1 comments/ 3999 views/ 5 favorites For a Song Ch. 01 By: cultofstrawberry As some of my readers know, I love mythology! I enjoy myths from across the world, and it is really fun to study them, and see what place they have in the history, and society, of a country/race. You have various sub-genres - creation, hero sagas, how an animal got a particular feature, and so on. There's also plenty of stories where women get the short end of the stick - which is not only apparent in myths, but history. I'll avoid a long rant about how patriarchal society sucks, but I will say that some of the myths I've read where women are treated unfairly just make me go WTF. The story of how Joukahainen challenged Vainamoinen is one such story. It is part of an epic Finnish story known as the Kalevala, comprised almost 200 years ago to collect and string together old Finnish myths. This particular story has a young, talented man going up against a sorcerer/musician who he sees as old and easy to defeat. However, the young man's arrogance is his downfall as he is bested by Vainamoinen, and his life becomes forfeit. In desperation, Joukahainen offers his sister, Aino, in marriage, which Vainamoinen accepts. In the original story, Aino drowns/kills herself, or turns into a salmon. Either way, she's pretty much screwed by her brother's stupidity as her life is either literally or figuratively over. I read this story ages ago when I was little in a collection of world myths. At that time, I did not think much of it, as I was fairly young at that time. I came across it again several years ago, and with a much more mature and critical perspective, the story stuck with me. Kanteles, which are prominently featured in this story (as well as the Kalevala, and also known as a harppu in the Sami language) is a string instrument which can be compared to a zither. Instead of going with the long build-up of the original story, I decided to simply dive into the action with an important scene between the two men. If you're curious about the original story, you can Google it. o0o Joukahainen clawed at the mire around him with desperation, hearing the cursed singing of the old man as Vainamoinen calmly plucked his instrument, his digits dancing across the strings with the ease of long experience and skill. The young man's fingers only sunk in the dirt as he sought purchase, and he tried to grab anything that might offer him hope - a root, some grass, anything - but the mud continued to swallow him up, inch by inch, and desperation clawed at his chest. He had been confident that the old man would be easy to defeat, for surely someone as ancient as Vainamoinen would not have much magic left in his veins. When he had first approached the sage, Vainamoinen looked like any other old man, wizened and gnarled, with the flowing beard that one only saw on men of advanced age. Joukahainen tried to sing, but as he sunk further, he found this harder to do as the mud was not only wet, but it was cold, and the singing he had once been able to do with ease, had now become next to impossible, the mud seeming to squeeze the air out of his lungs. Was it just his imagination, or did Vainamoinen look much more sturdy than he had before, his fingers moving swiftly across his kantele? "Please, you have won, you have proven yourself more skilled and powerful than I!" Joukahainen managed to gasp, the words bitter as they escaped his mouth, for he had never been defeated before in an actual duel. "Whatever you want, I forfeit! You can have my gold!" he cried out, wanting the mud to simply let him go. Its embrace was the complete opposite of a woman's, cold yet hard, and he wanted nothing more than to be free of it, and Vainamoinen's song now sounded more like a funeral song than anything else. "Your gold?" the old man scoffed, even his voice seeming more robust than when he had first been encountered. "What need have I of gold? Seems to me you should spend less time groveling and more pulling yourself out of that hole." The music ceased, and Vainamoinen rose from the boulder upon which he had been seated, his figure seeming to fill Joukahainen's vision as he approached. Even a child would have been able to look down at him, but the young man was certain that Vainamoinen was taller than he had once been. "Look at you, rolling around in the mud! What happened to that man who was so filled with confidence at his power and skill?" His features pulled into a sneer, his teeth much whiter and straighter than someone would expect of a very old man. It was all too obvious that the great bard took pleasure in his suffering, and Joukahainen squirmed around in great discomfort. "Maybe next time you'll think twice before trying to make a name for yourself attacking an old man, hmm?" Unceremoniously, Vainamoinen plopped himself down near the sinkhole. Humming to himself he began to adjust the strings of his instrument, acting almost as if Joukahainen wasn't even there... at least for a few moments. "I have a run-in with children like you every once in awhile. The type that don't think they can beat a man in his prime so they go looking for the old and infirm. Would be a lot easier to crawl out of there with a backbone, I bet." Reaching over to grab a handful of dirt, Vainamoinen stretched out to release it upon the head of his challenger. Joukahainen wanted to glare at the old man, for hadn't he been trying to crawl out of that hole? But it seemed the more he struggled, the deeper he sunk. If anything, the mud had seemed to solidify around his feet, preventing him from kicking upwards, and instead was now pulling him down further. The mud crawled up his chest, and now went past his armpits. "You have proved your power over me, Vainamoinen. I see your words are true. Can I offer you my inheritance, then? I have much lands, and they are yours, if you will let me go!" Joukahainen pleaded. He did not look forward to losing such a sizable birthright, and his father would be livid, to be sure, but he was young and had much talent. He was confident that he would be able to obtain more land in the future, to be sure. Right now, his primary concern was his life. "You know of my family, and the acres upon fertile acres of land that I have. Please take it!" he pleaded, all thoughts of singing now past, for it was clear that his singing and magic would not get him out of this, all he could do was grovel, and what a bitter defeat it would be, but at the very least, he would have his life! "And now lands too? If I wanted lands, I would have all of Lapland. If I wanted gold, I would have enough to fill that hole you can't manage to climb out of, and to cover this entire field. You have nothing I want, boy... and you speak in desperation." The old man let out an overly dramatic sigh, closed his eyes and shook his head. "Saying you learned a lesson and actually learning it are two very different things. Your words hold no value when you are simply saying whatever you think will get you out the fastest. They might as well be the wind, raging but saying nothing." He craned his head looking down on the youth with a sardonic smile. "I could simply walk off and leave you here. Maybe then you'd understand... for a few moments, at least." The old man played at getting to his feet. "No, no, no!" The mud was now up to Joukahainen's chin. Within a few minutes, he would be completely sunk into the ground. Frantically, he tried to think of something, anything! Then he paused. His sister. Aino was twenty summers old, and should have been married by now, but she kept driving off her suitors, to the frustration of his parents. Vainamoinen might not be interested, but then, anything was worth trying. "Wait... my sister, Aino! Would you like her? You have gold and land, but have you a beautiful young woman?" he gasped, trying to keep his chin above the mud. To his great relief, the powerful sage stilled. "You would bargain away your sister?" he asked, turning around slowly. Joukahainen found himself under the scrutiny of half-lidded eyes. He cringed, wondering if he'd made a grave miscalculation and was about to be at the receiving end of a lecture on bargaining away family members. Vainamoinen started plucking at the strings of his kantele in an almost languid manner, and Joukahainen felt the earth around his ankles loosen their grip. With what bordered on a sob of relief, he hurled himself forward to the edge of the mud-pit, puling himself forward after digging his fingers into the solid earth. "Much I have heard of your talent, and so have I also heard of your sister's beauty. I have little use for your life, and find more value in the companionship of a lovely young woman." Joukahainen's head dropped to the grass, and he let out a slow breath. "Know this, boy. If you make this deal with me and I do not receive my end of it, there are places far more unpleasant than a mud-hole in the ground. I've seen things that would turn your hair white and make your eyes bleed. You were already foolish in challenging me. Do not compound your error by