| Home | The Bards of Ealdormere | Cry of the Wolf | Ealdorbards E-mail list | Songbooks of the People |
|Kingdom Bard| Downloadable Music | Bardic Photo Gallery | The Bards.ca Webteam | Submissions | Bardic Web links |

Vali and the Troll
 (To the Tune of “Take It From Day to Day” by Stan Rogers)

So it was, in the days when Old Syr Cordigan was Baron, that the Trolls returned to the lands called Ramshaven[1]. Now here, before this story even begins, I must draw you back to correct another, more famous tale.

In the ancient days, while animals still spoke, there existed three wise Rams[2], who have, somewhat unreasonably, been given the title “the Three Billygoats Gruff”. They were, to my mind, neither gruff, nor billygoats, but strong and noble Rams and they were the leaders of a great herd and sought a new land of peace in which to live.

When they had defeated the Troll who lived under the bridge leading to this new land[3], they went and brought the rest of their flock to settle, and thus was “Ramshaven” created. (The bridge, by the way, is still visible, and lies between Der Welfengau and Bryniau Tywnnog.[4] )

In any case, Man soon followed and settled the area. As a gift, the three wise Rams gave unto the people of the Wolf a great sword called ‘TrollBane”, whose hilt was carved from the horn of the largest and wisest Ram. Now, this sword was magical, for it could easily penetrate the dense hide of any Troll…and thus it was that no troll would enter these lands, though they haunted much of the Northern Woods, for such was their fear of it.

It is chronicled early in the histories of Eoforwick, that a great sorcerer, known only as “the Wizard of the Tower”, did steal the fabled sword of Eoforwick from Count Finnvar de Taahe. Gillian, First Baroness of the lands of the Bear did, through secret means and with the help of several valiant questors, retrieve the sword, and thus has Septentria ever been spared the ravages of Trolls[5]. What was not recorded in those chronicles is that it was this selfsame Wizard who stole Trollbane from its’ keeper. It is believed by many that the Wizard feared the presence of such powerful weapons in the Northlands, and thus hid the blade where no man might find it.

Now the Trolls, upon hearing this, did begin to move into the lands so long denied them. Word of the Troll encroachment did fly south, and thus it was that the Dragon King of the Middle was inspired to send a brave knight, Viscount Syr Cordigan d’Arnot, to guard the land against possible troll attack.

Trolls are smarter than you might think. They knew that it would be folly to attack so brave and feared a knight when there was much of the Northern Wood that still had no such protector. So they stayed to the lonely places…and waited, for they knew also that one day Cordigan would grow old, and then they might attack the land without worry of the knight’s prowess.

Years went by. Ramshaven grew into a stalwart Barony under the wise rule of Cordigan and Dianne, his wife. The people thrived and all seemed well. Many even forgot about the Trolls, though mothers sometimes used them to scare naughty children. “ Be good, or the Trolls will get you”.

It came to pass in the last years of the reign of Cordigan and Dianne, that a Great Troll, a cousin to the troll King itself, did decide that enough time had passed and that Cordigan posed to him no threat. Out of the great Northern Woods he came, leading many lesser trolls behind him. But of all the trolls, it was by far the fiercest. It’s skin was like Oak, with arms like tree trunks and it little feared the swords of men.

Brave Cordigan sent out his best knights to deal with the threat, and he too rode out to face the foe. The knights fought well. It is rumoured that Earl Syr David Failsworth did slay over a dozen single handedly in the months that followed and great Sir Belgar was known to have killed many more. Sir Cordigan and his squires hunted down the rest, and all would have been well, but for the Great Troll itself.

No sword could pierce its awful hide. No spear, even in Sir Cordigan's hands, could bring the creature down. Many died in the attempt, but none could end its rampages. All seemed hopeless…

Now one of Cordigan’s squires was a brave young Northman, well aquainted with the Woods and the lore of the North. His name was Vali[6], and he had already made for himself a reputation as a mercenary sergeant. Cordigan knew that Vali was both a cunning and a daring warrior and so sent word for him to come to Ramshaven, that they might discuss the land and it’s future.

Vali, upon hearing the call, did gather his arms and ride at speed to Cordigan’s’ side. There they spoke, and while the details of that conversation are not known, the subject of Trolls was at the heart of it.

Vali had learned much of Trolls while in the Northern woods, and knew that no sword forged by man would penetrate the hide of a Great Troll.  He knew also that Trolls were not like men, for they are closer to the trees of the forest, and thus are easily burned by fire, and best chopped like wood.

Gathering his axe and his shield, he set out into the lonely fens to seek the Great Troll. He traveled many leagues, through forest and swamp, hill and valley. But nowhere could the great troll be found. Always he saw the ruin it left, and was saddened by it. The summer passed, and Vali became discouraged.

