Monday 21 March 2011

Sigurd and Brunhild

WILLOW'S MAGPIE No. 58


Sigurd spurred on his horse. The journey had been long and arduous. He and  Grane, his horse, had overcome many perils, ridden through desert and swamp, wrestled crocodiles and bears, wild men and loose women. Now the journey was almost over. Fast as a bird, Grane carried the hero towards the distant mountains of Hindar. But still the dangers had not ended. They came to Hindarfjall, a terrifying waterfall cascading from a great wound in the side of the earth. Hero and horse, as one, flew on, riding day and night to overcome the monstrous waters, until the naked rocks of Hindar appeared before them in a mist, red as fire.

There, on the highest mountain, atop the bare rock, lay Brunhild, in deep sleep, banished by Odin to this forbidding fastness for disobedience, condemned to sleep until the bravest knight on earth, risking his life in the quest, should wake her.

Brunhild lay, in full armour, encircled by gold-shimmering shields, surrounded by a ring of blazing fire; gigantic flames spread a wall of unbreachable heat. The roaring inferno could be heard from mountaintop to mountaintop.

Grane  trembled. Man and horse made one last supreme effort, and took a mighty leap through the flames. Exhausted by their heroic struggles and the labours of many hazardous weeks, man and beast came to rest in front of Brunhild.

Sigurd saw the sleeping Brunhild and fell in love with her. Her armour encased her like a second skin; Sigurd, unable to free her with his hands, drew his faithful sword, Gram, which cut through plate, leather and chain like a knife through butter.

Brunhild awoke, the flames died down and Sigurd tenderly lifted her to her feet. Odin’s spell was broken, Brunhild was free.

She raised her head and gazed at the knight who had rescued her from a deep sleep lasting an eternity, a sentence she herself had called down upon her head.

“You took your time”, she said, “ what kept you?”

39 comments:

  1. that is just the response i would expect...lol. nicely spun tale friko...

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  2. Well spun tale, what's a girl got to do to get a knight to turn up on time? Great read.

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  3. There's gratitude for you!

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  4. I always enjoy your tales Friko, this one doesn't disappoint!

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  5. Nag, Nag, Nag. Will nothing please her? Enjoyed the twist.

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  6. Tres droll... but I think her first words would have been "benjo-wa doko des-ka?" (where's the toilet?)

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  7. Wait until she finds out he isn't all she had hoped for! Nice writing.

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  8. She opened her mouth and put her foot in it. Women! She will definitely not turn out the way he had hoped. Never mind! Love is blind!

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  9. Love the excellent twist at the end of this story :)

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  10. A fine, engrossing tale worthy of those written before ye... but then, thrown in for good measure... such a fabulous final line “You took your time”, she said, “ what kept you?”

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  11. I always read your Magpies, waiting for the witty twist. Well done!

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  12. Of course I couldn't resist this one.
    I'm glad that Brunhild is woman who doesn't put on an act. No point in not starting out as one means to go on.

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  13. Wonderful. I love the giggle at the end...

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  14. Well! that's gratitude for you! Great story and wonderful ending...

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  15. I can see her toe tapping...well done!

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  16. Ah, I love a happy ending...

    ...and I love Norse mythology! Great read!

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  17. Now, that's a woman worth delving into a fire pit.

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  18. And all because the lady loves Milk Tray.
    Having described how you spotted the first retired colonel of spring, you move on to this; very prolific.
    ...Tramp

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  19. Did he drop there and then? Probably not - those sort of women always get the good uns!

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  20. Hat's off to you again for a killer last line! LOL

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  21. Mmmm do I sound like that sometimes...I better think before I speak. Always love an epic tale.

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  22. Another man who's destined to spend summer evenings in his shed on the allotment .

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  23. A sword named 'Gram' cutting like a knife through butter ... love your story.

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  24. Ah a great tale with a great ending, very enjoyable read.

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  25. Sigurd?...Eternity?...hmmm...super fun!!

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  26. ....this is awesome Friko...and the ending is great! :-)

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  27. I loved the tale - and the way you told it, Friko. I have been reading Norse mythology for years, and never tire of hearing the stories - but I love your take on it!

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  28. Ah, das Ende, verblüffend und doch so passend zu Dir... :-)!

    Alles Gute und einen schönen friedlichen Tag wünscht Dir

    Renée

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  29. Just a little ungracious, I think;-)
    I loved your telling of it, though.

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  30. A fine Magpie! A story well told!

    Anna :o]

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  31. There's gratitude for you . . . !

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  32. Dear Friko: Love reading your magpie with Norse mythological themes. Such wonderful imagery! Particularly love;

    "Her armour encased her like a second skin;"

    Very vivid!

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  33. Aww...how beautifully romantic and wonderfully vivid!! But she sure is one impatient one, isn't she now?! :) teehehee..
    A very very well written magpie, Friko..

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  34. I love it!

    At least the dashing knight arrived!

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