going back on your word. Practice a bit of honesty and self-awareness and perhaps, just maybe, you'll be able to challenge me again someday. In another sixty or seventy years or so, at least." After several moments to gather his strength, Joukahainen hoisted his lower half out of the mud, crawling several feet across the grass, very much resembling a golem not yet baked. His very mien was a far cry from the confident, well-dressed man that he had been that morning, leaving his house with a confident swagger and his best clothing, certain that he would defeat an old man. How comical he looked, on all fours, coated in mud like a pig, how his friends would have laughed if they could see him! How relieved he was that he had gone to challenge the old man alone, for he would not have been able to live down the shame otherwise. "I might have been a fool to challenge you, but I am not so foolish as to go back on my word, good sir. Simply give me a time, a few days if you will, so I can hurry on home and inform my sister and family of their good fortune." Knowing his parent's frustration with Aino, he was certain they would be happy for someone so powerful as a son. Vainamoinen gave him a curt nod. "Show some respect to your elders and clean up first. You look like you've laid amongst swine." He gave out a snort, regarding the sight before him with a dismissive wave of his hand. "A fortnight you will have, before I lay claim to my prize. I have some patience, at least. Speaking of patience, reflect on it as you limp home, defeated. A tree is climbed from its base, not from any branch you choose. You have a long way to go before you're ready to challenge me. Reflect on today. A man cannot be called wise until he understands how much he doesn't know." "Yes, sir," Joukahainen replied meekly as he pulled himself to his feet, looking down at himself as he tried to shake off as much mud as he could. o0o With an ease that spoke of long experience, Aino hoisted the yoke over her shoulders, balancing the two buckets of water that hung from either side of it before she left the well to water the garden around the corner of the house. After dispersing the water along several rows, she turned to go back to the well and fetch more water. A movement at the edge of the woods caught her eye, and paused just behind the corner to see her brother emerge from between the trees, looking somewhat wan, his broad shoulders stooped. He was missing the sleigh and reindeer he'd left with to challenge Vainamoinen. She raised her eyebrow as he furtively made his way across the clearing, and she did not need to ask him how his confrontation with Vainamoinen went. He was a horse's ass, and she'd told him just that when she'd heard him boasting to his friends how he would challenge the old man. The afternoon sun clearly illuminated his clothing, which revealed deep stains despite an attempt to wash them. The once-white fabric of his shirt was now a dull ocher, and the rest of his clothing was just as wrinkled as his shirt. His hair had been haphazardly tied back with a thong, and though it was apparent he'd tried to straighten the shoulder-length blonde hair with his fingers, his travails left his tresses looking more like a bird's nest than anything else. One other fact was as plain as her brother's state of disarray. He was trying to sneak home without anyone observing him. If she had needed any further confirmation of the outcome of his duel with the powerful sage, this was it. She grinned as she set down her yoke, and called out. "Greetings, dear brother! It is so nice to see you home safe and well! I take it your duel went well?" she asked, casually approaching him as she saw him stiffen. "It looks like your trip has taken its toll on you, however," she tutted with mock concern. "Mother worked so hard on that shirt, and now it's ruined." She gave his collar a sharp tug. "Yes. Leave me alone, my trip has been tiring. I need rest." She narrowed her eyes, and sharply twisted his collar. "Did I not warn you to leave things well enough alone?" she hissed. He quickly averted his gaze. "Bloody fool. You will get no quarter from me." "Please, Aino." His tone was pleading and doleful. She paused. "I really am tired, and you were right. Can I not at least have a rest before you start crowing about how right you were?" She sighed. "Be glad I am not without a heart, but don't expect me to wash your clothes. Go." She waved her hand, and he disappeared into the house. Mother was out helping another woman give birth, as she was a midwife and healer. Father was with his younger sons, fishing at the lake. Joukahainen would have come home at just the right time if she had not caught him. Given how much grief Joukahainen had caused her in the past, she was determined to make the most of this. There was no way that he would admit to his friends that Vainamoinen had humiliated him, and she gleefully pondered how she could make the most of the fact that she guarded the secret of his shame. Once her chores were done, she decided that there was enough sunlight to take a walk in the woods and have some time for herself. There would be plenty of berries to eat, and she could gather some for later. The shade of the trees provided respite from a warm day, and the basket she'd carried with her was soon heavy with several varieties of berries. o0o There were many that believed that once one had lived long enough, everything became dull. Vainamoinen knew better. Live a long time with an open mind, and one would understand that the world always has the capability to surprise you just one more time. Of course, whether the surprise was welcome or not was an entirely different matter. He didn't doubt that Joukahainen would do what he could to keep up his side of the bargain - but the same could not be said for his sister. Vainamoinen preferred to understand just what he would be getting. He'd seen the young woman a couple of times before, and was aware that her beauty was not simply a story told by her brothers or parents. He was a man, and not immune to the effects of a lovely young maiden, but he was also wise enough to look beyond appearances. With his skill and experience, it took little effort for Vainamoinen to make it to the lands that Joukahainen's father owned, and to make it there before the young man did. With the sharp hearing that had come with the avian form he'd wrapped around himself, he might have cackled in laughter as he heard the upbraiding that Aino had issued her brother. After several moments, he'd retreated into the forest and shrugged off his disguise. Finding a stream that he followed for a bit, he came to a clearing, and knelt by the water, taking a long, full drink as he studied his surroundings. The cool water was a welcome respite after his exertions - both physical and magical - and he settled down in the thick grass, pulling out his kantele and unwrapping it from the protective cloth he'd bundled it in. He strummed the strings absentmindedly, striking several random notes before settling into a comfortable tune. The forest itself seemed to sway with the music, its natural sounds providing soft, subtle accompaniment. Vainamoinen paid it no mind. He had stopped being enamored with his own abilities long ago. Now he simply played for the enjoyment of the music and because, like any other skill, music must be continually practiced. o0o Aino stilled as she heard music playing. Her brother had a skilled hand, to be sure, but this was different. Instinctively, she knew that this was of a more sure and experienced hand, the notes holding a depth that Joukahainen's music was lacking in, and she was content to listen for a while, casually plucking blueberries into her mouth as she relaxed, leaning against a tree, her covered basket sitting near her knee. Finally, the music wound down, and she ventured to call out. "Who is there?" At first, there was silence, and she thought that perhaps the player was too far away to hear her. Before she could call out again, the music started up gain. She followed it to the stream that ran along near the border of her father's land. A wizened old man was sitting on the grassy knoll, his fingers plucking the strings of a fine-looking kantele. He looked like nearly any other old man she'd ever seen, with a long white beard and gnarled hands. He was dressed in comfortable, well-mended clothing, and she wondered where he had come from. Technically, he was trespassing, but he looked to mean no harm, and seemed to be utterly absorbed in his music-making. He did not even carry with him the implements for hunting or cutting wood. Finally, he raised his head, staring at her quietly as he stopped plating. "Who are you, and how have you come to be here?" she asked politely, maintaining her distance. "I am but a humble old musician passing through. Do not mind me, I will be taking my leave before long." He set his kantele carefully to his side, placing his hands on his knees. "And just who might you be?" Aino smiled a little. She almost said her name, but