A millennia ago, beings came to the Earth. They brought magic and power with them, and in our infancy, we worshiped them as Gods. In return they treated us with kindness. Soon the seeds of jealousy began to grow. There were those among the humans that hungered for the power of these Gods, who sought to steal it from them. Danu, the great Goddess, had fallen in love with a human and taught him many of their secrets, moulding him into the first Druid. Together, they had a child; the first halfling. Beathag was like all of the Halflings save one, Morrigan’s daughter Ylva. Beathag was everything that is light and good; blindingly beautiful and possessed an innocence that left her unprotected against the evil that grew in the hearts of man. And so it came to be that she was lured by one that sought to enslave her for, not only her power, but her body. Dampening her magic with blackthorn spines and shackling her with chains, the man perpetually abused her body and her magic. After Beathag’s capture and enslavement, she was eventually rescued by Morrigan. Danu gave the task of searching out honourable warriors who would fight for those who could not, to Morrigan because of her ability to call them to her side.
The father of Morrigan’s child was a fierce Viking that had come to raid along the coast. He chose to stay after Morrigan appeared to him, in her most fearsome form. He told her that he would only allow her to send him to Valhalla as he lay dying from wounds. She saw in him the partner she had longed for, so she healed him, taking him as a lover. Soon she bore a daughter, Ylva. Ylva lived with her father in a small village along the coast, where many Vikings had settled and married women from the Highlands.
* * *
It was in this village that Morrigan decides to travel to first, in search of her chosen warriors. Einar would be too old to fight for her now, but he would know at least one that she could call to her aid. She leisurely begins to shift over to Earth, savouring the last moments on the Vanishing Isle.
She could've slipped straight into the village, she does not. She chooses instead, to materialize on the mountain, which overlooks the village. The wind blows through her raven hair and midnight dress. The salt from the sea mixed with scent of the Sweet Gale of the Highlands, fills her nose. She can sense the magic of her daughter below in the wards that protect the village from storms. As soon as Ylva had enough control over her power, she was able to aid the men as they hunt or sail to other villages for trade. Morrigan gazes down, lost in thought. It does not take long for her daughter to become aware of her presence, coming to the edge of the village, she begins to climb to where I stand.
Ylva draws near. Morrigan is filled with love for the woman her daughter grew into, her fierce little wolf. Ylva is beautiful, like all Tuatha, but to Morrigan, she was the most beautiful. Ylva was unlike the other Tuatha; for she had a great fierceness that she got from both her mother and her father. She was gentle but could fight as well as any warrior, both her parents had made sure of that. As she reaches Morrigan, she runs into her arms, hugging her like she did when she was a child. They both drift back through the years remembering tender cuddles and whispered secrets. Eventually, Ylva loosens her hold on her mother but does not pull away. She lays her head on Morrigan's shoulder instead and they begin the walk down the path to the house they share with Einar.
“He will be so pleased to see you,” Ylva says with a smile.
“I will be happy to see him too. He is well?” her words are hesitant.
“Yes, even though he is angry with you for not sending him to Valhalla while he was strong and could still fight;” Ylva reminds her gently.
"I am glad I chose what I did. I could not let him go, and now I have a great need from him."
When they reach the edge of the village, warriors begin to come out to The Morrigan to gain her blessing. They fall to their knees, once again, to swear their fealty to answer her call to battle.
“My warriors, today I am here to visit my daughter and my love. Soon, I will have a task for a chosen few, if your blood is the perfect mix of Berserker and Highlander. For now, I need time to catch up with my Einar.”
The warriors bow their heads in respect and begin move away. As the Goddess makes her way to Einar, he is standings in the doorway, watching her approach. His hair is grey, and wrinkles line his face, but the old warrior was still a force to be reckoned with. For even though he aged, both Morrigan and Ylva made certain that he stays healthy and vigorous.
“I heard you were angry with me,” she states, as she comes up to greet him.
“I am. Ye should hae let me die with honor on the battlefield long ago, sending me to Valhalla,” he growls laughter in his eyes.
“I could not do that, for I love you too much. You should be glad of it, for I now come to you on a mission from Danu. Or...should I search out a younger warrior?” her voice is teasing and a smiles curves her lips.
She walks into his open arms, melting against him as she had since the first day she saw him in battle. His beard caresses along her cheek and his breath whispers upon her ear, "Come, I will show ye things a young warrior never even imagined!"
She sighs and her body responds to him, he notices and chuckles deep in his throat. Biting tenderly on his chest, she smiles and whispers back, “It is in my arms that you find your beloved Valhalla.”
