#anywhere

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In the hills outside rivervale, music arises, as Tove practices her craft....

" Bittida en morgon innan solen upprann
Innan fåglarna började sjunga
Bergatrollet friade till fager ungersven
Hon hade en falskeliger tunga"

Her voice singing out with the old folk song.

" Herr Mannelig Herr Mannelig trolofven I mig
För det jag bjuder så gärna
I kunnen väl svara endast ja eller nej
Om I viljen eller ej:"

Swedish may not be one expects to hear out here, and few know the translation, but some might recognize it as "Herr Mannelig" a tale about the courting of a Mountain Troll

But even those who know it not can hear her clear voice carrying if they pass nearby, her fingers working the dulcimer.

"Eder vill jag gifva de gångare tolf
Som gå uti rosendelunde
Aldrig har det varit någon sadel uppå dem
Ej heller betsel uti munnen"

The tale goes on as the Mountain Troll comes down, and makes her proposal for him, beginning with the offer of twelve great horses for his hand. And she's not done yet, for wonders are hers to offer.

The refrain, the offer anew, as plaintive as the first time, as hopeful

"Eder vill jag gifva de qvarnarna tolf
Som stå mellan Tillö och Ternö
Stenarna de äro af rödaste gull
Och hjulen silfverbeslagna"

Twelve fine horses was the start, now twelve mills, with silver and gold in their working.

" Eder vill jag gifva ett förgyllande svärd
Som klingar utaf femton guldringar
Och strida huru I strida vill
Stridsplatsen skolen I väl vinna"

And now she offers up a gilded blade that chimes, and could make even the clumsiest warrior victorious, for she protect the man she gave her heart to and bring him glory.

" Eder vill jag gifva en skjorta så ny
Den bästa I lysten att slita
Inte är hon sömnad av nål eller trå
Men virkat av silket det hvita"

And last a shirt of silk as white as snow, crafted not by needle so as to seem breathed into existence as it was, and to shine magnificently so all might enjoy his splendor as she does. the voice is almost breathy at the thought.

But then switches, harsher, deeper notes.

"Sådana gåfvor jag toge väl emot
Om du vore en kristelig qvinna
Men nu så är du det värsta bergatroll
Af Neckens och djävulens stämma"

And Sir Mannelig informs her that were she of the Christian faith, he'd take these gifts and her gladly,but renounces her, and says she is of the devil.

There's a deliberate jangle to the strings, abrupt... meant to mime something akin to a slap to the face, for no doubt the prospective bride feels stung.

"Bergatrollet ut på dörren sprang
Hon rister och jämrar sig svåra
Hade jag fått den fager ungersven
Så hade jag mistat min plåga" the song has come back, sad, hurting, heaving with sorrow and torment of one spurned and made to feel small in doing so.

As the Mountain troll in the song goes out the door, and cries out into the hills and the valleys with her grief. She still loves, and the ache is all the worst for his harsh treatment. She knows only the hurt of the unrequited.

Tove ends the song, and speaks nonmusically in English "I know father dislikes messing with the classics, but i so want to give her a happy ending."

"Sir Mannelig didn't ask her to practice his faith, or mention he'd want the kids raised that way," A snort, "Not even that as a starting point. Frankly," Tove says aloud, "I don't think he deserved her. Torn though, should I have another grander fellow show up, a troll himself, who finds her so wonderful he cannot bear her tears and offers her great gifts and suit? or should I have her just revenge herself on the narrow minded Sir Mannelig?"

A grunt from a tree, "I think she should lose everything."

Tove nearly jumps out of her blue skin, "Sweet Braggi"

Jaymes steps out more fully, "Sorry, I heard the music, and it was lovely so... I thought I'd ..well, didn't think you'd mind. Had a lot on my brain, sorting it out."

Tove calms to see it is someone she knows, "You move quiet enough for a big fellow, or maybe I was too much in my thoughts. I'm glad you liked the..." A start, a frown, "What do you mean she should lose everything?"

"I mean," he says, "If I recall what she offered in the song, she tried to buy him..."

"As is customary in some cultures" She countered, "A dowry of a bride is a consideration. And you'd rip it from her?"

"Yes, verse by verse," He answers. "First the Horses would be stolen...or just vanish.I suppose you could have them killed in a flood."

"Oh great, an animal lover..." She snorts.

"The mills would likely catch fire" he says undettered, "Another night, want to have this spread out."

"Well, I see where this is going, and the sword is lost to pay debts,a nd the shirt torn I suppose?" Hand on her hip.

"Yes," he says, "And only when she has nothing, do the things return, or replacements are found. One by one... over a season perhaps. And that which is replaced is even grander before, and it is clear someone is providing" He says

She quirks her head, "Not Sir Mannelig , surely?"

"No, though she probably hopes so, but if she seeks him out, she finds he's married a shrewish woman who will make his life hell, but that's okay, she's of the right faith" A flash of wolf fangs.

"Ha," She smiles then "So where..."

"Do the gifts come from? Why the Troll who has been watching her from the next hill she never looked at , of course, for her eyes were too focused on Sir Mannelig. This suitor gifts Her , and demands nothing. Asks for nothing but her happiness. though in his dreams he wishes she could see him as she saw Sir Mannelig."

Tove mulls it over, "Why didn't the idiot just say something? Show a little courage?"

"He's shy," Jaymes says straightfaced.

"And maybe words are harder than deeds for him," Jaymes adds.

"Well, it's a bit sexist" She says

"Sexist?" he's starttled

"Takes a man to fix her problems? Solve all her woes?" She points out.

"Well, pardon, but maybe he knows she can recover, but he still wants to help," brow knit "Maybe he wants to feel needed by her just a little too?"

"I didn't say he wasn't a sweet sexist," She smiles. "or at least Sweet Chauvinist. "

"mmmph" Jaymes says

"You know, everytime someone 'mmphs' at me, I translate it to them saying 'Okay, Tove, you are right and you win'"

He raises a brow, "Do you now?"