A week after Önd's return on Miðgarðr or so, he encountered a rather strange young man. It was a calm evening as any other, when Önd decided to take a small stroll around Skírlífi. The dinner was good as usual, even delicious, at which point Önd ate until his gluttony had enough. He excused himself in order to leave his mother and sister, and went out of his home. He took the path toward the village's main gate, and rested before a tree as gazing at the beautiful sky and breathing the fresh air.
He remained there for half an hour and finally his comtemplationcontemplation ceased as he finally noticed a shadowy figure which was near of him. The figure slowly approached and Önd could soon distinguish a young man, in fancy clothes, not quite standing right but limping. The figure carried on approaching and Önd finally saw clearly the man; his was young, younger than Önd, with a small beard, and brown hair that were drown such as fringe before his forehead. He was carrying a sword and his clothes were stained— stained in blood—!
As seeing the redishreddish stains on his tunic, Önd rapidly stood up and rushed at the man. Upon grabbing him, the man fainted and Önd decided to bring him to his home, for his mother (whom was taught by a seiðkona) could help him. He reached his home as quickly as possible, knocked on the door whereupon Auðunn was more than surprised and panicked to see his son with a bloody corpse as opening the door, and slowly laid the man of the floor. His mother rapidly verified the man's state and announced:
- I ignore how you met this young man, but he has a severe wound on the stomach and seemed to have been hardly beaten!
- We shan't just let him die—! Mother, I might have found an idea— however I require some time. Could you not let the man die meanwhile? demanded Önd.
- I could— but whatever your plan, hurry yourself—! almost yelled Auðunn.
- I shan't take long—
Upon uttering these words, Önd took Leynistígr as Auðunn ordered Miskunn to seek some plants. Önd, now with Leynistígr, went out once more and sticked his blade into the ground. He put his hand on the handle and rapidly remembered Sessrúmnir whereupon the runes on his sword began to glisten. He was now before the goddess' mighty dwelling. He frantically knocked on the door and after an instant, Eir opened the door. Önd then yelled:
- I seek Heiðr—! Please, tell her that it's an important matter—!
- Önd—! Why such hurry?
- I'll explain later— for now, just please call her.
Eir then headed over the stairways and climbed them until what Önd supposed to be the last story, where is Heiðr's room. He waited for a moment, and finally, an all too familiar voice called him. It was Heiðr speaking from her balcony, in her more than fancy and refined clothes, as usual with Önd's gift at the neck and her wooden crown:
- What is it Önd—? Already miss me that much—? she taunted as being full of joy at Önd's arrival.
- Now isn't the time for jesting—! I need your help— a man is currently dying on my floor—! yelled Önd, frantically.
- What— I'm coming down—! exclaimed Heiðr.
The goddess disappeared from Önd's sight, and after another suspence, he could spot Heiðr from the stairway. She rapidly reached the doorstep and Önd took her hand whereupon he placed it on Leynistígr's handle. He put his hand on the handle and before any other words from the goddess, he teleported back in his village. Then, he put back his blade in its sheath and grabbed Heiðr's hand as he led her into his home. The man was all too noticeable for whomever entered in the house. And next to the man was Auðunn, praying to the gods and applying herbal decoctions on the wound. Heiðr rushed before the man and lowered herself. Finally, Önd let enough time for Heiðr to speak and she did so:
- How could this happen—? Is this some fight which ended badly—? she asked as staring at Önd.
- Well— I don't know. He was just roaming outside in this state while I was resting—! Can't you do something for him? he replied.
- Of course— I'm the greatest seiðkona in the nine realms— she retorted, although without much her usual arrogance, for too concerned for the man.
Önd shut his mouth in order to let Heiðr do whatever ritual, and she began her task. First, she put some herbs that she pulled out of her purse in the man's mouth. Then, she took some of the blood of the man and wrote some runes next to the wound. Surprisingly, all the blood on his tunic and on the floor were pulled back inside the wound as if time reversed itself. And after all the blood was gone, the wound healed as sealing itself. Then, Heiðr recited a galdr and announced that her task was done. She leaned on a wall and Önd sat next her wheuponwhereupon he asked in a hurry:
- Will he be fine—?
- Certainly— Remember that I'm the greatest seiðkona in the nine realms, she reiterated with a grin. Well, I'm exhausted— I'll stay here as payment—!
- Is the fact that we're friend not enough for a payementpayment? complained Önd, but not really against it.
- Anyway— What could've happened to that man—? wondered Heiðr.
- Let us ask him whenever he'll awake— replied Önd.
- I expected no less from a goddess— admired Auðunn as setting a place for the man to sleep.
- I could teach you, and you too Miskunn— if it interests you, continued Heiðr.
The evening went by as Önd, Heiðr and his family discussed. And when it was late, they finally went to sleep. But in his dreams, Önd saw himself in a unfamiliar place; he was standing alone in a dark and misty lowland. Abruptly, a hooded man appeared before him as scattering the fog, but shadow was hiding his face. He removed his hood, and Önd recognized Óðinn with his forever-shut eye. The old man then greet Önd:
- Good... he trailed on his word, unable to find a suitable greeting and carried on. How is going your life in Miðgarðr—?
