A/N - Hi, this is my first story based on Norse mythology so I would really appreciate any reviews or criticism you may have (no matter how small). I hope you enjoy and find this story fun to read :)

Chapter 1 – the beginning

 

In the beginning there was nothing but the yawning void ginnungagap. In the north the 12 elivagar streams flowed from ginnungagap and coalesced, where they froze and became the frigid ice glaciers that made niflhiem. Whilst in the south muspelhiem bloomed forth a sea of fire and lava where volcanoes erupted and sparks of light flew in all directions. This was the earliest universe the dark frozen glaciers of the north and the bright explosive volcanoes of the south kept apart by the vast swirl of power which bore them.

From this state first life was born and the beginning had begun.

 

From muspelhiem a great volcano rose and shook violently, lava trickled down the rocky slopes of the volcano as the terrain around it quivered. Then as tremors became more violent a huge explosion of fire and lava erupted from the summit. Where the tip of a sword appeared whose blade shone brighter than the lava around it. As the sword rose the tip sloped out to reveal the width of the immense blade, then the strong stone hilt, then the hand, the hand of the first conscience to be born. The hand rose higher still as an arm was freed of the volcanoes summit. The skin of the arm was a dark brown matching the rock of the volcanoes with lines of scarlet creating a web of colour across the hardened skin. The arm reached towards the heavens of muspelhiem bringing forth haunches and shoulders so broad the summit of the volcano swelled larger and larger. The back of the neck was emerging from the rock when the front of the mountain which bore this life convulsed and ruptured forth exposing an entire torso. As rock flew around it the immense being drew its head backwards and let out a shout so loud to shake the terrain once more. The sword still raised in its hand flared so bright that it pierced the void of ginnungagap as a beacon to the beginning of life upon the universe. The shout rippling across muspelhiem causing many more eruptions was long and lingering and echoed even after the being had moved its head forward and shut its mouth ceasing the movement of its throat. The blade of the sword, still flaring, was then directed down and driven into the ground. The being held onto the stone hilt of the sword, lava bubbled around the sword where it cleaved the rock and the surrounding terrain quaked as it heaved itself out of the land. The remains of the volcano shattered allowing the first of its legs to kneel onto the rock. The being then heaved harder still and the second leg was freed from the rock. It stood in the rubble of its birth mountain the web of scarlet veins upon his dark skin pulsing with a vigorous rhythm embedded into its core. It then opened its crimson eyes and looked upon the land which he now inhabited. The first memories where now formed within this first conscience and it took its first step upon its homeland.

2: chapter two - self awareness

A/N here we are the second chapter. Hopefully so far so good keep reviewing and enjoying the story :)

Chapter 2 – self awareness

 

‘Am I the only one?’ the first being asked itself as it took its second step, lifting the stones and rubble from its large feet. It looked at the volcanoes and the fiery world beyond them. It looked to the sky and saw the glow of the lava and fire illuminate the sky and sparks dancing in arcs across it like shooting stars. It then looked behind and turned to see what remained of the volcano it had emerged from. Only a deep pit remained, backed by the shell of the volcano almost in the shape of a cradle. It then focused on the sword within its hand. It lifted it up and ran its other hand along the blade. It felt warm to the touch and the light that emanated from the blade was almost blinding.

‘Your name is Surtalogi’ in response to this thought the blade burst into flames. The fire flowed of the metal like water and snaked around the blade in a spiral as if in approval. As soon as the fire was there the flames faded and died. It didn’t know how it came to know the name of this tool it was born with but it felt right.

‘What else do I know?’ it wondered. The being sat on the rocky ground and rested the sword across its out stretched legs. It then propped itself up on its elbows as it looked up at the sky and watched the sparks dance high above. The being breathed in hard and exhaled deeply closing its crimson eye’s as it did so.

He searched his mind for anything he may know. It did not take much searching the facts presented themselves as if desperate to come forth to him.

‘I am Surt’

‘This is muspelhiem’

‘This is my home’

‘I am its protector’

He opened his eyes and saw Muspelhiem the dynamic fire world that was his to guard, to preserve. It felt as if he was quickened as all these emotions bloomed with him the love for the land that bore him. The excitement for what he find within it. The happiness and fulfilment of his purpose but, also loneliness. Was he to be the only one of his kind? Was he only a pawn of this world so it had protection? He had this beautiful land around him and nothing and no-one to share it with. Surt shook his head to clear these bad thoughts from his mind. He was alive and he had an entire world before him.

‘Lets be content with that’ Surt thought as he picked up his sword, lifted himself off the ground and started walking forward into his world.

3: chapter three - first steps

A/N here is the third chapter of the Norse trickster :) It’s the longest so far so I hope you enjoy it and the plot will pick up a bit more in the next chapter so keep reading and reviewing.

Chapter 3 – First steps

 

Surt kept walking forward for some time. He watched the mountains and volcanoes around him grow taller and even exceed his height. He also noticed the colour of the flames around him become darker shades of red. He walked forward a few more steps and stopped.

‘This is going to get me nowhere’ Surt thought as struck his sword into the ground and leaned on the hilt. ‘I should know this land inside out if I am protecting it but so far all I've seen is a change in colour’ He looked around and back the way he came but all he saw was the same terrain in every direction. The same volcanoes, the same fire, the same lava. He still loved this land but he could feel the frustration building. ‘How can I protect this land if I don’t even know where I am?’ then a dark thought entered his mind ‘if I’m the only creature in existence then there will be no threat anyway. And if there was one how am I able to defend against it?’ Surt saw more red than the flames around him and struck the top of the sword with his fist. With a boom Surtalogi bore further into the ground and sent a flurry of sparks into the air. At this Surt never felt so overwhelmed.

 ‘I don’t know how long I’ve even been travelling or I’m close to any borders I know the cradle is long behind me but this certainly isn’t working’ once again Surt sat on the ground and leaned back onto his sword to watch the sparks arc in the sky. This wasn’t the first time he had stopped to rest and he found tracing the paths of sparks in the sky soothing and, at the moment, a welcome distraction.

 

Suddenly a pile of rocks came hurtling down a volcano near he was sitting. Surt’s eyes widened as he saw the lethal flow speeding towards him. All of a sudden Surt felt the rhythm within himself quicken and his instincts took over. He spun to his feet pulling Surtalogi out of the ground as he did so. The rocks where close enough now that he could see some of them where the size of his chest. With a shout Surt brought the sword in a wide horizontal arc in front of him. Fire leapt from the blade of Surtalogi sending a line of fire toward the rockslide. Surt watched as the fire collided with the rocks obliterating some of the smaller pebbles in the front and creating a gash in the middle of the rock fall that as it reached the ground the rocks landed on each side of him. Still amazed with what he had done Surt looked at the sword in wonder. ‘Was that you or me?’ Surt thought as he ran his hand up the length of the blade. He noticed that the scarlet lines of his skin where pulsing and saw that the light of the sword faded and lightened in the same rhythm.

 ‘No we did it’ Surt thought and the sword flared to life he felt the exhilaration bloom within him again. His body guided by the sword he lifted it up and pointed the blade towards the sky. The flames snaked around the blade from the hilt and when it reached the tip the fire blazed upwards creating a pillar of fire in the sky. The immense release of power coursing through Surt invigorated and amazed him. The sparks in the sky began to dance around the fire creating a spectacle Surt knew he would never forget. He continued to stare at the scene he and his sword had produced but he began to feel his energy drain. Surt sank to his knee’s lowering Surtalogi and watched as the pillar of fire flickered out like a candle in the wind.

This was the first time Surt fully realised the power he held. He knew had the power to protect this land using the very element it was made of. Overtaken by tiredness Surt laid on the ground reassured of his purpose and assured that he was capable to fulfil it.

She looked into the sky and saw a pillar of fire in the distance “there is another” she said aloud. The two figures in front of her took their attention from the sky and turned to face her. “You will be the one to fetch our new member” one of the figures ordered. The other nodded in confirmation “that kind of power could be useful to us”

“I understand I will be swift” she replied. She bowed and turned to walk away.

“Try not to be too rash with this one Sinmara”

Her lips curved into a smile “I only did what was needed” and she walked out of the valley.

4: chapter four - sinmara

A/N sorry this chapter took a lot of time getting out. Since studies are back on chapters may be few and far between but I’ll try my best not take too long :) as always keep enjoying and reviewing.

Chapter 4 – Sinmara

 

“I cannot believe I had to be sent to cover this one” Sinmara said to herself as she climbed the rocks in the direction the pillar of fire had erupted. She reached the top and breathed in deeply.

 “I thought that’s what lackeys were for” this wasn’t the first mountain but nevertheless Sinmara continued. She looked at the sky of dancing sparks and breathed in the air once more. The smell of the charred rock was much thicker now. She was getting closer.

‘I hope this one doesn’t struggle’ Sinmara thought to herself. The fire giantess despised having to fetch new fire giants, let alone carry them back.

 

‘The powerful ones are always interesting though’ Sinmara visualised the tower of flames illuminating the sky as she began her decent down the mountain. When she had once again reached the rocky ground she observed the towering mountaintops around her. Sinmara was very tempted to leave this one behind. She didn’t like tracking it was boring and a waste for her talents. Not to mention the climbing. Sinmara sniffed the air and found the charred smell came from her left. Sinmara turned and saw to her delight two piles of blackened rocks with a figure collapsed between them.

 

‘Good no more climbing’ Sinmara thought to herself as she approached. She looked at the piles of rocks ran her fingers over one of the blackened stones which broke away into dust at her touch.

‘I was right this one will be curious’ Sinmara then directed her attention to the figure slumped on the ground.

 

Great. She was carrying this one back whether she liked it or not.  As she got closer she realised it was the figure of a man he was defiantly a good one or two heads taller than she and his colouring was different to the others. There was definitely a browner tone to his skin compared to others she had fetched which made the scarlet veins across his skin even more striking. Also unlike other giants and giantesses she had fetched there was no hair on his head.  She turned his face with her foot.

“Hmmm not to bad looking either” Sinmara said to herself as she observed every detail of his face. The line of his jaw and prominence of his cheekbones. the width of his mouth and the relaxed expression of his face as he slept. Sinmara leaned in closer for a better look, the grey locks of her hair falling either side of her face.

