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A little story (30 pages/13,000 words) that came from a suggestion by Rovain Enjoy.Amund was lost. Not with that

emotional melancholy that strikes people on occasion, but with an honest to

goodness lost in the woods kind of feeling. He had left his village three days

prior to hunt for deer and other game, and now he was so badly turned about

that he had no idea where he was. IT was a woods and he was lost.Rest was all he could do at the

moment. His quest for food had been largely futile. In the passing days he had

seen little more than rabbits and squirrels and while one of those had

sustained him during his journey, such a small morsel would hardly feed a

village. He needed to find a new supply of game.Now he was lying on a thick bed of

moss, a rotten log serving as his pillow. Sleep failed to come to him now for

his mind was aware of a multitude of sounds coming from the dark forest around

him. Even trying to force sleep to come was largely ineffective. No matter what

he did, his eyes refused to stay shuddered. Seeing nothing in the dimness with

them open was far better than what his mind's eye saw with them closed.Part of his wakefulness could have

been instinctual. The sounds were hardly the normal fare, but were a collection

of strange symphonies and cacophonies of harsh guttural sounds that both

pleased the ear and distressed it. Whatever the source, they came from neither man

nor beast, leastwise none from his realm of experiences. These sounds were more

akin to those told in the tales and legends of his people. Amund was not a superstitious man

but he was growing closer to making that claim with every waking moment.For three days nothing had made

itself known to him and now it seemed as if the entire forest had come alive. He

could hear trees bending as if in the wind, and the ground beneath him seemed

to shake and rumble. And yet, despite the frightening array of omens, he found

that he couldn't move a muscle. It was as if the ground under his flesh and

bones had decided to claim his body as its own.When he saw the dim figure of a doe

slip into the clearing he knew that there was an enchantment, for a white doe

was even rarer than a white stag. He struggled to reach his bow, but his arm

was as dead as stone, and felt nearly as heavy. He blinked to free his mind

from the illusion walking towards him and instantly regretted it. In the place

of the deer was an immense white bear, taller than an ursine had the right to be,

and as horrifying to look upon as any imagined terror.He closed his eyes as it lumbered

towards him, mouth agape and ready to gnaw him to pieces. It was an ignominious

way to die, helpless under the thrall of a spirit bear, and since no one was

here to help him or know of his death, no songs would be sung for him. There

would likely be nothing left of him to burn to the great gods either. He was

doomed to live out his afterlife in the forest realm as a fossegrimen, though

his musical ability was hardly enough for that. He would end up as something

far more sinister.The breath on his face was hot, and

almost unwillingly he opened one eye and then both. He was staring up into the

face of a wolf, equally white as the others had been and gleaming enough to put

the winter snows to shame. Its eyes were piercing; rapturous blue orbs that

held infinite power, wisdom and longing. The longing part seemed to skip straight

past his mind and direct itself a little lower on his anatomy. The wolf opened

its jaws and again, in anticipation of his coming demise, Amund closed his

eyes."Does my appearance disturb you

so?"He cracked open one eye again,

closing it back up at the sight he saw. The voice was in no way dulcet, nor was

the face he was gazing at beautiful. It was anyone's guess if it ever had been.

There was obviously some dark sorcery at work, but what it was and who this

creature was were neither questions he had answers for, nor ones he had the

desire to learn to truth to."Yes. What are you?""What kind of question is that

young hero?""A good one. I just saw a wolf, and

before that a bear, and before that a deer, all dressed in white. And then I

saw you.""And yet, in all that, all you saw

was me.""So I repeat myself. What are you?""Is that a proper question to ask a

lady? Might not you ask who I am first?""My apologies. Might I have your name?""No! Why would I give you my name?

Is there something wrong with yours?"He lay there confused and in

defeat. Whatever this thing was, it seemed intent on driving him mad.She smiled; a hideous thing on a

hideous face. "You might know me as huldra. That is not my name, but what I presently

appear to be."His eyes went wider. Huldra had an

evil reputation. His own great grandmother was purportedly a huldra, though no

one held that tale to be true. However, there was the old cow's tail in the

floorboards of his home. It looked ordinary; a dried husk of hair, hide and

bone from some long dead cattle slaughtered for its meat. But still..."If you are huldra, what do you

want with me?""Want? What could an old woman like

me want with a young thing like you? To boil your flesh to make my supper?

Render your fat to make my salves?"She could tell he was having

terrible thoughts about how he was going to die. "Or maybe I have a proposal

for you that may end up coming to the mutual benefit of both of us."The look of disgust on his face was

obvious. He knew he was going to have to fight for his life if he got free, and

the thought of combat or any close personal contact with this witch-woman was

abhorrent to him. By reputation alone he knew he had to flee, but his muscles

didn't respond whatsoever."What do you want from me?!""A few things. You are young and

strong, and this world is not for the weak. There are dark purposes floating

through the forest, and down under the earth. Realms are fighting upheaval and

the Gods are restless. If ever there was a time for a hero it is now." She

pulled one of his arrows out and peered intently at it, touching it from end to

end."I'm no hero!""Heroes aren't born young fool, but

forged. They meet their destiny in a clash of steel and a shower of sparks.""And what do you get out of this?""There is always a price to pay

young mortal; always terms to be met. I can let you up to go back to your

people empty handed, or you can rise to be something greater than you could

ever imagine and feed them for a lifetime.""You would do this for me?""You make me sound almost

altruistic young man. That I am not. I will get something too.""What could I possibly offer you

that...?"His words were cut off as she undid

the leather cords that laced his pants together at his waist. She was far

stronger than she looked, and much more so than any old woman had the right to

be."What are you doing?" he cried."Where there is strength perhaps

there is less substance in the matter floating around inside the skull. What do

you think I am doing?""Removing my pants!""Then all is well, for that is

precisely what I am doing.""But why?""Are you so obtuse that you don't

know the way of a man with a woman?""I know how that works. But you're

an old hag!""Such an unimaginative mind. Close

your eyes and maybe you can still manage to get some enjoyment out of it.""No!"The old woman sighed. "And such

emotion. I think you are wasting your abilities. Close your eyes and do your

best to ignore me."He tried, alarmed that the touch of

her fingers was stirring his loins to action. He should be completely repulsed

by her, and yet his body was reacting in a positive manner. He clamped his eyes

shut and tried to imagine the most beautiful lady he could. He only hoped that

his experience today didn't ruin him for the future. The idea of a wrinkled old

hag stripping naked was among the most unappealing things he could imagine.

Having her on top of him was even worse.It seemed obvious he was going to

have to go through with her desires, regardless of his feelings on the matter.

His fears were realized when he felt her straddle his middle. Strangely, the

feeling was more pleasant than he figured the act was going to be. Even odder

was the aroma of fresh cut herbs. And flowers. Suddenly he was smelling the

wafting odors of walking through a summer  meadow!He opened his eyes and was thunderstruck

by the sight in front of him. The old woman had vanished, to be replaced by a

girl of unblemished beauty. But girl was not the word, for her skin was as

white as rime. Her eyes were those pools of fathomless blue."What are you?""Child, you see but you do not

understand. In this form I am ljósálfr."He froze. Where there was one being

of mythology, there were bound to be others. The sounds! He had heard tales

that among humans; normal folk couldn't hear or see those beings not

constrained by the natural laws that men knew. There was some unspoken rule

that kept the beings on separate planes...for the most part. Many an unexplained

disaster was attributed to trolls and dwarves, said to be getting even for some

imagined slight at the hands of normal folk.Her eyes should have been a

giveaway, but he was too overwhelmed to consider the possibilities of the

origins of such unnatural orbs. Despite the legends and lore that imbued his

people's beliefs, many wiser men dismissed the stories as silly superstition.

