"Where the north win—"
"Oh mommy, aren't there any other stories?" Idunna rolled her eyes as she pulled her small boots off her small feet.
"But you love the story of Ahtohallan!" Her mother raised an eyebrow, patting the side of her pallet so her daughter could scoot over to her.
"I have that one almost completely memorized." Idunna said somberly as her mother began to comb out her long dark hair. Her own hair was fire-red but Idunna had her father's chocolate locks. In all else, though she was exactly like her mother. Down to her favorite story.
"Oh, memorized it have you?" She chuckled, pulling a few strands and beginning to braid.
"Uh huh. I need a new story." Idunna explained.
"Hmm…" Her mother pretended to muse. "Well there is one more verse. I'm not sure I'll remember it completely. Why don't you help me with the beginning and I'll see if I can keep going."
Idunna thought for a moment, and that was all it took for her mother to finish off the braid and tie it with a leather chord. Idunna tucked under her small blanket and finally nodded.
"Where the north wind…" Her mother continued, Idunna joining in as they sang the eerie verses.
Idunna's small voice faded as her mother's continued for a final verse
"Where the North Wind Meets the Sea.
There's a power greater than memory
If seek here what is found
You'll awake this ancient sound."
Idunna was already asleep by the time her mother hand finished. A loving hand stroked her cheek. She was likely already dreaming of dragons and princess and towers and knights. Her mother wondered how long it would be before Idunna was singing this song to her own children. Sometimes when she looked at her sleeping daughter, she could already see a young woman.
"Goodnight." She whispered, kissing the top of her head and blowing out the lantern.
Tomorrow seemed far away, so both mother and daughter slept, knowing they were safe.