“You really aren’t that bad are you?” Sinmara said to him when she saw a glow out of the corner of her eye.

 

‘What do we have here?’ Sinmara turned her head and brushed her hair behind her ear. She saw lying by his side a sword. It was exquisite. The hilt and the blade were the same slate grey colour. Sinmara moved over and picked up the weapon running her hand up and down the blade. The blade had unnatural warmth to it and she noticed it had a slight orange glow that pulsated in a slow rhythm. The sword itself was plain with no carvings on the hilt but the weight and the feel of it in her hand suggested great power.

“I think this will make good compensation for all the mountain climbing to get here” Sinmara said as she began to walk away.

 

The grit under his fingers. The smell of charred rock in the air. The sound of the volcanoes erupting. All these senses slowly came to Surt as he began to wake. First as a blur as his consciousness came from the black of sleep. Now each sense was clearer under the faint red of his eyelids. Surt opened his eyes and lay there staring at the blackened stones. Behind his eyes memories flickered like embers. A deadly avalanche of stones. The blade of his sword cutting through the air before him. The path of the rockslide cleaved in two as the remainder hurtled either side of him harmlessly.

Surt turned over onto his back and sat up. Surt felt clouded and out of focus. Surt stood up and wiped his hands together to shake off the grit on his fingers.

He felt himself sway on his feet. Surt tried to steady himself but his eyesight became hazier.

 

“This is a nice trinket you’ve got here” Surt snapped awake at the sound of another voice. So many emotions welled up within him.

‘I’m not alone!’ Surt thought with excitement. Surt rubbed his eyes and everything came into focus. The figure was much slender than he was, sat with its legs crossed on a ledge with something glowing in its lap. Surtalogi!

“Give me Surtalogi now” Surt demanded in a panic. He didn’t know what it was but he felt violated that someone else was holding Surtalogi. The figure leapt of the ledge and landed in front of him.

“Well that’s no manners for a greeting” the figure replied. Putting a hand to its chest it continued

“I am Sinmara”

“I am Surt. Again give back Surtalogi” said Surt imitating the Sinmara’s gesture. Sinmara brought Surtalogi up tracing the edge of the blade with her fingers.

“So the sword has a name. Curious” Sinmara said, ignoring the question.

“I said give it back!” Surt raised his voice, becoming angry. He took a step towards Sinmara, instantly his head spun and his sight clouded again. Surt groaned as cupped his head in his hands. Surtalogi bloomed to life in Sinmara’s hands. She marvelled at the colour pulsating from the sword.

“You really shouldn’t get too irritated I don’t think you have the energy for that after the power you displayed earlier. Although you’re one track mind doesn’t help that does it?” Sinmara said matter-of-factly turning her head to look at Surt who was now on his knees.

“Just give me my sword. Please” Surt groaned. Sinmara dropped Surtalogi to the ground and kicked it across the ground to Surt.

“See what happens when you ask nicely?” she mocked, turning her head to the side. “How did you get a sword like that?” Sinmara asked. Surt picked up Surtalogi and instantly the cloudiness was cleared from him mind. He stood once again and felt rejuvenated and much less panicked.

“I assume you are feeling better?” Sinmara said.

 Now that Surt was much more composed he could take in the figure before him. Sinmara was certainly different to him. Her voice had a lighter tone compared to his own deep gravelly voice. As he looked at her up and down the differences didn’t stop there her body was a cascade of curves compared to his square, blocky build. Her skin was coal-black laced with ruby red veins. He was stunned by the clear orange colour of her eyes and further amazed by the grey locks that flowed from her head. Not to mention her body was hugged by an ankle length grey dress that looked like it was made of stone but flowed with her movements like silk.

 

“Are you a different creature to me? And what are you wearing?” Surt asked.

“Ah. Very quick with questions I see” Sinmara looked at Surt with patronising eye’s.

“Although I’ve never been asked those questions before so I guess I will answer them. I am not another creature we are fire giants however you are a male and I am a female. As you have noticed the.....” Sinmara paused putting her hands on her hips “differences”

“As for my dress it’s to make sure the other gender doesn’t stare” Sinmara raised an eyebrow her eye’s drifting down to indicate at Surt’s nakedness. Surt looked down at himself. He never thought of ‘covering up’ he didn’t see it as necessary since there was no-one else around.

“So by other gender does that mean there are others? Did someone else make your dress?” Sinmara looked toward the ground.

“No. I’ve been travelling around for a long time now. I made the dress myself using my magic” Surt found it curious she felt the need to wear clothes if there was no one around maybe the female of their race thought differently? What intrigued him the most was the mention of ‘magic’

“What is magic?” Surt asked.

“Hmm. I think that question would be better answered with a demonstration” Sinmara replied. She took a step back from Surt and raised her arms. Sinmara then took in a deep breath, closing her eyes and raising onto the tips of her toes. Abruptly she dropped to her heels and exhaled. As she did so a whorl of sparks surrounded her and danced up into the sky. Surt stared in wonder as the sparks continued to dance, bouncing of the mountains and the ground around them. The sparks continued their eye-capturing scene until they eventually faded and Sinmara opened her eyes.

“That was impressive. I’ve never seen something so so……” Surt praised, still staring.

“That was only a minor show of my abilities” Sinmara dismissed with a wave of her hand. She started walking towards the blackened rocks behind Surt and waved her hands over them.

“What are you doing?”

Sinmara turned and looked at Surt “making clothes I’m not going to be looking at you naked while we’re travelling together”

Surt was taken aback at the sudden invitation.

“Why? You only just met me. I thought I was the only living thing in existence until now surely it must be the same for you?”

The pile of rocks before Sinmara began to mould together and take shape of a tunic and trousers. She took the garments and lifted them before Surt.

“Put these on they should fit. Because you interest me and even though I have my abilities I still need a certain amount of brawn. The first law of survival: safety in numbers.”

Surt took the clothes from Sinmara and dressed. They felt light and comfortable on his skin. He paced in front of Sinmara. They didn’t restrict any movement and he liked the dark black of them. He could get used to wearing these. He then turned his attention back to the woman in front of him.

“Brawn? Survival? But if we are the only fire giants in existence then there is no threat” Surt pointed out

“Until now you didn’t know I existed so something might be out there that needs the two of us to combat. Plus you don’t have Surtalogi as an accessory” she lightly slapped Surt’s face mockingly.

“That’s why your brawn you can’t handle brains” Surt felt insulted by this.

“What if I decide not to go with you since I don’t feel like be patronised all the time” Surt retorted.

Sinmara turned on her heel and started to walk away “unfortunately you don’t have choice. Come on” She called behind her clicking her fingers. Surt was shocked by her sudden departure and decided he may as well have some company while he explores the land that’s his job to protect. So with a huff Surt started walking after Sinmara.

5: chapter five - decisions

A/N – the next chapter is in :) after many bouts of writer’s block and pulling my hair out I think I’m satisfied. I hope you are too :) as always please enjoy and review.

 

Chapter 5 – Decisions

 

“These clothes really chafe after a while” Surt complained, tugging at the shoulder of tunic to rearrange it to better position.

“Can’t I at least take off this infernal top?”

“No” Sinmara said shortly.

“You just need to get used to them and maybe if you didn’t keep pulling at them and complaining you wouldn’t have a problem”

“Humph. I beg to differ” Surt said under his breath. These clothes were ok until he began walking and they rubbed. Not to mention the sheath Sinmara made for Surtalogi didn’t help at all. The sheathed sword kept knocking against his thigh in an extremely irritating rhythm as he walked.

Thud, thud, thud.

“Fine, but I’m taking of this damn sheath” Surt stopped and started fumbling with the belt to remove it. Sinmara turned around and gave Surt a look of exasperation.

“Will you just leave them alone and keep walking. I swear it’s like travelling with a child, which for all your moaning would be an improvement”

“There got it” Surt held the belt in triumph, removing Surtalogi from its sheath and discarding the belt.

“Pick. Up. The. Belt” Sinmara said through gritted teeth. With a confidence boost from having Surtalogi in his hand once more Surt replied.

“No and I don’t see why I have to wear it anyway”

“Firstly because you may need both your hands free just in case and secondly one small jump and I’m cut in half”

“That’s ridiculous I’m in perfect control”

“Really? So that’s why I found you surrounded by charred stones and the pillar of fire I saw in the sky was just to improve the scenery”

“You’re impossible, you know that?”

“How do you expect me to act? Travelling with someone who has less conversational appeal than a rock”

“Maybe I’d be in a better mood if you weren’t so demanding, making me wear these clothes and telling what to do. Who handed you a crown and made you queen anyway?”

“I thought I explained this when we first met I don’t want to travel with you naked is that too much to ask?”

“How would you see anything? You’ve been walking in front for miles”

“I’d know and if we’re going to travel together we may as do it with some dignity”

“Why? There’s no-one else to see us anyway!”

Sinmara snorted in derision at this.

“Are you as pretentious to think that you’re the only thing in existence?”

“HA! So there are others I thought you told me there was no-on else”

Sinmara paused taken aback

“No….no I was just saying that others we haven’t encountered yet could be out there”

“Then where did you get the idea for the clothes and ‘safety in numbers’ huh? Where did you find the need to learn magic, if you’ve only encountered me so far?”

“Maybe I didn’t just wander around like an oaf! Maybe I had some initiative and used my brain! And how dare you question me when we barely know each other! I don’t remember interrogating you when we met! I already regret asking you to join me! HOW ABOUT I JUST LEAVE YOU HERE! THEN MY LIFE WOULD BE EASIER!”

Sinmara had raised her voice as she was verbally cornered. She realised that as she shouted she had stepped forward and was standing right in front of Surt. She looked up into Surt’s eyes and saw hurt and fear.

“I wish you wouldn’t” his voice was barely audible. He turned away and bent over to pick up the belt. The matter of his irritating clothes seemed trivial now. As Surt walked past Sinmara he turned his head away but it was a futile effort as she stared at the small circular dark patches on the ground where Surt had picked up the belt.

Sinmara turned around and looked at Surt’s back as he walked away.

Why is this any different?

Sinmara thought as she walked after Surt.

He’s lucky I haven’t just dragged him back so why haven’t I done it?

