Luuydin: Saga of the Ram

The Ram & The Serpent

It was the third day of their journey when Freyr blessed the valley with his warm smile. Heidre was standing on the slope, her arms stretched out, as if trying to embrace the big ball of fire in the sky. Her eyes were closed, but she had that radiant smile Ævar has come to recognize every time she indulged her connection with nature. The Ram Warden was a fickle creature, oscilating between a deep love for the harsh mountains, passion for battle and a penchant for Midgardian festivities. He could never be too certain what she'd choose to do next. They strayed from their path, adding a day to their journey, just so she could perform her private, little ritual here, on this slope. Ævar took his duties very seriously, so at first he was angry that she risked the well being of the villagers on a whim. He chastised her numerous times along the way, reminding her of their duties to Odin and Midgard. Her response was mostly a yelled out insult, addressed at him, Odin, and both of their mothers. He wasn't happy with her decision, but now that he got to see Heidre's smile, he wasn't mad anymore. The guard wouldn't admit it out loud, but he enjoyed her raw, passionate happiness in moments like this.

Suddenly, Heidre raised her arms to the sky and let out a bloodcurdling scream. The spectacle was as surprising as it was short, and after a very loud while the mountains were silent once more.

- Is this wise, geit? - he scowled at the woman. He always called her that, when he was annoyed with her foolishness. - You want to bring the whole mountain down on our heads?

- You never wanted to do something like this, mǫgr? To be free and let the pure energy of nature empower you? - she crossed her arms and stared at him defiantly. He had no doubt that she felt ready to take on the world and no amount of Jotun or even the Æsir themselves could stop her right now.

- Don't call me that. You know I don't like it. - he sounded as if he was competing with the mountain wind, eager to know who could chill a heart more.

- Neither do I like being called a geit...mǫgr. - she bit back, as she always did when provoked. The guard knew all too well that she had to have the last word in all their arguments and it was faster and easier for him to let go of his pride.

- Very well. - Ævar decided it was due time they got back on track. - The merchant said, he saw suspicious signs in the forest at the foot of this mountain.

- We should take a look. - Heidre agreed. - I'd race you to it, but...

- ...but you'd win easily, we both know that. Let's just stick to a brisk march, shall we?

- Fair enough. Lead the way, master guard. - she nodded playfully.

Ævar was certain Freyr had all the reason to be worried, cause her smile could melt even the ice of Niflheim. He tried to stick to anger at her earlier insults, but seeing her right now made that far from possible. The road down the mountain wasn't for the faint of heart, but the Ram Warden and her guard were no strangers to difficult terrain. On their road, when they reached a point where another village could be seen, Heidre stopped suddenly. Ævar continued walking for a few meters, until he noticed the Warden's tardiness.

- What's wrong, Heidre? - he asked, as concern filled his heart. Rarely did he see her like that - silent and lost in thought.

- It's nothing. - she replied without any confidence. - Let's go.

- It is something. Tell me what ails you.

She forced a weak smile to appear on her face.

- It was just something I remembered. Don't concern yourself with it. A good fight is what I need! - she laughed but both knew she wasn't fooling anyone. Something was clearly wrong and Ævar's concern grew even stronger. It wasn't for the sake of their duty. She was his friend, his comrade in arms and a cheerful, if obnoxious, fire that made their cold path brighter and warmer. Seeing her like this was difficult and broke his resolve. Unfortunately there was nothing he could do about it right now, especially since a well known feeling of dread crept inside his heart.