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Egilsstead
by Egil Njalsson, Lord of the Household of Egilsstead
(March 1995 version)
(style: Viking alliterative draupa)
Now hies the tale of household strong
Founded in Dragonspine to house viking hearts
Those seeking a refuge from any cause springing
From lands of the sea-raiders to desert have come
Oath-followers of Tyr and of the great Christ
Joined later by others all welcome here
From centuries apart yet brought to this soil
Across the great sea to form Egilsstead
Last son of Njal lawspeaker's offspring
Heart-solace seeking led him to Vinland
Wandering far found a small valley
Beneath dragon's watch a fortunate slumber
Then building an altar his gods could be honored
One Christ and One-arm their symbols unite
Remembering boyhood from Iceland his birth-spring
Brought to the desert yet viking his blood
Raised in the forest by father alone
The first son of Egil knew not his mother
From pure heart of animals innocence learning
Learning to trust all he encountered
Thus he falls prey to those who would trick him
Yet purity of mind this way does lead
Never the greatest yet always in gladness
Honor he earns by goodness of heart
Barbarian fierce berserk by trade
Born in the northland of Lapps descending
Top hand to household he finds his calling
Horse of the master his honor to tend
Sniffing for enemies senses all heightened
Spear-man will fight for honor or gold
Were-gild has cost but worth it his keep
Fighting through war-wounds a fierce one to meet
Then son of Jöel courage unyielding
Down from the Dane-land yearning to serve
Brings to the hearth-home skills learned from boyhood
Barter his wit-skill value he knows
Standing at tiller the knarr holds steady
Longships now steering sea-craft his skill
Loyal his heart to lord of house
Boldly he fights bravely he lives
Many the travels his god entreating
Lived by the warrior to master the Tyr-skill
Of Saxons and Normans Longwalker descended
Now with the vikings finding his stead
Once guarded a town now guiding a flail
Grants his new charges safe sleep at night
Serving companions by sending them honor
Seeking to better himself and his war-peers
Next through great magic from realms not remembered
Mindful of pools falls one known as Strongbow
Finding like minds in land that seemed foreign
Knew that his future must lie with these friends
Now priest of forest kneels in the tree-shrine
Gaia he follows all nature her temple
Tending the cattle tilling the fields
All is his worship seeking the truth
Deep in the forest dwelt one of beauty
Daughter of dryad raised by the sisters
Feeling the wood-spirits calling her fern-ward
Finding excuses to leave the stone walls
Unicorn riding each evening her habit
Pond-ward for bathing though unseen one hid
Now to be lady of household and Njalsson
Skirt-wearer knows the power she wields
Wandering far comes a great warrior
Clad all in green weathered and worn
Features set sternly foe-ward his stance
Found a new household to harbor his shield
Once he had drunk from mead of Odin
Honoring All-wise word-skill to wield
Adds to his life wit-tongue now lifted
Like son of Skallagrim crafting his comments
A child was born no birthright given
Deep in the elfhome called Beldon Forest
For centuries two troubled and outcast
Traveling far she found a new home
Loving the dark moon and darker the forest
Yet deems to bring light to those she calls friends
Crafter of magic called elven and druid
Came to learn rune-skill from a new master
Raised in the country of Wales his family
Joyful his heart magic his skill
Peaceful he lived no harm intending
Driven from home by those closed of heart
Eager for refuge with those understanding
Found in the embrace of welcoming arms
At his call the paths of great destruction
Yet preferring cunning over bold power
Serving the army of his great Caesar
Wandered too far by soldiers abandoned
Lost was his way troubled his spirit
Stopped to consider steps to be taken
Bidding farewell to mindless destruction
Found fellow warriors given to farming
Tired of wasteful use of his weapons
Now mixes war-craft with peace of homelife
Celtic his blood service his nature
Simple his needs sincere his heart
Learning the ways of woodland and river
Finding the wisdom there for the taking
Friend to an elf in forest's deep heart
Heard of her daughter safe in new household
Came to pay homage and to find friendship
Now makes his lodging with those he respects
Thus came the named ones now sharing lodgings
Within the longhouse never to part
United as Egilsstead giving to others
Friendship and solace honor and rest
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