 

They carried on walking in silence for some time. Sinmara watched Surt’s back as he walked in front of her. His head hung low and he wasn’t pulling on his clothes like he was before. She occasionally saw him bring up his arm to discretely to wipe his eyes. Sinmara quietly sniffed the air.

Great we’re going in the opposite direction to them.

Sinmara looked at the mountains and volcanoes she was passing. They didn’t have any familiarity. Usually she just seemed to know where she was going there were no landmarks in this uniform landscape but somehow her instincts and sense of smell always lead her in the right direction. It was as if she was navigating in a newly printed half of a map. She had to get back in the right direction she didn’t know what would happen if she went completely out of their range, she didn’t want to find out. A small snuffle in front of her broke Sinmara’s focus and she saw Surt’s arm droop back to his side.

How? I’ve never come across any other that’s reacted like this.

She was used to objections, obedient silence or the sound of her dragging them across the ground. But never had she ever come across any other that expressed emotion and she never expected her reaction either.

Why aren’t I just dragging him back? I could easily take him by surprise and this could all be over with.

But Sinmara looked at the figure walking before her and she just didn’t have the heart to do it. She would muster the courage but the way he walked even as she visualised knocking him to the ground she knew she just couldn’t bear to commit the act.

Am I losing my edge? Can I not do it anymore?  Am I useless now?

Sinmara’s eyes widened at this thought

No I dread to think what they would do if I became useless. I can do it.

Sinmara sped up her pace so she was right behind Surt

I can do it

She lifted her fist

Just one hit and I can take him back and never see him again

Sinmara brought her hand back deal the final blow

I can do it

But it didn’t quite go to plan.

As Sinmara brought her hand forward she opened it and missed the back of Surt’s head and instead ended up tapping him on the shoulder.

What the hell did I just do?!

“What is it Sinmara?” Surt said deflated, as he stopped and faced her.

He’s meant to be unconscious on the floor you stupid woman. What’s going on?

Sinmara stood and cleared her throat trying to find something to say. Unfortunately her brain decided it was best for her to be honest and she couldn’t stop the flow of words from her mouth.

“Why are you so upset? We’ve only been walking together a short time and even then we never talked”

You stupid stupid woman you don’t reason you command! You’re not meant to care about the ones you fetch

Unluckily she found herself afflicted as such when she looked into Surt’s sad eyes.

“I was lonely”

Sinmara would never forget those three words. There were words that had filled her with fear, with hate, with hope and even with happiness. But those three had never brought such a feeling of guilt and sadness and there were more to come.

“You were the first other living being I had ever come across. I may have asked countless questions and moaned the entire time we’ve been together. But since I was born, if you can call it that, I have never felt so alive, so reassured that I wasn’t trying to forge my way into this world alone that there was someone else to stand next to me. Before I had met you I had figured out the basic’s but other than that I was confused I had no idea where to go and not wholly sure of what to do. But the short time I’ve been with you there’s been some direction and some hope that I may be able to figure out why I’m here and what I’m meant to do.” Surt paused as there was a catch in his throat. He cleared his throat and continued on the words pulling Sinmara’s heart strings.

“When you threatened to take that away I….I….” Surt began to stammer.

“I am sorry” Words that Sinmara never thought she would say in her life as she looked down at her feet.

“I didn’t know that companionship was so important to you”

Surt placed a hand on Sinmara’s shoulder

“Thank you”

Sinmara looked back up and into Surt’s eyes and realised he was the youngest she had come across. She didn’t know about the workings of time or how long it had been since he emerged from his birth mountain. She knew that this rocky landscape hadn’t hardened his soul or his heart. She saw in his eyes an innocence that had long escaped others. She got to see what an untouched heart was like and understood why she felt so drawn to care for him. In this barren hard landscape there was something soft and warm and she wanted to preserve it.

Surt’s happy eye’s looked upon Sinmara a moment longer. Surt turned his head left and right.

“Where do you think we should go now?” Surt asked

“Hmmm more questions now?” Sinmara joked, raising an eyebrow. Surt looked back at Sinmara with a smile.

“Hopefully you’ll answer this one”

Sinmara pushed Surt playfully and sniffed the air. There were two smells colliding in her nostrils. One was of her home, the community. The other was a musky, deep scent. She had choice to make. Sinmara turned to her left and walked forward.

“This way” as she said this Sinmara clicked her fingers.

The two of them began travelling towards the musk and Sinmara didn’t look back.

6: chapter six - myrkwood

A/N – Hey here’s the next chapter. I can’t believe how long it’s been :) I hope the wait was worth it, enjoy and as always reviews are welcome :)

 

Chapter 6 – Myrkwood

 

The musk was over-powering in Sinmara’s nostrils for some time now, as she and Surt made their way around the rocks and over mountains. She couldn’t smell even the slightest tinge of the others. As she reached another mountain peak Sinmara smelled the air again and felt the ground with her toes.

‘I can feel the terrain changing. Not just the smell but the ground feels more yielding underfoot. If we’re not careful going down this mountain we may fall its base’

Sinmara could hear a gasping sound behind her draw closer.

“Can’t we………….. Rest………………. here……………..for a while?” Surt wheezed behind Sinmara as he sat next to her feet.

Sinmara rolled her eyes in exasperation and nudged Surt with her foot.

“You know for the brawn you’re not showing much strength” Surt looked up.

“I don’t remember volunteering for the role” Surt said as he nudged Sinmara back and looked out onto the horizon.

It was the familiar pattern of sparks dancing upon the jagged horizon of cliffs and mountains. A slight breeze caught Surt’s attention and he looked closer in the direction of the wind onto what looked like a dark smudge in the distance. Now that he had caught his breath Surt stood keeping his eyes on the curious smudge.

“Errrrr…….. Sinmara can you see that?” Surt asked, pointing in the direction of the curious dark mass in the distance.

Sinmara turned in the direction that Surt was pointing and strained her eyes as well.

“Hmmmm it appears to be what’s causing the change in terrain”

“Change?”

“Yes. Haven’t you noticed the softer ground? The breeze that just blew across the two of us?”

“You think there’s something affecting muspelhiem? Do you think it could be bad?” Surt’s voice sounded concerned, it was his land to protect after all.

“No it doesn’t seem like it. If you look along the horizon there is a definite line between the mountains and whatever’s out there it almost looks like it’s just been added on. If anything it seems to add life to muspelhiem, with the breeze and softer ground, makes the landscape appear more……alive”

“Do you think it’s worth checking out?” Sinmara raised an eyebrow at this question.

“Do you have anything pressing to do? Come on” Sinmara clicked her fingers and started to make her way down the mountain.

“The clicking thing is getting annoying you know” Surt called after her as he began to follow.

But Sinmara was too distracted with her thoughts to hear him.

‘It’s perfect, the source of the musky smell they’ll never sense us there and he’ll be safe’ Sinmara reached the bottom of the mountain and looked back at Surt picking his way down careful to avoid slipping.

‘He would never survive them for long’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two of them walked on for some time before they began to see changes in their surroundings. The mountains began to get smaller and more rounded. As they kept on their journey they came across gnarled and blackened sticks upright in the ground. They began to get more frequent and taller as the rocks and mountains fell away to their numbers. Surt stopped to examine one about his height. The gnarled thing was hunched and had other branches extending from the main trunk that were as bent as the rest of this curiosity. The main trunk was about the same width as Surt’s hand as he reached out and felt its rough and coarse exterior.

“Hey, Sinmara what do you think this is?” Surt looked to see she had carried on walking and was quite far ahead of him.

“Sinmara!” at the sound of her name Sinmara turned around sharply and quickly clocked the distance between them. Before Surt could draw in another breath to say more she had crossed the gap between them.

“What do think you’re doing all the way back here? Come on we have to keep moving” Sinmara turned around to carry on their path when Surt lightly put a hand on her shoulder.

“I was just wondering what thi…..” Sinmara shook the hand of her shoulder

“We don’t have time for this. Get moving” Sinmara raised her voice slightly. Surt gave her a quizzical look as she began to nervously pick at her fingers.

“What’s wrong? Why are you in such a rush?”

“Nothing….. Let’s just keep moving”

“Sinmara I’m not that ignorant I’ve noticed you looking around a lot and moving at a faster pace since these things started appearing”

‘Because this is about the time they begin to get impatient’ Sinmara thought as she stood there saying nothing. She thought he wouldn’t have seen her looking over her shoulder in case they had sent anyone after her, tensed in case they found them moving faster and faster out of their radar before it was too late.

“I…….I’m just curious to see what’s ahead” came the weak explanation.

Surt continued to stare questioningly but seemed satisfied as he began to walk forward once again.

 

 

 

 

Sinmara could feel the musky smell filling her nostrils masking the two of them. She saw the red and gray of the rocks fully disappear, replaced by green and a soft blanket of moss underfoot. As the two walked further into the tree’s element they began to lose their hunched forms and stand tall and thick with life. Their branches extended widely overhead and tapered to a point at the top covering the spark-filled sky. As the forest became thicker and Sinmara had to weave her way between the trees she began to slow down and relaxed convinced their safety was assured.

“Sinmara could you slow down” Surt called as he burst from the trees and fell to the ground covered with spines.

“You do know you avoid the branches right?” She giggled at the sight of Surt splayed across the ground. Surt turned over and began to pick the spines from his mouth.

“You weren’t the one trying to keep up” Surt said irritated as he got up and dusted himself off.

“This place is so cloying; all I can smell is the trees and I can’t even see the sky anymore. I had to try and make sure I didn’t lose sight of you and get lost. Although these…” Surt slapped one of the tree branches “… didn’t help”

“Hmmm I prefer it like this it feels warmer and safer here. Won’t enjoy the adventure of exploring this place?”

“I guess….. It’s just unnerving. There’s nothing familiar”

“That’s half the appeal” Sinmara smiled and started strolling through the woods. Surt stood in protest but it wasn’t long before he followed Sinmara and fell into step beside her. They kept walking in silence together looking at the tree’s that now towered above them with their deep green spines and the different colours of the mosses that grew on the dark tree trunks.

This contented them for some time before Surt’s unease got the better of him.

“Maybe we should give this place a name”

“Hmmm?” Sinmara turned her attention from one of the tree’s that surrounded them.

“A name. It will help familiarise the place” Sinmara leant against the trunk of the tree thinking on a name.

“How about…….” Sinmara looked about her.

