The Journey to Find Mimir

Chapter Thirty: Spears are My New Least Favorite Weapon

CW: Blood

I had just enough to twist out of the way and keep the spear from hitting me in the heart. Still, I moved too slow. The pointed tip sliced through my coat and punctured my skin. The fabric surrounding my coat suddenly felt warm and wet. 

Some deep, primal instinct took over. I turned and ran as fast as I my legs would allow, back out towards the clearing. I heard Hearthstone trying to pick up the spears, and then the sound of him chasing after me. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I picked up speed. My thoughts ran at a thousand miles an hour. 

What was going on? Why had Hearthstone attacked me?  My heart hurt more than my arm. I couldn't figure out what had caused him to turn like that. 

A horrible, panicked thought crossed my mind: Maybe he was a murderer after all. Maybe he had even made a deal with the giant. Could it be possible? One dead dwarf in exchange for walking free? He said that he would do anything to reach Mimir. Would he go this far?

But there was no time to theorize. Lungs burning, I ran across the meadow towards the sheep. I had no plan, but I knew that Hearthstone's legs were longer than mine. I couldn't outrun him forever. I was desperate for a plan. Maybe I could ride one of the sheep? Would it move if I hopped on its back and kicked hard enough?

Hearthstone's footsteps were getting closer and closer behind. They stopped for a moment. I heard him grunt, and I knew a spear was being thrown. I stopped running and immediately curled up in a ball on the ground. 

Thunk! 

The spear hit the ground ten feet in front of me. I took off a moment later, lungs burning. 

The giant roared with laughter as I ran past. I wanted to scream and grab him around the neck. How did he get Hearthstone to turn against me so quickly? I hated Agnarr with all my heart. 

The giant continued to cackle and guffaw. 

"Just a little game of 'Chase the Warthog'." He laughed. "Get him, elfie!"

Something clicked as my legs pounded the rocky terrain. The cold sensation from the giant's snap still covered my body. My mind jumped back to something that Náinn had told us. The rest of the pieces fell into place: illusions. Giants could make you see anything they wanted you to see. Was it possible...?

Desperate, I looked down at my hands as I ran. They still looked like hands.

Concentrate! I yelled as another spear sailed over my head. Really look!

It is hard to stare at your hands while running for your life, but I did my best. Suddenly, something came into vision. It was like going to a 3D movie and taking off the special glasses. 

In front of me, two blurry images were overlaid. The first image showed my hands. The second image?

Hooves. My hands were hooves.

Now, I noticed there was also something blurry in front of my face. I focused hard.

Tusks, curving from my cheeks. 

Everything clicked together at once. The giant had turned me into a warthog. I remembered the pact from last night. Hearthstone was trying to kill the warthog, so we could be free! I recalled when he looked up at the treehouse right before I threw the spear. He thought I was still up there!

I wanted to weep with joy, but there was no time. I had to figure out a plan. 

As I ran closer to the sheep, I realized that they also thought I was a warthog. They bleated in panic and trampled each other to get away from me. I needed to act, and quickly. I decided that I could make it to the trees on the opposite side of the clearing. Then I could figure out what to do next.