This is part of my "Kalevala series" in which I tell the epic folklore poetry of Finns as a series of short stories.
Don't know what Kalevala is? Check my introduction post of it: Kaleva: An epic folklore of Finns - A source of inspiration for Tolkien's mythology
Want to start from the beginning? Go to Part 1: The birth of Väinämöinen
Previous part: Aino's tragedy
When Väinämöinen heard the news about Aino's death, he cried for days, went next to the sea and asked Untamo where do the sea folk live and its mistress', Vellamo's, daughters.
Untamo said his dream:
"Near in the point of misty cape, down deep waves, on muddy waters.
That's where do the sea folk live long, the daughters of mistress Vellamo."
With this knowledge Väinämöinen took his boat, went to the waters and fished.
Fishing for a few days, an unsusual salmon grabbed his hook. When grabbing his knife to cut the salmon, it jumped back to the ocean and revealed itself as Aino:
"Oh you old fool Väinämöinen, I wasn't to be cut by you,
as fish sliced on top of your bread, to a lunch for your own hunger,
a big dinner on your table."
Väinämöinen asked her:
"So what were you to become then?"
Aino aswered:
"I was to become wife for you, forever your spouse on your knee,
to make the bed and clean the floors, to take care of cabin in woods,
bring the food, carry the beer tin, to set the meal under your chin."
"Oh you imbecile Väinämöinen, from a fish didn't recognize,
the virgin watery of Vellamo."
...and left Väinämöinen who desperately moaned on his grief while searching Aino without any hope of finding her.
Trying to find a solution for his sorrow, Väinämöinen seeked for his mother, Ilmatar.
His bearer heard Väinämöinen's suffer and awoke from her trench:
"I am, your mother, still awake, one who could advice how to not break,
to not lose yourself into grief, in melancholic days of yours."
"Go to the North, to its daughters, virgins most beautiful of world.
Marry the best daughter among them, with the most beatiful eyes' glance,
with the most engaging movement."
Part 6: Joukahainen's revenge