“’spine forest’?” looking at the curios leaves of the tree’s she was leaning upon.

“Nah, it doesn’t roll of the tongue”

“Since when did you care about the sounding of a word? You’re the one who came up with muspelhiem”

“Yes. But you have to admit it suited”

“Okay then. What about ‘moss wood’?”

“Hmmmm……..” Surt pondered as he walked over what appeared to be a mound of leaves. He looked up at the covered sky and the dark wood bark then it came to him.

“I know! Myrkwood!” He exclaimed, jumping on the mound.

“I have to admit that does suit”

But they didn’t have long to share that moment as the mound beneath Surt began to stir. The both of them only shared a shocked glance as something erupted from the ground beneath him with a guttural roar.

7: chapter seven - attack and aftermath

A/N – luckily inspiration struck with this chapter so I hope this compensates once again for the long wait :L as always enjoy and review :)

Chapter 7 – attack and aftermath

 

Sinmara could only look on in shock as the scene unfolded before her. Surt thrust into the air above what had erupted from the soil. She had never seen anything like it before. The yellowed teeth in its gaping maw, the large bulbous nose upon its face, the large wooden club it wielded and the garments it donned woven of spines from the tree’s. She would be lying if she didn’t admit she was fearful of this creature. As it towered a good few heads above her, Sinmara was motionless. Due to its nose there were no distinct features such as a mouth or ears, even its eyes were reduced to points.

Sinmara watched on, it was as if everything was in slow motion. Surt slowly falling back to the ground and the creature with its club rose, surrounded by the falling spines of the nearby trees. Then as quick as the moment came it was lost. All the sound came back to her at once the roar of the creature booming through the forest, the thud of Surt as he landed on the ground.

“What the hell is that?!?” Sinmara heard Surt shout as he unsheathed Surtalogi.

But she couldn’t muster an answer her eye’s transfixed on the club in its hands. But the creature was much faster than its size professed as it brought the club round in a sweeping blow. Sinmara’s reflexes took over as she jumped backwards to avoid the weapon but Surt was not. With a sickening crunch the club sent him flying through the air into a nearby tree trunk where he landed unconscious. The creature roared as if in delight as it raised the club again and sent Surt into another tree. Sinmara just watched in anguish, powerless to stop its dreadful game. She began to panic as she searched for a solution.

‘No no no no I can’t let this happen I won’t let this happen’

Sinmara found Surtalogi among some fallen spines. Although glad she found it she had no idea how to actually wield the weapon. She saw in the corner of her eye Surt being struck again and again. With each blow Surtalogi flared and died out getting dimmer and dimmer each time.

‘If I don’t do something soon he’ll die. But there’s nothing here that can help’

She slumped onto her knees on the ground, clutching the sword close as if it would give her an answer. She felt the sword flare again weakly. She stared hopelessly at the ground and noticed where the spines had touched the blade of the sword they were slightly blackened. The picture of the gnarled black things they encountered before entering Myrkwood flowed through her mind and she realised with a start.

‘They were trees! They can’t withstand the fire or the heat of muspelhiem that’s why they were black, that’s why the terrain is different’

She stood and turned to the creature as it beat Surt around the surrounding forest like a ragdoll. Sinmara’s eyes narrowed in malice and scorn.

‘I wonder if the same applies to the woods inhabitants’

But there wasn’t much time Surtalogi had almost lost all heat. In horror she could see the creature starting to raise the club upward, ready to strike the final blow. Immediately she broke into a run, dropping the sword. Her heart skipped a beat as the creature’s arm rose higher and higher.

‘No just a little closer. JUST A BIT CLOSER’

In one heart stopping moment the creature started to lower the club and Sinmara leapt into the air. She pressed her palm to its back.

“VILLIELDR!”

Almost instantly flames flowed from her palm and snaked its way across the back of its victim. Sinmara was thrown back by its hands as the creature shrieked in pain and dropped the club to try to pat the fire out. But the flames only intensified, eating away at its flesh. Frenzied, the creature ran out through the forest.

 

 

 

 

The needles against her skin, the breeze on her face slowly lulled her awake. But she didn’t want to wake up. She didn’t want to see the scene that would be laid out cruelly before her.

‘I wanted to protect him. I failed.’

‘I brought him here to mask him from them. A monster has now beaten him to death. I wanted to protect him and all I could do was save what was left’

The memories flashed behind her eyelids. Surt knocked into the air. She saved herself and left him in the path of the club, Surtalogi slowly dying out blow by blow. They tormented her over and over until she was forced to open her eyes to wipe them away from her mind. Sinmara lay back watching the spines fall from the trees dancing in the breeze. She preferred it here. Time seemed to lull rather than rush. The forest was softer than the cold rocks of her origin.

‘Despite the inhabitants’

Sinmara winced as the memories danced at the edges of her conscience again.

Sinmara continued to lie on the forest floor remaining still. For all she knew there could be more of those things running about and since they can hide under your very feet it was better just not to move.

She didn’t know how long she lay there for watching the needles fall, neither did she care. Sinmara couldn’t bear to see her failure.

‘And yet they would have seen it as a success. Of all the fire giants I’ve had to bring back he was different. I tried to protect him instead.’

Sinmara turned to her side and closed her eyes once more.

‘And worse I don’t know why’

It was the feeling of dread at seeing Surt in his condition, the panic when he was in danger, the guilt she felt when she hurt him. And that nothing would seem the same again for it.

 

Despite this she had to muster the courage to face this. She can’t just waste away in pity.

‘If I want to protect him, then I have to fix the damage I’ve done’

Sinmara slowly eased herself into a sitting position. She then stood brushing the needles from her dress. All she saw were the same conical trees of Myrkwood.

‘It seems I was thrown farther backwards than I thought’

There was no evidence of the attack at first but as Sinmara walked forward the destruction got worse. There were clear dents in the trees where the club had struck them and large foot prints in the needles strewn on the ground. As Sinmara walked on she felt something moving with her foot.

‘Surtalogi, I’m getting close now’

She picked up the sword and examined it. The sword was now a dull gray practically nothing more than an odd shaped piece of rock. Sinmara hugged the sword to her.

‘I’m sorry’

Sinmara tentatively continued forward. The state of the sword didn’t bode well for Surt’s condition.

Not far from where she picked up the sword Sinmara found Surt by a tree. He was on his side almost coiled round the trunk, from the force of the blow that put him there. Sinmara laid Surt out on his back and began to examine the damage.

‘Most of the blows he suffered were to his stomach and chest. His arms and legs seem intact and the head unharmed. The clothes however are badly torn but they will do’

She placed Surtalogi on his chest, point down, and placed Surt’s hands on the hilt. She could see the brownish hue of his skin had dulled to gray like the sword and his scarlet veins laced across his body were a soft red.

‘Curious, this is the second time I’ve seen you asleep’

Tears welled behind her eyes

‘It’s unfortunate you won’t wake up as fast’

She couldn’t bear to see him like this. Sinmara placed her hand over his.

“I……… I…..”

Sinmara couldn’t hold her emotion any longer. Her despair, anguish, guilt, fear, sadness and hopelessness all rushed from her heart like water and rarely the gates were open to let them free.

“I want you back. I want you to open your eyes”

The waters of her heart flowed stronger and stronger until she did something she had only seen someone else do once before.

Sinmara wept.

The tears poured onto her hand and rolled off onto Surt’s.

She buried her forehead onto her hand and closed her eyes.

“I just want you back”

The tears continued to stream from her eyes. She heard the wind blow but it was stronger than before. As Sinmara listened she could make out words on the wind.

‘Lifa endr lifa endr lifa endr lifa endr’

  Before she could think of what the words meant she felt the wetness on her hand begin to warm and behind her eyelids she could see a faint orange glow. She lifted her head and opened her eyes and couldn’t believe what she saw. The tears on her hands shone like the sparks in the sky of muspelhiem.

“What magic is this?”

As Sinmara lifted her hand the sparked tears rolled from her hand onto Surtalogi. As they landed on the cold stone they sank in and their orange glow began to spread across its surface. As Sinmara marvelled at the sword a golden light flared to life and the wind intensified. As quickly as they had come the words and the glow died away. Instantly Sinmara could see the sword had returned to its usual steady glow and as that glow shone upon Surt the brownish hue of his skin began to return. The glow filled his veins with their scarlet colour tracing their lines across his body.

Sinmara looked upon Surt full of life once again. She couldn’t fathom the joy she felt nor her gratitude to the wind.

‘What was that magic? What was its source?’

“Whoever you are, Thank you”

Sinmara stood and, using Magic, began to weave the needles under Surt into a make-shift hammock.

“If I’m going to be dragging you I may as well make it easier”

Sinmara completed the hammock and satisfied with her work picked up one end and began walking towards the winds source.

“I can’t believe I still end up carrying you” But Sinmara couldn’t help but smile.

8: chapter eight - Ginnungagap

A/N - one more chapter for the readers out there :) here is also an easter fun fact: the festival of easter was derived from the norse festival of eostre where people gave eachother coloured egg’s as a way of wishing them well for the coming season. It may not be fun but I thought it might be interesting :) as always enjoy, read, review :)

Chapter 8 – Ginnungagap

 

‘Where am I?’

Surt thought as he tried to look through the darkness that surrounded him. No creature, No Sinmara, No trees, just black. The last thing he could remember was Sinmara staring blankly at the attacking monster and then he was here.

‘What if she’s being attacked now?’

Surt pushed the thought from his mind but began to look around more frantically none-the-less. Surt tried to move but seemed to just stay suspended in the darkness.

“Sinmara! Sinmara!”

Surt began to panic.

‘I can’t be alone again. Please I can’t’

Once again he tried to will himself forward to get anywhere to make sure she was safe. Just as he was about to give up again a brief flicker of light flashed across his eyes and faintly heard Sinmara’s voice.

“Villieldr!”

As the light died Surt tried more desperately to fight to the surface.

“Sinmara!”

But it was no use the light completely faded away. Surt stopped in defeat.

“I just want to go back to see Sinmara safe to see the forest, the mountains, the sparks dancing in the sky. To return to the land I want to protect. That I’m MEAN’T to protect” Surt pleaded to the darkness.

 

 

“Are you sure you want to go back?”

‘Yes’ He thought.

