Dapplegrim

The Boy and the Dappled Horse

Askeladden lived with his father on a humble farm by the edge of a vast forest. One summer morning, as he wandered through the woods in search of firewood, he stumbled upon a sight that took his breath away. In a small clearing stood a horse unlike any other. Its coat glistened with dappled patches, shifting from white to grey with every step it took, as though the horse was woven from the very fabric of twilight.

“Who are you?” Askeladden whispered, unable to tear his eyes away.

The horse turned to him, and its eyes were like molten gold. “I am Dapplegrim,” it replied, the voice echoing in Askeladden’s mind rather than through his ears. “I have wandered these woods for years, waiting for someone brave enough to face the challenges that lie ahead.”

Without hesitation, Askeladden stepped forward. “What challenges?” he asked.

“You shall know in time,” Dapplegrim answered. “But first, you must feed me for three years, and I will grow stronger than any horse in the kingdom. Only then will I be ready to face our journey together.”

Askeladden agreed, and he brought Dapplegrim to his father’s farm, where they began their partnership. For three years, he fed Dapplegrim more than any other horse—whole barrels of oats and hay, and buckets of water from the clearest springs. As the days passed, Dapplegrim’s coat grew brighter, his muscles more defined, and his spirit more powerful.

The King’s Decree

Three years passed swiftly, and as Dapplegrim reached his full strength, news arrived from the distant capital. The King had announced a great challenge: “Whosoever could ride to the top of the Glass Mountain and bring back the golden apple that grew upon its peak would win the hand of the Princess.”

Dapplegrim turned to Askeladden and said, “It is time. The challenge awaits.”

The journey to the Glass Mountain was long and arduous, with rivers to cross and dark forests to traverse. Askeladden rode Dapplegrim, who moved with the speed of the wind and the grace of a flowing river. Along the way, they encountered many others attempting the journey, but none had a horse as strong or a heart as brave as Dapplegrim’s.

After days of travel, they reached the foot of the Glass Mountain. It was a towering monolith, smooth and gleaming like a mirror, with no visible way to climb it. Many had tried before them, and many had failed, slipping and falling back down.

Dapplegrim snorted. “Hold on tight,” he warned Askeladden.

With a mighty leap, Dapplegrim launched himself onto the mountain’s slick surface. The horse’s hooves clung to the glass, and he climbed higher and higher, defying gravity itself. Askeladden held on with all his might, his heart pounding in his chest.

At the summit, they found the golden apple, shining like the sun. Askeladden reached out and plucked it from the tree that grew atop the Glass Mountain, feeling its warmth seep into his hands.

The Jealous Rivals

As they descended, they encountered two brothers who had also sought the golden apple but had failed to reach the summit. Seeing that Askeladden had succeeded, jealousy flared in their eyes.

“Hand over the apple,” demanded the elder brother, drawing his sword. “You’re just a farm boy. You don’t deserve the princess.”

“I earned this apple fairly,” Askeladden replied, “and I will not give it up.”

The brothers advanced, but Dapplegrim reared up, his eyes blazing. With a single swift kick, he sent the elder brother sprawling. The younger brother, seeing the power of the horse, quickly backed away.

“You would be wise to leave,” Dapplegrim warned, his voice low and dangerous.

The brothers fled, and Askeladden patted Dapplegrim’s neck gratefully. “Thank you, my friend,” he said.

“Always,” Dapplegrim replied. “We are in this together.”

The Return to the Kingdom

With the golden apple in hand, Askeladden rode back to the kingdom, where the King awaited at the castle gates. Crowds had gathered to see who would return victorious, and whispers spread as they saw the boy on the magnificent dappled horse.

“This farm boy?” they murmured. “How could he have succeeded?”

But the King silenced them with a wave of his hand. “You have brought the golden apple,” he said to Askeladden. “But there remains one final challenge before you can claim the princess’s hand.”

“What is it?” Askeladden asked, his heart sinking.

“Dapplegrim must leap over the castle, from one end to the other, with you on his back,” the King declared.

The crowd gasped. Such a feat had never been attempted.

Dapplegrim nuzzled Askeladden. “Do not fear,” he whispered. “We will succeed.”

The Great Leap

The day arrived for the final test, and the entire kingdom gathered to witness it. The castle loomed ahead, its towers piercing the sky. Askeladden climbed onto Dapplegrim’s back, feeling the horse’s powerful muscles tensing beneath him.

“Now!” the King cried.

Dapplegrim charged forward, his hooves thundering against the ground. With a mighty leap, he soared into the air, clearing the castle walls as if they were nothing more than a fence. Time seemed to slow as they hung in midair, and then they landed gracefully on the other side.

The crowd erupted in cheers, and the King, unable to contain his joy, declared, “Askeladden, you have proven yourself worthy! You shall marry my daughter, and you will inherit half of my kingdom!”

The Evil Sorcerer

But not everyone was pleased with Askeladden’s victory. Deep in the forest lived an evil sorcerer who had long coveted the kingdom. When he heard of Askeladden’s success, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

The sorcerer disguised himself as a beggar and approached the castle gates. “Please,” he said, “I wish to see the hero who climbed the Glass Mountain.”

Askeladden, kind-hearted as always, welcomed the beggar. But as soon as he was close, the sorcerer revealed his true form and struck Askeladden with a curse that turned him to stone.

“No!” cried Dapplegrim. But the sorcerer cackled, “Your strength is useless now, horse! The kingdom is mine!”

The sorcerer then began to seize control of the castle. In the midst of the chaos, the princess, heartbroken, approached Dapplegrim. “Is there nothing you can do?” she asked, tears streaming down her face.

“There is one way,” Dapplegrim said. “But it will require a great sacrifice.”

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Dapplegrim explained that to break the curse, he must give up his own life’s strength and beauty. “I will become an ordinary horse,” he said. “But Askeladden will be restored.”

The princess nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. “You are truly noble, Dapplegrim.”

With a final neigh, Dapplegrim touched his nose to Askeladden’s stone form. A brilliant light enveloped them both, and when it faded, Askeladden stood before them, alive and whole. But Dapplegrim had changed—his coat no longer shimmered, and his eyes had lost their golden glow.

Askeladden knelt beside his friend, tears in his eyes. “Why did you do this?”

“Because I knew you would have done the same for me,” Dapplegrim whispered.

The Defeat of the Sorcerer

Together, Askeladden and the princess confronted the sorcerer. “Your magic ends here!” Askeladden shouted.

The sorcerer laughed. “You think you can defeat me? I have powers beyond your comprehension!”

But just then, Dapplegrim, though weakened, summoned the last of his strength and charged at the sorcerer. Askeladden joined in, striking the sorcerer with the golden apple he still carried. The sorcerer screamed as the apple’s light engulfed him, banishing him forever.

The Kingdom Rejoices

The kingdom celebrated Askeladden’s bravery and Dapplegrim’s sacrifice. The King, in gratitude, declared that henceforth, Dapplegrim would be honored as a symbol of courage and loyalty. The princess took Dapplegrim’s reins, leading him to the royal stables, where he would be cared for, cherished, and remembered.

As for Askeladden, he became a beloved ruler, known for his kindness and courage. He never forgot his loyal friend, and every day, he visited Dapplegrim, who, though

no longer magical, remained the truest and bravest companion he had ever known.

Epilogue

Years passed, and stories of Askeladden and Dapplegrim spread far and wide. Their tale became a legend, reminding everyone that true strength lies not in power but in loyalty, friendship, and the willingness to sacrifice for those we love.

The End.