Eivor came across a mostly-blind elderly farmer sitting near his farm.
Dialogue
Eivor heard an old man bemoaning his misfortune.
Elderly Farmer:I'm too old. Much too heavy! How will I ever get this done? If only Rose was here. She would help me.
Eivor entered the man's house. Inside, she saw a letter on a bedside table.
Old Letter
Father,
I've done what I can for the people here, but the illness is too strong. There is scarcely anyone left to care for, and I feel sick.
I am coming home, Father. I am so eager to see you again.
–Rose
She exited and approached the old man.
Eivor:Having trouble, farmer?
Elderly Farmer:Rose? Is that you? It is! My daughter, my child! I can scarcely believe it.
Eivor:You are a little confused.
Elderly Farmer:I've been longing to speak to you again.
Eivor:I have never spoken to you before.
Elderly Farmer:Rose, Rose, do not jest with your father and his failing eyes.
Eivor:Very well. It is good to see you... again.
Elderly Farmer:Such a pleasure to have you at my side, Rose. But I'm so tired, so very tired. I cannot move those crates to shelter.
The man rose from his seat and walked towards the shelter. Eivor saw a note resting beside where the man had sat down.
Reminder
I must remember to get the crates under the lean-to before the rains come. My memory isn't what it was. Where is Rose? Did she leave...some time ago? Oh, my...
She found and picked up a crate then followed the farmer.
Elderly Farmer:Yes, Rose. Right there. You were always very clever, child. Put the others there, as well.
She did the same with another crate.
Elderly Farmer:Rose! You've grown up to be quite strong!
Eivor did the same with the last crate.
Elderly Farmer:That's the last of them. Come join me, Rose. It's been ages since we had a chat.
He led Eivor to a couple of benches nearby. Eivor looked at some roses that had grown along the lean-to.
Elderly Farmer:White roses. Once we named you, they became your mother's favorite flower.
A bush near a tree caught Eivor's attention and she inspected it.
Elderly Farmer:You and your mother made all our clothes. You were always a danger with a needle.
The man's dog, who had been following Eivor ever since she arrived, walked up to her. Eivor pet it.
Elderly Farmer:Remember Fidelis? He would never leave your side.
Eivor returned to sit opposite the man at the benches.
Elderly Farmer:Rose, you're such a help. Let us reminisce, shall we? The tale of how I courted your mother?
Eivor:Why not?
Elderly Farmer:You never tire of that one. Well. As a young man, I was sent to a great lord to help with his livestock. That first day, I brought the cows in from the field and there was this milkmaid, her smile like sunshine in a storm. I fancied her, she fancied me. We found our way to a storeroom to make better acquaintance.
The man started to fall asleep.
Eivor:And then?
Elderly Farmer:What? O, yes. What was I saying? Ah, your mother and I in the storeroom. Yes. Well. The lord wandered in and caught us making merry. He fell into a dark rage and raised his axe, and me wearing nothing but a smile! Your mother had a quick wit, "Why master," she said, "This boy can fetch you more milk than you'd ever have use for." Well, the lord liked his milk, so says he, "Bring me this milk and perhaps I'll show mercy." We threw on our smocks and ran for the cow pen. We milked the cows in a frenzy and carried back two buckets. The lord spooned off some cream to taste. Satisfied, he had his servant set the milk in the shade and declared, "More!" "In a thrice, master," your mother said, and we ran outside. "How will we get more?" I asked. "The cows are spent!"
The man started to fall asleep again.
Eivor:I must know what happened.
Elderly Farmer:Yes? O, "The cows are spent!" Your mother bade me not to be a ninny. She led me in a circle back to the buckets in the shade. "We'll bring him these again and call them new!" So we brought the master the same milk again. Again he was pleased, again he asked for more. And again we circled around! Soon the master had ten buckets... by his count. So he gave us his blessing. We ran for the stables, stole a horse, and never looked back. Not long after, you were born. The pinkest little babe a father could hope for! We named you Rose, after the cow. That reminds me—your mother's ring! She wanted you to have it. Here.
Eivor:Thank you... Father. It will remind me of Mother always.
Eivor took the ring and found the oak tree the man had spoken of earlier. Beside it, two crosses marked a pair of graves, one of which had a note on it.
Note from Father
Rose,
My dear child. My memory is failing, but I shall never forget you, your laugh, your gentle ways.
I was blessed to have such a daughter. May you lie in peace, here beneath your favorite tree.
Eivor spoke to the old man again.
Elderly Farmer:Rose! You've returned. Sit with me, I'll tell you a tale from my youth.
Eivor nodded in agreement.
Elderly Farmer:There's the time I caught your mother with the blacksmith. O, my, yes. That's quite a story.
He proceeded to tell his story.
Elderly Farmer:... and he never sat down again!
Eivor:I must go... Father. Take care.
Elderly Farmer:Such a delight to see you, Rose. Come back soon!
Eivor:I... I do not know what to say. You should keep it to remember... mother.
Elderly Farmer:Such a sweet girl. I'll bequeath it to you when the time comes.
Eivor:I must go... Father. Take care.
Elderly Farmer:Such a delight to see you, Rose. Come back soon!
Eivor nodded.
Elderly Farmer:The rosebush we planted by your mother's grave has grown all the way up the old oak tree. You remember, it's just outside there.
Eivor:Sleep well, old friend.
Eivor left the sleeping man alone.
Eivor:Sleep well, old friend.
Eivor left the sleeping man alone.
Outcome
Eivor helped the old man move some crates and listened to his stories.
Gallery
The farmer gifting "Rose" with his wife's ring
Rose's and her mother's graves covered in white roses
