“Fending off Dagr and a Secret”

Day rose from his bedside and pulled the animal skin blankets over Moon’s body as he took a cup from his cupboard and fetched water from the small well outside. He carefully tipped the vial and let two tears drop from the glass mouth and into the water, setting the water down to sit Moon up.

He tipped the cup to Moon’s mouth and helped him swallow, gently wiping away the streaks of water that escaped Moon’s mouth and dripped down his chin. As Moon swallowed the water, he slowly opened his eyes and smiled at Day.

“Hello,” Day whispered.

Moon opened his mouth and a breath escaped him. He frowned when he realized he still could not speak.

“Its alright. We’ll have our introductions when you’re strong enough. For now, you must rest.”

Day sat back on his heels as he watched Moon. Smiling, Moon returned his gaze but he found he could not keep his eyes open for long. Moon struggled to move his hand, motioning it toward the cup of water.

“Of course you must be weary,” Day said, brushing back Moon’s long hair from his brow. “You’ve been put through so much to return.”

Day rose and returned with another cup of water, this time bringing along a bucket filled, as well. Again, he helped Moon drink and lay him down again. Moon flinched and tried to open his eyes once more, growing angry when he found the task too hard for him. Day watched him carefully, noting Moon’s scowl with concern.

“What is it? Are you in pain?” Day asked, worried. He leaned closer to Moon and tried to see anything wrong, but found nothing. “Was something wrong with the water?”

Moon nodded suddenly, his eyes flashing open for a split second.

Day frowned, looking towards the bucket of cool water that he set by the door. “It was the same water you drank before – when you regained your strength just now.”

Moon nodded again, further confusing Day with his sudden change of mind. He frowned, thinking about Moon’s reaction. Suddenly, he smiled, realizing that Moon was frustrated by his slow recovery.

“Moon,” he whispered, returning to the bedside and kneeling next to the seemingly asleep form on his bed. “Moon, you heard what Odin ordered. I know you heard him. Only two drops a day. I don’t want to face the punishment for disobeying him, and I don’t want to risk you being harmed.”

Moon turned slightly in bed. He wanted to open his eyes and look at Day – actually stare at him for a few minutes, just to see his beauty up close. The fact that he couldn’t angered him and he would risk Odin’s wrath to only gaze at Day. He had waited for so long to be near him and had struggled to find a way to do so that the fact that he was unable to even see him anymore upset him greatly.

“Moon,” Day said again, laughing softly. “I didn’t know you were so impatient, or so reckless as to risk angering our lord.” He reached out to stroke Moon’s hair. “You are so beautiful, Moon. I suppose I would be as upset as you are if I couldn’t look upon you as I wanted.”

Moon nodded, turning his head towards Day. Day ran his hand over Moon’s cheek, kissing him quickly.

“Its late. We should sleep.”

Moon nodded and moved his arm over the empty space on the bed, silently coaxing Day from the makeshift bed he had made. Although he was eager to lie next to Moon, he worried about Moon’s strength or moving too close to him before he was ready.

With Moon’s encouragement, he crawled into his bed beside Moon and pulled the furs over both of them. Even though Day had been sure to give Moon his space as they fell asleep, when Sun’s rays began to creep into Day’s room, he was draped over Moon, his larger body wrapped tightly around Moon’s.

Day had risen long before Sun’s chariot began to cross the sky, when he could still hear Moon-Hound’s angry howling and the stolen light elf weeping in sadness and fear. While he let Moon sleep, he gathered a few stray blankets and rolled them tightly before tying them together in a bundle that he would be able to sling under on arm while carrying Moon up the mountain.

As Moon-Hound’s howls began to die away, Day woke Moon and eased him onto his back. He wrapped a scarf around Moon’s wrist and tied his arms in front of his neck, securing that Moon would not slip from his shoulders. Moon was now sitting up on the edge of the bed, his arms tied in front of Day’s chest as Day leaned back and scooped up each of Moon’s legs under each arm. Finally having a good grip on Moon’s body, Day carefully picked up the roll of blankets and left his home, making his way up the hill.

As he made his way up the hill, his mother, Night, was coming down. When she saw that her son was still holding the boy from the day before, she stomped over to him, demanding to know what was going on.

“Mother, please,” Day begged. “He’s weak, don’t disturb him.”

“What is this?” she cried, pointing to Moon as if he were a stray dog. “What have you done to be burden with that?”

“He is no burden, Mother! And having him by my side is no burden.”

Night, enraged at her son’s boldness, stepped forward and opened her mouth to let loose a string of hateful words, only to be stopped by Heimdall, who stepped between the mother and son.

“Night, return to your home and take up your complaint with Odin if you are upset with his decision. Now, your son has a job to do and a life to care for – if you would be so kind --.” He took a step back and motioned down the hill.

Huffing, Night turned from her son and stormed down the hillside. Although she was upset with what was happening, she had no intention of arguing with the mighty Odin – even if she was one of the oldest members of his court.

