A/N: Welcome to the first of two intermission chapters planned for this story.
This one shall cover primarily our adaptation (a Disneyfied one) on Brunhilde and Siegfried's tale. There'll be other characters to show up, but two to keep an eye on. Let's see how Kotori and Himura's past incarnations lives were like before their untimely deaths.
This chapter shall double as a 'Gaiden'.
Anyway enjoy this!
(Update (05/14/17): LazerWulf finished giving this a thorough revision.
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Intermission: Brunhilde and Siegfried
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(Cue Thor - Prologue)
Several millennia ago, the Asgard realm reached the apex of its prominence alongside the Moon Kingdom. These are the two of the Ten Realms that have become seemingly powerful and nearly untouchable against outside threats.
Odin ruled Asgard with an iron fist. Thor and Sif were always available to led and defend Asgard against threats from the other Realms, including the threats of the Frost Giants in Jotunheim. But, there were others that defended Asgard to their best of their abilities: the Valkyrie Maidens, led by Brunhilde.
Before Brunhilde arrived, Frigg led her own Valkyrie Maidens (Freya and Hela among them) in various conflicts, including a fierce battle with an evil sorceress named Grimhilde. After their great victory, Frigg was ready to retire and marry Odin. However, she required someone to take her place.
Adopted by Odin as a child, Brunhilde not only became a daughter but a trusted guardian assigned to lead the Valkyries and guide souls to Valhalla. Having been trained since childhood by Sif, Brunhilde ascended the ranks as Odin's top Valkyrie Maiden.
She had always displayed great loyalty to Odin. And carried out any action by his command.
Until today.
(End theme)
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Asgard/Odin's Throne Room
Sitting in his throne, the King of Asgard watched his subjects leave his presence. Only few individuals stayed. Valkyrie Brunhilde, Thor, and Sif were among them. They watched as Odin watched a visual displaying two warring kings.
"Hast thou decided who to side with, father?" Thor inquired of the Allfather.
Stroking his bread, Odin responded. "I've decided on the older king, Hjalmgunnar."
"I see. Hast thou decided who shall oversee the fight between these kings?" Sif asked.
Odin pivoted to his subjects and pointed to Brunhilde. Taken aback, Brunhilde pointed to herself and stepped forward. She dropped to a knee and bowed.
"Allfather, thou hast chosen me?"
"Yes, Brunhilde. I trust thou will make the right choice."
"Of course," Brunhilde nodded.
"Lord Odin, perhaps thou should let me officiate the kings' fight?" Sif suggested.
"No, this must be Brunhilde's test," Odin replied calmly. "If she's to show her loyalty, she will side with the king whom I've backed."
"Thou sure about this, father?" Thor asked. "Maybe I should go in her place."
"I shall do as my heart tells me. And it's already told me which king I should aid," Brunhilde stated, standing as she bowed to Odin.
Odin furrowed his thick brows and nodded. "Then I'll leave this in thy hands."
"I won't let thee down."
Thor turned to Sif. "Shouldn't thou go?"
"No, father has given this responsibility to Brunhilde. She must carry out my father's will."
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Midgard
Just as Kings Hjalmgunnar and Agnar prepared to end their duel, Brunhilde appeared before them. The kings turned, awestruck by the Valkyrie's presence.
"Who are thou?" Hjalmgunnar asked Brunhilde. "Is she thine, Agnar?"
"No," Agnar replied incredulously. He watched Brunhilde walk by him.
"King, thou art here to turn the tide of the conflict," the Valkyrie stated adamantly.
Then, Brunhilde took out her sword and imbued it with blue flames. Agnar watched in shock as Brunhilde raised her flaming sword to…
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(Cue Thor - Banishment)
Later, Odin's genuine mood shifted into confusion and anger. He witnessed Brunhilde disobey his orders. Brunhilde's intervention ultimately secured victory for Agnar. To say this angered Odin was an understatement.
Once summoned back to his throne room, Odin confronted Brunhilde. When Brunhilde tried to plead her case, the Asgardian king wouldn't have any of her excuses.
"Why didst thou disobey me? I asked thee to help Hjalmgunnar!"
Brunhilde retorted. "Thou left it in my hands. I simply prefer Agnar and share his views! Why condemn me for making my own choice?! Thou also knew the old king's days were numbered!"
As he grew perturbed by Brunhilde's rebellious outburst, he raised his staff and blasted Brunhilde with it. He sent Brunhilde crashing into a wall.
"Father!" Thor called out him.
"Lord Odin!" Sif pleaded.
"Thou shall not be disobedient to me, Brunhilde! For not carrying out my will and siding with Agnar, thou will receive thy punishment!" Odin growled, clenching his fist, which burned with golden light.
"Father! Don't do this!" Thor pleaded as he tried reasoning with the Asgard king, but Odin stopped him with a glare.
Struggle as she could, Brunhilde couldn't break loose from Odin's restraints. She looked into Odin's eyes, which conveyed anger but also disappointment. As his eyes glowed, Odin unleashed an immense blast that struck Brunhilde. Brunhilde's screams filled the chamber as she felt Odin's powers seeming tear into her.
"Lord Odin… why?! I have always been loyal!" Brunhilde screamed. "Just because I did not follow an order?! Just one?!"
Odin clenched his hand as Brunhilde's Valkyrie armor shattered into pieces. Brunhilde fell on the ground in a heap, stripped completely of her battle armor but now wearing full-bodied chainmail. She looked over herself.
"Wh-What hast thou done, Lord Odin?!" Sif demanded.
Brunhilde gazed over herself. "I...I feel different. What's happened to me?"
"Father, hast thou turned her into a mortal?!" Thor asked angrily.
"Brunhilde, I gave thee a simple task and an important one. Thou disobeyed my command. For that, I've stripped thee of thy Valkyrie title and powers. Thou shalt be condemned to a life as a mortal and imprisoned on a castle on Mount Hindarfjall!"
