The Vikings looked at each other, clearly afraid of what the man just said. If it made the Vikings afraid, it was bad news indeed.
"What's a maelstrom?" Peter asked his band mates.
"I think it's a large whirlpool." Davy said.
Sure enough, a large whirlpool was swirling less than a mile in front of them. In fact, the edges of the whirlpool were beginning to pull at the longboat, trying to pull Ivor's longboat and crew to the bottom of the sea.
"What do we do, Ivor?" Arn asked, glancing at the Monkees, "I thought Odin's emissaries would protect us from Aegir's spells."
"Yes, Monkees." Ivor said, "Tell Aegir that you are from Odin and to let us pass."
The Monkees looked at each other. How could they stop a whirlpool? Mike then had an idea and hoped the others would catch on.
"Odin told us he was going to test you." Mike said, "If you're going to succeed in your quest, you're going to have to prove if you're worthy."
"That means overcoming the roadblocks other Gods may have put up." Micky said, catching on.
"But this maelstrom will pull us into the sea!" Arn exclaimed.
"Not if we outsmart it." Davy said. "Tell your men to keep rowing straight ahead across the swirling waters."
"The maelstrom's current is too strong to fight," Mike added, "So it would be better to use its energy to help us through it."
Ivor thought about what the Monkees told him. He then nodded and turned to Arn. "Their plan makes sense. Do what they say."
Arn looked doubtful, but nodded and gave the orders.
Everyone took their places at the oars again and rowed like mad. The waves tried to pull them down, but instead of fighting the waves, the crew used the waves to propel them across the whirlpool.
Finally, the maelstrom and the storm clouds were behind them and everyone stopped for a much-need rest. The Monkees were tired and sore, but like everyone else was very thankful to be alive. Ivor went over to them.
"Thank you for your help. I am sorry to doubt Odin's wisdom."
"You're welcome, Ivor." Mike said, "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes, there is no damage to the ship or our supplies." Ivor said, then smiled. "I think we all deserve a night of rest." He turned to his crew. "Set off for the nearest shore. We will rest tonight and continue in the morning."
"How much further is it, Ivor?" Micky asked.
"You do not know?" Ivor asked, surprised.
"Um, we were just sent to help you," Micky replied quickly, "Odin didn't tell us exactly where we were going."
Ivor pointed to a tall mountain several miles north in the distance.
"That is our destination." He said, "Ironwood Mountain, home to the giant wolf."
"Giant wolf?" Peter said with a gulp.
"Relax, there's no giant wolves on the mountain," said Ivor.
"Really?" asked Davy.
"The reason it's called that is if you look closely into the mountains, you can see the head of a wolf," said Arn.
Micky squinted his eyes and said, "You're right, I do believe I see it."
"Me too," said Mike, trying to get a better look by leaning on the side of the boat.
"Land oh!" shouted Ivor.
And sure enough, the boat landed right on the side of the island, which the mountain was located on.
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After the boat was made secure, the Vikings made camp. They put up the shelters and the Monkees got the wood for the fire. Arn was quiet, but he still didn't completely trust the Monkees.
Over a meal of reindeer stew, Mike asked Ivor what was going to happen next.
"Remember that wolf's head I showed you earlier?" Ivor asked.
The Monkees nodded their heads yes.
"From what the legends say, that head is really the entrance to a cave where Beli the giant lives."
"A giant?" Peter asked, getting nervous again.
"Yes, he is as tall as two men and has the strength of four." Ivor said.
"Why do you want to kill him?" Micky asked.
"Giants like Beli defy our Gods and cause trouble for mankind." Ivor replied, finishing the last of his stew, "It is said only a God can kill them, but with you four with me, I shall kill one and be the greatest among the chiefs!"
Ivor then got up to give his bowl back to the chef to be washed. The Monkees just looked at each other, not sure what to do.
Soon afterwards, everyone climbed into their shelters for the night. Arn set the guard and everyone went to sleep. The Monkees used this as an opportunity to talk.
"I don't want to kill a giant." Mike said, "I mean, what he ever did to us?"
"Remember that monster Dr. Mendoza created?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, we called him Frankie." Davy replied.
"He looked like a giant too. I didn't believe he would harm anybody." Peter said.
"Yeah, he later made friends with the villagers." Micky said. "He turned out to be ok."
"Maybe that's the way this giant is too." Peter went on.
"Yeah, that's a possibility." Mike admitted, "Still, we're supposed to help Ivor fulfill his destiny."
"But at the expense of another?" Davy added, "I don't like that."
The others didn't either. Micky turned to Peter.
"Try turning the horns on your helmet, see if we can go home before anyone gets killed."
Peter twisted the horn on his helmet, but the guys stayed where they were.
"I guess we're still stuck here." Mike said sadly.
"Maybe something will turn up tomorrow." Micky asked, "Let's go to bed."
So the Monkees climbed under their blankets and went to sleep.
They didn't know Arn had been listening outside their shelter and had heard the whole conversation.
Chapter 4
Chapter 6
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