“Thank you, Heimdall,” Day mumbled.

“It is no problem, Day. Be sure to call if you need any help.” The great god turned and peered up at the rising sun. “I suggest you hurry and put him under some sort of cover – his sister will not be happy to see him set free.”

Day nodded and picked up his pace. He still had a long way to go up the mountain and Heimdall had already disappeared from sight. He was only halfway up the mountain when Sun’s lights began to cover him completely. Worried, he carefully set Moon down and unrolled one of the blankets he had packed. He wrapped one carefully around Moon and gathered him up into his arms, balancing the blanket bundle on Moon’s chest as he carried him.

Moon jerked in his arms and Day tightened his grip around the smaller boy’s frame.

“Shh,” he whispered. “Don’t struggle, Moon. I know it must be hot and uncomfortable, but its only a short walk until we reach some trees where I can lay you down. Please be patient.”

Moon wiggled in Day’s arms uncomfortably, unhappy with the sudden sensation he was feeling. He had never been hot before. It was always the same temperature on his chariot, the only trouble he faced being the fact that Moon-Hound was always hot on his trail. Thinking about it now, he realized that Moon-Hound wound never really attack. The wolf had only threatened to do so out of anger. It took him centuries to finally realize that he wasn’t really in danger of being eaten by the wolf, and that Moon-Hound was only making sure he kept going at the right pace.

The light elf’s crying had long since passed and Moon wondered when the boy would figure out that he wouldn’t be eaten.

The trek up the rest of the mountain was not very long, but took its toll on both Day and Moon. Moon, uncomfortable and worried about the liquid flowing out of his pores in the heat, constantly squirmed as much as he could in Day’s arms, causing the older boy to tighten his grip continuously and struggled not to loose his grip on Moon.

“Moon, stop it!” Day chided. “We’re almost to a clearing, I’ll put you down then. Just hold on for a bit longer.”

Moon, embarrassed to be scolded, stopped wiggling, forcing himself not to move.

Finally, Day reached the trees at the top of the mountain and set Moon down on the grass, pulling the blanket off him and smiling at Moon’s pouting face. Moon sucked in a breath of air as soon as the blanket uncovered his face and shook his head angrily.

He could hear Day laughing softly and fumbling with the blanket.

“All right, Moon. I’ll take you under the trees to cool you down. Can you open your eyes again?”

Moon struggled to open his eyes and was met with Day’s smiling face as well as a clear sky behind him. He smiled faintly, making Day laugh a bit more.

“You’re easy to please,” he remarked. He released Moon’s arms from the scarf and pulled one of Moon’s arms over his shoulder and lifted him up again. “The shade over there will feel nice after being wrapped in those blankets.

He hauled Moon more onto his back and half carried, half dragged Moon to the trees. As he reached the edge of the forest, he heard the voice he had been fearing the most.

“Moon!” screamed Sun. “Moon! Day, why do you have my brother!”

Day laid Moon down and turned to face Sun, sailing high above them in her golden chariot. “He’s come to live with me, Sun. He’ll be my partner from now on.”

Sun’s anger caused the hot rays of sun to increase and burn the mortals below her, who ached with the scorching sun.

“You’ll burn the crops,” Day warned.

“Your partner? Him?” she screeched. “A boy you’ve never spoken to before?”

“I have spoken to him now,” Day shot back, lowering to his knees as he laid Moon down beneath the trees.

“And what have you done to him? Why does he need you to carry him?”

“He’s not used to living on ground any longer. Odin is helping him get his strength, though.”

“He knows of this?” Sun cried.

“Yes, he sanctioned this.”

Sun, enraged by an overwhelming sense of betrayal began screeching madly, thrashing around so much that her chariot jerked back and forth in the sky. Worried, Day kneeled protectively by Moon. He hoped Heimdall appeared before long. Surely the god saw what was going on.

As expected, Heimdall quickly appeared and commanded Sun’s attention. While he was talking to her, Day lifted Moon up again and hurried deeper into the forest., finding a thick covering of trees to lay Moon to rest.

“Your sister’s screeching will wake Dagr, and no one wants to deal with such a pompous son,” muttered Day.

Moon trembled quietly, frightened of the wrath Day’s complaints might incur. Dagr, god of the daytime, was known for his beauty and of how he once rode the chariot across the sky, pulled by his horse Skinfaxi. Dagr had left his job of lighting the sky long ago when Sun and Moon were born, and the twins were more frightened of him than anyone else. He had been the one who stole them away and ordered them to the sky, commanding Moon-Hound to forever chase them.

“Shh,” Day comforted, stroking Moon’s hair. “I’ve known him since birth, he’s all talk. I know he put you and your sister up there, but he just likes to pick on those smaller than him. You have no reason to be frightened by him anymore.

“Now, let’s get his tonic into you. Perhaps you’ll be able to speak today!”

