Greetings, good Gentles.
Presented to you here is poetry and prose that was written in response to the death of one of the Shire of Inner Sea's most prominent and beloved members, Halden B. Jensen, whom we knew more personally as Halfdan (pronounced Haf' dan). Halfdan was one of our founding members, and one who stood out among the crowd as a person who lived by the ideals of Chivalry every day of his life. He was one of our first Lords and a source of our inspiration, and to him we dedicate these scrolls.
We are indebted to the work of another of our Shire members, Magnus MagUire (MKA James McManus), for preserving this bit of our history so that we might pass it down in the legend of our Shire's birth. It is hoped that by presenting these memories to you in this format, that you might grow to understand why Hal is held so dear to our hearts, and why he will live on in our Legends. The following is a quote Magnus' description of how Halfdan was awarded his Award of Arms and the title of Lord.
"At Pennsic XXIV his Majesty Osis did at Great Court, before the
combined Crowns of the Known World and the Populous, award Halfdan of
Inner Sea an Award of Arms. By Royal command we were directed upon
returning to our Campfires to raise our glass in memory of one who gave so
much to the Society and his friends despite having such a short time on
this Earth. I had the honor to go from campfire to campfire that night
and pass on the command of our King Osis. One and all, enemies and allies
alike, found it good and meet to follow this command of the Midrealm
Crown."
This document is currently in draft format and will continue to go through additions and format improvements, though the current content will remain the same. If you wish to make contributions, such as poetry, prose, stories, or perhaps graphics, please contact me, Gunnarr Thorson MacDonnach, at the address below.
Chad C. Walstrom
(chewie@wookimus.net)
SKA: Gunnarr Thorson MacDonnach
6 February, 1998
The following content of this document was taken "as-is" from the original ASCII text format. I have refrained from altering format of the original poetry, prose, or comments where I felt uneasy doing so. In this way, I hope to preserve the copyright of the original contributors. If there are any spelling or grammatical errors from this point forth, they may be intended to be so.
Gunnarr Thorson MacDonnach
Contribution by James McManus, Societally known as Magnus MagUire, of Inner Sea, Scribe of the original document.
Unto The Royal Rulers of the Midrealm, Osis and Valthiona, does their servant Maghnuis MagUidhir, Pursuivant to the Shire of the Inner Sea, bring sad tidings and a request.
This week past Your Majesties did lose a loyal subject. Halfdan, known by those outside the Society as Halden B. Jensen, did pass away at the tender age of 23. A member of this Society for the past two years or so, the brevity of his time among us did little to suppress the powerful service he did render.
Halfdan was the leader and driving force of our Shire's student group at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Through his motivation the size of our active Shire has tripled or more.
Halfdan was our Shire's first authorized fighter.
Halfdan was training as our Marshal and our Archery Marshal.
Halfdan was the most proficient and prolific of our Shires armorers.
Halfdan tho perhaps not a skilled tailor, built garb and assisted those of us even more inept at stitchery to build our own.
Halfdan hosted Armoring and Garb making parties at his house and was left to clean up clippings, thread, and leather shavings each morning after.
Halfdan was the one who volunteered to pick someone up if they needed a ride to a local event, meeting or party, even if they were in Nordskogen, Darkstone or Shattered Oak.
Halfdan has become a beloved figure not only in his home Shire of The Inner Sea but also in the Shire of Shattered Oak where he regularly attended fighters practice.
Halfdan has quietly, at every event he has ever attended been of service in any way needed.
As great as these losses have been to our Shire and Kingdom, it is to us as individuals that Halfdan's service has been even greater. Upon meeting Hal he became one of your closest friends, always willing to give of himself and demanding nothing in return.
Even in leaving us Hal continues to serve, drawing those of us who know and love him closer in the bonds of missing him.
At the University Hal was a member and leader of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity and he ran the UMD Escort Service. A single credit from graduation, Hal was given the Sieur Du Lhut Award for outstanding service to his fellow students.
