Lord Fandral's favour
Chapter 6: Lord Fandral's favour
“So, little one, what was your name again?” Lord Skírnir asked from behind his desk while looking down at you as you sat in front of him.
“Svinnr, my lord.” You tried to make your voice not sound so squeaky, but that was easier said than done when you were this afraid.
“An exciting name for an exciting girl. Now tell me about this bookseller who taught you how to write and read.”
“He… he lived by the river and collected books to distribute them to various libraries or the study rooms of noble families. He even sold certain books to different schools for a lower price. He thought me a thief when we first met, but he quickly came to realise my curiosity for the written word.”
“And what river are you speaking of?”
“The Fosselv, my lord. That’s on Vanaheim.” You added, not really knowing if the ambassador would otherwise know it.
“Oh, I know, my dear. I used to live at the court of the Vanir king, but now I am in the service of his son who has taken residence on Alfheim. That’s where I was born, but I was too adventurous for my own good and left. A bit like yourself it would seem, because now you’re here. In the realm eternal. Tell me, how did that come to pass?”
“My parents are weavers. They move to wherever they can find people to buy their goods. Business in Vanaheim was not going so well anymore and so they decided to move on and live here. Both my parents are Æsir from birth, so they adjusted quite quickly to our new life.” Lord Skírnir looked pensive for a while as he rubbed his finger over his lips.
“But you didn’t?” The question made your eyes widen. You didn’t want to give so much away to him.
“It’s different as are all new things.” That made lord Skírnir laugh.
“Spoken like a true diplomate! Neither telling the truth nor a lie. Very clever, girl. I can see now why good old Blekk has taken such an interest in you and why you’re named Svinnr. Now, enough chit-chat. I want you to sort all the letters I have received and all the incoming ones, reply to the least important ones, and most importantly, I want you to help me with this cursed wedding. Make up the invites, send word to the best dressers to example their goods here at the palace, arrange for the biggest cake the nine have ever seen and so on. I want you to assist my bride as well. Provide her with everything she might wish for, but keep an eye on the expenses will you.”
A wedding planner. You had been stolen away from all your books and ancient trinkets to become a wedding planner.
“At least it isn’t Fandral I’m serving right now.” You thought as you bowed your head at lord Skírnir and sat down at a desk that had clearly been set up for you. It was way smaller than the mahogany desk that lord Skírnir was sitting at, but it would do. You began with sorting out all the incoming letters from rate of importance. You then replied to the least important ones and left the others for lord Skírnir to reply to. You were just penning down a letter to someone by the name Gresskar who had trouble getting his pumpkins across the border due to a problem with his papers when lord Skírnir stretched his arms and legs out with a heavy sigh.
“You can go and fetch me my lunch now.” He said as he gazed at you with a boring look in his eyes. “And ask for a portion for two, so you can have your lunch here as well and ask for a flask of gyldne bær.” With an “At once, my lord.” You got up and left lord Skírnir’s study for the kitchens with a smile. You might run into Djúpvitr there and you might even have a second to talk.
“Wow, you look happy.” Said Egil who stood by the door. “Lord Skírnir’s treating you nice, then?
“He is. For now anyway, but in truth I’m smiling because I might walk into a friend of mine on my way to the kitchens.” You said happily.
“Damn the bastard.” Egil muttered angrily as he fell into step with you.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sure lord Blekk meant for you to either eat with him at the archives or for you to take your meals with the other servants.”
“Oh.” You hadn’t thought about that. Now that you came to think of it, lord Skírnir did seem rather smug when he told you to fetch lunch for two. You hoped lord Blekk wouldn’t be too angry when you would go back to the archives to report to him later that day.
“So, who’s this friend of yours?” Egil asked to change topics.