stopped herself. Her brother held a certain fame around these parts, and often, when someone learned her name, they would bring up her brother. "Just a girl out looking for berries, and met with the pleasant surprise of music from skilled hands," she replied. He gave out a good-natured chuckle. "Well, just-a-girl, have you found the berries you were looking for? Or did my music distract you before the job was done?" She could not help but smile a bit at his friendly teasing, and decided to go with it. "Who says I can not do two things at the same time?" she asked, tilting her basket towards him so that he could see the fruit of her efforts. "I suppose that is true. So, what kind of name is 'just-a-girl'? The kind one only gives to strange men they encounter in the forest? For what it's worth, it seems oddly fitting now that I get a good look at you. While you've got a spark in your eyes, they speak of experience. You've dealt with people treating you as 'just-a-girl', and you dislike it." He spoke the analysis blandly, as if it were a statement of fact rather than assumption. She stared at him for a few moments, unnerved by the perception in his words. There was no use denying them, so she gave him a brief nod. "I don't know who you are, so best you not know who I am. And here when I am by myself, I can be me, and not 'just a girl'." "But you're not by yourself," he commented with a smirk. "So you go back to being 'just-a-girl'?" He gave her a dry look before asking his next question flatly. "Why?" She hesitated before squaring her shoulders. "For someone who does not know me, you seem rather concerned with how I live my life," she replied, cocking her head to one side, studying him. He was definitely not one of the village elders, so who could he be? She doubted he'd wandered here many miles by himself, he didn't seem up to it, unless he was part of a traveling party. With that thought, she looked around quickly to see if others might be hiding. For a Song Ch. 01 "Not at all. People who get to be my age may take on the role of teacher and philosopher. It's not that we all choose to. We just no longer worry about how people will feel when they're asked difficult questions. We no longer concern ourselves with pretense. I can see where that would be a bit unnerving." He stayed rooted in place, a slight frown on his features. "I'll tell you what; I can stop with the questions. For now. In return, would you share some berries with an old man?" She relaxed at that, and nodded, setting down her basket near him. "I have blueberries, blackberries, and gooseberries, which would you like?" she asked, letting him make his choice as she munched on a few of her own, sitting in the grass, a couple of feet away from him, keeping the basket between them. He reached out and took several blueberries. "So, just-a-girl, do you often share your spoils with strangers in the woods? I remember picking berries years and years back. I wasn't nearly as generous," he spoke lightly. "No, I''m not normally in the habit of doing so, but I think you more than paid for your berries with your song," she shot back, before taking a plump blackberry. "So, who are you? I feel as if I should know your face, but I know that you're not one of the town elders." She'd met them all at one time or another as they'd tried to shove their sons or grandsons at her for marriage. "Just-an-old-man," he replied, running a hand over his beard. "Seems neither of us were blessed with the most creative of names." "Oh, thinking two can play at that game, eh?" Aino asked with a small smile. "Fair enough." "Well I think it only fair that, unless you share your name, I keep mine to myself. Names have great value. They're not the sort of thing a person should just hand out left and right. Clearly you understand that, what with hiding yours and all." "I'd just as sooner not have people make their assumptions about me upon hearing my name," she admitted. She was famous in the town for her beauty, her stubbornness, and her brother. At that he laughed, loudly and deeply, shaking his head. "A burden I understand all too well, just-a-girl." He popped several berries into his mouth, a lingering grin the only remaining indication of his raucous laughter. They spent a bit more time in relaxed banter, talking about this or that, without veering too close to serious subjects. Finally, she rose to her feet. "I must be getting home, and I am sure you are tired of my prattling," she said lightly. "I have kept you from your music for too long." "I must admit that I enjoy your company, and I am reluctant to e parted from it so soon. Have you enough time to listen to another song? Consider it repayment for what you have shared with me." "It would be my delight." He pulled the kantele back in his lap and played another song, this one with a livelier beat. As Aino watched his fingers move along the strings, she was surprised that they could move with such ease given how gnarled they looked. The music was uplifting, yet there was a certain depth within the melody that resonated with her, and she closed her eyes, allowing herself to drift away on the music. Eventually, as with all good things, the music had to come to an end, and she opened her eyes, looking up at him. Their eyes met, and she noted how blue they were, like a clear winter sky. "Thank you for the music. You truly are very skilled." H regarded her with a faint smile. "It has been a pleasure playing for such an appreciative audience. Travel safely, just-a-girl." "It was nice to meet you, just-a-old-man. I hope to hear you play again one day," she shot back, doing a quick curtsey before picking up her basket and resting it on her hip. "Perhaps you will." o0o Joukahainen looked much improved after a rest, ambling down in a fresh set of clothing for a late supper. Aino had said nothing to her parents about her brother's defeat, and was silent at her meal as Father asked Joukahainen about his travels. She had to stop herself from laughing when Joukahainen claimed to have bravely sacrificed his sled and all but one of his reindeer in his epic battle against Vainamoinen. She did not doubt that parts of his story were true, and listened with half an ear as he described the various feats he had accomplished during his duel with the ancient but powerful sage. To his credit, Joukahainen did not spin his tale as if he'd so easily overcome the older man. Vainamoinen was given - at least, mostly - due credit, and the battle was hard-fought on both sides, but through sheer determination, Joukahainen emerged the victor. "And then, when he knelt before me in defeat, I thought about what I could ask of him. Land and wealth, have I not plenty?" "Wise and modest, I would expect no less of you," Father said proudly, stroking his thick flaxen beard. Joukahainen smiled at that. "Besides, I had defeated him. I don't need more of what I already have as proof." Well done, brother, Aino thought dryly as she listened to this. Doubtless Joukahainen had ample time on his trip home to come up with a way to obscure the fact that he had come home with less than he had left with. "Surely you gained something?" Mother pressed. "But, of course. Not for myself, but for Aino." Suddenly, she felt a numbing coldness slither up her spine, and realized that her brother's foolishness bore with it a price that the wrong person was being expected to pay. Had he bargained away her life in exchange for her own? No. No, I will not do it, she thought furiously, feeling the very same words bubble up in her throat. How could you- "He will share his wealth with Aino, instead. As a bride-price." What? She stared at her brother, barely comprehending the words as she heard them. Their parents were silent for several moments before Father gave out an approving grunt. "Oh! Such a blessing for our family!" Mother said, clapping her hands. "He is the richest man in all of Lapland, and the most powerful! Well, now second to my son, at least," she amended, giving her son a fond smile. "No," Aino whispered. She repeated the word more firmly, and her parents stared at her. "I will do no such thing." She turned her head to glare at her brother. "Admit the truth. You lost to him, and you offered me in exchange for your freedom. Or life." Joukahainen started to shake his head, but as he tried to make a denial, he stuttered, syllables coming from his mouth to form nonsense. She rose from the table, pushing her chair back. "I warned you to not go against him! I told you to leave well enough alone! I will not marry an old man to assuage the mistake made by a young man's pride!" o0o Even with her parents aware of the truth, their initial delight at Joukahainen having secured a husband for Aino had not abetted. Mother would nag at her about what a fine match it could be, and how the situation could have been avoided had Aino simply accepted one of her previous suitors. The fact that this had all been born of Joukahainen's folly seemed secondary to her parents, a trivial concern in the grand scheme of things. Not