In the Mundane world his service has not gone unrecognized. His youth and newness of to the Society have left him with much personal recognition but no official recognition. As first Seneschal of the Shire and then Pursuivant, and always friend, I have watched Halfdan grow and serve in this Society which has become another home to him.
On reflection over this man's life, in the too brief time I have known him, I wholeheartedly recommend our Halfdan for the Order of the Pelican and/or any other Award which your Majesties might consider meet to bestow.
I fear that this Kingdom will gain little more from his Services but am assured that he will continue in Service at that Higher Court to which he has been called. He is now in direct service at the Court of He Who Outranks Us All.
I remain yours in Service to Kingdom, Shire and most of all, to the Dream.
When there was need did Halfdan stride forth.
When the need was a fighter Halfdan was there.
When the need was a Marshall Haldan was there.
When the need was a party Halfdan was there.
When the need was for armor Halfdan was there.
When the need was for garb making Halfdan was there.
When the need was for stir fry Halfdan was there.
Behind the throne at Byzantium "Halfdan was there".
When the need was for transport Halfdan was there.
When the need was for service Halfdan was there.
When the need was for friendship Halfdan was there.
When there was any need among us, Hal was eager to serve. Even though Hal is no longer among us, he has continued to serve those who know and love him by drawing them closer together.
Halfdan has left the service of Shire and Kingdom,
Hal has been called now before that Highest Court.
Hal stands in service to the Highest King of Kings.
Maghnuis MaolMhichil Brogan MagUidhir
James D. McManus
May 1995
Contribution by Owen Alun of Nordskogen, mundanely known as Ben Tucker
News has come from the Shire of Inner Sea that Haldane has passed from us.
May he find new lands to explore in the service of a higher king, with those of our friends who await him. He was one of the hidden treasures of this, our land -- always there, always eager to help. His presence shall be sorely missed.
Where once was naught but fog and hill and tree
A Viking warrior brave that all could see
With strength and might of arm and heart and hand.
He strove to serve and ever hone his skills
And taught us all by simply being there.
Now he is gone, and keening thorough the hills
His name still echoes through the empty air.
At the shore a longboat waits to fare forth
Pure white she is, the ship of a great lord.
Crewed by the greatest heroes of the North
The captain calls: A new man comes aboard.
---------------------------------------------------
Owen Alun Ben Tucker
Wandering Minstrel
Contributed by Robert Rhys Scatloch, of Inner Sea, mundanely known as Robert Brown.
We live in a world of Sorrow and Strife,
Sometimes it is hard to see the light.
The light of Caring, Compassion and Love,
The light that's personified by the peaceful Dove.
That light has become diminished today,
A very large part of it has passed away.
The darkness had started to close in,
But then the light flared up again.
The light in the hearts of all Hal's friends,
Burst forth with caring that will never end.
The darkness tries to engulf us all,
But the light in our hearts will not fall.
We will remember and take strength from,
The person that Hal has, for each of us, become.
Robert
Brown
Slonshal Hal, you will live forever in the hearts of your friends.
Contributed by Wyndreth Berginsdottir, mundanely known as Karen L.U.Kahan
Crag of rock sharp as justice
oversees ocean edge.
Upon it waits one weary with walking
and scrying the waves.
Nameless, she is hight, and age-silver
brights her hair.
Comes the sea-steed with four winds full
in sails, to shore.
She spies the moon full her left shoulder above
and so stands, begins:
(She sings:)
"Pray Thou hear me all Shining Ones
both Aesir and Van:
I make song to thee
that Thou wilt know
and of thine own
first of great journeys
he is Halfdan hight:
Dragon-son: Norse-shield.
the shores of Inner Sea
and revered Oak kin.
Not o'erfond is he of gold or given to ill-counsel,
but most generous of spirit.
