The Hybrid

I stepped back through the distance mirror and crawled into bed.
"Blue..." I smiled to myself. I got to see Dash again! I didn't think he would remember me but he does. He remembers me. We only met once and he remembers me. I pressed my hand to my cheek and I felt a few tears. He used to train with my mother. He also confirmed that I was not a product of rape. I wanted to hear more about his adventures with my family. I wanted to know every bit of what trouble they would get up to. I knew that being with Thor and Sif, I would get better at fighting. Sif was a legend in sword fighting. With her help, I could start turning my body into a weapon like my ancestors before me. I wanted to fight so I could be the one to take that stupid bastard known as my father out. But after meeting Thor and his friends, I now understand that my father was the rapist that the elders believed him to be. It is now possible that the man didn't even know that I existed.

It's hard to think that only last month, I was led to believe Volstagg to be a, what could only be described as Thush. I wish my mother had not let me form this opinion of him. I do wish she had told me the truth.

I remember the day that I met Fandral. I was about 6 and Mother had taken me to the beach (Jotunheim wasn't completely made of ice. There were a few beaches that were amazing). Mother and I had just finished a picnic. And the waves lapped at our feet, our toes embedded in the sand, I heard something from behind me. Mother went to investigate and then after taking two steps, she squealed and started running. Into the arms of Fandral. when I asked her who the strange was, she introduced him as Fandral the Dashing. And being the adorable six years, I couldn't say his name so he said to call him Dash. So it stuck for the whole day.
That was so long ago. It's hard to believe I met the same person tonight. The same man that taught me how to sneak into the shadows. How to be silent in the art of assassination. I wondered if he will tell me more about my mother's life before the war. I doubt that Thor would tell me anything about it. He struck me as the type to brag about his conquests. Maybe Sif would tell me. I didn't think I would have to ask but everyone is being so tight-lipped about the past. Only telling me things I want to hear and not things I should know. Like how they met. Maybe if I ask nicely, they would tell me.
Even though I only met Fandral once before. He made a hell of an impression in those 24 hours. I couldn't wait to meet them all again. Hopefully, we get to break Loki out of the dungeons and we can all move on with our lives. I stared up at the ceiling, watching it disappear behind my eyelids.