that that should surprise her, she mused bitterly. Joukahainen had always been the favored child. Their younger brothers idolized him. He had his choice of women from whom to select a prospective bride; though he had yet to make his choice. His skill in singing, and weaving magic with his voice, was considerable. In their eyes, he could do no wrong, and the fact that he'd used his loss to gain his sister a husband was seen as praise-worthy. Every time she tried to protest, she was met with scolding from her father and nagging from her mother. She would be damned if she was going to be the servant and bed-warmer for a man who apparently was not able to secure a bride by any other means. Refuge could not be had at home, and it would be useless to go to others for help. She would be discovered in due time, and though the prospect was initially daunting, Aino realized that if she wanted her freedom, it was something she had to obtain for herself. She looked down at the water as she sat on a boulder at the edge, naked, shivering in the cool night air. In her lap was a diaphanous garment that appeared to be made of pieces of silver, but when one took a closer look, they would come to the conclusion that it looked like the scales of a fish. It'd started out as a simple shift, providing a base for her to work her skills upon. Like her brother, Aino was touched with magic, but unlike him, she'd received no instruction in its use by the elders who'd been Joukahainen's mentors. Her only teacher had been her mother, who'd limited her instruction in ways to make a house more comfortable - singing to the vegetables to make them more robust, chasing the dust out of the corners, coaxing the hearth to provide warmth that would spread to all the rooms in the house, restoring stained garments to their former pristine state, and the like. There was also the gathering of herbs for remedies to various ills, and the tending of the sick or injured, especially when it concerned feminine woes. All of it long considered the provenance of women. However, she'd spied on her brother several times, and many times mulled over the various magical feats she'd heard about. She'd attempted to assume the form of a bird by weaving herself a bird-skin, but she lacked the experience and knowledge to do so. A wolf- or deer-skin was also beyond her capabilities, but she'd managed to create a skin of a considerably simpler creature - a fish. She picked up the skin and held it up, seeing the light of the moon dance along the scales. She felt rather pleased with her efforts, but they had yet to pass the test. Pulling it over her shoulders, she drew it around herself as she slid off the rock, feeling the cool water on her toes. A slow sigh made its way past her lips as she felt the skin cling to her, wrapping around her legs as she sunk into the water. There was a sensation of compression, as her legs and arms were pinned to her body, and suddenly, water filled her lungs. In a panic, she thrashed around for several moments as her body acclimated to its shell. However, her struggles stopped in due time as her lungs accepted the water, rather than rejecting it, and she took several slow inhales and exhales as she adjusted to her senses, feeling the coolness around her as she moved further into the depths. o0o The news of Aino's disappearance was quick to spread around. After all the boasting her parents had done of finding a powerful, wealthy husband for their only daughter, it was only inevitable that her disappearance would be the subject of much curiosity. Fishermen started claiming that they'd seen a ghost at the lake that was a source of food and commerce for many in the town. "It has been a fortnight. Where is my bride?" Vainamoinen demanded as he glared down at the man who had come to him full of boastful arrogance and slunk away like a dog with its tail between its legs. "I do not know. Truly. She told me - and our parents - that she would have none of it, and then several nights after I told her, she disappeared. I had nothing to do with it, I swear," he said, his head bowed. Obviously expecting some sort of reprisal. "You could have simply locked her up in her room," Vainamoinen pointed out curtly, stroking his beard. Not that he would have encouraged such a tactic, but the young man's lack of foresight could be astounding. "That's what Father threatened to do when she was railing against you. And me." Vainamoinen gave out a sharp snort of bemusement. "You don't want my life, do you? It's not my fault that Aino refuses to be a part of this." "I have more use for a bride than I have for your life, and I will have it," Vainamoinen replied sharply. "Not everyone would be as merciful as I am, so I would make the most of that... undeserved opportunity." Once the younger man had slunk off, Vainamoinen smirked coldly, idly twirling a thick lock of his beard between two fingers. Given what he'd heard from the birds, he had a good idea of where Aino was, and he had to admit that he admired her ingenuity. o0o The lake was thick with mist, and Aino had for the moment shed her salmon skin so it hung loosely on her shoulders, and she paddled through the water calmly, her head and shoulders visible above the surface. The moonlight shone down on her, making her blonde hair seem almost like spun silver. There was a splashing in the distance, and she pulled behind some reeds as she observed an old man push a boat into the water before he climbed into it. The vessel was small, which seemed to be about all the man could handle, given how old and frail he appeared, his back stooped in the way she'd only seen in men of very advanced years. He paddled out a good distance from the shore, and she wondered why he might be here. He seemed familiar to her, though she did not want to risk getting closer to confirm this, and watched silently as he pulled out a kantele and started playing. Well. Perhaps he was simply someone who wanted some time of peace, away from his family, and a place where he might practice his music uninterrupted. There was something familiar about it... Just-a-old-man! Aino realized with some surprise. With the greatest of care, keeping herself to his side or back, she glided closer, maintaining the shelter of reeds. His music was peaceful, and she found herself soothed by it. Being a salmon was not the liberating experience she had thought it might be. To be sure, she didn't think it would be nothing but pleasantries, but life as a fish was dull. She would take an occasional reprieve by shedding her skin and coming to shore to forage for food, or partake of some of the edibles she'd brought with her and hidden away amongst the roots of a tree. She spent much of her time as a fish exploring the lake and the streams that fed into it, but she was well aware that this life was not something she could maintain indefinitely. And there were the dangers, of course. Her thoughts returned to the present as the music picked up its pace, fingers making their way along the strings of the kantele with the same ease that she'd heard the other day. He appeared to be lost in reprieve, eyes closed as he continued playing. The music seemed to blanket itself over the lake, spreading across it like a fine mist, the notes sweet but carrying an undertone of sadness. Perhaps he had composed this song for a deceased wife or a long-dead lover. The stones of the lake bed were cool under her feet as she ventured into the deeper water, no longer crouching behind the reeds. His side was to her, and she stood in the water up to her chin, ready to dive should he turn in her direction, feeling her body relax, even almost swaying back and forth between the waves that rippled across the lake and the music. There were no other sounds, as if the animals of the night had taken pause to listen to this old man play. It seemed like almost another lifetime since she'd had any interaction with people, and the life of solitude had taken some getting used to. She was no longer subject to her mother's nagging, her father's admonitions, her older brother's bragging, or her little brother's demands for attention or for this or that. Much as she hated to admit it, there was such a thing as too much solitude. Just-a-old man continued to play, his body now swaying ever so slightly as he played. Even the wind had become still, or was that just her imagination? His eyes opened and he stared ahead. She remained frozen in place, waiting for him to turn and take notice of her, but he simply continued on his kantele. The song came to a graceful end, terminating with a note of sadness that pulled at something within her, reminding her afresh of her loneliness. Compared to this man, Joukahainen's own music sounded like a child shrieking out while haphazardly plucking at the strings of an instrument. Had this man been one of her brother's teachers? After several minutes of silence where he simply stared off while drinking something from a flask, he resumed his playing, much to her delight. This time, he put more vibrancy into