The Shield Wall

The day dawned crisp and clear
as we took up the shield and spear.
Not one of us burdened by gloom,
marching proudly to our doom.

The snow crunches under our feet
as upon our shields we strike a beat,
pounding the drums of war
calling upon Odin and Thor.

The enemy met us by the lake
amidst the mountains of the fire drake
Our lives they may take,
but our reputations they will not break.

The call goes out to form our wall
Our line long, deep and tall.
The thud of shield against shield
defying our foes
we will not yield.

And now comes the long wait.
Breathing, staring, awaiting our fate.
Looking to see if they will move first,
too eager to quench their blades' thirst.

Now come the cheers and the jeers,
that it is shameful to live long years,
that none of their kin shall shed tears,
that the Norns have known for years.

Then, at last, with sun up high
The foe gives a mighty cry,
And charges toward us, prepared to die.

Our arms tense,
our legs dig in,
our minds turned to slaughter,
our wills set to win.

They crash upon us like a wave
A mass of foemen, foolish and brave.
And in their blood our swords bathe.

Now all is screaming
in rage and pride.
Spears smashed and shields split
Holding our line, repelling every hit.

The killing was hard, and the killing was long,
and in our joy we sent up a song.
Far better to be here that at home stay,
all must die someday.
And the enemy was broken against our wall,
given a swift journey to the great corpse-hall.

The slain foe was all around
their prayers unheard,
their souls unbound.

The glory was ours that day,
and thanks was given in the old way.
We tasted blood again that night
our bonds unbreakable, our shield wall tight.