The Reckoning of Asgard

by James Malcolm Elrick

  “I cannot,” pleaded Astrid, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared at her husband.

  Margret nudged Frederick in the back. Frederick ignored the push, but could not ignore the situation.

  He breathed in deeply, then let out the breath in a huge sigh. Said: “My love, if the Norns have foretold of this event, then I cannot think of any one person more qualified to be a Norn. I will raise our daughter so that she will be strong, like her mother.”

  Astrid nodded, accepted the scissors, holding them in her hands. “I will watch our daughter grow as her life spreads across the Tapestry, creating a splash of color like no other,” she said.

  The three Norns now stood apace apart.

  “Welcome, sister,” said one of the older Norns to the new Norn.

  “Welcome, sister,” said the other Norn to the new Norn.

  “Welcome, sisters,” said Astrid, the newest Norn.

  And as Margret watched, their faces changed and merged, until Margret could not tell them apart.

  “We must return to our home in Yggdrasil,” said one of the Norns. “I am most certain our squirrels must be sick with worry.”

  And with that, they disappeared.

  Margret grabbed her circlet off the ground and placed it gently on her head. She breathed deeply, feeling the world swim before her eyes.

  Frederick asked Margret: “Did you know that was going to happen?”

  Margret shook her head. Said: “No, I thought I was destined to become a Norn. I should have known a Norn must be able to feel the magics of both Yggdrasil and the Midgard Serpent. With everything that just happened, now it makes sense. But no, I did not think Astrid would be chosen as a Norn. I did not think her capable of killing a Norn.”

  Frederick chuckled. “She always was full of surprises, my Astrid,” he said.

  By now, Galdr and the rest of the group from Asgard had arrived.

  Galdr said: “And I think I may safely say she just gave you the biggest surprise of your life.”

  “You saw everything?” asked Frederick.

  “Even though my eyes do not see, I saw everything,” said Galdr. He bent and lifted Gunghir off the ground. “If you do not mind, Princess Margret, while you did earn this spear in fair battle, you may not rule Asgard.”

  Margret raised her hands in defense. Said: “Nor do I wish to rule Asgard, as I would be forced to rule all the Norse realms. I think Aarlund is a great enough country to rule, once it is my time. I thank you and Freya for allowing me to see my plans through to the end.”

  “We owed you that,” said Freya. “Ogres, just a quick visit to Midgard as it turns out. We return to Asgard, where we will need to rebuild Vanaheim. And you will need to build your village.”

  Muck and the other ogres nodded in agreement.

  Galdr, with a small spin of his finger, created a gateway on the ground, but only Norse gods, Magnus, and the ogres disappeared back to Asgard.

  “Now what?” said Farling.

  “Are the pubs still open?” asked Grum. “I am famished.”

  “Sadly, they are closed,” said Arastead.

  Sihr said: “I think Rickters could whip up some tasty porridge.”

  Grum looked crestfallen, then smiled. Said: “It will just have to do. What an adventure!”

  “The best,” said Margret with a grin.

  “Still,” said Farling, “now what?”

  “What you always did,” said Einar. “Work in your forge and wait for your next adventure.”

  “It is not my forge,” said Farling.

  “We will sell you a share,” said Arastead, while Grum nodded. Farling smiled his thanks.

  And everyone walked back to the Paupers Temple where Rickters emptied out all the porridge and tea from the larder in order to feed everyone.

  Epilogue

  Months ago, there had been a royal funeral service for Queen Astrid. Delegates from the nations of Turkistan, Opistan, Salgaria, Lanksha, and Aarlund were all in attendance.

  And to the surprise of everyone, even delegations from Alfheim and Nidavellir attended, not to mention a delegation of ogres and goblins.

  And as painful as the funeral was for Frederick, he still rolled out the red carpet for all visiting dignitaries, no matter what the political situation. Phillius even managed to keep the dwarves, elves, goblins, and ogres apart at all times, ensuring no unnecessary incidents occurred.

  The city of Trondheim came to a standstill during the service. It was an emotionally charged event as everyone knew the queen had just had a child, princess Sifhilda. There were numerous nannies in the castle, so everyone knew the princess would be well taken care of. But still, not growing up with a mother, as soon as anyone remembered that, they would burst into tears.

  Farling dunked the hot horseshoe into water. The steam hissed, causing him to sweat profusely for a moment.

  “Arastead, what did you say those were-beasts were up to?” he asked as he inspected a horseshoe that glowed orange.

  “They follow Princess Margret wherever she goes,” replied Arastead. “And Mage supplies them with fresh potions to keep their strength up.”

  “At some point,” Farling said, “we will need to visit the thieves guild and talk with Einar. We still have some commitments to that guild even though he has not bothered us since Astrid disappeared.”

  Arastead said: “And do not forget that we have training with Mage today.”

  Farling nodded, and as he worked he noticed Arastead no longer wore his ring. When Arastead had torn it off in Asgard, he had not returned to fetch it. And when he later spoke with Galdr, Galdr had mentioned that he now wore the ring and would keep it safe for Arastead for when the ring was needed.

  A booming voice in the entrance of the forge made Farling turn. “I thought that voice sounded familiar,” he said upon seeing Jagjord.

  Jagjord laughed and it was music to everyone’s ears. Jagjord, Farling noticed, was still as rotund as ever, and it was hard to believe, but he felt Jagjord’s clothing was even brighter as well.

  After shaking everyone’s hands, Jagjord said: “You three look absolutely miserable working in this forge. Really, this is the fate of the Heroes of Midgard? Pitiful. You three struck fear into the frozen hearts of the frost giants, you three saved Vanaheim from destruction, you three prevented the kidnapping of King Frederick. And now you make horseshoes. It tears my heart apart, it really does.”

  Farling chuckled. “The realms are quiet, Jagjord,” he said. “We would have heard of any adventures.”

  Jagjord put a sly finger to the side of his nose. Said: “Then you have not been listening properly. Why, just this morning, word made its way to my ear about a certain band of trolls that somehow escaped Alfheim during the time of no magic. Apparently, gateways and portals opened all over the realms, and these trolls were brought to Midgard, near Pitcairn.”

  Grum tore off his apron. “I will ask King Frederick to borrow his Vorpal Blade!” he cried.

  Farling and Arastead merely grinned at one another as they removed their leather aprons and gathered their weapons.

  -End-