the song, and the water seemed to respond, the near-stillness of the water resuming its old rhythm of waves across its surface. Her breathing stopped as she realized that this man was no mere musician. Had the villagers sent him to exorcise the 'ghost of the lake'? She would not be careless, but she would respond to his challenge. Humming softly to herself, she pulled moisture out of the water, causing a fog to enshroud the lake. It took a considerable amount of concentration, but the effort was well worth it, and she smiled to herself as she saw how thick the fog was, the shoreline becoming next to invisible to anyone who was as far away from the shore as Just-a-old-man was. At this point, she knew she should simply re-wrap herself in her salmon skin and swim away to the refuge of an inlet or swim up a stream, but the music was like a siren's call. His melody poured in through her ears and flowed through her body like molten silver, pure and clear, compelling her to listen. A quiet sigh escaped her throat. Moving behind a thick fan of reeds, she cupped her hands at either side of her mouth and called out in a deeper tone than she was used to. This man seemed determined to catch a ghost, and since she was no ghost, she figured that she should be safe from whatever magic could drive away a spirit. "Who goes there?" she demanded. She saw his head perk up as he heard her voice, but he did not turn in her direction. "I am just an old man, enjoying the quiet and beauty of a moonlit lake. I wouldn't mind some company, however. Come on out, so I can see you," he said, not missing a beat as he continued playing. "And what can I call you? It would be rude of me if I continued to converse without knowing how to refer to you." His tone seemed almost playful, as if he found the notion of a ghost to be amusing. "I am but a ghost," Aino responded. "Dead people have no need for names, but I can see that you number among the living," she called back, not so easily tricked into giving up her own name. "Then come forward, ghost. Listening to my music is open to all. There is no need to linger in the shadows. I do not scare easily. I've seen far more frightening things than dead people. Besides, nothing scary could have such a lovely voice." "Not until you tell me who you are," Aino challenged, smirking faintly to herself, though in the back of her head she sensed there was something she should know about him. What, she was not sure of. She shivered a little, the rippling of the cool water causing goosebumps to ruse along her bare shoulders as she peered at him through the stalks of reeds. "I'm not about to sit at an impasse," he replied calmly. "You've only appeared recently, spirit. It suggests you've not been in this state for long. Ghost or not, you should respect your elders." His tone was lightly scolding now, as if she were some unruly but harmless neighbor child he'd just caught trespassing on his land. "Besides, you say as a ghost you have no need of a name. Then why is it that you would demand mine?" "Because I would know who plays so skillfully. I would know who the villagers have sent to exorcise a ghost. That is a fair question to ask, is it not?" Aino demanded. "I became a ghost to escape my fate, and the villagers will not leave me in peace!" She could hear the determination in his voice and his music, and stubbornly, she resisted the call of the music, even as she felt it tug at her, arousing her curiosity. "It seems to me that you seek things. You want to know my name. You want to know who the villagers sent. You want to escape fate. But thus far, you've given nothing. I've already provided music. If there is to be a fair exchange, it is your turn to give. Unless, of course, you wish to be a discourteous ghost. I suspect such a spirit would draw far less music to its lake." For a Song Ch. 01 Rather than give him a name, she slid out from behind the reeds and drew closer to him by several meters as he turned into her direction and watched as he stroked his beard. She stopped when the water was just above her shoulders, her almost ghostly face appearing amidst the mist, the moonlight illuminating her to lend a pearly sheen to her skin. "Will the sight of my face do?" she asked as he turned in her direction, and she stared at him. "It's a start. And a lovely face it is. It is sad that one so beautiful would have to hide from her fate in death." His music slowed, then ceased. "I'm nothing if not willing to make trades. You've shown me your face. In return, I will allow you to see mine. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she stared at him, having a fairly good view of him due to her eyesight having long since adjusted to the limited light sent down by a quarter moon. Setting his kantele aside, he rose to his feet in a swift instant. The shoulders that had once been hunched together spread out, taking on the breadth of a young, strong man's. His back straightened, and though Aino wanted to say that she was merely imagining things, he increased a foot in height, now as tall as her brother if not more. The hands that had been gnarled before, with swollen knuckles, straightened, becoming thicker and smoother, yet there was no mistaking the shape of the strong fingers. The eyes, which had seemed rheumy before, were fixed upon her with the clearness of a cloudless winter sky. She stared at him for several moments, her mind scrambling to comprehend what she had just seen. The only thing that had remained constant was the long white beard, though even that looked different when it flowed down a broad chest. The truth barreled into her with the force of a sledgehammer. "You are Vainamoinen," she whispered. Was this the powerful sage that Joukahainen pleaded to for his life? He stared at her with silent regard as she tried to formulate what she should say next. It would figure that Joukahainen would see a frail-looking old man as easy pickings, would he have been so quick to commit his folly had he know what Vainamoinen really was? "My brother was stupid to challenge you. I heard him boasting about it to his friends, and I warned him to not do it. He laughed at me and went off, and you know very well what happened. His folly is his own. The price is his to pay, and not mine!" she declared. "And you are Aino. You are also no ghost. If you were a spirit, that song would've sent you from this place." He smiled tightly, looking down at her as he continued to idly stroke his beard. "I knew from the first time I saw you that you and your brother are different in many, many ways. But you are both prone to reckless foolishness," he scolded. "Did you think that I would not find a way to acquire my prize?" "I told you, I will have none of it!" "This game was amusing but it has grown tiresome. Pull yourself from the water and lets go. It will rid the villagers of their ghost and your brother's debt will be repaid." As he spoke his voice lowered, becoming more authoritative. "Did you not hear me? I am no one's to give away, nor am I yours to claim. I am not an object to be bartered or traded away, and that you think I should come along speaks of your own foolishness," Aino replied, her tone cold and flinty as she regarded Vainamoinen. "I guess all men really are the same," she mocked, "so it's a good thing I've decided to have nothing to do with them." In a flash, she was gone, encased in her salmon form and swimming away into the depths of the lake. o0o He certainly didn't think that Aino would give in so easily. Nonetheless, he'd held out the hope that she might find his music so pleasant that she'd come to him of her own accord. He could have played more powerful music, and plied more magic into the notes from the beginning, but as he'd seen before and just now, she had responded well enough to milder song. It was not until she was certain who he was that she'd put up real resistance. Reaching towards the floor of his boat, he pulled up a net, its strands glistening under the moonlight like crystals strung together, the cords more powerful than any mortal creation. With a sweep of his arms and a flick of his wrists, Vainamoinen cast the ropes into the water. As he waited, he started humming to himself, idly twirling a lock of his beard with a finger. o0o Aino thought herself safe, as she continued swimming, but soon enough she felt a sense of alarm. Looking upward, she discerned nothing immediately with the vision she had as a fish, but nonetheless, the sense of foreboding prevailed, and she swam deeper into the water. Suddenly, there was something on top of her, and she tried to shake it off, swishing her tail back and forth, but whatever it was bound her more firmly, wrapping around her sides and forcing her upward. She twisted around this way and that, seeking to slip out from the net somehow, but her efforts proved to offer no fruit, and as soon as she surfaced, the fish-skin loosened. The net gave way to her arms and legs, but kept her in an inexorable embrace as she found herself hoisted onto the boat, giving out a small cry. She