One of those superstitions was presently settling down over his cock with

expert ease.The groan that escaped his lips was

involuntary, for the warmth enveloping his manhood was extraordinary. He had

fooled around with the village girls before, for finding a wife meant finding

someone who was compatible to your way of thinking, but most of them simply

hoped to ensnare him by becoming with child. He was too wily for that.He wondered suddenly if that was

the intent of this creature; to gain his seed and impregnate herself? Was that

even possible? He knew so little about the fairie creatures, and even that

counted for naught. What was passed down from sage to sage often was reworded

to suit the new keeper of the knowledge, so who knew the real truth behind

those who walked on the other side?His concerns dissolved into morning

mist as she leaned down and kissed him. She whispered in his ear. "Shall you

behave here on out or must I keep you imprisoned with my power?""That depends. Are you what you

really appear to be or are you that old hag?""Men! All they think about is the

beauty only the eye can see, and not the loveliness of the heart below the

surface. So I will tell you this; I am as you wish me to be. Whatever you see

is what your heart desires at any given moment."Her skin was pale and smooth, her

lips red and fierce, and her hair hung like silk threads to fall about his

face. He closed his eyes, wondering what other forms she could take and when he

opened them again, things had shifted once again.The wolf was staring him in the

eyes and it was highly obvious that his cock was now inside it, or her, as the

case happened to be. He was growing alarmed and very much distressed. Tales of

matings with animals were in his lore, but never had he ever taken them to be

true."What in the name of Odin?"The wolf managed to smile, a rare

thing indeed. "I told you, everything you think of for me, becomes real. You

see what you wish to see, and feel what you wish to be real. And my, aren't you

an adventurous sort." The white wolf jerked her hips a few times to make her

point.Amund on the other hand couldn't

decide whether to close his eyes again and keep them shut, or to force himself

to keep them open. The alternative was finding something even more imposing

sitting on his pelvis.The wolf seemed amused. "Whatever

you think of on the outside, it still remains me on the inside. You have

nothing to fear from any form I might take."His confused mind clung to the form

above him and tried to stay the course. Strangely, he found the experience to

be pleasant enough, for the wolf form seemed to have a snugger fit, with just

enough room for his manhood and nothing more. He had never encountered a hole

such as this in all his life and wanted to desperately see it through until his

seed came shooting out. He would feel properly humiliated later. For now, he had an adventure to handle.,He suddenly found his arms free from

their paralysis and swung them up and grabbed onto the furry form sitting on

him. He pulled her down and raised his now functioning knees as he clung to her

like a long lost lover. If he ever made it back to the village, it was a story

he was never going to be able to tell, but he knew that any woman he chose to

marry after this was never going to be able to compare to this wonderful

creature.The wolf's front paws were on his

shoulders and her head was licking his face much like any real lupine would do

when encountering a lost companion. Her back legs were on the ground,

straddling his hips and her tail was wagging like a flag in the wind.He latched his fingers onto her

back legs and used them to pump her up and down over his raging cock, suddenly

aware of the lust rising inside him. It hardly mattered who or what she was,

the need become so great that he had to rise up to meet her in this

sexually-charged contest of wills and bodies. He sensed his oncoming bewitchment

and ran headlong to greet it.His hips bucked as he thrust into

her lithe form with the madness that sometimes strikes a warrior during battle.

The strength of the madness matched the will behind his present motions, as his

rock hard cock slammed into her with repeated blows. He was glad for the soft

moss under his backside, or else he would have been carelessly tearing up his

skin in the process.He worked away for an interminable

amount of time, reaching a climax several times but feeling no desire or need

to stop. In his weakened condition he should have collapsed long before it did,

but his body carried on tirelessly.The wolf held patiently still the

entire time, for she wanted what he had to give, and was willing to get it in

any manner he desired to give it. She had not lied about her forms, for humans

often saw things only as their minds could cope with perceiving them. Only a

few open minded individuals could see the strange folk, and their fellow humans

called them mad or shunned them as seidhr. This young

man was blinded by his upbringing, despite his mixed blood.She knew who

he was, even if he did not. His ancestor was not of his kind, and she was aware

of the joke the family maintained in keeping a real cow's tail hidden in their

abode. Some stories were jokes perpetrated by her kind, to keep the humans

guessing at the world around them which they seemed determined to ignore. It

was their loss; blaming such veils and deceptions on decrees from the All-Father.

It was always easier to blame your ignorance on someone else.Amund was a

good lad, strong and wise enough for his age. Now that he was beginning to

understand the other world that co-existed with his, he might prove to be the

hero she was looking for. If not, she would still keep him around. His energies

in bed, albeit a bed of moss, were phenomenal. His erect phallus was very good

at reaching itches untouched in years. She was

surprised that her present form remained unchanged, after his apparent

infatuation with her younger, humanoid form, but variety was going to be

something he was going to have to get used to. She was waiting to see if he

braved the bear form, but his mind seemed to have locked onto just this one.

That too was good, for it meant he had the willpower to make a choice. His

future may rest on that ability.Her thoughts

were scattered as he suddenly rolled them together, pinning her on the ground

and allowing him the freedom of being on top. Forceful too, she thought,

another good trait. And then her eyes rolled back in her head as he took her

with a force unfelt within her body in many seasons. She let him do as he

pleased, knowing that every ounce of his fluid she could entice from him was

one step closer to getting what she desired. Most of his sperm are human, and

the other small percentage much more special. Her body would sort them out.The young man

was going at it like a maniac. Luckily for him she was tough, tougher than any

human, though not as hardy as a mountain troll. Then again, she had far more

brains and greater good looks than that lot. One could not be all things

wrapped into one. That, it seemed, was an actual decree from the All-Father.

Still, she had come out pretty lucky all around.  She blamed that on her grandfather.Amund's persistent

pounding was making her body rage with desire, and she was glad she had been

patient to wait for him to grow up to the point of becoming a man. Love was a

rare thing between mortals and her kin, but it did happen. She figured if she

was going to lose herself over someone, it would be one of her choosing.And now, the

blood rang in her ears and pounded through her heart like liquid fire. The old

lusts were strong, regardless of the years. She was truly old, and her hag

persona only a reflection of that age. Her real face was the youthful one, for

her kind never dimmed before going out. They were vernal and vibrant to the

end.Amund was

gasping hoarsely as he continued to work her over, craving to have her time and

time again. She knew he was strong, but even the best lovers needed a break. To

that end she geared herself up, timing her climax with his last one, bringing

them together in a clash of hot, steaming bodies that filled the clearing with

the desperate sounds of rolling bodies and cries of desire.When he opened

his eyes again, the youthful face peered down into his. "For the first of our

trysts, I'd say that will do.""First?""I did not

mumble, now did I?""No. I think

I'll be worn to bone at this rate.""We will find

you food. I am not a harsh mistress, not by any means. I would never wish for

you to lag in your duties."True to her

word, he saw a deer enter the clearing, the first real sign of a solid meal in

days. Yet even then, he stilled his hand. He couldn't bring his hand to draw

his bow."What's

wrong?""I saw you as

a beautiful doe. How can I chance killing another creature without knowing if I

strike something of great beauty instead.""Great beauty?

