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Updated: May 3, 2025
If she had, her utmost desire would have been that they should die together in some nuptial sleep, and lie still, folded under the snow. But Fate ordered it otherwise. The day came when they heard the knocking of oars, and then while they lay clasped, listening, a great voice hailing the ship. They looked at each other. "The dream is over," Thorstan said. "My love, the world is about us again."
She was sure it would die. And so it did died in its sleep while she was suckling it. She felt the cold upon its legs; and then it grew heavy. She looked down its eyelids were blue. But she did not move. Thorstan came down to see her. He knew at once. He went to her and covered her breast in the blanket. He said nothing, but was very gentle. "Oh, husband, speak to me! Our little baby "
Thorstan watched him attentively, while Gudrid stood in a spell; but presently Thorstan got up and fetched a stool for her to sit upon. She could not look at him to thank him. So the time passed in silence, broken only by the feverish whispering of the sick man. The thoughts of the man were deeply upon the woman, and the joy of her nearness made his heart beat.
It was said that you would have two husbands. Was it not so?" She could not tell him the truth; so she said, "Yes." Then Thorstan said in a voice which did not sound like his, "That is another reason why I must go." And then they looked at each other for a measurable space of time and then Thorstan got up and left her.
Fate stood with stretched-out arms holding a black curtain over what was to come. Thorstan had seen behind it. He knew. But Gudrid had forgotten, and he would not tell her. As for Gudrid herself, the glory was to have Thorstan find her so lovely, and her love so full, was enough for her. She lived on his needs.
"It may be as you say, that he is not lucky. Indeed, I know it too well. For it was told me before ever I saw or heard of him, that he would die before me." Thorstan was now strongly moved. He wrung his hands together. "I beg you to tell me just what was said about that." She coloured deeply. "No, I cannot tell you." But Thorstan said: "I know what it was.
The talk at the feast turned again to Wineland, and Leif Ericsson was eloquent about the sweetness of the air, the fertility of the soil, and the open winter weather which he had found there. Then Karlsefne asked Gudrid whether she would not like to go thither. She shook her head. "Not now. Thorstan and I were on our way when the fate turned against us, and he died. It has brought us no luck yet.
Thorstan Ericsson sat up in his bed; his eyes were so deep in his head that nothing showed of them but dark caves. His mouth was open, as if his jaw had dropped. But no sound came from him. Then Thorstan Black said: "My namesake, you called to Gudrid, and I have her here beside you. What do you desire of her?" The dead man spoke. "Gudrid, are you there?" "Yes, Thorstan," she said quaking.
Thorstan made his preparations carefully, and instructed Gudrid. As a wife who may be allowed a last word with her husband condemned to die, she took and gave her kisses. The time was too great for tears, the heart too faint for strong embraces. All she could do she did. She would obey him, she would not show herself; but she would be always at hand.
Gudrid once replied to that that none had asked her, whereupon the old man looked slyly about him, and then said: "There was one at least was thinking of you and so he is now." She knew that too well. Thorstan was consumed by love, and must always be with her if he could.
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