Kings and Queens
“Midgard is the only realm with divided governments among the Nine,” I write in answer to Atlanta’s question about the individual rulerships of the Nine. “The other realms are ruled by each a monarchy, or no longer inhabited.”
“King Odin rules over Asgard in particular and the Nine as a whole,” I expound when she inquires further. “After the Asgard-Vanaheim war, some time before the Asgard-Jötunheim war, King Njord retains his rule in Vanaheim under Asgard, but his children were sent away. His only son Frey is ruler over Álfheim, while Frey’s younger sister Frigga was sent to Asgard to become the then Prince Odin’s bride and future queen. Frey’s twin sister Freya was free to choose where she wanted to dwell, and she chose to split her time between Asgard, Vanaheim and Álfheim.”
I tap the drawing of Laufey that I made when she inquires over Jötunheim’s rulership, and shake my head when she next asks after Niflheim. “Dead realm. A mad titan named Thanos once wrecked it until nothing can live there anymore.”
She regards me in thoughtful silence for a long, long while after my next explanation of Asgard helping to subdue Svartalfheim. Somehow, I feel uneasy.