Instantly the darkness around him seemed to swirl and move around him. From the swirls a face materialised before him. It was the face of a woman. Her complexion was completely clear, devoid of the veins that traced his own. Her eyes were completely white and her hair seemed to blend in and become one with the swirls that surrounded the ethereal face before him.

“Are you sure? There will be a price. And many hard struggle’s before you”

‘With all that I am I ask you bring me back. I will pay any price. I will endure any trial. Just take me back’

The woman’s lips curled into a smile and continued to stare with her blank eyes.

“Very well then”

The face drifted backwards and reached out two arms bathed in the swirls of darkness.

“Come forth”

Surt managed to tentatively walk forward. As the arms enveloped him within the darkness it whirled around him like a wind.

“Lifa endr lifa endr lifa endr”

As the woman chanted the darkness moved faster and faster. Surt began to feel a warm glow emanate from his skin and a pale orange light began to fill his vision. He could feel them taking him away pulling him to the surface, to consciousness.

‘Before I go who or what are you?’

“I am the one who gave birth to your beloved land, the one who gave it life and form. I am the life in my children, the one who drives the wind and gives the mountains their fire. I am Ginnungagap”

He could hear her voice growing fainter and fainter as the orange light lulled him to sleep

‘Thank you’

“Don’t forget there will be a price and tell Sinmara I do not appreciate the death of my trollian children”

It was all Surt could hear before he slipped back to the surface.

 

Surt slowly stirred to consciousness. As his senses began to come into focus he could smell the pine in the air and hear the sound of the breeze echo around him. He could feel something wrapped snugly around him. As his mind became more focussed he began to wriggle and shift under his bonds. Surt opened his eyes and saw the ceiling of a cave. There were tree roots embedded within the roof and snaked their way down to the cavern floor. He then looked down himself and saw he was wrapped in a blanket of needles from the trees. As he stretched out his arms and legs the blanket of needles disintegrated and he lifted himself upright. Surt stumbled and placed a hand on the cave wall for support. He stared out of the cave mouth to see the silhouette of Sinmara sitting with her eyes closed her hair moving slowly in the breeze.

“Sinmara?”

The giantess opened her eyes and smiled.

“I see you’re awake”

“Is that it? I’m knocked unconscious by whatever is lurking in those trees” Surt crossed his arms feigning annoyance “I’d think you would be a little more thrilled that I’m alive”

Sinmara waved her hand dismissively

“You weren’t going to die, don’t be so dramatic”

“Well you try getting clubbed repeatedly then we’ll see who’s dramatic”

“I wouldn’t have been slow enough to get caught”

Surt snorted “You seemed pretty comatosed to me”

Sinmara fell silent at this, glancing at the floor. Surt realising he had gone too far started to walk towards Sinmara.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you”

Sinmara remained silent as Surt tried to make amends. He walked past Sinmara, out of the cave, and looked out into the forest.

“Which way do we go now? It all looks the same to me”

Surt turned back with a grin, which fell from his face when Sinmara had no reply.

Surt looked back into the forest. Things remained silent as Surt tried to delegate which way to go next.

“We go left” Sinmara’s instruction was almost inaudible.

“Left it is”

“I apologise”

Surt looked at Sinmara. “What was that?”

“I apologise. I shouldn’t have just stood there while you were attacked. I don’t know what came over me and I’m so guilty I never intended to abandon you……”

Sinmara was unaware of Surt moving closer to her as she continued to ramble her apology. She was still talking as Surt stood in front of her and wrapped his arms around her. Surt felt Sinmara freeze at their sudden closeness.

“It’s ok I know how you must have felt. I felt the same way before I met you. The loneliness, the fear of being the only one in the world”

Surt loosened his grip and held Sinmara’s shoulders at arm’s length.

“I don’t care that I was clubbed by that thing. What matters is you saved me in the end and helped me recover. I thank you for it”

He looked into Sinmara’s watering eyes and pulled her back into his arms. He felt a wet patch form on his shoulder as the two of them held each other.

‘There will be a price. And many hard struggle’s before you’

The words weighed heavy on his heart. He wasn’t sure if what happened was real or an illusion. But they felt like shackles binding him to fate that loomed like a shadow on their future.

 

 

 

 “Left was it?” Surt asked as the two of them released each other.

“Yes. I think it’ll lead somewhere interesting”

“Why?”

“It’s the source of the wind”

Surt looked at Sinmara as they began to walk once more.

“How do you know that?”

“Call it intuition. You really have to get out of the habit of bombarding me with questions”

“The more you answer the less there are for me to ask. It’s all on you really”

Sinmara raised an eyebrow at this.

“Or you could find the answers yourself”

“I am. By asking you”

“And you think I have all the answers?”

“No. but certainly more than me”

“I already know that. I’m the brains, remember?”

Surt smiled to himself and they continued to make their way through the trees. As the journey continued in silence Ginnungagap’s words echoed in his mind. He was quickly regretting what this price may entail and he certainly didn’t want Sinmara to pay them. Not to mention the hard trials that could put the two of them in danger. These thoughts buzzed around his mind for what seemed like an endless time before Sinmara broke the silence.

“Are you alright? You seem distracted by something”

“No it’s alright. Let’s keep moving. Are we close by now?”

“I’m not sure. The wind has completely died away I’m not even sure if we’re just moving in circles”

Surt stopped and leaned back on a nearby tree

“That’s not exactly motivating”

Sinmara looked back.

“Well it’s the best I’ve got at the moment you’re just going to have to deal with it”

“But what if……..”

Surt was hushed by Sinmara before he could finish his argument. Sinmara turned her head slightly as if straining to hear something.

“Can’t you hear that?”

Surt focussed and couldn’t sense anything unusual

“No. what is it?”

“It’s like a……… a call. I can’t think of any other way to describe it”

Sinmara’s voice trailed off as she walked past the tree Surt was leaning upon following her call as if in a trance. Surt followed closely after her. It wasn’t long before he could hear a low drone through the trees. The air began to grow thick. This weighed on him making his movements more sluggish as if he was being pulled backward. Even the spines falling from the trees were affected, drifting to the ground slowly as if falling through water. But Sinmara seemed to be unaffected making her way through the forest with ease towards the drone. Surt also noticed that the gaps between the trees were becoming smaller, Due to their trunks and branches becoming thicker. The vibrancy of life in his surroundings was increasing as he made his way forward. This carried on until he reached what seemed to be a wall of tree trunks; they were taller and larger than the one’s he had walked past before. But he knew just behind them was the source of the drone that now vibrated in the air. As Sinmara effortlessly slipped through the wall and out of sight he scrambled after her and couldn’t believe what awaited them on the other side.

9: chapter nine - the edge of the world

A/N – hi readers :) I hope everyone had a great Easter holiday and here’s to good weather for the summer perfect for enjoying online books (full of comments and reviews) ;)

Chapter 9 – the edge of the world

 

The two of stood together on the very precipice of Muspelhiem. They couldn’t believe the ethereal landscape before them. The sudden wall of trees behind gave way to saplings leading to the lands edge. Beyond that spirals and swirls of dark mist lapped against the land like the waves upon the earth.

“It’s………… beautiful” Surt heard Sinmara whisper in awe. She began to walk forward brushing her hands on the fresh saplings as she went past. Surt, still overwhelmed at the magnificence of the land’s end, watched as Sinmara proceeded and knelt by the sea of swirls and spirals.

There’s something familiar with this pattern

Surt thought as he regained his senses and moved to join Sinmara. He took Surtalogi and embedded it into the ground where he leaned on one knee to see what had Sinmara so mesmerised. He noticed an odd glow when the swirls came into contact with the land, and when the swirls receded the glow died away to reveal fresh soil.

Not only was this the edge of their world but it was expanding.

The thought left Surt completely speechless.

Every rock, tree and mountain had come from this familiar sea of dark, not to mention the change in landscape between Myrkwood and Muspelhiem. This means the new soil created by this could change in any way.

Surt pressed his hand to his forehead and sat back as all these different idea’s and realisations revolved around his mind.

Surt looked to see how Sinmara was taking this in. She was still knelt staring, transfixed, at the sea of swirls before them. Surt frowned at Sinmara’s sudden blankness.

“Are you alright Sinmara?”

Sinmara continued to be unresponsive as she reached out and placed her hand into the sea of swirls. She then lifted her hand and marvelled at the tendrils of energy flowing from her hand like water.

This wasn’t good. He had no idea how he could snap Sinmara out of it and he didn’t quite trust these eerie waters either, as Sinmara reached for another handful Surt held her wrist and looked into her eyes.

“Sinmara, you have to focus I have a bad feeling about this place”

Sinmara looked at Surt in confusion as he continued.

“I think we should lea……..”

Surt was cut short as Sinmara hit him in the chest with her palm causing him to skid backwards into the fresh undergrowth behind them.

“NO! I DON’T WANNA GO”

Sinmara shouted petulantly and shuffled forward to get closer to the edge. Surt sat in shock staring at Sinmara sit stubbornly. Surt rose to his feet and walked to Sinmara’s side

“Sinmara we have to go. I need your sense of direction, not childishness”

Sinmara turned her head ignoring him, pouting as she did so. Surt sighed and pressed his hand to his forehead.

Maybe it was better when she was unresponsive.

He looked again at Sinmara who was once again staring, wide eyed, at the patterns in the energy before her. Surt knew he had to do something there was something else involved in this. Sinmara being drawn here the weight of the air on him as he followed her and Sinmara’s refusal to leave had to be connected. Surt kneeled in front of Surtalogi placing his hands on the top of the hilt and closed his eyes.

First we were alone and now there’s a race of god knows what in the forest, someone messing with Sinmara and a sense of forboding I can’t shake off.

“If you have any advice I’d be happy to hear it”

Surt whispered to the sword he was holding onto. He stayed in that position for what felt like a lifetime, until he felt a hand upon his own. He opened his eyes to see that the hand was Sinmara’s she smiled at him reassuringly with hope that Surt had never seen. It revealed a young innocence that Sinmara had long ago shed.

She has regressed Surt realised somehow her state of mind has been returned to a child’s. But why? Who would even know how to do such a thing?

Surt felt Surtalogi warm under his hands and memories began to present themselves in the back of his mind. Of a woman’s face surrounded in swirls of energy, two arms extended saying I am the one who gave birth to your beloved land, the one who gave it life and form. I am the life in my children.

