Rune XXX: The Frost-Fiend explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Revenge and Retribution

  Lemminkainen's quest is driven by a desire to avenge the insult to his mother.

• Power of Song and Magic

  Lemminkainen uses magical incantations to command and banish the Frost-fiend.

• Nature and the Landscape

  The frozen ocean, snow-covered plains, and harsh winter landscape are central to the chapter's setting and conflict.

Characters to notice

• Lemminkainen

  Reckless hero determined to avenge his mother; uses magic to defeat the Frost-fiend.

• Tiera

  Lemminkainen's comrade and brother-in-arms; joins the quest to Pohyola.

• Louhi

  Wicked hostess of Pohyola; sends the Frost to destroy Lemminkainen.

• Ilmarinen

  Mentioned as the blacksmith whose anvil Lemminkainen threatens to use against the Frost.

Key passages

• “Lemminkainen, reckless minstrel, Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, Hastens as the dawn is breaking, At the dawning of the morning, To the resting-place of vessels, To the harbor of the island, Finds the vessels sorely weeping, Hears the wailing of the rigging, And the ships intone this chorus: 'Must we wretched lie forever In the harbor of this island, Here to dry and fall in pieces?'”

  At dawn, Lemminkainen hurries to the harbor where the boats are moored and hears them lamenting that they will rot unused.

  The personification of the ships emphasizes Lemminkainen's long inactivity and his resolve to go to war.

• “Quick the wicked hostess, Louhi, Sends the black-frost of the heavens To the waters of Pohyola, O'er the far-extending sea-plains, Gave the black-frost these directions: 'Much-loved Frost, my son and hero, ... Freeze the wizard in his vessel, Freeze to ice the wicked Ahti, That he never more may wander, Never waken while thou livest.'”

  Louhi commands the Frost to freeze Lemminkainen's ship and kill him on the open sea.

  Louhi uses supernatural forces to try to destroy her enemy.

• “Then the hero, Lemminkainen, Angry grew and filled with magic, Hurled the black-frost to the fire-god, Threw him to the fiery furnace, Held him in his forge of iron, Then addressed the frost as follows: 'Frost, thou evil son of Northland, ... Let my members not be stiffened, Neither ears, nor feet, nor fingers, Neither let my head be frozen.'”

  Lemminkainen angrily uses magic to threaten the Frost, commanding it not to harm him.

  Lemminkainen's magical power over the elements is demonstrated as he overcomes the Frost.

• “Wicked Frost, the son of Winter, Saw the magic bird of evil Hovering above his spirit, Straightway prayed for Ahti's mercy, These the words the Frost-fiend uttered: 'Let us now agree together, Neither one to harm the other, Never in the course of ages, Never while the moonlight glimmers On the snow-capped hills of Northland.'”

  The Frost, seeing a magical bird of ill omen, begs Lemminkainen for mercy and proposes a truce.

  The Frost is intimidated by Lemminkainen's magic and agrees to leave him alone.