"Please, Lord Odin… Allfather…!" Brunhilde pleaded to the Asgard king. "Do not punish me this way! I only did what was right and necessary! The old king would not have lived much longer and he has no heir!"
However, her pleas fell on deaf ears as Odin blasted Brunhilde again. This time, he tightened the chain mail around Brunhilde, which not only restrained but weakened her. She fell unconscious. Then, the other Valkyrie Maidens entered the chamber and watched their leader being shot through a portal in the wall.
"Brunhilde!" Skogul called to her.
"Allfather, what's the meaning of this?!" Gondul asked him.
As the portal closed, Brunhilde was gone from Asgard. Odin grunted angrily and sat down on his throne. His subjects were in utter disbelief over Odin's actions.
"Thou could have handled this without condemning her, father," Thor asked.
"Condemn her for what?!" Sigrun exclaimed.
"What order did she disobey?" Skuld inquired.
Opting not to answer his subjects' inquiries, Odin settled on his throne.
"May thou reflect on thy choices, Brunhilde. I did not want to do this, but thou needed to be made of example of those who go against my will," Odin stated under breath.
"Father, I hope this is wise," Thor overheard Odin.
Sif appeared crossed. "I'm not pleased with this."
"Neither are we," the Maidens protested.
"Thou will all learn with time. Also with time, so will Brunhilde, Maidens," Odin stated.
(End theme)
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Midgard/Mount Hindarfjall/Castle
(Cue Thor - Forgive Me)
Having been transported inside a castle, Brunhilde struggled under the weight of the chainmail armor Odin placed on her.
"Father, whatever I did wrong… I am sorry… Please, I only did what was right…" Brunhilde's will weakened and her breaths became shallow. She instantly fell asleep in a bed.
Once the Maiden fell deep asleep, a ring of flames formed over her. Flames also covered the entire mountain, making it impossible for anyone to climb it. Although the flames burned around her, Brunhilde's body stayed preserved thanks to Odin's magic. Brunhilde would remain in this state until a man can rescue and marry her. However, that would be no guarantee Brunhilde's powers would return and if she'd ever be given reentry into Asgard.
That would depend on the man who'd ultimately find and marry her.
For years, many men who've heard countless stories of a woman trapped in a ring of fire inside a castle have attempted to break through. All of them have failed. It seemed Brunhilde's hopes for freedom were dashed completely.
(End theme)
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Forest
Sometime after Brunhilde's exile, a dark-haired man in green and black leather armor and carrying a golden staff walked into quiet forest. He stumbled near a pond and watched an otter playing in a stream. A grin adorned the man's pale features as he approached the pond.
"Who goes there?" The otter's ears perked as he instinctively turned and glared at Loki.
Loki chortled calmly. "Poor creature, thou have no idea what I plan to do with thee."
"What?"
"Kill thou and take thy delicate fur."
"Wait! Don't…!" Before the otter could finish, Loki struck him down and killed him with a pike. He pulled out the bloodied pike, which transformed back into his staff. He took took the otter's pelt and walked off with his prize.
Little did Loki know, the trickster killed not just any otter, but a dwarf named Otr who had turned into an otter. When Otr's father, Hreidmarr the King of Dwarves (also known as the Duergar), caught word of his son's demise, he demanded the one who killed his son to show himself. When Loki later discovered he had unknowingly killed Otr, he confronted Hreidmarr in his castle.
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Hreidmarr's Palace
(Cue The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Thrice Welcome)
Upon entering the King of Dwarves' quarters, Loki was taken aback by the king's gargantuan size.
"My… thou art rather large for the King of Dwarves, King Hreidmarr," Loki bowed casually, which irked the Dwarf King.
"I do not wish to hear thy pleasantries. Thou art here since thou killed my son."
"I did not know he was thy son. He was merely an otter when I presented his pelt to thee."
"How will thou compensate for slaying my son?" Hreidmarr demanded as his subjects readied their axes. "Or, do thou wish to die here now?"
"No, I actually have something to repay for thy son's loss," Loki said, taking out an object from his pocket. He opened his hand to show a golden ring.
The dwarves were immediately drawn to the shining golden ring. Hreidmarr leaned over to examine the ring's quality and craftsmanship.
"Where thou get this ring?"
"This is Andvaranaut, or at least that is what I have been told by the one who gave it to me," Loki deceived the Dwarf King. "I am willing to part with it and give to thee. Will this be enough to compensate for thy son's death? This ring can grant and make gold for thee. So, think of all the gold thy people can have. Thou will never go poor."
After examining the ring, Hreidmarr grabbed the ring and clamped it in his hand.
"I shall accept thy generous token," Hreidmarr said, grinning and revealing his grotesque teeth.
"I do humbly apologize and I hope Otr can forgive me." With that, Loki bid his farewell and started his way out of the castle. As he walked out, a fiendish grin formed on his face.
Shortly after Loki left Andvaranaut with the Dwarf King, the ring had brought great misfortune to Hreidmarr. This ring wasn't given freely as Loki claimed. He had tricked the previous possessor, Andvari, into relinquishing the ring to him. As revenge against Loki's deception, Andvari cursed the ring. Great misfortune and destruction would affect those possessing the ring. After finding this out the hard way, Loki needed to part himself from the ring.
Unfortunately for Hreidmarr, misfortune came for him in the form of one of his other sons, Fafnir. Fafnir became consumed by greed over his father's new gold. After killing his father, he took Andvaranaut and left. Next to be cursed by the ring, Fafnir turned into a dragon and left for a cavern lair. Regin, the only son of Hreidmarr remaining, received no gold inheritance and left to become a smith.
(Cue The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Bard, a Man of Lake Town)
Regin later adopted Siegfried, son of Sigmund, as his foster son. As Siegfried became a young man, Regin constantly challenged his mettle and goaded him to fight his father, Fafnir.
