Menia

Menia Characters Adapted from Other Works First Appearance: Grottasöngr Nationality: Swedish subjects Species: Giantess Cause of Death: Implicitly drowning Relatives: Fenia (sister) Occupation: Slave, Miller Appearing in: "The Old Grind" by Laura Frankos Fantasy set in OTL Type of Appearance: Direct Nationality: Indigenous Orcadian, subject of Norway from 875 Religion: Norse Polytheism Date of Birth: 680 Occupation: Miller Spouse: Unnamed husband Children: Fenia Relatives: Cubbie Roo (son-in-law)

Menia (or Nenja) is one of two giant slave women (sometimes considered sisters) who, according to the Grottasöngr, are indirectly responsible for salting the oceans.

According to the Grottasöngr, Menia and fellow giantess Fenia were purchased by King Fróði of Denmark from the king of Sweden. Fróði was in possession of a pair of magical mill stones that could create anything a person wished, but were much to heavy for any mortal man to work. The stones were held in a mill called "Grotti". The giantesses were strong enough to grind, and, at Fróði's command, they created gold, peace, and happiness. However, Fróði would not let them rest, and soon, they used the mill to produce an army lead by the sea-king Mysing. Mysing and his host killed Fróði and took his possessions, including Fenia, Menia, and Grotti. As they sailed away aboard a ship, Mysing asked them to grind out salt. Soon, they ground out a enough salt that the ship sank, and Grotti was left at the bottom of the ocean, grinding out salt for eternity.

Versions of this legend appear throughout northern Europe. Not every version gives the two enslaved millers names. One version does not blame Grotti for salting the entire ocean, but for the Pentland Firth between Orkney and mainland Scotland.

Menia in "The Old Grind"

Menia (b. 680) the giantess lived in the Orkney Islands, and ran a salt mill with her daughter Fenia in the early 10th century. In 910, Fenia declared that she was dissatisfied with salt-farming life, and wanted to take a year off to explore the world. Menia, who at 230 was just coming to the doorstep of old age, hired the dwarves Alberich and Erka to take Fenia's place during this year. Soon afterward, Fenia's ex-boyfriend Cubbie Roo joined Menia and the dwarves on the farm.

When Fenia returned from adventuring in 911 with a newfound appreciation for home, Menia welcomed her gladly. As Fenia and Cubbie renewed their affection for each other, Menia saw grandchildren in the near future.