The impatience of the young Egica differed from the calm of that beautiful spring morning. The sun brightens and warmed the soil with its warm kiss. The birds hopped around, careless of the problems of those who inhabit the land. But the young Egica could not see, could not hear, and could not feel nothing more than the subject of his concern.
Ready to ride suddenly in his fast horse — if any complications arose or if his beloved showed up, as was agreed — Egica filled the chest of air to diminish the shortness of breath that was causing him despair. Eulalia — his big love — had told him about her father's intentions, the King Ervígio: to marry her with the warrior Remismundo. So the couple soon planned the escape that would grant them freedom. But Eulalia wasn't there as agreed. Eulalia was taking a long time. Why? Would have the King discovered the plan they had worked out in detail?
The Sun progressed in its normal path. And the impatience of Egica was also advancing through his body, and through his horse, which was beating its hoofs on the ground.
Suddenly, he hold his breath. Someone was coming around the corner, quickly and lightly. It was Eulalia, at last! He ran to her. Took her in his arms.
- My dear! It seems like I have waited forever!
She was shaking and spoke in a low voice, as she was afraid to be heard:
— Egica! Let’s leave immediately! My father's soldiers are after me! They noticed my escape!
The young men helped her climb the horse and told her, while climbing also to the horse:
— Hold on to me. The horse is quick…
And, without further explanation, Egica spurred the horse and went like an arrow.
In the air stood for a moment the echo of the horses’ feet banging the ground…
Meanwhile, Ervigio's soldiers were looking for the couple on the run. They would not dare to return without the mission accomplished. However the day was ending, the horses were getting tired, and the smell of spring itself seemed to be an accomplice of Eulalia and Egica's escape, surrounding them in its cloak of mystery so they could not be found…
It was middle afternoon when the young men took down his bride and led her next to a stream, to rest.
Fearful, she looked around.
— Are we way ahead of them?
He kissed her forehead covered in dust.
- My dear, do not fear! They lost sight of us and think we're heading north, where is easier for me to find friends. However… I outsmarted them…
— And where are we going?
— I'm going to try and cross Galicia and seek refuge at Maximum Monastery, where a great friend of my father's is. He will help us!
With anxious voice, Eulalia asked:
— Are we still far?
The strong arm of the young warrior rose, pointing to the horizon.
— Mount Medulio can be seen over there. Is just a little while longer!
— And is that mountain where lays the monastery you seek?
— Yes, my love. You'll see that everything will be fine!
She smiled at him. It was an almost childish smile. But soon her expression saddened.
— I only fear for you, Egica!
— For me? What about you? Have you ever thought what would happen if your father's soldiers caught us and could take you from my arms? I would prefer death, a thousand times!
She stood up like someone who suddenly saw a ghost.
— Lets keep on riding! I'm afraid! I hate Remismundo. He is treacherous, ugly and irascible. If they catch you, they will kill you! He hates you. He hates you because he has envy of you!
Egica smiled, trying to appease his beloved. He placed his arm around her. And he pulled her sweetly to him. But because she was looking around with on her face, he helped her climb to the horse, while saying:
— In fact it's better to continue as soon as possible. We have to get to the monastery before the night reaches the mountain.
The horse slowed down. It was clearly tired. The darkness which precedes the night engulfed the grandiose scenery that is the Mount Medulio. There was the Maximum Monastery, the goal of this escape. The silence in that place was astonishing. They could hear their own breaths, changing between fatigue and emotion.
Climbing down the horse, the fugitive couple headed for the monastery and knocked on the door, discreetly. A man with his face almost entirely hidden came open. Egica was careful enough to hide Eulalia from the monk's line of sight. And asked, with a certain anxiety in his voice:
— Brother, forgive me if I'm troubling you at this hour. But I need to speak urgently to brother Gondemaro.
The monk closed the hatch. The silence returned. The wait was short, but Egica's heart hit harder when the hatch opened again. This time, however, appeared another face, that opened his eyes in uncontainable surprise.
— Praised be God! Who do I see in front of me!
Egica smiled.
— Yes, brother Gondemaro! It's me… the son of the man you converted in Salinas!
— And what do you want?
— I need your assistance. I bring with me someone who is in great peril.
And he called, with sweetness:
— Eulalia! Come closer.
The young lady appeared before the eyes of the old monk. With almost veiled voice, he asked Egica:
— Who is this lady?
The young men replied:
— It is Eulalia, the daughter of King Ervígio.
The monk took one hand to his chest.
— Dear God! Come in before someone sees you and tell me what is happening.
And, opening the great door with caution, the monk pulled in the fugitive couple.
Outside, the night was falling…
When the young Egica finished telling his adventure, kidnapping the daughter of King Ervígio to come to the Maximum monastery in Mount Medulio seeking a friend that would marry them, Gondemaro stared at them, in grief.
— That all the Lords armies inspire me, because I don't know what to do!
Egica startled.
— You don't know… why?
The monk explained:
— The night has come and this is desert! However, the monastery cannot have women and much less the daughter of King Ervígio!
Eulalia rose up with dignity.
— I do not wish to be a shadow to your conscience. I accept the expel and only wish that death can greet me soon!
Egica replied, with sorrow:
— Eulalia! As long as my arm can rise, no harm will come to you! Let’s continue down to Hermínios and maybe the foothills of that mountain are more generous than this monastery!