You flatter me young man. However, sometimes a deer is just a deer.""But I could

not eat all that, and I have no way of getting it home." He fell silent a

moment. "If I could even find home now.""Home is where

your heart is. Keep it close and you shall never be lost. As for your

compassion, you do yourself credit, yet all things must eat, and even the wolf

must rend flesh to survive. Do not lose sight of reality young Amund."It was the

first she had used his name and he noticed."You called me

by name. This encounter wasn't by chance, was it?""Very few

things in life are. The nornir see that all threads are woven together and only

the very few escape inclusion in their great tapestry.""I see.

Actually, no I don't. You've had your eye on me and you dare blame something as

ridiculous as the fates?"She stuck her

finger to his mouth. "Shhhh! No one dares to defy them. And just mentioning

them may bring them down on you. What is written is written, and unless you

wish them to cut your thread of life early, I'd suggest you keep quiet."He was taken

aback by the seriousness she expressed. He had thought the fates to be nothing

more than legend, and yet, here he was with a legend and they had made love for

hours. She was as real as any other creature he had met and perhaps more real

than many he had seen over the years."What aren't

you telling me?""Much. And I

will continue to keep it a secret until such time as the situation becomes

irreversible. But the one thing you do not want to do is to mention them

again."He shook his

head in wonderment. "Did you lead me here just to play tricks with me?""I lead you

nowhere. I simply followed you on your quest.""Why don't I

believe it to be that simple?""Because you

are wiser than you think. The scarcity of game around your village was my

doing. Now that we are together, that matter has been allowed to resolve. Your

people will not starve on account of me.""Why didn't

you just come to my village and ask for me?""Think of all

I have told you and all you have seen and answer it for yourself."He mulled over

the possibilities. He had seen her in many forms, most of which were likely to

cause the villagers to go on the attack. Even in her most lovely form, the

people he knew would have reacted quite badly to seeing her. And her presence

in his village might very well have attracted the notice of the nornir, the weird

women of legend. But what of him? Did they have plans for him? HE was a nobody,"I think I

understand. But can't you tell me what this is all about?""No. You must

trust that I mean you no harm, and you must trust that I will do or be anything

you want until this is over.""Will I die?"

The question was serious spoken and taken equally in earnest."Yes. We will

all die given the passage of time. But if you mean because of me and what I

have planned, then the answer is most likely no. But you must do as I say, for

we are the edge of a sword and we must remain together until the blade is

swung.""Swung? Swung

by whom?""That remains

to be seen. If I could predict that, then the nornir would be out of a position

ruling over our lives."                He

gave up asking questions. He was hungry and seeing the deer made him acutely

aware of his need. But he did find that he needed to ask one more question. "Do

you have a name?""I do, and you

will learn it in time. For now, you may call me gjenfødelse.""Rebirth? What

a strange thing to be called.""Then just

call me Jen if you wish. I care not a whim for your thoughts on that. YIF you

wish to call me something of your own choosing, then use one of those.""Fine. I

didn't mean to irritate you.""You didn't.

Not yet. Just try to keep pace with me, alright?""Yes Jen.""That's

better. Now let us find you some food."She took him

to a stream, where the crystal clear water flowed over rounded boulders and

eddied in deep pools. In the swirling waters below he could see fish; large

salmon swimming idly along in the currents."I have no

hook or line to snag one with.""True. But you

have your wits, if you know how to use them."He considered

his choices. Diving into the icy cold water wasn't high on his list. The chill

would numb his fingers and grabbing a fish was therefore improbable. He had his

bow and a quiver of arrows, but assuming he shot a fish, he would lose both the

fish and his projectile. His clothing however had several lengths of leather

cord. Tied together they might make a good tether.It worked,

though the cord on the shaft of the arrow threw off his aim. But by placing the

tip of the arrow into the water, he was able to compensate for both the extra

weight and the refraction of the water. He managed to

impale a large one and haul it to the surface where it splashed and fought

until a rock ended its struggles. He made a fire, dressed out his catch and set

it to roasting. He was so hungry he nearly declined carrying out the last step."You did

well," she said encouragingly. "You must have the ability to make do with those

things you have at your disposal. Wishing you have the right tool is not

substitute for making one that will work just as well.""Thank you for

that. And thank you for showing me this spot. I doubt I shall ever come this

way again, but you can never tell." "It is part of a greater kingdom, this pool.

Even the lands you live in are not what they seem. Your petty kings know so

little about the land they claim as their own.""And you do?""Of course!"He shut up,

knowing he would only be showing his ignorance if he continued to ask

questions. In just a short while his knowledge had grown to the point that he

now knew he knew nothing. The world around him was filled with greater variety

than his logical mind had allowed for, and his present lessons where opening

his eyes to all the possible wonders that existed around him.Wonders and

dangers alike.They shared

the fish, whose delicate flesh was enhanced by the smoky fire. Well fed and

feeling a little surer of himself, he forced himself to make another inquiry. "Jen, why me?""Why not you?""Please answer

the question."She sighed.

"Because I have information; word from the crows that have seen things written

in the great book of the nornir.""Odin's

ravens?""All things

are from the All-Father, the ravens being no different.""You are

avoiding the question.""You wise up

quickly boy. Yes, from his ravens. There are ways of bribing them, and in

return they will go out of their way to do something for you.""So you asked

for information from the nornir, and since they worked for Odin, the three old women

thought nothing odd of it?""Essentially.

For anyone to know their fate is a tricky thing. In trying to avoid it one

often ensnares themselves even deeper into fate's workings.""And you?""Me? I'm right

in with the flow, only my purpose is not to contradict the words thus written,

but to interpret them in my own fashion.""To what end?""Young man;

Amund; let this matter unfold. The less you know, the more likely the success

of it. If it works, you will find yourself a great man among all the kinds, and

you will live out your life in a way never heard of in the mortal world.""If you say

so. I never wished for greatness you know.""Yes, I know.

That is one of the reasons I have chosen you. Men who crave power will do much

to achieve it. They draw attention to themselves as they gather armies and

weapons to themselves. Much blood has been shed over petty arguments and

struggles for power. My plan is far slier and less sure, but the compensation

at the end will be just as great."He sat silent

for a while. He contemplated her words, knowing full well he was deep over his

head in matters too arcane for his mind to grasp. He could accept some of that

fate, for she was pleasant company in so many ways, and yet...Where was this

journey going to end? He could almost hear the tales of his adventure and

wondered if people would be thrilled or disgusted by them. Making love to a

wolf was not within the acceptable standards of his people, even if the

she-wolf wasn't actually a wolf. The thing that bothered him was that he found

it enticing, so much so as to do it again. And the bear... What would his dearly

departed mother think of such a thing?Nothing, as

long as she knew naught about it. He could only hope that her spirit never

caught wind of his slip into moral decay.Jen was

watching him, seeing the thoughts flicker through his eyes, the windows to a

man's soul. She knew he was going to be hesitant to engage with her, and using

the art of trickery and disguise had maneuvered around his moral objections.

