Thor
Is it strange that I can always find comfort at a tavern? That might be the sign of a booze problem. I think I have a problem. I mean, I need a drink to sleep but I normally have one or two ales every night. Saying that I haven't slept properly in a few days so maybe it is a problem. Perhaps I find comfort in a place like this because it was the one place where no one really judged who you were. It was like a second home. I swear it's the atmosphere, the people and maybe a little in the ale.
Nevertheless, I was here for a reason. And chances are, there was a tankard of smooth, delicious ale waiting for me in there. (Okay, I have a problem) and maybe... just maybe... my destiny.
"Here goes nothing"
I walked into the pub and took a deep breath in before sitting down at the bar. Sure enough, there he was at a table in the back. Head leaning on the table. I think he was snoring. This was the man that mother spoke of so highly.
"Thank you, distance mirror. You put me right where I needed to be." I patted the mirror in my pocket. If this wasn't destiny then I don't know what to do. I don't normally believe in fate but maybe it's time I started believing in it.
Now is as good of a time as any to start believing.
"You've killed countless creatures, Aurora. Don't let this be the one thing that scares the shit out of you" I prepped talk myself. This is not a bad idea. Nor is it a good idea. But at the end of the day, he's still just a person. If all else fails, you do have that secret weapon in your back pocket. Although, I don't like to bring my Frost Giant half out often. Might be enough to scare him into helping me.
"Hello, Miss. What'll it be?" the bartender got my attention. It was a different one from the other night. Maybe a little liquid courage will help "Wine?"
"Ale, if you have it," I requested. It's not that I had a problem with wine. I just prefer a stronger drink.
"Oi, You. Don't I know you?" the man moved from his table to the empty stool next to me. He studied my face a bit closer. I wish Mother told me his name.
"Do you?" I threw some coins on the bar.
"Weren't you here just last night?" he remembered, "The barkeep then made the same assumption about your drink too"
"And you were the one who paid for it," I nodded.
"Coincidence running into you here." The Man sat next to me.
"Or maybe it was fate." I rolled my eyes. The barman put my ale in front of me and I sipped it "Water-downed shit"
"I was never a big believer in destiny." My god, you live up to your reputation.
"Neither was I. Not until recently. What's your name?"
"I am Thor, Son of No One," he told me, his blank expression unmoving. Yep, this man was the lost Prince Of Asgard.
"No last name?" I asked. Though I knew what it was.
"The family name is not something I tend to throw around lightly. What about you?" Thor shot me down.
"What about me?" I stared at my drink.
"Do you have a name?" Thor asked, I stared at the man "You must do, coming in here looking like fancy. There's no way you don't have a name."
"It's Aurora," I introduced myself.
"Aurora what? Do you have a last name?" he jabbed.
"I don't really have a last name" I retaliated, crossing my arms "But I am Layladottir. I won't reveal my father's name just yet. I'd like to keep that to myself for now, if that's alright with you."
"That's a lovely family crest on your arm," I noticed. Thor looked at me confused. I nodded towards his arm. Thor had the Odinson tattoo showing, as well as RIP Loki. He quickly pulled his sleeve down.
"It's just a tattoo" he immediately got defensive. Liar.
"I'm sure it isn't," I let it go, knowing damn well it was.
"It isn't" Thor lied through his teeth. I saw the markings once in a book and thought it would be a good idea to get it"
"Oh for sure" I bit the inside of my cheek, holding back a smirk. I wonder when he's going to come clean with me.
"Listen, Aurora" he got quiet and closer and a hell of a lot angrier, "I don't know who the fuck you think you are, but I'll give you a little insight. I am not one to be messed with" Thor looked towards the bar, showing a very large axe. I've heard stories about that one, too. I always wanted to launch it at someone's head. I suppose he was good enough to show his weapon to me. I grabbed a handful of the skirt of my dress and showed him the fun little toy I had hiding on my ankle. That knife has seen more than its fair share of victims.
"And nor am I" I tilted my head slightly.
"You've been trained," he applauded, as he cracked his neck "So, are we going to fight or not?" I dropped my dress, covering my knife back up.
"Not tonight. I just want to drink my ale. I don't want to fight unless I absolutely have to. Can we agree to play nice for the time being?"
"Fine then" Thor sat back down and got out of my face. Good because another sip of this ale and I don't think I will be able to hold back. And when I am angry, my blue eyes burn red and my strength increases.
"Can I ask you something, Thor?" I sipped on my drink
"What?" he flagged the bartender down for another round.
"How long have you lived in this town?" I wondered.
"For the past ten years," Thor tossed some coin on the counter. that is how long Hela has been Queen "What about you? Or are you just trying to make small talk?"
"I am not from this realm. I come from another" I told him, I sipped the last of my ale "I am from Jotunheim" Something tells me he wasn't listening. Mother used to tell me that Thor hated Frost Giants. The only one he cared about was his brother. I guess I'm going to have to make him listen. And I knew just the trigger word to use "What do you know about the Odinson family?" Might as well go straight for the kill. Thor choked on his ale.
"Did you say Odinson?"
"That's right," I confirmed.
"More than I'd care to admit," he brought himself back down, "Why would you want to know about them?"
"Curiosity" I finished my ale and had another one shortly after.
After about three pints, Thor was still ignoring me. I then nudged his shoulder.
