Léttfeti
Chapter 16: Léttfeti
Even though you were not supposed to, you actually missed prince Frey or just Frey as he wanted you to call him by his first name alone. You were also excited by his invitation even though lord Blekk wasn’t all that happy as he stormed into your (or technically his) bedroom one afternoon.
“Care to explain why prince Loki graced me with a royal visit today?” He seethed as Snotra quickly fled the room and closed the door behind her.
“I’m sorry, my lord. It just… you see prince Frey invited me to-“
“Invited you? The nerve of the man!” He grumbled loudly as he placed his hands on his waist in exasperation. “You do realise what kind of rumours this may cause? A prince to invite a young, beautiful maiden to his estate in full view of everyone? Do I truly have to remind you of prince Frey’s reputation being worse than Fandral’s at one point?”
“I know.” You said defeated while looking down at the sheets in your lap. “I know.” Lord Blekk sighed loudly as he sat himself down in the seat next to your bed with a thud.
“Damn the day you’ve gotten acquainted with either prince. I hardly managed to get rid of prince Loki as he reminded me of my duty to the palace and the fact you lay here, broken and in need of some time off.” Your eyes snapped up at him as hope filled your chest. He seemed to read your face like one of his many books as he lifted a finger to scold you with it. “Don’t give me that look, girl. I am very angry with you for not asking me yourself. I would have shaken you until you forgot this silly endeavour, but now that you unleashed your guard dog upon me…. That boy has always been blessed with a silver tongue.” He sighed again and this time he looked defeated.
“So….” You started but you were too anxious to finish that sentence. Lord Blekk however gave a loud snort.
“So, I’m allowing you to go on this trip.” He said and you squealed in delight. You grabbed for lord Blekk’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Thank you, my lord! Thank you so much! How can I ever-“
“Don’t finish that sentence either.” He said seriously, but his eyes were filled with amusement. “I will allow you to go, but not as prince Frey’s guest. You will go as my representative in search for important books, artefacts, maps and so on. You will not tell anyone about your personal invitation, is that clear?”
“Yes, very clear.” You couldn’t help but smile brightly. You were going to Alfheim! Alfheim! The realm of the light elves, the most beautiful woods and structures the nine had to offer even though Asgard and Vanaheim kept saying that they held that reputation. Now you were going to be able to put that to the test. Maybe you should get your hands on some kind of journal to write down your findings on your adventures. You would also travel by the Bifröst that had been fixed for just under a decade now and see all the villages and the roaring sea as it fell over the edge of the world. You were just mussing about meeting the gatekeeper and ask him questions on his sight, when a terrifying thought struck you.
“By the Norns, I will have to ride a horse!” You screeched in horror not even realising you revealed your thoughts out loud. The sound of lord Blekk’s loud laughter brought you to that realisation quickly, however.
“That you will, my dear.” He said after whipping a tear out of the corner of his eye.
“But, I-I don’t know how!” Well, great. You were finally able to do what you had always wanted to do - travel and explore, but you were pretty sure that prince Loki would rethink this endeavour when he found out you couldn’t even ride a horse. Hadn’t prince Frey said he would teach you? Well, even if he had, it didn’t help you much now.
“I would say ‘let me teach you’, but Eir forbade me to ride any kind of animal four centuries ago.” He chuckled to himself. You however looked horrified. What in the Nine were you going to do? You couldn’t ask prince Loki for private lessons, now could you? No, no, you couldn’t, you most definitely could not!
“Egil!” You suddenly squealed in delight. “He can teach me, right?” You asked with hopeful eyes.
“I’m sure he will if you ask him.” Lord blekk said with a smile as he rose from his seat. “I’ll tell him to drop by, but right now I have to go back to the books that you have neglected.”
“Thank you, my lord. Truly.” You said and with a smile he left your bedroom. Not much later, maybe half an hour, Egil walked in looking a bit sheepish.
“You wanted to see me, Svinnr?”
“Yes! I wish to take you up on an offer you made.” He looked at you confused as he plopped down in the seat next to your bed.
“Just to be sure, what offer are we speaking off?”
