The Bifrost Bridge, chapter 7

Chapter VII

Back in Midgard, King Harald and King Eric stood on the balcony above the southern ring castle gate, watching the trolls run through the outer streets of Tunsberg. The princesses and their escort guard had been missing for two days. Only Silje's pony had returned from the lake. Both kings silently anguished over the loss of their beloved daughters as they watched the security of the kingdom begin crumble into chaos.

“This is madness!” shouted King Harald of Norway. “The trolls have never united to attack Tunsberg. What is going on here?”

“Something is very strange, indeed,” replied King Eric of Denmark, scratching his chin. “This has never happened in Midgard before.”

“My head guard and unit leaders have been seriously wounded. My army is running amok!” exclaimed King Harald. “Look at that mess on that battlefield! I’m going to alert the army to fall back behind the walls.”

“Yes, a new battle plan needs to be made,” agreed King Eric. “The trolls have never been this organized before. If only we knew who was leading them, at least we would know what we’re up against.”

Just then one of the castle guards shouted, “Arrivals at the North Gate!”

“Not trolls?” inquired King Harald.

“No Sire, soldiers and a stable boy,” replied the guard. “It is Hermod and the rest of the escort.”

The two kings looked down to see Hermod and the other royal escorts running through the North Gate tunnel and across the ring castle boardwalk, but the princesses were nowhere in sight. They could only hope the girls were hidden in safety.

“Guard, bring Hermod to me now,” King Harald commanded.

“I hope they have hidden the girls safely somewhere,” said King Eric, with a worried look on his face.

“We’ll soon find out,” replied King Harald.

Hermod bowed his head in shame as he climbed up the balcony and approached the two kings.

“Hermod, what has happened?” asked King Harald, anxiously.

“We were attacked at the lake by Loki and his minions. He used a spell to send the guards and me to the top of Skiberg mountain. That is why it has taken us so long to return.”

“Where are our daughters, Hermod?” asked King Eric, bracing himself for the possibility of bad news.

“Princess Hanne escaped over the Bifrost Bridge, Sire,” Hermod answered, wanting to give the good news first.

“Hanne, alive! This is indeed good news,” said King Eric.

“What about my daughter, Hermod? What happened to her?” asked King Harald.

“Loki took Princess Silje prisoner,” said Hermod, almost in a whisper, knowing how King Harald was going to respond.

“Captured? How did you let this happen!” shouted King Harald.

“Loki cast a magical spell over us. It is my great dishonor that I was unable to defend her,” replied Hermod, wishing that the ground would open up and swallow him. “Loki is holding her for ransom. He said that he would return her when you surrender to the trolls.”

“You know I can’t surrender Norway,” said King Harald.

“Yes, I know,” replied Hermod softly. “So does Princess Silje.”

“Did Loki say who is leading the trolls?” asked King Harald.

“Yes, Sire. That would be his son, Fenris.”

“Fenris, the wolf?” exclaimed King Eric. “Harald, the troops may go berserk when they discover Fenris is leading the trolls.”

“We’ve got to stop that from happening. The preservation of the kingdom is more important than making a sacrifice for Valhalla. All we can do now is fall back and defend the ring castle,” said King Harald.

A very loud crash in the direction of Tunsberg diverted everyone’s attention for a moment. Turning back to ask Hermod more questions, King Harald found that Hermod had gone.

“Where is Hermod?” asked King Harald.

“Sire, he has gone down to the battlefield,” replied one of the guards standing nearby. “He said he had a promise to keep.”

“I see,” said King Harald, with a frown. “Well, sound the horn for the army to return to the ring castle. Organize the remaining soldiers on the walls, and arm them with bows and arrows. We have an even tougher fight against us than we thought, now that we know who is leading the trolls.”

The guard sounded the horn to alert the army to retreat to the ring castle. The two kings watched from the castle gate balcony as the soldiers began running up the hill to the castle, with the trolls in hot pursuit.

“Why would Loki attack Norway? What could he and Fenris possibly want from us?” asked King Harald.