Önd, quite shocked by his entrance, replied after a moment:
- I'm more than enjoying my current life— Where are we—? wondered Önd.
- In a place that does not exist— We're merely in the dreams' realm.
- And why am I here—? questioned Önd.
- I must talk with you— I believe that you currently host an almost-dead man in your home—
- You know him—? replied Önd.
- Indeed— I have a task for you concerning this man—
- But how do you know him?
- His family in under my patronage— and that is why I must ask you to help him out, finally answered Óðinn.
- And what kind of trouble has he?
- It is preferable that you hear it from himself. Well— I'll leave your dreams alone now. Oh— greet your travelling companion for me—!
Upon his words, Óðinn disappeared suddenly, without letting Önd time to formulate questions. And after another instant, Önd woke up and it was dawn. He looked around him, and at his relief, he was no longer in the grim lowland from his dreams. He turned and saw Heiðr sleeping next to him. He then checked the man; unfortunately, he was yet resting. He sighed as wondering when would he regain consciousness and Heiðr began to moan as if waking up. She was indeed awake but with messy hair and was stretching her arms. Önd rapidly took a brush for the goddess, and he quietly spoke to her with a smile:
- Good morning— You seem to have slept well!
- Good morning— she replied as rubbing her eyes. How is going our injured man?
- Without success— He might need more rest, replied Önd.
- And did you sleep well—? I mean— it's unusual of you to wake up this early... jested Heiðr.
- You remind me that I must discuss with you— answered Önd as remembering his dream.
- What is it? Do want a night with me—? flirtatiously taunted Heiðr.
- I shall refuse, replied Önd in a usual tone, already used to her antics. Let's go out first since Mother and Miskunn are yet asleep.
- Very well—
But before going out, Önd first took some flour in a wooden plate, a torch he lit from the hearth, and a large piece of cloth He went out with the goddess, and as he tried to light a fire inside a circle of stone which Heiðr supposed to be the usual fire they use while outside, Heiðr asked:
- What're you doing?
- Since I'm awake, I'll prepare the breakfast— replied Önd as finishing to light the fire.
- How nice of you— complemented Heiðr. She took the brush and began to tidy her hair, and continued, anyway— why do you need to discuss with me?
While taking some water for the bread in a keg near of him, he replied by another question:
- Are you able to enter in one's dream—?
- Of course— it's quite easy actually. Why is that? Someone entered in yours—? she added as continuing to brush her hairs.
- Indeed— And guess who now, replied Önd as preparing the bread.
- Hmm... Óðinn? asked Heiðr.
- Correct! He greets you, by the way—
- And what was the purpose of that? demanded Heiðr as finishing to trim her hair.
- He gave me a task— a task concerning the man. He asked me to help him out—
- Óðinn knows him then?
- Apparently, his family is under the Allfather's patronage— carried on Önd as Heiðr began to help him in making bread disks.
- Do you know what that means? asked Heiðr which seemed to know the answer.
- And it means?
- It means that the young man is some sort of noble— maybe the son of a jarl!
- Which brings even more questions that I'm eager to be answered, added Önd before these revelations.
- Regarding Óðinn's words, a journey awaits you— and you may count on my company, gleefully said Heiðr.
- I can't decline— but I'm also grateful, for a journey together is to be preferred than a journey alone, he replied as putting the bread disks above hot stones.
- I should change my clothes then, she suggested for her clothes were unchanged since the eve.
Upon her words, Önd rapidly went back inside of his home and took Leynistígr whereupon he gave the sword to the goddess. She looked quite surprised, and asked:
- May I use Leynistígr—?
- I see no reason why not— he answered.
- I mean— to give someone one's weapon may lead to one's death, she retorted.
- I shan't die that easily— I solely trust you to give me back my sword, he jested.
Heiðr then chuckled and returned to her gigantic manor. Meanwhile, Önd finished to bake the breads and woke up his family. And upon half an hour or so, Heiðr was back on Miðgarðr with her reddish dress and her dark blue shawl. She also braided her hairs and had not forgotten her crown and Önd's present. They took their breakfast together and the pair then went out for a stroll. The pair hunt some birds and made a competition of it, but considering that Heiðr was a war goddess, Önd expectedly lost. However, Heiðr yet congratulated him about his skill in archery.
And near noon, they went back, and at their surprise, the man barely awoke. At last, Önd was about to know the truth about his guest. And with Heiðr, he hurried to approach the man in a corner of the room. At first, the man could barely open his eyes and was just slowly moving his head, then, he regained consciousness as opening wide his eyes. The young man then asked in a low voice:
- Where am I—?
- Steady mate, suggested Önd.
- My brother found you the eve— and in very bad state, continued Miskunn in compassion.
- Thanks to the seiðkona, you'll be fine, carried on Auðunn as pointing the goddess.
- Now— may you explain us the circumstances that led you before this village in such state—? asked Heiðr.
- Before that, my thanks— I'm Víti, son of Ljóss Bölverk, he introduced himself.
