114 lines
5.2 KiB
Plaintext
114 lines
5.2 KiB
Plaintext
The Lore of Brosingamene
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All day had Freyja, most lovely of the Goddesses,
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played and romped in the fields.
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Then did She lay down to rest.
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And whilst She slept deft Loki, the Prankster,
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the Mischief-Maker of the Gods,
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did espy the glimmering of Brosingamene,
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formed of Galdra, Her constant companion.
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Silent as night did Loki move
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to the Goddess' side and, with fingers formed
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over the ages in lightness, did remove the silver circlet
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from about Her snow-white neck.
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Straightway did Freyja arouse, on sensing its loss.
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Though He moved with the speeds of the winds
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yet Loki She glimpsed as He passed swiftly from sight
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into the Barrow that leads to Dreun.
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Then was Freyja in despair.
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Darkness descended all about Her to hide Her tears.
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Great was Her anguish. All light, all life,
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all creatures joined in Her doom.
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To all corners were sent the Searchers,
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in quest of Loki; yet knew they,
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they would not find him. For who is there may descend
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into Dreun and return again from thence?
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Excepting the Gods themselves and, alack,
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mischievous Loki. So it was that,
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still weak from grief, Freyja Herself elected
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to descend in search of Brosingamene.
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At the portals of the Barrow was She challenged
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yet recognized and passed. The multitude of souls within
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cried joyfully to see Her yet could She not tarry
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as She sought Her stolen light.
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The infamous Loki left no trail to follow,
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yet was He everywhere past seen. Those to whom She spake
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held to Freyja - Loki carried no Jewel as He went by.
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Where, then, was it hid? In despair She search for an age.
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Hearhden the mighty, smith of the Gods,
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did arise from His rest
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to sense the bewailment of the souls
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to Freya's sorrow.
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Striding from His smithy, to find the cause of the sorrow,
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did He espy the Silver Circlet
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where Loki Mishief-Maker had laid it:
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upon the rock before His door.
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Then all was clear. As Hearhden took hold
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of Brosingamene, did Loki appear before Him,
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His face wild with rage. Yet would Loki not attack Hearhden,
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this Mighty Smith whose strength was know even beyond Dreun.
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By wiles and tricks did He strive to get
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His hands upon the silver circlet.
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He shape-shifted; He darted here and there;
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He was visible then invisible. Yet could He not sway the smith.
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Tiring of the fight, Hearhden raised His mighty club.
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Then sped Loki away. Great was the Freyja's Joy
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when Hearhden placed Brosingamene
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once more about Her show-white neck.
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Great were the cries of Joy from Dreun and above.
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Great were the thanks that Freyja,
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and all Men, gave to the Gods
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for the return of Brosingamene.
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It was that Hulda, Goddess of the Nether-Realms
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appeared with Loki and spake to Freyja,
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saying that She could not leave Dreun without payment.
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Freyja was again in despair, saying that She had nothing.
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Loki it was that said
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She held Brosingamene about Her neck.
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Freyja wailed and cried, saying that She
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could not give up Her Jewel.
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Hulda then said to Her that were She to give
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Brosingamene to Loki to hold for half the year,
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then could She but take Her leave of Dreun.
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After a time, Freyja agreed, saying that She would let Him hold it.
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So it was that Brosingamene passed to Loki
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for half the year. Then was Freyja again in despair.
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And the Darkness once again descended
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all about Her to hide Her tears.
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Again, Great was Her anguish. And once again,
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All Light, All Life, All Creatures
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joined in Her doom.
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So it is that during that half of the wheel of the year when Loki doth
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hold Brosingamene, that Freya despairs; the Darkness decends, and the
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world doth grow cold. And when Freya receives the Jewel, Her Joy knows
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no bounds; the Darkness is replaced by the Light, and the world becomes
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warm.
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Copyright 1991
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by: Rathulvf Jamesson
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Odhinsgodhi
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