“I do not know, my friend, but he must have promised the trolls something big for them to attack us,” replied King Eric. “I don’t know how long we can hold them off. If the trolls come over these walls, it will be the end of us.”

“My soldiers will fight to the last man,” vowed King Harald.

A loud wolf’s howl was heard coming from the direction of Tunsberg. A loud cheer followed another howl from the trolls.

“Harald, there is Fenris with the trolls!” exclaimed King Eric.

“Look, trolls! I told you we could defeat the mighty Norwegians!” shouted Fenris.

Another cheer went up from the trolls. They raised their axes and shook them in the air.

“Death to the Norse men! Death to the Norse men!” they chanted.

Fenris raised his paw for silence. “I want to see King Harald and King Eric now!” he shouted.

“Why have you attacked my kingdom?” shouted back King Harald from the castle gate balcony.

“My troll army has taken possession of Tunsberg,” replied Fenris. “As a sign of good faith, we have not destroyed the ships in the harbor. Surrender the castle now and we will allow your people to sail away in peace.”

“Why do I not believe you!” shouted back King Harald.

“You don’t really have a choice, now do you?” laughed Fenris.

King Harald and King Eric looked at one another with indecision. They knew that they didn’t have much time before the troops would begin thinking about going berserk.

“I couldn’t possibly leave without my daughter. Where is she?” shouted King Harald.

“She is safe,” replied Fenris. “I will return her when both kings surrender to me.”

“We don’t bargain with trolls or wolves!” exclaimed King Harald. “Return my daughter unharmed, or we will hunt you down like the dog you are!”

“You are hardly in a position to threaten me, Norwegian,” said Fenris.

To the great disbelief of Harald and Fenris, King Eric suddenly began laughing. He pointed into the sky and said, “Perhaps Harald isn’t, but the God of Thunder is!”

All eyes turned to the sky where they saw Thor and the valkyries diving down from the clouds on the rainbow bridge with a loud war cry. In amazement, everyone watched as Thor held his hammer above his head and yelled, “Odin!”

Lightening struck the ground behind Fenris and the trolls, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Thor and the valkyries landed on the ground and attacked the trolls, who fought back as best they could.

While this was going on, Freya and Hanne landed inside the walls of the ring castle on the boardwalk to the amazement of those inside. They wondered how Hanne had come to be in the company of the goddess, Freya. Both kings ran down the balcony steps to the courtyard and bowed to Freya.

“Thank you for my daughter,” said King Eric.

“She is a very brave young girl,” replied Freya.

Hanne ran into her father’s arms and hugged him close.

“Thank Odin, you are safe,” exclaimed King Eric.

“Oh, Papa, I’m so glad to see you and know that you are safe,” said Hanne.

“To think you crossed the Bifrost Bridge and went to Asgard for help. You have saved the lives of many people today because of your courage.”

“I have so much to tell you and Mama,” said Hanne. “Where is she?”

“She and Queen Lena are in the temple. They have been praying with the shaman for your safe return,” replied King Eric. “Your mother will be very happy to see you.”

King Harald, who had been standing back to allow King Eric a little time with his daughter, now approached and said, “Come, Eric, we have a battle to fight.”

“Yes,” agreed Freya. “Take up arms and lead your soldiers. Help Thor and the valkyries defeat the troll army. Capture Fenris and bring him to me for questioning.”

The two kings replied by shouting commands to their soldiers to go to war. As the army returned to the battlefield, it was greeted with constant claps of thunder and lightning bolts shaking the ground. The sky over Tunsberg had filled with dark clouds and heavy rain poured onto the battlefield. Brandishing spears and swords, the valkyries dived down on their flying horse among the Trolls, striking at them wherever possible. Meanwhile, Thor rode his chariot through the lines of the Trolls, smashing their shields as he threw his mighty hammer at them. Despite the strength of the new attack, the trolls showed no fear of the new attackers as they blindly followed the orders of the magical wolf.

While the Norwegian soldiers joined Thor and the valkyries against the trolls, Svava swooped down on horseback and confronted Fenris.

“Surrender, now!” she exclaimed.

Fenris bared his fangs in reply.

