Eivor overheard a conversation as she approached the lighthouse.
Arne:Hog's golden bristles, Frode, how did I let you talk me into this?
Frode:Stop clucking like a laying hen, I'm the one with the broken leg. At least grab Old Hisser's tale while you're up there!
Arne:Something is hissing. Jörmungandr's fangs, are there snakes up here too?
Frode:Alright, alright. Well, you'll have to get down somehow. Can you see a haystack or something?
Arne:A haystack? Are you mad! From this height? That's certain death. No, my fate is sealed. I will just wait up here to die.
She approached the man laying on the floor of the lighthouse.
Eivor:Someone is stuck?
Frode:My brother. Chasing some foolish legend that if you see Old Hisser from above and catch his tail, he will grant you a wish.
Eivor:And what of your leg?
Frode:Likely sprained trying to climb up to rescue him. We are a sorry pair.
Eivor started on her way up the lighthouse.
Eivor finding Arne at the top of the tower
Eivor killed a snake before climbing to where Arne was.
Arne:You made it up! You truly are a brave one!
She killed another snake near Arne.
Eivor:I'll help you down, but how is a big, strong Norse like yourself afraid of heights!
Arne:And snakes! I don't know how I let my brother talk me into these schemes. I think I just give in to his endless goading. But I'm sick to the back teeth of him, "Climb up, Arne! Go in that cave of wolves, Arne! Eat that red mushroom!"
Eivor:Siblings are a source of great joy, and equal misery. I too have a brother.
Arne:Does yours put you in the maw of death every opportunity he gets?
Eivor:Come, let's get you down. And perhaps you can tell him how you feel.
Arne:Talk of my feelings? To my brother? I would rather let the snakes gnaw on my tender parts.
Eivor:This way.
Arne:It's too high to get down from here!
Eivor released a ladder with a shot from her bow.
Eivor:There, the ladder. Watch your step.
The pair climbed down a level.
Arne:Which way now?
Eivor:This way.
Another snake impeded their path leading down.
Arne:There! Another slithering devil waiting to get me!
Eivor killed the snake. The pair reached the ground floor of the lighthouse.
Arne:Yes! I'm alive! Brother!
Frode:Thank you, stranger. For bringing this waste of breath back to me.
Eivor:You are welcome... but what is the story you spoke of? Old Hisser?
Eivor speaking to the brothers
Arne:A pretty legend. He who catches Old Hisser's tail will find their heart's wish granted.
Eivor:I found such a story in a manuscript. Up in the tower.
Arne:Then may it bring you more luck than it did us. Maybe you will even solve the serpent's mystery.
Arne:We have followed England's legends and found little but peril. It is time to hang up our well-worn boots.
Frode:Farewell! May Odin litter your path with riches.
Eivor:Goodbye. Keep each other safe, for a good brother is the truest treasure from the gods.
The brother left the lighthouse, with Arne helping Frode.
Frode:Now see, you big lump? All that wailing, and it was as easy as a hop and a jump.
Arne:Keep that up and I'll leave you here for the wolves. Ah no, look at your leg. Is it truly broken?
Frode:No, sprained is all. But I'd like to see you get by without me. Couldn't even climb down a ladder without mewing like a newborn.