: Childhood (2)

It was the next morning, young Rollo was exited to obtained his promised new wooden short-sword from his father.

He shot up from his small wooden bed covered in furs and pelts from various animals. Quickly getting changed, then rushing to his parents room.

"Papa, where is my new sword?"

Kettil was still groggy from sleep, his eyes opening slowly. He could feel his wife snuggle up closer to him.

"What sword, I haven't got you one" he said, trying to go back to sleep.

"Go with your mother to a craftsman place if you really need it now"Sigred was now awake, she could tell her son was excited to play with his new sword.

"Come on, Rollo, lets go and get a wooden sword for you" she said, getting up from the bed.

"I'll join you both later, I need some more sleep," Kettil mumbled, closing his eyes once more.

Rollo and his mother quickly left their house and were headed towards the center of the village. The craftsmen would usually build from within their houses and sell in the centre .

"Mama, what's a craftsmen?"

"A craftsman is a person who makes things out of wood or other materials," Sigred explained.

"So, a carpenter?"

"Yes, a carpenter is a type of craftsman. He or she makes things out of wood.

"Like, a boat?"

"Yes, like a boat."

'With a boat I could go wherever I wanted, I could even become super rich' thought Rollo, his eyes gleaming with possibilities.

Sigred couldn't help but chuckle at her son's excitement.

"Come on, lets find a nice craftsman to make you a sword,"

The two approached a small cottage, smoke was billowing out from a chimney.

"I wonder if he is working," Sigred wondered.

She knocked on the door, and an old man opened it.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you could make my son a wooden sword?"

"Ah, if it's not little Rollo, come in come in, I can make him one, a big strong sword like his father"

"You know Papa?"

"Of course I know him, he's the chief after all silly" the man said, giving him a warm smile.

"Now, I just need to measure your arm to get the length of the sword"

Rollo lifted his arms up, his green eyes sparkling with excitement.

The man, his hands deftly measuring Rollo's arm, gave a satisfied nod.

"That should be the right size"

"How long will it take to make?" Sigred asked.

"Oh, it should be done by tomorrow," the man replied.

"Great, thank you"

The two exited the small cottage, Rollo was bursting with energy. Now he knew he would finally have a sword of his own.

"I'm going to play with my new sword!" Rollo exclaimed.

"Alright, but make sure not to cause any trouble," Sigred warned.

Rollo nodded, he would most definitely get beaten by is dad if he pushed the boundaries any further.

The sun was high in the sky, its golden rays bathing the landscape in warmth. A soft breeze danced across the rolling hills, bringing with it the fresh scent of summer. In the distance, the sounds of laughter and merriment could be heard, as the villagers enjoyed the fine weather.

Once back at home Rollo was playing with some wooden blocks, they had been carved out of tree branches by his mother.

His mind was filled with thoughts of wielding his new sword, how he would use it to defeat monsters and dragons.

"Mama, when will I get my sword?"

"Soon, dear, soon," Sigred said, her gaze fixed on her stitching.

'Every warrior I've hear about use a shield as well' he thought.

"Can I go out?"

"Alright but stay close to the house," Sigred replied, putting down her stitching.

Rollo had been itching to make his own shield for weeks. Ever since his father had shown him the intricacies of swordfighting and the importance of having a sturdy shield, Rollo had been dreaming of making his own.

Now, with the warm summer sun on his face, Rollo felt more alive than ever. He ran past houses and gardens, his eyes scanning the trees and bushes for the perfect piece of wood.

As he entered the clearing, his heart began to race. This was the perfect spot for his project. The trees were tall and strong, their branches reaching up to the sky. The bushes were thick and full of life, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze. And the wildflowers...oh, the wildflowers were a sight to behold. They were like a carpet of color, spreading out in every direction.

Rollo walked through the clearing, his eyes darting back and forth. He was looking for a piece of wood that was both sturdy and flexible, something that he would think it'll protect him in battle but also allow him to move quickly and easily.

And then he saw it. A large piece of small log, the perfect size and shape for his shield. With a grin on his face, Rollo picked it up and began dragging it back towards the house.

Once he got there, he grabbed a pointed rock and began carving the wood into shape. He wanted it to have two handles, so he could hold it with both hands. He wanted it to be strong and durable, able to withstand even the most ferocious of attacks.

"I want to make a shield like Papa," Rollo said, his face beaming with determination.

Sigred couldn't help but smile at her son's tenacity. She watched as he worked on the piece of wood, his brow furrowed in concentration. It was clear that Rollo was determined to make the best shield he possibly could.

As the sun began to set, Rollo was still hard at work, his fingers aching from the effort. But he didn't give up, driven by the desire to create something that would make his father proud.

And when he was finished, the shield was a thing of beauty. It was strong and sturdy, able to withstand even the strongest blows. And it was flexible and light, allowing Rollo to move quickly and easily in battle.

As he hung the shield on the wall, Rollo felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over him. He had made something that was truly his own, something that he could use to protect himself and his family.

Finally, after several hours of labor, Rollo stepped back to admire his handiwork. The shield was far from perfect, with scratch marks and roughly drawn emblems adorning its surface. But to Rollo, it was a thing of beauty, a symbol of his determination and dedication.

His mother's voice interrupted his thoughts, reminding him that dinner was almost ready. Rollo carefully set down his shield, his heart swelling with pride as he imagined the look on his father's face when he saw it.

As they sat down to eat, Rollo couldn't help but fidget with excitement. He knew that he would be starting his own sword training soon, and with his new shield by his side, he felt invincible. he smiled as he looked at the shield. It was a symbol of his determination and his courage, a reminder that anything was possible if he put his mind to it.

Rollo had always been fascinated by the stories his father told him about his battles. The tales of bravery and courage had ignited a fire in his heart, and he longed to emulate his father's feats of heroism. So, when he had seen a group of soldiers practicing with their shields and swords, he knew he had to make one for himself.

After dinner, he rushed to his room, eager to begin practicing. He picked up his shield, feeling its weight in his hands, and imagined himself standing on the battlefield, ready to face any foe.

With each swing of his imaginary sword, Rollo felt more confident, more powerful. He knew that he had a long way to go before he could match his father's skills, but with his new shield by his side, he felt like he was one step closer to achieving his dreams.

His father on the other hand, had something to do that needed his immediate attention.

As Rollo watched his father bundle up and prepare to leave, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. He knew that Papa had important business to attend to, but he still wished that he could stay and spend more time with his family.

"Alright Papa," Rollo called out, his voice tinged with reluctance. He was already snuggled in his cozy furs and pelts, trying to ward off the chill of the crisp midnight air.

Papa turned to give Rollo a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Don't worry, my dear boy," he said, laying a gentle hand on Rollo's shoulder. "I'll be back before you know it, and we'll have plenty of time to catch up then."

Rollo nodded, feeling a little better. He knew that Papa always kept his promises, and he trusted that he would return safely. Still, he couldn't help but feel a little lonely as he watched his father disappear into the dark landscape.

As he settled in for the night, Rollo tried to distract himself with thoughts of all the adventures he and Papa would have when he returned. Maybe they could go hunting together, or explore the nearby woods and streams. The possibilities were endless, and Rollo couldn't wait to see what the future held.