When life was fine, when it was good.
Frostiness clung to the trees,
the laughter of the people was evident.
There was peace and brotherhood.
Those days were full of fondness, they were sweet.
Skovsgard was a small provincial village within the kingdom of Dale. It was hidden by the vast forests that once connected to the great Mirkwood itself. There lived a hardy folk. Their hearts leading them away from vast stone structures and mighty kings they couldn't elect themselves. This frontier was their home and they were a happy and prosperous folk. Their ruler during the time of this story was named Asvald, a wise mind rested within his head. The town had expanded in number and even then the wall that was started by his predecessor had needed to become larger than initially planned a show of how successful living in this part was and how more families came to live there on with each few passing years. With so many being together though, there was an attraction by bandits or worse that would dare try and pillage the hardly gotten fruits of the people's labor and a warrior caste was established. No longer were they helpless trappers, farmers or potters. Their hands were now capable with the spear, bow or axe and since they were a small power of their own. There was one trait though, that may have set them apart from many others within the kingdom. They had learned the art of using skis and although less for battle than sport they were very apt and skillful. Here we start a story of more simple times, when all was still as it had ought to be..
They were in the middle of the forest, snow was sent in fountains upwards where both cousins and their entourage sled straight down a deep hill in pursuit of a stag that would prove a magnificent feast if they caught it! Wild joyful cries went up into the chill sky, .. Yngwar was at the front and closest to the animal, his flushed nose sticking out above the thick woolen scarf and his brow only barely visible with the fur hat he wore.. His eyes were narrowed against the cold air biting, but he wasn't deterred and all of them were dressed alike, "WOOOOO LOOK AT ME GO!!" He jumped over a fallen branch that lay between the trees and he laughed before shouting, "Can't keep up with me!!" The laughter died in his throat, as ever his stubborn cousin was there right at the forefront to compete. He was the kind of man that would never allow himself to lose face in front of anyone and it showed. In ability Yngwar was the master, but by sheer wild abandon and luck there he was being on the losing side! Their followers were far behind them now, Bjargar responded, "Now or never!! If we don't get the beast before we reach the foot of the hill we'll have to go home empty handed!!" Both boys then slung the sticks they used to steer around the arms with leather cords, it looked awkward and by all means it was a brave act to do. It would be a poor ending of a hunt to crash into a tree after all, yet here they were, grabbing bow and arrow and managing to even release a few shafts. Yngwar let fly, but missed his projectile going astray and thudding into a tree. Bjargar knew he had won, he pulled back the string and aimed for where the beast would be by the time the arrow arrived. An ace of a shot, .. they would perhaps even sing about that for a while. He looked at the beast, only a few more heartbeats.. five .. four.. three.. Yngwar was cursing in the background... two.. And as he knew he would have it and lay food on the table he wouldn't release.. one.. he still had his arrow on the bow.
They were heading back home, their skis resting on their shoulders. Yngwar had to ask, "Why didn't you try? I've seen you hit a running hare in the eye once, you could've had us a nice slice of venison." Bjargar furrowed his brow, but not in a troubled fashion, "We still have enough at the hall of my father. Besides, I couldn't help it. It's free spirit, it's proud antlers.. It reminded me of ..", he seemed thoughtful for a few more steps through the deep white snow they were trudging through, " It did not seem right to fell it. It was not the beast it's time yet and we shouldn't change it's fate." Yngwar gave him an odd look, then laughed and slapped his cousin on the shoulder, "Just admit it, you were about to drop dead from keeping up with me the way you did, hahaha!" Bjargar smiled back at him.
