Although Elfi was standing on the opposite side of the island, the surge slammed the coast with such force that it shook the ground beneath her, spraying seawater high into the sky to rain down and drench her.
Limbs trembling, hair dripping, Elfi shook violently before such magnificent power.The Mélusines can shatter ships with those spiked tails. Impale survivors with pointed horns. Gnash bodies with their massive fangs.Adrenaline surged as recognition dawned.This is why I must accompany Njörd to Ísland. To hurl waves as I wield my magic. And summon the sea dragons to sink enemy ships.
While Elfi stood in awestruck silence, naked and shivering, theGallizenaeshifted back into mermaids and swam close to the shore. Hefring’s lilting voice was as soothing as the lavender of her hair. “Welldone, daughter of Dúva. Each of us heardle Chant des Sirènes.”Admiration glimmered in her amethyst eyes.“Your mother would be very proud.”
“Indeed she would.” Dröfn beamed at Elfi, who returned the smile before glancing back at the alluring waterfall.
“I felt drawn to this island, as if something beckoned me. Do you know what is in that cave?” With a jut of her chin, Elfi indicated the mysterious grotto whose dark depths were hidden behind the roaring cascade.
Several of the mermaids exchanged knowing looks while Himinglæva flashed her a patient, pearlescent smile. “Let’s go back to the cottage now. You must be famished. After dinner, we shall tell you all aboutLes Rochers de la Porte.” Himinglæva waited in the ocean water with the billow maidens, watching the turquoise, emerald, and lapis lazuli scales reappear in Elfi’s mermaid tail as she slid from the shore, back into the sea.
“We’ll grill fish and shrimp, roast a few wild carrots, steam some sea kale.” Unnor grinned at the blue-haired mermaid swimming beside her. “And Bylgja can make her delicious barley cakes, topped with heather honey and buckthorn berries!” With a ripple of laughter as fluid as a flute, she dipped beneath the surface and flicked her mermaid tail, following Himinglæva back to the stone cottage on theÎle de Sein.
* * * *
The tart, tangy orange fruit contrasted delightfully with the sweet taste of honey and the nutty, earthy flavor of barley cake as Elfi swallowed the last bite of Bylgja’s delectable dessert. She swallowed a sip of chamomiletisane,anxious to hear about the mysterious cave atLes Rochers de la Porte. She wanted Kólga to explain her intriguing vision about Elfi summoning theMélusines. And she still hoped to obtain answers to her many unasked questions.
Elfi decided to start with the prophecy. “In Étretat, I learned that my betrothed Njörd—theWolf of the Nordic Seas—would reclaim his father’s Dwarven sword in Ísland, and that I would accompany him on the voyage.” She turned to Kólga, wiping suddenly damp palms against the sides of her woolengown. “You mentioned a vision where I would summon theMélusinesto sink enemy ships. Please tell me more about your sighting. And what my mate must do once he reclaims the prophesied sword.”
Kólga’s ethereal voice was hallowed and haunting. “The white wolf must slay theSvartálfar.The Dark Elfwho crafted the weapon which killed Dúva’s son. And the malevolent sword which nearly slew the Dragon of Denmark.” Firelight danced in her dark sapphire eyes. “TheDökkálfarblacksmith of Dorestad.”
Elfi’s breath hitched as she inhaled sharply.The Dark Elf who crafted the enchanted spear which impaled Dag on the castle ramparts. And enabled the Count of Soissons to steal Galadir.
“You will summon theMélusinesto sink enemy ships,” Kólga continued, rousing Elfi from her morbid memory. “And you, daughter of Dúva, must kill the treacherous troll.” She pointed to theÚlfbladdagger, sheathed in thedragonscalescabbard which lay on the table beside Elfi’s bed. “With thatLjósálfarblade.”
Blóðughudda abruptly lifted her head and flared her nostrils, as if catching the scent. “I smell blood. May I examine your weapon?”
“Of course.” Elfi rose from the bench, crossed the room, and fetched the dagger. She handed the sheathed blade to the flame-hairedGallizenaeand resumed her seat at Kólga’s side.
All eyes fixed on Blóðughudda as she unsheathed theLjósálfarweapon crafted by Lugh.