Surt’s eyes widened Ginnungagap would know. She would have watched Sinmara from when she emerged from her birth volcano too. Surt knew what he had to do. He turned his hands under Sinmara’s and held it.

“I have to go for a while. I’ll be back as fast as I can I just need to make sure this is safe. I’ll leave this sword with you in case there is any danger. Ok?”

Surt explained returning Sinmara’s smile. Sinmara’s eyes darted from him to the sword then back again. She removed her hand from his and turned to face the swirls that had her entranced.

“Ok”

She whispered her eyes beginning to become blank once again. Surt stood and turned to walk along the edge of the land. As he walked forward the pledge he made repeated in his mind.

I will pay any price. I will endure any trial.

“And I will do anything in my power to protect Sinmara and this expanding land”

Surt added with conviction as he carried on walking.

10: chapter ten - the price

A/N – I know what you guys might be thinking - Impossible! Two chapters at once, I must be mad, the computers broken. It’s the first ever time I’ve managed it with this story :D  as always enjoy the double bill :)

Chapter 10 – the price

 

Surt clasped his hands behind his head as he walked. It kept him from fidgeting, Clenching his hands, unclenching them again, tapping his fingers against his thigh, locking his fingers together. The restless ritual was getting on his nerves but he couldn’t help it. Without Surtalogi in his hands he felt wrong and leaving Sinmara felt worse but there was no other way to find any answers. Surt kept walking in this internal turmoil for what felt like forever until he came to a stop and looked around.

This seems like a good distance away to try

Surt faced the dark ocean of swirls

The only way I’m going to find out why Sinmara is acting this way I may as well contact the one who’s responsible.

Surt spread his arms wide and began to attempt making contact.

“GINNUNGAGAP!! I KNOW YOU’RE BEHIND THIS AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY!”

Surt inhaled deeply and continued his call

“I WANT ANSWERS! YOU DIDN’T TELL ME SINMARA WOULD BE VICTIM IN THIS! REVEAL YOURSELF AND PUT THIS RIGHT!!”

Surt heard his shouts echo over the dark swirls but no answer came. His resolve began to wane and he lowered his arms. A looming silence fell as he searched for any kind of sign or indication that the primordial goddess would present herself to him, until he saw a gleam in the distance. Surt squinted his eyes and focussed on the distant light. He could make out trails of pale blue light flowing to it but doubted that this was any hint to the goddess’ prescence.

As Surt intently observed the light he began to hear something keening through the air, and it was getting louder. When Surt began to turn around what looked like a string of pine needles powerfully pierced the air where his head used to be. Surt looked eyes wide as the string whipped back to whomever or whatever controlled it.

He looked to the barrier of shrub and tree’s to the forest but found no owner to the whip that had almost pierced his skull. It was moments like this he wished he had taken Surtalogi with him. Flashes of Sinmara left on her own gave Surt a feeling of urgency.

“Who’s there? I have a friend in trouble and no time to waste”

Surt demanded of his unknown attacker braced in case they attempted to strike again.

“You’re not angry are you?”

He heard someone whisper from the trees. Surt exhaled in irritation, this was wasting time.

“No. Although I would appreciate a reason why”

There was a pause as the other being deliberated over what to say

“I didn’t want you to get hurt”

“What do you mean?”

He heard the figure whisper again but it was so quiet he couldn’t hear.

“Look can we talk face-to-face. I can’t hear you and I have something urgent to take care of”

“Are you sure you won’t attack me”

That’s rich coming from my former assailant

“No I won’t. I just find it more comfortable knowing who I’m talking to.”

He waited while it made a decision. Then a tall, slender figure gingerly stepped out from behind a tree clinging to the bark with long, delicate fingers. He could see even in the shade of the tree the thin figure was staring at him with fearful eyes.

I guess I shouldn’t be too harsh

“It’s ok I honestly won’t retaliate”

Surt reassured the figure as he reached out his hand. The figure loosened its desperate grip upon the tree and began to step out from the shade. Surt saw the figure was a woman atleast a head taller than him.

She was vastly different to Sinmara her build was much thinner and her skin had a slight green tinge to it. Her straight, light brown hair was the length of her shoulders fully framing her softly featured, oval face. As she slowly approached him he could take in more detail. Her delicate frame was swathed in a dress made from pine needles that trailed on the grass behind her. She picked at her fingernails nervously with her whip coiled around one hand. He looked into her fearful emerald eyes trained on him like prey staring at a predator. She stopped a step away from his outstretched hand and looked around tensely. The woman looked so fragile that a strong wind would tear her apart

“Is this acceptable?” She whispered her eyes still darting about her surroundings.

“Yes thank you”

Surt replied lowering his arm, eying the woman curiously. She didn’t exhibit any of the survival confidence Sinmara did and she certainly wasn’t from muspelhiem.

“Why are you so afraid?”

“I…… I’ve seen the two of you kill on the forest trolls a..and I know what your land does to the trees. I….. I…..”

Even though her voice maintained its low whisper, he could sense the woman entering borderline hysteria as she recounted why she was so intimidated so he decided to break her train of thought

“I can tell you now I’m not here to harm you. But I do want to know why you almost killed me”

“I didn’t want to kill you I used magic in order to make the whip coil around you and pull you away from the edge”

“What?! With the force the whip passed me it would have pushed me over the edge and it didn’t coil either”

“I don’t have the physical strength to throw it and I needed to move the whip fast before you fell into ginnungagap. Plus when you turned around I didn’t need to coil it so I brought the whip back before you could retaliate”

“Wait a minute. You were trying to save me? What’s so dangerous about the swirls? And if I’m dangerous why not leave me?”

“Anyone who touches our mother Ginnungagap is taken to rejoin her and I…..I knew you were seeking help for your friend and thought that you deserved a chance to save her”

Surt had to think a moment to decipher this. Obviously this woman knew more about what was going on than he did and definitely wasn’t a threat she seemed more fearful than aggressive.

 

“How do you know about Ginnungagap and Sinmara and I”

“I was walking through the forest when I encountered your friend cause a troll to catch alight. It terrified me and I ran as fast as I could in the opposite direction. Unfortunately the troll ran in the same direction too so I hid and watched it turn to ash”

Her eyes began to well up with tears as she continued her explanation.

“When the troll finally went still a wind blew across the forest and a woman, Ginnungagap, appeared. Her face it was……. It was so full of rage. She spotted me; she turned to me and told me t…. to follow the one who had murdered her child. She said I would b……burn if I didn’t”

The woman’s words stumbled as she tried to continue the story. Surt became confused what would she gain from having this fearful creature follow them?

“What did she serve to gain?”

“She…… she told me to come out at the most opportune moment and even save your life if I must to stall you and keep the two of you apart for as long as possible”

The tears were now pouring from the woman’s eyes now as she revealed the plan of the mother goddess. Surt realised something terrible, something absolutely unthinkable that made him desperate to ask another question.

“What exactly did you mean by ‘taken back’”

The woman turned starting to sob and picked one of the smaller shrubs and walked with it to the very edge of Myrkwood.

“She told me to stall you until the right moment until the justice for her child’s murder took its course. That the cycle of death could be evened out”

As she said this through sobs the woman dropped the shrub into the sea of swirls. Surt watched as it instantly began to disintegrate and become one with ginnungagap. As he traced the path of the former shrub the danger sank in.

“I am so sorry I did this to you Surt. I, Laufey, hope you can forgive me”

But Surt didn’t hear what Laufey had said. As his rising dread and panic took hold, he started to sprint back to where he had left Sinmara behind.

 

As Laufey watched Surt run away, tears of desperation were still running down her face. She fled into the trees for her safety and survival. Hoping that whatever the outcome it wouldn’t result in her death, a burning death that shaked her to her very core, regretting that she had ever gotten involved in anything to do with that cursed fire land beyond her leafy home.

11: chapter eleven - the dreaded realisation

A/N – Hey everyone HAPPY SUMMER :D I hope this chapter finds you in the nice warm sunshine. Fun fact the norse would have a midsummer Celebration of the Summer Solstice, when they believed the power of the Sun is at its height.  It was at this time that most foreign trade was conducted, as well as shipping, fishing expeditions, and raiding.  Thus, Midsummer was the festival of power and activity. As always enjoy the chapter and leave a comment if you feel compelled to (nudge, nudge. Wink, wink) ;)

 

 

Chapter 11 – the dreaded realisation

 

Sinmara slowly watched the patterns of ginnungagap unfold in endless swirls and curves. She was mesmerised, as one swirl ended another began, curves would become one and others would split. She would occasionally trace them with her hands or even try to catch them. She could carry on like this forever, careless and blocked from the world. She wouldn’t have to survive anymore she wouldn’t have to watch her back or even worry about her own protection. The only thing keeping her from this utter bliss was something buzzing in the back of her conscience.

 A memory, a sound, a smell or maybe something else, but it didn’t matter anymore. All she knew was she could lock herself away from this world even though she could no longer remember why she wanted too, everything within her mind was now dull and fuzzy. Even as she formed these thoughts they were already drifting away. Like the swirls within the sea that had her mesmerised.

As she continued to watch a face began to form. The swirls and curves came together adding to each flawless feature and detail, all the while its blank white eyes staring back at her.

Hello Sinmara

Sinmara gasped as she heard the woman’s voice in her clouded mind.

I’ve been watching you Sinmara; since you were born I have seen all that has befallen you

Sinmara continued to stare, stunned, as the woman continued

I’ve watched you wish your hopes and dreams and your attempt to realise them.

The woman’s gaze became loving and warm as tears began to streak down Sinmara’s face

Since you’ve been born you wanted to feel safe, to know someone cares and I want to give you that. Would you like that?

Sinmara didn’t remember what the woman was talking about anymore. But it evoked such repressed emotion within her that she could only stare, wide-eyed and full of tears, as the woman displayed her entire hopes and dreams before her.

I can keep you safe, I love you Sinmara and I don’t want to watch you suffer anymore

As the woman continued Sinmara could feel the sadness and hopelessness rise in her heart as vague memories began to materialise.

“Stop….. please. I can’t…….. take anymore…… I don’t……… don’t want to remember anymore”

Sinmara responded between sobs.

The face began to rise from the water until the full figure of a woman stood before Sinmara on the patterned sea.