She had not lied when she said her appearance was in part a matter of his own

imagination. She had her grandfather's gifts and she had learned how to use

them well.She had no

intention of telling him many of the things that were in his future. Not all of

them were clear, for they had not been fully written into the great book. She

was planning on slipping between the lines, meeting the requirements of the

written words while still turning the end results to her advantage. And Amund's

too of course.She had given

him her heart, though he knew it not. Not yet."Jen?""Yes?""Can we; you

know - do it again?"She hid her

smile and feigned ignorance. "Do what?""You know..."The smile was

allowed to spread across her face. "As often as you like."This time she

took a moment to strip him entirely out of his clothing. He was going to have

to rethread the leather cords he had removed earlier, and what better way to

assist him later than by having the items off now? It was a poor excuse, though

she knew the situation hardly needed a good one.Men were

simple when it came to their needs. There were several important things to

remember; always let them think that anything was their idea, always keep them

happy in bed, and never let them out of your sight once you had sunk your claws

into them.The

she-creature started by kissing him deeply, pushing her power into him and

forging an ever stronger bond between them. He responded with fiery passion.

She knew she had the advantage of him, but her methods were for the best. He

would come to no harm from her or her machinations, not if the matter was

carefully guided. Sex was as

much a part of her craft as was any of it.It was, as a

matter of fact, one of the more enjoyable parts.She slipped

from his mouth and wound her way down his body, leaving little kisses behind in

the wake of her passage. Her tongue curled across his flesh, caressing it with

moisture as she made her way to his crotch. His cock was already standing at

attention, but then, that was what it was meant for; to be the sole target of a

prowling female's needs.She engulfed

it with her mouth, knowing that she could entice him into greater action with

the proper seduction. Any female could take a man the normal way, but her kind

grew bored with only one method, and thus her abilities would dazzle his mind

and ensnare his heart.She ran her

tongue up and down his shaft, feeling him shudder as the wet end of it ran

across his tip. She went down on it until she had the entire thing in her mouth

again. She stroked it, pumping it like she wanted him to cum, but using her

power and her talent to prevent him from doing so. Not a single drop of his

seed could afford to be lost, and it was going to go where it was needed most.That didn't

stop her from torturing him just a little. She kept bringing him to the brink

and then forcing him back down. To her it was just good fun, but to a dewy-eyed

human it was the most extraordinary thing he had ever endured. To be brought to

near fulfillment of his sexual needs, only to be dashed time and again was

driving him crazy. It was just as she intended.That was when

she turned into a bear. The weight on his legs suddenly grew nearly

excruciating. He opened his eyes to see the bear giving him the most lascivious

look he could have imagined coming from an ursine. She was still sucking on his

manhood, which at this moment looked rather more like she was preparing to eat

it. iT unnerved him, but the pleasure flowing through him stayed any other

emotions he might have contemplated having.His qualms

subsided as she moved her bulk and positioned her backside on his lap. She

laughed to herself, for her form was unconsciously of his choosing. Apparently

he had a death wish, for she knew that no normal man would consider this a good

idea. Then again, he was well aware that this wasn't a real bear, but some

fears were hard to overcome regardless of what the mind knew. Knowing in one's

mind wasn't always accepting to one's brain.She looked like

the great bear of the far north, the one with the white fur and fierce

reputation. And yet her fur was as soft as the winter ermine's and her body

supple and willing. In his present state it was a body perfect for the barely

contained sexual rage she had cultivated within him.She settled

her feminine parts squarely over his and dropped down, impaling herself in a

manner that she found delightful. In the next instant she dropped down and

grabbed him up, rolling as he had done before and this time putting him on top.

This way she knew she wouldn't hurt him by accidently flattening him. Besides,

it would make him feel superior to be on top.The fast

turnabout in their positions made his head spin, but he had to admit it felt a

whole lot safer this way. It was odd though. He felt like he was making love to

a bed and not a person.She had her

haunches pulled up and her back feet clear of him, to avoid any inadvertent contact

with those formidable claws. She was so large though that he could only plant

his face in her chest fur and nuzzle it. She did bring down her front paws and

enveloped him with those buckler-sized appendages. The claws on either side

entwined with each other, meshing together and saving him any accidental impaling.Amund found

out that bears are just a tight as wolves, a surprising fact for his addled

brain. He hooked his fingers into that unblemished, snowy white fur and let the

berserker rage take him. His judgment came unglued as the last vestige of his

mind had this one singular thought; I wish my friends could see me now!From there on

he might as well have been an animal. If such a thing were possible, he was

doing little more than raping this ursine sow.  She was more than equipped to handle his fury,

for she had worked him up just for this. She desired to see if he had the

spirit to blindly attack even the most outlandish of creatures, and while he

had nothing to fear from her, his blind attack on her present body was just the

sort of headlong violence he might encounter later on.For now his

antics were simple tickles to her; pleasing tickles at that. A great snow bear

was a tough creature. A mere human could do very little to prove any match to

such a beast unless armed with steel. His only weapon at the moment was doing

little more that scratching at itches long in need of scratching. She almost

hated to play him as she was, but the end result was going to be to the benefit

both of them.His love

making, at the moment, was restricted only by his imagination. She thought it

funny to let him flail as best he could with her bulk on top, but had kindly

had a change of heart and rolled them over so that he was on top. Men preferred

that, and in this case, she could hardly blame him. His feet

dangled off the backside of her which was just as well, for it gave his toes

something to purchase. They dug into the soil as his fingers clung tightly to

her fur. She had to give him kudos for the effort he was putting into this.

Again, she thought to herself that her choice of human had been a good one. The

battle did not always go to the strongest or the race to the swiftest, but

having the right proportions of those traits went far in further her goals. And

a little mix of something special in his blood helped all the more.She propped

herself up on her forelegs and gazed down at him as he ravaged her body. It

would have been more fun for her in her more petite human form, but it wasn't too

bad as it was.  A bear had far smaller

genitals for their size than a lot of creatures, so his cock was actually

snugly fitting into her otherwise enormous frame. One thing about the human

males was their proportionally large manhoods.She let him go

as long as he could.  She did have a

deadline, but she had allowed for enough time for such dalliances. In fact,

there was a risk, if he tired out too quickly, that they would be done well

before the appointed time. Still, a creature like her knew of spells and remedies

to increase a man's virility. She hardly thought he would need something so prosaic,

but if the need arose, and he could not, she would.  Amund was

filling with the berserker rage, but unlike that which the seafaring Vikings

held dear to their fighting abilities, his was bent towards this Jen creature.