He lifted Moon’s body and rested him upright against a large tree trunk. “Stay here…I mean, umm. I’m going off to get water,” he sighed, standing up and fussing with the bundle of blankets he had brought along with them, pulling out a small wooden cup. “I suppose Heimdall will tell me when something dangerous is coming.”

He glanced longingly at Moon, not wanting to leave him but knowing he had too, before making his way to the small stream he often visited while watching the humans below. He filled his cup with the cool water and hurried back, breaking into a run when he saw a horse, Skinfaxi, grazing in the meadow.

“ Moon!” he cried, skidding to a halt when he found Dagr crouching in front of Moon.

“I thought this was him,” Dagr said, reaching out to turning Moon’s face for closer inspection. “I didn’t believe it when I heard it, you know. How would my little servant get out of the chariot I so lovingly picked out for him?

“You remember me, don’t you, pretty? You were so small the last I saw you, but I still remember you. Why are you shaking, little Moon, you don’t remember me?” Dagr laughed softly, patting Moon’s cheek with more force than necessary.

“He remembers you just fine, Dagr,” Day shouted, stomping over to them and trying to press himself between the two. “He’s scared of you because you forced him to be up there. You didn’t ‘lovingly’ pick out a chariot for your servant, you threw a captured slave into the first cart you saw!”

Dagr rose and stepped back, shaking his head. “My lovely servant is with this brute now? How could Odin condone such an outrage without so much as sending me word?”

“He probably did, you were just too busy looking at your own reflection.”

“Why, you --!” Dagr pulled out a short blade from his belt and Day braced himself. He had no weapon, but Dagr wasn’t known for his fighting skills. As long as he managed to block the initial blows, he would avoid any major wounds.

“Dagr,” Heimdall called, stopping the conceited god immediately. “I suggest you leave them be.”

“Heimdall,” Dagr mumbled, stepping back from Day and sheathing his blade. “I had no intention of… Father?”

Delling, the god of dawn, was laughing next to Heimdall. “Ah, son, you anger too easily. Odin’s decision I final, though, and you were not needed in his choice. Leave them be and return home, your brothers miss, I’m sure.”

“Father, I…”

“Don’t keep them waiting, Dagr,” his father interrupted. “And stop bothering my poor neighbor, he’s done nothing against you.”

Dagr, seeing that his father would give him no say, nodded and stormed off, mounting Skinfaxi and riding off, leaving his kindly father laughing after him.

“Don’t mind him, Day, he’s simply let his ego take control. His elder brothers pamper him too much, I’m afraid.”

“Of course,” Day exclaimed, finally relaxing. “Thank you very much.”

Delling flashed his small smile, turning to Heimdall. “Thank you Heimdall, my foolish son would’ve upset poor Moon while he was healing if you hadn’t contacted me.”

Heimdall nodded stoically, brushing off Delling’s gratitude.

“Take care of that boy, Day, or there’ll be no calming your mother,” Delling warned before leaving.

Day kneeled next to Moon, pressing his forehead against Moon’s. “You’re still shaking,” he whispered.

Moon whimpered in reply, rolling his head towards Day with a bit of difficulty.

“I’d suggest giving him Odin’s tonic,” Heimdall offered as he walked away.

Day laughed softly, picking up the forgotten cup of water. “He’s always like that, you know – always suggesting, never demanding. ‘I’d suggest you stop that,’ ‘I’d suggest you give that back.’” Moon let out a small sound. “I used to take things form him to see if he’d ever get upset, or show any emotion,” Day explained. “Not a good idea, but I was a child.”

He pulled out the small vial from his pocket and fixed Moon’s water, helping him drink the elixir. Moon sighed and opened his eyes, smiling at Day.

“You’re pretty,” he whispered hoarsely.

“As are you,” Day laughed.

Moon blushed. “Hello.”

“People usually say hello first.”

“Oh,” Moon said. “I’ve never spoken to anyone besides Moon-Hound.”

“Moon-Hound doesn’t count as conversation,” Day scoffed. “I’ve seen him nipping at your ankles before, bothering you all day and night.”

“Its always night for me,” Moon said. “I’ve only ever seem twilight before.”

Day quieted, unsure if what he said had upset Moon. He sat awkwardly next to Moon for a few minutes, looking away.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Moon whispered.

“Sure,” Day said, eager to start another conversation. He leaned forward slightly, his face close to Moon’s.

Moon leaned forward and pressed his lips against Day’s, falling back against the tree when he ran out of breath. “I’ve always thought about doing that with you,” he whispered.

I’m still looking for my book, but I decided to give in and use a website. I was right, though, because the list had way different spelling and meanings for the gods. I’ll be looking for my book, but will also be using the internet site.

As a thank you for being patient, I plan to guilt my friend into drawing fanart. Trust me, she’s a great artist and you’ll love whatever she comes up with.