Skegga's Edda Chapter 16 - The Apple Tree

After the raising of Folkfield Hall the gardens of Godhome rang with the voices of children.  While Odin's young sigwives raced and wrestled on the lawns of Fenbank a very different gathering of younglings played among the flowers of Folkfield.

For each sigwife born the Oswives bore a goddess of help, protection and healing.  The first was Blyth the daughter of Freya and Meilli, the second Bjort the daughter of Beyla and Loki, the third Blythur, daughter of Gna and Ull, the fourth Frith daughter of Fulla and Forseti, the sixth Hlif daughter of Sybil and Heimdall and the seventh Hlifthrasa daughter of Hlin and Thor.  

The seven frithwives were raised as sisters by Freya and Beyla.  It was after the last of them marked their womantide that this tale begins, when a young elf woman flew up to the gate of Godhome.

Heimdall had watched her approach for many a mile with his wonderous gaze.  He had seen that she came unarmed and carrying naught but her feather cloak, a food bundle and a tine box.
'Who are you' he asked when she approached 'and what is your business here?'
The weary falcon landed, emptied its claws of its burdens and shrugged off the feathered cloak revealing a green-gowned elf.
'My name is Alfdis, daughter of Lady Embla, the elf queen of Elfhome's northern hills, and Ivaldi the master smith of Darkelfhome.'  Her appearance matched her claim, for she was short, black haired and very pale skinned, but also showed the breathtaking beauty of the noble elves.  'I am seeking a tree that lies between Fenbank Hall and Stormbright Hall.  The Lord Frey told me its fruit would heal my sick husband.'
'Then come in, lass' Heimdall answered kindly.  'I will take you to Frigga: she will know the tree that the Vanlord spoke of.'  He led her awhile along the main road that curved towards the heart of Godhome, and Alfdis gasped at the sight of the towering Battlehall.  Heimdall then drew her down a track that led to the right through a thick grove of alder and then out onto the causewayed paths of Fenbank.  Frigga's estate was more comforting to her elven upbringing with its trees and wild flowers, and they made their way through the fens to the Oswife's gaily painted hall.

Little is hidden from Frigga and the goddess had gathered the Osfolk about her linen spread table and an extra place was already set ready for their guest.  
'Welcome, Alfdis' said Frigga.  'Fear not; I know that your needs are urgent.' The goddess addressed the assembled godfolk, 'Alfdis has come to collect some apples for her sick husband, very special apples, from a tree that grows not far from this hall.'
'The tree of the angry apple wight?'  Hlin guessed.
'Indeed.' Frigga confirmed.  
The Osfolk with the mind-sight looked up in interest, for of all the wights in Godhome that spirit had proven the most difficult to deal with and the grove was now marked with posts and ribbons and charms to keep the Osfolk away, and the troublesome elf content.'
Thor paused in the act of helping himself to yet another cup of his sister's most excellent wine. 'Who is your husband, Alfdis?' he asked.
'My husband is Braggi, the foremost poet of the elf folk.'
'Ah, excellent,' nodded Odin, 'such a worthy talent for a man, to be able to boast of his war deeds in verse; has he composed many battle epics?'
'None, Warfather' Alfhild replied.  'He sings of the flight of birds, the freedom of the stag and the beauty of meadow flowers.'
'Who would listen to such dreary tales?' spluttered Tyr.  'Anyone would think he has never raised a sword in anger.'
'He has not' replied Alfhild.
The folk of Battlehall muttered indignantly while Freya laughed at the boorish warrior gods and grinned apologetically at the elfgirl.

Frigga glared at the godfolk until they fell silent.  She spoke to Alfdis: 'The tree that Frey sent you to find does indeed grow here, and not far from this hall.  But I must warn you it is guarded by a most angry spirit.  I have seen the events of this span in Wyrd's web, and it seems that you are the one to tame him, and claim whatever treasure he protects.  Come, lass, we will take you to the place.'  

