Gavin Chappell - The Guests of Odin

The Guests of Odin

Viking Gods and Heroes

Gavin Chappell

Copyright 201 3 Gavin Chappell

Copyright 2013 Thors Stone Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher and author, except where permitted by law.

ISBN: 1483969304

ISBN-13: 978-1483969305

Fridthjof the Bold

When Fridthjof was growing up on the shores of the mighty Sogn Fjord, in Norway, he was so revered that everyone prayed for his welfare. His foster father was a man named Hilding, who also fostered Ingibjorg the Fair, daughter of Beli, king of the petty kingdom of Sogn, and two strong lads named Bjorn and Asmund. King Beli was getting old, and he was losing much of his property. Fridthjofs father Thorstein ruled over a third of the kingdom, and every three years he invited Beli to a banquet. Beli, however, feasted Thorstein every two years. Beli had a son named Helgi, and another called Halfdan, who were both devout worshippers of the gods. They were not very popular, however, but Fridthjof was thought without equal. He was so strong that he could row the great magical longship Ellidi with two oars, while other men were two to an oar. The kings sons soon grew jealous of his popularity.

Beli grew ill and died. On his deathbed, he called his sons to him and told them; Maintain the friendship that has existed between my kindred and Thorsteins family, and raise a burial mound for me.

Not long after, Thorstein also took sick and died, but before his death, he told his son Fridthjof: Yield to the sons of Beli, and bury me in a mound on the fjord shore opposite where Beli was laid to rest.

Thorstein died . Fridthjof buried him accordingly, and took over his property and wealth, including the farm at Framness, the longship Ellidi and the most precious golden ring in Norway.

Now Fridthjof became a famous man, and he valued his foster brother Bjorn over all others, while Asmund served both of them. Fridthjof was so generous that it was said that he was no less honourable than the kings were, except that he was not of royal blood. This angered the kings, this, and the fact that Fridthjof and their sister Ingibjorg had fallen in love. When they came to a banquet at Framness, where Fridthjof entertained them splendidly, they saw that he spoke often with their sister, who admired the gold ring he had inherited from his father. The kings sons went home, their envy of Fridthjof undiminished.

Soon after, Fridthjof was seen to look sad. His foster-brother Bjorn asked him, What is wrong?

Fridthjof said, I intend to woo Ingibjorg, since although I am lower in rank than the brothers I am no lower in personal worth.

They went to the kings and found them sitting on their fathers burial mound. Fridthjof greeted them courteously and asked for Ingibjorgs hand in marriage. The kings refused, saying that Fridthjof lacked dignity. Fridthjof accepted this, but told them, You need not expect my assistance in future. Then he went home.

A king named Hring ruled over the nearby kingdom of Ringeriki. By this point, he was growing old. When he heard that Fridthjof and Belis sons had quarrelled, he saw this as an opportunity to show that even in his old age he was not a weak man. He sent messengers to Belis sons demanding they pay him tribute, or else prepare to face his army.

When Helgi and Halfdan heard King Hrings words, they said, We would rather fight than pay tribute, though we deem it shameful to fight a man so old and decrepit.

They gathered an army, but since they saw that their numbers would be small, they sent Fridthjofs foster-father Hilding to Fridthjof to ask him for aid.

When Hilding reached Fridthjof, he found him in the hall, playing chess with Bjorn. Hilding gave his message and Fridthjof made no reply, but told Bjorn, I see an opening that cannot be mended. I will attack the red piece, to see if it could be saved.

Hilding said, If you do not join the kings, you can expect rough treatment in future.