What's in a Name?

And then...

Let's see here it's now been 8 years since I've gotten Frida in my life. My family knows that I can speak and hear animals in my head and that I have a lifebond with Ericik, Ebbe, Aksel, Frida, and Ivan.

What?? You don't know Ivan yet? I'm sorry, my brother Aksel got me a 5 year old Frizian stallion, full gear (saddle, bridle, halter, you know the needed items) and full barding for my 18th birthday (AN: See picture above for image of Astrid in her armor with Ivan and his gear). Of course, I have to keep using sibling names for my friends, much to the chagrin of my siblings.

For my 18th birthday, Ivan gave me an Iron Wood staff that he had carved all of my friends on it, Frida's head is at the very top then Ericik's head, while full body images of Ebbe, Aksel and Ivan are twisted around the staff, Mother gave me three new otter medicine bags, Ebbe gifted me a family book with all of the Ravensbane ancestors listed. (AN: The cover of her family book is the cover for this story.)

For the last 8 years, my brothers have been teaching me how to fight. This way, I can still protect myself, my mother, and our village while the boys are away raiding.

Since last winter, I've been busy being the only healer for 5 villages in our area. Völva Hlif is getting older and can't travel as easily. She's training 3 other Völva to take over, seeing as she doesn't want me to be overworked. I take Mother with me when my brothers are gone, so I can have help, and it keeps our last parent safe. Mother enjoys getting out and visiting her friends in the other villages.

"This was an easy visit to the villages," Mother says as she holds onto the back of my saddle. "I do enjoy when we have easy visits once in a while," I reply with a smile. "I'm looking forward to my own bed tonight, though." Mother laughs, "Yes, the dwellings they put us in aren't like home, that's for sure."

"At least we can still do something special for your birthday today when we get home," Mother says happily. "Just spending time with you is enough for me, Mother," I tell her. She hugs me from behind, "I enjoy spending time with you all well, my little Astrid." I place my free hand over hers with a soft smile on my face. "You're the only one that still treats me like I'm normal instead of some big scary Völva," I tell her. She laughs, "I gave birth to you. You're always going to be my Little Astrid, no matter what title you hold." I laugh as well, "Come on, Ivan, take us home so we all can rest."

Ericik races ahead, sniffing for interesting scents, Frida flies silently ahead and comes back to us once in a while as Ivan gently trots towards home.

As we got closer to home, Mother and I heard the sounds of fighting with screaming. "Mother, please get off of Ivan so I can go help protect our village," I ask her. "No, where you go, I go," she replies "Plus we're wasting time." She gets a better grip on the saddle. "Fine," I say. "I don't like it, but let's go, Ivan." Ivan leaps into a gallop towards the village. *Frida, Ericik, stay near me. Ivan, once we're in the village, I'm going to jump off. Protect Mother, please*

"Mother, get ready to move into the saddle and hang on. Ivan is going to protect you while Frida, Ericik, and I fight." I tell her. "Please be careful, little one," she replies as she gets ready to shift to the saddle and grabs her bow. Ivan slows down just enough for me to jump off and roll safely to my feet, drawing my sword. I use Ericik's eyes to find the closest person, then I run over, doing a sliding stop into the raider and stopping him from killing one of the older men. "Run and help the children," I yell at Hagrid.

Hagrid limp runs off to round up the children to hide them. The raider growls at me, then rushes with his sword raised poised to strike. I counter his moves as our swords clash together. Frida swoops in, raking his face with her talons, then climbs back into the air. I stab him in the chest when he puts a hand to the cuts on his face, distracted.

I keep moving and cutting down the enemy with others in the village. What feels like hours of fighting has, honestly been only minutes. We start getting the upper hand.

I hear Ivan scream out in pain, and I feel pain in my left hip. Ericik turns to look in that direction for me, and we see 2 arrows in Ivan's flank. My mother's chest seems to bloom arrows as well. She drops the bow she is using and falls out of my saddle, hitting the ground hard.

I run over to her and Ivan, "Easy big guy," I say gently. *Check Mother first* Ivan replies *I can wait* I fall to my knees once I reach my mother and gently pick her up in my arms. "Mama, don't leave me," I say with tears running down my face. She shakily puts her hand on my face, "I see your father, little Ericik and Frida, little one. It's time for me to go," she gasps out, coughing up blood. I feel where the arrows are and know there's nothing I can do to save her. I can feel her life's blood running through my fingers as I still try to stop the bleeding. "This is not how today should have gone," I sob and gasp out as many arrows pierce my back.

Freya calls out to Odin as she's standing near Astrid. "I've found the one that has the prophecy." Odin All-High walks over to Freya through the battle riddled village. "Where is my daughter?" He impatiently asks her. "Here, this blind child that has fought valiantly, with honor and bravery. She also heals as a Völva. She is special indeed." Freya points to Astrid as she slowly bleeds out, gasping for air while holding the bloody body of her now dead mother. Her animals either curled around her or on her shoulders, trying to keep her with them. Odin looks at Astrid and her animals, "I'm sorry, my child, for having to put you through this, but you and the world must be saved for what's to come."

Astrid feels someone put their hand gently on her shoulder, "Child, do you willingly accept the gift of becoming my special Waelkyrige?" I turn my head towards the gentle male voice, "Yes, I am honored that you would choose me. I've always dreamed of being a Waelkyrige. Sadly, when I lost my sight, I almost gave up on my dream," I tell him honestly. "So honest, very well, my child," he gently removed arrows from Astrid's back then started the Embrace of draining Astrid of all of her blood and giving his in exchange. Odin gently holds Astrid in his arms as the Embrace changes her into her new Vampiric life as a very special Waelkyrige.

"I name you Melfina Gangleri, you, my daughter, shall wander this world and protect it from itself as best as you can," Odin states powerfully, as it seems like all life on Midgard is listening to his words. "Always protect your family bloodline. For Heros, come from your family."

Freya stands, "Melfina Gangleri, I Freya second your naming. To find the one True Love that, if willing, will free you from your eternal Duty of Protecting your Family and the World. Honest love will find a way to return the light to your eyes. Your true love will be able to read your true name from your ancestral book, this is how you'll recognize them. You will live more lifetimes than can be imagined by normal Humans. You shall be called upon to willingly sacrifice yourself twice to gain a new chance at a life with your True Love and to save all that you hold dear."

Frigga walks up hearing the Prophecy be stated during Astrid's Embrace, "So Mote it Be." She places her hand gently on our head, "Be welcome, my daughter. I've waited centuries for you to appear." Frigga says lovingly.

@)--'-- @)--'--@)--'--@)--'--@)--'--

Thank you for staying with my story. Now the fun shall begin.