Margrethe, a young woman, a young warrior, a young Waq-Waq warrior. Her eyes are fierce like that of a lioness. Her skin is like a swan's feather.
Her hair: like a river filled with sunlight. Chest like marble, and a butt like a perfect heart. She has inherited her mother's perfection and adventurous heart. Her father's goodness and kindness.
Her name is Margrethe, but we shall just call her: Mary, and these are some of her adventures.
Using her Galoshes of Fortune, Mary found herself within England, during the time of Cnut.
" What are we looking for? " asked al-Ra'd al-Qasif, the Marid within the ring.
" Nothing particularly " said Mary with the voice of Aphrodite.
" Then, what are we doing here? "
" Adventure, " said Mary with the smile of Freya.
Mary had made her way towards the castle. She stood at the entrance, as she was about to dawn the Cap of Hassan of Basra… but she then went:
" Nah! ", as she shrugged her shoulders.
Mary then calmly entered the castle of Cnut.
" Woah… " woahed Mary, as she admired the mighty drinking hall. The men were cheery and merry. The women also joined in on the festivities, as the bards were playing fire. Things got so canty; that some of the Vikings jumped onto the tables to dance, as the others slammed their drinking horns in tune with the song.
Cnut stopped drinking, for he had noticed a woman with blonde hair, a blue eye, but the other was brown. She was wearing both Middle-Easten and Scandinavian attire.
" A curiosity? " said Cnut, quietly, while sounding like Magnus Bruun. The music stopped, as the red head made his way towards her. Mary stood still, as The Viking King looked her up and down - he was intrigued. He looked at her weapons - he was fascinated. He then looked her deep in the eyes. And then, like a true Viking, Cnut gave Mary a bear-hug. Mary, being fit and all, could still feel her ribs almost break. Mary joined in on the festivities, where she promptly drank Cnut the Great under the table. As the moon and the merriment were both now gone, Mary made her way to a different point in time. She had just made her way to Waldemar's court.
" Who are you? " asked the curious king.
" No-one in particular " answered Mary, her shoulders shrugged. The king remained curious, so he and Mary both went for a walk.
" So " said Waldemar; " how does time travel work? "
" Time isn't a straight line. It can twist into any shape. "
The king looked confused, so Mary went on:
" Actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey… stuff. "
The king looked unconvinced.
" Time isn't a straight line. It's all… bumpy wumpy. "
Mary noticed the Blue Box in the distance, so she knew that it was high time to leave. That is when she made her way to the time of Margrete the First, better known as: The Snow Queen.
" Your majesty, " said Mary, kneeling.
Margrete was wearing some incredible armor. The Danish flag was covering the right side of her body, covering the right arm armor piece: made from one of the Golden Horns of Gallehus. Her left hand was resting on the hilt of her sword; which was made from the second Golden Horn. To describe the rest of her amazing armor or her inhuman beauty, is sadly a task beyond my current abilities. Just know… that she is cool… (get it?)
Mary actually spent some days with the Snow Queen. Was it because Mary missed her own mother? Or was it Mary's admiration for the Queen, which held her in this time period. Regardless… Qasif finally asked:
" Are you staying? "
Mary thought long and hard about it. She liked it there, the Queen of the North was that awesome… but, all good things must come to an end. As Mary knelt before the Snow Queen, she said:
" I must leave… My journey continues. "
Margrete was quiet, as she looked down at the young woman before her. The Queen had actually grown quite attached to Mary. Mary had become like a daughter to the her. So, as a "parent", Margrete knew that she had to let her go.
The Snow Queen gently lifted Mary's chin up.
" You will always have a home here " said the Queen with the voice of Frigg.
Mary did her best to hold back the joyful tears, but it was just too much. The two of them lovingly embraced, for Mary had now said farewell to two mothers. Using the Galoshes of Fortune, Mary arrived at a quiet old town.
" What is this place? " said Mary, as she looked around.
" No clue, " said Qasif.
" Shhh " shushed Mary; " can you hear that? "
Mary could hear the sound of pen on paper from a nearby window. She walked over to the opened window, and from behind the flying curtains, she saw Ambrosius Stub: busy at work.
" It's him… " said Mary, quietly, admiring the poet.
" You know him? "
" I know of him. Father used to quote his work "
" Hmmm "
Mary noticed that Ambrosius stopped working. She quickly ducked under the window, as Ambrosius looked out of said window.