Heart of the aurochs; maker of mail and chain;
girded in honor;
Swiftsword, Suresword; Yew-bow, Keen-eye:
Bear-sark; War-wolf;
Mirth-bringer; Horn-lifter; Lover of feasting;
Hearty Meadbane.
In the world of wights he is Halfdan hight.
Dragon-son. Norse-shield.
And many are they there who this night wander
grieving in his footsteps.
Yet he is come here to this couch of waves
now to board his bench
the vessel of passage
the glory-ship of the dead."
She sees the sails then turn windward, depart,
him taken aboard
And hailed as brother. Tonight he fares forth
in company honored
to the Shining Hall of Departed Heroes
in company honored.
(She sings:)
"No regret, Valfather wilt Thou have ever
cause for choosing
this man Halfdan hight; Glory to thine Eye!
Glory, all Shining Ones!
Pray offer him the mellow mead
and seat at your bench
For his heart is true, his tales good,
his company matchless."
Now the ship is gone on the mane of sea.
Silent she is again.
Crag of rock sharp as justice.
Upon it stands one.
Nameless, she is hight; weary with walking
and scrying the waves.
Moon-silver ages her hair. She is torn two ways--
joy and grief most fearsome--
For tonight he feasts and laughs with Golden Gods
And she will miss him ever.
In honor of the life and passage of Halden Jensen and Halfdan of Inner Sea.
(Copyright 1995 Karen L.U.Kahan/Wyndreth Berginsdottir)
Contributed by Lord Michael of Stonehaven, mundanely known as Peter Handberg
The word entered the forest
carried by the breeze.
It floated first across the snow,
and now passes 'tween the trees;
suddenly silence begins,
wolves cease play and listen.
Carrying the word, a raven flies
long and far to Valhalla;
into the meadhall flying,
on Odin's shoulder he speaks.
Odin stands.
Revel stills
as he speaks:
Forth Valkyries!
Ready Freyja's Hall!
Prepare the feast!
Bards prepare story and song!
Heroes stand TALL!
A Warrior approaches.
Make ready to bid welcome;
join us he shall
in feast, revel, and laughter.
He too shall stand tall
within these great walls
till Ragnarok
calls him forth
to fight again.
In memory of our Shire's loss of Halfdan
Michael of Stonehaven
Peter Handberg
Contributed by Celine Grandjeans of Inner Sea, mundanely known as Sarah J. Davitt-Style
Crane upon his breast
Set in his chest, a warm heart
His memory in ours
-In memory of Hal Jensen, May 9th 1995
-by Sarahj
-Sarah J. Davitt
Contributed by "Diarmaid`"
On Tuesday May 9, 1995 a Great man passed away. When thinking about
what he meant to me and all his friends I found myself typing this up.
I did not know Hal very long but he made a large impact in my life.
Hal
sitting here
watching
the last movie we saw together
We see you...
across from me...
and I hear your voice...
Oh, GOD my friend!
I miss you
I see you
In my room
at the party
oh my god...
please
why does it have to be true?
why do you have to be gone?
Hal....
I remember you now..
your smile
your laugh
the way you nodded
your head shaking with laughter...
Hal...
please...
my God. ..
I can only scream....
and swear...
and finally cry...
oh, god....
I need you my friend
need your kind voice
and clear head...
please...
someone say it's a lie,
a joke,
after all this time,
please....
but still
I know you're gone...
and finally I remember
seeing you
there
in the church
clutching her hand in desperation
please hang on to me....
please...
please make it a lie...
and my tears flow..Hal....
my friend...
I cry tears for you....
and I will remember you...
my pain nothing
no comparison to the loss....
oh God Hal...
I don't have the words....
Diarmaid` ( in a drunken stupor) 10-22-95
For a direct link to the Shire of Inner Sea Homepages, click here.
To link to the Shire's pages through Midrealm, click here.
Last Update: $Date: 2001/01/29 16:14:45 $
$Id$
Maintained by: Gunnarr Thorson MacDonnach
Email: chewie@wookimus.net