Norse Mysteries

Chapter 7: Friend, Niffleheim's Guard Dog

Chapter 7: Friend, Niffleheim's Guard Dog

“Big Brother, Jormungand, Big Brother Fenrir! Where are you?” Little Hel was looking for her brothers. The snowy landscapes of the Frost Giants in Jotunheim became the first safe haven for three children of Loki, who, orchestrated the death of the god Baldr. Loki’s children were prohibited to live, especially the Monster Trio. The Monster Trio are a trio of gods who will cause Ragnarok to come to pass.

Warm hands covered Hel’s eyes. “HELP!”

“Cool down, Hel, It’s just me.” Fenrir’s voice said in Hel’s ear, but not removing his hands.

Fenrir guided Hel to a slope of snow.

“Happy Birthday Hel.” Fenrir removed his hands frome Hel’s eyes, and there she beheld her dream garden. Snow Blossoms, Winter Flower, Icy Daffodils, Black Lilies, Black Roses and Cold Violets designed and planted to make a name, HEL.

Jormungand stood on top of a rock, his hands dirty and is holding a watering can. He slid down and stood in front of Hel with a grin.

Hel’s eyes watered.

Fenrir looked down. “Sorry Hel, I know how you liked the flowers from Midgard, but we can’t-”

Hel hugged Fenrir and Jormungand. “I am so lucky to have big brothers like you… I love you guys!”

Hel woke up with a start. “Big brothers…”

Alexander was sleeping on the floor, his angelic sleeping face made the Death Goddess have a flush of pink in her pale face. She stood up and put her long black hair in a high pony tail, while letting her bangs loose in her forehead.

“Hel, you got pretty hair, but it’s too long!” Fenrir said while running his hands on Hel’s hair.

“Fenrir, dear, Hel is a girl after all.” Angroboa walked the halls, her curly black hair flowing freely on her back. Her purple eyes turned icy blue. Her white gown that seemed to be made of snow, didn’t melt.

“But it would be too much of a bother won’t it?”

Hel picked up a bone and waved her hand at it, it curled to a circle and tied her hair high. “Will this do, big brother Fenrir?”

“Yes, yes it will…” Fenrir said.

Hel looked up at the dark sky. Gods. Aesir… Baldr, Alex. She slapped herself. She can’t get distracted.

“HEL!!!

It was her last memory of Fenrir’s voice.

It was cold in Niffleheim, but not as cold as the Frost Giants’ territory at Jotunheim. She looked around. She saw Viking helmets buried in the snow, shields, broken spears, and a sunken ship.

This place lost hope. ROAR!! Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud roar. Normally you run for help, scream for cover. But Hel mustered up her courage and approached the big shadow behind the enormous icy gates. She silently entered, the five year old girl picked up a skull.

GRRR… Hel turned and behind she saw a thing so big it made Fenrir’s wolf form look like a puppy. Well Fenrir is still a puppy, but his size already bested the heights of the Jotuns in their giant form.

Big canine teeth lining the jaws, rotting people scent lingered in its breath, black eyes, gray fur. A giant gray dog.

“You aren’t dead.” It said, but not opening its jaws.

“No, no I am not…”She said calmly.

“You understand me young girl?” Hel saw through the dog’s eyes. Sadness and resentment. “Why are you here?”

“Odin banished me. How about you? Why are you sad?”The five year old girl reached and gently caressed the soft fur.

“What’s your name?” Hel added.

“I have no name. My parents banished me to Niffleheim. They think I’m a failure.”

“Can I name you?” Hel asked.

“Yes.”

“Garm.”

“Garm?”

“Yes, from now on I’ll call you, Garm!” Hel smiled. "Friend!"