The Dragon of Kveldmir

8/3/2019 The Dragon of Kveldmir

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The Dragon of Kveldmir

Far in the North, in the days of old, when heroes were more plentiful and honest men more

numerous, there lived a king with one daughter who was more precious to him than his entire

kingdom. His wife had died in childbirth, and he had refused to take another lady for his wife.

While his grief was still fresh his councilors had not pressed the matter, and when the months had

turned to years and many called for another marriage and a male heir to the throne, they dithered

saying There is time yet but when the king threatened single combat with any man who

mentioned his remarriage, they clamped their lips shut, and whispered nervously behind closed

doors.

In the meanwhile the king brought up his daughter Katharine and taught her what he knew

of ruling, and his sister taught her all things necessary to be a lady, so that as she grew in beauty she

grew in wisdom also.

The captain of the kings guard was the mightiest of the kings servants, and it was for fear

of him that the councilors held their peace. He had a son named Throlf, and he grew quickly and

was as strong and swift as any man in the city. Now it happened one day while Throlf was hunting,

he met Katharine upon one of her daily rides. The rode together for some time, and before the day

was over, they loved each other. For several weeks they contrived to meet together until at last

Throlf spoke to his father and told him of his love for the princess.

You aim high. His father warned him.

Yet oft the archer who aims high makes the longer shot, while he who aims low er falls

short of the mark. Throlf replied quickly.

If indeed your heart is set in this matter, his father said, then speak to the king and with

well crafted words, your speech may find its mark.

The next day Throlf came before the king and asked him for his daughters hand in


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marriage.

What have you to offer her? the king scoffed.

My love, my honor, and my purity. Throlf answered. No man can offer more.

You speak wrongly. The king said coldly, It is not enough to speak of honor, purity,

and strength, but it is by deeds that these things are made known. What deeds have you done?

What mighty works have you accomplished?

I confess I have none. Throlf replied, Give unto me atasks and I will accomplish it.

Do not waste my time. The king said. There are others of higher rank and greater

import who would gladly have the hand of my daughter. So Throlf left the house of the king and

told Katherine of her fathers words.

So the king sent for the nobles and princes of the surrounding lands and held a great festival.

There was feasting, wrestling, jousts, songs, and danced and many wonderful things, but Katherine

would not choose one from among them, forall her fathers urging. At length she told him that she

loved Rolf and would have no other.

Now the king was vexed and angered that one such as Throlf should have stolen the heart

of his daughter. So he called Throlf before him and said Bring me the head of the Dragon of

Kveldmir, and you shall have my daughter for a wife. But, if you do not return within a year and a

day, when the moon is full and at its greatest, then you shall not have my daughter.

I accept your task. Throlfsaid quietly, and with a humble bow, he returned to his father.

Yet even as he left the palace, his heart trembled within him, for the dragon was known far

and wide. For many years he had made his dwelling in Kveldmir, and had terrorized all who lived

about the land, returning each night to guard his couch of gold. Many heroes had gone against the

dragon, and all had died in his fire, and the dragon grew stronger with each passing year.

Now when he told his father of the king's words, his father thought for a moment ere he


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spoke. Do you think Catherine worth the dragon? he asked his son.

I do. Throlf answered, but my love does me little good if I end as a roast for the

dragon.

That is true, but it does you less good if you end your days in love against your king's will.

Go with my blessing. And hear my advice: Great strength is a mighty asset, but a cunning mind is

mightier. Second, be generous, for often only the generous receive generosity. Third, never forget

those who do you good, and reward them as you may.

These things I shall do my father. said Throlf, and the two embraced.

So Throlf set out, and for many days he traveled west, toward the land of Kveldmir, where

the dragon had his dwelling. Finally the day came when his food began to run short, and though he

watched carefully, no sign of game or fowl did he see.

At midday he sat down to eat the last of his bread, but ere he took a bite, a traveler

appeared from the trees.

Could you spare a little food for a weary traveler? the man asked.

Throlf was tempted to deny the old man, but his father's parting advice rang in his ears. I

have little, but half is yours. He said, and gave the man half of the little bread the had with him.

The bread is good. said the traveler. Where be you bound?

So Throlf told him how he was off to slay the dragon of Kveldmir that he might win the

hand of the princess.

I am impressed. said the traveler, The dragon has long plagued those lands, and few

have dared go against him. What weapons have you, and what is your strategy for destroying the

wyrm?

So Throlf showed him the sword his father had given him, and confessed he had no plan as


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of yet how to slay the dragon.

It is indeed early to decide upon a method of slaying the wyrm, for you have not seen the

ground. The traveler reflected. But this sword, while good for cleaving men will be little use

against the dragon. Come with me, and you may count it time well spent.