The monk covered his face with his hands. He stood silent for a few seconds. Then he said, as in prayer:
— May God take pity of me!
He uncovered his face and stared at the young couple.
— If I let you go, the wolves or raiders might kill you. If I take you in… I'll betray one of our rules! What should I do? May God inspire me!
Egica replied:
— Choose, brother, between our lives and the tranquillity of your conscience.
— Alas! The tranquillity was gone with the sunset and your presence. There isn't, therefore, a choice to make. Stay! I will marry you. Right now and in secret. Then I will lend a habit to the daughter of King Ervígio so she can spend the night here. However, at the first light, I will give you a safe pass so that you may go meet a lady who lives in a castle nearby. Only she can give you shelter.
Egica shook the monk's hand.
— May God reward you, brother Gondemaro!
When the morning came to bathe the fields with light, where the birds were singing and playing happily, he found the bride and groom ready for the new journey, a short one in fact.
With their souls screaming with joy, the couple said farewell to monk Gondemaro. Happiness took over their faces. The monk noticed it and said, looking to Ervígio's daughter:
— You look a different person, this morning!
She smiled at him.
— I'm happy, brother Gondemaro! And I will not forget how much I owe you this happiness.
The monk shook his head.
— Don't sing victory yet! The storm still has not passed. Your father must be informed about your decision and you should seek his forgiveness. Happiness is a reflection of peace in your hearts. Without this peace, nothing makes sense. But go. God will bless you! I will send a trusted messenger to the king, asking him forgiveness for you two… and for me, which unite you in the presence of God without the consent of the King.
The young Goth smiled.
— How much we owe you! Only God could repay you back!
Eulalia now looked the strange inhabitant of the monastery with a certain anxiety. Egica quickly noticed this sudden change.
— What's wrong, my love?
She stared at the distant horizon. Her voice was weak, like a child, as she explained in a whisper:
— My father was such a good friend to me! And all this happened because of an ambitious warrior who pretended to love me and vowed amazing things… I wonder what will my father do after hearing from your Messenger, brother Gondemaro.
The monk then promised:
— I will look for you and let you know of the answer, whatever it might be. Go, therefore, go with the Lord, because the daylight is already strong!
Eulalia looked around, as if she had saw that scenario for the first time.
— How beautiful is this mountain! The Romans called it Mount Medúlio? But, I think it looks more like a huge farm field. Who farms it, brother Gondemaro?
— The monks in our monastery and some other people. All work here. This is a land blessed by God!
Egica smiled, repeating:
— Mountain of Farmland (Agra in Portuguese)! There's a good name, I baptize you with this new name.
The monk smiled too.
— And you this the mountain will be called that way, just because you liked the name?
Egica replied, stubbornly, with that energy she put in all her words and actions:
— From now on our children will only know this mountain as the Mountain of Agra. Our grandchildren will speak of it to their grandchildren. And so on, through the centuries!
The monk was doubtful. But he smiled, nevertheless:
— Try it… if it pleases you. Anything is possible if God wants it!
And so they said farewell:
— Goodbye, brother. May the Lord be with you!
A few months passed. Eulalia and Egica remained at the castle where the monk said them to go. They haven't heard from the king's soldiers since. But Eulalia's heart was hurting because she missed home, in hours lurking, from the castle's lookout, to the silent horizon, far beyond the Mountain of Agra.
One day, Eulalia saw a silhouette walking towards the castle. She went down running, with her heart pounding beneath the white tunic.
When she arrived at the door, she opened it and saw brother Gondemaro. Without hesitation, she ran to him.
— Do you bring news of my father?
He smiled and said:
— I got them yesterday at dusk and I got on my way early in the morning.
- And what news do you bring?
— Your father sent this reply: "If you give me a male grandchild, I will forgive your escape and you disobedience and I will name Egica my successor. If you do not give a grandson within a year, I will forget I had a daughter called Eulalia!"
She placed her hands together in praise. Her face transformed and the tremors in her legs made her sit on a rock by the entrance. Meanwhile Egica arrived and, seeing the monk, also ran to him.
— How happy I am to see you!
Eulalia didn't give him time to continue. She needed to share her happiness:
— Egica! Father will forgive us if we give him a male grandchild in a year and he will also appoint you as his successor!
Egica looked at his young wife.
- My dear! We must ask God the son we are expecting to be a boy! He will be born in this Mountain of Agra and he will one day be the King of the Visigoths!
Like an echo, the monk cried:
— May God hear you!
Eulalia looked back into the horizon, this time it looked clearer, less closed down into itself. Egica placed his arm around her shoulders and kissed her hair. Forgot for a moment the monk's presence. And when he realized it, they saw him, holding to his staff, returning to Maximum Monastery.
They laughed, happily.
Egica muttered:
— Poor old man! Not even thank you! And must be hard for him, this journey on foot.
Eulalia leaned her beautiful head onto the strong arm of her husband.
— Let's bring him our child as soon as he is born, for him to bless!
He stroked her hair.
— And then?
Eulalia sighed:
— Then… then…
Her voice was almost gone, with emotion:
— Then… we leave, again, but this time ... without fear of being chased by the king's soldiers!
Source: MARQUES, Gentil Lendas de Portugal Lisboa, Círculo de Leitores, 1997 [1962] , p.Volume I, pp. 323-329