Griporm the Lonely

Four men they were, young and drunk on ambition, departing to the bitter tears and grudging pride of their kinsfolk as they set out on their envious task in the service of their homestead. 

Four they were, as they wandered farther than they had ever done before, onwards; and onwards past the borders of their childhood homes and game grounds, through foreign woods of stranger beasts, treading paths unused and barren. 

Griporm's spirit was steady, for he had brave and good men at his back.

Four men they were, when eager Rickarl's courage began to falter. 

"No. This is as far as I will wander from there, I cannot. I am sorry, Griporm. I will go no further..." 

"What? We are only a day from home, you cannot lose courage so soon, Rickarl. I will not allow it." 

"No, Griporm, no, it is not.. what is worth our lives out there? What good will our bones do bleaching under the sun or gnawed on by trolls? Forgive me. This quest is not worth our lives. Turn back with me." 

"No, Rickarl, and I curse your name as a coward. You turned fearful and soft a day away from our hearth, you are no comrade of mine and I do not need you. Begone!" 

Griporm's spirit was shaken, for he had lost his bravest friend. 

Three men they were, their strides far and sure, breaching woods mighty and rivers fierce; in the day they wandered long, in the nights watchful for the looming terrors, but secure amongst trusted comrades.

Griporm's mind was focused, for he had determined friends to join him in his task. 

Three men they were, when the ambitious Stigfast's purpose was shaken. 

"We are wasting our time here, Griporm. I have a woman at home, I miss her. No glory and wealth we find out here will matter to her." 

"Then you would return empty-handed to her, Stigfast, the fourth born son? With no stead of your own, no wealth to pass on to the sons she bears you? You have nothing, we stand to gain everything." 

"And lose everything. Now, every moment I am here, I lose another moment with her. That is worth nothing we will find out here. Farewell, Griporm. I hope what you find out here be worth the cost." 

"Go away, Stigfast, I curse your name as a weakling. You will return to nothing and leave a legacy of nothing, while I shall have everything. I will forget you. Begone!"

Griporm's mind was clouded, for he had lost his most determined friend.

Two men they were, their legs were leaden and their heads were aching, traversing barren lands too warm in the day and too cold in the night; no shade did they find from the sun and no shelter when the cold winds whipped them without pause under the cloudy dark, yet they found solace in friendship's bond. 

Griporm's heart was glad, for he still had his truest of friends with him. 

Two men they were, when Oldrek's loyalty wavered. 

"Griporm, it is time that we turn back. You are not fit to lead us, you are no leader, and you do not have the head for this quest. Don't be an idiot. Return with me and we will plan for this journey when we are ready." 

"Would you fail me now, Oldrek? You too, as the others have? We have come far now, I see greener lands, better lands where we might find what we seek. Do not doubt me as the others do. The glory will be ours, as brothers. It is our destiny."

"Listen to yourself. Your head is swollen with silly ideas! Do not talk like you are chieftain, I am not the others, I am your brother. Listen to me, you listen to none, but you will listen to your brother. Turn back with me. You are not ready." 

"You betray me, Oldrek, and I curse you as a traitor. If I alone have the bravery, determination, and strength to make this quest then the glory shall be my own alone. Go then, away from me and back home. I will wander on." 

Griporm's heart was heavy, for his last and truest friend had departed him. 

One man alone remained, striding on undeterred into the promise of greens and lush grasses, marveling at the beauty of the land that outstretched for he himself to explore and claim; for he alone to face its dangers, to tend the night fire in silence and without songs to ease the encroaching dark. 

One man alone remained, when his spirit, his mind, his heart was tested harsh. 

Griporm the Lonely yet wanders on.