Disclaimer: I own no songs, tales or data referenced in this fanfiction.
Worship of the Gods
The fertile land yields it fruits in the sacred time.
– Lailah Gifty Akita
Chapter Twenty-Two: Lithasblot
One Week Later
The Royal Gardens
Frigga wrapped Ellie's hand gently. The sun had just risen, and Ellie found herself meeting the Queen Mother by request. It was also the first day of Lithasblot, the Harvest Festival. Servants were carrying baskets of bread and vegetables around, setting up flower garlands and lanterns in the streets. Getting into the palace was easy in the ruckus.
Opening and closing doors, however, was not easy. Blisters spotted Ellie's palms from her combat training. Frigga slid a healing balm over her skin. Ellie could smell her rich perfume up close. She bowed her head and looked into the fountain.
"I heard you've been fighting well," Frigga said. "Even against my son."
Ellie's hands felt better. "Thank you, my Queen. I can't say I've had much practise against wolves. Especially royal ones."
"Well, our first encounter was with a form of wolf."
Ellie remembered that night. "Yes," she said, almost reminiscently. "I suppose so."
When Frigga finished wrapping Ellie, she slid her hand into hers and they both regarded the fountain quietly. Ellie quite liked the touch; it was maternal and rare. Was this how it felt to have a mother?
Her chest felt heavy as her mind drifted to her old friends and teachers. What would they say if they saw her now? She had otherworldly combat skills and training. Soldiers used to petrify her, and the nuns saw murder as a sin. The medieval aspect of Asgardian training was vastly different to bombs and gunfire, but the sinning part was all the same.
Vanity was another sin. She had been vain on Earth, wondering whether she looked good enough before going for a drink with friends. All these months later, she'd forgotten the feeling of foundation on her skin, or mascara on her eyelashes. With no mirror in her room, she encountered a stranger when she looked in the water. Her skin was smooth. The Asgardian suns must've held some magic in their light; she was nearly glowing. To her confusion, her eyes were vibrant. No dark shadows hung below them, hollowing out her face as if she hadn't slept in years. Even her tight curls were shimmering. She hadn't used royal oils since Cecelia.
"You've changed," Frigga said, her soft gaze studying her face.
"I suppose so."
"And how does that make you feel?"
Ellie looked across at her. "Can't you use magic to figure out how I feel?"
The Queen held her gaze steadily. "Yes, but I'm feeling respectful today."
"Confession," Ellie said heavily. "If I were on Earth, I'd go to confession."
Frigga raised her head thoughtfully. She was gently seated, watching Ellie with deep wonder. If she didn't know what confession was, then she didn't make it obvious. "You weren't born this way; into battle and war," she said. Ellie raised an eyebrow. Had the other warriors figured that part out, too? "Your skin is paper thin; your morals weak and uncalculated. You're human. What we're doing is stripping you down and making you forget you were born with a paper body. We train until you believe you were born to save Alfheim."
Ellie looked down and opened her hands to stare at the bandages. "Who does that make then?" A blister had popped and yellow seeped through the cloth. "I suppose that rules out that woman… that Niahm Chinn Òir being my long-lost mother, right?"
With a frown, the Queen glanced at the empty gardens. "Who told you about her?"
"Aelfred…" Ellie scoffed, "he's been of particular council." An uncomfortable silence filled the space between them. "So, who is she?"
Servants entered the gardens, disturbing the awkwardness with laughter. "Blessed be, Lithasblot!" they said as they strung lights around the hedges and threw a sprinkling of stones which burst, expelling flowers across the ground. A delicate lilac landed in Ellie's palm.
Frigga was wiping the petals off of her expensive gown. She met Ellie's harrowing gaze and smiled. "Why don't you find out for yourself?" The human tried to figure out if the Queen was giving her a hidden message, but she decided nothing. There was too much on her mind to concentrate. She expected a quick drop-in and felt as if she was having information shoved into her, already full, brain.
That afternoon, the hunt was afoot.
Most of the warriors took a horse, but Ellie decided the journey was better on foot. Also, she didn't know how to attempt to get on top of one. She followed Lounn's lead as they travelled east, out of the gates and into Jorth Forest.
