Like the edelweiss, she clings to life through the bitter frost.
Theouroborosabove his heart—and the ring upon his hand—pulsed warmer as he approached the ice-capped mountain which rose ahead, its craggy peak crowned with frost and jagged stone. A scorching blaze seared his skin at the sight of the golden glow radiating from the summit, shimmering like molten sunlight trapped in shards of ice.
As Grani steadily climbed the treacherous mountainous path, falcons circled overhead, screeching warnings, alerting Sigurd to loose rocks, hidden fissures, and slippery ground. His silver stallion’s hooves rang against rock, splintering stone as he bounded across narrow ledges and leapt crevices where shadow and snow clung like claws.
The nearer they came to theRing of Fire, the hotter theouroborosblazed against Sigurd’s thundering chest. In Fáfnir’s ring upon his finger, the emerald eyes of the dragon pulsed andglowed, as if the heart of the mountain carried him upward, driving him inexorably toward his fate.
When they finally crested the summit, a towering wall of golden flames the height of three men stretched before them, roaring like the bellows of a fire giant’s forge. Heat rolled outward in visible waves, slamming against Sigurd’s goldenbrynja, singeing the tips ofBlárúlfr’sblue fur, and scorching the ends of his braided beard.
Sparks hissed and leapt from the scorched stone. Flames swirled and surged toward the pale wintry sky, writhing like molten serpents. The acrid stench of smoke and burnt rock stung his nostrils, sharp as a spear.
A violent rumble shook the frozen ground beneath him. As if the mountain recognized the pulse of theouroborosabove Sigurd’s Sea Wolf heart, the towering flames parted, revealing a corridor of golden light. Although the molten walls blazed and twirled skyward, a luminous path stretched before them, beckoning both horse and rider.
Silver mane gleaming in the infernal glow, Grani soared, hooves pounding the scorched stone as he raced between the searing flames. Sparks rained around them, hissing and curling from the molten blaze, but none touched Sigurd or his sublime stallion. As they passed through theRing of Fire,the leaping flames retracted into glowing embers, faded to smoldering ash, and died, leaving only a scorched ring of charred, blackened stone.
And there—at the heart of theRing of Fire—lay Brynhildr, reclining as if upon a funeral pyre.
The golden corsletof her Valkyrie armor gleamed like frozen sunlight. Gloved hands and vambrace-clad forearms were folded over the glorious Sun Falcon emblem emblazoned upon her breastplate. Sheathed in its amber-embellished scabbard at her hip, theSólfalkrsword glimmered with golden fire. At her sidelay the shieldFalkskjöldr,the unfurled wings of the falcon in flight soaring before a radiant sunburst.
Eyes closed, lashes and lips rimmed in rime, she was a golden goddess, frozen in icy fire.
Waiting for Sigurd the Dragonslayer.
Her Sea Wolfsoulboundmate.
Grani sank gracefully onto his forelegs as Sigurd slipped from the saddle.
He unloaded the woolen blankets and furs he’d brought to warm her, grasping the leather skin which contained the healing waters of theLindsviðrspring. Kneeling carefully at Brynhildr’s side, Sigurd lowered his warm loving lips to hers.
As theouroborosblazed above his pounding heart, he poured sizzlingseiðrinto her frozen body through theirsoulboundrune.
She stirred, lashes fluttering as she struggled to open her eyes. When at last she saw him, a radiant smile dawned on her beautiful, frosted lips.
“Sigurd…” she breathed, “I’m so cold…”
He slid his hand beneath her luminous golden hair and gently lifted her head. “Drink,” he urged softly, bringing the waterskin to her blue puckered lips. “The sacred water will cleanse you.”
She swallowed three sips and succumbed to numbing sleep once again.
I must get her down the mountain as quickly as possible—and back to the monastery, where I can bathe her in the sacred spring.
Wrapping her first in wolfskins, then in woolen blankets, Sigurd lifted her off the frozen, scorched ground.
When Grani lowered his forelegs once again, Sigurd cradled Brynhildr against his chest as he swung into the saddle and settled her before him.
WrappingBlárúlfraround his frozen falcon, Sigurd nudged Grani’s flanks and headed back down the icy mountain.
They arrived at the monastery as the pale moon rose, spilling liquid silver light over the sacred spring. Sigurd guided Grani down the winding cobblestone path, the cold alpine wind crisp against his frosted beard. The sweet floral scent of edelweiss filled the starry night air.
As if he had sensed their arrival, Kveld appeared, helping Sigurd ease Brynhildr from the saddle while Hálfdan unloaded the packs and Tryggvi tended Grani. He helped Sigurd carry her to the edge of the waterfall pool, laying her gently upon the meadow strewn with edelweiss blossoms. The Nightwolf went into their cottage and returned with a bar of soap and two swathes of linen to use as drying cloths. “I’ll stoke the fire, lay extra blankets and furs upon your bed. I’ll sleep in the cottage with Tryggvi and Hálfdan, to give you privacy with her.”
When Kveld, Tryggvi, and Hálfdan had retired to thehúskarlar’scottage, Sigurd knelt beside Brynhildr and tenderly eased the golden corslet and amber leather from her frozen form. He laid each piece on the soft grass, intending to clean and restore her armor, shield, and sword once she was safe and warm.
He laidBlárúlfrnext to her armor before shedding his winged helm, goldenbrynja,woolen tunic, boots, and breeches. Gathering Brynhildr in his arms, he pressed her cold nude body against his naked chest and eased them both into the luminous pool
Moonglow and starlight glimmered like crystals on the sacred spring as the healing waters lapped against her frosty form. Sigurd poured the shimmering liquid over her golden hair, massaging the fragrant edelweiss soap through the strands, rinsing away ash, soot, and charred ice. He washed her cold skin with pure lather, the floral essence mingling with the healingwaters of the sacred spring. When he kissed her icy lips, she stirred in his embrace, theouroborossearing Odin’s frozen curse with theseiðrofdragonfire.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. Startled, she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. “Where are we?”
