Beneath The Darkness

Shadowy Past

    Shadow 

    ''Hymir, son of Hel, do you swear on your name to serve me and this clan to the best of your abilities until you cross the mighty threshold of Valhalla?'' Havi looked down at me kneeling on the floor before him.

    ''I shall serve you and this clan until my life pours out of me. And on the day I cross Valhalla's doorway, I shall join you at your side and serve again.'' I replied.

    He snapped his fingers and a large cage was brought out. He reached in and brought out a raven painted with runes. He spoke some words to bind the raven to me with seiðr. when he finished, the runes glowed and I felt a searing pain on the right side of my head. ''Then rise, my vikingr. Rise and claim your place as Muninn.'' I rose to my feet and the raven flew to my shoulder. ''Now we feast in celebration of your birth and welcome you as the Aesir clans' new Muninn. Everyone, raise your horns to Hymir!'' Shouts were raised all through the hall. During the feast I sat at the head of the hall with Havi to my left and Sigrún to my right.

    ''Hymir, choose one of these warriors to travel with you as you walk Midgard for me. I'm not expecting an answer right now, think it through. I can give you until the end of the week.'' Havi said to me.

    ''I am truly honored, my Jarl. But that is not necessary. I've already decided.'' I replied.

    ''Oh, do tell.'' he mused.

    ''With you permission I would like valkyrie Sigrún Huginnsdottir to accompany me.'' Both Havi and Sigrún choked on their drinks.

    ''Tell me, why should I let you take one of my best valkryies with you?'' he asked.

    ''Yes, Hymir, Tell me why my daughter should go with you?'' Huginn leaned over from Havi's left.

    ''Well, with your permission Master Huginn, I wish to begin courting Sigrún. You see, I have grown quite fond of her over the last seven years.'' I took her hand. ''And I hope she has also grown fond of me.''

    Havi let out an uproarious laugh. ''I shall allow this. But the final say will be down to Huginn and Sigrún.''

    ''Sigrún, do you have any objection to Hymir's proposal of courtship?'' Huginn asked. I looked over at Sigrún and she looked back into my eyes.

    ''No, father.''

    ''Then I am to assume you have also grown fond of Hymir since his arrival?''

    ''Yes, father.''

    ''And you are aware of the job Hymir has as Muninn?''

    ''Yes, father.''

    ''And you're okay with that?''

    ''Of course father. Where ever Hymir is, that is where I wish to be. Until Ragnarøkkr ends.''

    ''Then I have no objections to you going with him.''

     I brought Sigrún's hand to my lips and kissed it. ''Until Ragnarøkkr ends.'' Then Havi stood up .

    ''Listen one and all, by weeks end we will hold the marriage ceremony between the new Muninn, Hymir Helsson and Valkyrie Sigrún Huginnsdottir. Huzzah!'' More shouts rang through the hall. Meanwhile Sigrún and I looked at each other with shock on our faces.

    I opened my eyes to see sunlight streaming through the window. I rolled over and pulled Misery towards me. I wrapped my arms around her and rested my head on her bare chest listening to her heart beat.

~~~~~~~~~

    Jenny

    It's been almost a week since Franky, Juliette and I arrived at the Agency school, and we've mostly adapted to the classes we had. Today is Saturday, and like most schools we had a free day. So I'm out exploring the town that surrounds the school campus. I was outside a small café having lunch when I saw Misery walking pass, so I called out to her.

    ''Lady Misery, do you have a minute?'' I asked.

    ''Of course, Jen. What do you need?'' she asked sitting across from me.

    ''Is Shadow doing okay?'' I asked.

    ''What do you mean?''

    ''It just seems like he's been depressed lately.'' I told her.

    ''Oh. So you noticed that, huh? Shadow doesn't really like to sleep because he often dreams of his past, back before he met any of us, back when he was a different person.''

    ''What do you mean when he was a different person?'' I asked.

    Misery sighed, ''Shadow was born in Norway in the eighth or ninth century. After he turned ten years old he was forced to flee the village his mother and him were living in for killing the Jarl of the village. His mother forced him to leave without her. Afterwards he was found by the clan his mother was born to. They raised him to be a viking. During that time everything was fine for him. He found a place to belong, got married to the love of his life, and found and adopted Umbra. Until one day there was a battle between his clan and another clan. Everyone was either dead or dying, including his wife. He held her in his arms as she died. He was so overcome with grief that he single handedly killed the opposing clan. Not just the warriors, but the women, the elderly, the children, and the slaves. according to Umbra he came back soaked in blood. Afterwards, he and Umbra travelled around lending a hand to those willing to pay for it. They closed their hearts for centuries. He became known as 'Bloðstormr', because a rain of blood was sure to follow where ever he went.''

    ''So what happened that caused him to open back up?'' I asked.

    ''He met Fury.''

    ''What do you mean?''

    ''Shadow and Umbra were passing through a town. And when they walked through the town center, they were holding an execution. He just looked on with indifference. But at the urging of Umbra, they saved a little girl about twelve or thirteen years old. Your mother.''

    ''Wow. I should be happy that he saved my mom. I should thank him.''

    ''No you shouldn't.''

    ''Huh? Why not?''

    ''In saving your mother, an entire town disappeared in a single night. Besides, if it wasn't for Umbra he wouldn't have done anything. He's have just watched as she burned. Honestly even today he would just idly stand by and let things happen, if it wasn't for us.''

    ''Who?''

    ''The girls in the Sins. He saved Umbra, Fury, Malice and I from situations we were in. In Malice's and my case, it was a situation we thought we were powerless or unable to do anything to fix. He would go to any length to help us, including going to Heaven and killing God. And in return we would do anything for him.'' Misery sighed. ''I'm sorry. I know all of this is kinda a big downer. So don't worry about Shadow. We'll take care of him. And in no time he'll be back to normal.'' She stood up and left me alone to think about what she told me.