Forbidden Love
Chapter 10
The Future Known
Frigga searched Midgard until she found the Midgardian Kolskegg deep in the forests of Norway. All- Mother sat and watched this human for most of the morning as he positioned his men for battle. Later in the day she observed Kolskegg as he led an attack on the left flank of King Brynjolf's army. Frigga was impressed not only by the size of the warrior, but also by his prowess as a great warrior. Opponents seemed to fall before him like wheat before a scythe.
Then Frigga decided to cheat. All- Mother peered down the great roots of Yggdrasil until she found Skuld hard at work on the massive tapestry that was the future of the universe. As Frigga looked closer she noticed that the Norn was not hiding the tapestry against her as she often did, but instead had the great cloth spread out in front of her. Frigga quickly noticed something very odd. Kolskegg had been woven two possible futures !
The first possible future showed Kolskegg without Skogul. At the end of the thread he appeared as an old forgotten man dying alone of illness in bed. The other, much brighter, and longer future, showed him as king of Southern Norway, with Skogul, his queen, at his side. And together, along with their son, they were fighting the army of the north in a pitched battle for control of all of Norway.
" I will keep coming back until the All- Father changes his mind and allows this union ! " Freyja's words resounded in her mind like an echo through a canyon. Then Frigga smiled. " But if they were allowed to marry then Freyja will have no reason to come calling at our hall. " All - Mother whispered to herself.
Suddenly the quiet of Hlidskjalf was broken ! Odin had thrown open the door to Hlidskjalf, and stomped angrily around to his high - seat. " Those Vanir can be so impractical with all this nonsense about love ! " he shouted loudly. Odin shook his head from side to side as he fell onto his high - seat . " Why should I have to listen to anyone tell me what I have to do !? " he added as he slammed his fist down hard on the arm of the chair.
Frigga did not answer his question, but instead began a new discussion. " Does my husband still want the Midgardian lands of Norway to be united under one king ? " she asked as she placed her hand over the hand he had slammed onto the chair arm.
Odin gave his wife a surprised look. " Why does my wife change the subject so abruptly. " he asked suspiciously.
Frigga turned, lifted Odin' s hand, and kissed it. " Because, my husband, together Kolskegg and Skogul are the key that unlocks that unification. " she told her husband with a pleasant smile.
Odin drew her hand toward him and gripped it tightly. " Explain yourself my dear ?! " Odin asked in a tone of impatience.
Frigga looked down at their hands and then gave her husband a stern look until he loosened his grip. Then she continued. " The Norn named Skuld has weaved an unusual tapestry for the future of Norway my husband. On one length of the great cloth Kolskegg and Skogul are united in marriage, and he becomes king of More, and eventually all of Southern Norway. Their son, as of yet unnamed, will eventually help lead the southern army against the north, and in a great battle will defeat the northern king, thereby uniting both halves of Norway. " she explained calmly.
Odin looked at his wife in disbelief. " And if I do not allow this union of Valkyrie and Midgardian ? What then ? " he asked fearing the answer.
Frigga withdrew her hand from her husband's grasp. " Then Kolskegg will die unheralded in battle, and Norway, the land that you so love, will be plunged into a millennium of chaos and war ! " she told her husband sadly.
Odin paused and stroked his beard for a moment in contemplation. " Leave me now my love, for I have much to think upon ! " he told her while already deep in thought.
Frigga did not like being dismissed in such a manner. Frustrated, All- Mother walked to the exit of Hlidskjalf, and opened the door of the chamber to leave. As she was about to step out she heard Odin say : " And thank you my love ! " Frigga' s frown turned into a smile as she left the great viewing room.
Odin sat for a very long time upon Hlidskjalf. As he gazed down upon Midgard he realized he was caught in between what he wanted most of all, and what he had decreed must never happen. If he allowed the Valkyrie Skogul to marry Kolskegg he would lose the trust and possibly the respect of his battle maidens. And he knew that Geirahod was right to ask for justice, based on his own laws ! On the other hand if he were to forbid the union, then the Midgardian lands of Norway might never unite, and even worse it could be plunged into a thousand years of chaos.
As darkness began to fall over the Asgardian realm Odin still found himself sitting on his high - seat unable to decide the wisest course of action. The problem was how to satisfy the honor of all those involved. It seemed as though his mind were in a maze and there was no way out !
Suddenly Odin had an epiphany ! " Yes ! That is the answer ! " he shouted to the dark empty hall .
- End Chapter 10
- Next Chapter 11 : Risking It All !
- Glenn Bergen, ( Ravensheart ), © Copyright, 2015.