This the last update until around the 16th of November, because I'm suffering my final exams ! (swoons)
Cheer me up and write me a review! Thanks!
Eric Brighteyes, an eponymous epic Viking saga was written by English novelist, H. Rider Haggard and was first published in 1890. Before this novel was written, the name Eric was very uncommon in European (especially French and English) society and according to some statistics, the name Eric (or the French equivalent, Eriq) is currently still rare in French society.
I have disregarded the actual date of publication for the sake of the story/plot and in attempts to create a history for our darling Erik.
Chapter Four
"What?" Frederic turned inquiringly and looked at the boy. "Pardonnez-moi. I did not hear what you said".
The boy looked at his hero shyly and told him his name.
"Erik…Hmmm…I like it…" Frederic murmured contemplatively. "It is not French?"
"Non, Monsieur."
"Interesting…How did a little French boy get a Scandinavian name?"
Erik looked confused for a second and haltingly said, "My…papa…named me, I think."
Frederic looked at him silently and the child continued saying, "I think ma mere mentioned that my papa was an English seigneur and he named me after a character from a book he liked."
"Eric Brighteyes."
The boy gasped and cried delightedly, "Oui! That is it! How did you know, monsieur?"
"My papa is English also and he used to read it to us."
"Ah…My father did not do so." Erik confided matter-of-factly, "Ma mere said that my papa died when I was born. I was too much of a shock for him."
Frederic gazed at the oblivious child in mute shock. How could any mother be so cruel totheir child?
Suddenly struck by suspicion, Frederic decided to confirm his guess.
"Erik…Enfant…Why was that woman chasing you?"
"Oh…Tante du Bois? She was angry that I went near the bébé."
"Bébé? Your tante can still have children at her age?"
The seven year-old giggled at that and replied "Non, non! She is ma soeur".
His expression changed suddenly to fright and he stammered out "Well…not ma soeur…my half-sister. My mother married her father and they have two children." Erik continued frozenly, speaking as though by rote, "They are my mother's children, not my brother and sister. Tante du Bois said so."
Without looking at Frederic, Erik expounded by saying "Ma mere married Maire le Roux a few years ago and they have two children, Rene Yves and Anne-Marie. Ma mere likes them better than me because they are pretty and do not have to wear a mask. The Mayor also did not die because they are not cursed." He finally looked up to somewhere around Frederic's chin.
"I did not mean to make Tante angry…I just wanted to see ma mere and the new bébé, Anne-Marie. But Maman saw me and screamed." Frederic looked down and saw a single tear get caught at the edge of the mask's eye opening. "I didn't mean hurt them. I'm sorry."
Frederic was speechless. He could not think of anything he could possibly say to help this poor wounded child. He cleared his throat and warily decided to make an effort at comfort.
"Erik Brighteyes, you did not do anything wrong. Your Maman and Tante du Bois has just misunderstood you." Frederic cleared his throat again, in consternation of his ineloquence; wanting to say more to console the hopeful eyes raised to his, but afraid of providing false hopes and trite platitudes. "Well now…We shall talk of happier things. Have more bonbons while I fix your head."
Erik smiled sweetly at him and bent his head to ruminate over which candy to eat next. Frederic promised the child and himself silently that he would speak to Madame du Bois and attempt to make life more palatable for him. If that did not work, he would go to the boy's mother or even the Mayor! Maire le Roux, supposedly the most powerful man in the village, should be able to make life much easier for the little boy, not only with his family but also with the villagers. Oui…He'll do his best to…, Frederic winced internally but determinedly continued his train of thought, well…to meddle for the sake of the pauvre petit enfant.