“Her name’s Djúpvitr and she’s a servant as well. She helped me settle down and she works in the kitchens where I was supposed to work too before lord Blekk decided he wanted to test my abilities to become his new help.” You chuckled happily. You then began to tell Egil about your interview with Rydigg and Djúpvitr’s way of describing the different sorts of maids. When you entered the kitchens with big smiles plastered on your faces, you asked Rydigg herself for a portion for two to bring back to lord Skírnir’s chambers. You then looked around in search for your friend, when you suddenly felt yourself being pulled away by your arm. Before you could see who was being so rough with you, you were pushed into a quiet alcove and a voice spoke.
“Look who has come back to mingle amongst us commoners.” Djúpvitr said smugly before hugging you tightly. “Has good old Blekk finally tired off you?”
“Actually, Djúpvitr, you have the pleasure of speaking to the officially proclaimed help of the esteemed archivist.”
“Oh, my.” Djúpvitr chuckled as she curtsied in a very theatrical manner. “What a pleasure it is, indeed!”
“And what have you been up to today?”
“Well you are not the only one who got promoted. I am now officially proclaimed as potato-handler!” You laughed loudly before mimicking Djúpvitr’s curtesy. “What brings you here though? Don’t you normally eat with the old goat?”
“First of all, he’s not an old goat so don’t call him so and second, I am helping ambassador Skírnir out with his wedding and am to take his lunch to him.”
“Oh.” Djúpvitr said and her face went gloomy. “Be careful around that one. He used to be a smuggler, but for some reason he found himself securing the position of ambassador. Makes one wonder about his honesty. But forget about him and tell me, who’s the hot shadow you have brought along?” Djúpvitr asked as she pointed at Egil who awkwardly stood a distance away from you. Not close enough to hear your conversation, but not too far away either to come to your rescue when you would need it. You smiled and pulled your friend away from the alcove and walked towards Egil who turned his head at your approach.
“Djúpvitr, I want to introduce you to my shadow and good friend Egil. Egil this Djúpvitr, the friend I was talking about earlier.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Egil said as he grabbed Djúpvitr’s hand and kissed it gently.
“Well, the pleasure is all mine.” Djúpvitr replied with reddened cheeks.
“Djúpvitr! You don’t get paid to flirt with the Einherjar! Get back to work!” Another kitchen maid yelled. By the colour of her dress it was clear to see that she was one of Rydigg’s goons who terrorised the other maids simply because they were supposedly ‘better’ than them.
“Well, it was nice so long it lasted. I will see you tonight, right?”
“Yes, don’t worry, I still sleep in the servant-wing.” With that Djúpvitr squeezed your hand and went back to work.
“Order lunch for two, lord Skírnir!” yet another kitchen maid yelled and you quickly took the plate in your hands and left the kitchens to go back to said lord. You had just rounded the corner from the kitchens towards the dining hall, when you remembered the gyldne bær wine.
“Wait here, I’ll get it for you.” Egil said as he quickly left to fetch it in the kitchens. He had only been gone a few moments when a servant strode into the same hallway you were standing in. When she spotted you, she paused for a moment and then quickened her pace.
“YOU!” The servant screeched into your face. “YOU FUCKING SLUT!” she yelled as she pushed you against the wall. You were shocked. You had never seen this servant before and there was nothing you could do to deflect her attack as your hands were full with the plate of lunch for yourself and lord Skírnir. By the force of the push the plate slipped and spilled everywhere on your dress. Even the hot creamy mushroom soup that burned you through your dress, but the servant wasn’t done yet.
“How dare you?! I have worked my ass off and you take everything away from me just like that?! How did you do it, huh?! Did you satisfy him?! Roll onto your back and let him take you, you fucking whore!?” The servant was still screaming and spit drizzled everywhere with every word she spat out. She looked positively deranged with eyes that were budging out of their sockets, her face a mix of purple and deep red and her whole body trembling with anger. You felt your seidr beg for release to defend yourself, but you knew you could not give into it, so you tried with all your might not to move, say or feel as the other girl kept screaming, pushing and even hitting you. When the girl realised you weren’t responding whatsoever, she changed tactics and full on released all her anger upon you. She kicked you hard in the stomach, so you fell on the ground with your face in the shards of glass and ceramic. She then even picked up a shard and was about to stab you with it, when a voice called out.
“WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THIS?!” Yelled the voice as hard and cold as a whip.
“Your highness, I… we- we were just-“
“Enough. Get off her.” The voice said icy and you swore that you felt the room grow colder. You didn’t dare to open your eyes, not only because you were afraid of the glass, but also because you were winching from the pain in your stomach.
“Svinnr?” The voice asked shocked. Now you definitely knew who your rescuer was and you softly began to sob. You didn’t know whether having prince Loki here was in your favour or not, but at least he had stopped the assault. “Shh, it’s alright. Let me help you.” He sounded a little pained, but that might have very well beeen your own mind playing tricks on you. He pulled you up in a sitting position with your back against the wall. “Open your eyes, Svinnr.” He said softly as he kept his hand on your shoulder to keep you steady. The first thing you saw was Loki and his emerald green eyes peering at you. His gaze, however, suddenly turned cold.
“Tell me what happened and this time the truth.” He said sharply and for a split second you didn’t know what to do or say before you realised he wasn’t addressing you even though he kept his eyes fixed on your face.
“I-I… she…”
“Get on with it wench!” He suddenly snapped as he turned his head to glare at the other servant. You could see that she was trembling and this time it wasn’t out of anger, but purely out of fear.
“She has gained my master’s favour. Now he only talks about her and even asked for her to be his new chambermaid.” The servant said as she kept her eyes fixed on the ground, trying to avoid prince Loki’s gaze. He snapped his head back towards you to look at you instead with a cold glare.
“Is this true?”
“No.” You didn’t know where you found the strength nor the courage to keep this man’s gaze, but you suddenly felt very defensive. You didn’t ask for any of this and you were sick to hear the accusation in prince Loki’s voice. “I don’t even know her. I don’t know which master she serves, nor do I care.” You hissed and a range of different emotions flickered in Loki’s eyes before his face became stoic again.
“Careful girl, I understand your anger but that does not excuse insolence.” He said, but his voice lacked the iciness he had displayed a few moments before. He then turned his attention back to the other servant. “As for you, you have viciously attacked another servant purely out of jealousy and will therefor receive ten lashes. To remind you that a romance between a servant and a noble is not only scandalous but also nothing more than a fantasy, you will receive said lashings from none other than your master himself.” The girl gasped while tears silently formed at the corners of her eyes. “What’s the name of your master?” Prince Loki asked and the girl took a moment to answer and even then her voice trembled.
“Lord Fandral, your highness.” As soon as she had said this, prince Loki’s head turned back towards you with a hateful glare.
“I see.” He spat. “Now leave.” The girl curtsied and fled the hallway, leaving you alone with a fuming prince. “Care to elaborate why Fandral’s little wench would accuse you of such vile things?” Again you felt defensive and looked prince Loki in the eye without hesitation.
“Because lord Fandral requested my services without consulting her about it first, I believe.” Now it was prince Loki who was trembling with anger.
“Don’t play games with me, girl! Is that where you were going just now? Carrying a plate of lunch for your new master? I’m surprised lord Blekk has already tired of you so soon.” Now you were getting really angry as you felt your seidr pushing for release, but you tempered it down with all your might.
“Lord Blekk has turned lord Fandral’s request down nor do I wish to become his chambermaid either. I was carrying lunch for ambassador Skírnir, actually, who I’m helping with his wedding arrangements.”
“Don’t presume you can lie to me, girl.” He said, but he didn’t look so sure anymore.
“I’m not lying.” Loki looked you up and down as if he was sizing you up or looking for a lie. He then seemed to remember the state you were in, as he conjured up a handkerchief to clean your face from a cut that had been made from the glass you had fallen into.
