Mother of Light: A Novel by Elin de Ruyter

Author:Elin de Ruyter [de Ruyter, Elin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ylfa Press
Published: 2023-07-08T23:00:00+00:00

18

April 1882

In early April, Helgi’s family made the journey from Keflavík by boat over to Staður for the christening of Stína’s baby. Séra Stefán hadn’t completed his once-a-month pilgrimage out to Súgandafjörður since December, so it was a much talked about affair, a gathering of the community after the long winter, and almost everyone was there, packed into the church to receive the word of the Lord for Easter and to witness the christenings of two babies—Stína’s boy and little Stella.

Sólveig shivered where she sat in church between Krissa and Rúna, holding a sleeping Stella closer to her, patting her bottom to keep her content. Her eyes strained in the dimness of the cold room after being outside under the bright sun. It was an old church, clad with timber walls and flooring, but built like the rest of the crofts in the district—of earth and stone. The alter sat above the congregation on a timber platform where the priest gave his service. Everyone had their seats according to sex and what farm they belonged to.

The most important men, the heads of the households, sat towards the front of the church, workman towards the back, and women on the eastern side.

The crowd of people stood as the hymns began with the priest entering the church. Albert’s voice sounded in the room as he led the singing. He was forsöngvari—the lead singer. Sólveig hadn’t known he had such a strong voice. It was deep and smooth, and it bellowed throughout the small space.

A tall, neatly groomed man of middling years, dressed in the long black garb of a priest, with a thick ruffled white collar, made his way down the aisle, and behind him, as if his shadow, Stína proceeded. She held her son in her arms, her head downcast, a strained look on her face with the attention of the room on her as Séra Stefán cleansed her of her lustful sins with sprinkles of holy water. Björg would receive no such shameful ceremony because she was a married woman. The older mother had arrived late with Júlíus and her other children in tow, sitting towards the back of the church.

The Easter service was conducted, and then Sólveig stood before the community as Séra Stefán called the parents, babies and witnesses to come forward for the christenings. Her heart swelled with pride observing the two women standing next to her with the beautiful, thriving babies they had made. Such contrasts they were—both in age and their birth experience—and Sólveig couldn’t help but marvel at the courage it took to bring a child into the world.

Björg and Júlíus chose the name Stella Björg, for their daughter and Sólveig was delighted by the name. Magnús stood in as witness for Stína’s boy, and the child was given the name Örnólfur in honour of Stína’s father.

Sólveig was seated back at her place with Stella in her arms once more. The service was coming to an end, the crowd becoming restless, younger children wriggling

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