Frigga lead Alfdis out of her hall and over the flag-fringed earthen banks out of the fen lands and up onto the drier rough scrubland beyond.  Far to the left towered gleaming Battlehall, its roof bright with the golden shields of its warriors, while to the right lay Folkfield and Stormbright Hall.  Yet before them all was wild.  As they wove their way between thorn, ash and elder, they came to the rough fence tied with red ribbons.

'The apple tree lies within that grove,' Frigga told Alfdis.  'You must enter it alone, and good luck go with you.'

The elfgirl stepped forward and approached the fence carrying only the tine box that Frey had given her in her arms.  She hitched up her green felt gown and climbed the barrier and with a deep breath pushed her way through the thick undergrowth within.  The grove was strangely silent; not a sound from bird or beast or breath of wind disturbed the place.   Her way was hard through the matted grasses and tangled branches, but finally she found the tree that she sought, a fine apple tree strong limbed and wide crowned.  To her surprise she noted that it bore both blossom and fruit.

The tree shook and the spirit emerged; she shivered at the sight of him.  He had long limbs, thin and gnarled like tree branches that gave him the appeared of a white haired spider.  'Why do you disturb my grove?' he asked.
'I am here to ask for an apple for my husband who is sick and close to death.'
'Your love for him is strong?' asked the tree spirit.
'It could not be stronger' Alfdis replied.
'Then why have you left him alone on his death bed? '
'He is not alone; my sister watches over him and will never leave him.'
'So will you pay any price for my fruit?'
'I will pay any price that is fair.'
'I want your soul.'
Alfdis stared at the spirit, 'No' she muttered.
'You have little time elf-woman, already your lover walks the Hel road, when he reaches the chasm he will be lost to you forever.
Tears leaked from Alfdis's eyes at his words and she knew she would pay any price.  'Then take your payment' she said.
The tree spirit came forward on his spindly legs and grasped her shoulders with his twig-like fingers and put his mouth to hers and sucked her soul out between her lips.  Alfdis staggered, keenly feeling her loss.  The tree spirit was glowing with her soul strength; he scuttled back to his tree and wrapped his long limbs about its trunk.  Before her eyes the spirit merged into the tree and the glow reached along each branch and root until the leaves shone and fresh blossom broke out beside the apples already on the boughs.
Alfdis stepped forward and reached up with arms shaking from lack of strength.  She plucked an apple and placed it safely in the tine box.  Wearily she made her way back out of the grove, and this time the trees and grasses leant back from her path to ease her way.

At the fence the Osfolk reached out to help the weak and shaking Alfdis over the hurdles.  Frigga said knowlingly: 'You have your fruit then.'
The girl nodded and sagged into the Oswife's embrace.  
'We have no time to waste,' urged Frigga.  'Gna is here with her stallion ready to seek out your husband and here is Fulla with a warm cloak for your journey.'  Fulla draped a soft cloak of white wolf skins about the elf woman's shoulders and helped her to mount up behind Gna.  
'Ride swift' Frigga commanded.  'Take her to the death road.'  
Gna's steed pounded over the course grass and soon took to the heavens, Gna guided the beast towards the entrance to the underworld beneath the World Tree while Alfdis clung grimly to her waist.

The horse touched earth and pounded onwards, ever downwards, into the caverns below.  The sun's light was lost to them and their way was marked only by the ghostly light flickering about the dead as they trudged their final journey.  The road was long and the bone-weary elfgirl had difficulty staying awake until Gna's voice roused her.  'We have found him, Alfdis!'

Alfdis slid stiffly from the saddle and looked about the dim cavern.  She stood where the Hel-road ended at a deep chasm; the ghosts walked towards it blindly and drifted down into the silver swirling pool below.  She saw a woman near the edge clutching something in her arms.  She stiffly walked over and recognised her sister 'Oh Eir, is that you?  Do you have him?'

'I have him sister' she replied 'but he pulls so from my grasp; I am losing my strength.'  
Alfdis reached into the tine box and pulled out the apple and held it to her lover's misty lips.  The apple glowed and turned to mist and was consumed by the ghost.  The eyes opened and knew her, his faint form became solid and colour returned to his flesh.  