One autumn day, while riding through the northern wood, he came across a young woman, standing outside the remains of an ancient hall. Her bearing was regal, and she stood dressed in the armour of a northern warrior. She smiled and invited him in by name, saying “Be welcome in my House, noble Vali. Sit and take council with me”.

“How do you know me?” he asked gruffly, though not unpleased at being called noble by so beautiful a woman.

“I know much of the people of the North. The bloodline of Northern Kings flows within me, and I am kin to your knight, Cordigan. I know your quest and I can help you with it”.

Vali considered. “ How can you help me to find the Great Troll, when it has eluded even the greatest of hunters? It leaves no tracks, and knows the woods better than any man”

“I am skilled in many arts. In the reading of the Runes I have looked for it… Now, at last, I have discovered wherein it makes its lair. Will you take my help?” She asked again.

Now Vali was a good Northman, and he did not truck with sorcery. But this woman seemed a good and noble soul, and she had claimed the old blood of Northern Kings, so who was he to gainsay her.

“I will” he said cautiously, “But you must first tell me your name, so that I know you are no fell spirit, come to lure me to my death with your art and beauty”

She smiled then, and picking up her sword replied “I am called Ragnheithr[7], and you may rest assured, I am no spirit.” With that she drew forth the iron blade from its sheath and kissed it that he might know she spoke the truth[8].

They talked at length, and ate what stores she had. In the morning they journeyed together into the woods, and for many days the wandered, guided only by her Runes. Each night she cast them anew, that they would not be deceived if the Troll moved on.

At last they came to the mouth of a large cave, and about it were strewn the bodies of many warriors and beasts…or rather parts of them. Trolls, as you must know, will eat anything, even rocks in the hard times. But the times had not been hard for the great Troll. He had feasted well upon brave men, and so it was that he rested in the cave and his snoring could be heard like distant thunder. Vali reigned in his steed and, dismounting, he took from it his axe and shield and quietly entered the cave. There he found the troll sleeping, and being no fool, he chopped off its head and arms where it lay.

Now, had this been any ordinary troll, the tale would end here. Vali left the cave and began to walk back to Ragnheithr, explaining how he had dispatched his foe. But this was a Great Troll, and after a few moments, it used its magick to reattach its head and arms.

Out from the cave it came, its eyes a storm of fury. Ragnheithr called a warning to Vali, and he turned just in time to shield himself from its enormous, razor like claws. Vali and the Troll exchanged blow after blow, but soon Vali’s shield began to splinter. Knowing that he would not be able to withstand the Trolls onslaught if his shield gave out, he called for Ragnheithr to bring him fire.

Ragnheithr had in this time been preparing a fire with which to burn the trolls remains, for she also knew that Trolls will burn like wood. She brought forth a brand, and ran to Vali’s aid, brandishing the blazing torch like a sword.

Vali, his shield almost gone, feinted first left, and then right. The Troll, believing that the battle was at an end, and brimming with overconfidence, followed the axe blade, and seeing an opening, struck with the force of battering ram. Vali’s shield was torn from his grasp, splintered into kindling. But he had expected as much and, with a great cry, he struck the Troll upon the head with all his might. It split down the middle like cordwood, falling neatly into two pieces before him.

Ragnheithr wasted no time, quickly setting the creature alight. But, no sooner had she touched the torch to its body than it did burst into an enormous flame, which could be seen throughout the whole Kingdom. Thus it was in later days, that Ragnheithr, like the Northern princess whose name she bears, did become known as the “Blaze of Autumn”, although for different reasons[9]. 

The Great Troll slain, the two did return to the keep of Old Syr Cordigan, and there Vali did regale the assembled mass with the tale of their exploits. The hall was filled with the cheers of the people, and well did they think on the heroic couple. They were, of course, married thereafter in a quiet woodland ceremony.

Syr Cordigan and Dianne soon retired to other duties. The King, knowing that Vali and Ragnheithr were beloved of the people (and quite adept at dealing with Trolls), did command them ascend the Baronial seats of Ramshaven, and thus did they become protectors of the land in both name and deed.

In the years that have passed since, no Trolls have been seen in Ramshaven. Ragnheithr was made principal of the order of the Laurel for her knowledge of the ways of the people of the North, and Vali commanded a knighthood for his service to the crown, and prowess on the field.

And here at last my tale ends. If I have exaggerated any part of it, it was only to enhance the reputation of my baron and baroness. But I tell you this if you do not believe me; Look to Vali and you will see that he alone of all the Knights of Ealdormere will carry no sword, but only his axe and upon it the image of a headless troll.