Chapter 1: The Blessing Arrives

A huge crowd of onlookers gathered to welcome The Blessing to Kippernium. People craned their necks, anticipating its arrival, and the arrival of its owner, the good Sir Ingwar Ankarcrona. Somewhere in the front lines of the crowd, a voice broke out.

"She is here! I can see her!"

Noise broke out in the crowd as the people pushed each other about to catch a glimpse of the mast that had just appeared at the horizon. A ship had appeared in the distance, its huge white sails billowing gracefully.

Soon enough, The Blessing was moored and the gangplank was lowered. Workers stationed themselves to throw and catch the goods that would be sold in the village markets. Captain Ingwar himself appeared and the noise and cheering exploded all over the docks.

Among the noise and excitement, a woman edged her way down the plank and stepped onto the ground. She walked away from the crowd and kept on going until she found a quiet place. She stood and gazed at the blue sea beyond the Kippernium coastline and remembered the last time she had done exactly the same. Hulda Ankarcrona, whom we shall call Gwendoline, disliked noise and excitement, and most of all, she disliked the creeping sensation that this was déjà vu.

Gwendoline gulped and turned around. The wind blew her fair hair and long skirts. She stepped delicately over a broken box of kippers and started back towards the hustle and bustle surrounding The Blessing, to where her father would be now, instructing the workers while at the same time chatting with old acquaintances.

Gwendoline quietly approached her father, who was hollering away at the workers.

"Father," she said softly. Her eyes widened and she ducked just in time, missing a big crate that had just been tossed over her head.

"Gwendoline, m'dear," said her father kindly. "I think that you should go ahead to our reservations. Everything is quite excited around here…" they both ducked as some more goods were passed. "You know what I mean."

"Alright Father, I shall see you soon. " Gwendoline kissed her father's cheek. "You have my blessing."

"Good-bye darling." Captain Ingwar called fondly after the retreating graceful figure.

Gwendoline walked down the quiet village streets. Everyone must be at the dock, she thought. She was much absorbed with her own musings and walked in a straight line, not minding her surroundings much. Gwendoline scarcely bothered to survey the world around her unless she was somewhere deep in nature. She could sit for hours at a time in the cool green forests surrounding her home, but could hardly last a few hours in the hustle and bustle of a village at its busiest hour.

Gwendoline walked slowly. She knew where she was going. Her father always rented a large cottage from a man named Gum. It was situated at the end of Kipper Street at a strategic distance from the shops and markets. It was not far now and the houses Gwendoline was passing showed the prosperity and taste of their owners—not that Gwendoline bothered to look.

A sudden noise somewhere made Gwendoline jump slightly. She turned slowly in a circle, taking in her surroundings. A sudden thought of some sort came to her mind and her eyes widened, her mouth became a grim slash. She turned and began to hurry away.

But wait! She stopped, a slight smile returning to her face. Everyone is gone to the dock!

Possessed by this new sense of freedom, Gwendoline sped on, her hands thrown to either side, her skirts fluttering. She stopped at a house where she saw a small child. He was holding a box and raised his eyebrows slightly as she came flying.

"A sweet precious thing you are, are you not?" Gwendoline said softly, as if she was explaining something to him. She kneeled down and hugged him. The little child yelped.

"KIDNAPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A thin old lady came bustling out the door, drying her hands on her checkered and floured apron.

"Now, now, you…" she stopped when she saw the young lady.

Gwendoline hugged the child closer, despite all his protest. "I do love all children, my lady."

"Ah," the old lady chuckled. "I can see that." She walked over to the two of them. "Now young man, stop your hollering. This good lady here is a good lady."

Gwendoline laughed softly and patted the little boy's cheek. She pulled a sweet out from a pocket and gave it to him. Then, she rose slowly and bowed her head. "I must be going now. He is a sweet thing. You have my blessing."

The old lady chuckled again. "Sweet! Bah, you should see the mischievous little thing! His father tries to discipline him…"

"And what of his mother," Gwendoline asked smiling.

"Oh, I am not his mother, bless you. Just a housekeeper," saying this, the old lady took the boy's hand. "Now let us be off. It is time you were bathed. Your father will be home soon for lunch."