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"Thou want me to kill Fafnir?" Siegfried asked Regin.
"Aye, Siegfried. But thou will require a weapon to slay him."
"Well, I don't have a weapon to use."
"Did not thy father have a sword?"
"Gram is broken."
"Bring the remains to me and I shall rebuild Gram. It shall be stronger than before."
Siegfried nodded. "Then, I shall go fetch the pieces."
Upon returning with Gram's remains, Regin rebuilt Gram from these pieces and recreated a stronger, modified version of Sigmund's sword. He handed Siegfried the sword, who then tested its power and broke an anvil in two.
"Now thou have a weapon to slay Fafnir, Siegfried. But tread carefully, Fafnir will anticipate those who enter his lair."
"Why dost thou need me to kill Fafnir?"
"He has something I want. He has a ring, but not just any ring. Its power is said to bring great fortune to those who wear it."
"Great fortune?"
Regin chortled albeit darkly. "Yes. So can thou do it?"
"I shall slay Fafnir, get the ring, and forge my path as a warrior in my father's name." Siegfried raised Gram into the air.
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Fafnir's Lair
(Cue The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - Fire and Water)
Siegfried, an heir of the clan of Volsung, bravely entered Fafnir's lair and challenged him. The dragon quickly attacked Siegfried with reckless abandon.
Siegfried took cover behind some large rocks. Fafnir swooped down firing heat blasts all over the lair.
"Warrior, thou art foolish to challenge me and take my ring?! Get out here and die with honor!" Fafnir roared, flying around and shooting more blasts.
Gripping Gram hard, Siegfried stepped out and deflected Fafnir's blasts. He batted away fire blasts with Gram. As Fafnir dove toward Siegfried, the warrior jumped up and carved through Fafnir's hide with the sword. Fafnir tail-whipped Siegfried as the warrior fell and hit the ground.
"Thou shalt die!" Fafnir declared, diving toward Siegfried and ready to discharge a massive fire blast.
"I didn't come here to die!" Siegfried yelled out. He recovered, standing up and raising Gram up. He jumped and plunged Gram through Fafnir. He slashed open Fafnir, spilling the Drake's blood all over the lair.
Fafnir's blood rained on Siegfried, covering him from head to toe, aside from a small part where a leaf was stuck to his back. He saw the ring hanging on a protrusion where Fafnir slept. He snatched the ring and examined it.
"So, this is the ring, Regin? I have it now!"
Having accomplished what Regin asked him, Siegfried returned showing Fafnir's hide, teeth, and heart, but most of all Andvaranaut as proof. Regin was aghast Siegfried returned alive. The young man proved him wrong. As a token, he let Siegfried hold onto the ring for him.
To celebrate his victory, Regin suggested Siegfried cook Fafnir's heart for them to feast on. As he did so, some of Fafnir's blood spewed out and Siegfried tasted it to determine its delicacy. Little did he know, tasting Fafnir's blood granted him the ability to talk to birds.
One day, Siegfried left to fetch some wood until a bird warned him. Now able to understand birds, he was warned by this bird about Regin's true intentions.
"He's plotting to kill thee, Siegfried!" The bird warned. "That evil man wants to kill thee. He wants to take the ring thou took from Fafnir!"
"Art thou certain?"
"Yes."
Taking the bird's warning to heart, Siegfried returned to confront Regin.
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"Thou art going to listen to some bird over me? I raised thee!" Regin snarled, curling his lips in fury. He had an axe held behind his back.
"I'm leaving. Besides, it is time we part ways."
"No, thou art not going anywhere! Hand me the ring! I have longed to have it! It belongs to me!"
As Regin wrestled Siegfried over the ring, the latter defended himself and kicked Regin away. Reign reached for his axe to kill Siegfried. Siegfried beat Regin to the punch and swiftly beheaded his foster father.
Shortly after, Siegfried took the ring and departed to forge his warrior path. He kept Andvaranaut concealed to avoid thievery. Having recently slain the dragon Fafnir, the legendary hero opted to tackle this challenge to build his prestigious warrior status.
The bird that warned Siegfried before told him about a maiden on top of a flaming mountain.
"A maiden thou say?" Siegfried asked the bird.
"Yes, in a castle on fire mountain."
(End theme)
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Midgard/Mount Hindarfjall/Castle
"This is Mount Hindarfjall?" Siegfried stared toward the burning mountain in front of him. He stepped away, avoiding close contact with the flames that'd burn anyone by contact. "No wonder many men have perished trying to climb this. Others simply gave up." As he stepped close, the flames shot forth and scorched him. He readied his shield to protect himself.
He paused and noticed his skin where the flames touched him didn't get singed.
"My body didn't get burned?" Siegfried became baffled by this. He put his hand toward the flames and the heat didn't burn his hands. He saw the flames seemingly withdrew from his presence. "But why? It wasn't long ago I was soaked in Fafnir's blood when I fought and slayed him." He then realized the reason. "Fafnir's blood is protecting me?!"
Having realized the Drake's blood granted him invulnerability to the flames, he then started to climb the mountain. As he scaled up, he remained immune to the flames. Following an arduous climb, he reached the castle. He entered and scoured into the quarters.
"Hello?" Siegfried scanned the castle room. He then paused and stumbled on the sight of a beautiful woman in a bed covered in chainmail. "This is the maiden of the fire mountain I've heard so much about? She appears less ladylike than I expected her to be." He walked over to Brunhilde's bedside, but then a ring of fire materialized and startled him.
Then, he remembered his fire invulnerability and walked through the flames. He stood near Brunhilde's bedside.
(Cue Hunter x Hunter (2011 Series) - Understanding)
"Dear Maiden, I've scaled the mountain and reached the castle to confirm if the tales are true. Thy presence has confirmed my suspicions." He placed his hand on Brunhilde's hands and noticed her unresponsive state. "Can thou not hear me? Then perhaps with a kiss or…" He leaned over to remove her helmet and pulled out his sword, Gram, to cut off her chainmail armor.
