“TheLjósálfarlight illuminates that which is enshrouded in darkness. It will display the origin of the enchantment.” Lugh carefully withdrew the blade and laid the snakeskin scabbard on the floor before his enormous, booted feet. From the dark greendragonscalesheath strapped at his waist, Lugh removed a silver mirror whose curved frame was etched with Elven scrolls and adorned with intricate swirls and gems which glittered like captured stars. The clear surface of the sparkling glass radiated an otherworldly glow, as if the essence of the moon—or agildirstarstone—glimmered from within.
Áki’s blade gripped in one hand, Lugh held the Elven Mirror over the weapon with the other, peering into the luminous lens. Dread deepened his dark revelation. “ADökkálfarblacksmith crafted this dagger...”
The Dökkálfar Blacksmith of Dorestad. Whom I must kill with my father’s Dwarven sword.
Njörd squeezed Elfi’s hand at the thought of the impending voyage toÍsland, which would now have to wait until—gods willing—Úlf recovered. He glanced at the concerned companions gathered around the wounded wolf warrior, all of them mesmerized by Lugh.
Skårde placed a reassuring arm behind Ylva’s back.
Úlvhild, enthralled by images in the Elven Mirror, strained to see what Lugh perceived.
And Njáll, standing across from Njörd, couldn’t take his eyes off Luna.
Nor could the lovelyLjósálfarhealer remove her otherworldly gaze from him.
Lugh’s resonant voice interrupted Njörd’s intriguing observation.
“I see avölva,with flaming hair and crimson eyes…imbuing evil into the black obsidian stone of theDökkálfarblade… and the trio of gems in the snakeskin sheath. The skull of a raven on a twisted staff…the skeletal side of the Goddess Hel.” Lugh looked up from the mirror, his expression grim as he met Úlvhild’s rapt gaze. “She has imbued the blade with powerfulseidrmagic, concealed in a cloak of darkness…”
Golden eyes aglow with otherworldly sight, Úlvhild’s ethereal voice was evanescent, as if emanating from between realms.“A trinity of female Ljósálfar must heal the wounded wolf in Álfheim.”Her vision cleared, and she snapped to attention, grasping Ylva’s hands. “You must heal him with the curative magic of Divona, Celtic Goddess of the Sacred Springs.” Úlvhild spun to Luna, her tone both a plea and command. “You must wield the magic ofnen glir, the Light Elven song of water.” Thevölvasmiled softly at Elfi, pushing a strand of light brown hair away from her bewildered face. “And you, daughter of Dúva, must cleanse him withsjósongr.IntheLjósálfarsea ofÁlfheim.”Tossing her long, black hair over slender shoulders, Úlvhild raised her arms to encompass the three women with outstretched hands. “A trinity ofLjósálfarhealers. Wielding three different forms of curative magic through cleansing water. In the sacred realm ofÁlfheim. Where the purity ofLjósálfarlight will expelDökkálfardarkness. And the wounded wolf will be cured.”
Njörd furrowed his brows, trying to make sense of thevölva’swords. “I don’t understand.” He gazed down at the straw pallet where Úlf clung desperately to life. “Luna and Lugh, asLjósálfar,can transport a critically wounded patient toÁlfheim.” He searched Úlvhild’s face, his mind reeling. “But only those withLjósálfarblood or magic may cross the crystal bridge.” Njörd glanced at Skårde’s priestess wife. “Ylva has the Light Elven magic ofnen glir.But Elfi has neitherLjósálfarblood nor magic. How can she travel toÁlfheim?”
As Njörd gazed at Elfi, he noticed how Úlvhild, Lugh, and Luna watched her expectantly, as if waiting for her to make a revelation. Elfi was agitated and restless, her eyes fixed on the stone floor of the cave.Why is she reluctant to speak? What is she hiding?
