Ragnarok. The destruction of the gods. The sagas have foretold this destruction centuries ago, where the world would be consumed in an orgy of warfare and calaticmic destruction. Migard was doomed to its fate eventually, and with it, humanity itself was as well. Even those who were sent to Valhalla are meant to die their final death at Ragnarok, helping the Aesir against the forces of evil. Only two humans, their names already given as Líf and Lífthrasir, would survive to repopulate Asgard with the remaining gods.
Sigrid didn't want to die.
No one really does, to be honest. The gothi might romanticize valor in battle, claiming every warrior will end up in eternal paradise in the halls of Valhalla. But was dying in battle on Migard "death" when one was revived in Asgard? In fact, dying honorably on the battle was a reward, since one's place in paradise was assured!
But now that the end times are drawing near, suddenly the assurance of the afterlife itself is in doubt. Continuously pacing the throne room in a circuit of small, jarbled circles, Sigrid ran her fingers through her long, blonde hair as she silently cursed to herself.
The Queen of Sweden, the last great chieftan of the freefolk, should be of all the one exemplifying courage in the face of certain destruction. And she tried, Odin knows she tries. Whenever nobles visit, or gothi come to her for matters of faith, or even when the council meets, she has to give off the aura of strength. The Thing chose Sigrid to rule because she claimed she could postpone Ragnarok! She was a trusted Seiðr, and with the backing of the free nation, perhaps, just maybe, Sigrid Ericsdottir Stenkil could save mankind for a while longer.
I can't, Sigrid dejectedly sulked to herself, It's only gotten worse
Although Sweden and the north have been spared the worst, rumors from the south claim great beasts, labelled as "demons" by those worshipping the Crossed God, marauding through Europe at a ferocity that would put the Viking Age to shame. Already, Scotland, Northern Italy, and more have been consumed by anarchy and destruction. Contact with Lappland have already been cut off; those same monstrous beasts now populate the same lands, although they have largely left Sweden alone.
"Milady," a thrall came to report, which caused Sigrid to jump in shock. "Jarl Hávarðr has come to request parley-"
"Fine fine, let him in," Sigrid sighed. Thorvald Hávarðr was one of the newer noble families, ruling down south in Christian Scania. The old, Christian nobility was displaced with brave, landless warriors fanatical adherence to the old faith. Although the local population has largely continued to follow the Crossed God, the noble lines in the former Danish lands still remain Germanic 50 years later. (It is the natively Swedish, Christian lands that have the Christian nobles. Those are always the worst to deal with).
It was likely he wanted to discuss matters relating to the Danes (Although they claim to be Norwegian, Sweden was the true Norse state, while Dane have shifted to mean non-Swedish, Christian Norsemen), and to be quite honest, Sigrid could use a distraction from the end of the world.
The thrall curtsied, "As you wish," and ran off to fetch him. Sigrid rushed towards the throne and sat down. Like every other day, she had to wipe the worry off of her face. Weakness, especially for a new monarch, especially for a woman? It would be a disastrous message to give off...
A moment later, and a man in hastily thrown on armor hurriedly strided into the room. Most curiously, his armor had red stains covered on it, and they looked worryingly fresh.
Sigrid's eyes stared at the crimson marks. "There was no tournament planned for today..."
"Madmen," the nobleman said, "My party was attacked outside the city. They were screaming the glory of gods I never even heard of."
"Maybe they were in league with the jǫtnar," Sigrid chimed in, "or-"
"No," Thorvald Hávarð said, eyes coldly staring at a non-existent distance, "They were foreign gods. Unpronounceable gods. I've never seen men with such madness in my life."
Sigrid sighed. She'd also heard rumors of those in the south taking worship to the monstrous beasts. Again, rumors surfaced of these cultists popping up wherever these beasts show up, turning men away from their god and driving them insane. While not as a grave threat as the Vilan Hersey that is splitting Germany apart, Sigrid was nethertheless worried about this development. The beasts up north might not react well to an influx of their worshipers.
Yet, Sigrid's hands were tied at the moment. If she went after them, without any good reason, that might make the Christians worried their privileges could be revoked and persecuted. The last thing Sigrid wanted was a religious civil war in all this mess of a chaotic world.
