The Story of the Making of Five Hearths

The Story of the Five Hearths
translated by E.T. Daniels

Hear now the story of Our Clans. It is the story of our fathers. It is the tribute of our children. Listen now to the story of Our Clans.

When Our Clans came to the Heim there were great hills and five valleys between them. Upon the hills, forests still stood and the soil was difficult to yield, but no Strangers had yet come. So the Jarl of Jarls called for the Lorespeaker and said, “I have decided to make Hearths for each of five Jarls. Find for yourself five companions who will remember the oaths of the Jarls who receive them.” So it was that five Hearths were laid and great fires were kindled therein and a Lorespeaker was found to remember the promises of each Jarl.

Then Armsgleme spoke his blessing on four Jarls in turn and said, “May the Wanderer speak wisdom to you in this valley and visit your Hearth in your turn.” But to the fifth Jarl he said, “May you find favor with the Lady and know only her laughter in the walls of this valley, may she visit your Hearth in your turn.”

The Jarls kept those Hearths and called Meets at them. They cut trees for wood around them and they built great Halls near them. Then they scorched the Heim and tilled it until it gave forth fruit. There grew fields in each valley about the Hearths that Armsgleme had made. The Lorespeakers recall it all.

So it was that Armsgleme built the Five Hearths and these are their names: Wanderhalt, Oldscane, Everskeep, Blackhearth and Ladiskeep. And the first of these is not forgotten, though the men of the South wish it were so.

Heard you now, the story of Our Clans.