I can make it stop Sinmara. You don’t ever have to remember. We can watch the swirls together, forever. Would you like that?

This didn’t stop the memories from emerging one after the other causing her more pain

“Where were you? I was suffering, hoping for a way out and you weren’t there. If you were watching me why couldn’t you have stopped it?” Sinmara begged for answers. The woman’s eyebrows creased for a moment.

There was someone who blocked me. Someone who kept you from me, every time I’d reach out he would push me away. That person has only just revealed themselves to you recently but they have been keeping you from your dreams for far longer

Memories began to bombard Sinmara once more, scarlet veins, a sword, a companion, Surt.

Yes Sinmara. The one you thought you could trust. There is no-one you can trust, no-one who cares.

“Except you” Sinmara finished.

The woman smiled lovingly

Except me, I can take care of you now and rid you of your pain

The woman reached out her hand

All you have to do is take my hand and everything will be better

 

 

 

Surt was almost out of breath as he sprinted to Sinmara, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and images. The branch Laufey had tossed into ginnungagap disintegrating, Sinmara cupping the swirls in her hands – ridding her of her memories. Then the most daunting, Ginnungagap’s face twisted in rage.

“Don’t forget there will be a price and tell Sinmara I do not appreciate the death of my trollian children”

Those words echoed in his mind and strangled his heart in panic. It seemed every step of his run couldn’t get him back fast enough.

Hang on Sinmara. Please don’t give up.

 

 

 

 

Sinmara stood up. Her focus on the woman’s outstretched hand.

Could it be that easy?

Sinmara felt all the emotion of a life she couldn’t remember, all the pain, the sorrow, the loneliness.  No hope or happiness, just the urge to survive and a constant alertness from having to protect herself all her life.

Yet, piercing through all the emotion, there was still something nagging in the back of her mind. A distant memory trying to surface but as hard as she tried Sinmara couldn’t bring it forward.

Are you alright Sinmara?

The woman’s face looked concerned. Sinmara’s gaze snapped to the woman’s own.

“Yes…….. I’m just a bit apprehensive”

The woman smiled lovingly once more and opened both her arms.

It’s ok my dear its bound to be overwhelming. Come to me and this can all be over.

Taken in by Ginnungagap’s warm gaze Sinmara began to slowly walk forward when she felt something brush her ankle. In an instant the memory was freed which released voices and images into her mind.

“Ginnungagap. She is the one who berthed us all. She is the very locomotion that drives our immortal lives. But beware with her first touch she gives life and with a second she rips it away”

Then she saw herself crouched over Surt, a sword pressed to his chest, the both of them surrounded by an orange light healing him.

An image of Surt running across the coast of the land came next. He was desperately sprinting in a panic.

“Hold on Sinmara, don’t give up”

She jumped in shock and looked down to see a sword embedded into the ground.

Are you alright?

Ginnungagap asked again. Sinmara was hard pressed to find a response, not able to make any sense of anything. One of them was deceiving her and she didn’t like it.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take care of Surt first? What if he just targets someone else?”

Ginnungagap’s arms lowered as she sensed a change in Sinmara’s demeanour.

I’m thinking of your wellbeing first Sinmara

Ginnungagap stepped out of the swirls standing closer to Sinmara

I want to make sure you’re safe and happy. I don’t want you to suffer anymore.

She brushed Sinmara’s arm with her hand. Sinmara could feel another wave of sorrow and pains shake her body.

Don’t you want that too?

Sinmara stared into her loving gaze and all suspicion melted away as she leaned in to embrace this goddess who would take her away and give her everything she could wish for.

 

Surt breathed heavily as he continued to sprint towards Sinmara. His lungs burned, his legs ached but the protests of his body couldn’t override his fear and panic.

Please don’t give up, please don’t give up

He kept repeating again and again in his mind to hold on to the slightest glimmer of hope that sinmara was stil safe. It wasn’t long before Surt saw exactly what hewas dreading coming over the horizon. Sinmara, arms spread wide, moving closer to a tall dark figure enveloping the two of them in swirls.

In one last desperate effort Surt picked up speed and grabbed the hilt of surtalogi, still embedded in the earth.

 

Ginunngagap’s eyes had her completly entranced as she moved closer. Nothing made sense, nothing had meaning, she just wanted release from everything to have this woman take it away and make everything better.

 

“KEEP AWAY!!!!!!”

In a flash of fire sinmara was pushed back by a tall, Crimson viened figure wielding a sword glowing a lethal deep red.

“how dare you.... HOW DARE YOU!!!”

Anger rolled of Surt in waves. Sinmara saw a fissure in the ground where Surt had pulled the sword across the earth separting her from happiness. Ginnungagap held her hands out to sinmara.

“Quickly sinmara take my hands before he does it again”

Ginnungagap pleaded. Sinmara lept like a coiled spring reaching for the woman’s ethereal hand. But surt held her back wrapping one arm around her waist whist still keeping surtalogi pointed at ginnungagap.

“Let go of me! Let go! I don’t want to suffer anymore please”

Sinmara begged of surt reaching desperatly for the woman who had promised her all her dreams.

Surt managed to wrestle sinmara back further away from ginunngagap.

“Come back to your senses Sinmara. This woman is false she only wants revenge”

Surt whispered into her ear as sinmara continued to fight his grip

“my dear he is only here to ruin your happiness. I see now that i’m never going to be able to help you”

Ginnungagap began to drift backwards to the sea of swirls from which she had emerged. Seeing her hopes drift  away sinmara went into  frenzy.

“NO! COME BACK! COME BACK!”

A misguided kick struck Surt in the stomach causing him to release his grip. Sinmara shoved him back and desperatly ran for Ginnungagap, ignoring Surts painful calls. As their hands were about to touch a whip of needles coiled around sinmara and dragged her back across the ground back towards the tree’s. Sinmara screamed in frustration as once again her release was taken from her. A look of disgust broke through Ginnungagap’s caring facade as laufey emerged from the tree’s.

“You feeble cretin. You’ll pay for interference”

Ginnungagap practically spat the words from her mouth.

“I couldn’t leave these two at your mercy. I would rather be destroyed from a lack of strength that have to leaewith a weakness of character”

Despite her courageous words laufeys eye’s were directed to the ground and her body was visibly shaking.

“Th-thank you laufey”

Surt slowly got up of the floor still slightly hunched from sinmara’s kick.

Sinmara also managed to untangle herself from laufeys whip and once again tried to make a run for Ginnungagap only to be pushed back by Surt again.

Sinmara stood still between laufey and surt brimming with desperation and frustration.

“Alright, if i can’t get past you i will go through you”

Instantly sparks began to dance around Sinmara bouncing from her skin and setting the surrounding plant life alight. Laufey screamed in terror and darted with great speed from the tree’s which were being devoured by sinmara’s spreading flames.

Surt’s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the towering inferno consuming pine tree’s ten times his hieght. Sinmara raised her arm, palm out, where a tendril of fire coiled around it and pooled in her palm. With a flick of her wrist Sinmara fired a large fireball at Surt, which he barely managed to dodge in time.

“Sinmara plaese stop this madness, can’t you see she’s decieving you?”

Ginnungagap saw the hisssing flames hesitate if she didn’t act quickly she was going to lose her chance.

“Don’t listen to him, he only wants to keep us apart, to keep you in pain. Finish him now”

Sinmara’s eyes darted between Ginnungagap and Surt, as both were calling her name more and more urgently.

What if Surt’s right? What if Ginnungagap is the one telling the truth?

Sinmara’s confusion and pain got the best of her as she held her palms to her ears to drown out their calls, but it wasn’t enough both of their voices tugged at her demanding and pushing her further into panic until she couldn’t take it any more.

“stop it! Get out of my head! GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!!”

Pushed to her limit sinmara fell to her knee’s, bent over, clutching her head in her hands. The flames reflected her state, they rapidly began to collapse around her. Surt immediatly ran through the flames to her side and scooped her into his embrace. Sinmara hugged him back holding onto him as if her life depended on it.

“It’s okay. It’s okay”

Surt reassured Sinmara stroking her hair as he did so. Sinmara began to sob as the last of the flames died around them.

“I just want it to stop i can’t take this anymore”

She continued to cry endlessly as Surt held her.

Ginnungagap’s expression changed to one of anger and annoyance, there was no need to maintain her charade anymore.

“Well isn’t this just a beautiful picture”

The mother of all existence said coyly.

“Just leave us you’re not having sinmara, your revenge has failed”

Surt replied still holding sinmara.

Ginnungagaps face contorted further into rage

“Don’t you dare dismiss me i will have that woman’s life in exchange for my child she killed, I creaed all of you and i will not be denied retribution”

As she said retribution tendrils of swirls launched with deadly precision at sinmara ready to wrench her from Surts arms. Sinmara knew what was coming and gripped him tighter her memories slowly returning where ginnungagap had abandoned her mental grip on her.

“Don’t let her take me Surt”

She whispered. All Surt could do was helplessly close his eyes and nest his head into her neck waiting for the inevitable pull on his companion. But that pull never came. Aftera few long seconds Surt dared to open his eyes slightly and saw in horror laufey held in the tendrils vice grip where she had used herself to shield the two of them.

“Leave them be all-mother take my life in exchange”

Ginnungagap pursed her lips in irritation and pulled laufey closer to her so that they were face to face.

“You are annoyingly willful at the most inappropriate times, it isn’t your feeble life i want”

Surt and Sinmara broke their embrace to go to laufey’s aid.

“Are you sure you want to waste the time going after a particular fire jotun just out of revenge when you have a willing offering here”

Laufey whispered.

Ginnungagap contemplated this

“Fine i had many plans for you, sacrifice wasn’t one of them, but i guess i can be flexible if you’re that adamant to make amends i will always grant what my children ask of me”

As surt picked surtalogi up off of the ground Laufey screamed in pain. The green tint to her skin fading to a stark white and the brown colour draining from her hair. Before the shine from her emerald eyes fully went out she whispered

“I......... hope.........this earns.............your forgiveness”

Laufey went fully limp, she was so thin ginnungagap could hold her around the waist in one hand. Ginnungagap looked at Surt n the eye.

