Work Text:
In May, residents of England celebrated Easter: they boiled and painted eggs, made Easter cakes and sang church songs. The sounds of church bells echoed throughout the Saxon lands. Eivor, walking around Wessex, saw colored eggs and Easter cakes. Wolf-Kissed wanted to figure out why the eggs were so colored and where the bread came from. The warrior approached two Saxons who were preparing bread and painting eggs.
- What do you have here? - Eivor saw.
- Easter, - answered the Saxon.
- What? - Sister Wolf did not understand.
- Easter is a holiday dedicated to the resurrection of Christ, - said the Saxon woman.
- That’s it, - Eivor was surprised.
- Christ is risen, - the Saxon greeted.
- I didn’t understand what you said, but I greet you too, - Eivor greeted, not understanding the meaning of the Saxons’ greeting.
- You must answer: “He is truly risen,” - the Saxon explained, putting the cake on the table.
- Now I’ll know, - Eivor said, grinning, - what is this? - - I saw the cake on the table.
- Kulich is the main dish of Christians, - explained the Saxon woman.
- So we’ll see, - Eivor took the cake and took a bite. - Well, it’s crap, of course, but without it, - Wolf-Kissed laughed. - Well, okay, goodbye, - the warrior went on. The Saxons were shocked: the pagan woman did not like the Easter cake. Wolf-Kissed then walked around the city and watched the Saxons. Suddenly Eivor remembered King Alfred, an acquaintance of her beloved Saxon, and decided to find out how he was doing at Easter.
Meanwhile, King Alfred was in the castle and read letters from the rulers of the lands of England. While he was reading, Eivor came to him through the window. The king heard the sound and, turning around, saw a familiar pagan woman.
- Well, hello king, or, as they say, Christ is Risen, - Eivor greeted.
- Truly risen, - replied Alfred. - I didn’t notice you came here.
- And I see that you also celebrate a church holiday, but only here, - said Wolf-Kissed.
- I don’t want to go out, - Alfred answered quietly, despite Eivor.
- Yes, okay, Alfred, it looks like you’re having a holiday, - Eivor encouraged, touching Alfred’s shoulder. — They sell pieces of bread there and paint eggs.
- It’s a tradition, - Alfred answered. - You don’t understand anything about Easter.
- Maybe you can teach me to understand, - the Wolf-Kissed asked, touching Alfred’s waist.
- I can convert you to Christianity, - Alfred said, turning his head to the warrior.
- Don’t even dream about it, - Eivor grinned, kissing the king’s head. The king wanted to get angry, but he just exhaled and walked up to the table. There was Easter cake and colored eggs on the table. Alfred called to Eivor and the Wolf-Kissed approached the table.
- Oh, I ate this piece of bread from two Saxons. I’ll say right away - it’s crap, - Eivor assessed sharply and negatively.
- That’s why I say that you don’t understand Easter, - Alfred concluded.
- What about colored eggs? - Wolf-Kissed asked, taking the egg in her hand.
- This is a symbol of life, a reminder that God has risen, - Alfred said. King Alfred told Eivor the history of Easter, as well as the attributes of this holiday. Eivor listened attentively, but sometimes inserted her own words. She is interested in listening to her favorite saxophone. Alfred invited the pagan to try Easter bread. Eivor refused, saying that the cake was not tasty. But the king assured that this Easter bread was delicious. Eivor broke off a piece of the cake and tasted it. Alfred did not deceive, the cake is truly delicious.
- And Easter isn’t such a bad holiday, - Eivor admired.
- What did I say, - Alfred proved.
- You are strange, Saxons, - Eivor grinned. - But you’re fun to be with.
- But I had a good time with you too. You’re the only one with whom I feel calm, - Alfred admitted. Wolf-Kissed took Alfred's hand and kissed it, and then left the king. Eivor learned for the first time in her life what Easter was, and most importantly, she spent it with the Saxon.