Many hunts were taking place that day. Ellie heard rumours of a royal hunting event taking place nearby where the Allfather and his sons rode across the North Mountains in search of a stag. It was all for the Lithasblot feast. Ellie was spending the evening in the barracks, celebrating with the warriors.
"I hope I catch it," Lounn pulled his arm up, steadying his blade. He then closed his eyes and prayed. "Goddess Jorth, give me your blessing to capture a boar from your enchanted forest."
Ellie shook her head, smiling. "You won't catch it if you keep babbling." The sunlight filtered through the spruce leaves, dappling her with lacy shadows. Lounn gave her a gentle shove. They entered the depths of the forest, picking up the distant clatter of other hunters. The protector of the forest would not be in their favour either.
Despite Ellie never meeting Jorth, she heard stories about hunters who offered no respect. They usually ended up dead in one of the glens or hanging by their ankles from a tree. As Ellie passed a spruce, she ran her fingers over the moss. "Blessed be your forest, Jorth," she said.
Asgard seemed to be flourishing that day. It was bright, fresh and beautiful. The air was crisp, clearing Ellie's head. She tried not to think about her meeting with the Queen Mother, but it was undeniable that she had changed.
"Stromkarls," Lounn said, extending a hand to point at a merry band of fairies fluttering around a tree. "They're good with babies."
"How would you know that?" Ellie said, poking him in the middle. "Had much help from them?" With a scoff, he pushed her away.
"Unlike you, I actually paid attention to my professors." They clambered over a rotten log, patterned with toadstools. "Which is why I don't ask as many questions as you do."
"If my voice is too grating, I could carve out your ears."
The rhythmic shouts of hunters echoed to their right. The stromkarls scattered, darting into the trees with a squeal. A piercing shout sparked Ellie's ears, drawing her attention to a ginormous boar hurtling towards them. The rattle of snapping twigs set her on edge. Lounn cursed loudly.
The beast grunted heavily. Behind it, half a dozen hunters burst through the bushes with their spears raised. Ellie clutched her dagger, its hilt wasn't as harsh on her blistered hands as a sword.
Inhaling, she lost control of the next few moments. Her brain hurt and she wanted to expel every thought of Niamh Chinn Òir, Aelfred and wolves from her mind. The boar hurtled into her and she used a hand to shove its tusk aside. Wrapping her arm around its neck, she stabbed it quickly. The squealing carried into an inhumane pitch, piercing Ellie's ears as she dragged its heavy body closer. She toppled back and thrust her dagger harder into it. A fine spray of bloody flicked across her trousers.
The squeal abruptly stopped. Ellie glanced at Lounn who was staring at her, trying to communicate something. "What, I, uh, Jorth, I thank thee for this boar," she stuttered. Her companion exhaled and nodded, his eyes holding a thousand words.
There was a brief moment of silence, and then Ellie wretched. She clamped a hand over her mouth. The other hunters wasted no time in checking her kill, circling her and pulling the heavy animal off. A nod of mourning was exchanged as they thanked Jorth for their blessing. Then, they erupted into cheer.
"What is your name, little warrior?" one asked.
Still in shock, she couldn't quite manage an answer. Lounn touched her shoulder. "It's Eurelia," he said, "her family are vegetarians."
"Eurelia!" they cheered, hoisting the boar in the air. "We will sing your praise. To the palace!"
Her gaze met Lounn's as he watched the men thunder back to the palace. He asked if she was okay. Ellie shook her head mutely. Then, he took her arm and pulled her to her feet, watching and challenging her to protest any movement. She gave a small nod.
"Killing for food is a bit different to monsters, isn't it?" he said, his voice quiet in the dense forest.
"Gordon Bennet," she replied, her voice hoarse. "That was horrible. It was so scared."
Ellie could've given it a better death, a cleaner one. She didn't have to hold it and then push her dagger into its throat. It should've been better. Another squeal echoed behind them. And another. Cheers of Norse delight soon followed.