"Thor, Could I tell you a story?"
"Why not? I like a good story." Thor allowed, staring at the bottom of his tankard
"I live with the Odinson family on Asgard"
"But the Odinson family have gone" he pointed out, "Killed off by Queen Hela. Have you never heard about that?"
"Are they really extinct?"
"Pretty sure"
"Oh but they aren't" I shook my head, "You're still here"
"What makes you think I am an Odinson?"
"My mother told me stories about you and your brother. You match her description"
"My brother is dead"
"Your brother is locked away in the dungeons. I should know. I had a delightful conversation with him" I scratched my chin.
"Who are you, Aurora? Really."
"Only if you tell me who you are first" I bargained. Thor chuckled and held out his hand. The large axe flew straight to him.
"How about you tell me and I let you live?" Thor growled. Oh, how you live up to your reputation. Little did he know, I had a bit of a reputation myself.
"You don't want to do that."
"Oi! You two, That's enough" The bartender stopped it before anything could start, "Not in my bar If you're going to fight, take it outside! or take it to the King!"
"You don't need to worry," I assured. I turned back to Thor. Sighing, I leaned my elbow on the bar "Thor, We are not going to fight. I suggest lowering your axe"
"As soon as you tell me who you are," Thor demanded.
"My name is Aurora. My mother's name was Layla. We are from Jotunheim. I am a product of either rape or boredom. I'm trying to find answers and so far, I have two different stories. Our old village told my mother she was nothing but a whore and we were cast out into the frozen wastelands, feeding on nothing but mouldy bread and fish. It wasn't because of her shame, but it was for our protection."
"Protection?" he asked, frowning. He placed his axe on the bar "Protection from what?"
"My father disgraced my mother and left us with almost nothing. The circumstances of my birth were not exactly ideal for some people. She was so ashamed by what happened despite the fact that it wasn't her fault and we had to keep moving" I looked at my nails.
"I had a friend in Jotunheim named Layla. Since our realms were mortal enemies, We got separated when we were kids. After our realms went to war, I often wondered if she was still alive. I even tried to find her once but her village had been burned to the ground"
"Was that around five years ago?" I assumed. I was the one who burned it. I remember laughing as I watched the elders burn.
"How would you know about that?" Thor glared at me, slowly reaching for the hilt of his axe again.
"Could I tell you a secret, Thor?" I smiled. Thor looked me over, less pissed off and more confused.
"Who are you, Aurora? No more avoiding the question" Thor raised his voice.
"Who do I look like?" I confessed, "The truth is I've been holding my identity... my true identity... back for years. Mother always said we dare not speak it out loud unless we're looking to suffer. And we've suffered enough. I know all about you, Thor Odinson. Mother told me all about you. I knew about you before you even told me what your first name was. I knew who you were.
"Say I believe that you are Layla's daughter. Who was your father?" Thor frowned. His dual-coloured eyes studying me.
"My eyes are my father's eyes. Vol's eyes, she called them. Hela said I inherited his red hair"
"Vol?" Thor gave me a look, "As in Volstagg?"
"Indeed" I nodded, crossing my arms. Thor's jaw dropped "Not that I like to admit it but I'm the bastard daughter of Volstagg"
"He slept with my best friend?!" Thor slammed his hand down on the bar. He then frowned at me again "You said something earlier"
"I said a lot of things. Please remind me"
"That you were a product of rape or boredom. Which one was it?"
"I have no idea. Dear old dad fucked off before I was born. One village elder said that he raped my mother. Another said my mother fucked her way into this mess because she was a whore. Safe to say I enjoyed watching the village burn down" I smiled at the memory.
"What did your mother say about him?" Thor looked towards the window.
"Only his name and that if I was to go looking for him, look for you" I lean on the bar.
"Sorry to say he is dead"
"So I have been told. By both your sister and brother" I sighed, I tapped away at the wood on the bar "So, is it true? You knew my father?"
"And fought alongside him many a battle" Thor nodded.
"Was he really a pig like Hela and the others describe him as or just an idiot?" I picked at my hand.
"A pig when it came to food"
"Loki said as much" I smiled and picked at my fingers "So he wasn't a wanker?"
"He could be when he had to be. What have you been told of him?"
"He once had a raccoon sleep in his beard and he tried to sleep with Hela but she pushed him down the stairs" I looked at the floor. Loki chuckled.
"I didn't know the raccoon bit but it honestly doesn't surprise me where Volstagg is concerned. But if he tried it on with my sister, he was most likely drunk. What else?" Thor tilted his head at me.
"I have been told by so many people that I was only conceived because he raped my mother. Hela said so. So did her council. But your brother, Loki, said it wasn't in Volstagg's nature. My mother held you in high regard, so tell me, Thor. Was that in Volstagg's nature? Do you believe he raped my mother" I braced myself for his answer to my question. Thor shook his head.
"No. Volstagg wasn't like that at all. He had a weird thing that he could only sleep with someone if he had formed a deep personal connection" Thor stared right at me "Volstagg was insufferable when it came to manners, but he never treated women like shit" Thor sighed.
"Thank you, Thor. I still don't like him any less but now it is because he left my mother to raise me and not because he is a rapist" I sighed, feeling a little bit of relief. Maybe tonight I can sleep a little better.