Discover One of the Stories That You Can Hear on One of the Monster Glacier Tours

Fjalla-Eyvindur and Halla: A Love Story of Survival and Desolation

In the harsh solitude of Iceland's highlands, mid-1700s, a riveting saga of love and outlawry took shape that would echo through time. This timeless tale of survival, love, and the desperation of two souls unfolds around Fjalla-Eyvindur, a notorious outlaw, and Halla, a farmer's daughter whose fate intertwines with his. This story is their legacy.

Once an ordinary man named Eyvindur found himself standing on the precipice of an extraordinary life. Charged with theft, he was condemned to outlawry, stripped of his societal rights, and banished into the unforgiving Icelandic wilderness. With the looming threat of death by the hands of any avenger, Eyvindur transformed himself into Fjalla-Eyvindur, a man of resourcefulness and tenacity. From the mountains to the hot springs of Hveravellir, he crafted his sanctuary, maintaining an elusive existence from 1745 for an astounding forty years.

Meanwhile, in the lowlands, Halla, a farmer's daughter, lived her life unaware of the destiny awaiting her. Their lives intersected when Eyvindur, under a disguise, found refuge at her father's farm during one harsh winter. Love bloomed amidst the snow and quiet farm life, a love that was as defiant as it was profound. When whispers of Eyvindur's true identity began to circulate, he was forced to flee to his highland refuge. Unwilling to let him go, Halla made the unthinkable choice to abandon her life and follow him, embracing a life of harsh winters, isolation, and constant fear of discovery.

The highlands bore silent witness to their life and their losses. They welcomed new life into their cold world, but the harsh conditions were cruel, taking away most of their children. To survive, they were sometimes forced to steal sheep from the lowlands, actions that only intensified the search for them.

Their struggles and sacrifices were captured hauntingly in the lullaby "Sofðu unga ástin mín" or "Sleep, my young love." This song, sung by mothers across Iceland to this day, carries within it the echoes of Halla's heart-wrenching sacrifice. In a moment of desperation, faced with their impending capture, Halla chose to spare her youngest from a life of hardship and danger, offering the child a swift, merciful end in the icy embrace of a waterfall.

The tale of Fjalla-Eyvindur and Halla reached its tragic climax in the late 18th century. The lovers were finally captured, their four decades of shared freedom ending in execution. But their story was not to be buried with them. It has since been woven into the fabric of Icelandic folklore and culture, immortalized in plays, songs, and films. Their tale is a poignant testament to human resilience and the extraordinary lengths people will go to for love.

"Sofðu unga ástin mín," born of a moment of intense despair, lives on as the most cherished lullaby in Iceland, a lullaby that tells the story of a love that defied societal norms and braved the unforgiving highlands, a lullaby born of love and loss, echoing through centuries.

The Elusive Huldufólk of Iceland's Wilderness

In the untamed stretches of Iceland, where nature molds the earth and the climate's whims are unpredictable, one can almost sense a realm just beyond our grasp. This realm belongs to the huldufólk, the concealed denizens, intricately woven into Iceland's folklore tapestry.

Legends from Icelandic shores portray the huldufólk as reticent, shadowy figures, choosing to reside beyond the gaze of mankind. These ethereal entities have staked their claim amidst Iceland's craggy terrains, nestled within the hillocks and escarpments that dot the green expanse. The conviction of their presence runs so deep in the Icelandic psyche that even modern roadwork and architecture tread lightly, taking care to sidestep places thought to be their sanctuaries.

While many correlate the huldufólk with earthen monoliths and looming mountain ranges, there are stories that whisper of their existence in the glacial expanses. These frost-bound inhabitants are believed to nestle within the heart of glaciers, ensconced by crystalline bastions. The howl of winds caressing the frozen plains, the deep murmurs of moving glaciers, and the chime of cascading ice shards are sometimes credited to these veiled dwellers, weaving magic into the vastness.

Journeying through the multifaceted terrains of Iceland, seasoned guides regale travelers with these age-old tales, shedding light on the island's vibrant mythos. They narrate of the huldufólk, who despite their intangible presence, stand as sentinels of this realm, safeguarding its pristine allure and the mysteries it enfolds.

Yet, beyond the captivating aura surrounding these mythical entities, the huldufólk signify a profound sentiment in Icelandic lore. They epitomize the harmony between humans and Mother Earth, underscoring the symbiotic balance that should exist. The narratives of the huldufólk don't merely delve into the realm of fantasy and wonder but also impart lessons on the sanctity of nature's preservation.

Thus, the legends of the huldufólk, whether whispered amongst towering peaks or shimmering glaciers, shed light on the intimate bond shared by Icelanders with their surrounding world. They infuse each trek across Iceland's expanses with depth and mystique, transporting one through terrains graced by these beguiling unseen inhabitants.

Skadi and Njord: A Love Story Echoed in the Mountains

Amid the dramatic juxtaposition of Iceland's towering mountains and boundless coastlines, the land itself tells a tale of two revered figures of Norse mythology: Skadi, winter's goddess and mistress of the peaks, and Njord, the sea's guardian. Their chronicle is a symphony of passion and discord, reverberating across the Icelandic expanse.

Skadi, of Jotunn lineage, was celebrated for her affinity to the frigid season and majestic mountains. Her spirit, indomitable and enduring, mirrored the craggy heights she so cherished. In contrast, Njord, a deity of the Vanir, ruled over the wind, oceans, and abundance. His essence, ever fluid, mirrored the capricious tides of his dominion.

Their union, an emblem of hope, was conceived in the aftermath of the strife between the Aesir and Vanir, two Norse godly clans. Yet, despite their stark contrasts, the two deities entered matrimony, seeking to meld the earth and the sea.

But their romance was a stormy affair, echoing the tumultuous embrace of terra firma and ocean. The seaside's relentless waves and shrieking gulls brought Skadi no solace, while Njord found Thrymheim, Skadi's frosty mountain stronghold, devoid of the sea's gentle murmurs and invigorating breezes.

In the end, their fervor for their native realms eclipsed their passion for each other. Their paths diverged, Skadi retreating to her treasured summits and Njord to his beloved depths.

As wanderers scale Iceland's frosty peaks or tread its expansive coasts, the spirits of Skadi and Njord envelop them. The breezes that dance over the mountains whisper tales of Skadi's devotion, while the ocean's rhythmic sighs speak of Njord's eternal yearning.

The narrative of Skadi and Njord stands as a testament to nature's grandeur and its sway over ancient lore. Their tale, akin to the terrain itself, is a harmonious fusion of allure, might, and an unwavering reverence for the elemental forces that mold our world.