tried to stretch her arms to loosen the net and pry it off her, hearing a dry chuckle as she did so. Goosebumps were quick to form along her flesh as she shivered, looking up at her captor. For a Song Ch. 02 Aino was all too aware of how vulnerable – and cold – she was as she looked up at Vainamoinen. The goosebumps along her skin were pebbled so hard as to be almost painful, and she was not sure from what she shivered more; cold or fear. His gaze was intense as he regarded her, and their eyes met for but a moment before she quickly looked away, tugging at the net in a vain attempt to seek escape from it. "Did you really think I would use something as mundane as an ordinary net, to catch a ghost?" she heard Vainamoinen ask. A shadow loomed over her as he leaned over her, blocking the moon from her face. She felt his beard brush lightly against her shoulder, and instinctively recoiled from it, pressing herself against the side of the boat. "A deal was made, and agreed upon. You're coming with me, but I give you a choice. You can walk off this boat with me, or be dragged off it like a fisherman's catch. Which isn't too far from the case, as it is..." he said with a hint of mirth. She let out a grunt of frustration as he gave the net a firm tug to emphasize his point, and looked back up at him, furrowing her eyebrows. "I do not know why you persist in this foolishness, old man!" Aino said through gritted teeth, refusing to be cowed by him despite the obvious inequality of their respective positions. "I will not be bound by a deal I had no part in making! If you're so desperate for companionship, then take my brother instead, I'm certain he has enough experience in bed!" Vainamoinen leaned back, letting out a cackle of mirth, his shoulders heaving as he sat down, leaning against the other side of the boat as he placed a hand on his stomach. His guffaws went on for several long moments before he composed himself enough to speak. "Thank you," he said, before letting out another laugh. "... What?" "I have not laughed that hard in a good while. Laughter is good for one's body and soul, and it's been far too long since I've heard something so amusing. Your brother made much of your beauty, but he neglected to mention your wit." He took a deep breath and stared off for a moment before returning his attention to her, seemingly unmindful of her discomfort. "At this moment, you are more bound by a net than you are by a deal. And, to a lesser extent, by your own foolishness. Assumptions are the root of many errors, just-a-girl," he grinned, his tone scolding. It was the tone of a man that had given enough lectures that he had long ago lost count. She braced herself, partly from the cold, and an attempt to maintain whatever modesty she could, painfully aware of how the thin garment clung to her curves, the damp linen doing very little to hide her curves. "What are you going to do to me now?" she asked, her voice quieter. "That depends if you're willing to finally listen and learn. Or are we going to play more games? Perhaps you could turn into a bird? Or a hare? Or a deer? That is, of course, if you wish to waste time. When it comes to time, by the way, I have significantly more than you." He made a small harrumph sound. "Or you could do what I've wanted you to do since all this nonsense began – settle down, listen to what you've gotten yourself into, and learn where it is you'll be going from here." Aino knew that it was useless to struggle, so she nodded meekly, the image of contrition as she lay there curled up near his feet, all tangled up in the net which kept her well-bound. "Very well then, Vainamoinen. It's clear that you have bested me just as you have bested my brother. So say your piece, and I will listen." He stared at er for several moments, and she felt her cheeks pinken as she was subjected to his scrutiny, his eyes moving along her body. Was he thinking about the pleasures he could take from her? "You and your brother share a few things... looks and magical potential among them," he shook his head. "However, there are some key differences. For one, he's a horse's ass. Secondly, his arrogance prevents him from ever achieving his fullest potential. This will likely never change. Arrogance can be the greatest of weaknesses." "His arrogance certainly did him – and me – no good," she muttered. "You do not possess his arrogance. At least, not most of it. And you have considerable potential. I suspect you've been taught nothing but cottage-magic, yet you managed to weave a salmon's skin for yourself. Why not something else?" She gave a small, rueful laugh. "Oh, I did try. But you were correct about one thing. I was only formally taught cottage-magic. I almost wonder how I managed to create a fish-skin in the first place, but I was determined." "And that determination will serve you well. If you were able to do it without formal instruction, imagine what you could do with a proper teacher. I propose a test. There's no punishment if you fail. This is merely to sate my considerable curiosity. And there is only one question. You claim that you were not your brother's to give. If that is true, then why did I claim you?" Aino was silent for several moments before she spoke, meeting his eyes and speaking in a flat yet baleful tone. "Because from my experience, women are taught that they are second to men. From the time a woman is born, she is taught to serve men. First her father and brothers, then her husband, and then her sons. And likewise, men come to see us as something to serve them, something that is useful to them. They don't imagine that we might have our own dreams and desires as they do, or that they whatever shortcomings they have is because they're stupid, not because it in some way goes back to a woman. Joukahainen thought he could use me as a bargaining chip for his life instead of facing his own failures, and as for why you claimed me... I don't know. I'm no mind-reader. I would venture to say perhaps you're bored or lonely, or want a new servant. I don't know how you live or if you already have servants or women to do your bidding, so I can only guess at why you were so willing to take me when you refused my brother's inheritance." "And here you are making assumptions about me again, my dear. You rebel against all women being treated the same. Then, in the same breath, you claim all men are the same," he exhaled, softly and slowly. "I could indeed take you as a servant. Servants are useful. Or purely to provide me with physical pleasures. I may be old, but I'm far from dead. However, a servant or bed-warmer would be fairly easy for someone like me to obtain. Those would bore me quickly." His gaze became thoughtful and penetrating, as if he was no longer looking at her physical features. She seemed to no longer feel the coldness of the night air around herself, or her minimal modesty. "I desire companionship... but I do not wish to be bored. This leaves you with an opportunity. You are like..." he ponders for a moment, "a lump of fine metal in the hands of a mystical smith. I could shape you into a tool with which to clean my home. I could fashion you into a mistress for my bed. Or, if you can learn to be open, there are almost limitless options to just what could be made. Perhaps, with the right skills and tools, you could even be molded into a magician capable of turning into a bird and flitting from that net. Of course, that would depend entirely on you. As you are now, you have a long way to go." "I do have a long way to go, for you to best me so easily," Aino admitted with a sigh. What little she knew of magic outside of what she'd been taught, had been learned illicitly, from spying on her brother and his teachers when she'd the chance. Would Vainamoinen actually be willing to mentor her? "It would not seem quite as long, provided you remain dedicated and open-minded." "You would... teach me?" Aino asked, tilting her head as she looked at him. "I made a deal with your brother, but I will make one with you, that I am sure you would like better. Be my companion, and I will be your teacher. Make no attempt to flee, and simply do as I ask of you. You will be well-provided for, and have all you need, and more." Aino carefully considered her options, and was now becoming aware of not just how cold, but how exhausted she was. It was a tiredness that seemed to seep into her very bones, and even as cold as she was, she wanted to curl up in the corner of the boat and at least take a nap. Wearily, she nodded. "Very good." He sounded relieved. "I am going to untie you. You do remember that you just agreed to no longer attempt to flee me, hm?" he asked dryly. "I am not about to forget, especially when you've proven your strength over me," she whispered. A soft chuckle met her ears before she felt the weight of the net ease off her body. "Have you any more clothes?" he asked kindly, almost chidingly, like a grandfather who'd noticed his granddaughter playing in the snow without her hat or mittens. "You are pleasing to look upon, but