“You teaching me how to ride a horse.” You said and Egil laughed.
“I can’t believe you remembered that.” He said while he kept chuckling. “Alright, I’ll do it, but tell me, why the sudden interest?”
“Lord Blekk wants me to join the princes to Alfheim to celebrate Ostara and he is allowing me to go as his representative to find books, artefacts and so on. But in order to travel I need-“
“To be able to ride a horse.” He finished for you. “To be honest, Svinnr, I’m surprised that lord Blekk is allowing this. You are still recovering and such a trip can’t be good for you. Besides, as we have just established, you can’t ride a horse. No offence, but if I were lord Blekk I wouldn’t allow any of this.”
“Well, you’re not and you’re going to help me with my horse-problem.” You said, a little disappointed that he didn’t share the same enthusiasm as you were. He sighed and scratched his head.
“When will they take of your bandages?” He asked to take your mind of it or at least so you thought.
“Tomorrow.”
“Well, as soon as they’re off and Eir gives her permission for you to begin your lessons, then I will help you, but no sooner than that.” You nodded fiercely, glad that he would help you nevertheless. “How did you even get lord Blekk’s permission?”
“I believe he felt bad for what happened to me and I also think he wants me to enjoy the greatest feast ever to be held as prince Frey likes to claim. I guess it was a combination of those two for him to allow me to go eventually.” You shrugged.
In truth you didn’t really understand why prince Frey had invited you either, but you were simply too happy to see more of Yggdrasil to care. Egil stayed around while he told you about his day and the fact that he had won a bet against Edvard that resulted in him grunting out a few words, none of them gracious, but words none the less. You always wondered if Edvard even knew how to speak, since all you ever gotten out of him was either silence or some kind of growls and grunts. Sometimes you imagined him being a bear that was simply dressed up as a guard and when you told Egil about this you both laughed. Egil stayed with you for the rest of the day.
He even stayed around for dinner as you told Snotra to fetch dinner for three so she could join you as well. Even though your bandages would come off the next day and you were told to stay in bed to unsure the speedy recovery, you still got up from your bed and stumbled into the living quarters to plop down at the dinner table. You had stayed in bed for a month now, even though you were unconscious the first week of it. You just needed to move otherwise you would go insane. After the trial you had also managed to figure out how the crutches worked, at least after some tries that earned you a few more bruises. None of it mattered though. Soon you would be released from your prison and then it was only a matter of time before you could wander through the famous Silverwood with its gigantic silver trees that reached all the way to tickle the clouds.
“No.” Eir told you and your heart sunk.
“What do you mean ‘no’?” Eir sighed as she continued to cut the casket to free your arm.
“Your injuries are not to be taken so lightly, child. Do I have to remind you of the fact you could have perished?” You huffed and shook your head. No one needed to remind you of that fact, yet everyone kept doing so. Lord Blekk, Egil, …. Even ambassador Skírnir who came to visit you just before he left with prince Frey had reminded you! And now there was the lady Eir.
“Isn’t exercise supposed to be good for you?” You tried even though you knew you had no chance against Eir. She chuckled as she removed the casket from your arm and helped you bend it.
“Does it hurt when I move it like so?” She asked and you shook your head. It actually felt great to feel the air on your skin once more. “I appreciate your spirit, Svinnr and you are right, exercise is good for the muscles, joints and even the soul. But your leg hasn’t seen any action for a month now. It’s weak and what if you fell from the horse? You’re simply too fragile.”
“But my leg has seen action. I walked to the witness bench at the trial and I have been using my crutches. Besides, isn’t the horse doing most of the work?” That truly made Eir laugh as she moved over to cut through the casket on your leg.
“Right you are again, but you are supposedly in charge of said beast. If you make a wrong move or it gets spooked then you need your legs, arms and wits to remain safe. I think you’re highly underestimating this endeavour. This is not some short trip, Svinnr. You will be travelling for days, meaning that you will be in the saddle for hours on end. Have you ever experienced something like that?” You shook your head again. “In the centuries I have tended to various warriors, I have seen many wounds caused by sitting too long in the saddle. You also don’t have a horse and a bond is essential to assure safe travels.”
