Bertie brings news

“Ma! Ma! Ma!” Bertie ran inside and jumped in circles around the room.

“Bertie, you hush! You’ll wake the baby!”

“Ma!” Bertie continued in an excited whisper. “Me and Da saw Egelric! The big Egelric! When we was walking home from the castle, we saw him on a big horse, and he waved to us! He’s home! He’s home! He’s home!” Bertie began to dance around the room again.

He was home! Gunnilda let out all of her breath in a gasp and forgot to draw it in again until her head began to spin. “Was he coming here?” she asked.

“He was going to the castle. But I bet he will come to see that Baby ‘fore long! And can I show him the new baby too? And I can I tell him its name?”

“Yes, yes, Bertie.” Gunnilda went to stand in the door and look down the road. She saw only the farmers making their way home for supper. “Was he alone?” she asked, trying to make her voice sound light.

“No, there was two men with him. Two Scotsmen! They looked real mean, and they all had big black horses with lots of fur! But I guess if they was with Egelric they must not be mean.”

“No women with him?”

“No – don’t think so! They was wearing skirts, but they had beards!” Bertie laughed. “I’m going to go tell Baby – where is she?”

“She and Wynn are over to Githa’s. You go bring ‘em home for supper, Bertie.”

“Can I tell Githa?”

“Yes, Bertie, but hurry back. I want to eat supper quick.”

Gunnilda leaned her head against the doorframe and sighed deeply. He was home – he was alive, he was home, and he would surely come to see her in just a short while. For now, that was enough.