Epiphany

The bustle of the carriage wakes me up, I must've fallen asleep a while back because when I peer out of the small window it is pouring rain. I yawn and look at my parents, they are both asleep. My mother's head is resting on my father's shoulder, it's unnatural almost to see them both so calm. I resume my gaze out of the window praying silently that it is warmer on Asgard, from the weather here you wouldn't believe that summer has just begun.
The carriage ride takes another hour or so before it comes to a standstill. Father gets out first, followed closely by Mother. She pops her head back in to say “Wait here Alora, your father is speaking with the two Einherjar that the allfather has sent” and with that, she shuts the door with a click.
father had previously been to Asgard with mother on multiple occasions so they already understand how this works, me On the other hand haven't even left Vanaheim. Father had explained that two Asgardians would call upon the Bifrost somehow and that it must be far away from the city or any villages. That's why we had to take such a long carriage ride I suppose,
Suddenly the door opens. As I step out of the coach, my father holds his arm out for me and walks me to my mother and the two Einherjar. One of them yells something that I can't quite understand, and then a beam of light engulfs us. I hide into my father, his arms coming around me holding onto me tightly. We are suddenly flying it seems, or are we floating?
I feel the solid ground when Father finally lets me go, I open my eyes and see that we are all standing in what seems to be an observatory. The two Einherjar lead us out to a rainbow bridge where another carriage is waiting for us. I stop in my tracks abruptly, causing the four of them to look at me. “Excuse me, but it seems as though we have left our belongings in Vanaheim. Perhaps I am short of a marble but I would like to think I need my clothes and finary!” I snap, fully aware of how bratty I sound. Mother merely rolls her eyes and steps into the coach taking the Einherjars hand as she does.
“Dear, these two fine Asgardians will be returning to collect our possessions as soon as we get in the carriage,” Father lets out a laugh as he explains. I very suddenly feel rather stupid as I step into the carriage.
Mother very clearly looks displeased as she is sitting in the golden coach because she is practically glaring out of her window, I sit across from her knowing that she is ready to blow at any second. Father gets in after a few minutes and I feel the carriage jerk forward,
“One more outburst Alora, one more while we are here and the allfather himself won't be able to pry me from you” Mother starts
“We will be here for three months, I can practically guarantee that won't be my last'' I say under my breath, not quiet enough though.
“Then you will at least not act in such a way with the princes, understood,” she says matter-of-factly.
“Of course Mother” I give in, truthfully I'm far too tired from all of the travelling to continue this argument at the present moment. and her voice is grating on me. I pull the small book I had brought out of my pocket and begin to read it, trying to calm myself down so I do not decide to throw the book at her head.
“Lest I forget I have a gift for you, my daughter!” my father exclaims, full of excitement as he searches his pockets. He pulls out a small box and hands it to me. “Father you didn't have to get me anything, Coming to Asgard is grand enough,” I say, holding the little box in one hand while laying the book on my lap. “Nonsense child” he shakes his head gesturing for me to open it. I breathe in softly and open the box, inside it lays a small golden heart-shaped locket on a thin gold chain. I take it out of the box to examine it closer.
“It's beautiful,” I said just above a whisper. I hand it back to him for him to put on me whilst I move my hair, “I'm glad it's to your liking” he smiles at me after I turn to face him “Thank you, father it's perfect.” I hold my hand to the small heart as I thank him. I peer out the window of the coach to see that we are passing through the inner city of Asgard, which would mean we’re not too far from the palace. The thought of the Allfamily inside is terrifying, What if they do not approve of me and send me away, surely they will no longer protect Vanaheim as they threatened before. More than that, I'm rethinking the choice of my gown; perhaps it is too white. The dress is a great flowy thing and I feel as though it is swallowing me whole. It has gold beading on the bodice, with intricate detailing of small pearls that swirl along the bottom of the skirt. I have the same pearls fashioned into my hair amongst little diamonds, my hair itself is loose and framing my face with small braids here and there.
When we arrive at the palace four of the Einherjar are waiting for us. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, it’s like I can’t breathe from how nervous I am.
We follow them through the palace until we reach the doors to the throne room. It’s as if time stands still when the doors open, mother and father are at either side of me as we walk. Odin is sitting on his throne looking down at us just as I had imagined, Frigga is standing on his left. At his right stands the crown prince Thor, he is dressed in what looks to be his finest armour. His unruly golden hair is sitting on his shoulders, and his eyes are as blue as Sapphires.
I take notice that the other prince is not here, or at least not by his family’s side. We stand at the foot of the steps that lead up to the throne, I do not hear what Father is saying to Odin because the blood rushing to my ears is much too loud. I continue looking down at my hands for what feels like hours but must’ve only been mere minutes until we are excused from the throne room and two Einherjar take us to our rooms to freshen up for the banquet. It is possibly the largest castle I fear I will ever see, the halls are long and winding and I know that if I was to walk them alone I would be sure to be lost for hours trying to find my way through them.
Once we reach our rooms the Einherjar leave us to get ready. I have my own bed-chamber that is not connected to my parents but it is along the same hallway, I’m relieved at the fact I will have my privacy while we are here. Before I can even open the door to the room I hear my mother clear her throat, I sigh “Be sure not to change your gown Alora and do not take too long, you may only have enough time for a short nap” she says
“Yes Mother,” I say with a nod and finally enter the room I will be living in for the season.
I look around the large room and notice that all of my belongings are packed away in the closet already,
“By the Norns, They work fast here” I Mutter to myself. I walk out onto the balcony that overlooks the Allmother's gardens and I take in the summer air, it is hotter here than it is on Vanaheim. I stand out there for another five minutes before going back inside and closing the doors.
I make my way to the large bed that is covered in blankets made of linens, silks and fur pelts, It certainly looks like the utmost comfortable bed I have ever seen. I lay atop it without getting under the covers, I finally can relax all of the tension in my body from the long day of travelling. I have never felt more relieved in all my days, after a while of laying like that I allow sleep to take me.