“You were lucky this time. I leave you and sinmara to your fate together” The goddess smirked “I’m sure you will find it.............eventful”

Surt in a desperate bid to rescue laufey sent a blade of fire from Surtalogi towards Ginnungagap which passed right through her transparent form and into the viod of swirls behind her, She laughed mockingly.

“hahaha nice try i’m the one who gave you that sword do really think it will affect me? I’ll warn you not to test my patience the payment of life maybe settled but my anger is not”

As ginnungagap turned to leave Surt realised the hopelessness of the situation and begrudgingly decided to let this go.

“Just one question. Why bring me back? Why not let me die as punishment?”

Ginnungagap turned her head and replied

“I always give my children what they ask of me and the realm needs your protection, it’s what i created you for. Also your hardships earned from holding onto her is punishment enough”

She began to sink into the sea of swirls

“Wait what hardships? What’s going to happen?”

“Ask Sinmara”

Ginnungagap said with a knowing smile and with that the mother goddess was gone.

12: chapter twelve - mountains

A/N – hello everyone I have another chapter for you all. I want to thank you for all your support – i don’t think I’ve ever had anyone ask me to update before :D It makes me really happy that people are enjoying this novel so far. I hope you enjoy this latest instalment as much and review if you feel the need to. Thank you :)

 

Chapter 12 – mountains

 

The two sat outside their cave without a word. Surt awkwardly sat motionless, occasionally stealing the odd look at Sinmara to check if she was ok. Not much had happened since the attack by Ginnungagap. The two of them decided to return to the safety of the cave but after that sinmara hadn’t said a word. As soon as they returned she sat in the mouth of the cave with a serious expression on her face. Surt took a glance at her again, sat with her chin resting on her knees and her arms around her legs, her orange eyes distant with her grey hair moving slightly in the breeze. Surt didn’t know what to do should he approach her? Or just sit with her or maybe leave her alone instead? Surt quietly got up and walked into the cave leaning on the cool cave wall. Atleast here he could watch her deep in thought but if she needed him he wouldn’t be far. As he watched the thick green spines of the tree’s lazily drift to the ground his mind began to drift, reflecting upon everything that had befallen them since they began travelling together.

It hasn’t been easy and if ginnungagap’s right there is more to come

A slight grin played on Surt’s lips but if Sinmara was next to him he wouldn’t mind. He glanced at her again. He hoped she would be. Although they had only travelled together a short time he could tell she hadn’t reacted like this before. The longer he waited in the shadows of the cave the stronger the urge to go over and try to rouse her from her thoughts. he done some thinking and came to a conclusion.

That they should leave myrkwood.

He had experienced nothing but death when they arrived first the troll, even though it was self defence, then laufey he couldn’t bear the thought if it was sinmara who was next. Plus he hadn’t fully shaken off the heavy feeling when he followed sinmara to the lands edge. He could still feel the pressure of the forest on him, any time he moved it felt like he was walking in water, pushing him down trying to squeeze the very breath out of his lungs and the life out of his heart. It was ironic that surroundings bursting with life would be so efficient at destroying it. Surt crossed his arms, letting out deep breath. He didn’t know how to approach Sinmara with it though or what was even going through her mind. He watched as Sinmara continued to sit motionless on the ground, miles away. Surt continued to watch Sinmara a while longer until his eyes began to get heavy.

“I must have used Surtalogi too much”

Surt muttered too himself as he rubbed his temples to circumvent a developing headache. Taking another look back to check Sinmara he reluctantly went further into the cave to rest. As he lay on the cool cave floor he could already feel himself drifting away, the sight of the tree roots tracing the cave roof growing ever darker, until sleep fully claimed him.

 

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

When Surt began to wake it took a while for him to fully rouse himself from his slumber. When he remembered Sinmara sitting outside the cave his eyes snapped open and he sat up with a start.

“I was wondering when you would wake up”

Sinmara was lying on her side cushioning her head in the crook of her arm. Surt relaxed and lay back down turning to face her.

“Typical to catch you napping while i’m thinking seriously”

Sinmara said with a teasing look in her eye. Surt let out a huff as he visibly relaxed, relieved that sinmara was acting normally.

“Saving you from a goddess bent on revenge is very tiring you know”

He saw sinmara wince slightly at his quip and regretted his offhand remark.

“I’m sorry i didn’t mean it like that”

“I know and you’re not wrong...... thank you”

Sinmara placed a hand on surt’s chest reassuringly.

“Thats mostly what I’ve been thinking about and I have something to say”

Surt opened his mouth to say something but Sinmara placed a finger on his lips and shook her head.

“No I just need you listen”

Surt took her hand into his own and looked into her eyes ready to hear her thoughts.

“I have been thinking about what happened with Ginnungagap. I want to tell you thank you for protecting me and I am so so sorry for attacking you, there’s no excuse”

Sinmara paused as she swallowed back tears. Surt lightly squeezed her hand, urging her to continue. Sinmara breathed slowly and continued to explain

“You see Ginnungagap created Muspelhiem and the wood from the swirls of chaos which share her name. Also those born from volcanoes like us are also created from her. After we are ‘born’ she has the ability to unravel all of our memories and drain the life from us since we are only an extension of her. It can be slow like she did for me or instantaneous like with Laufey. She can play with those memories and alter the personality and moral fibre of that person, manipulating them into doing anything. I’m telling you this so that you can understand why I attacked you and that I would never ever do that to you under any normal circumstances”

Sinmara took a breath and continued

“What has mainly took me so long to think about is what I am about to say next”

Surt could only listen on in silence as Sinmara continued

“Since I met you I’ve felt myself become weaker. I haven’t opened up to anyone and i certainly haven’t apologised to them like I have with you. Also when the troll attacked I would’ve dispatched it without a second thought. But somehow I was frozen and as a result you got hurt. I wasn’t sure what was causing it but it seemed that in every case it involved you”

As Sinmara said this Surt began to dread what the result would be

She’s going to tell me to go that we shouldn’t travel together anymore

His sadness deepened as she continued

“It concerned me at first since I wasn’t actually doing it by choice it was an automatic reaction that only you have been able to bring out of me”

Surt couldn’t look in her eye’s anymore instead he settled his eyes onto her hand, he guessed it would be the last time he would ever hold it in his own. Sinmara took her hand out of his own and lifted his chin so he was looking at her face again. She smiled at the innocence of him jumping to the wrong conclusion but Surt just assumed it was a smile of pity.

“But......”

At that word Surt’s mood began to lift.

“..... at the same time I have never been so motivated by another person i would never have entered this forest or even fought the troll with as much power as I did not to mention begged for life afterwards. We have only known each other a short amount of time but I couldn’t bear to see you harmed and nothing scares me more than to lose you. When Ginnungagap had her power over me i completely gave up on life I wanted her to end it, to just take me away. Then you saved me and her influence was broken. When I was in that darkest place you were there to pick me up and give me back what I had lost, when you clutched to me so tightly it dawned on me that as much as I couldn’t lose you you felt the same way about me. I have never had anyone feel like that about me before and it gave me another reason to live you gave me everything I had been searching for all in one moment”

Surt looked into her eyes, stunned, as he tried to look for the right words to reply. Sinmara cupped his head in her hand and instinctually he leaned into it. Sinmara beamed lovingly as she finished her confession.

“Surt even though it’s only been a short time together and I don’t know how long we have left but for however much time it is will you spend it with me? Would you continue to be by my side so that we can face whatever the future holds together? I love you Surt and i would be honoured if you said yes”

Surt could only look back at Sinmara through tears of joy. He hadn’t known what to call his feelings or even paid much attention to how he felt until Sinmara’s words had told him everything in the world he wanted to hear and given him everything he could ever want. In her eyes he saw exactly how he felt. He loved her too.

Surt smiled widely with tearful eyes and sniffled slightly holding her hand in place against his cheek.

“I...... I don’t even have to think about it”

 

Sinmara smiled and began to lean in closer. Surt didn’t quite know what to do but decided to let instinct take over. Sinmara kissed Surt on the lips and he kissed her back. They continued as they pressed their bodies closer together each losing themselves in their emotion and the contact of their bodies moving together as one.

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Two robed figures poured over an ornate pedestal containing a pool of silver liquid which reflected the couple’s intimate moment.

“It took some time to find her, I had to increase the range of magic and there was some tweaking involved accommodating for the increase in other life around her and even then I could only get this image to get sound would take too much at this range”

The figure on the left explained to the other.

“DAMN IT!”

The right figure exclaimed in rage banging his fist onto the side of the pool, shaking the pedestal and causing the pool to ripple violently.

“Brother calm yourself”

The left figure scolded. The right removed his hood revealing a sharp pointed face laced with thin ice blue lines with stark white skin matching the white of his robes and hair. His eyes were solid white with no iris and small jet black pupils which were trained onto the other figure.

“Yes sister. But what do you now suggest we do? She was the perfect candidate, better than the other trash, ruthless and focussed now she has become a slave to her urges like the others”

The other figure, a woman, also removed her hood revealing a heart-shaped cherub face with much more rounded features than her brother. She had matching robes to his and the same white hair and eyes which she now rolled in indignation.

“Isn’t it obvious? We take her back and show her the right path. This is merely a setback the sooner she is returned the sooner we can add her to the collective”

The right figures blue viens flared an ice-blue which covered the cave walls in an eerie blue light. He hated it when she talked down to him like that but he knew better than to act out, he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. So he calmed himself and holding his arms in front him, concealing his hands in the large sleeves of his robe.

“Fine then sister how do you suggest we purge her of her new companion?”

The woman’s cherub face was twisted in a toothy grin.

“The companion is a fresh jotun from the volcanoe, his mind is a sponge willing to absorb any poison dripped into his ear”

“Very cunning sister we manipulate him to the greater good thus severing their ties...”

“And then we take her broken heart and reshape it to best serve our purposes”

The woman completed her brother’s statement with malice.

“The best way to proceed is too fetch her ourselves with a few from the community in case she decides to resist, the two of us should accompany them as well to best gauge this fresh jotun. We don’t want any............. surprises”

The expressions of the two went blank but their eyes were glittering with malevolence.

“Very good sister I will begin choosing those to go on the expedition to the wood while you restore your power. Finding them must have taken much of your strength”

The woman inclined her head in approval.

“As you wish brother I will be here ready to go when the company has been assembled”

“By your leave sister”

The brother bowed forward

“And by yours brother, be swift”