Grin's Saga

by Jarl Gregory of York

THERE WERE many who did not remark overmuch at the birth of Grin, for there were many strong, active male children born in those days. Yet, there were some who thought it passing strange for a boy to be born who stood 6' 5" tall, weighed 250 pounds, and carried a flagon of ale in each hand. Times being what they were, though, few noticed.
Grin soon grew up to be a sturdy lad, besting all his friends in feats of strength. When he was only eight summers old, he led a band of friends with whom he had been playing knottlikker, into the local inn. The reeves soon noticed their youth and made as though to throw Grin and his companions into the street. Great was the mirth of Grin when the reeves, along with many of the patrons, were themselves thrown into the street, and out the windows, and into walls, and under tables. Great was the damage, many the broken ribs and heads, and all the while Grin did grin happily, for he was, even then, a man of high humor and boundless wit.
There was a man named Normundag who was a friend of Grin's family and who was also a man of the law. He had once been a mighty warrior as well, but was at this time a bit long in the tooth for feats of valor. Still, there were yet those who counted him better than ordinary, for he was a crafty man who fought with the sinister hand. And there were still men living who spoke in a high shrill voice from having encountered this Normundag in battle.
It happened that Grin sought counsel from this man of law, for he did not wish to come to a bad end from some reckless deed. Further, he sought to become the king one day by trial of combat, and he hoped to gain some wisdom from the old man before his brain softened too much.
For all of that, Normundag accepted Grin as his apprentice and gave him good training and advice. Normundag's skill at speaking kept outraged fathers and bankrupt tavernkeepers at bay while he and Grin strove mightily at sword practice. Normundag did much to discourage Grin's other interests: everclear, young girls, and lemmings, and this much aided Grin's success in matters of the sword. Even so, Grin nearly lost life in a strangely undocumented encounter involving Gyrth, everclear, and the runaway oxcart of Roro Carrotsbane which was rumored to have been driven that night by Jarl Perigrynne. While interesting, accounts of that night are so confused that the truth of the matter will never be known for certain.
Finally, the work of Grin and Normundag was rewarded. With Grin's blood-chilling cry of "I won't hurt you!" ringing in the ears of the stunned multitude, Grin defeated an unbelted youth on an off day and captured the crown he so prized. Normundag, remembering all he had taught him, had fled to England in anticipation of possible feuds or wereguild payment and so was not there to offer congratulations.
So it came to pass that he doddering old king, Gryphon Giant Shield, crowned Grin amid great ceremony and excessive celebration. Grin then chose a new name and was thenceforward known as Grin the Happy Camper.
Here ends the Saga of Grin.

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