Einar throws his head back, laughing loudly. Ylva does not have to guess as to their whispers. With his arm around her shoulders, Einar ushers Morrigan into the house. Ylva wanders off, giving them much needed time alone. Her mother tries to visit often, but her duties keep her busy. Ylva discerns her father grows restless, having no battle to fight. Time in her mother's arms could soothe him as nothing else could.
It was almost dark when she makes her way to the house. Inside, she finds her parents sitting before the fire, discussing whatever had brought her mother to them today. They both turn and smile at her, waving her over.
“Sit, daughter. I’ve things I must ask of you and to discuss. Something horrible has happened to Beathag. I’ve told Danu that I have a way to prevent it from ever happening again.” Morrigan began.
Morrigan tells them of Becan the human who captured Beathag. Tells them of his treachery, his violation of Beathag and his words stating that there were others that know of the poison. The poison that can be used against them all.
Ylva weeps for her gentle Aunt, a disproportionate anger builds in her chest. Morrigan looked closely at her daughter, as the swell of Ylva’s magic pressed against them. Her eyes begin to glow berserker blue, Einar looks at her closely.
Einar takes his daughter’s hand and draws her eyes to his stating, “Ye must calm yourself, daughter; Your magic is pressing into me.”
He is forced to look away from her eyes as the brightness flares, but as she begins to breathe deeply the terrible pressure lessens.
Morrigan moves to stand in front of them. “I’ve told Danu that I would find fierce warriors to protect our children. Humans that would not betray us and who cannot be harmed by the Blackthorn poison. That is why I am here. I know of no better man to help me with this search than my own devoted warrior,” she says smiling at them both.
"I know many tough fighters, but if these cowards band together, one might not be enough. Even if they dae hae the strong Viking-Berserker blood, none of the warriors, whose blood is mixed with our Highland blood hae turned berserker. There are a few, with eyes almost as bright as our girl's, though." He smiles at his daughter, pride resonates in his voice and shows in his eyes.
"Ye, Ylva, are a Viking in every sense of the word, a true Shieldmaiden! Because of your gentle nature always being in control, I’ve never pushed ye to train. Now, with this new threat, when we find these special warriors and I start training with them, ye will also train at my hand."
“I agree. You have more power than you know, my daughter,” Morrigan smiles, looking into the eyes of her berserker, her warrior, her heart.
Einar stands and declares, "Ach, I hae a warrior in mind. He is strong, and berserker blood flows through him. I will send for him at once. We will tell him of our need, and if he agrees, we can start to train him in the magic, as we look for others."
* * *
They summon Asger to the village to meet with them. The Morrigan is very pleased when he stands before her. He is a mountain of a man with long, deep auburn hair and the dominant blue eyes of a berserker. He looks to be a direct descendant of Odin himself if not for the golden hue of his skin that came from his mother. When he speaks, a thick Highland brogue comes from his mouth. He is beautiful and brawn and, as Einar clears his throat, Morrigan realizes she has been staring at him. She moves to Einar's side, as he stands a little taller, pulling her close, eyes narrow on the man before them.
“You chose him,” the Morrigan teases gently.
“Dinnae remind me,” Einar reluctantly states.
Asger chuckles, for he often has that effect on women and their men. "Doona worry Einar. I hae naw desire to steal your Goddess from ye. I only came because ye called me to your side."
“I’m sorry Asger. While you may be a handsome man, you could never be my Einar,” the Morrigan replied, for she believes that in her heart. Just like that, the older warrior seems to grow years younger, smiling at Asger with a smug look on his face. The look says that he is aware his Goddess thinks of him as a god.
"Enough! We’ve important issues to discuss, and our vanity is not one of them,” Einar is smiling even though his tone is gruff her statement pleasing him.
“Please, Asger, come in and sit. This is not something we wish the whole village to know," she states taking control of the discussion.
Intrigued, Asger follows them into the house and sits down before the fire. Never before had Einar called him to his home. For certain, he had never spoken to The Morrigan, although he had heard her call ring through the land two days before. It had caused his fighting spirit to rise, as he felt his berserker blood surge.
They tell him of the danger to the Tuatha, which includes their daughter, although Ylva is in less danger because she is different. Most Tuatha are gentle and trusting in nature. He listens carefully, knowing that he has been called for a reason and is curious about what they want of him.
“When I told him that I had promised Danu to find individuals to protect our children. Einar thought of you first, he says you have robust Viking and Highlander blood." Asger is proud that Einar, such a legendary warrior, thought this of him.
"I can sense the berserker in you, but I can also tell you have learned to control it. I am looking for guardians. We have decided that the warriors we choose will need the ability to sense the danger, detect the poison and fight off many attackers. I have pondered, while we waited for you to arrive, on how to best give you these abilities. I think I’ve come up with a solution." Morrigan explains, taking a deep breath.
“I didnae know this, my love. What hae ye decided?” Einar inquires.