So Throlf followed the stranger for a day and a night, and as the morning star rose, the

stranger halted at the side of a great mountain. Setting his hand against the rock, he spoke certain

words, and the stone rippled apart, forming an archway into the mountain.

Then Throlf was afraid, for he deemed himself to be in the company of one of the fey folk,

and the color left his face.

Do not be troubled, the stranger said. Do as I say, and no harm will come to you.

He led Throlf deep into the mountain, deep, deeper even than the mines of the Kings of

Kveldmir ere the dragon came to their land.

Into a great forge he led him, and said For the slaying of a dragon thou must have armor

and a shield to protect thy body. A bow that the dragon may not escape you on its wings, and a

spear and sword for when the time comes to stand your ground. Look to the fire! Let it not burn

down, and I shall forge thee such armor as a mortal has not worn in a hundred years.

So Throlf worked the bellows, and the stranger took iron and beat it into steel, and then

into a sword. For seven days they labored, with neither rest nor food, Throlf working the bellows

and the stranger shaping the hard iron.

A shield of wood will shrivel like flax before the Dragon's fire. he said, and he forged

him a shield of iron to protect his body from the scorching heat of the Dragon's flaming breath.

At the end of seven days he bade Throlf rest, and gave him food and wine. Then he

showed him to a bed and Throlf slept for seven days and seven nights.

When he awoke, the stranger presented him with armor, a sword, spear and a great bow.


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I thank you for your gifts. said Throlf. I know not what I have done to deserve

weapons of such magnificence.

You gave me half of the little you had. Said the stranger, I have given you of my

abundance. And, He gavea sly smile. I have little love for the dragon.

So Throlf bade the stranger farewell and set off again, traveling swiftly, for three months

already had passed, and he had far to go ere he reached Kveldmir.

For three months he traveled hard, during which time he survived many dangers, for the

lands between his home and Kveldmir were still wild and untamed, and many creatures dwelt

openly there who have now fled to hiding. Also, the coming of the dragon did nothing to aid the

attempts of men to tame the land, and much that had been made was lost. But the weapons of the

stranger proved their worth many times over. To the sword especially was Throlf attached, and he

gave to it the name Farndrang. Finally came the day when he arrived in Kveldmir.

Few lived there, save a few hardy woodsmen who were wise enough to evade the dragon,

and lived in caves beneath the ground. They welcomed Throlf and gave him lodging in their

dwellings.

When they heard why he had come, many secretive looks passed between them, but to his

face they said nothing. As they ate, Throlf asked them many questions concerning the dragon, and

they told him much. They said he was swift upon the wing, and his tale had crushed many heroes.

He comes forth from 'is den in the mountain each mornin' to find himself a meal. said

one man. If you were to meet then then he might be more rash and less cunning.

Aye. said another, He might cook ye to thy death with his fire breath ere ye might even show

him they sword.

They spoke far into the night, but Throlf arose early in the morning and armed himself.

But he threw a cloak over his armor, for he did not wish to challenge the dragon yet. He mounted


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his horse and rode toward the mountain and waited until the first light of dawn. As the sun rose,

the dragon emerged from the mountain. So great was the terror of the dragon that Throlf felt the

blood leave his face.

The dragon was indeed mighty, and Throlf thought that his mighty bulk was not properly

recorded in the stories told by the bards. His claws gleamed like sabers, and his scales shone like

golden armor.

Laboriously he crawled to the ledge that protruded from the mountain. He raised his head

and roared, sending blistering flames crackling into the sky. His voice was like thunder, and the sun

shone on his scales so that they glimmered like gledes. Throlf noted that the scales lay in the same

direction upon the dragon's body, so that a blade might bite if driven from the dragon's rear. He

watched as the dragon rose into the air upon its great wings.

As it soared away, Throlf rode to the Mountains, and dismounting his horse and hiding it

behind some rocks, he entered the dragon's lair. The tunnel was massive, but small to a dragon's

bulk. He was minded that a dragon should not move easily in such a confined space. Deeper into

the lair he crept, and behold! It was filled with gold and jewels of great magnificence, so that the

hole chamber gleamed and sparkled.

But the Dragon stench was thick in the air, and he was minded to take the treasure for

himself, and ride back, claiming to the King that he had slain the dragon.

Yet even as the thought came to him he rejected it, his father's training had not forsaken

him, nor was a coward who so easily to forsake his given word. Even as he perceived the gold and

the cunning thought of its making, he was minded of the Dragon who yet remained to fight. He

made his way to the entrance and set his spear in readiness, and made ready his bow. When all was

ready he drew his sword, and saw upon it runes upon the hilt and blade. Upon the hilt was written

many elvish runes, but on the blade the words were written in the tongue of men:


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Thief of cunning makers I be thy bane,

Thief of thieves, I treat thee the same,

Taking goods to which thou hast no claim .