He was still struggling with what she was, for being a hulda seemed to be

something minor compared to the abilities she was demonstrating before his very

eyes. That she was real was beyond question, but outside of that one, lone

fact, he knew nothing more than that he wanted to make her his very own.If he had

known that through their shared connection she was clouding his mind, he

probably would not have cared. She was filling him with knowledge, secretly slipping

it in under the strength of her sexual hold over him. She needed him to think

that what would come to his mind later had always been there. Men didn't pay

too much attention to their brains when their cocks were working. All that ever

did was to interfere with the pleasure of the moment.Amund plowed

into that massive body until his cock ached and his muscles were on fire. This

was no simple sexual act but a conquest which he intended to surmount

regardless of the consequences. Even though he knew she was allowing him this

privilege, he also knew that his future reputation with her rode on his

actions. He had no intention of slacking off, not even a little.When he came,

he did so with a mixed feeling of relief and a subtle sense of pride. He so

wanted to talk her into going back to his village with him, to show off what he

had done, but knew in his heart that she had far more important, and quite

likely more dangerous and sinister plans for him.She pulled him

up on her body as he collapsed, and in the next instant he was cradled in the

arms of a lovely lass again. His only surprise was his lack of surprise in not

being startled by all of these sudden transformations. In his mind he knew he

should be fearful, but after what he had been through, he felt in his heart

that if he was going to die because of her, it would come as the most glorious

death a man could suffer.She lay there

as his breathing ebbed to a more normal rhythm. His body still quivered from

time to time, and she smiled at that. He was a wonderful male for a human, and

she found his acceptance of her to be sweet and adorable; even if she were

partly to blame for his easy conversion. She was using her power both openly

and subtly, just like any good woman does. Just because she had more ability to

manipulate than any human female was beside the point. She was, deep down

inside her, just like them. He fell asleep

and she let him drift off to the land of dreams, knowing his presence there

would only help to solidify his feelings for her. She didn't need sleep, and

yet she too would occasionally wander the dream realm, seeing what others

desired within their dark hearts; their dainty souls, and their often wayward

minds. Humans were interesting, though stiff and unyielding within the confines

of their limited intellects. Amund; now he was different. He had blood in his

veins that only needed to be stirred into action. He had abilities he knew not,

largely because he suppressed those things that made him who he really was. It

was never good to not live to your full potential. Then again, humans rarely

understood what that was. They bowed to lesser men thanks to the simpleton

rules they applied to their lives. Amund would rise so far above his fellows he

would never catch sight of them again.She hoped he

could live with that. He was going to have to deal with it for some time to

come.She soon

joined him in his sleep, entering his dream state and following him as an

innocuous looking hare.  In his mental

imagery she could she him witnessing things he had never had even an inkling of

being in existence; that is, before meeting her. They were creatures that existed

in the real world, just not on the same plane as did he. Humans were quick to

dismiss those things they did not see for themselves, despite the fact that

this world on which they lived was far larger and more diverse than their

small, limited lives allowed them to comprehend. She, in her

various forms, had taken to traveling, despite the urging of her mother not to,

and in doing so, had found even her kind to be limited in their scope. Ruling

over a small realm, even when granted with powers beyond the ken of man; this made

her mother, and with her, her grandfather and great grandfather nothing more

than quiet little dictators overseeing the rule of a tiny little kingdom. There

was so much more to be had. But everyone had to start somewhere.She had the

knowledge, the compassion and the art of trickery to accomplish much, but she

still needed to have a tool to work with. It was a crude way to define her

present lover. He was going to be so much more, and yet, the pragmatic side of

her refused to give in totally to the emotional one. There were things that had

to be attended to, and until that happened, there was going to be no room for

extraneous emotional entanglement.  She

found that despite her self control however, the love she knew she was going to

have for him was seeping into every fiber of her being.She continued

to follow as he traveled through vale and dale, into forest and meadow,

seemingly unimpressed how each place merely phased into being at his whim. Here

and there were members of the various other tribes; the elvish folk whom she

preferred to take her appearance from; the dwarves with their long beards and

fierce eyes; the trolls of the mountain; and the numerous other entities that

he would one day see for real. This was part of his test; to see how he

intermingled and dealt with them on terms that he was as of yet unaware of.The elves

treated him coolly. They knew him for what he was and felt neither fear of him,

nor a love of him. The dwarves too exhibited little fear of him. One blow from

a dwarfish hammer or axe would kill a man instantly. The trolls however gave

him a wide berth. He found this odd, she noted, for they were among the largest

of the legendary folk and at times the most feared. They were not wanton in

their actions, though prone to the stealing of females. They had very few of

their own women, and were often lonely. Despite what others thought of their

thievery, they only wanted kind companyto stave off their loneliness.She knew all

about that. She kept pace with him for a while longer, until he came to a

clearing that was devoid of animated life. 

There was a raging river running through it, and to the north, dimly

discernible, a bridge across the frothing waters.Since there

appeared to be nothing in the meadow to attract his attention, he strode

forward, making for the bridge. She was curious what he would do, given that he

had no clue to where it led. Would he cross it?She was sure

he would not.She was dead

wrong. He climbed up on the stone walkway between the meadow and the region

beyond and paused only to stare into the turbulent waters below.  She felt a slight shiver run through her. He

was acting either very bravely or very foolishly. At the moment it was hard to

tell which it was. Among men, either action might be mistaken for the other.

Bravery was often carried out in a foolish manner.She ran up and

joined him, remaining as she was in the form of a mild and timid beast. He

looked down, espied the color of her coat and smiled. "Do you hound

me in my dreams as well as the waking world?""You know who

I am?""Should I not

know you? You seem to be cursed with the white fur. This is not the season for

the white form, and yet here you are."She reverted

to her human form, this time of her own volition. "You have

grown cannier since we have come together. You were much duller before.""True. I feel

like a veil has been lifted from my face. I know this is only a dream, and yet

the creatures I see are real.""In their own

way, yes. They are images, just as you are, but they exist in realms different

from your own. Does this make sense?""Yes, I think

it does. I have had dreams in the past, but they were never this real. And now

I am at this bridge. I know I should not cross it, and yet I feel a strong

pull. Where does this path lead?""To a place

you may wish to avoid for a while longer, for it leads to Helheim." "I see. That

is the home of the dead. It is where hero and villain alike go the spend

eternity. There are people I would long to see again.""That will

have to wait. It is easy enough to get into Helheim, but not so easy to escape.

You must be worthy of that journey before you attempt to undertake it."He was still

staring into the waters below, watching the shapes shift and turn from one

image to another. It was as if the river was flowing with the souls of the

departed."I think that

I will wait, not on your advice, but because once I get there, I will not wish

to leave.""What keeps

you from going now?" she asked, filled with a sudden curiosity."You. I have

become intrigued with the snare you have trapped me within. Here in this dream

I see many things very clearly. I think that when I wake up, I will still

remember all of this as it is."She shivered

again. "If that is what you believe, that is what will be." "Do you really

think so? I find this invigorating.""Then revel in

it while you can.  Some roads lead to

dark places. There you will find your presence to be most distasteful." He chuckled.

"Yes, I see that humans are looked upon as lowly and of no value. The elvish

folk ignored me, the dwarves glared at me, but the trolls; they seemed to see

something in me that I do not feel I am.""And what is

that?""I can't say.