The blood-hairedGallizenaeinspected the intricate pattern of shimmery swirls in the curved, sharply pointed silver. With long, delicate fingers, she traced the trio of Nordic runes inscribed in the ivory handle made from the jawbone of Njörd’s sacred white wolf.The hámr protective spirit of his father, Brökk.Efli’s heart fluttered like the wings of Freyja’s swan.
“A trinity of lupine blood to protect you,” Blóðughudda murmured, her voice a barely audible whisper of wonder. “The Völsung blood ofthe white wolf in Norway. The lupine blood of yourÚlfhéðnarmate.And the sacred blood of the Allfather Odin.”
Bára’s midnight hair gleamed like black obsidian. “Thatgildirstarstone is imbued with the essence ofLjósálfarlight to defend againstDökkálfardarkness. Use it to petrify the Dark Elves. As you help your mate fulfill the prophecy in Ísland.”
Warning flared in Himinglæva’s wary voice. “A darkness has aligned with theDökkálfar. Shrouded by powerful, malevolent magic.” An otherworldly haze clouded her sky blue gaze. Like a blind woman groping through darkness, Himinglæva raised tentative hands before her sightless, all-seeing eyes. “The hunter and his troll plan to trap you, daughter of Dúva. You must marry your mate in Ísland. ALjósálfarwedding whose Light Elven magic will enable you to triumph over darkness.”
Elfi’s spirit soared at the thought of awedding in Ísland. “Njörd’s mother is aLjósálfar.She shielded him from theDökkálfarwith powerful wards of protective magic when he was a young child in Norway. Íssla is also the guardian of the Dwarven sword. Njörd and I shall both meet her when he reclaims it. Perhaps she can help us plan aLjósálfarwedding.”
Himinglæva’s eyes finally cleared, and Hefring carefully poured more chamomiletisanefrom a ceramic pitcher into everyone’s earthenware cups. As she sipped the delicate herbal brew, Elfi thought of the mysterious grotto on the island which had beckoned her. “You said you would tell me more aboutLes Rochers de la Porte. What is hidden inside that cave?”
Kólga’s opalescent teeth glistened in the incandescent light of the candle which flickered on the oak table. “Someone who is anxious to finally meet you. Tomorrow, we shall return toLes Rochers de la Porteand present you to our mother,la Déesse de la Mer.Your grandmother, Elfi. The Sea Goddess Rán.”
Chapter 25
Sjósongr
Elfi arose early and broke her fast with barley porridge, blackberries, and a steaming cup of chamomiletisane. She’d been unable to sleep, much too excited at the prospect of returning to the waterfall cave on the island ofLes Rochers de la Porteand meeting her grandmother Rán. She’d tossed and turned all night, exhilarated by the incredible encounter with theMélusines,the thrum of her newfound magic, and a desperate longing for Njörd. Although she would return tole Château Blanclater today, her yearning for him was a physical ache and an empty hollow in the depths of her soul.
Hersjóvættirspirit stirred at the sirens’ song coming from the sheltered cove. Elfi raced to the door and waved to the nine billow maiden mermaids waiting for her to join them. “I’ll be right there,” she shouted, her heart hammering as she quickly rinsed the dishes and set them to dry upon the counter. She removed her gown and chemise, laid them on the table beside her sheathedLjósálfardagger and the leather satchel containing her necklace and talisman, and dashed out of the cottage.
The rising sun glimmered on the white flecked waves of the secluded inlet, reflecting the glorious colors of the sea in the mermaids’ long locks and shimmering tails. Just as Elfi was about to shift into her own mermaid form and swim out to join them, Himinglæva called to her. “You must wear your necklace. The one with the three tiers of gems.”
Elfi’s magic pulsed in her veins. The bridal gift that Njörd gave me—whichonce belonged to a Persian princess. Perhaps Rán can tell me about the sea spirit essence that both Úlvhild and Lugh sensed it contains.“I’ll be just a moment.” She raced back inside, fetched the necklace from her satchel, and fastened the clasp behind her neck. It felt odd to be completely nude, yet wearing a dazzling necklace. As another thrill rippled through her limbs, Elfi rushed out of the cottage, placed her toes in the water, and swam as a mermaid to join theGallizenae.
“ToLes Rochers de la Porte.” Himinglæva flashed a brilliant smile, dove below the surface, and led them toward the realm of Rán.