you will catch your death of cold soon enough, and then you really will be a ghost!" "Ye... yes. I have a bundle near the shore, within the roots of that tree." She sat up, gesturing to a tree that overhung the lake, casting shadows which made its roots seem nearly invisible. He nodded and guided the boat towards it. Her legs felt almost leaden, but she scrambled out of the boat, almost slipping down a root or two, before wrestling a well-wrapped bundle from between two limbs. It felt almost as if she'd forgotten to use her fingers during her time as a fish, and she fumbled with her clothing a bit, but Vainamoinen was silent. She kept her back to him as she pulled on a skirt, tunic, and a knit overshirt, along with a pair of light boots. It was the most clothing she'd worn in a while, and was a welcome if a bit strange sensation, like waking up from a dream that felt especially lucid. Running her fingers through the tangles of her damp blond hair, she managed to pull it into some semblance of order before turning back to Vainamoinen. "Better now?" he asked. Mutely, she nodded. :"I would be feeling the same, if I'd been living in a lake for that long," he said gruffly. When the boat came to shore, he climbed from it easily and helped her out of it. As he pulled the boat ashore, it shrunk until it became no larger than a cup, and she blinked as he secreted the vessel away within his voluminous jacket. He smirked at her. "No easy feat, that, but you may learn how to do it some day. Now, get over here." He extended an arm. She paused and then nodded, hastening over to his side before he pulled her against the warmth of his body. He smelled of various things, but none of them were unpleasant. There was pine, and a touch of smoke, and unless she was mistaken, there was an occasional whiff of stew and herbs, and embedded in his jacket was the smell of reindeer. Speaking of... Aino blinked as Vainamoinen led her to a copse that was just off the lake, where several reindeer stood, casually munching on the grass. They were more magnificent than any other she'd ever seen, even her own brother's prized stock. They stood tall with thick, lustrous coats, and the most impressive horns she'd ever seen. They were harnessed to a sled which like them, were finer than any other she'd seen, though the vehicle was elegant in its simplicity. "I trust you will not object to a ride," he said as he led her over to it. She shook her head as he guided her to sit down in it, and she settled into the frame, feeling the carved wood against her arms, safely cradling her as he placed his kantele in her lap. "Hold onto this, will you?" he asked without waiting for a response, and pulled a blanket over her, securing her and the instrument. Vainamoinen got behind the sled, taking position before he gave out a sudden yell, and the beasts took off. The sled seemed to fly across the ground, as if the treads simply passed through anything that might cause it to jar, and she felt the sharp wind on her face. However, the blanket kept her comfortable, and despite the impressive speed with which things moved past them as the reindeer followed the commands of their master, Aino found herself falling asleep as she heard him singing to the reindeer. o0o Vainamoinen did not miss the fact that she'd fallen asleep, and he made no move to rouse her. She had obviously been unaware of the consequence of her actions, but she would learn of them soon enough. Their journey was swift as he sang to his reindeer, adding the wind to their step. A modest but well-appointed manor came into view and he relaxed, looking forward to the comforts of home. It was nearly morning, and he was eager for a hot meal and some sleep. Quickly unharnessing the reindeer, he shooed them off. There was no need to lock them up in a stable, they were well-trained and would come to him when he called for them. "Come," he stated simply as he roused her by pulling off the blanket and lifting the kantele from her lap. She yawned and stretched an arm over her head, blinking as she stared at him in confusion for a couple of moments before she remembered where she was. Straightening herself after sliding from the sled, she rubbed her eyes and cheeks a bit as she slowly turned to take in her surroundings. She stared at the house for several long moments. "Are you disappointed?" he asked dryly as he gauged her reaction. She blinked and shook her head before cracking a wide yawn. "I can see you need sleep, but I'm sure you'd like something to eat before you do," he commented. This was met with a nod that carried more energy than her previous gesture. Leading her in the house, he kept her in the corner of his vision at least, taking in her reaction to her surroundings. He was not a man given to grandiose displays – at least, unless he was challenged – and preferred practicality over ostentatiousness. He had everything he needed, and some things he didn't, but his home was devoid of fripperies. The main room was kept warm with a fire that had been carefully banked before he left, a pot of stew hanging over it that had been simmering all day, filling the chamber with the smell of venison and herbs. A soft rumble met his ears, and he glanced at Aino, who quickly looked down at the floor in mild embarrassment. "What? Did you think that if you pretended to be a ghost, you wouldn't need to eat? Sit," he commanded, pointing to the table that stood to one side of the room, near the fire. She obeyed and folded her arms across the table, appearing as if she might doze off right then and there. Grabbing a couple of bowls and spoons he had on the ready, he scooped a generous helping of stew into both bowls and brought them to the table." "Thank you," the young woman whispered as she took a deep breath, inhaling the welcoming scent of her meal. She lifted a spoonful and blew on it before eating it, and a soft, contented hum met his ears for a moment. He was silent as he observed her taking several more spoons, quickly blowing on each bite before swallowing the savory concoction. He filled two goblets with ale and brought them to the table, setting one in front of her. She gave him a nod of thanks, her mouth full of stew. The meal passed by in companionable silence, Aino seeming to have forgotten the circumstances that had brought her here as she filled her stomach with the warm stew and cool mead. Once her bowl was empty, she stared at it for a moment before glancing back at the stewpot. "Go on. There's plenty more," he encouraged. She seemed a bit surprised, but didn't need to be told twice, and had another bowl, as did he soon afterward. "Can I sit by the fire?" she asked. He nodded, and she moved over to sit on the floor, stretching her fingers toward the flame as she closed her eyes. He ate slowly, savoring his meal as he watched her comfort herself with the warmth in her stomach and at her fingertips. "It feels good, doesn't it?" he asked after some time had passed. She didn't respond, and he repeated himself more loudly. She startled, and slowly turned her head to look at him before she nodded. "I was so cold, and hungry, before," she admitted quietly. "Generally, when people run away, they take provisions with them," he pointed out before idly taking a swig of his mead. "I did pack some food, but a few days after I ran away, some animals got into my provisions and carried away most of it while I was in the lake, so I was subsisting on berries and what else I could find," she sheepishly admitted. "I can assure you, you have no reason to fear that here. Are you still hungry?" he queried. "I are more than I usually would." "These are not usual circumstances, are they?" "I suppose not." She took a half a bowl of stew, eating more slowly now that her hunger pains were gone. Setting the bowl in her lap, she stared into the fire thoughtfully, her eyes becoming half-lidded as the energy given to her by her meal quickly waned, her body still needing to recuperate from her adventure. Without a rd, he moved around, gathering several furs and spreading them across the floor in front of the fire. "Off with your clothes," he sad casually, as if he'd simply ashed her to remove boots or a jacket. She turned to stare at him, her eyes wide with apprehension. "It's not what you think. You have been through an ordeal, and your body needs to recover. The time you spent as a fish, has been hard on your body, in more ways than one. It takes great energy to maintain the form of an animal, and a fish is different from say, a wolf or a bear. Wolves and bears have warm blood, and breathe air. A fish does neither. To take the form of a fish is taxing on the body, and for you to have spent so much time as a fish has taken its toll on your body," he stated matter-of-factly. "The first couple of times I turned back to a human, to get food, I did not feel any more tired than I thought I should. But then later on..." "I would suggest that you avoid being a fish, or any other animal, for a good while." She offered a weak laugh in response to that. "I certainly