Bright the Eyes Behind the War-Helm

A song for Astrid, who is beloved of us.

http://www.mbouchard.com/misc/Bright-the-Eyes-Behind-the-War-Helm.mp3

There are people in the North-land
who stand strong amid the strife
There among them lives a woman
She, a legend come to life.

Bright the eyes behind her war helm
White the arm that holds the sword
Blood-red hair waves as a banner
Sharpest lightning are her words.

Comes the wish girl
comes the chooser
comes the ones at Odin’s call
with a raven on her shoulder
See the idis leave her hall.

Fair mead-bringer is this lady
holding horn in long-hall warm
she will soon leave for the battle,
Joyful cry o’erwhelms the storm.

Few are places in the Midgard
which could claim such as their own
Valkyrie of Malagentia,
youngest Norn has Eastern home.

Comes the wish girl
comes the chooser
comes the ones at Odin’s call
with a raven on her shoulder
See the idis leave her hall.

Hark ye warriors for the thunder
of her war horse, battle thrall,
Ulfkillsdottir and her raven
come to take you as you fall.

Comes the wish girl
comes the chooser
comes the ones at Odin’s call
with a raven on her shoulder
See the idis leave her hall.

With a raven on her shoulder
Ulfkillsdottir leaves her hall.

********

Words and tune by Aneleda with skillful edits and suggestions by Jean.

The Heralds’ Adventure

“This ode was made when Astrid needed our help for Malagentia in the Great Northeastern War, and we hadn’t been asked (or thought we’d not been asked) and she was sure we had been.  So I imagined what might have happened to the heralds who had been sent forth to ask for our aid.”

The Leader of the neighbor realm
called his heralds into court
“We’ve a need that’s dire in nature,
and desire for brave support!”
Thus the Heralds were commanded
to deliver impassioned plea.
So up the road that pointed north
on mighty mounts went three…

What became of those good heralds
now we at last shall see.
The first and eldest Herald
cleared his mighty throat to speak,
when his senses were betrayed
by the smell of cooking leeks.
He headed toward the kitchen
pushing quickly through the group,
there was a loud metallic rattle
followed by a joyful whoop…

The last time that we saw him
he was bathing in the soup!

Thus Herald two began the speech
for the folk of Endewearde
but the pretty lass a winking
made rememb’ring rather hard.
A fierce look from her mother
brought the second lad around
but to his own amazement,
he couldn’t make a sound….

And now he’s either married
or he’s buried underground!

The way was long and dangerous
Herald three barely survived!
He passed by the water tower
quite relived he had arrived.
The populace did gather
at the the shaking Herald’s hail
and took him to the mead hall
to listen to his tale…

He never made it back for he’s
still drunk on Godric’s ale!

So war loomed for the neighbor land
and the people did not know.
They had a cook and wedding
and a brand new bard to show.
Finally the question came
from a Lady very high,
and who would dare refuse to help
when asked by Valker-aye?

Oh we would not refuse to help
when asked by Valker-aye!