to look for Galen, wanting to make sure he's alright.

[galen_erso]

Galen is standing by the corner of the house, the tiniest boy Totila on his arm, trying to keep the two of them just out of the commotion.

He winks at Bodhi when he notices him looking.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi's answering smile could light up a room. There's something so perfect about seeing Galen with children. Something heartbreaking too.

[galen_erso]

"Pie!" the tiny boy declares, pointing. "Bodhi pie!"

"Yes, Bodhi brought pie and other food, and Teja brought sickles, and I am going to have a look at your garden later, to see if I can help with watering them," Galen says, earnestly, to the child.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi smiles and finishes unpacking, handing a box of honey candies off to Gotho to hide for later. They'll keep for a good long time and Bodhi made a large batch.

[ostro_goth]

Gotho takes them inside, and comes out again with jugs of wine and light cider.

"Come sit, once you are done with your chores," she calls out. "Adalgoth, Lord Teja, those sickles will keep for later. Galen, it is safe now."

Wachis finishes unfolding the last chairs, and the children are pouring in from where they were doing their chores around the house and garden.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi looks to make sure Kyber's safe and being looked after. He's become a fussily protective cat father. He greets Galen with a smile, hand brushing Galen's as he offers him a seat. "Gotha is the commander of this rather wild mob." He smiles fondly.

[galen_erso]

Kyber and Nahts had been greeted by their mother and remaining siblings -- only two now, the others had gone to new homes -- and are now sitting beside a flat bowl of milk, happy and content. They quite apparently remember the place.

"So I gathered, and she does it well," Galen says, sitting beside Bodhi.

[imthepilot]

"I shouldn't worry. This was his home, after all." Bodhi muses, resting his head against Galen's shoulder.

[galen_erso]

Galen puts his arm around him, about to speak, but then Adalgoth dings at his goblet, and all the kids fall silent.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi raises his head, falling silent for Adalgoth.

[ostro_goth]

Adalgoth keeps it short. "We are all happy to see you and glad to know you," he says. "Thank you for the food and the sickles, and I hope you enjoy the evening and the song later. Hails!"

He raises his goblet and drinks to his guests.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi takes a sip, smiling warmly before rising to return the favour. "Thank you for your hospitality and your welcome. I hope you enjoy the food." He flashes Galen a smile and offers his own toast. "Clear skies."

[galen_erso]

"Clear skies!" Galen says as well, and raises his own goblet to drink.

Everybody drinks, and then they start dishing up and digging in.

"Try the pink sauce!" Hilde soon squeals, enthusiastic, after her first spoon-full.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi's swiftly caught up in explaining what all the different dishes are, what they're made of, and talking about the garden he and Galen are growing.

He seems happy and vital and comfortable. So much so he doesn't even notice that his hand rarely leaves Galen's for more than a moment.

[galen_erso]

Galen chimes in to explain about the irrigation system, and what he could do for the Gotlanders' own vegetable plot. Nobody minds what they are doing with their other hands.

[imthepilot]

It's not long before the kids have eaten their fill and are tugging at Bodhi's hair. The girls have decided it needs doing up again.

"Yours too!" One of the girls chimes in, playing with Galen's locks.