“It’s not deep.” He said absentmindedly as if he was talking more to himself than to you. He then lowered his hand and looked at you with a soft expression on his face. “I can heal it for you if you wish.” You looked at him for a moment trying to see whether you could trust him or not. He was after all the dark prince. The more you remained silent the more Loki’s expression began to change to worried, guarded and even disgusted, but before he could say anything you nodded and his face changed back to a soft expression. He placed his hand carefully on your cheek and as soon as you felt his skin make contact with yours, a warmth spreading there, you hitched a breath. It felt like your own seidr made some sort of spurt and you were worried that prince Loki had felt the same. He was looking at you weirdly and you thought his breath had hitched for a second there as well, but you weren’t sure. You hoped that this was a normal procedure for healing magic, but by the look of him, you weren’t so sure of that either. When he lowered his hand again, he opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Egil striding into view.
“What has happened here?” He asked to no one in particular as he took in the sight before him. And what a sight that must have been. A silver plate scattered around the floor, a servant with a bloodied cheek and a reeking dress and above all the dark prince crouched down at her side.
“It’s alright, Egil. I’m fine.” You said to reassure him, but prince Loki wasn’t having any of it.
“Where were you?!” He asked, no, demanded angrily. Egil was clearly taken aback.
“I-I went back to the kitchens to get the wine lord Skírnir had requested.” Prince Loki looked back at you with a slightly remorseful look, but then it turned stoic again.
“See, I told you I wasn’t lying.”
“And you left her on her own.” He stated.
“I’m sorry.” Egil said, now also looking at you. “I know I shouldn’t have, but I thought I would be only a second. I didn’t want you to carry that heavy plate to the kitchens and back just to get the wine.”
“It’s alright Egil. I know you meant well.” You said with a smile as you tried to stand up. Your stomach still hurt and you prayed to the Norns you weren’t bleeding internally. When the two men saw you flinch, they took a step closer to help you, but you held up your hand to signal you were fine. They both looked a bit sheepish.
“Egil, go fetch another lunch. One for three and bring it to lord Skírnir’s apartments. I’ll escort the lady there myself.” Prince Loki stated and for a second Egil looked to be struggling. After a while he simply nodded and left with one last apologetic glance at you. Prince Loki then offered you his arm, which you took with slightly trembling fingers.
“Are you afraid of me?” Loki asked with a voice that betrayed nothing. His eyes were also fixed on the hallway before him.
“I’m still a little shocked, that’s all.” You replied as you both started to walk.
“That girl will get what she deserves, don’t worry.” He said. “As will Fandral.” He nearly hissed out the name. You looked up at him in surprise. “If you’re not interested in his advances, he should give up and leave you in peace.” He said and looked down at you quizzingly. “Unless you are-“
“I’m not.” You quickly answered and then looked away quickly. You had already spoken too carelessly to the prince today, but not letting him finish was exceptionally rude. Prince Loki however didn’t seem to mind as he made no comment about it.
“So tell me, how did you end up serving lord Skírnir?”
“He asked lord Blekk for my servitude, which he was going to decline, but lord Skírnir was clever and had already arranged for a royal pardon. Lord Blekk had no choice but to accept.” You then began to chuckle which made Loki look at you in confusion. “Lord Blekk didn’t accept just like that, however. He made certain conditions to make sure I would remain safe. He’s a good man and a good master.” You said fondly, before looking away embarrassed for saying so out loud.
“Well, lord Blekk is fortunate for his help to think so highly of him.” He then went quiet for a bit before opening his mouth again in a softer voice. “And is lord Skírnir treating you alright?”
“He is. Today’s my first day, but he seems… nice.” You said sheepishly, not knowing what else to say really.
“I’m glad to hear that.” You then walked on in silence, but for some reason it didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
When you arrived at the door of Skírnir’s study, you attentively raised your hand and knocked on the polished wood.
“Come in.” A voice was heard and prince Loki pushed the door open for you to enter only to slip inside behind you.
“Took you long enough, girl. I asked for your help to speed up the process not delay it.” Skírnir said without looking up from the scroll he was reading. You wanted to answer, but before you had uttered a single letter, prince Loki beat you to it.
“The girl is not to blame, lord Skírnir.” Loki said and in a flash lord Skírnir was on his feet and his eyes off the scroll.
