Epiphany

The air is cold and sharp as I run through the woods. but I'm not just running, I'm being chased. although I cannot see what or who is chasing me. The rain is coming down fast around me making each step harder because I'm barefoot yet again, this forest is unfamiliar. Unlike the ones back on Vanaheim, this forest is different but I can't quite place how. Not that I could stop and look around, if I were to do so I would most certainly freeze to death. My dress isn't much protection against the downpour, and I fear it would be little protection against whatever it is that's chasing me. I hear a laugh, a loud, deep feminine voice. I whip my head around to finally see who it is behind me. but just as I do I fall to the ground causing the wet mud to come around me, no. more like it swallowing me, devouring me almost.

“Alora, I swear to the great norns that if you do not get up I shall rip you from that bed” my mother squawks at me. I rub my face and yawn, still tired from the strange nap. “Mother must I go to this banquet, or perhaps they would not mind if I was a little late” I lay back into the soft pillows.
“Do not test me, child” she warns. and with that, I get up and walk to the bathroom to freshen up before we leave. The bathroom itself is grand like the rest of the room. I walk over to the small basin that faces a mirror and fill it with cold water.
After I finish getting ready, I leave my room to see one of the Einherjar waiting outside. “Have my parents already left for the banquet?” I ask him, already knowing the answer, He would not be standing outside my bedroom if not.
He simply nods in response. As we walk through the hallways, I notice all of the large murals along the walls. Although each painting is of different wars and battles they all have the same thing in common. Odin is at the centre of Asgard's glories, If I were Asgardian I would imagine it would spark pride and joy inside me. But I am not Asgardian. Us Vanir is on the opposing side of Odin's wrath. and unless one of the princes decides to marry me within the season, There will be a war between the two realms. all because my uncle had threatened to kill Odin on his last visit,
So They beheaded him the very same year I was born.
When we reach the banquet hall the Einherjar leaves me at the door. I can hear the muffled noise coming from inside. Taking a deep breath in I step forward and push the large door open, It’s crowded inside. Much to my dismay. There are many long tables with plenty of men and women sitting at them, all nobles and warriors I presume. Directly Facing me across the room is a very large table that sits the Allfather, at his left is the Allmother and Thor, at his right is my father and mother, without a seat for me. As I get closer to the table I notice there is a seat next to Thor that is free. On the one hand, I am relieved that I have a seat, on the other I wish it was next to my parents.
As I approach the table I curtsy and take my seat to show Odin that I respect him, he didn’t look at me.
“Don’t pay my father any mind, he can get carried away at times and not realise the harm he cause’s” I hear Thor say,
I turn to see him softly smiling at me. “All is well Prince Thor, I’m not one to take such things to heart” I smile back at him softly, taking the glass of wine that is in front of me and start to drink it. “What a beautiful party” Why on earth did I just say that? I know my face has already gone red so I look down at my plate and start eating before I say anything more stupid. “I suppose it is, but it’s much better when you're dancing and eating with everyone else” he returns, gods he is so polite, Or perhaps I just think that because he is so handsome. “It does look like good fun to be a part of all that bustle” I let out a small laugh, suddenly I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and a shiver runs down my spine. “It’s Not half as fun as it looks i can assure you princess” I turn to see that prince Loki is sitting next to me. his sharp features are illuminated by the warm lights and candles, his brother may be handsome but to compare them would be to do a disservice. Prince Loki is simply breathtaking, his raven hair is slicked back and tame, his porcelain skin looks almost icy in comparison to his brother's golden hue. He is glaring down at the room before us, sneering almost at the people who occupy it. His eyes are light green, almost blue even.
“Brother, father had said you could not make it tonight” Thor remarks,
“Well it’s not the first time father has been wrong Thor” Loki quips. I turn to Thor for his response but he says nothing and continues eating his food. how could he let him talk of his father in that kind of way and say nothing, then again I think back to when me and Magnus would criticise mother constantly, truly only we had known how much she deserved it, but Hendrick would always speak so highly of her. It was as if we had been raised by two completely different women, but we hadn’t of course. “How rude of me princess, this is Loki, my brother” Thor utters, ignoring Loki’s last comment. And before I can say a word Loki is already speaking again. “Why yes of course you're here already, princess Alora of vanaheim” he leans back again in his chair as he talks. He sounds bored almost, he knows the reason I am here and it clearly is not to his liking. “It seems there is no need for me to introduce myself then I see”I try not to let the bite sound too harsh in my voice. Something about this man makes me want to throw my wine in his face and I can’t quite place what it is. “Princess, would you care to dance” Thor stands and gestures his arm for me when Loki opens his mouth to speak, “apologies you’re highness” I say to Loki as I stand taking Thor's arm. He’s a great deal larger than I am, and although he’s not typically my type he is still a very handsome man, but that does not matter anymore. I should still have to marry him even if he looked like a toad. My father had already promised me to one of the princes long ago. It Is simply a waiting game of who asks for my hand first. He whisks me into the centre of the floor as the music changes into a faced paced sort of jig, everyone starts clapping their hands on beat and stomping a foot. Thor does the same in front of me and then he puts my hands in his and we begin to dance, I have to follow exactly what he’s doing because I have never seen a dance like this before, it is merry and fast, We are practically just jumping around. As others begin to join the dance I feel a set of eyes on me, of course I know that most in the room are looking at me and prince Thor but it’s a different feeling than everyone else’s. I put the thought aside for now because Thor grabs me by the waist in unison with the other dancers and spins me around, I let out a loud laugh mid air and place my hands on his shoulders, I don’t believe I have ever had so much fun at a banquet in all my life.

After an hour or two of dancing I feel as though my legs might just give out beneath me, so I go back to the table and take a seat next to the Allmother.
“I see Thor has become quite taken with you child” she says with a warmth in her voice. It almost feels as though she’s confiding in me, but of course she is not, She is simply saying what she has seen.
“Is that so, Allmother” I do not meet her eyes when I speak, in fear that she thinks I am challenging her in some way.
“Child, tomorrow before breakfast should you accompany me in my gardens” she looks at me finally. I gulp, Of course I cannot say no to the queen but at the same time I cannot be so foolish as to think that there is not some ulterior motive behind this.
“It would be my pleasure” i smile at her, I can feel my hands shaking already with nervousness.