The light was kind and bright. The warm summer wind gently kissed the poet's face.
Ambrosius smiled, he then gently said:
" The Boresome Winter Went its Way. "
("Den kiedsom Vinter Gik sin Gang")
Mary had a nostalgic look on her face, for Morten used to quote that one almost everyday. She wiped away the one tear of joy, as she then teleported away. Mary found herself on
Hope Island, Greenland, but modern readers probably know it better as: Kangeq. She walked near the shore, as the sea splashed against the rocks.
" Who are you looking for? " asked Qasif.
" Oh " said Mary with a smile; " I am sure that he will find me "
And she was right.
" May I join you? " asked Hans Egede.
Mary and Hans could be seen walking together along the harbor.
" Do you have anything against the Norse Gods? " asked Mary.
" What ever made you ask that? "
" Well… your mission "
Hans giggled.
" Before I answer, may I ask you a question? "
" Sure "
" Do you belong to any particular faith? "
Mary paused, as even Qasif seemed curious.
" I don't really know… " said Mary, as she paused for another second; " I mean… both my parents are interested in their respective heritages "
" But are they religious? "
" I think that they both take religion a bit 'lightly'... I suppose that I do the same, " said Mary with a smile.
" So you are religious… and not religious? "
" As Dr. Goodwin would say: 'people are complicated'. I suppose that I am just not ready for a 'religious commitment' "
" If, or when, you are ready; what religion would you commit to? "
Mary realized that both her parents were of different faiths.
" I mean… Islam and Christianity are both part of the Abrahamic Faith "
" True " said Hans; " but both practice religion differently "
Mary kicked a rock.
" I don't know… "
Hans looked upon the cute/confused girl.
" I think that you have combined your desire to please both your parents with religion. Thus: confusing religion with relation "
Mary just looked at the priest.
" Your parents may not be religious, and you yourself are also not that religious. And that is okay. You may be done with religion, but religion isn't done with you "
" So, what do I do? "
Hans calmly shrugged his shoulders.
" I really don't have an answer for that "
Mary blew her hair to the side, while Hans smiled.
" So " said Mary with a smile: " about my question? "
" I don't think that MP is in any position to answer that question "
" A fair point "
(I second that point.)
Mary teleported away, but instead of the shore, she found herself on the sea.
Mary held tightly onto the ship, as not to fall overboard. Through the rain, Mary could see someone walking towards her.
" Who the hell are you?! "
" Who the hell are you?! " said Mary, as she could not think of anything better.
" I'm the captain! "
" And I'm wet! "
The captain saw her point, which is why they went into his cabin.
" Alright " said the captain, as they had both become a bit dryer; " I hope you know that having a woman onboard a ship means bad luck "
Mary gave him a hard look.
" Don't give me that look " said the captain; " you are the cause of this storm "
" Me? " said Mary, surprised and with a 'I can't believe this guy' smile; " how is this my fault? "
" The storm was here when you arrived "
Mary just looked at the captain.
" Qasif "
" Done "
The captain could now feel the warmth of the sunlight on his neck. He turned around to see that his cabin was being filled up with sunlight.
" How…? " said the captain, dumbfounded.
The captain went back on deck, to see that the rain had stopped. The clouds were gone, and the sun was shining brightly.
" Well… " said the captain, as he turned to Mary; " maybe having a woman onboard… wouldn't be such a bad thing "
Mary smiled at the captain.
" Captain Steen Andersen Bille " said the captain, as he extended his hand.
Mary accepted the hand, and the two of them had just become friends.
The ship arrived safely at port, where Captain Steen once more said:
" Thank you "
" It was an honor, captain, " said Mary with a smile, which shone more brightly than the sun; " and thank you, Qasif, " said Mary, as she rubbed the ring.
" It was my pleasure, " said the Marid with a smile.
The Galoshes shone, and Mary was teleported away. Mary walked a bit within this new place she found herself in. It was night, the stars glittered across the dark sky, and she had just exited the forest she was walking in.
" An observatory? " said Mary, curious.
She walked over, and for some reason, the observatory was unlocked. She made her way to the room where the telescope was, and it was there that she saw a man, with quite the mustache, using the telescope.
Mary walked closer, and that was when the man turned around.
" Who the hell are you? " he asked.