“But,…. Can’t you allow me to try? If I manage not to fall off the first few times, then that must mean I have some talent for it, yes? Besides I grew up with a horse that still pulls the cart of goods to the markets. She liked me, I promise.” Again Eir chuckled as she moved your leg and bend your knee all while watching you attentively for any signs of discomfort. “Lord Egil would be with me at all times to make sure I’m safe. Please, lady Eir, let me try.” You did your best to give her the most irresistible puppy eyes you could muster. Eir sighed as she let go of your leg.
“Your arm and leg seem to be in good condition, but I’m not sure about your ribs and your eye socket. I suggest you to wear nothing restricting around your chest, so no corsets.” You snorted. Corsets were only worn by people of noble birth anyway. “I will also rebandage your head. As for your little project, I understand that you don’t want to give up. I will allow you to try-“ You squealed with happiness at her words. “-but if lord Egil doesn’t think you are ready for such an adventure then you will not go.” You nodded fiercely and reached over to hug Eir tightly. It was actually funny for Egil to set terms on Eir’s opinion and Eir on Egil’s. It didn’t matter. One more test, which you were going to pass even if you had to feed your soul to Jörmungandr, and then you were on your way to Alfheim.
As soon as Eir had rebandaged your head and confirmed you to be healthy otherwise, Snotra helped you into the dress your mother had gotten you on her last visit and you left lord Blekk’s apartments to visit him at the archives. (and hopefully find Egil) You weren’t in luck as you spotted Serk in front of the doors to the archives. Still you plastered a smile on your face and approached him.
“Good morning, Serk.” You said and were immediately greeted by a sly smirk.
“Well, well, Svinnr. I thought I would never get to see that sweet little face of yours again.”
“The world is not done with me yet it would seem. Say, can you let me pass to see lord Blekk and could you also tell me where lord Egil is?”
“But of course, anything for my darling girl. And Egil is guarding the library if I’m not mistaking.” You thanked Serk and quickly slipped behind the doors to get away from his leering eyes. You hadn’t missed him, but you had most definitely missed the archives and its esteemed archivist. You quickly descended the stairs, ignoring the slight pain you still felt in your leg, and looked around for lord Blekk.
You quickly found him at one of the desks, snoring away while his right cheek was lying on top of an atlas from Niflheim. You chuckled to yourself and walked over to his bed inside an alcove to grab a pillow for him. You also left a note to tell him you had visited and were now free to wander about according to lady Eir. You then walked over to the passageway that connected the archives with the library and followed it all the way to the end. People didn’t really seem to care that you had just come out of nowhere as the librarians kept themselves busy with placing books to their right places on the shelves. You walked through the aisles until you reached the main doors and slipped outside to scare your friend.
“By the Norns, Svinnr! Do that again and I will be the one to need lady Eir.” Egil chuckled as he hugged you tightly.
“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself.” You replied with a bright smile on your face as you snuggled a little closer to him. “Speaking of not being able to help myself, I have managed to persuade lady Eir to give horseback riding lessons a try.” He pulled you slightly out of his embrace to look at you with a big grin and a look in his eyes that resembled something akin to adoration and affection.
“You continue to amaze me, little one. Did you come and find me simply to tell me that or because you wanted to use your persuading powers on me to start your lessons right away?” Now it was you who chuckled.
“Has anyone ever told you how amazing you are?” Egil simply laughed at that.
“Vott!” He suddenly yelled and a guard who you seemed to remember from somewhere, turned around. “Could you take over my shift for today? I will take over two of yours in return.” The other guard sighed and then nodded.
“Fine, but I want you to take two nightshifts.” Egil nodded and then grabbed you by the hand to escort you outside. You remembered the way to the soldiers’ stables only vaguely and it had already been dark the last time you were here, so it came to no surprise that the mere size of the structure baffled you. Instead of calling for a stable boy like last time, Egil took you inside where you were greeted by various horses tucked away safely into their own stable. He knew exactly where he was going as he walked past ten stables and took a turn to the left, another three stables you passed before you came to a stop.