"Aurora," I heard someone speak. I wanted to wake up like I wanted a fucking hole in my head. But I knew Hela was one I didn't want to piss off. Well, I did. I did have a knack for causing mischief but my body fucked. It needed sleep.
"What is it, Hela?" I rubbed my eyes.
"Wake up, darling," she ordered, pushing my messy hair out of my face, "Today is a very special day."
"And what is so special about today?" I nuzzled my face into my pillows.
"No, No" Hela bargained, pulling me into a sitting position, "I'm not going to tell you until you wake up. I have a surprise for you and I need your full attention." As much as I didn't want to, I succumbed to her whims. I really wanted to sleep a little longer.
"Fine. I'm up. What is it, Hela?" She sat on my bed with me.
"You know that I am the Queen of Asgard, right?"
"Of course," I nodded. I wasn't that stupid. Hela put an arm around me.
"What most fail to realize is that perhaps it's time we show a princess in our court."
"Say what?" My heart stopped. No. No fucking way is she asking me what I'm thinking.
"You proved yourself in the war room yesterday, Aurora," she held me a little tighter, "I told you Morbius would come around."
"Say what?" There was the surprise. I can't stake that twat easily now.
"Well. I do have the final say on certain matters" Hela admitted "Like who I allow to sit on our court, regardless if anyone approves or not. What better way than seating you on your own throne." I wasn't sure what to say. One minute, I'm simply Aurora Layladottir, the only Hybrid with Asgardian blood in my veins. At least that's who I was when I went to bed last night. Now, I could be Aurora, Bastard Princess of Asgard. It's batshit to think about. All because of a little battle plan recommendation for Hela. She really does like me.
"Me? A Princess! Shut up!" she put her finger to my lips.
"I beg your pardon? Shut up?"
"Your Majesty, it doesn't always mean be quiet. It could mean Wow,"
"I understand, thank you. Aurora, Before you say anything else, we're launching our first attack on Sanda tomorrow night. So if you agreed to this title, then tonight would be your coronation." My mind went blank. Me? Ruling a kingdom? How am I even going to do that? I can't even look after a plant, how can I look after an entire nation?
"Why on earth would you pick me to be your princess?" Hela took my hands into hers "I don't know what to say. I'm incredibly flattered, Hela." I stuttered.
"How long have you and I known each other?"
"A month"
"And I've been the only family you have known since you lost your mother. And been your biggest supporter since you got here" she pointed out, a hint of begging in her voice. She started to play with my hair "I'd love it if you were to sit next to me in the throne room. Please?"
"This is a lot to process... I need... I need to think about it." I can't be a Princess... I'm a bastard half-breed. The people won't want me "You have really got the wrong girl. I never lead anybody. my expectation in life is to be invisible and I'm good at it."
"Aurora," Hela's voice got darker, "I don't think you realize what I'm offering you. I took you out of the fucking ditch in Kirkjufell out of the goodness of my cold heart. I could have left you to rot with the rest of the shit left behind. I gave you a new lease on life, my dear Aurora. Asgard is your home now. Why not make it official"
"Hela, you misundertsand. I don't mean to sound ungrateful," I assured, "Because that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm so glad you're giving me this opportunity, but I still want a minute or two to think about it. It is a lot to process. I am a half-breed bastard child. I was merely panicking at the idea as I fear the people will reject me" I could see it all over Hela's face. She wasn't expecting me to have come up with that answer.
"I can and will accept the challenge of helping you become the princess that I know you can be. I can give you books. I will help you study languages, history, art, and political science. Hell, I can teach you to walk, talk, sit, stand, eat, dress like a princess." Hela offered. Honestly, everything she describes sounds like my worst nightmare. I'm a tomboy, I like rolling in the dirt. fighting. Kicking ass. Not walking in high heels and wearing dresses.
"Hela, please allow me some time to think about this. This is a major plot twist that I was not expecting. Let alone a major lifestyle change" I pleaded.
"Very well. You have until we wake up to make a choice." Hela leaned in close, moving my hair away from my ear "If you know what's good for you and trust that I know best, you will become Asgard's new princess by tonight."
"Thank you" I laid my head on her shoulder, pretending to be her loyal servant.
"Well, I am going to bed" she kissed the top of my head, "There's some fresh, warm food in the kitchen waiting for you"
"Thank you, Good night Hela" I smiled.
"Goodnight, my sweet" Hela got up from my bed and quickly left the room.
"The fuck just happened?" I sat on my bed and ran both hands over my hair. I was far too tomboy to be a princess but if I turn it down, I'm dead.

After getting dressed, I made my way to the kitchens. I grabbed a chunk of bread, cheese and some fruit. (I couldn't find the wine this time) and headed down to the dungeons. I needed someone to talk through the batshit proposal Hela just made me.

