Ode to a Valkyrie
by Matt, a Susan's Place visitor
I have not always seen you, but I have often felt your steely eyes watching over me as I marched into battle. I am Ragnar Skallagrimson, a captain of the Ulfhednar in the consort of my king, Harald Hardraada. It seems as though you and your sisters have never been far from me throughout my entire life.
Even when I was a young boy helping my grandfather sort through the corpses of the slain, I felt you. It wasn't until my grandfather pointed to the sky, and bade me look that I caught my first glimpse of you. I only saw you for a second before you slipped behind a cloud, but the sight of you in your sun-dazzled armor burned itself into my memory. You were astride a mighty white charger with strong, silvery wings. Your golden hair, brighter than any strand the dwarves had fashioned for Sif's head, billowed behind you like a sun-drenched river. In your blood-stained arms you bore a hersir of my village, one of the battle's heroes, up toward Asgard and his hero's reward.
When I reached my sixteenth summer, my father took me a-viking for the first time. I could sense you nearby. I searched the heavens but saw only Odin's messengers crowing and picking at the dead. But later, at the battle of Hafrsfjord as we sailed upon king Harald's enemy Thorir Longchin, I sensed you again. I had just become a member of Harald's elite ulfhednar guard, and my wolf skins had yet to be stained with blood. As our ships met Thorir's in battle, Harald bade us row towards Thorir's flagship. We pulled hard at our oars despite the volleys of arrows and firey missiles. About us brave men fought and screamed and died.
As we came alongside Thorir's vessel, I sprang up from my seat towards the forecastle. I saw you for the second time. You were flying high above the battle, yet your radiant beauty was so overwhelming that it filled me with courage. When Harald gave the order, I and the other ulfhednar leapt the railing of Thorir's ship. With long spears and sharp axes we cut straight into the heart of his consort. We had the battle frenzy. No iron could bite us, no blade repel us, no man could stand against our charge. The decks were slick with crimson blood but our steps were sure. One by one, Thorir's guard fell at our feet until, at last, my spear pierced Thorir's armor through to his heart.
Like a falcon you dove at Thorir's ship. He had fought bravely and deserved his place in the mead-halls of Valhalla. Without slowing you swept down over the deck and caught Thorir's hand. Pulling him up onto your mount you flew onward. But before you sped away, you pierced my own heart with the steel of your cold blue eyes. Though none of my companions saw you, they all felt the rush of wind as your mount labored past us. You looked ahead and flew skyward. Soon, all that remained to belie your fleeting presence was the pangs within my heart.
It has been many years since that day. Many battles have I won. Many men have I slain. My king has granted me rings and lands as he has no other. But despite my victories and my treasures, I have never found solace. My heart still aches for another glimpse of you. Last night you came to me in a dream. In my dream my eyes had been injured and I could not see for the blood in them, but I could feel you and sense the beat of your stallion's wings as it lifted us skyward.
Your strong fingers wiped the blood from my lips and caressed my cheek. I reached out to touch your flaxen hair. It was silky and cool as it whipped behind you in the wind. You had no armor and I traced my fingers down your smooth neck and wrapped my arms around you. I still could not see, but I felt a drop of rain upon my cheek and tasted the salt of your tears. I raised my hand to your face to stroke your cheeks and felt the curve of your smile. Your tears were those of joy, for you were taking me to my reward, Odin's great halls in Asgard, where we could be together until the final battle.
It is now early morning, and I am in a faraway land. We have only just arrived in this "England," and our fortifications are still not ready. We expect to defeat the ignoble Englanders, but some of the men have seen signs of ill omen. The dark skies and the fog has not helped their morale. This morning Harald found a dead song bird near his bed. He is a brave king, but he grows nervous. He feels this camp near the bridge is a good place to fend off an attack, but he is worried we are still not completely prepared for battle.
I am calm. After my dream I know that no matter what happens, I will fight with courage. I will fight bravely to be with you. For I know that the third and final time I see you, we will be standing in Asgard. The sun will be glorious, and I will do more than stroke your cheeks and drink your joyful tears.
The sun is rising and now we can see the glint of its rays upon the distant shields of our foes. They have already come for us. The men rush to prepare for the attack. Some are terrified. But I smile. While I can see the host of foes before us, I hear only the beat of a horse's wings.
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