"Yes, Goddess. What would ye hae of me? I must know since, in my heart, I’ve already agreed to fight for ye and yours,” Asger’s voice is eager.
"Good. I’ve decided to give you the ability to change. There is a creature from a faraway land, one who has never been seen by humans. They are fierce and loyal; we called them dragons.
You will be as you look now, until there is a need for the dragon to come forward. He will protect, not only the Tuatha, but you as well. Once I have cast it the magic cannot be undone. The change will be painful at first, but soon, you will be able to call him whenever there is a threat you alone cannot handle. He will always be there in your mind, guiding you, a part of you. Allow me to show you both."
Morrigan reaches out and places her hands on Einar and Asger, sending them an image of a great dragon soaring through the sky, his scales glistening in the light. The picture fades, she looks to Asger, and she witnesses the excitement spread across his face.
“Dragon,” Asger whispers in awe. “I would be able to fly and breathe fire! I would be as big as a mountain!”
"Well...a small mountain, more like a large hill," Einar laughs, but Morrigan can hear the envy in his voice.
Ylva comes into the room and Asger’s body comes to life, she is magnificent. When he looks at her face, he finds her smiling at him. She is the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Morrigan looks at them and then turns, sharing a knowing look with Einar. Her daughter has finally found a man that stirs her magic. "Ylva, Asger has agreed to become our first guardian. I must go to Danu and discuss a few pieces of the plan that I have come up with.”
“Asger, you must stay here. You will train with Einar and learn to harness the magic from Ylva. I will be back in two months, on the summer solstice, to perform the transformation. You must be able to control the power by then; your berserker blood will be stronger when mixed with the magic of the dragon," Morrigan commands.
“My Goddess, I will not let ye down. I will be ready,” Asger acknowledges.
“Daughter, will you walk me to the overlook?” Morrigan asks her
“Of course, mother.” Morrigan and Einar share another amused look, as Ylva has a hard time tearing her eyes from Asger while he stands before her.
As they walk up the path, Morrigan smiles at Ylva and says, “He is very handsome I think.”
“Yes, but please stay out of it mother,” she groans reluctantly.
Morrigan casts a worried glance her way and replies, “I just want to warn you that I felt your magic quicken for him. It was like that for your father and me. It will be hard to resist him."
Morrigan hugs her daughter tight, “Train him well, for he will be tasked to guard you, Beathag and other Halflings” Morrigan becomes mist and shifts away.
* * *
Danu looks down at her sleeping daughter. Beathag is recovering physically, but emotionally, she is still broken and may be that way for a very long time. She senses Morrigan before she turns to look at her a small smile on her face. Fierce and darkly beautiful Morrigan is so unlike the rest of them here on the Vanishing Isle. She favors her father more than any other. She crosses to her and leads her down the hall.
“So, how is your search for the warriors?” Danu inquires quietly.
"I have found the first. He is perfect. He is strong, smart and loyal. To aide him, I am going to gift him with the ability to shift into a fierce dragon. He is training with Einar and Ylva until the solstice, then I will perform the ritual," Morrigan answers.
Danu draws her hand across a mirror, and the village appears in the glass. Asger can be seen training with an axe, strength showing in every move he makes. Danu keeps her eyes on him, holding her breath. Morrigan was a little bit pleased to note that the brawny man has an effect on the Queen as well.
“I also want to give our children a way to reach us, in the Isle, without our needing to hear their call. I will go with you on the solstice and make a series of portals. Creating a way for any Tuatha, and their guardians, to come to the Vanishing Isle anytime they have want or need,” Danu declares.
* * *
My training starts the next day. Mornings are spent with Einar honing my fighting skills with him and the other warriors of the village. In the afternoon I climb the path to the top of the mountain and find Ylva waiting for me. She takes my breath every time I top the hill. We sit, knees touching and she teaches me to still my mind. Closing my eyes to focus and searching deep within my mind I try to learn what I need to but often I find my mind straying to her. Her scent torments me. We are so close at times her hair caresses across my skin as the wind blows it. We spend hours talking, I learn about her heart and soul. The sound of her laugh is like music. I fall in love with her here on this mountain. I also, realize I am not her match. Yet.
* * *
I stand on the mountain day after day watching as Asger trains below. He fights the men of the village and my father. I fight my feelings. We have spent every afternoon and many evenings together these last few months. I have fallen completely for this amazing man. His strength is not only in his fighting skills it is in his heart and mind. He is smart and kind. Most days I would sit staring at his face. Memorizing every detail while he held his eyes closed. Focused as completely on him as he is on learning control of the power he will soon possess. My body recognizes the warmth of his as it seeps into me from where our knees touch. I have grown to hate the lengthening days.