"Anyways, the real reason I came to you, milady, is the matter of the Danes-"
Sigrid nodded, "I figured as much. You wouldn't have come on such short notice otherwise."
Thorvald flustered, "I apologize, milady, but I bring urgent news." The noble walked up to Sigrid, and handed her a small parchment, written in Runic. After observing it, Sigrid nodded.
"I see. A petition for a war against the Danes..."
"Now is the time to do it," Thorvald bellowed, "Europe is in chaos, and we can finally reunite our homeland under the gods once more. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Sigrid's eyebrow raised. "You do realize if we reunited Scaninavia at this point, we'd become the minority. It would be easier for the Christians to organize against us."
The Jarl was taken aback by his liege's reluctance. "You do realize that with the Germans, the English, and the Poles, they will always outnumber us? But the Germans are facing a civil war, the Poles are about to, and England is being overran by monsters. No one can save them."
"And what happens, when the disposed appeal to the Pope for a Northern Crusade?" asked Sigrid.
"Heretics in the Holy Land," Thorvald retorted, "Heathens in Iberia, and their Holy Empire is falling apart. Scandinavia was always considered the frontier. When Christendom is falling apart like it is now, we're their last priority."
Suddenly, another female's voice entered the conversation. "May I speak, milady?"
Thorvald spun around to see the Thrall meekly raising her hand. "Thrall," he angirly chatised, "know thy-"
"Sure, Anna, what's on your mind?" Sigrid interrupted.
Thorvald gave a suprised look to his Queen, before muttering that he wouldn't have accepted "such insolence" from a thrall.
"W-w-w-hy not cooperate with the Danes? Us Christians are just as worried about the end times as you are..."
Thorvald rolled his eyes. "Where was 'Love Thy Neighbor' when your fathers tried killing mine?" Turning his attention to Sigrid, he continued, "The Danes would kill us all if they could. Think of Verden; that's what they want to do to us if they could."
Sigrid stood up. "I won't allow a Verden on Sweden, now or in the future. But our focus should be on stopping Ragnarok, not opportunism. I think you both are right in your own ways, though. We should stretch our hands for peace for the followers of the Crossed God that wish for it, but also attack those that don't. Valhalla does need more warriors if Ragnarok is coming anyways..."
---
"Anna, fetch me a raven"
To: The King of the Danes (AKA Norway)
From: Sweden
The world is presently in chaos. Scandinavia may have been spared the worst of the disaster, but we can not be sure our peace from the onslaught of the monsters will continue. Thor or Jesus, Odin or God, we are all men, and men need to stick together in these dark times.
We therefore believe it would be in our best interest to temporarily unite our realms. As such, I propose my hand in marriage to you or to one of your sons. Any potential sons of this union would go to your house to be raised as Christians, and daughters to mine to be raised in the old faith.
As I have to intention to convert, you may annul this marriage after Ragnarok is averted and the world returns to some semblance of normality.
---
("No, no, Thorvald, they would never accept this deal unless they seriously wanted to help us, that's the point. It'll show the Christians here that the Danes would rather see us dead just because we're pagans than meet with us halfway, and garner their support for a war. Isn't it obvious?")
---
To: The HRE, England, Poland
From: Sweden
CC: Papal States
We are aware that our faiths are significantly different from amongst each other. However, this may play to our benefit, if you may hear us out.
Ragnarok and Armageddon both deal with the end of the world. To our understanding, since Ragnarok takes place chiefly on Asgard and not Migard, they are not mutually exclusive in their prophecies. Both could just be as true, and if so, we would like to know more about your prophecies, in return for knowledge of ours. We also have different legends on different monstrous beasts (which we believe you call "demons"), which, if shared, could help us both slay them.
We therefore believe, if we can engage in interfaith dialogue amongst each other, we could potentially both be better prepared to deal with the end times coming soon. We would like to send a gothi to each of your nations in order to converse with the clergy with your nations. All we ask in return for their safe harbor and return.
We also invite you three to send a bishop over to our court for precisely the same reason.