As soon as the guard saw me, he jumped to his feet. He saluted me and I rolled my eyes.
"You" I ordered, sticking a finger at the guard, "Get. Out. Now."
"Yes, miss," he bowed to me and took off. Okay, Maybe I like having a little bit of power. I shook my head as the guard ran out of the room.
"Loki," I kept my voice down, "Are you awake?"
"Hello, Aurora," Loki sat against the wall of his cell, waiting for me. He didn't seem to be as battered today "Always a pleasure to see you" I smiled as I opened his cell and walked in, closing it behind me. I throw my cloak at him.
"Bread?" I split my bread, offering him a piece.
"Please," he happily took it. He then stared at me "Is everything ok? You look like there's something on your mind"
"Hela just offered me a seat in her court. As Princess of Asgard"
"Really?" he gasped.
"I don't know if I want to suddenly become an Asgardian princess" I confessed. I was going to have to agree to it for my own sake "I have to make my decision by the time Hela wakes up again. If I say yes, my coronation is tonight."
"Do you realize that no one would be able to touch you?"
"I have a feeling that it would be more like a noose. It's just whether or not I put my neck in the rope."
"If I had the chance to become a Prince again, I would take it. You would have all the power you want" Loki smiled "You would have Hela in your pocket. The others could never argue with you"
"There's a bit more to the story that no one else really knows."
"Is this about being Volstagg's daughter?" Loki gave me a look.
"I'm a bastard half-breed. I can give it a fancy name but that is what I am. The people will reject me" I explained.
"I was adopted and the people still liked me" he reminded me.
"I'm torn, Loki. I could finally have a family that understood what I am. But at the same time, Hela has been so good to me. I don't know what to do. What do I do?"
"You could play both sides," Loki suggested, "Just think of the power holding a seat in court could give you."
"It could also be a collar, too" I sighed, placing a hand on my throat. I used to have a collar. Never again.
"Playing both sides can also be incredibly risky," he added. I nodded in agreement "Trust me. Take it from someone who tried playing both sides to make everyone happy. And especially when my scheming sister is involved."
"I know" I smirked. I love plotting trouble.
"I know that face. If you are going to play both sides, Aurora, please be careful. While I love our conversations, I would hate to have you as a cellmate. I don't do well with sharing spaces for long. And you do not want to be in my position."
"I guess"
"If you want my honest opinion, I say go through with the coronation. If you want to stop what Hela has planned, what better way to destroy it than from the inside? Tread lightly, though."
"Thank you, Loki, I love our conversations, too" I need to find a way to save this man. It would be the one way that I could ever repay him for being my therapist "Just think, one day, you may get out of here"
"Like that is going to happen" Loki scoffed, "I think that I would have a better chance of skipping a day of torture than busting out of here"
"But, you are a friend of the new Princess of Asgard" I pointed out "I might not have much power yet, but I'm sure that once I go through with the coronation, I could at least get you into something nicer. I'm sure sleeping on the cement hasn't been pleasant for you."
"I don't know. It did wonders for my back" he smiled a little as he cracked his neck, "Would you really do that for me, Aurora?"
"I would attempt it" I pulled Loki into my arms and held him tight, "You will be alright, Loki. And soon. This hell that Hela is putting you through, won't last forever. That I will promise."
"Thank you, Aurora," Loki shook in my arms, his voice breaking.
"It's been a long time since you were held like this," I assumed, cradling him against my chest.
"Far too long" A sudden ache radiated in my chest. Just when I think I don't have the heart to break, there it goes, shattering into oblivion, "My mother was the last to hug me and my father, Well, you heard of Odin... Not the greatest role model. If he was an actual father then the three of us would have been an unstoppable force"
"He was a dick"
"You know what Aurora? You might be the kindest soul here"
"I think that scares me more than becoming a Princess" I chuckled.
"I think you would make a very pretty Princess"
"And that kindness can go away very quickly," I reminded him. Loki nuzzled his face a little closer.
"Thank you, Aurora. I didn't realise that I have needed this for so long. I didn't expect it to come from you, though."
"I'm not nearly the bitch you make me out to be," I giggled, "It's like I told you the day we met, Loki. I'm not your sister. I am not like not any of them. I'm Aurora. The same Aurora will gladly do this again anytime you need it. Yes, I can be the tough little bitch when I need to be, but I like bloody hugs"
"I'm sorry if I ever doubted that."
"Well, you should be" I didn't want to let Loki go. Something about his hugs was... different "but unfortunately, I need to go. I'm sorry that I can't take you with me."
"But maybe the next time you come down here, you could bring some wine with you. I'd be glad to share a drink with you."
"So bossy" I rolled my eyes and stood up. I cupped Loki's face "I wish I could do more"
"Just spending time with me in enough" Loki leaned into my touch.
"I will be back. I will promise you that" I smiled as I walked out of the cell, locking it behind me.
"Missing you already" Loki called as I ran up the stairs.

I left Loki in his cell and started walking back upstairs. I was still hungry. I wish I could help that man more but right now, I need to play it cool. Thor, Sif and Fandral will be here soon to break him out. I most likely will have to 'fight' them but I can get Thor to hit me with his axe. That is going to hurt like a bitch but I can take it. If it meant getting Loki to safety then I will do whatever it takes.

It didn't take long to get to the kitchen. However, when I walked back into the kitchen, I wasn't expecting company.
"Hela" I gasped, "I thought you were asleep."
"I was but I was feeling a bit peckish" She confirmed, popping a date in her mouth "I am glad to see you again. Have you made your decision about our conversation yet?"
"I think I have," I nodded. Hela waited with bated breath. I could hear her fingers gently tapping on the wooden table.
"Are we going to be coronating a new princess tonight?" I smirked a bit.
"Asgard is lacking in the princess department these days" I walked over to the pantry and looked over my shoulder "Where do I go to get sized up for a tiara?"