" A lover of the stars "
The man smiled at her reply.
" Then you are more than welcome "
Tycho Brahe, for that was who the man was, and Mary both observed the stars, and enjoyed a lovely conversation about the constellations.
" Babylonian constellations? " said Tycho, intrigued, for it seemed that Mary knew more than him.
The constellation conversation went on, till the sunrise made the observation impossible.
" That's my cue, " said Mary, as she was about to leave. The astronomer turned around in his chair to look at Mary.
" She is brighter than any star I have seen "
Mary teleported away, as she had just arrived on the island of Munkholm. Near a prison.
Mary looked at the barred window. She tried to look in, but the window was too high up.
" I got this " said Qasif, as he lifted Mary on the palm of his hand, towards the window - the body was missing, and only the hand could be seen.
Mary looked into the cell. At first, she saw no one. That was until she noticed the faint hint of a figure within the shadows. The figure started to move, and that was when Mary saw a man. A faint image of a man, but a man nonetheless.
" An angel?... " said the man with a hopeful, yet, hoarse voice.
" No " said Mary with a honored smile; " sorry to disappoint "
The man got to the window by standing on top of his bed.
" Who are you? " asked the man, quite curious.
Before Mary could answer, she looked deep into the man's eyes, and realized who he was.
" Griffenfeldt? "
The poor man was startled.
" You must be an angel, if you know me, for I don't know you "
" I am not an angel " said Mary with a faint giggle; " Min far used to talk about you "
" Oh, " said Griffenfeldt, honored and surprised; " if I may have the honor and pleasure: what's your name? And who is your father? So I may honor you both "
Mary told him her name, and that of her far.
" Morten…? " said Griffenfeldt, as he was unsure of which Morten Mary was referring to, or if it was a Morten he knew at all; " Well, regardless, I am happy to know you, dear Mary "
The smile which appeared on Mary's face; was bright enough to lighten the dark cell. Mary then had an idea.
" If I could bring you anything " said Mary, for she really could; " what would you want? "
" A Bible " was the answer, which did not take a second.
Using the Cap of Hassan, Mary snuck past the guards, into the cell, where she gave Griffenfeldt some food, fresh water, and a Bible. The man bowed gratefully, as he did not see the tear on Mary's face.
" You can't free him, " said Qasif.
" I know " said Mary, as another tear appeared; " but I can at least ease his pain… "
" Griffenfeldt, a Danish Prometheus, bound to the rocky island of Munkholm. " - Andersen, the Thorny Road of Honor.
Mary had now arrived on a beach, where a funeral was taking place - a viking funeral.
" Salaam 'aleikum "
" Wa-Alaikum-Salaam '' said Mary, as she looked upon a man writing something down; " what is going on? "
" A funeral "
Mary giggled at her dumb question.
" Ah " sounded Mary, as she sat down: next to the man, who was writing in Arabic.
" You are writing about the funeral? " said Mary.
" You can read Arabic? " said the man, sounding a bit surprised.
" I mean " said Mary with a smug smile; " a funeral is taking place "
The man giggled faintly, and so did Mary. She then got up, and teleported away, as Ahmad ibn Fadlan kept on writing.
Mary started sniffing the air.
" What is wrong? " said Qasif.
Mary then sniffed her own clothes.
" I stink… "
" Well, that does happen when you travel from time to time "
Mary giggled. She then noticed the nearby hammam bath. Without thinking twice about it. She took off her clothes and weapons, and was now within the hammam. The men admired her fine figure, while the women were curious about her scars(but Mary just called them: free tattoos, for Morten wouldn't let her get any real ones.)
Mary entered the bath, and the water immediately fell in love with her skin. As Mary was trying to relax, many of the men started to flex around her.
" Should I take care of them? " said Qasif.
" Just leave them be, " said Mary, as she was too relaxed to care about any of the men.
" May I join you? " said a female voice.
Mary opened her eyes, and that was when her breath left her for a second.
" Wow… " said Mary, faintly, but the woman had heard her.
" Excuse me? " said the woman with a smile.
" Huh? " said Mary, snapping back to reality; " oh! No, please, I would be honored " said Mary, as she made room.
" Thank you " said the woman, as she entered the bath.
" Wooooooow! " said Mary within herself, for this woman could easily have been a Houri or a Valkyrie. It was at this moment that Mary felt a bit of poetry appropriate.