“Alright, lesson one: bonding. I want you to approach Léttfeti and pat him.” You nodded and looked the horse straight into its eyes. Léttfeti was a beauty with long silver manes and intelligent blue eyes that were watching every move you made. You held out your hand for the horse to sniff. It did so and soon it put its own muzzle into your hand as you patted him gladly. “You’re a natural.” Egil said as he too came over to pat the horse. “Lesson number two: grooming.” He said and handed you a brush. Even though this was not really what you were expecting your horse lessons to entail, it was rather soothing to simply pat and get to know the horse. You quickly found out that Léttfeti couldn’t get enough of pats on the side of his neck, but he absolutely hated it to be touched on his belly.
Once he was brushed clean and Egil was happy with the result you moved on to lesson number three: saddling. Now this proofed to be a real ordeal. All the straps, bits of iron and leather seemed to be rather uncomfortable for the horse even though Egil kept telling you that horses didn’t mind as much. You thought differently and kept close watch on Léttfeti for any signs of discomfort as you adjusted the saddle and bridle. Once you were done, Egil told you to undress. He had laughed at your expression of instant shock and embarrassment before clarifying that ridding in a dress was highly improper and also unpractical. You didn’t own any trousers, not only because you were a mere servant, but also because women here never seemed to wear them.
Eventually one of the stable boys managed to find some trousers which were too big for you and were riddled with holes. Once you had put them on and presented yourself to Egil, he had laughed for a good ten minutes and you still caught him chuckling from time to time long after you had mounted Léttfeti and Egil had guided the horse by the rope in a circle.
“You know what? The next time I hear you laugh at me, I will sneak into your room, steal all your clothes and only leave dresses behind for you to wear.” You heard Egil laugh once more.
“I’m sorry, my sweet, but you look like such a lost little lamb in those trousers. It’s absolutely adorable.” You huffed, but you couldn’t help the smile from plastering itself onto your face.
“How long have we been doing this now?”
“About an hour or three.”
“I want to try it myself now. I think I can make Léttfeti halt and walk all by myself. Plus getting him into a trot.” Egil Looked unsure as he made Léttfeti halt.
“Are you sure?” He asked and you nodded. He then removed the rope from Léttfeti’s halter and adjusted your grip on the reigns. He then stepped back and gave you a firm nod. You smiled and clicked your tongue while giving a small tap with your heels. He answered immediately as he began walking. You kept the reigns short to keep Léttfeti’s head high as you made him move into a large circle. Then you made him go to the right and a bit later tun him back around, pretty much putting on a show for Egil. You then held in the reigns and the magnificent stallion came to a stop.
“Very good, Svinnr, very good.” Egil praised you as he came closer to pat Léttfeti on the side of his neck. “Now the trot. If you can do that we will have lunch and after that I’ll teach you how to gallop.” You beamed at him as you clicked your tongue once more to get Léttfeti to move. You then moved forward into the saddle to indicate that you wanted to go faster and like the good boy he is, Léttfeti indulged you and moved into a trot. You made two circles before halting him again.
“Giving your girl riding lessons, I see, brother.” A voice spoke and you didn’t even have to lift your eyes to meet his in order to know who was speaking. What did surprise you however was the fact that lord Fandral had not come alone. Lord Volstagg, lord Hogun, the two princes and the lady Sif were all seated upon their own horses that stood a few feet away from the horse track you were using.
“Brother.” Egil said icy. “My lords, my lady, your highness, your highness.” He addressed everyone which you did too after him.
“Why don’t you two lovebirds join us on a little hunt, hm?” Lord Fandral continued as he moved his horse closer.
“Forgive us if we pass on such an adventure. Svinnr has only just been released by the lady Eir and I’m afraid it is too soon for her to indulge in such a dangerous sport.” Egil said and you were glad that he didn’t bring up the fact that you were just beginning to learn how to ride.
“Then why don’t you join us, good Egil?” Asked lord Volstagg and even though you knew Egil didn’t like his brother all that much, you could see longing in his eyes. You knew he loved adventures, riding fast and that he even secretly admired the warriors three.
