(Created in February of 2009 for my daughter, this story is a reflection of my life with her as well as a story told in runes. Funny how our lives are mirrored in such things. Enjoy. ~Spaerunn Helgardar)

Once there was a young girl by the name of Skjoldrunn, fair of hair and bright of eyes. Her life was charmed, it would seem, for she came from a family of wealth as they lived in the lands of Midgard. This wealth came from love, and this love came from her mother and father. Powerful was Siglund and Bjornson and their love for their daughter, so much so that Bjorn taught his daughter to battle and fight with blade and rune magic, to protect against the fierce Jotuns who threatened from the east in the Utgard lands. These Jotuns were terrible foes of the Gods themselves, chaotic creatures who wished to battle and destroy all the Gods had created. After a time Bjornson had to leave, to go on a great journey to find his own truth in the world. He had to fight the Jotuns to protect the daughter he loved so much. So with sad entreating Skjoldrunn begged Bjornson not to go. But this could not be, for he knew that to not fight was to deny them happiness together, and Bjornson’s love for his daughter was too great. So with love shared between them, Bjornson swore to return, and left.
Winter fell soon after his departure to the lands of the east. A harsh winter that covered the world in snow so thick that none could travel far. Skjoldrunn never gave up faith in her father or in his promise, for she lit the fire in the dark of the winter each day and night. Her heart stayed strong for Bjornson as she watched the snow swept horizon for his return. A long time passed, the world turning to ice as winter passed, but still she did not waver in her faith. The spring finally came, and with it, the melting of the snows and of the passes along the road. The new year had come and with it the fruits of the forest and land began to blossom again. But her father did not return. Siglund warned Skjoldrunn not to leave as she saw the fire burn bright in her daughters eyes. Skjoldrunn knew that something had happened to her father, and she knew she must go and find him to lend him aid. Siglund knew she could not stop her, so she kissed her on the brow and prepared Skjoldrunn for what might come, arming her well. Tossing her fate to the winds, Skjoldrunn set off down the path her father took. From the lands of her birth she traveled far to the east into the lands of the Jotuns. She met many a foe but was skilled in battle-craft and magic and fell them all, each a trial that sapped her strength. But still, she carried forward for her love guided her. She found her father in the hands of a terrible Jotun, a creature of smoke and mist, a druger who had longed for life and was draining the vital energy of her father. Without another thought, Skjoldrunn brandished blade and rune in mind and came to her fathers aid, spells of binding held the monster in place and surprised him, and before he could act, she drove the steel of the sword into the heart of the monster. As her foe died, she rescued her father and he held her close. That night, in the camp of their greatest enemy, they raised a cup in victory.
Skjoldrunn and Bjornson traded stories of their travels, each just as powerful and trying as the others. Trials had met them time and again but each had grown tall and strong from the tests that life had presented. After they rested they traveled, hand in hand, far back to the lands of Midgard in the west. As they traveled they came amongst the people and told them stories of the east, of great deeds done and great deeds won. They saw that because of their actions they had sewn seeds of peace and love to the people around them and protected the people from the attack of the giants to the east. As morning rose on their 13th month of travel, tears rose into Skjoldrunn’s eyes as she saw her home once again. And as she leaped into her mothers arms, Skjoldrunn knew that no matter where she or her father went, she would always come home. In this, her father knew she was old enough to go battle with him, and so in days to come Skjoldrunn would win her own fame and wealth at the side of her father. And till the end of her days, and that of her father and mother, Skjoldrunn knew she was loved above all else…and that, in the end, is all that matters.