Just like that, she awoke after what seemed like eternity. She looked up to see a handsome young man over her.
"H-Hey!" Brunhilde shouted, alarming Siegfried.
"Awake now?! I-I'm sorry! I thought it would awaken thee. I almost mistook thee to be a man wearing that armor!"
"Awaken me?" Brunhilde slowly rose and recalled Odin's banishing her from Asgard. "Yes, that's right. Thou had my powers removed and banished here." She noticed Siegfried staring in confusion. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry, but I wanted to see if the rumors were true about a woman trapped in a castle on the burning mountain. Seems the rumors proved true."
"How did thou know about me and how I was trapped here asleep?"
"If thou wish to believe me, some bird told me."
"A bird?"
"Yes and then I heard town folk speak about thee through my travels."
Brunhilde's features slightly softened as Siegfried leaned in front of her.
"Come, thou wish to leave this castle?"
"Yes, please take me out of here."
When he prepared to take Brunhilde, the flames seemed to cut her off. Unlike with Siegfried, Brunhilde had no invulnerability to the flames. Having lost her godhood, Brunhilde was a mortal. She no longer had access to her ice and flame powers, which would've allowed her to forge her legendary blue flames to put out the fire.
"I can't?!" Brunhilde was taken aback.
"Even if thou walk with me? Somehow I'm immune to these flames."
"It's because I'm mortal."
"But I'm mortal, too," Siegfried clarified.
"Wait, if thou art immune to the flames, the only way that is possible is if thou bathed in a Drake's blood."
"I have recently slain the fearsome beast Fafnir."
"Thou hast slain Fafnir?!"
"Indeed," he replied.
Gazing upon him with awe, Brunhilde couldn't believe such a man was capable of slaying a Drake, much less Fafnir.
"What is thy name, warrior?" Brunhilde asked.
"Siegfried."
"I am Brunhilde."
"Is there anyway I can save thee now?"
Nodding, Brunhilde responded less optimistic. "Nay, unless thou can find a way to break Odin's spell binding me here."
"I do not know of a spell, but there may be a way."
"How?"
"Lady Brunhilde, can thou wait a little longer for my return?"
"Well, thou were the first man to awake me from my long slumber, so yes I can wait."
"Here," Siegfried placed Andvaranaut in Brunhilde's hand. He then placed it on her left ring finger. "So thou have something to remember me by."
Brunhilde looked at the ring and smiled.
Siegfried waved to Brunhilde and started out the castle. "I vow to return to get thee out of this castle!"
"Please do return when thou can find a way to free me!" Brunhilde called to him.
With that, Siegfried left the castle and started a journey to find a resolution to Brunhilde's dilemma. He searched far and wide for any way to get her off the mountain. He didn't know any spells, but he knew about steeds.
(End theme)
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As he took another journey, he sought for a quality steed that could fly over Mount Hindarfjall and retrieve Brunhilde from her imprisonment. Try as he might, he could only find inferior horses.
Then, he got word from a tavern owner about an untamable horse in King Gunnar's stable. There was a reward for anyone who could tame this horse. Siegfried decided to join the many men who tried their best to tame this 'wild' horse.
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King Gunnar's Grounds
"Thou wish to tame Grani?" King Gunnar inquired of Siegfried, who walked out with him to the stables. "Thou art the 49th man to attempt to tame him. Even the best of animal tamers who have volunteered have failed."
"I wish to attempt it. After all, I have slain beasts before."
"I suppose we shall see what thou can do."
King Gunnar and Siegfried arrived near the stables. Awaiting them there was an attractive blonde-haired woman garbed in an elegant lime dress. The woman was seen trying to calm a white horse with a reddish mane and tail. The horse jumped up, kicking its front legs up and scaring the woman away. Siegfried quickly identified the horse as Grani, who already displayed hostility toward her.
"Stay back, foul beast!" Gudrun screamed, wailing her arms in front as Grani prepared to trample her.
"Gudrun!" King Gunnar yelled out, quickly pulling her aside.
Grani stomped his feet on the ground and snorted loudly. As the horse backed away into its stable, Siegfried approached it cautiously.
"Sister, just what were thou thinking?!" Gunnar chastised her.
"These foolhardy men all failed to tame Grani! I figured taming Grani would require a woman's delicate touch!" She then shifted toward Siegfried, who placed his sword down. She scoffed. "And who is this?"
"Siegfried, if I'm believe to be correct?"
"Yes, now please be quiet," Siegfried whispered softly. He slowly approached Grani.
"Who does he think he is?" Gudrun thought less of him.
Grani snorted loudly and backed away from Siegfried. Siegfried touched Grani's forehead, causing the horse to turn away. Siegfried looked into Grani's eyes. The horse pivoted, staring into Siegfried's eyes as if it were staring through into his soul.
Then, to the shock of King Gunnar and Gudrun, Grani leaned forward and offered Siegfried to touch his back. Siegfried stroked the horse's red mane and back.
"I-I can't believe it," Gunnar was aghast.
Gudrun became easily impressed. "Oh my, he did it." Her lips curved into a smile as she watched Siegfried tame Grani easily.
"Siegfried, how didst thou do this? What is thy secret?" Gunnar inquired. "I need to know!"
"There's no secret. Thy horse just trusted me," Siegfried replied nonchalantly.
"Yes, perhaps that's why Grani was not hostile toward thee," Gunnar nodded.
Gudrun smiled. "Thou accomplished what many failed to do, Siegfried. Truly incredible!"
"It was nothing. Now I know this is going to sound hasty, but I require this horse."
"Pardon?" Gunnar asked in befuddlement.
"I need to take Grani with me."
"For what?" Gudrun asked him.
Siegfried entailed Gunnar and Gudrun about saving Brunhilde from her imprisonment. Gunnar and Gudrun both looked to each other. The siblings pardoned Siegfried as they left him to tend with Grani.