Gwendoline watched them walk off, smiling to herself. "That is not what I meant," she whispered and laughed softly. Then she sighed. She turned and ran to her father's cottage.

"We're going to have a good trade this time, I assure you, I can feel it in me bones. Remember Magnus? Always had good trades with him around," Captain Ingwar chuckled reminiscently.

"You always say that, and you always have good trades, Father," Gwendoline said lightly.

"True," Captain Ingwar said, without any regard to modesty. "Now then," he said rising. "These good bones could use some rest. We'll be having some company, pet, Magnus wants to come over and have an old chat." He looked at Gwendoline questioningly.

"You have my blessing, Father," Gwendoline replied, bowing her head. "I shall help Marianna prepare. Is there anything in particular that you would like…?"

Captain Ingwar cocked his head. "Ah you know girl! Yes I would want some lobster soup, and better you make it and not Marianna, she can do all the rest mind. I don't want you to spoil your hands." And he left.

Gwendoline shook her head sadly. She went to the kitchens and got started on the meal. Poor Marianna could not do everything, but even she would not admit it. So, like the elves that helped the cobbler mend his shoes, Gwendoline quietly started this and that and made sure that things would be easy for Marianna when she got back from visiting her family.

Marianna, the Ingwar' maid, was from Kippernium. She had come to Gwendoline's house when both girls were young; Marianna had been just ten, and Gwendoline, nine. They had become close as they grew up together, but Marianna always sorely missed her old home. So, every time Captain Ingwar got his ship ready to sail to Kippernium, Marianna got her bags packed. Gwendoline, who loved her homeland as much as Marianna loved hers, seldom went with them. She had gone once as a small girl back when her mother was alive, and once again after when she had grown. This was her third visit.

Gwendoline was stirring the broth for her soup when Marianna entered the kitchens. The black-haired lady removed her hat and placed it with her bag on a chair.

"Oh Gwendoline," her face glowed with excitement. "Ma and Pa are fine, knowing that you always ask, and my sister Thelma has a new baby girl! Is that not exciting? Guess what she named her!"

Gwendoline smiled and said softly. "It is exciting news, gentle heart. Whatever did she name the child?"

"Marianna!" Marianna squealed with delight. She burst into laughter.

Gwendoline turned to the door and then back to her friend. "Now do hush Marianna. Father has decided to meet with someone his first night and wants a grand meal prepared. Now I have started on the soup…"

Marianna stopped and gave her an admonishing look.

"Father requested that I make it, sweet soul," Gwendoline explained kindly.

Marianna looked doubtful and walked up to the counter. "Whoever chopped up these carrots? I was planning to do that myself right when I got back."

Gwendoline pretended to look innocent, then turned back to her boiling broth.

A little before dinnertime, Marianna and Gwendoline set the table and arranged the parlor.

"We should need some flowers," Marianna said anxiously, poking and prodding everything to make sure it was okay.

"Calm down, Marianna," Gwendoline said, in a commanding but gentle voice. "I shall get the flowers and you run along to Thelma's. You will not be needed, and I shall save you some dinner."

Marianna smiled gratefully, there was nothing more that she wanted and it showed on her face. Without hesitation, because there was nothing else left to be done anyway—she had checked everything—Marianna gave Gwendoline a warm hug and skipped away.

Gwendoline strolled into the garden behind the cottage. She could see the sea a short distance away, and the great ships floating gracefully along. She really ought to have hurried, as the company was going to arrive shortly, but Gwendoline walked along slowly and heedlessly. She bent and picked a flower, held it up to her nose and took a deep breath. She looked down at the speckled red and pale blue petals of the blossom. Perfect, she thought with a smile. She picked a basket and took it to the parlor.

Captain Ingwar was seated at the table watching Gwendoline as she artfully twisted the last of her flowers around the arm of an empty chair. She looked up and smiled softly at her work. The flowers were placed tactfully everywhere. There was a bowl in the parlor adjacent on the table, vases full of the delicate blooms, the table was scattered with them, and even the chairs were decorated by their simple and graceful beauty.

