- The kids weren't able to get the whole story from their parents, but over time, they gathered bits and pieces from the folks in the village.
- Tor left the village when the kids were just newborns—something happened, but Eirik and Melle weren't quite sure what.
- They did know that their father rose up to become chief and made their mom his wife, an arrangement Tor didn't much like because he had eyes for their mom himself.
- Of course, that didn't matter much. Wulf was the oldest brother so he got to do what he wanted.
- But weirdly enough, no matter how much effort they gave it, their mom and dad couldn't conceive children. Part of the problem might have been the beer their father drank every night, a brew made with the dragon plant on the western side of the island.
- Their father got pretty tipsy and Tor was right there as a shoulder to cry on, but then, lo and behold—their mom got pregnant. With twins. Amazing timing, right?
- Mom and Dad were thrilled, but the priest wasn't as tickled. He had only brought a totem—a good luck charm based on an animal—for one kid.
- Melle was the first one out, so she got the hare as her totem and there was nothing left over for Eirik. Bummer.
- Their father protested: One day the boy would be king, so he needed a totem—every king does.
- Okay, said the priest. Why not give him a good name instead? That should be enough to protect him in this life… and in any others he might end up living. Call him Eirik. It means Forever Strong and the One King. That should do the trick, right?
- After the children were born, Tor demanded that the kids be given to him since he had fathered them during all those late-night weep fests.
- Eventually, Tor was banished from the island for three years. After seven years, they found him while they were out on this year's expedition. Tor demanded to be taken back to Bloed Island. The men had to obey because honor and duty and stuff.
- So they brought back the children's uncle. Or was it their father? That's some serious drama.