With Odin’s Help

By LynnRPG225

The ancient legend of the creation of the world describes how Odin, the mightiest grandson of Buri, used Ymir’s remains to create the earths. In his work, he set a young boy, Moon, and his sister, Sun, into the sky in great chariots. For the rest of eternity they were to be chased by a ferocious wolf, Moon-Hound, who would make them circle the globe each day. With them worked a beautiful woman, Night, and her son, Day. Night and Day were spared the torturous life of Moon and Sun, though.

Each day as Moon ran from Moon-Hound and urged his sister ahead of him, he would look down to the world below and admire the beautiful Day. Because of his sister’s disappearance, Moon was only allowed a quick glance at Day each time he lighted the night sky. As he watched the beautiful man with hair like the raising sun leave, he would weep.

His weeping garnered the attention of Night and the kind woman asked him of his troubles. Too embarrassed to admit to her that he loved her son, Moon never answered, only continued to weep as Moon-Hound growled dangerously behind him.

Eventually, Night would tire of her efforts to comfort Moon and turn her attention towards the many worlds she watched over, leaving Moon and Moon-Hound to speak.

“You love her son, do you not?” Moon-Hound growled one night. “Beg her for him, you cowardly child. I’m sure I’ll enjoy watching her laugh at your foolish infatuation”

“Be silent, you beast! Don’t act as if you are better than me! Without me here for you to chase, the gods would have no reason for you. Thor would crush your skull and have you at the banquet if it weren’t for me!”

“Ha!” Laughed the beast in reply. “Anyone could replace you.”

“Is that so, beast? Show me then,” Moon challenged in reply.

Moon-Hound, who refused to be proven wrong, scoffed. He would accept the silver-haired boy’s challenge only to show how great he was. What he did not know was that Moon knew he could not refuse any bet in fear it would label him a coward. Finally, he would be able to use this to his advantage.

“How shall I show you?”

“Pick out any being from Alfheim to replace me.”

“Alfheim? Why should I have you replaced by a light elf?”

“Light elves are the only creatures that Odin cares for outside of Asgard – if you chose any creature other than a light elf, it would cost both of our lives.”

Moon-Hound saw the boy’s truth in his words. He looked to the worlds below and trampled into the land of Alfheim, capturing a young boy with white-blond hair and large, frightened, green eyes. He threw the boy to the heavens and placed him in Moon’s chariot, knocking Moon from his place and letting him fall to the land below – Asgard.

As Moon fell, he looked up at the laughing wolf and frightened boy. He laughed loudly, upsetting Moon-Hound.

“You oaf of a wolf! You’ve released me!”

Hearing those words, Moon-Hound let out a terrible howl, furious that he had been tricked.

“What is Moon-Hound up to, howling like that all night?” Day grumbled as he climbed to the top of the mountain. His mother was waiting for him and she nodded to him before leaving.

Day looked up at blazing sunset, watching as Sun appeared behind her brother and Moon-Hound as Moon flew away to give night to another land. He waited for Moon and Moon-Hound to appear and was confused when he saw neither of him.

“Cursed wolf,” he growled. He enjoyed his daily glimpses of the beautiful boy in the chariot above him.

Angry, he sat in the cool grass and laid back, crossing his arms behind his blazing red and gold hair. He watched as Sun slowly ran across the sky and thought of calling to her. He knew that Sun was in love with him and would answer any of his questions – he wanted to know where Moon had disappeared to.

After a few hours of watching the worlds down below, Day drifted to sleep. With no surprise, he awoke again only an hour before his mother would return. He rose from his bed of grass and began to walk the edge of the mountain in hope of finding something interesting. As he walked the mountain’s edge, the great god Heimdall called to him.

“There is something you should see three miles to the west of you, young son,” the god’s voice boomed.

“What is so interesting that I should go so out of my way?” Day argued.

“Do not question me. I guard the lands and only bring news of interest. Go and find what you have been looking for.”

Knowing it was not wise to further question Thor’s brother, Day headed west. He expected something that only held Heimdall’s interest but was amazed when he found a body sprawled in the grass.

Laying in the grass was Moon, his long, silver hair tangled about his body as he slept. The fall from his chariot had knocked him unconscious for all of Night and he could no longer find the strength to move. What seemed like hours ago to him, he had woken but had not found the strength to open his eyes. He wasn’t used to Asgard’s conditions now – it had been too long wince he had left he earths.

Day kneeled besides him, brushing the hair from his face in amazement. All the years he had watched Moon soar above him in the sky, he had never gotten a good look at him. That fact, however, didn’t stop him to believe that the boy laying in front of him is Moon himself.

“Heimdall,” he whispered. “Is this him? The one I admired so?”

“It is,” Heimdall replied, his senses being so mighty he could hear Day’s almost frightened whisper. “Have you know learned not to question me?”

“Yes. Oh Heimdall! Yes, I shall not question you again, for you have given me my dream. Why does he not wake? Has he fallen from the skies only to die?”

“He is awake. He has no strength. Bring him to Odin – My father will grant him the strength he needs.”

Day nodded but was surprised when Moon suddenly jerked in his arms.

“He is ill!” he cried.

“He is frightened. I will tell my father, little Moon. Fear not, for he will admired your wit against Moon-Hound.”

Day placed a hand to Moon’s forehead to help calm his love.

“For years,” he whispered into Moon’s ear, “I have watched you leave my sight. Now, I shall have you for myself.”

Overcome with joy, Moon knew that if he had had strength, he still would not have said anything. He was in a state of bliss and his happiness was blinding him.

Day lifted Moon into his arms, calling out to Heimdall. “Heimdall, you have my loyalty if you can convince your father of his worthiness.”

Heimdall was gone already. He had left to tell his father the tale of Moon-Hound’s failure.