"Sure smells nice in here," Captain Ingwar commented. "Good job."

"Thank you Father," Gwendoline said, bowing her head. "I appreciate your admirable admiration."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Both father and daughter turned.

Captain Ingwar nodded and Gwendoline walked over to the door slowly.

"Welcome," she said after opening the door and glancing at her visitors.

There were two of them. One was a tall, slightly imposing looking man with black hair and beard. He was dressed dignifiedly in furs and silks. His cold gray eyes moved around slowly. Next to him was a toddler with the same hair and eye color of his father, but a completely different demeanor and facial expression. He turned his wide eyes to Gwendoline curiously.

Gwendoline smiled slightly, pleased. Wonderful, now she would not have to sit politely at the table, listening to the endless discussions of two very successful merchants. Gwendoline was so extremely fond of little children and this one had a sense of knowingness that tickled her greatly. She opened the door wider.

"Please enter with my blessing," she said graciously.

"Thank you, Gwendoline," Magnus Breech said with dignity. He wiped his feet on the mat and entered. Gwendoline watched him go and then leaned down.

"Come now beloved," she said softly, taking the child's tiny hand. Recognition dawned on the child's face, but before he could say anything about kidnappers, Gwendoline raised a finger to her lips, hushing him with a smile. She turned and stepped into the parlor.

Magus Breech had taken a seat across from Captain Ingwar. They were both talking now in a very business-like tone. Gwendoline advanced slowly with the little boy.

Captain Ingwar looked over at his daughter and noticed him. He turned back to the merchant Breech. "Delightful! You brought your son along, delightful. Whatever was his name?"

"Gunther," Magnus said gruffly.

Gwendoline looked down at Gunther. Gunther looked back questioningly.

"What?" he asked.

"So, how goes this time's trade, Captain Ingwar?" Magnus asked, turning back to the old trader.

"Ah," he said with relish. He turned to Gwendoline and nodded before resuming his discussion with Magnus.

Gwendoline took Gunther into the kitchen with her. She opened the cabinets and started to look through them.

"So," she said, perusing through a selection of baking sodas. "What is it that you like to eat?"

Behind her, Gunther considered the question.

"Well," he said slowly. "Father likes to eat truffles and…"

"Bless you my little baby," Gwendoline said turning around. Gunther flinched but before he could say anything, Gwendoline went on. "I asked what you like, gentle heart, not what your father likes." She rose and picked up a cake from the counter.

"Here you are," she said, giving it to Gunther. She turned again and picked up a dish and took it to the table.

Captain Ingwar stopped talking when he saw Gwendoline and Gunther.

"I had to bring Gunther," Magnus explained. "Gertrude—the housekeeper—was away and I would not dream of leaving him alone." He happened to glance at Gwendoline. It was a penetrating glare.

Gwendoline stepped forward and placed the platter on the table. "You may begin," she said, "with my blessing." She lifted Gunther and took him to the parlor. She sat him on her lap and was silent a moment as she listened to the renewed conversation between the two men in the dining area.

"Now sweet heart," Gwendoline said, looking down at him. "You have lived here in Kippernia all your life, have you not?" She smiled dreamily. "Scandinavia is a most beautiful place, desirous to any heart. There the trees grow huge and are everywhere. And it is so peaceful and quiet…" Gunther did not seem to be paying attention.

"I should like you to come back home with me. Now how would you like that?"

Gunther's eyes widened in alarm.

Magnus had risen from his chair. "We really should be going now, Captain Ingwar. It was a most delightful pleasure," he turned to the parlor. "Gunther."

Gunther ran immediately to his father and looked up at him.

"It is time to go home son," Magnus said. "Come now." The merchant turned and walked to the door, leaving Gunther to follow.

Gwendoline rose and swept over to the little boy. She bent down and kissed his forehead. "Farewell, gentle child. Remember, you always have my blessing." She watched him for a second, as if requesting something.

"Gunther, come son," Magnus said from the door.

"Good-bye Magnus! Was great to see you!" Captain Ingwar called heartily as the two walked away.

Magnus waved back once and then they were gone.