Throlf bethought himself of the jewels and great gold that laid within the dragon mound,

yet even as he pondered, the rumor of the Dragon's return could be heard upon the wind.

Who dares to enter my lair? He thundered as he alighted upon the ledge.

A wanderer in exile. Throlf said, for he knew enough to not tell the dragon his true

name.

Are you a blind wandere? The dragon asked scornfully, or without any sense of smell?

Or do you think to do battle with me? You are alone, and, if my nose is correct, young. Whatever

you say you are, I name you 'fool'.

You may judge differently ere this battle be decided. replied Throlf. Come now let us put our

boasts to the test.

I have eaten, said the dragon, approaching the entrance and am ill minded to slay thee

now.

It is no matter. said Throlf For you shall not slay me, but I shall slay you. But come

down and do battle.

The dragon drew back his head and filled the passage with fire. But Throlf was hid behind

his great shield which the stranger had forged for him, and though he was put in great discomfort

by the heat, he was not burned. When the dragon saw that Throlf was unharmed by the flame, he

drew back a little and said Come out and let us do battle on the ledge.

I will not fight youthere. said Throlf For here I have the treasure, and I keep you out.

If you wish to gain you treasure, you must take it from me.

At that the Dragon fell into a rage and leapt into the tunnel, and Throlf drove toward him.


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The dragon was old and strong, but the tunnel prevented him from using the greater part of his

strength, and Throlf was lithe and quick.

Ere long the tunnel was slippery with the dragon's black blood, and Throlf was much

battered and bruised. Three times they drew apart, and three times they drew together again, each

time they dealt each other mighty wounds. As they drew apart the fourth time, the dragon crawled

from the tunnel and leapt into the air. Throlf took his bow and snatching up an arrow hurried to

the edge of the tunnel and, aiming for the dragon's wing, loosed the arrow.

The dragon's scream was the most horrible sound that land had heard for many years.

Rocks broke, trees fell, and the earth shook as he smote the earth. Throlf caught up his spear and

sword and hurried down the mountain to where the dragon lay. Holding his spear before him he

advanced toward the dragon's head. The dragon opened his mouth, but ere he could send forth his

fire, Throlf thrust the spear deep into its throat.

The Dragon choked and fell to the ground. Taking his sword, Throlf stood behind the

dragon's head, and with a single mighty blow, hewed between the scales, and the dragon's head fell

from its neck.

Wearily Throlf found his horse and bandaged his wounds as best he could. When he had

rested, he returned upon his horse to where the dragon had fallen, and tied it onto his horse. He

turned to mount and saw, coming toward him over the plain, a company of dwarrow*. As they

drew near he perceived that all were well armed and garbed in battle gear.

He rode out to meet them, his weapons ready but not drawn. As they met, he raised his

right hand in greeting.

Hail dwarrow. said he. How goes the day with you.

We come to claim our own. said the lead dwarf. It was our horde the dragon stole, and

*The plural of dwarf


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we will defend our claim with our weapons.

Against a single man? asked Throlf Wounded and wearied by long battle with the

dragon who held your horde? Take they gold, I have no need for it.

My brother does thee discredit. said a younger dwarf stepping forward. Many have

passed, claiming that they should slay the dragon and take the gold for their own. Our thanks to

thy valor in slaying this beast. Come to our halls, and we shall give you food and drink, and a place

to rest.

So Eric followed them into the woods, to the foot of a low hill where the dwarrow set a

key into a small chink in the rock. With a quick turn of the key, a door opened in the hill side, and

the dwarrow led him in.

Here we dwelt ere the dragon came. said one dwarf, and tunnels ran into the

mountain, lined with jewels and silver and rich veins of gold. Those passages we have blocked, but

they shall be reopened.

So Throlf was washed, fed, and given a bed upon which to sleep. Many were the bruises

and wounds the dragon had given him, but none were deep, the armor of the stranger had served

him well indeed, and also the dwarrow were excellent healers, having a great knowledge of herbs

and plants, so that he slept well in great comfort despite his wounds.

So the night passed, and the word traveled fast and far through the wood that the dragon

was slain, and many ears were opened in surprise.

On the morning Throlf arose, eager to be off and away, for half his allotted time was

elapsed, and winter was nearing it's height, so that he feared that the journey back should take

longer than the journey coming.

But the dwarrow would not let him leave for some time, giving him a great meal, and

filled his saddle with provisions. Finally they led before him a sturdy pack pony, the dragon's head


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upon its back, and a small chest tied to the saddle.

Within the chest said one dwarf. you shall find a small gift. We thank you for the

slaying of the dragon, who slew many of our kin. Looking within the chest, Throlf saw it was

filled with gold, silver, and jewels finely crafted by dwarven hands.

