Guardian of the East

As the giants made of ice and snow made their way south to the land of Ywaryn, the land and its inhabitants were afraid. The animals ran, and the forest seemed silent, waiting for the inevitable.

The troops of cold came closer and closer, and a large wall of ice could be seen on the horizon. the ravens had already warned Ywaryn and the people, but there was nothing they could do but run and leave their home behind.

Hope was gone, the lands would be grounded and flattened by the heavy troops, and the forest and animals prayed and begged for the earth to help them. "Help us for we might not live for long! Protect us so we can keep making you green and luscious and filled with life"
And the ground heard their prayers as the ice came closer - stones and rocks began to rise from the ground. The earth itself was offering her aid, and helping nature and life prevail in the cold north.

Gro, the goddess of earth and ground stood up as never before, towering over the lands like a wall. The battle of earth herself and the ice troops lasted many days and nights, but she stood strong and never gave in. Months went by, and the battle had been long and tiring, but the end was near. The days were getting longer and warmer, and they began to weaken as the sun shone on them all.

Standing, in all her glory, she protected the eastern lands of Ywaryn as the ice and snow retreated back from whence they came.
All of nature and the inhabitants, both animals and humans alike celebrated the victory. Gro had saved them all and had come for her aid when they had needed it the most. The people and nature around the beautiful goddess thanked her a thousand times with prayers, cheers and gifts for her help.
But when she wanted to go back to her peaceful rest, the forest and people begged her to stay and rest here close to them and in return they would keep worshipping her, offering her gifts and tell everyone about her brave battle. She liked the sound of this, and agreed to go to rest where she stood, and thus laid down forming a beautiful mountain range.
This is the mountain range known as Østvogter, which can be translated to "the Eastern guardian" or "Guardian of the East".

Origin

In the lands of Ywaryn, from the tribal people that first inhabited the lands.

Main character in story/myth

Gro, the goddess of Earth and ground, is now a resting mountain range in eastern Ywaryn, ready to help and protect her people again if ever needed. Many shrines are dedicated to Gro, but mostly in the eastern parts of the country as the old traditions have prevailed.

Date of origin

Uknown

How is it retold?

It has been a story told around campfires for so long, that no one really knows when it all started, and who was the first to tell the story. Old runestones and carvings on rocks have been discovered which describes parts of the story.
Some beautiful ancient illustrations of Gro standing and protecting the people have also been found and is estimated to be from the first tribes of Ywaryn.