I felt like a wolf among the sheep.""No one has

ever called the trolls sheep before," she said drolly."They are not

sheep, not by any means, and yet that is how it felt. Did you not see it?""I did.""Do you not

find it odd?""It is only a

dream after all. Do not place too much value on what is not real.""If that is

so, then why not visit Helheim? Surely it would be something I will wake from

eventually.""You can die

in your sleep just as easily as you can by the sword."He stared at

her. "Are you saying that if I go there now, I will die in real life?""It's

possible.""Hmmmmm." He

stared down into the waters again. "What do you want from me? I seem to be

tangled in your devices, and though I should say that terrifies me, I find it

unusually appealing.""Do you? Is it

for my body alone?"He smiled and

glanced up at her. "There is something intriguing with the variety you offer.

But as I stand here, I sense that you are not what you claim to be." He held up

his hand. "No, no; don't deny it. I don't know who you really are, and I think

that I am better off not knowing. That information will come out as it needs to

be known."She shook her

head. "I think I have enlightened you too much Amund. Perhaps you had best try

not to remember this dream when you awake. Knowledge is a valuable resource,

but used unwisely it can kill a man as quickly as can a blade.""Or a dream?""Or a dream.""Jen, if that

is your real name. Why me?""Because I

chose you. No, it's not that simple. Threads are spun and threads are cut.

Words are written and fates are set. And yet, if one is careful, they can weave

sense into the world. Or they can work revenge. Sometimes you can do both.""I see. Then

perhaps I should wake up now, while I wish not to remember any of this.""As you wish."

She leaned in and kissed him. He awoke with his lips pressed against hers."What was that

for?" he asked."For being

everything I had hoped you would be!"They returned

to sleep for it was dark in the forest. Tomorrow would be another day, and

while he seemed ready, she wanted to hone him to a sharper edge than that which

had had demonstrated in the dream. His lack of fear there was tied to his

belief that he was untouchable while in that state. This was most vividly

untrue, but his belief gave him false courage, and it had proved to be enough

to stave off any attacks. It was also very likely that all but the trolls had

no fear of a human. There might not be a love for them, but there was also no

other feeling except perhaps distaste. Humans were not considered equivalent

with most other creatures, even with those incapable of speech.In the morning

Amund woke in the paws of a large white bear. It was amazing how safe he felt

in those thick and powerful arms. He could hardly see any other creature being

foolish enough to attack such a brute. He stretched and yawned, shaking the

sleep from his mind. He seemed to have a whole world twirling around inside his

skull. Try though he might though, he could make no sense of any of it. It was

as if he had no desire to recall the imaginary events that had transpired

during his nighttime unconsciousness. He remembered

Jen well enough, and snuggled in closer. He felt her shift, her breath coming

in a great gasp as she yawned."Morning

Amund. Did you rest well?""I think so.

It's so hard to tell. I almost feel like I have been walking for many leagues.

I see images, faint images of things that I don't remember experiencing. Was

this your doing?""Maybe. There

is a certain side effect to being in my presence. Some of your innate powers

are going to manifest.""Powers? I

have no powers!""You are

correct.""But you just

said...""I did.""I'm

confused.""As you should

be. I don't need you thinking too much right now. Foreknowledge of coming

events may negate them.""What?""Right. We

seem to be right where we need to be."He shook his

head. "All women are alike!""Yes, if they

have any value to them, they are.""And what is

your value?" he asked, a bit of spunk in his voice."I guess that

remains to be seen."He gave up.

"Where are we headed, or is that a secret?""We are going

to Dovrefjell.""You must be

joking!""Do I look

like I am joking?""I don't know.

I have never seen a bear's mouth close enough to know the difference."She batted him

with her paw. "I am not joking. We are going to the mountains."He sighed.

"Why?""Foreknowledge?

What did I just say about that?""I wasn't

listening."She swatted

him again. "Oh, fine. So

we go to the mountains. I've never been that far in my life. I guess it'll be

an adventure. I still don't know what you could possibly expect to find there.""You don't. I

do. So leave it alone. I know what I am doing."And so it was.

The trip was long and arduous, even during the warm months that they made the

journey. There was plenty of game, for which Amund was very appreciative of. He

proved a skillful hunter, bringing down a deer with a single arrow. They both

ate, and in preparation for their travel, he smoked and cured as much as he

could to not waste his kill.When they

finally arrived at the foothills, she seemed to fall back. He had to wonder why

she would travel so far only to falter now that she had reached her

destination."Loverboy, I

think that from here on out, I will travel in my wolf form.""Fine with me.

Any particular reason?""Yes."He understood

her tone. She had a reason and it wasn't his to know. He had faith in her, but

his natural reaction was to feel fear. Whatever she was dragging him into, he

wasn't going to like it. These mountains had an evil reputation, clear back in

the village where he had grown up. While he had, like with all things

supernatural, given such stories little credence,  now, as he gazed upon them, creatures lurking

about the towering crags seemed all the more possible. He could picture stones

and boulders raining down on their heads as they worked their way to whatever

spot she had in mind.He spoke his

mind. "Look Jen, don't you think that we'll be awfully exposed in those

mountains?""Yes we will.

But I know a place; a cave where we can take shelter.""What good

will that do us? It may work for one night, unless your destination and that

cave happen to be the same place.""Yes."He asked

nothing more. He knew more now than he wanted to. Whatever was in that cave he

found that he wasn't likely to find it pleasant. On the other hand, a little

time with her again might be in his future. She had been pretty coy about

getting intimate on their trip here. He chalked it up to the fickleness of a

woman. He had heard his elders joke about it, and he was beginning to think it

was true.Her wolf form

was as much fun as any other. And yet, he could feel it in his soul that any

chance of connecting was slim at best. She was very intent on reaching their

ultimate goal. Once they were there, he was going to be at her mercies, for he

was as ignorant of her purpose now as he had been in the beginning. The cave was

high up on one of the rising stone faces, a dark gaping hole against the

lighter gray of the stone. There was a rough set of steps leading up to it,

meaning that it was visited by someone. Who that someone was; or even if that

person still lived, was difficult to determine from this distance.  He would only be able to say once they made

the climb up the side of the mountain.True to her

word, she reverted to her wolf form and made the dangerous trek up the mountain

on four legs. She proved to be as sure footed as a lynx. His own abilities were

far less surefooted, and yet, he managed to steel himself to the task. Several hours

later he was pulling himself up over the lip of the floor of the snug little

hole, glad he had made it and wondering how he would ever made it back down

again.Then again,

that would be easy enough. Gravity was all too glad to assist in his return.Jen had

already curled herself up in a corner, watching him as he stood and brushed off

the dust and gravel. He peered into the gloom and saw nothing of interest. It

was clean; too clean. If anyone or anything used it, they seemed to clean up

after themselves. There wasn't even an errant bone on the floor.Taking a cue

from her, he lay out on the floor and made himself as comfortable as he could

on the unyielding surface. His mind was asking a thousand questions, but his

mouth was wise enough to relay none of them. This cave hardly seemed worthy of

the long trek and the fight up the side of the mountain. Maybe if there had

been a wise man living up here, then he could see the value in their journey.

