#olafssons

Sunday mass had ended and outside the sun shone but provided no warmth. Winter was starting to show. Just this morning there had been frost on the grass before the sun rose.

Outside Laura studiously avoided looking at Alfred and his ilk, just like she had ever since The Event weeks ago. Even with her uncle and Charles Elias by her side she felt vaguely anxious and jittery. She slunk a little closer to Charles Elias, listening to him and Isak talk.

She said nothing. She’d always avoided talking to him in public, worried he’d be disliked by others if he was too closely associated with her. Then again... It was too late now, wasn’t it? He was too close now, and he had chosen her.

He had chosen her. Why she may never know but he had. Had stood up for her. Protected her. If her silence had been a bid to keep him safe then that ship had sailed.

Bracing herself Laura slowly approached Charles Elias and decided to speak.

“I thought today’s sermon was a little disjointed if I’m honest,” she said.

Charles Elias froze, briefly looking at her in surprise and Laura nearly began to panic. Oh no. No, no. What if she’d ruined the mood? What if he –

Then Charles Elias broke out into a smile.

“I completely agree,” he said, hurrying a little to walk next to her.

“Right?” she said, “I think he tried to cover too many subjects at once. It was war but also winter but also married life and Christmas all in one go. I think it would have been better with a more limited scope, perhaps."

“Exactly!” Charles Elias said. “Like war and Christmas.” “Or married life and Christmas.” “Or married Christmas,” Charles Elias grinned.

Laura couldn’t help the short snort of laughter she let out. She covered her mouth, but the delighted look on Charles Elias’ face told her it was already too late.

“What was that?” he said, “Is that how you laugh?” “No!” “No, you didn’t laugh?” Laura couldn’t help smiling, “No.”

“Oh, my bad. It must’ve been a wild goose hiding in the brush somewhere.” Laura snort-laughed again and tried to cover her mouth. “I do not sound like a goose!” “Uh-huh."

“Well, if I sound like a goose then you sound like a- like a-“ “A duck? Eider? Or some other mammal? Moo?”

Laura couldn’t help but laugh once more. It felt so ridiculous and a little embarrassing, but there was a tingly joy that she was unable to keep in check. People must think she’s crazy. But a quick scan of the road showed that the only person nearby was her uncle who just gave her a quick, warm smile. “Careful talking about cows in public, mister cow-thief.”

She worried briefly that she was taking the teasing too far, but Charles Elias merely smiled. “Very well, anything for you, Miss Goose.” “Pfft,” Laura shook her head, “If you get to call me a goose, I’m gonna call you... um... Elias. No Charles for you.”

"Are you alright?" Charles Elias turned, looking over Laura. She looked a little pale and shaky, but otherwise unharmed.

She blinked at him.

"… Yes," she said slowly, "Yes. I… They only said unkind things, that's all. I… I thought…"

She hugged him, hard. Squeezing.

"I thought I was all alone. That they would… That I would have to run or lock myself in somewhere or… God."

She sniffled against his shoulder.

"I was so scared."

Charles Elias hugged her back.

"I'm so sorry," he said, "I can't believe they… It… They're awful. Awful. I'm sorry."

Laura pulled back a little, drying her tears.

"I'm okay," she said, "I'm safe now."

"You are," he said, "You are."

Laura was quiet for a bit.

"Maybe I'll ask to come with you and uncle when you leave the house for a bit."

Charles Elias nodded. "That sounds wise."

They stood there for a moment longer, a bit too close to be proper. Charles Elias could feel the heat of her body through his shirt.

Then Laura took a step back.

"You're an idiot, by the way," she said, giving him a playful shove.

"What? Why?"

"Putting yourself in front of armed soldiers like that? For me of all things. It was very foolish."

Charles Elias shrugged.

"I've done more foolish things," he said, "Remember the cow?"

Part 1 I Part 2

.

.

After Theodore left Charles Elias shouldered his repsonsibilities and work.

Most of it were things he'd seen Theodore do, but there were still times he felt lost or wished he wouldn't have to do most of the work alone.

He filled the void with his cats. And with Laura and Mr. Isak.

Charles Elias wasn't sure if it just felt different being around them now, or if they'd let him closer than he used to be.

For a time Laura watched over him at dinnertime to ensure he ate, until she was satisfied he wouldn't refuse food anytime soon.

Mr. Isak dragged Charles Elias out of the cabin on many different errands, teaching him new things each time.

In the summer he helped Mr. Isak buy a second cow, a beautiful brown one they named Dagny. In the winter Mr. Isak brought Charles Elias out into the biting cold on the snowladen ice to hunt seals. Looking for the ice holes the seals would use to come up for air.

Life moved on slowly, painfully at times, but as the months went by Theodore's absence got a little easier to tolerate.

Charles Elias had finished his tasks early, and was perfectly happy to laze his afternoon away in bed with a purring cat.

The sudden raised voice directly outside his cabin startled both him and Brons.

"Stay back!"

Stumbling up he hurried to the door. Mind running.

The voice sounded like Laura, had to be her. Were they being invaded?

Attacked? Or was there a wild animal? Some kind of predator?

"I said stay back!"

Flinging the door open Charles Elias hurried out and froze.

There were his friends, all gathered together, and standing a short distance away, furious, was Laura.

Charles Elias looked between the two in utter confusion.

"What…?"

"Oh, Charles Elias!" Alfred smiled wide. "Good to see you! We thought you were out."

