The Old Crone

by William Knight

Copyright Jan, 1998

Once upon a time there were thirteen Vikings marching through the woods. Each one of them was big and tough. For years, they had been away from their homes, fighting for their glory and gold, but now where on their way home. Their drighten, or leader, was a mighty warrior named Katter. As evening approached, Katter ordered the others to halt and make camp for the night in a clearing.

Dropping their heavy bags to the ground, they began to make beds from leaves and soft branches around the clearing's center where they dug a fire pit. While they did this, Katter went into the woods to hunt for their dinner. When he came back, he brought several large birds that he'd caught. Gutting them, Katter then caked each one with mud and set them into the pit, which now had a large crackling fire in it.

As they waited for the food to cook, they cleaned their swords and told stories. As the blackbirds cooked, the smell of them made their mouths water. They licked their lips, thinking of how good the birds would be. After awhile, they pulled the birds from the fire pit. The mud had hardened by now, forming a protective coating around the birds. Cracking the mud off, hot, delicious smells came out.

As they were getting ready to eat, the sound of rustling could be heard from outside the camp. Grabbing their swords, they ran into the bushes and dragged out a ragged looking old woman.

"Who are you and what are you doing old crone?" Asked Katter. The woman was old with hair that was silvery-white. She was hunched over and her back had a large hump. Her eyes were yellow and her large, crooked teeth were greenish.

"I am called Hulliea, fierce Drighten. I mean you no harm." Said the old woman. "I smelled your food and I am hungry. Will you share some with me?"

Each of the warriors looked from the ugly old woman to each other.

The first one shook his head and said. "Not I, old crone. There is to little."

Each of the others did the same, until only Katter was left.

"Old Woman, I will share mine, even though there is not much. I won't let you starve, for Freyr would frown upon it."

And with that, they all sat down and ate the blackbirds.

When dinner was done, each moved to his bedding till only the old crone was by the fire. She went to the first viking and said.

"Mighty one, will you share your bed with me? It will be cold tonight and I have no blanket."

The first one said. "No, old crone. You are to ugly to share my bed."

So, she went to the second and said. "Mighty adventurer, will you share your bed with me? It will be cold tonight and I have no blanket."

The second said. "No, old crone. Your skin is wrinkled and dirty. I will have to bathe myself if you should touch me while we sleep."

So, she went to the third and said. "Mighty warrior will you share your bed with me? It will be cold tonight and I have no blanket."

He said. "No, old crone. You smell funny. Sleep elsewhere."

The old woman went to each of the vikings but all turned her away until only Katter was left. To her he said. "Crone, you may sleep with me. It will be cold tonight and it would be wrong for those of the kindred of Nerthus to turn you away." He pulled out his sword and laid it in the middle of the bedding. "But do not cross over this sword."

With that, they laid down together and Katter spread his heavy blanket over both of them. It was later, that Katter was woken from his sleep by the stirrings of the crone. Rolling over, he looked to her. His eyes grew large as he saw the old crone change before his eyes. No longer was she old and ugly, but now young and beautiful. Her hump was gone. Her skin became smooth and pure white with hair of dark black, and her lips bright red.

Katter's mouth opened in awe. Smiling, the crone said to him. "You have shown honor and kindness in your actions. For your deed, you shall be rewarded." With that, she vanished and in the spot where she lay now was a rich treasure. The other vikings crowded around him now, having been awaked by the glow that had surrounded the crone as she changed. They all laughed and talked about what they could do with the treasure, until Katter spoke out.

"Back you dogs!" He called out, his sword brandished in his hand. "You shall only get what you gave and that is nothing!"

After that, the twelve sulking vikings never again treated one in need so badly again.