This story was written as a follow up to a short story written by a member of ADF, M Burchfield back in 2013 or 2014. Their story was referred to as Idunna’s Apples and attempts to describe how Iðunn came by her role as the apple keeper. Upon reading that tale the story below exploded into my brain and I just had to write it. It picks up right as Iðunn and Bragi leave the area where her Golden Apple tree blossomed and gave her the first fruits. Upon the ground are all the flowers that had rapidly blossomed and then fell. Jorð is still watching from afar to see the rest of her handiwork unfold.
I hope you enjoy the read…
The story does not end with the leaving of Iðunn and Bragi. Jorð, in her wisdom and power, never gave a gift without being certain that it would be used to its fullest potential. Having spoken with her sister, Nerþus, a much deeper plan had been devised for those seeds. Jorð began to watch the rest of her design unfold from her place among the bushes.
Do you remember the blossoms that had burst from the tree and scattered across the ground? Those were not ordinary blooms. Before Iðunn’s tree there had not been any flowers within Ásgarð. Grasses were green but there were no roses, crocuses, lilies, or daisies. Now, with one small act there were flowers scattered everywhere beneath the tree. Anyone that may have happened by at that moment would have looked upon the delicate petals and been amazed at their beauty. And they were.
The events that came to pass had not gone unnoticed by the brilliant goddess of the sun, Sunna. Before the wolves began their hunt, Sunna loved to watch the worlds as she rode over them. Anything bright and colorful drew her attention and brought a great joy to her heart. On this day she had paused to watch the events unfurl anxiously waiting to see what would happen. Seeing Iðunn and Bragi walk away she couldn’t help but smile to herself, thinking of her own mate, Glen. As she was about to continue on her journey, she looked down upon the ground surrounding the newly grown tree and thought she saw movement. Curious, she focused a little harder, and then came a little closer to watch the progressing scene with awe. The petals had begun to vibrate and shake. They slowly started to dance across the ground, coming together, moving over top of one another, grouping together, and gathering into a shape. Sunna stared more intently, watching every movement with fascination. Faster and faster the petals shifted and coalesced. Moving and undulating, merging together until the petals disappeared and a woman’s form was clearly seen. Shimming with the dew of the flowers, her skin was flawless. Long, brown hair spilled across the verdant green grass and remnants of the blossoms remained within her locks. Sunna felt her breath taken away by the sheer perfection that she saw lying on the ground. In her years traveling the worlds this was a sight she had never beheld. She moved ever closer to the still beauty, unbelieving that such a gem could be real. Without even realizing what she was doing, she reached out her hand and gently touched the tip of the young woman’s nose. Immediately skin turned flush and healthy glow began to emanate. Sunna drew back in wonder as the eyes of the girl flew open. Cerulean blue orbs stared back intently as she inhaled a breath.
A delicate blush stained the young maid’s cheeks. Sunna helped her to stand and asked her name. The woman shook her head and said she had no name. Upon hearing her voice tinkle in the air like a brook upon stones, Sunna was enchanted.
“Since you have no name, perhaps we shall call you Eostre, for you shine as brightly as the dawn.”
Realizing the girl had nothing on, Sunna then covered Eostre with her own cloak and took her hand to escort her to Ásgarð. Frigg would take her in and help her find her place. As they walked, Sunna glanced back to where the miracle of this woman came to be. Her eyes widened when she saw that everywhere the new young goddess walked, every place she touched was gifted with colorful flowers. No more would Ásgarð be without the sweet smells of blossoms. She looked up from this discovery and could have sworn she saw a woman standing behind the bushes smiling. When she looked a second time the woman was gone and only a lovely hillside covered in blooms remained.