"…No? I came home early."

"Great, then you can help us out."

"Help you?"

Charles Elias looked to Laura and back to Alfred. "With what?"

"Oh, we just wanted to talk to dear old Laura," Alfred reached out for her and she scrambled back, baring her teeth.

"Wait," Charles Elias said.

Alfred didn't seem to hear.

"Come on, now, don't be like that," he said to Laura, "You should be flattered."

Laura scowled and Alfred sighed theatrically.

"You know, usually, people thank others for compliments, right boys?"

The others laughed.

"Alfred," Charles Elias warned.

"It's not like anyone else will ever say it. So come on, say 'thank you Alfred'."

Every word out of Alfred's mouth dripped with insincerity, and he kept trying to inch closer.

"Come on, Laura, at least shake my hand," Alfred reached out and Laura took another step back.

Charles Elias snapped.

"Enough!" He dashed down, putting himself between Laura and Alfred.

"She clearly doesn't want to."

Alfred took a step back, eyeing Charles Elias up and down.

"Well, now, buddy," he said, "I never thought you'd be the shining knight type of gentleman. What, do you think she'll kiss you if you pity her enough? Or are you hoping to get the house when the old man goes?"

"Stop it!"

Charles Elias felt so angry he could cry. How dare they? How dare he? How could he ever have been friends with them?

"You're really gonna pick her instead of your friends?"

"We're not friends," Charles Elias hissed.

"Oh," Alfred reared back a little. "Well then, I can see we're not welcome here.

Charles Elias let out a slow sigh as Alfred turned and began o lead his little troop away when Alfred turned to look back.

"Just remember, Charles Elias," he said, "You chose her instead of the King's own men."

For the sake of Åland's protection a man named Johan Georg Ehrenmalm, nicknamed Vildmajornen (The Wild Major), was set up as the head of a light battalion.

It consisted of 400 men divided into four companies - and some familiar faces.

Charles Elias hadn't spent much time with his old friends since Theodore left. He claimed he was simply too busy, but part of him also worried he'd end up disappointing Theodore upon his return if he got himself in trouble again.

So he steered clear. He would still see them around the village, mostly gambling and flirting with girls, and he'd say hi, exchange some pleasantries and then be on his way.

Everything felt mostly okay. Calm.

1789 - letter from Émile Gustaf Park

There wasn't much of a celebration, not like the huge parties that were usually held by the Olafsson-Park branch of the family.

Still, Laura baked a cake and the cats, Theodore, Laura and Mr.Isak all gathered to celebrate him.

For Charles Elias it didn't feel like too much of a change, not really.

He still lived in the same way he had these past few years, and he still did the same things he usually did.

At most he felt a greater sense of maturity, perhaps, and an earnest desire to make sure that whatever his future held it would look nothing like his life had under Joseph.

"You don't have to give all the fish guts to the cats," Theodore said, "They'll get fat, lazy and stop hunting vermin. Save some for the chickens."

"But they love it," Charles Elias protested, "And they feel sad otherwise. Don't you, Brons?"

Brons let out a loud, impatient meow, eyeing the food in Charles Elias' hand.

Charles Elias had taken to his punishment of no outings with relative ease. There was always work to be done, and he could always dote on the cats a little extra.

"Speaking of sad…," Theodore said, breaking Charles Elias' reverie, and nodded in the direction of Laura.

She drifted by without a word, her eyes somewhere far away.

It was one of those days. Charles Elias called them her 'silent days'. Days where she would avoid everyone and hide away, and even when she was physically present her eyes were dazed, empty.

Wherever Laura's mind went on her 'silent days' was a place Charles Elias didn't like.

"May I go check on her?" Charles Elias turned to Theodore.

"Of course," Theodore said and then grinned, holding up a fish heart, "I'd have to be pretty heartless if I said no."

She'd sat down on a log further down the beach, and even though Charles Elias knew his footsteps were loud on the ground she didn't react or turn around.

"Laura?"

No response.

"Hey, Laura?" Charles Elias tried again.

"Go away."

Her voice was cold and angry, and Charles Elias immediately paused. But he wanted to do something about her mood, and he didn't want to just leave her to sit out here all alone. Even if that was what she wanted.

His eyes fell on a patch of dandelions by his feet, and he bent down to grab one.

"But I brought you a gift," he said.

Laura paused, and when she spoke her voice was a little less cold, "A gift?"

"Yes," he said, "I can go away but I'd rather give it to you now."

"What is it?" She almost turned around.

Charles Elias held his hand gently around the dandelion as he went to sit down next to her.

"A wish," he said, holding it out to her, and as she looked between him and the dandelion her frown turned into a smile.

"That's not a wish," she said with a slight laugh, even as she reached out to take it from him.

"But it could be," he smiled, "Just blow out the seeds and your wish will come true."

"Hm," she said with a sarcastic grin, "Then I should wish for something truly outrageous. Maybe a castle made of gold."

"With a kingdom of your own," Charles Elias added.

"Of course," she said, "And let's not forget the fairytale prince. But a human one, no snakes or trolls."

Her smile faltered a little, and then she took a deep breath and slowly blew out the seeds to the wind.

"What did you wish for?"

"If I tell you, it won't come true."

"Oh, right."

There was a beat of silence and then Laura whispered, so quietly it was almost drowned out by rush of waves against the beach, "Thank you."