Clenching her fist, Ellie pushed the words out of her lips. "Better taste good." Her companion laughed. The air around them felt calmer. Together, they trudged back into the main city and up to the palace. The guards, usually stern and unemotional, were dealing with children throwing flowers on their golden armour. One tilted his head, making it easier for a flower crown to be placed on him.
The children oooed and aahed at the sight of fresh boar, stag and fish. Ellie spotted the hunters carrying her kill and almost felt pride filling her.
The entrance was decked with maple garlands, lanterns and sunflowers, and a slightly sweet, herbaceous essence swam out of the palace, mingled with the firepit smoke and meat. Dozens of Asgardians entered, left and stood inside the entrance hall. They were in scattered groups, wearing wheat necklaces or broaches. Mostly, their attire was orange.
Ellie glanced down at her red stained overshirt and thought that, that was good enough for her. A few of their accomplices approached them with goblets. Ellie recognised several others as they entered the throne room, now made into a feast hall for Asgard. Tamra was the only one who approached her, beckoning her with a friendly smile. She squeezed her arm gently, placing a palm against her cheek and let her on her way.
Ellie reached the centre of the hall where several fires had been lit. Spit-roasted boar was on each other, turning and crisping as the moments passed by. There was an organised excitement about the room as guests filled in and the songs began. Chanters were already trilling around the room. "Blessed be, Lithasblot," they said, passing loaves of bread out.
Ellie accepted the one placed in her hands, nodding in reply to the, "blessed be, Lithasblot."
The bread was especially made. It was known as lammas and printed the rune of bountiful harvest. Seeds dotted the crust. They cracked deliciously in her mouth. Naeva appeared with a loaf in the shape of a sunwheel, although hers was mostly mush in her mouth.
"Tasty, ain't it?" she said, spitting bread out.
"I want some of that boar," Ellie said, pointing towards a firepit. The hunters caught her eye.
"Eurelia!" they cheered, knocking their goblets merrily against one another. A smirk grew up her face.
Ellie pushed her goblet to her mouth and chugged the remnants of her ale. The warriors were glancing at one another, half-heartedly questioning their musical skills. Lounn eyed her and suddenly gave her a painful shove. She stumbled forwards and the warriors erupted into cheer. She hadn't had enough alcohol to supress the heat rising onto her cheeks.
She took a seat on the table, looking up at Tyr as he beat his goat-skin drum. A man began to play the tagelharpa. Several lurs appeared and there was as well as a panpipe. Smooth trumpet-like sounds blossomed around her. Despite her strength, hearing and Norse knowledge, Ellie's singing voice was as crackly and terrible as it had always been. She could not carry a tune and remembered being scolded for ruining the choir during Sunday mass. Thankfully, Asgardian singing was not always elegant, it was rough.
Malai appeared beside her, shoving a drum into her hands. The woman's stern features were icy, but fierce with honour. Ellie hesitantly tapped her fingers against the skin, feeling like an idiot.
"With passion," Malai said, hitting the drum for her. Ellie swallowed and hit it again. In return, Malai nodded and took a seat beside her. Peculiarly, Ellie's body relaxed. She beat her drum alongside Tyr as a murmur rippled through the hall.
He began the hymn. His voice was raw. A thousand years of history flashed through the room, calling attention to the ancestors. Ellie felt the importance of harvest-time in his words. The hymn was a rendition of a funeral song; it taught its listeners that they should be grateful for growth and the blessing of life.
Kven skal synge meg
I daudsveevna slynge meg
Closing her eyes, Ellie's pronunciation had always been rusty, but she exhumed the Norwegian as best as she could. "Når eg helvegen går," she hummed, "Og dei spora eg trår."
The Asgardians dressed heartily and passionately, never stumbling or missing a step. They stomped to the drumbeat, moving with the spirits of their songs. Hundreds of well-dressed guests intertwined with one another, laughing and filling their bellies with the goods of harvest. Many Asgardians were filled with ale and continued to guzzle it down. Ale was made with barley and wheat; another harvest prize.
A servant placed a wheat crown on Ellie's head as the song finished. She touched it hesitantly and toothily smiled, feeling very much like one of the guests. She slid off the table and met Malai's gaze.
"Blessed be, Lithasblot," she said.