The valkyrie just smiled and said, “I have something you want, Fenris. Let’s make a deal.” She then pulled a golden apple out of her belt pouch and dangled it before him.

Fenris looked at the apple in surprise. He wondered why Svava was so willing to part with the apple, but he was willing to make a deal. “What do you want in exchange for the golden apple?” he asked.

“Surrender comes to mind, Fenris,” she said, with a smile. “But this apple is yours for the taking, if you can catch it. Here, fetch!” she shouted, as she threw it into the air and moved away on her horse.

Surprised with the opportunity, Fenris leaped forward and caught it in his fangs, but the golden apple melted in his mouth. He then began glowing and sparks shot out of his body. Fenris howled in anger as his body began rising in the air over the battlefield.

The battle came to a complete stop as everyone turned to see the spectacle. As they all stared at what was happening to Fenris in the sky, they were amazed to see him magically change into a baby wolf.

Svava swooped down on her horse to catch Fenris in mid-air, shouting, “Trolls, look at your leader now! Who wants to be next?”

The trolls became scared and began stampeding away from the castle. They knew that without Fenris to lead them, they would eventually be slaughtered on the battlefield.

“Quick! Capture one of those trolls!” yelled King Harald, hoping that the trolls knew where Silje was.

Thor jumped out of his chariot and tackled one of the trolls. Pinning the beast on ground with his hammer to its neck, Thor ordered, “Stay still, troll! There is no escape for you.”

“I know that troll!” shouted King Harald. “His name is Molock.”

“Tell us what you know, Molock, and we will set you free,” said Thor.

“If we take you prisoner, we’ll feed you only dried fish,” threatened King Harald.

“Molock doesn’t like dried fish meat,” replied the troll, with a grimace. “Molock will speak now. Loki said he would give trolls control over Norway if we captured the royal families.”

“Where did Loki take my daughter?” asked King Harald.

“Fenris did not tell us,” replied Molock, “but we know Loki left Midgard.”

“That does us no good,” said Thor. “We will have to hunt for her. Where was she captured?”

“Near the lake,” replied King Harald. “I will take you there.”

Thor looked menacingly at the troll and said, “Molock, if you cause trouble again, I’ll be back. And I won’t be so nice next time.”

“Molock understand,” said the Troll with a groan. “Molock go home now.”

As Thor stood up and released the troll, Molock picked up his ax and waddled away.

Now that the danger was past, Freya brought the two queens and Hanne to join the group. The clouds and rain began to clear rapidly as Thor stood at ease.

“Valkyries,” announced Freya. “You have vanquished the enemy and honored Valhalla!” The valkyries cheered in response.

“We can’t celebrate yet,” said Thor with regret. “We still need to find Silje and capture Loki. We’ll take Hanne and Harald with us to the lake.”

Freya looked at Queen Lena. “Don’t worry; Odin watches over us,” she said.

“I know,” replied Queen Lena. “I just want my sweet child back.”

“We will find her for you,” promised Thor.

The valkyries mounted their horses, and Hanne and Harald rode in Thor’s chariot to the lake. There in the trail they found Silje’s clue.

“Look at this,” said Freya, pointing to the two sticks inside the whistle’s chain. “Silje has left a rune for us to find.”

“I see the whistle I gave Hermod to give Silje in case there was trouble, but I don’t see any rune,” remarked King Harald.

“Look carefully, Harald,” answered Freya. “These two sticks were laid together on purpose to form the rune, ‘Kaun’.”

“Why would she make the sign for fire?” asked King Harald.

“That is a good question,” said Thor.

“Loki was with a fire giant when he captured Silje,” said Hanne.

Thor smiled and replied, “Muspelheim is the land of the fire giants. We know that the giants have been hiding him. That would explain the rune sign for fire. Your daughter is a very smart girl, Harald. Valkyries, let’s pay a visit to Surt and his fire giants.”

“I’ll see that Harald and Hanne get back to the castle,” said Freya.

“Good,” agreed Thor. “Harald, secure Norway until we return. Valkyries, to Muspelheim we ride!”