(Cue Hunter x Hunter (2011 Series) - In the Palace-Agitato)
"Brother, didst thou hear that?" Gudrun whispered to Gunnar. "He just returned from the burning mountain where that lone maiden has been kept imprisoned."
"The rumors of the maiden in the castle turned out true," Gunnar said, stroking his chin. "These are interesting developments."
"Brother, I suggest we don't let him leave. Besides, haven't thou been always been infatuated with the idea of being the one who rescues Brunhilde?"
"Yes, but it's not that simple. I'll die trying to climb that mountain."
Gudrun sighed. "How's this for an idea?" She whispered into his ear.
A conniving grin formed on Gunnar's face as he listened to his sister's idea.
"Yes, steal his memories? Ah, and here's a follow-up, I pretend to be him and rescue Brunhilde in his place?"
Gudrun nodded in approval. "See what happens when we put our heads together?"
Gunnar replied. "Indeed, my sister."
After plotting their scheme, Gunnar and Gudrun confronted Siegfried. They escorted him away from the stables and offered him a place to rest for the night.
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That evening, after a hearty meal, Siegfried used one of the guest rooms to retire for the evening. As the warrior slept, Gunnar and Gudrun quietly entered the room. Gunnar quickly pinned Siegfried's shoulders down, which awoke the warrior. Before Siegfried could yell, Gudrun fired a mystical green mist in Siegfried's face. This stunned the warrior long enough for the siblings to use magic to steal his memories.
Gunnar planted Siegfried's memories into his head. Gudrun then placed a spell that made him forget about his meeting with Brunhilde. In Siegfried's memories, Gudrun replaced Brunhilde.
"Did it work?" Gunnar asked as he watched Siegfried sit up in bed.
Gudrun faked a frightened squeak as Siegfried saw her.
"Thou scared me, Siegfried!" Gudrun whimpered, nearly falling off the bed.
Siegfried blinked twice before taking Gudrun's hands. "Art thou alright, my lovely Gudrun?"
Success! Both Gunnar and Gudrun thought as their worries over the spell being miscast diminished.
"I did not mean to startle thee, fairest Gudrun," Siegfried apologized, taking her hand.
Gudrun giggled. "Oh, Siegfried, I should apologize. I just wanted to check on thee and see if thou rested well."
"Thou need not worry, my fairest lady."
As Siegfried leaned over to hug Gudrun, the blonde woman winked to Gunnar. Gunnar climbed out the window, chortling under his breath. He couldn't believe he and his sister were able to pull it off without failure.
"Yes! At long last, Brunhilde shall be mine!"
(End theme)
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As Gudrun kept Siegfried in the castle, Gunnar, now in the guise of Siegfried, stole and wore the warrior's armor. Determined to meet with Brunhilde, Gunnar headed straight for Mount Hindarfjall.
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Midgard/Mount Hindarfjall/Castle
As Brunhilde heard the sound of horse neighs, she looked out the window. To her surprise, Siegfried came flying through the front of the open window. Siegfried came flying riding on Grani.
"Siegfried!" Brunhilde cried out joyfully.
"I told thee I'd return," Siegfried said, using Grani to descend closer and pull Brunhilde's toward him. He whisked her away from her imprisonment and placed her behind him.
Brunhilde folded her arms around his waist and smiled. She then showed him the ring on her finger, which confounded him.
"Is something wrong, Siegfried?"
"No, nothing."
"Do thou not remember the ring?"
"Come on, let's go." He said, eyeing Andvaranaut on her finger.
As Grani flew them out of the castle, he descended with Siegfried and Brunhilde. Siegfried took Brunhilde's hands and dropped to a knee.
"Dearest Brunhilde, would thou do the honor of living in my palace?"
"Since thou rescued me and gave me this ring," Brunhilde nodded, widening her smile. "Yes, I will." She hugged him. "I can't return to Asgard and I no longer have my powers. I might as well live the rest of my time as a mortal in thy care."
As he embraced her, Siegfried raised his head. He put on an evil grin behind her back.
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King Gunnar's Castle
(Cue Hunter x Hunter (2011 Series) - In The Palace-Lamentoso)
As Siegfried brought Brunhilde to his quarters, he offered her a bath. When he did, he left her to bathe alone.
"This palace is magnificent!" Brunhilde was heard beyond the bathroom. "Are thou sure this is thy castle? Thou don't strike me as the rich type."
Behind closed doors, 'Siegfried' chuckled as he briefly changed into Gunnar.
"No, milady, thou got me. This is actually my friend's palace. Ever heard of King Gunnar?"
"Nay, I haven't."
"He's a very young king. A little naive and he pines for beautiful maidens like thee."
"I see," Brunhilde said, untying her long braided hair and drenched it in bath water.
Gunnar took a peek through the crack of the door, eyeing Brunhilde with her back turned. She still sported some of the battle scars to remind her of the days she used to be a Valkyrie. Gunnar watched her bathe her beautifully toned figure.
As Brunhilde turned to grab a bucket, Gunnar quickly turned away and morphed back to Siegfried.
"I've asked one of the caretakers to bring thee some spare clothes."
"Thank thee."
"They belong to my friend's sister. Hopefully they'll fit thee."
"I'm sure they will. I'm not a particularly large woman."
After bathing, Siegfried handed her Gudrun's spare clothing. Brunhilde came out dressed in a white gown.
"Thou shine brightly in that dress, Brunhilde," Siegfried said, kissing her hand. "The gown fits thee well."
"Thanks, I… I wanted to ask if that steed thou rode is Grani?"
"Oh, why yes. He was kept in my friend's horse stables. I was the first one to tame him."
"I see. Grani happens to be descended from Odin's steed, Sleipnir."
"So, thou truly were a Valkyrie?"