But there was absolutely nothing. Seeing that she intended to go to sleep, he

tried to do the same.He slept

fitfully, waking now and again thanks to the hard surface and the howling winds

blowing past the entrance to the cave. During one of his snatches of sleep, he

had a dream of shaking ground and heavy voices.He awoke from

the dream to the same conditions. The voices belonged to the large ugly humanoid

figures who had to stoop to fit in the cave. He was so struck with their

presence that all he could wonder was how they had managed to traverse the

narrow path leading to this apparently well visited shelter."Look at it!"

growled one of them."And it's

little pet. They might make a good stew.""Naw! Chief

says all visitors get taken below. He's been jumpy the past hundred seasons or

so. Everyone gets interviewed before going into the pot."Jen was awake,

but she was hardly twitching a muscle. Amund jumped up and stood on guard."Who are you

and what do you want?""Oh lookie!

The little man speaks!"Amund, having

nothing else with him but his bow and arrow, knocked a point to the string and

drew it back. "I asked you who you are!"One of the

trolls, for that's what they were, spoke with a low gruff laugh. "We are the

heirs of the mountains, you little fool. We are the lords under the mountains

little man. The better question is what you are doing here!""I am a simple

traveler, following a route I was given by another. I had no idea that there

was anyone living up here.""Lie!" cried

one of them.An older and

wiser one intervened. "His words are true. He had no reason to suspect we were

here, though now that he sees us, his memory has been reminded of old tales.

Humans see so little and know even less.""If you say

so," the other spit out. "I say he should be cooked and eaten!""You persist

in talking like that and you'll be banned to the forest! Shut yer mouth now

else I inform the king of yer words!"The silence

was immediate."Look here

man. This is our cave. You came in uninvited. That means you're trespassing.

You'll need to answer to our king before we can do anything with you.""And if I

decide not to come?""You'll have

no choice. It's either that or out the door and back down the mountain. You

choose. It makes little difference to me."Jen yawned and

stood, happily licking one of the trolls' hands. He giggled and pulled it back."Silly ulv-hund!"The others

turned to look at the wolf. She was licking her lips and wagging her tail."I prefer

bjornunge little white doggie, but you're cute!"Amund wondered

what she was up to. She was acting every bit the silly puppy. On the other

hand, these trolls weren't acting very aggressive, outside of threatening to

throw him off the mountain.  Yes, there

was talk of throwing him into a cookpot, but none of it sounded very serious.

So perhaps this was the reason they were here. He was glad she had not told

him, for over the long trip, his fear would have grown. Coming face to face

with them wasn't pleasant, for they were very ugly, though hardly as horrific

as he had heard."Let's get a

move on it. The king will make his judgment and then we have to deal with his

decision. The sooner that's done, the sooner we can go back to relaxing. I need

my head rubbed something fierce with all of this thinking I've had to do.""So it's back

outside again is it?" Amund asked."Outside? Naw!

We're heading back down into the mountain."He shoved on

the back wall. The seemingly solid obstruction shifted and moved, showing a dim

light beyond. The human was shoved forward and the wolf followed, and behind

them a tight knot of trolls. The cave led into a long hallway that opened into

a small room and yet again into another hallway. Deeper and deeper they went

into the mountain before coming out to a huge cavernous chamber.It was lit

from some unknown source, with a light that rivaled the full moon's glow. While

dim, the light was more than sufficient to see about the room. In the center

was a large throne. On the throne was a large, particularly horrendous looking

troll. The two were

brought before him. He gazed down his long nose at them. He said nothing for a

long time."Human? Why

are you here? Our mountain is not on the normal routes your type take through

here. There are far easier paths than the one that brought you to me!"Amund was

flummoxed. He had no idea how a person addressed a troll king. "Your lordship,

I was in that cave thanks to the advice of another. If I had known I would be

disturbing you, I most certainly would never have climbed up here to seek

refuge from the weather.""From the

weather? You just said that you were in my cave thanks to the advice of

another. Which is it?""Both. I was

told of it should may way become tiresome. I felt the climb was worthwhile to

have a little shelter in a land I am a stranger in. Should I have known I would

be making a pest of myself, I would have avoided it at all costs.""I'm sure you

would have," he said menacingly. "I don't trust anyone who isn't a loyal member

of my kingdom.  What is your purpose

here?""To be honest,

I can't say. I came following another.""Another?

Where is the other human? No one mentioned another!""I don't know

that you'd believe me.""Try me!"Amund pointed

to the wolf. "She's the one that brought me here."The king

laughed long and hard. "A simple four legged animal brought you here? One of

you is stupid. The furry one has an excuse, but you! You are a fool of your own

accord!"The wolf

ambled to the side. A voice cut through the room like thunder. "Who are you

calling stupid, Dorvegrubben!"The king

turned and paled. There was no noticeable lightening of his pasty, gray

complexion, but his appearance was suddenly set to one of fear and loathing."Hellokina!

What are you doing here! You were banned from my kingdom until the end of

time!"She laughed,

this time sounding much more ladylike to match her human appearance. "Yes, and

it was you who banned me. And yet, here I am, invited into your halls by your

own people. So, in my book, that means that the ban was lifted. I would not be

here if it weren't for your own people for I would still be outside you gates."The king danced

and screamed. He raged and raged until Amund though his own ears were going to

rupture. The other trolls looked on in dismay, aware that they had done

something untoward and unprecedented.Amund held his

hands clamped to the side of his head as the troll king continued to rage on.

But even as he was watching the creature hop about in fury, his mind was trying

to wrap it around the name he had cried out. So Jen's real name was Hellokina?

He had never heard of such a name in his life. Hel-low-keen-a? It meant nothing

to him, but it was obvious that this whole time she had been lying to him. Then

again, she had alluded that she wasn't going to be honest with him for his own

good.There was

something going on that he couldn't comprehend. He pieced together what he

could. That she had been here in the past and had been obviously thrown out,

contingent on her never returning was quite patent. But when and why this had

happened was beyond anything he understood. Whatever the reason, the king was

nearly insane in his present state.He moved over

to his travel mate. "What in the name of the elder gods did you do to him?"She smiled

evilly. "Right now? Nothing.""What about

before?""Nothing.""I don't get

it. Why is he having such a fit?""Because if I

ever came back my life was forfeit. But since I was invited in with you, I can be

here for as long as I want.""I don't

understand. Would you be so kind to explain all of this?"She had to

shout to be heard above the din. "It was written very long ago, that if the

trolls ever allowed the progeny of the gods into their kingdom, it would be

forfeit if they allowed them in a second time.""You're a

god?""No. Now shut

up and listen. The fates made the decree. I worked to make it come true. The

first time I was in here, I was invited by the trolls.""I take it

they didn't know about the decree?""Oh, they

knew, but they chose to ignore it. All I had to do was make myself look like a

pretty little human girl and make as if I was lost in the forest. I was quickly

snatched up and spirited away beneath this very mountain.  Once I was here, I let the king know who they

had kidnapped. His rage was very nearly equal to what it is now.""But what

would you want with this hole in the ground?""Nothing.""But?""But what?""You dragged

me all the way to this hole in the ground just to exact some sort of revenge?""Yes. But

there is more. There are many realms, and this is but one. And I cannot rule

it, even if I can claim it. The king must be male. There is nothing written

that says that I cannot give the kingdom over to another.""Me? Rule the

trolls?""Yes. But

there's a catch.""There always

is.""You must rule

in the place of the present king.""I assumed

that.""And you're

alright with that?""I don't

really know. What would I have to do?""You sit on

the throne and you make decisions for them.""And what do

you do?""I sit by your

side, when it suits me, and I act as your queen.""You're making

this sound pretty good, but I think there's more to it.""Not really.