Malai raised her goblet and drank.
Of all the guests, the Allfather was not one. They waited patiently for his entrance which came quickly. In time for the plating up of the wild boar.
A drum sounded, calling attention to Odin as he entered the hall. His bronze armour shone richly. A copper crown sat atop his head, imprinted with numerous runes. The instrumentalists continued, introducing a flute as Frigga fluttered in.
The lute rose to a fervent pitch, reaching a sound both blaring and overwhelming. In the roar of the hall, Loki and Thor Odison stepped out of an archway behind the throne and strode to stand beside the Allfather. They were regal, making no effort to appear humble, but they did not flaunt their royal blood. They were simply splendid in their matching amber doublets, heavily laced with white flowers, black buttons and cape. No braids were intertwined in their hair and there was a brass rune over their hearts. It was the rune of harvest.
Ellie clapped alongside the hall, raising her arms and shouting a hail. Odin raised a hand and returned their praise.
"Blessed be, Lithasblot!"
"Blessed be, Lithasblot!" the hall roared. Naeva shivered beside her.
Odin followed with a purely Norse speech. He called for the harvest Gods to provide another year of plenty. With great cheer, he ripped a boar's leg off and tore a piece out with his teeth. Never did Ellie guess he would be so mundanely human, but his grin of delight made her laugh. She followed his actions by accepting a slice of boar and chewing it with the same smile.
Her kill was definitely worth it.
Naeva held her bread testily. "Should I give the prince some lammas?"
"He's the prince," Ellie said, swallowing her food. "I'm sure he has enough from everyone else."
"But I'm not everyone else."
"No. You're you. Which is an even better reason not to attempt to seduce the prince. Especially with bloody bread."
"Careful," Naeva muttered. "You wouldn't enjoy my company if I were angry."
"Implied that I enjoyed it before."
The rhythmic singers drowned out Naeva's string of sarcastic insults. She rolled her eyes and clutched her lamas to her breast. Ellie caught the smirk on her lips and could not stop her own smile reciprocating. They shared a heated look which Naeva took with her over to the son of Odin.
Lounn took another goblet from a servant. He wasn't stunned by Naeva, but he was disappointed. Ellie flickered a sympathetic gaze over him.
"Maybe next time," she took a bite of lammas. Debatably, she wondered whether she should put the boar between two slices of lammas and recreate a Midgardian sandwich.
"Jealous? It's everyone's' hearts' desire to bed a prince."
"That's slightly unsettling. He's just a man."
"Would you really push a prince's advances away?"
Ellie lowered her goblet, shooting him a disgusted glared. "You'll have to excuse my Freudian slip, but I will take out your innards," she prodded Lounn with a corner of lammas.
His grin widened. "A Freudian slip?"
Nodding, she struggled to surprise the delight it gave her. She knew something as Asgardian did not. There was no way of him connecting Freud to a Midgardian philosopher. "It's where you unintentionally reveal how you truly feel."
"Secretly, you're blood-thirsty," he levelled. "Gods, I didn't know you were a draugr."
With a snort, Ellie slid her blade against his. The sparkling noise was like a songbird in her ear. "You caught me. I love sucking the blood of my victims and eating them."
"No, no. Let me tell you what you really are," Lounn whispered, leaning towards her. Ale lingered in the space between them. Ellie lifted a piece of lammas to her mouth. She was unprepared for his next sentence and could only stare at him beneath the torchlight as if he'd grown seven heads.
"You're human."
References
Helvegen by Wardruna – a beautiful Norwegian song which is uses a stanza from the Hávamál poem: " Cattle die, kinsmen die, You yourself will also die, but the word about you will never die, if you win a good reputation. Cattle die, kinsmen die, You yourself will also die, I know one that never dies: the judgement of those who died." – I thoroughly recommend the version with Aurora singing alongside Wardruna.
Lithasblot – a Norse/Pagan festival which celebrates the harvest and Autumn. They eat lammas bread, fruit, vegetables and crops!
Jorth Forest – Jörð is the personification of Earth in Norse mythology. I figured she would a beautiful forest goddess for this fanfiction.