"I was, but I was cast out of Asgard for disregarding Odin's command. He took it very personally," Brunhilde recalled the events, which were still fresh on her mind. "He stripped me of my immortality and powers, reducing me to a mere mortal. Now thanks to thou, I've been awakened and freed from that imprisonment."
"Now would be good as any if…"
Suddenly, Gudrun came storming into their quarters being joined by 'Gunnar', who was really Siegfried. Gudrun took advantage of Siegfried and used magic to turn him into her brother but only in Gunnar's presence.
"Oh, friends! What bringest thou here?" Siegfried addressed them both casually.
Gudrun pointed to Siegfried. "Thou have stolen my gown from my quarters to give to this…" She turned to Brunhilde and turned her nose up at her. "...barbaric woman."
"Pardon?" Brunhilde scoffed in response. "Thou art very rude."
"Gudrun, this is Brunhilde. She's an honored guest."
"And what gives thou any right to bring whoever thee want here?!" Gudrun chastised him. "Isn't that right, Gunnar?"
'Gunnar' turned to Brunhilde and nodded in a trance-like state. Brunhilde noticed Gunnar's strange behavior. Before she could talk to him, 'Siegfried' pulled Brunhilde aside.
"Come, Brunhilde, let us go to another room. There's something I'd like to ask thee."
"Ok?" Brunhilde nodded. As she and 'Siegfried' passed them by, she eyed 'Gunnar' before being escorted out.
As the doors closed, Gudrun undid her magic as 'Gunnar' became Siegfried again.
"Hopefully she hasn't noticed. Her being a former god, she might figure out our elaborate ruse," Gudrun muttered. With an evil grin, she kissed Siegfried's lips and folded her hands around his waist. "Hmm, perhaps it's time for us to relocate, my love?"
Siegfried nodded and replied lifelessly. "Yes."
xxxxx
As they relocated into his quarters, 'Siegfried' took Brunhilde to the center of the room. Brunhilde became enamored with Gunnar's elaborate decorum.
"Thy friend has a magnificent castle! Too bad thou couldn't afford luxury like him."
"Well, luxury isn't everything," 'Siegfried' lied through his teeth. "One day thou shall appreciate for who I truly am."
"What do thou mean?" The former Valkyrie asked naively.
'Siegfried' leaned over and kissed Brunhilde's lips. "Trust me when I tell thee, Brunhilde my love. I do have a question about the ring."
"Yes? Thou gave it to me. Do thou not remember clearly?"
"Yes, it matters not. Let us retire for the night, my love."
xxxxx
For a little while longer, Gunnar and Gudrun's elaborate ruse proved convincing enough. Brunhilde and Siegfried, both kept apart from each other, became the siblings' significant others. Gudrun kept Siegfried to herself in a private quarters on an opposite side of the estate.
Brunhilde was kept in Gunnar's custody. He convinced her that he was the man for whom she had waited. For a while, Gunnar took advantage of Brunhilde's naivety.
However, when Brunhilde realized how 'Siegfried' seemed too comfortable in a luxurious setting, she started to get an idea of what was going on. Another red flag was seeing less of Gudrun and 'Gunnar' except for occasional dinners. Brunhilde sensed mystic vibes from Gudrun and 'Gunnar'.
When she would see 'Gunnar', she sensed a familiar vibe. One that belonged to the man who undid her chainmail armor and awoke her.
But the biggest clue was 'Siegfried's' odd inquiries about Andvaranaut. She wondered why he'd question her about a ring he apparently had before giving to her.
One morning, Brunhilde decided to put her suspicions to the test.
xxxxx
"Thou look beautiful in thy new gown, Brunhilde," Siegfried complemented the former Valkyrie's light blue dress.
"Thank thee, Siegfried," Brunhilde said, feeling the man's touch on her bare shoulder. She shivered from his manly touch and turned away.
"Brunhilde? Is something the matter?"
"Tell me, Siegfried. I need to know. How come thou remain here? This is Gunnar's palace."
"Well, he has allowed me to stay here."
"His sister doesn't seem to enjoy thine company and she despises me."
Siegfried chuckled, kissing Brunhilde's hand. "Thou needn't worry about them. They're going to leave as soon as we marry."
"Us get married?"
Siegfried dropped to a knee and grasped her hand. "I'm sorry for not asking thee sooner, but I was too nervous to ask."
Blushing, Brunhilde was taken aback. "I don't know how to react… I…"
(End theme)
"Once we're married, thou can have all riches of my palace."
"My?" Brunhilde caught on. "Don't thou mean 'my friend's?'" She shot a fierce glare and pushed Siegfried away.
(Cue Valkyrie Profile - Turn Over a New Leaf)
"Brunhilde?!"
"Who art thou?!"
"Who am I? Surely it is I! Siegfried! The man who rescued thee!"
"No, the real Siegfried doesn't own this palace and land! Thou have lived here too long and comfortably to be considered a guest!" Brunhilde snapped, pushing Siegfried back. "Who art thou?! Answer me!" She demanded aloud. "And how is it thou don't remember the ring thou gave me? Thou would remember thou placed it on my finger. Thou told me to hold onto it while I waited. I waited and kept the ring for thee! Siegfried would remember this! Thou art not him!"
Unable to keep up the act for much longer, 'Siegfried' chuckled.
"So, thou were able to figure me out now. Oh well, I knew this ruse my sister and I concocted could not last. Not that it matters!" 'Siegfried' shouted as he morphed back into Gunnar.
Brunhilde snarled with disgust. "Thou truly art the king!"
"Yes, and now I'm no longer asking thee to marry me! I demand it!" He grabbed her right arm. "Thou shalt become my wife!"
"Let go of me!" Brunhilde demanded, jerking her arm away. She struggled to break loose from the king's grip. Having lost her god-like powers, her physical strength went with it and she was reduced to being overpowered by a mortal man.
"Be mine, Brunhilde! Thou shalt marry me and I'll give thee anything!"
