Interview with Alrekur Vidarsson

 

Meet Alrekur Vidarsson, born in Iceland a mere three thousand years ago. He was dead for a thousand years and is here to answer questions about that. Recently, he’s battled dragons, nokken, and even werewolves. Let’s jump in and hear his story.

Interview

What was life like 3000 years ago?

The world was a much different place back then. Magical creatures were everywhere, but it was much more difficult for us because humans of that time believed in us. Now it’s all about science and what can be proven—everything magic isn’t.

We weren’t able to walk around as freely as today. Your predecessors were experts at spotting a supernatural creature. They wanted to kill the ones that scared them and use the ones that they could manipulate. The Nagas, for example, were able to control the weather, so they were hunted constantly.

In fact, if it wasn’t for one of them being brought to Iceland, we vampires never would have been born. It set off a chain of events which brought together the Asrai and Atcen—water faeries and man-eating ogres. They were our parents.

That sounds really interesting. Can you tell me a little more?

Certainly, but I’ll keep it brief as it’s a long and complicated story. Our parents’ species were brought together to help in a war that was brewing. No one ever expected any of them to fall in love. Beautiful, delicate water faeries and ugly, flesh-eating ogres.

When we vampires were born, many looked at us an abomination of nature because we were unknown and we took on many traits of both species.

The water faeries couldn’t go into the sun lest they melted into a puddle. Their skin was cool to the touch, so much so that humans claimed that if one touched them, that spot of skin would remain forever cold. The ogres would go out at night and feed. You can see how those traits affected us.

That’s amazing. Reality is nothing like today’s vampire folklore, is it?

No, it really isn’t. Garlic. Who came up with that nonsense? Needing to ask permission before entering a residence. Preposterous! We can walk through walls. Mirrors. Sure, we look great, but not without mirrors.

I was really surprised to learn about all of the human myths conjured up during my thousand year death.

I can imagine. What do you miss most about the world you once knew? Least?

Aside from my parents, what I miss the most is the enchanted forests of Iceland. The world used to be covered in them and the ones in our homeland were especially magical. Once wars took over the world, the enchanted forests disappeared fast. We were only able to save one. It’s in the Pacific Northwest where our castle resides.

What do I miss the least? Being chased with stakes by humans who knew which kind of wood can kill us. No, I won’t reveal that here.

Were you cognizant while you were “dead” for 1000 years, and if so, what did you think about/what senses did you experience? If not, how disorienting was it waking up and how hard was it to adjust to modern life?

I was aware of nothing. I call it my thousand year nap, but the truth of the matter is that I went from one waking moment to the next. One moment, I was battle that insolent Heinrick (I still haven’t figured out how he killed me) and the next moment, I was staring into the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.

It was jarring to say the least, but I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Once I realized that she was the one I had been looking for, everything changed.

That extremely sweet. What do you think has changed most since you’ve been back? What’s it like for you now compared to then?

The world is a completely different place than it was a thousand years ago. I suppose that goes without saying. I didn’t know what vehicles were and I attacked the first few I saw, much to the entertainment of those who woke me up.

The new clothing styles are so immodest compared to what I was used to. I couldn’t figure out why ladies of the night were walking around in broad daylight. Of course I found out that they were just regular people wearing modern clothes.

I’ve had over 80 years to adjust at this point, so I’m fully used to this crazy, new world. Now I can’t stand to leave home without my cell phone.

How did you handle the sudden changes when you awoke? How did you react to the loss of your friends and family?

My parents had already died before I did. Almost as soon as I was brought back to life, I was informed the other original vampires (the Fyrsturae) were dead, but it was my job to help bring them all back to life. Finding them was the tricky part, but they are my core family, so between them still being in my life and having been woken by my beautiful Sonnast, I’ve been able to deal with the changes this “new” life has brought.

What’s it like trying to reconcile who you remember being to who you’ve become through lore — how different are you, really, from who we all believe from the stories about you?

I can’t complain about what vampires have whispered about me over the time I was dead. I was rumored to have been the most handsome and strongest vampire ever to live. At least they had their facts straight!

Truth be told, though I’m still feared by all vampires, I do have a softer, gentler side. Not that most are allowed to see that side of me. Mostly only my family and loved ones.

What are the pros and cons (if any) to a life of this length?

The pros are far too many to list. The most amazing thing is knowing that I’ll be with my beloved for all time.

The only con is living with the loss of loved ones. Forever is a long time to miss someone.

Where can we read your story?

You’ll find me in the Transformed series. The latest release is partly in my perspective or if you’d prefer to start at the beginning, you can read Deception first.