I'm just saving time. You've no idea how busy I am. I'm the only one who can do the heavy lifting now. Losing father meant more work for me.— Ylva
Ylva at Work (はたらくユルヴァちゃん Hataraku Yuruva-chan?) is a gaiden chapter in the series.
Overview[]
Leif and the village boys return to Iceland, where they give Helga and Ylva Thors's war chest and tell them of how Thors died and of Thorfinn having gone missing. Shortly after, in 1003 A.D., Ylva is shown to be keeping incredibly busy. She does all of the chores, including feeding the sheep, making food, doing the dishes, getting water, shoveling and weaving. She insists that her mother rests, since Helga has not been doing well. When a whale is spotted in the village's bay, Ylva joins the men and strikes the first spear. Later that night, Helga tells Ylva it's time for bed, but Ylva wants to keep weaving despite the fact that it's nearly too dark to see. As soon as Helga takes the shed stick away from her and she is finally still and not busying herself, Ylva begins to cry. Helga hugs her.
Summary[]
Leif and the village boy tell Helga and Ylva of how Thors died and that Thorfinn is missing
Leif, Ari, Hakon, Mord and Grim present Helga and Ylva with Thors's war chest. They tell them Thors was admirable to the end and sacrificed himself for their lives. Leif tells them they lost Thorfinn as well and asks Helga and Ylva for forgiveness. Ylva says crying about their deaths will get them nothing but an empty stomach.
In 1003 A.D., Ylva is getting water with some of the other women and tells them she never saw Thors living to old age, since he was a trusting eccentric. One of the girls notes that it must be hard for her, since Ylva's brother is also missing, but Ylva says it's been much worse on her mother, who has never been hardy and could barely stay on her feet at the funeral. Ylva starts to heave up two heavy containers and one of the girls tells her it is too heavy and she should do smaller trips. Ylva says she is saving time since she is very busy, being the only one who can do the heavy lifting with her father gone. She successfully lifts the containers and goes on her way. The girls note it must be her father's blood and that at least she is keeping busy.
Ylva takes care of all the chores and tells Helga to keep resting
At home, Ylva makes food and prepares some for her mother. She asks Helga how she feels. Helga says her strength is coming back and apologizes to Ylva for burdening her with all the work. Ylva tells her mother to keep laying down and stokes the fire for her. She runs out to feed the sheep and tells her mother to leave the dishes when she's done. Ylva feeds the sheep and milks the cows, noting they're nearly out of beans and that they'll have to ask Ari's family for more.
Ylva shovels snow outside and thinks she'll need help shearing the sheep in the spring. She wonders if she should get a husband, since all the labour is too much for her and her mother to handle themselves. A man runs by and tells the other men to grab their harpoons and get to the water. Ylva runs into the house and asks Helga, who is doing the dishes, where Thors's harpoon is since there's a whale in the bay. She reminds Helga to leave the dishes for when she gets back. Ylva finds the harpoon and says she will spear the whale and runs out before Helga can stop her. On the water, Ylva gets the first harpoon. The men watch on in amazement, saying it is the blood of Thors and that it is impressive, especially since she just lost her father and brother.
Ylva begins to cry as soon as she stops occupying herself
Helga hugs Ylva
Later, Ylva comments the fresh whale they had for dinner was great, especially since she got one of the best cuts for striking the first harpoon. She weaves and talks about how fun whale hunting was. Helga thanks her and tells her it is time for bed, but Ylva tells her to go ahead while she finishes her weaving. Helga says it is getting too dark to see, but Ylva says she is almost done and is not tired. Helga gets up and takes away Ylva's shed stick. Ylva is surprised when she realizes she has begun to cry. Helga hugs her.
Supplemental Material[]
This chapter includes a Map of Thorfinn's Travels (including information boxes for Iceland, including images of Helga and Ylva; the River Humber, including images of the Denmark invasion of England and King Sweyn; London, including images of Thorfinn, Thorkell and Floki; and Marlborough near Bath, including images of Askeladd, Canute and Ragnar).
It is followed by Artist Introductions, including Haito Kumagai, Kazuoki Suzuki, Tomoyuki Takami and Daiju Watanabe.
The Afterword talks about Yukimura's ponderings of the Vikings' daily lives.