"No, there's only one my heart belongs to!" Brunhilde jerked her arm away. "Siegfried!" She turned and raced through the garden.
As Gunnar grabbed her again, Brunhilde kicked him in the left leg, causing him to drop. Brunhilde bolted away as she headed for Gudrun's quarters. She saw the blonde woman kissing Siegfried.
"Siegfried!" Brunhilde called out to him.
Caught redhanded, Gudrun turned and scowled. "Cursed woman! So, my brother screwed things up!" She faced down Brunhilde, who confronted her.
"II can sense dark magic from thee, witch!" Brunhilde got right in Gudrun's face. "What did thou do to Siegfried?!"
Gudrun grinned fiendishly. "I have used my magic to steal his memories and put them in my brother. That way he can become Siegfried. Meanwhile, I take the real Siegfried all to myself, and all the while disguise him as my brother to fool thee. Though, I can't rely on my brother to do anything right." She noticed Gunnar limping toward them.
"Sister, she's caught on!"
Gudrun snorted. "All thanks to thy incompetence!" She fired a green blast at Gunnar's feet.
Brunhilde lunged at Gudrun and grabbed her hands.
"I may not be a Valkyrie anymore, but I should be able to reverse even thine magic!" She yelled out, wrestling with Gudrun.
"Thou art nothing more than a mere mortal! What can thou do to me?!" Gudrun boasted, laughing in Brunhilde's face. She shot green blasts in Brunhilde's face, stunning her. She mounted Brunhilde's back and locked her in a headlock. "I'll snap thy neck!"
"Not a chance!" Brunhilde retorted, grabbing Gudrun's hands and slamming her into a wall. As she slammed Gudrun into the wall, she grabbed Gudrun's wrists. She closed her eyes.
She delved deep in search for anything remotely close to her old Valkyrie abilities. While she couldn't awaken the full bulk, she could sense a mystic power that barely felt like a flickering candle. Brunhilde used that tiny remnant of her power to reverse Gudrun's magic. This led to Siegfried's memories being purged from Gunnar and being placed back into the warrior.
(End theme)
Siegfried awoke with his memories intact. He surveyed his surroundings and noticed Brunhilde.
"Bru-Brunhilde?"
"Siegfried?!"
Brunhilde and Siegfried quickly embraced each other. Brunhilde felt better knowing she was in the real man's embrace. Gunnar and Gudrun both fled from the scene in shame.
"Tell me what happened? I recall... " Siegfried rubbed his head. "Those two took me in as their guest and I awoke with them using some magic on me. Oh, the ring! Do thou still have…?!"
Brunhilde put a finger on Siegfried's lips. She showed him the ring on her finger. "I have it. And it matters not. I'm just happy it's truly thee."
"But what did thou do to save me?"
"I...I recalled just a remnant of my old power. I can't sense it anymore, but it's fine. I used it to save thy memories."
"Thank thee," Siegfried said as they kissed and embraced.
xxxxx
(Cue Snow White & The Huntsman - You Failed Me, Finn)
"Curse that Valkyrie and that man!" Gudrun hissed, smashing pottery near the garden. "I had Siegfried all to me, but no! Thou had to slip up and ruin it all for us, Gunnar!" She openly accused him, poking his chest hard.
"I'm sorry, Gudrun. I… I was too arrogant and let myself slip."
"No matter. Siegfried must now pay for breaking my heart," Gudrun said, grinning evilly. "He's chosen that barbaric woman over me! My beauty transcends Brunhilde's!"
"Then, after we kill Siegfried…"
"Brunhilde is next and that ring will be ours."
"But how? That dragon's blood hath made him all but invulnerable!"
"Calm yourself, brother dear. Dost thou think that after all those nights together I have not discovered his weakness?"
(End theme)
xxxxx
As they went to the stables, Siegfried collected Grani and offered Brunhilde a ride.
"Come. Let us depart before they return," Siegfried said.
Brunhilde patted Grani's forehead. "Thou must be Grani. Guess what? I happen to know Sleipnir. Do thou know Sleipnir?" She genuinely asked the horse.
"That name sounds familiar. Yes, am I not descended from him?" Grani immediately responded in human tongue, much to Siegfried's shock.
"Indeed, and he's Odin's prestigious steed," Brunhilde said, climbing on Grani.
"He can talk?!"
"Aye, I can. Surprised, Siegfried?" Grani chortled.
"Thou had me thinking thee just a normal horse!"
"Thou art a funny man."
"Ok, we're ready to go, Brunhilde," Siegfried said until he heard rustling behind some bushes. He quickly drew out Gram.
"Siegfried?"
"Stay here. It must be them."
As Siegfried approached the bushes, he found no one.
"Siegfried?"
"There's no one…" Before he could finish his sentence, Gunnar sprang behind Brunhilde and yanked her off Grani.
(Cue Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles - Theme of Alexis Type I)
Grani neighed angrily and raised his front legs in front of Gunnar. The horse kicked Gunnar away, freeing Brunhilde. Brunhilde waited for Gunnar to stand and punched him.
"That is for deceiving me!" Brunhilde snapped.
"Nice one, Brun!" Siegfried clapped for her.
As Brunhilde turned to take a bow, Gudrun came behind Siegfried and shoved a dagger through the spot where the leaf had stuck to his back and prevented that section from absorbing Fafnir's blood.
"NOOO!" Brunhilde screamed in horror.
Gudrun's evil grin didn't escape her as the blade skewered Siegfried's heart. Brunhilde tried to reach Siegfried, but Gunnar grabbed her ankle. Gudrun casted a fireball onto some wood, creating a funeral pyre.
"If I can't have Siegfried, then no one can!" Gudrun shouted with bloody murder. She kicked Siegfried into the pyre.
"Siegfried! No!" Brunhilde screamed with tears. As she struggled to break loose from Gunnar's grasp, she fell facefirst.
"And thou belong to me, Brunhilde! Thou shalt become my wife as long as thee wears that ring!"