Önd soon understood the true identity of the man. And with her mother and sister, he wide opened his eyes in astonishment and stuttered:
- You're the k–king's son—?
- Indeed— replied Víti.
- Why couldn't you recognize the heir of your land? whispered Heiðr to Önd, as if scolding the human.
- And why would you think that the king and his family would visit each peasant? retorted Önd.
Since Víti could hear the pair, he stated:
- Actually— it is what my father, my brother and I were doing the eve.
- Anyway— carried on Heiðr as raising her voice. Would you mind telling us your journey now—?
- Of course— Now, I ask you to believe my words—
Upon war's completion, my father decided to pay a visit to each village and family in order to pay his respects to the one's whom succumbed in battle. Thus, we travelled until a village near of here. The folk welcomed us well, and a feast followed. However, my brother, Vél, had gruesome plans under his sleeves. Well— he killed Father and with his corrupted men, he ravaged the village as letting no survivors.
But fortunately, I escaped— and here I am now...
- The king is dead—? asked Miskunn.
- And with his death, Vél is now the new ruler... added Víti in disgust. My brother always wished wealth— but I couldn't imagine such means to attain his goal—!
- I doubt that a greedy ruler is a good one, commented Heiðr.
- But what will you do for now—? asked Önd, as certifying his task.
- It's obvious— I shall avenge my father... replied Víti in a mild anger.
- As I supposed, continued Heiðr as narrowing her eyes.
- In such state— I believe that it'll take time, said Önd to the young man.
- Then— I shall leave now. I must rally my father's jarls in order to attack the "new king", announced Víti as trying to stand up, but without success.
- I reiterate— added Önd as raising a bit his voice. You're in no condition to leave—!
- But fortunately— Óðinn wants us, continued Heiðr as pointing herself and Önd, to aid you—!
- A peasant and his wife? Óðinn did well in fulfilling my prayers— sarcastically retorted Víti.
Irritated, Heiðr took some ash from her purse and blew it. Suddenly, Önd, Heiðr, and Víti were atop a volcano—! Önd quickly surveyed his surrounding, but only blaze or lava he saw. Heiðr loudly yelled "Súrt—!" and a burning giant carrying a colossal burning blade instantly came. He raised his sword and lowered it as if he were about to hack the prince, and before that the blade reached him, they had returned in Önd's home. As the last time, Önd supposed that Heiðr made some sort of illusion. Hopefully, she spared this unsettling scene to Auðunn and Miskunn.
On the other side, Víti was sweating and breathing as if no more air would enter in his lungs. Önd soon remembered to never be so disagreeable towards the goddess. Heiðr then harshly said:
- Well— the "peasant's wife" is also the goddess of seiðr, and the "peasant" is also the Allfather's servitor, she continued as pointing Leynistígr which was in a corner of the room.
- And we're not married— shyly added Önd, for he feared the goddess' anger.
Heiðr suddenly turned her head to face Önd and stared at him hard. As abruptly, she faced once more the prince:
- Now— be grateful that we're helping you—!
- My apologies, aslo timidly confessed the prince.
Önd coughed as if trying to break the tension and continued:
- How may we help you, Víti—?
- As I said— I'll avenge my father by attacking Vél, and for that I must rally some jarls and their men–
As soon as the prince finished his sentence, Önd serious replied:
- A moment— I wish for no bloodshed—
- And what should I do then—? answered back Víti.
- I shall assist you in rallying men— but solely to scare your brother enough in order to claim a duel against him. This matter won't become everyone's—! retorted Önd.
- Very well— There are three powerful jarls near of here: Vör, Fyst and Annar.
- And where would we found them? continued Heiðr.
- Vör's mead hall is southern, about twenty miles from here, in the village of Ókátr.
- And the others—? added Heiðr.
- I've solely heard their names from my father, but Vör must know their location.
- Very well— we shall depart tomorrow morning. It's indeed a long way to go—! complained Önd.
- Anyway, I must stay here until I'm fully healed— replied Víti.
- And you should heal very fast— For now, Miskunn shall ensure your recovery, added Heiðr.
- Will you learn me seiðr—? happily asked Miskunn whereupon the goddess agreed.
- Everything is settled then—! announced Önd.
And after their conversation, Miskunn and Heiðr exited the small dwelling and the goddess spent her afternoon teaching Miskunn in the forest. Meanwhile, Önd stayed at his mother's side and checked on every now and then the prince. The latter seemed bored, thus, Önd took out his Hnefatafl board and played against him. And before the afternoon's end, Önd helped his mother with the dinner. An hour or so later, Miskunn and Heiðr were back and seemed to have become very good friend. Önd was absolutely happy as seeing these two getting along—!
The dinner began and Miskunn helped the prince, whom was more than hungry, to eat. As usual, the dinner was great and Önd took a small stroll with Heiðr. Önd spent his nocturnal stroll by listening to Heiðr whom seemingly had many things to tell to the human. They went back home, and after wishing good night to the guest, his family, and Heiðr, Önd wrapped himself in his couchette and slept.