“Tell me, Elfi. What is it? I can sense you have something to say.” Njörd took hold of her hand and led her to one side of the cave, affording them a bit more privacy. Why was guilt etched across her beautiful face? His heart hammered in his chest.
She gazed up at him, a contradictory blend of excitement and hesitation in her apprehensive eyes. Inhaling deeply—as if summoning the strength to tell him what she seemed so reluctant to share—she whispered, “IdohaveLjósálfarblood in my body.” Grasping his hands, she squeezed them tight. “I carry your child.The thrice-blessed daughter of the Wolf of the Nordic Seas.Blessed with the blood of theÚlfhéðnar,thesjóvættir,and theLjósálfar. Conceived in this waterfall cave.”
A deluge of thoughts flooded Njörd’s mind.She carries my child! But the voyage to Ísland will be dangerous…we shall battle the Dökkálfar. She must wield her sjósongr magic. And kill the troll. She has the skills of a shieldmaiden, the white wolf weapons, a trollkors talisman...
Elfi’s voice flowed, as if on a wave, bringing him back to the present. “Njörd, you also have the blood of theLjósálfar. Come with me toÁlfheim. Help Lugh carry the straw pallet. We must hurry. Two days have already passed, and aDökkálfarwound is always fatalon the third day. Ylva, Luna, and I must heal Úlf before it’s too late.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him back to where the others waited in the center of the cave. “Njörd is coming with us. Úlf is very heavy. He will help Lugh carry the bulk of the weight.”
Lugh nodded in agreement and strapped the black snakeskin sheath on his hip, below hisdragonscalescabbard. He cautiously sheathed the Dökkálfar dagger as Ylva kissed Skårde goodbye.
“Take good care of Vivi. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Ylva smiled at Skårde, then turned to Úlvhild and Luna. “When I received the gift ofnen glir,years ago at my wedding, I remember thinking that one day, myLjósálfarmagic would lead me toÁlfheim. And so it shall.”
Úlvhild kissed Elfi and Ylva on each cheek. “I shall make a sacrifice to Eir, the Goddess of Healing, and pray for Úlf’s swift recovery. May the gods grant you safe passage toÁlfheim. And may the trinity ofLjósálfarhealers save the wounded wolf.”
Njáll bent his dark head to kiss Luna’s pale hand, his lupine eyes aflame. “I know you will heal him. I sense it in my soul.”
Luna caressed his bearded cheek with delicate fingers. “Your belief in me will guide my magic. And myLjósálfarlight will burn bright.” A luminous smile lit up her whole face, basking Njáll in radiant light. “Fardu vel. Until we meet again.”
Skårde, Njáll, and Úlvhild waited and watched by the mouth of the waterfall cave, prepared to return to the castle.
Lugh grasped the front of the straw pallet, and Njörd took hold of the end, coordinating their movements to lift Úlf together.
With a wave goodbye and a fond farewell, the trinity ofLjósálfarhealers followed Njörd and Lugh through the portal of the waterfall cave.
To the Light Elven realm ofÁlfheim.
Chapter 31
Álfheim
With Ylva at her side, Elfi followed Luna through the darkened portal of the waterfall cave, emerging into what seemed like billowy clouds bathed in twilight. Lugh and Njörd transported a senseless Úlf on the straw pallet as the three healers led them across a radiant arc composed of countless clear crystals which glittered like stars and emitted a light golden glow.
They ascended, as if climbing into the clouds, arriving at a lush landscape of luminescent forests with towering trees whose foliage ranged in verdant hues from frosted sage to deep emerald green. High cliffs of pearlized rock sheltered a brilliant blue sea, with cascading waterfalls, glimmering lakes, and crystalline springs. Beneath a pale turquoise sky, the clean scent of pine mingled with the sweet floral fragrance of white flowers blooming amidst soft meadows and clear flowing streams. In the distance, tall spires of translucent stone and luminous crystal, intricately woven with dark green vines and snowy blossoms, revealed the clifftop dwellings where theLjósálfarresided.