Then Throlf thanked them gratefully, for now he would make better speed despite the

dragon's head, and set out. He did not stop to make camp often, but hurried onward, stopping only

a few times to hunt for food. For no men dwelt between Kveldmir and his home.

He traveled back the way he had come, and though many things feared now the dragon

slayer, some still troubled him, and he showed further his mettle.

As the tenth month drew to a close, and the cold of winter began to slacken, he returned

to the stone mountain where the stranger had his dwelling. Thrice he knocked upon the stone, and

at the third knock it formed itself into an arch, and the stranger appeared.

Throlf. He smiled when he saw him I hear that thy quest was successful, you have my

congratulations. I trust the weapons of my cunning craft did not serve you ill?

No weapons ever served a man better. said Throlf, and no treasure from the dragon

horde I took, but was given gifts in thanks by the owners. So now I bear thee tokens in return for

the armor, and to show my gratitude for thy generosity. and he gave to the stranger a circlet of

silver, inlaid with sapphires.

The stranger cried out in wonder when he saw it, and taking it, bowed to Throlf. Let

none say the sons of men are not at all generous. he said first thou dist share little from thy lack,

and now greatly from thy abundance. May thy days be long, and thy children many. And with

that he was gone.

So Throlf traveled on, and arrived at the castle of the king as evening was drawing near on

the eve of the last day.


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The porter showed him to the stables, and led him before the king who sat at his meal. But

none knew him, for his face was much changed by the terrors and battles he had conquered, and

also he wore his armor.

Comest thou in peace? asked the king.

In peace I come. said Throlf. From a long journey I have come, and the weariness of

travel is upon me. Have you any room for a strangerto rest himself?

I have. said the king. but I pray thee, sit and refresh thyself with us, for it is long since

we have heard news from the north.

Hearest thou any news from Kveldmir?asked a lady, and Throlf beheld Cathrine enter

the hall, clad all in white, and his heart was stricken, for she was the most beautiful lady his heart

did ever behold. He rose to his feet until she sat down, and then seated himself as the king had

asked.

I did past through Kveldmir. said Throlf. though there be but few who dwell there, on

account of the great dragon that dwells there.

Then the dragon still lived when you passed there? she pressed.

It did when I entered that land. said Throlf, and he marked how sorrowful she was at the

mention of the dragon living still.

Pray thee sir, remove thy helmet said the king.

But Throlf said Forgive me king, but an oath I swore, never to remove this helm until my

lady I did claim, for I have endured great hardship for her sake, and would not be found unready to

do battle upon her behalf. Then the king smiled, thinking to have met some great prince of

foreign lands. So they ate, and Throlf told the king of some few adventure he had met with in the

wild, and when they were done Throlf called for the stable boy to bring him the small chest that

could be found with his horse.


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So the boy brought it to him, and Throlf opened it, and gave to the king a jeweled dagger, with a

hilt of red gold, and the blade of reddened steel, with a ruby set within the pommel, so that it

glowed in the fire light. The king was delighted, and marveled at such a gift.

Then Throlf reached again into the chest and gave unto the princes a necklace of pearls,

with a ruby set in a small net of finely wrought silver. She took it, and Throlf marked that her face

was troubled.

How now my lady, he said Does it displease you?

Then princes Cathrine turned away, but the king said She fancied herself in love with the

son of the captain of my guard, and still does I fear.

Then Throlf smiled bade the stable boy and two others to bring him the great bag which

was upon the smaller horse, for he had covered the head of the dragon with a great bag.

So they brought it before the king, and Throlf rose from his seat and stood before the king.

As you have requested, so I have done. he said, and threw off his cloak, and stood there

in the brilliance of his elven armor, and the hilt of Farndrang shone like a cold star as it rested in its

sheath. With a jerk, he tore the sack from the head of the dragon, and stood before the king.

The head of the dragon I have brought you. He said, Now know me, and I ask you

once more: will you give me thy daughter's hand in marriage. and he removed the helmet from

his head, and all in the room knew him.

Cathrine leaped to her feet, the flushed with joy. The king sat speechless in his chair, for a

moment teetering between rage and awe.

Finally he spoke It would be an honor to have for a son in law Throlf Dragonsbane. and

he set Cathrine's hand in Throlf's. Then Throlf took from the chest a slender ring of silver crowned

with an emerald, and set it upon Cathrine's finger.

They were married the next day, and lived happily for many years, and when the old king


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died, Throlf took his place on the throne and ruled wisely for many years. And men said that as

long as Farndrang was wielded by the king, the castle could never be taken, for if they laid siege to

it, whole companies would disappear into the mist that would rise up, and never be heard from

again.

For many years, Throlf sought the stranger's dwelling, but no matter how he searched, he

never laid eyes upon it as long as he lived.

Here ends the tale of Throlf Dragonsbane, the last king to be laid to rest in the Northern

kingdoms.

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The Dragon of Kveldmir