'It is done!' said Gna. 'Let us get you all out of this deathly place.'  Eir helped her sister to her feet but, even leaning onto one another, they could barely stand.  Gna picked up the tine box and was surprised at its weight.  'How many apples did you bring?' she asked.
'Only one' muttered Alfdis.
'Then you cannot count,' grinned Gna, 'open the box.'
Alfdis lifted the lid and gazed in surprise, the box contained four shining apples, she smiled. 'Vanlord Frey was always generous with his gifts.'  She took out another fruit and handed it to her sister and took another for herself.  After the first bite they both felt more health and strength than they had ever known.  Curious Alfdis opened the box again and was delighted to see it filled again with glowing apples from Godhome.

Much relieved, Gna mounted her stallion, pulled Alfdis up before her and Braggi and Eir behind her, and urged the beast back up the death road towards the light of Sol.  Her strong horse sped tirelessly back to Godhome, despite the heavy load.

Frigga was expecting their return and had again gathered the godfolk about her table.  The three folk of Elfhome were greeted most formally and courteously by Frigga and her handmaidens and given seats of honour in Fenbank Hall.  Eager godfolk called for them to tell of their adventures and it was Braggi who replied with a praise poem for the sisters, recounting their selfless efforts to save him.  The godfolk were deeply moved by both the tale and the skill of the speaker.

Braggi nodded his thanks to them and pulled his wife into his embrace.  'In truth,' he said 'no words are adequate to tell of this woman's worth.  She has been my rebirth and so she should be named, let her be called Idun from this day on.'  The godfolk again called out their approval.

Idun, as we must now call her, smiled, and lifted her tine box in her hands.   'We have here a great marvel.  Vanlord Frey gave me this box after he saw the apple tree from his high seat; he has blessed it with his powers of increase.  Puzzled, the godfolk watched as Idun rose from her chair and prized the lid loose.  Walking about the long table she handed an apple to each of the gathered godfolk, who murmered in wonder as it became clear that far more apples emerged than the small box could possibly contain.  Idun continued handing out the fruit until all the Osfolk had received their share and she took to her seat once again.

Idun spoke.  'I have never been more weary or weak than when I came upon my husband on the death-road, and one of these apples not only restored my strength but doubled it.  So eat and see if they have the same effect on you.'

The godfolk obeyed and soon expressed their appreciation as they felt the effects of the life-giving fruit, for even gods can feel the weight of time and that burden was suddenly lifted.  Frigga smiled and spoke for them all.  'This is a great gift you have brought us.  Will you all stay among us and make your home here?  I am sure we would be deeply grateful and honoured to count you all among our number.'
'I thank you,' replied Idun, 'though in truth I am bound here as surely as my soul is bound to the life giving tree.  I will make my home beside it and ward it well.'
The godfolk responded with many a cheer, and many a toast of welcome was drunk from Frigga's golden cups.

And so Idun claimed her own garth in Godhome and the eager gods helped to raise her dwelling which she named Friendly Hall.  Her sister Eir cleared the wild scrub about the sacred tree and planted herbs and blooms for the godfolk's health and enjoyment.  Once the hall and gardens were complete to the sisters' satisfaction, they planted a hedge of hazel all about the garth and declared it a frithstead of health, wisdom and peace.

In time the seven daughters of the Oswives also made their home at Friendly Hall.  There they listened to the prayers of the folk.  They eased the path of the birthing, the pains of teething, the ache of fever, the pain of age and gave comfort to the dying.  

Notes:

The goddesses of peace and healing are mentioned in the story of Svipdag and Menglod from the Eddas.  Very little is known about them.

Idun's origin as an elf and the daughter of the dwarf Ivaldi are taken from the Eddas.  

There are fragments of a tale about Idun travelling in Hel with a cloak of wolf fur which I have used  as the foundation of this story.

The apples of youth are one of the best known elements of Norse mythology but their origin is not explained.  I have positioned the tree in the very heart of Godhome in the gardens watched over the goddesses of wisdom, health and love, which seems very fitting.  

A frithstead is a sanctury of peace and the hazel was used to mark sacred ground where weapons were forbidden.