“Your highness! It’s an honour to have you here.” He said and then seemed to remember your presence in the room. “She didn’t disturb you, did she?”
“Not at all. In fact she made an otherwise boring day a little more exciting.” He said as he looked down on you with a mischievous smirk. Lord Skírnir seemed a bit confused so prince Loki decided to explain what had happened. The ambassador seemed to be unhappy by the way his servant had been treated, but he also seemed to be a little detached. After prince Loki’s tale, lord Skírnir gave you leave to change clothes and clean up a bit. You were thankful you could finally step out of your uncomfortable dress and smiled a little which Loki caught you doing. When you were done washing your hair and changing clothes in lord Skírnir’s fancy bathroom, you walked back into the living quarters to return to the study when prince Loki, lord Skírnir, Egil and a servant girl walked into the room.
“You look lovely, dear.” Lord Skírnir said, but he sounded a bit angry and his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Prince Loki too seemed a little bit too smug. It made you wonder what they had been talking about when you had left to clean yourself up. Egil and the servant quickly disappeared again after placing the plates on the table. You, too, didn’t know what to do. Leave or stay, sit or stand by lord Skírnir? In the end the decision was made for you.
“Sit down, Svinnr.” Lord Skírnir said and motioned for you to sit next to him, which you did to Loki’s great displeasure. “Tell me have you ever had gyldne bær wine before, girl?” Lord Skírnir asked with a smile as he poured three glasses full of said wine.
“No my lord, I don’t think I have.” You said honestly.
“A shame, it’s quite a delicacy on Vanaheim. Tell me, do you know why they call it gyldne bær wine?”
“Because it’s made from golden berries?” You asked shyly which earned you a snort from prince Loki.
“Essentially you are correct, but there is another reason.” He said as he finished the last glass and distributed them amongst the three of you. “You see, the berries only grow on Vanir soil, so when a merchant went to Asgard to sell his Vanir goods thousands of years ago, the Asgardians were baffled by its taste and asked for more. They developed such a taste for it that Vanaheim grew rich on the sales of wine alone. Thus bringing a whole new meaning to the ‘golden berries’.” He finished the story with a mischievous smirk while his eyes darted to prince Loki.
“Let’s raise a toast to this fine gathering of realms. Me representing Alfheim, the prince for Asgard and our lovely Svinnr as Vanaheim.” He said while lifting his glass. Prince Loki however turned his attention to you.
“You’re Vanir?” He asked surprised.
“I was born there, your highness, but both my parents are Æsir.” You replied, but that seemed to confuse Loki even more.
“Are you sure?” He asked. “What kind of question is that?!” You thought angrily, which prince Loki seemed to have picked up on quickly. “Forgive me, it’s just… you look very Vanir.” He said. You didn’t even know what that was supposed to mean, but you nodded nonetheless. You all then raised your glasses and began to eat.
Mostly the conversation went on between the ambassador and the prince while you listened attentively, without showing too much of your eagerness in the different topics they were discussing. Soon enough though the prince began asking politely about the wedding and all of a sudden you were included back into the conversation, though still you said as close to nothing. The wine tasted divine though, but quickly made you light in the head so you kept to only one glass while the men finished the bottle between them. When you had all finished your food and talked a little more, prince Loki stood up and said he had other duties to attend to. He then turned to You.
“The servant will be punished, not to worry. As for your safety, if anything were to arise, I order you to come to me immediately so I can put a stop to it.” He said seriously.
“Of course, your highness.” You said with a curtesy. “Thank you.” And to your surprise the prince gave you the smallest of smiles. A genuine one. He then left and you were once again alone with lord Skírnir.
“Interesting development, I must say.” He said with a glass full of an Asgardian red this time.
“I’m afraid I don’t follow, my lord?” You asked confused which earned you a snort from him.
“I’m sure you don’t, but in time you will. For now let’s say the prince has taken a new interest in you and only time will tell if that is favourable for you. My guess, it won’t, given that the prince is incredibly selfish, but what do I know, hmm?” He said almost accusingly which only made you more confused.