" Hair like night. Skin like a white feather. Eyes a gazelle would envy. Lips like rose petals, and a face beaming with the light of the moon. "
Mary now got to the part, which had really caught her eyes:
" A chest like a treasure chest "
" Look closer, " said Qasif.
Mary had now noticed the fit physique.
" A warrior? "
She now noticed something, which made her freeze. The woman had been looking at her the whole time. Mary's white skin quickly became red with embarrassment, but the woman did not seem offended in any way. For she calmly said:
" My name is Helga, but my friends just call me: Hel "
Mary seemed to calm down, for her whiteness seemed to return. Mary grew a bit bold and confident, as she turned to Hel, and said:
" And what do your 'more than friends' call you? "
" Anything they like " said Hel, as she countered Mary by coming closer - really close.
(Gay panic) - Mary.
Mary and Hel could both now be seen in the changing room, putting on their respective clothing.
When Mary was done dawning her clothes and weapons, she saw that Hel was wearing Viking attire.
" I know that you are looking at my ass, '' said Hel with a smile, which Mary could not see.
" Hmmm " sounded Mary, as she was biting her lower lip at that perfectly shaped butt.
" Dude, keep it in your pants " said Qasif.
" I can't… " said Mary, sounding defeated.
" Let us go '' said Hel, walking past Mary, while gently massaging Mary's under chin with the tip of her fingers.
That was simply too much, and poor Mary "leaked" a little.
" You good? " said Qasif.
" No " sounded Mary, her knees close together, and her whole body shaking with excitement.
It took a while, but Mary finally came out, where Hel stood waiting for her.
" You took your time, '' said Hel with a smile, her arms crossed.
" I had an emergency… " said Mary, her cheeks crimson.
Hel giggled softly, and the two of them went away together. And I shall now disclose something, which Mary found out much later. Helga is the daughter of The Marsh King. And what Mary would soon find out is that Hel has the power to transform into any kind of animal. The two of them spent a lot of time and adventures together. Till the day Mary got down on one knee, and asked Hel:
" Will you marry me? "
" Ofcourse I will "
Qasif could not help but cry tears of joy from within the ring. The day then came, where Mary had to tell her parents. So, with the help of Hatim, Mary got in contact with her parents; within the land of dreams - for time and space means nothing in this realm.
Medina and Morten both saw how Mary looked nervous, but they waited patiently till she was ready.
" I met someone… " said Mary at last.
Medina smiled.
" What is his name? " asked Morten, sternly.
" Morten… " said Medina with a smile.
" What? I simply want to know his name, income, job, and blood type. You know: the usual "
Mary smiled faintly, as she gathered all her courage.
" Well… her name… " said Mary, looking up at both her parents. Medina smiled joyfully, as Morten simply said:
" I still wanna know her job, income, and blood type "
The three of them embraced, and Mary had to make sure that she would not be late for her date.
" Why are you nervous? " asked Qasif, as Mary could not sit still by the table.
" It's our first date after we got engaged "
" So? "
" I just want it to be special... "
" She is coming "
Mary could hear the footsteps. She got up from her chair, and once more, like the first time she saw her, Mary's breath left her for a second. Hel, like the goddess she was named after, was truly heavenly… or, hellig. Both her long hair and swan-dress were dancing, for the wind was in love. The sun kissed her soft skin, and made her eyes gleam. Hel was now standing before Mary.
" What do you think of my dress? " asked Hel, as the dress was a bit 'see through'.
" Say something! " yelled Qasif, for Mary stood frozen.
" Something! " exclaimed Mary, excitedly.
" Did you just? " said Qasif, not believing what just came out of Mary's mouth.
" My... dress... something? " said Hel, amused; " do you wanna try again? "
Mary froze once more, for Hel's beauty was that overwhelming.
" Say something nice! " yelled Qasif.
Mary opened her mouth.
" And don't you dare say something nice!! "
Mary closed her mouth.
Hel waited patiently. Where upon Mary said:
" You look beautiful "
" Thank you "
" God, I don't know how, but she saved it… "
Mary and Hel enjoyed their dinner and each other's company… they would later enjoy each other.
" Ommi! "
" Mor! "
Yelled two excited children as Mary and Hel were making their way home.
Mary and Hel both picked up a child, for these two were the children they had adopted - Gerda and Kai.