Brunhilde gritted her teeth as she sighted Gram lying near Siegfried. She grabbed Gram and stood up. As Gunnar attempted to grab her, Brunhilde shoved Siegfried's sword through Gunnar's chest. Gunnar let out a deep gasp. Brunhilde then quickly jerked out the sword and used it to decapitate Gunnar.
"GUNNAR!" Gudrun snarled, unleashing green blasts at Brunhilde's way.
Brunhilde instinctively turned Gram, deflecting the green projectiles. Struck back by her own attacks, Gudrun screamed in pain as they burned the left side of her face. Grimacing, Gudrun shot a scornful glare with half of her face burned.
"Barbaric whore! Look what thou hast done to my beautiful face!" Gudrun snapped, quickly becoming unhinged. "And thou killed my brother!"
"And thou killed the man I loved!" Brunhilde shouted passionately.
As Brunhilde and Gudrun charged to meet head-on, both wanted nothing more than to kill each other. Both wanted revenge, but neither were willing to yield to the other.
Gudrun tossed another green blast, which struck Brunhilde. However, that didn't stop Brunhilde from stabbing Gudrun. Brunhilde yanked Gram out and kicked Gudrun into the nearest river. The river carried Gudrun away.
(End theme)
xxxxx
(Cue Thor - Can You See Jane?)
As she dropped to a knee, Brunhilde pressed Gram through the ground. She turned and Grani standing near the pyre. Her eyes fell on Siegfried's body, which was already being set ablaze.
"Siegfried… my love… I'll be joining thee. Nothing will keep us apart," Brunhilde adamantly marched toward the pyre with no regret.
With that, Brunhilde threw herself atop of Siegfried. She grasped Siegfried's burned fingers and kissed him. The inferno engulfed and reduced them both into charred skeletal remains. The ring from Brunhilde's burnt finger hit the ground unaffected by the flames. The couple's remains dissolved into ashes. As their physical bodies vanished, their souls joined together seemingly for all time.
At least until their souls would reincarnate, over a thousand years later.
(End theme)
xxxxx
(Cue Thor - My Bastard Son)
Having been washed ashore on a river bed, Gudrun barely awoke. She used what little of her magic to close her wound. She coughed blood and slowly crawled on the shore.
"Damn that whore… she ruined everything," grunted Gudrun, whose hair and dress were drenched in river water. As she crawled more, her hands touched a pair of boots. She raised her head and looked up at the pale face of the trickster deity.
"Thou barely escaped a scuffe with a mortal Brunhilde. Thou better thank Asgard thou didn't fight her if she had her full powers."
"Who...who art thou?" Gudrun asked him.
"Thou don't know? I am Loki, the trickster god," he introduced himself. "And with Brunhilde gone, Asgard is short a Valkyrie." He leaned down and offered her a hand. "How would thou like to have power much like Brunhilde's and take her place as revenge? She took everything from thee, including thy brother and pride."
Taking a moment to let this offer sink in, Gudrun wore an evil grin. She grabbed his hand and sealed the deal. "Loki, I accept."
"Having witnessed thy battle with Brunhilde, thou used green magic resembling mist. Thou need a new identity? Thou have nowhere else to go."
"Yes. My magic looks like mist… from this day forth, I shall call myself Mist."
(End theme)
xxxxx
Next chapter: Journey Into the Underworld!
xxxxx
A/N: There it is. Our Disneyfied version of Brunhilde and Siegfried's tale. Some creative liberties were taken. Believe me if the story were truly adapted, it would've been darker and needlessly convoluted than what you got here. I'm telling you, fairy tales are not as fun and light hearted as Disney would have you believe. Grimm's Fairy Tales, especially are dark, cruel, and cynical works. If you thought Grimm's Fairy Tales was bad, Norse Mythology is even more f'd up.
Or, as Lazer would put it: Norse Mythology is REALLY f'd up. Even Siegfried was more of a jackass in the original story. Brunhilde and Gudrun were heck more petty toward each other while bragging about their husbands. And Brunhilde & Siegfried's relationship is not the Norse version of Romeo & Juliet as you might expect. Here, at least there's some R&Jness with how how they die together.
So, even though this story was 'Disneyfied', it wasn't without some bloodshed. You still had Brunhilde burning a king (off screen, mind you), Loki skinning Otr, Siegfried gutting Fafnir and being drenched in blood, Siegfried cooking Fafnir's heart, Siegfried cutting off Regin's head, Brunhilde beheading Gunnar, and the couple burning together on the pyre.
Whoa, two decapitations by two characters. Coolness… nah, kidding.
Now I understand Gunnar and Gudrun had a mother named Queen Grimhilde, as well as a younger brother Hogni, but I excluded them due to time constraints. I didn't feel the story needed to go longer than intended. Additionally, I have different plans for a different character named Grimhilde (as implied when she's mentioned in the opening narrative fighting the previous Valkyrie Maidens).
Thanks to Ford for providing the last minute OST tracks. Yeah, some OST from The Hobbit, Thor, Hunter x Hunter (2011), and Snow White and the Huntsman. Tolkien references should be obvious (even though Norse Mythology predates anything Tolkien Verse), hence The Ring of Nibelung. Fafnir is almost like Smaug. Andvaranaut being the One Ring, which the latter was inspired by the former.
So, yeah Gudrun is the sole survivor of this conflict, and by meeting Loki well that's where Mist comes in. The next intermission shall be about her, Loki, and Ragnarok. But we'll save that flashback tale in the next couple of chapters.
'Cause next chapter, we're resuming the main story. Our heroes prepare for a trip to the Highway to Hell… I mean Niflheim to find the Lokar.
One last thing: Lazer has a silly parody (which he's dubbed Something Stupid) based on this Intermission that's still in the works. Be on the lookout for it whenever he's finished and ready to show.
Until the next update, review and comment. See you soon!
