#erik bryggare

[300yearschallenge]

In the summer of 1784 Eugene Anifas married his longtime sweetheart - Henrietta Otalbo.

As the only daughter of a local shepherd Joseph thought Eugene Anifas could marry someone of higher statue, but Eugene Anifas put his foot down very gently and persisted in getting engaged to her.

The wedding was held in early summer, with the Park home decorated with every sort of flower the family had managed to get their hands on.

And even if Joseph didn't agree with Henrietta being a "mere shepherdess", no one could deny that the bride was simply stunning on her wedding day.

It truly was a very happy day. The first wedding for one of the Park children, the addition of a sweet wife to the family.

And yet. And yet.

And yet as Théo watched the celebrations, she could feel a spiraling lump that had lived in her chest since the day of the engagement moving up into her throat.

Her eyes stung and she kept having to force herself to take calm, slow breaths.

In the end she couldn't contain it any longer, and she wandered away from the main party to seek relief in the mild summer darkness.

She wasn't entirely sure how she ended up there, but she found herself at the old bench that she had played around so much as a child and teen, and once there she finally sank down and began to cry.

Part 1 I Part 2

[300yearschallenge]

The illness continued to ravage Åland and its surroundings.

Helga Rosdal née Olafsson, daughter to Jonas, and her husband David were struck by the disease.

Helga's life was taken by the illness, leaving her husband David as the sole caretaker of their young sons Beau and Per.

And not too long thereafter two of the Park children fell ill.

Eugene Anifas and Charles Elias became sick at more or less the same time, and Théo fretted endlessly over her young sons.

Thankfully, in the end the illness was merciful, and both boys recovered just fine.

While they now bore scars they hadn't before, neither seemed particularly bothered by it, and were soon back to their cheerful old ways.

But that didn't mean the sickness was done taking lives...

Rosalida Bryggare née Olafsson, 42 years old, was the last family member of the Olafssons to lose her life to the illness.

Her heir, Ingmar, was 17 years old.

She was buried near the rest of her family, and her funeral was attended by all of her living children, siblings, nieces and nephews.

That autumn struck many as one of endless funerals for all those whose lives were claimed by the illness.

.

.

Rest in Peace Rosalida Bryggare née Olafsson

1731 - 1773

Mother to Ida, Ingmar, Samuel, Erik & Edvard.

Rest in Peace Helga Rosdal née Olafsson

1751 - 1773

Mother to Beau & Per

Rest in Peace Sara Olafsson

1767 - 1773

Rest in Peace Adam Otalbo

Rest in Peace Noah Davidsson

[300yearschallenge]

As fall came to the islands, the day of Rosalie's wedding arrived.

The wedding celebrations were to be held at her future home - a house that Lukas Arnold had recently been granted in a neighbouring village.

While smaller and less luxurious than Rosalie's old home, the house was sturdy and well-built and held great promise for the future.

Lukas even made sure to build a rocking chair to put on the porch of the house facing the sea, with the thought that Rosalie could rest her legs there whenever she needed.

That day Rosalie Olafsson, 22, married Lukas Arnold, 24.

The celebrations were attended by the majority of Rosalie's relatives.

Aunts and uncles all were in attendance, as well as nieces and nephews (except for Émile) and several cousins.

Even Anna Olafsson (now Anna Davidsson) was able to attend, after having moved to the same village a few years back with her new husband, thus distancing her from part of the social exclusion that her children had caused.

Ulf and Inés attended as well, of course.

While they were sad to say goodbye to their youngest, it seemed that the wedding stirred up some romantic memories for the two since they spent most of the evening flirting with each other.

At the end of evening several drunk, full and happy revellers travelled their separate ways back to their homes after hours of fun.

Sadly, many of them went home unaware that they saw some of the attendants for the last time that day.

[300yearschallenge]

Shortly after Émile Gustaf's birthday it was time for him to start his first day of education.

"Listen up, children," his father said, "I want you to meet Émile Gustaf, my son. I expect all of you to greet him and treat him with respect."

There were only two more children being educated that year - a boy named Christian and a relative of Émile Gustaf's named Erik.

They were both older than him too, so Émile Gustaf felt a little bit anxious meeting them.

During one of the many times Joseph had to step out to ring the church bells Émile Gustaf used the time to approach Christian and Erik out in the yard.

"Greetings!" He said. "It's a pleasure to make your aquaintance." His mother had taught him those phrases for him to say whenever she had her fancy ladies over, and Émile Gustaf figured it was the perfect greeting.

However, their reaction wasn't what Émile Gustaf had expected.

Erik and Christian both sighed and giggled instead of seeming impressed.

"You're Mr. Park's son, right?" Christian said.

"Indeed I am!" Émile Gustaf smiled. "Though it's a bit different having him as a teacher, I suppose."

"Do you think he'll give you special treatment because you're his son?" Christian asked.

"I bet you think you'll be able to get everything right just because your father is teaching you," Erik smirked, "You probably think you're his special little baby."

"No...?" Émile Gustaf wasn't sure what to say. "I... I don't think that at all."

The other boys just laughed at him.

"You know what?" He said. "My mother taught me not to associate with people who are rude to me. I can study and learn all on my own, thank you very much!"

And with that he quickly walked past the older boys and into his house.

He'd show them both!

He vowed to himself then and there that he was going to become the best student all around just to spite them.