Shield Maiden Astrid - In the heart of the Viking age, amidst the rugged landscapes of Scandinavia, there lived a tribe known as the Fjord Fangs. They were a fierce people, renowned for their prowess in battle and their unwavering loyalty to their chieftain, Sigurd the Bold. But amongst them, there was one whose courage burned even brighter than the northern lights: Astrid, the shield maiden.

From a young age, Astrid had trained alongside the warriors of her tribe, honing her skills with sword and shield. She possessed a spirit as untamed as the roaring seas, and her determination was unmatched. Despite the expectations placed upon her to conform to traditional roles, Astrid yearned for something more - to prove herself on the battlefield alongside her fellow warriors.

When news reached the Fjord Fangs of an impending invasion by a rival tribe, led by the fearsome chieftain Ragnar the Ruthless, the warriors prepared for battle. But Sigurd hesitated to send Astrid into the fray, fearing for her safety. However, Astrid refused to be sidelined, insisting that she could fight alongside her comrades and defend her people with all her strength.

As the rival tribe descended upon their lands, Astrid stood shoulder to shoulder with her fellow warriors, her shield held high and her sword gleaming in the sunlight. With a ferocious battle cry, she charged into the fray, her courage inspiring those around her. Despite facing overwhelming odds, the Fjord Fangs fought with a tenacity born of desperation and the determination to protect their home.

In the midst of the chaos, Astrid distinguished herself with acts of unmatched bravery. She defended her comrades with unwavering resolve, her shield deflecting blow after blow, and her sword striking true against their foes. Her leadership on the battlefield rallied the warriors, turning the tide of battle in their favor.

In a climactic showdown, Astrid found herself face to face with Ragnar himself, the imposing chieftain towering over her. With a steely gaze and a fierce determination, she squared off against her adversary, refusing to back down. In a clash of steel and fury, Astrid fought with all her might, her every move a testament to her skill and courage.

In the end, it was Astrid who emerged victorious, her blade piercing Ragnar's defenses and striking him down. With their chieftain defeated, the rival tribe fled in disarray, their hopes of conquest dashed upon the rocks of Astrid's indomitable spirit.

From that day forth, Astrid was hailed as a hero among her people, her bravery and leadership earning her the respect of all who knew her. And as the fires of victory burned brightly in the night sky, the Fjord Fangs stood united once more, their tribe stronger than ever before under the fearless guidance of their shield maiden.
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Vague recollections,
Of curio collections,
Salt and pepper shakers, unused
crystal ashtrays, reflecting rainbows
of northern prairie light on days bright.

A prairie girl, did you miss the place near the Arctic Circle,
your home?  Did Odin and Freya call you away from here to
there, or was Thor, or Loki the thunder in your angry voice
that I feared and may have hid under the steep basement
stairs, quietly in the dark hoping you were unaware.

Some of your children, and
your spouse, left before you did,
I know that was tough, and a shame.
You were tougher, though, you did
suffer in you aging frame.

I know you loved us all, I know you knew me too,
very early you said of me "he is a sensitive child", which
I have found to be all too true, many years after you have
gone I miss you, grandpa and dad, Audrey and Vic too.
Did you all find Valhalla at Heaven's Gate?

So I will not stir up the past, nor
will I hurry, through each day, for
I will remember, and smile at those
memories that brought me joy, prose
and rhyme not of a child, but a Viking man.

©DWE032013