Post by Lord Caelum Lupus on Apr 6, 2004 0:53:19 GMT -5
"Follow me and I shall lead ye tae victory, the damsels shall sing of our
legend, and the children shall play as our names.
My brothers and sisters follow me intae the valley of death
and we shall dine in the Halls of Valhalla by nightfall"
-Caelum Lupus
Chapter 1.
The Awakening
legend, and the children shall play as our names.
My brothers and sisters follow me intae the valley of death
and we shall dine in the Halls of Valhalla by nightfall"
-Caelum Lupus
Chapter 1.
The Awakening
Valhalla, Hall of the Slain, presided over by Lord Odin. This vast hall has five hundred and forty doors. The rafters are spears, the hall is roofed with shields and breast-plates litter the benches. A wolf guards the western door and an eagle hovers over it. It is here that the Valkyries, Odin's messengers and spirits of war, bring fallen heroes, those that died on the battle field. These heroes, the Einherjar, are prepared in Valhalla for the oncoming battle of Ragnarok. When the battle commences, eight hundred warriors will march shoulder to shoulder out of each door to fight in the greatest of battles. It is these legendary heroes that will shoulder the burden of the protection of all the realms from certain destruction.
A loud crowing was heard as the crow Gullinkambi awakend those sleeping in the halls of Odin's favored.
In his bed the eyes of a warrior opened to the strange sound. As he lay still uncertain of where he was the soft voice of a female reached his ears.
"Awaken, newest of the Einherjar. The Golden One has called forth the morning. It is time for ye to begin yer training for the day of Ragnarok, to fight alongside the bravest of the brave."
As he sat up in his bed Caelum's green eyes looked to the one who spoke. Stunning in sight was the Valkyrie who stood in her armor a few feet from his bed. She had long golden hair kept in braids and blue eyes that seemed as if they could look into your very soul. Caelum spoke in response.
"Then I have died and now reside in Valhalla..." He mused then continued with a lopsided grin that some would find quite familiar "What is yer name fairest messenger of Odin?"
She smirked and chuckled at his obvious flirtation.
"I am Skögul the Mighty. Valkyrie of Odin" was her response. She continued "Yes yer mortal life has ended and Valhalla is now yer home. It is time for ye to arise and meet the new day for Göndul has already gone to Odin to declare that a wolf king is come to see him."
Caelum's green eyes went wide. "I am to meet Odin this very morning?" He jumped out of bed rather quickly, slight embarrassment visible on his face upon realizing that he wasn't clothed in the presence of one of the most noble and famous Valkyries. He reached over and took hold of the fine silk sheet that had been covering him while in bed. Wrapping it around his waist he looked to Skogul and noticed that she showed no emotion.
In fact she walked right over to him and touched his side with interest, her feminine hand tracing a faint scar.
"I see it has nearly healed..." She would whisper "Such a valiant death, Gondul and I watched the whole thing. Ye had almost no chance of victory yet still ye fought, neither did ye run for safety nor ask for help." With those piercing blue eyes of hers Skogul looked him straight in the eyes and spoke "I have watched ye through yer entire life Caelum Lupus. Every victory, and every defeat. Through every battle won and lost ye earned yer place among the bravest of the brave. It was a sincere honor to be the one to carry you into Asgard, Wolf of Heaven's Fire."
Just her touch alone had caused Caelum to catch his breath, his green eyes followed the trace of her hand along the scar of his mortal wound. Looking up he met her eyes, in them he found the memory of his final battle awakened. As she spoke a sensational rush swept over him as he remembered in detail every battle he'd every fought in. The usually eloquent and charming Caelum was at a loss for words. Skogul's hand left his side and she stepped away, walking to the other side of the room.
It was only then that Caelum noticed the rest of the room that was now his. He was in a medium sized room. The walls were made of fine polished wood upon which depictions of his battles were etched. All the furniture was made of the same ornately crafted wood, unlike any he'd ever seen. His eyes rested on Skogul as she returned to him carrying clothing, which she handed to him. Letting go of the sheet that covered him, Caelum put on the fine silk clothing and gold bracers. Skogul then led him to the opposite side of the room where armour hung on the wall. In silence she began strapping on his armour, piece by piece.
Caelum watched her do this for a moment before he broke the silence, that grin on his face. "Are ye going tae be waking me up every day?"
Skogul chuckled and shook her head. Looking up at him as she was strapping on his shinguards. "Nay, this is only for the first time ye awaken in Valhalla. It is customary for the valkyrie who carried the new spirit into the halls to greet them, suit them up in armour and then lead them to meet Lord Odin."
Caelum nodded to this as she stood up having finished. He looked himself over and found that he was adorned in fine silver armour. Etched into the breastplate was an eight legged horse, the symbol of Odin.
He smiled "Well m'lady, regardless of custom or nae, thank ye for booth yer services and the pleasure of yer company. I am glad it was yer pleasent voice that greeted my ears and yer sweet face which was my first sight in Asgard."
Skogul's fair skin blushed at the compliment, and she turned quickly to hide it. Walking towards the door she spoke firmly. "Come, Odin awaits us in Valaskjalf."
She opened the door and stepped through it, Caelum took one more look around his room and followed her. Stepping into the vast hall he stopped as he was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the sight. His whole life he'd strived for the honor of being here. Realizing that Skogul had kept walking, he quicked his pace to catch up to the famous valkyrie.
Skogul looked back slightly with a smile as her ears caught Caelum whisper the legenday word "Valhalla."