see the wisdom in that." She glanced down at the furs he'd spread out. "Is it necessary for me to take off my clothes?" "When you and I made a deal, we both agreed to certain things. I have provided you with things you need, namely food, and rest. And soon, more rest. You in turn agreed to do as I said." She stared at him for several moments, and he could see her inner struggle as she tried to reconcile herself. Finally, she agreed, and rose to her feet, stepping out of her boots and stockings before removing her overshirt. He sat back on the balls of his feet, watching her patiently. Her back was to him as she pulled her shirt off over her head, revealing a pale expanse of back and shoulders before her hair fell back in place. Her hands slid down to her hips, and she hesitated before pulling down her skirt. A warm tightness that he hadn't experienced in a long time took root within the pit of his stomach as he watched the fabric slide down her legs. The curves of her rear end and thighs were cast in sharp relief by the dancing lights of the fire, and his fingers twitched as he thought about caressing them. The thought of caressing them caused another part of his body to twitch, but he reined himself in. "Lie down on your stomach," he instructed. She turned slightly before settling down on the furs, propping her head up with one elbow but keeping her gaze downcast, her hand covering the cheek that was turned toward him. "I need you to relax. There is nothing to fear, what I am doing is something that will soothe you and help your body recover more quickly from what you've put it through." "What is it?" she asked. "I will sing to you, and rub your muscles," he explained. At that, she slowly turned her eyes towards him, curiosity now mixing in with the apprehension he'd seen before. Having already removed his jacket before he settled down for supper, his upper half was clad in a loose linen shirt. As she watched, he started to remove it. Once she saw what she was doing, she quickly looked away, and he smirked faintly to himself, but made no comment as he discarded the garment. In time, she should become more comfortable around him, and take the time to admire him. For a Song Ch. 02 He positioned himself at her side, brushing the golden locks of hair from her back before resting one of his hands atop it, just above her heart as he felt her stiffen. He could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat and breathing. "Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly," he instructed. She did as he asked, and he started humming as his hand trailed slowly down her back, feeling the soft, warm flesh under his palm and fingerpads. Continuing to him, his hand slid up and down her back in a simple motion as he noted the exhaustion he felt deep within her flesh. Silly girl, he smiled to himself. So much potential, yet she'd wasted her time, energy, and comfort in hiding from him. As he continued his ministrations, now moving to her shoulders, he felt her relax. "You don't seem to be having a miserable time of all this. If you had just come with me in the first place, you could have skipped being robbed by rodents and getting trapped in a net." She made a sour face at him over her shoulder. "Are you going to keep reminding me of that? I thought old people were above such things," she shot back. "Have you met any old people?" he scoffed. "Many are still arguing with each other because they can't let things go that happened decades ago!" Vainamoinen shook his head as he now rubbed her shoulders more firmly, one hand on each side of her back. "But if you insist, I will try to let it go... although who knows what creature will make off with that, and I'll never get it back." A soft snort was her response, and she turned her head away again, resting her forehead on the fur as his hands slid to her sides, rubbing them as he resumed his humming. The low, deep melody resonated through the room and through his hands. "I have a question," she whispered. "Certainly," Vainamoinen murmured, continuing his ministrations, now rubbing one leg. "What you said before about being an animal... a fish is a simpler form to weave, but being a bear or wolf is easier? Did I figure that correctly?" He smiled, though she did not see it. "Indeed. Mind you, there is always some degree of difficulty in being any animal. The more different an animal is from you, the harder it can be to get used to that form, and to understand what the animal is seeing or hearing." "Mm. Being a fish was confusing at first. But I forced myself to get used to it." "It is never advisable to get too used to being an animal, my dear. The longer one spends as an animal, the more used they become to thinking as one. One must always guard their minds, to not forget their humanity, or carry over any animal traits when they revert to their original self," he cautioned. "So you mean, that a man who has been a wolf for very long, might be dangerous when he becomes human again?" "If he did not guard his humanity as a wolf, it is a very real possibility. Now be quiet. An inquisitive mind is a mark of intelligence, but there is a time for questions, and it is not now. You need to rest," he admonished. She fell silent as he rubbed her other leg, savoring the feel of the firm but pliant flesh of her calf. Though tense at first, Aino had been pliant under his attentions, and his touches had been chaste, his hands doing just as he had told her they would. That did not mean that he was immune to temptation, however. The area between her legs was cast in deep shadow from the fire, but he could still imagine what sat at the apex of her thighs. What would it be like, to slide his hand between her knees and let his fingers trail their way upward? To cup and grasp her buttocks, or press them in such a way that would bring her flush against his own body? To explore what thus far Aino had managed to keep out of his sight? He let out a slow sigh as his hands returned to her back, bypassing her shapely rear end as he did so. Despite his initial appearance and perceived – not to mention his actual – age, decrepitude was no concern for him, and Aino's presence, feel, and scent reminded him of just that, and how much of a man he truly was. The fire and his hands had warmed her flesh, and hos nose was met with a faint mixture of the lake she'd come from, and her own feminine musk. Brushing his beard over his shoulder, he carefully leaned down, his nose a couple of inches from the nape of her neck. The scent of the lake was stronger in her hair, but the curves between her neck and shoulders gave him easy access to a pleasing scent that wasn't disguised by flowers or other fragrances that some women liked to put on themselves. He took a deep breath before leaning back. Age did come with its advantages, he mused as he surveyed the prone form before him. Despite the stirring he felt in his loins, wisdom prevailed, reminding him that patience had rewarded him in the past. He was no young fool who lost his head at the very idea – much less the actual sight – of an attractive naked woman, nor would he fumble around like an animal in rut when came time for the deed itself. When he finally had her, he would ensure that she felt the same stirrings that he did, and thus welcome him. The faint, regular sound of her breathing indicated that she'd fallen asleep, not that he was too surprised by that. Rising to his feet, he took a blanket, and pulled it over her, stopping just short of her shoulders. There was no need to rouse her, especially since she looked so relaxed. Hopefully, she would soon be quick to subconsciously associate him with warmth and comfort. After the time she'd spent cold, alone, and hungry, that should be a relatively easy task to accomplish. o0o Special thanks to Randy for inspiring me for this story. Oh my Randy, you make me oh so randy! As with many old stories/myths, there are different versions which offer varied details to the same myth. Vainamoinen himself is no exception – in one version, he is an ancient god who took part in the creation of the world. In others, he is the son of a king. I decided to go for somewhere in between for my own version of Vainamoinen. I would like to thank my readers for their positive response to my first chapter of this story. While I do enjoy futanari, I don't want to stick to one thing, and am working on a varied repertoire. I wanted to write an M/F story, but I wanted to avoid the most oft-used subgenres of M/F. It's not that I have anything against familiar tropes/plots, and would like to dabble in one or two "familiar/popular" trends in the future, but again I want my stories to be unique and varied, and I certainly think that this story fits the bill without being too weird (in a bad/uncomfortable way) or too cliché. If you are enjoying this story, or any of my others, and would like to see me try something for a new story (a genre, or a fetish) you can leave a comment, or e-mail me. As always, reviews and feedback is more than welcome and appreciated!