You rule in the present king's position just as he would have.""Meaning?"She smiled

wickedly. "Meaning that he would have ruled for another nine hundred years. So

you have to rule for the next nine centuries."His jaw fell.

"But that's impossible! I'll die before then!""No. The rules

say the kind under the mountain rules for a thousand years. The fates wrote

that law and it's inviolate. Therefore, if you accept the throne, you will live

long enough to see your people live out nearly thirty generations before the

end of your reign.""And I'll live

them out with you?""If you wish.

Or you can have any female you care to direct your subjects to capture and

bring to you.""No, I think

I'll stick with you, if you don't mind.""I don't. But

you must say it. You must say that you claim this kingdom for your own."Dovregubben

roared. "Never! This was done with trickery you little whore!"Amund had his

bow in his hand again with an arrow knocked. "Careful what you say troll. She

is many things, but a whore is not one of them.""Little man,

do you think your toy frightens me?"The lone

female in the room laughed. "You should. I know you boys are busy with your

little dispute, but take a look at the arrow he has pointed at you, oh great

king."He stared hard

at the projectile. "I see nothing that I have to fear."She waved her

hand and the tip began to glow. "Do you see it now? That tip, which I fitted

earlier, is made of solarsteinn."Amund had

heard of those stones, but had never seen it before. "A sunstone?"The king cried

out. "Murderer! Villain!""Not yet. You

may leave, or you may die. I personally don't care. But that stone will kill

you instantly. Now me, I think a big, ugly stone statue in the middle of the

throne room might be a nice touch."Amund was

growing blinded by the light emanating from the stone. How he had missed it in

his quiver was beyond him. But then, she had abilities she wasn't letting onto.

And that name of hers. He really had to find out who she was. There was

something mildly familiar about it, but he couldn't place it.The king

continued to hold his ground for another moment. His nerve finally broke and he

ran off down one of the corridors and was never seen again. "So Amund, are

you up for a long reign?""I don't know.

Nine hundred years living under a mountain hardly sounds like something I could

handle.""But nine

hundred years with me?""Nine thousand

years with you would be too little.""Well said.

Say you'll be king and I'll tell you a secret."He sighed.  "Fine. I hereby accept the rule of the kingdom

of the trolls."There was a

slight stirring in the room, but nothing else happened. "It is done. You now

have extended your life well past what you would have lived as a normal human.

And you're a king.""A king of

these trolls!""Yes, but a

king nonetheless. And the rules don't say you have to rule from under the mountain.

You are free to come and go as you please.""That's a

plus, but what will I do for the next nine hundred years?""You leave

that to me."He had a brief

vision of her naked, and in a few of the forms they had made love in. If she

was capable of that, what else might she be able to do? Even as he thought of

forms, she assumed their shape."You have a

deal!"That night,

the couple was together in the quarters formerly occupied by the troll king.

One of the added benefits of being king were revealed the first time they had

been shown to the room. It was filled from one end to the other with gold,

silver and gems.While not

ideal for a bed, it made for magnificent surroundings. Amund was running his

fingers through all of the objects that overflowed from urns. "I've never seen

so much treasure in my life!""These are

mere baubles and trinkets. Trolls and dwarves love to delve into the ground for

shiny metals and glowing gems. Luckily for me, they often miss the true nature

of such things as sunstones.""Yes, about

that. How did you make it glow?""That stone

sat atop Galdhøpiggen for three decades before I retrieved it. It collected the

light during the day. Properly spelled, it retains the light until called for. ""And you

called it forth today?""Yes. And I

could call it forth whenever I feel the need.""Where do you

get such power and knowledge?""Are you sure

you wish to know that?""If I am to

call you queen and wife, then I think I should know who you are. The troll

called you Hellokina.""Yes, that is

my true name.""And your true

nature?""Whatever you

wish it to be. I already told you that."He was growing

exasperated. "I know, but for real. Who and what are you? You mentioned gods. What

gods do you share heritage with?"She

transformed, but this time it wasn't so dramatic, though it remained as equally

impressive as any prior change, She looked human, much like her normal guise,

but she was taller and her features much more severe. She was still lovely, but

if ever there was a Valkyrie, it was her. And yet, she was no Valkyrie. "My name says

it all Amund. I am the offspring of Hel. She is my mother, and I know the ways

of the Helheim like you know the paths around your village. My mother's father

is Loki. That is where the second part of my name comes into play. From my

grandfather I learned the art of trickery, going so far as to thwart some of

the designs set forth by the fates. No one may work against them directly, but

with intelligence, one can accomplish much they did not foresee even with all

their great wisdom.""So you have

bigger plans?""Much bigger.

But I wanted to settle down, and I could hardly do that without an appropriate husband.

I am a near-immortal. I will die given enough time, but you humans; you live

such short lives in comparison. Therefore, I felt that I must find a way of

extending you life. Now, you will not die for a very long time.""But will I

age?""There is that

little kink I have yet to iron out, but I think I have that covered as well. I

would hardly have use for a dried husk, now would I?""No, I suppose

not." He looked around, both bemused and bewildered. "Is this all for real?""As real as it

comes. So now, my king, shall you take your wife on your wedding night?""But we haven't

been properly married!""No, but I'm

sure great grandfather will oversee the ceremony if I ask him.""Loki?""No stupid!

Loki is my grandfather. I speak of Odin, the All-Father."Amund suddenly

felt very small.He had gotten

himself in far deeper than casual sex with a strange woman. He suddenly found

himself entangled in the affairs of powers beyond his understanding. But then,

he had a lot of time to come to grips with it."I think I

would like that.""Good answer.

I can't say for certain how he'll feel, but I think he believes me to be

insignificant enough to allow, what I am sure he will call a dalliance.""Speaking of

dallying, shall we consummate as you suggested?""Of course! I await

your desire to be reflected in my own ever malleable form"He leaned back,

causing a minor avalanche of gems to rain down upon the floor.  He stared for a moment and then closed his

eyes. He opened them again when he heard her exasperated sigh. She was standing

there as white as can be, on four legs, looking as docile and as graceful as

any real deer."You chose

this?""Yes. After

all of the danger and suspense, I think a little calm and relaxing conjugation

appeals to my senses at the moment."She shook her

head and laughed. A voice coming from a doe seemed the oddest thing he had yet experienced,

though he knew he was being stupid making that rash call. Still, it was odd to

place voice with that mouth. "I cannot

begrudge you what you have done this day. And it is the duty of the wife to

please the husband, is it not?""Then you really

don't mind?""Amund, for

the next nine hundred years, there will time for plenty of variety. I will

assume the forms of animals you could only dream existed in this world. Until

then, I will allow you anything you are capable of imagining."