“You can go with them if you want to, Egil.” You said to him even though you didn’t really want him to leave you behind. He seemed to be struggling.
“Are you sure? I can stay if you-“
“Go ahead. I know you want to. See it as compensation for stealing you away from your duties like I did.” He gave you a warm smile as he came over to squeeze your hand.
“Thank you, my sweet. Although I don’t ever want to be compensated for you stealing me away.” You chuckled while he helped you down of his horse before he mounted Léttfeti himself. He gave you one more smile before following the rest down the path in the direction of the woods. You sighed and rubbed your hands absentmindedly on your hole-infested trousers.
“What were you doing?” That smooth voice you would recognise anywhere said and as you turned your head you were indeed greeted by prince Loki standing there next to his horse.
“We… we were just…” Prince Loki lifted an eyebrow and you sighed, giving up. Honestly what was the point coming up with lies when speaking to someone who is known to be a master of them. “I asked lord Egil to help me with riding lessons.” Prince Loki didn’t look very amused even though you were absolutely certain that he would mock you with it.
“Why not ask me?” He eventually said with an icy tone, yet his eyes betrayed nothing. You were confused. In all honesty this man was just plain confusing. A moment passed in which you tried to figure out what was going on with him as he kept staring at you, waiting for an answer. “I thought you said you trusted me.” He eventually said and this time his eyes looked angry and maybe even indifferent if that made any sense at all.
“I do.” You said and you shocked yourself when you realised that you truly meant that as well. “I was just…”
“What?”
“Embarrassed, alright? I was embarrassed to ask you, because you managed to persuade lord Blekk to allow me on this endeavour while I cannot even ride a horse properly.” You said exasperated. His eyes however softened as a smirk formed on his face.
“No need to be embarrassed by it. I had to learn how to ride once too, you know.” You rolled your eyes at that.
“Yes, but not right before you went on an adventure of a lifetime. Besides you learned how to ride as a child.” You said before realising yet again that you were speaking too carelessly to people who were way above you. “Your highness.” You added for good measure. He chuckled as he moved closer with his beautiful black horse in tow.
“Skeiðbrimir, Svinnr. Svinnr, Skeiðbrimir.” He introduced you to his horse. “Now let us resume your lessons, shall we.” It wasn’t even a question. Prince Loki’s horse looked more than intimidating with his angry eyes, jet black manes, tail and body and above all his immense form.
“I can’t ride that.” You spoke before you even had the change to think. Prince Loki however took no offence as he laughed while your cheeks reddened.
“You can and you will.” He eventually said as he waved his hand to beckon you closer. You however stayed put. His black steed was gigantic and clearly bred for royalty. You simply couldn’t ride him, not only because he frightens you so, but also because this had been your very first time on a horse and Loki’s steed seemed reluctant to have you on his back.
“What’s wrong?” You gave prince Loki an uncertain look and he rolled his eyes. “If it makes you feel any better, I promise not to let anything happen to you. Now come here so you can mount him.”
You reluctantly stepped closer to him and as soon you were in his reach, he grabbed you by the waist and hoisted you up so you could place your foot in the stirrup. You felt uncomfortable in the saddle and you prayed to the Norns you would not fall off Loki’s horse given that your ribs would surely break again.
“Now show me what you have learned so far under that boy’s guidance.” Prince Loki said as you grabbed hold of the reins.
“His name is Egil.” You said with confidence and without waiting for a reply, you clicked your tongue and tapped your heels into Skeiðbrimir’s flanks. The horse neighed angrily, but he did respond to you as he started walking away from the prince. You made a circle before you halted him once more. Prince Loki gave you a quizzical look as if he was waiting for you to do something spectacular.
“Is this all?” He asked eventually while you bit your lip. You knew you could trot as well and perhaps even gallop, although you were yet to do so on Léttfeti, but you were anxious to risk it with a horse you didn’t know and was this high above the ground.
“The lady Eir told me not to risk anything given that my ribs and eye socket still need to heal properly. Besides, I have just been released from the healers wing.”
“I didn’t take you for someone who follows the rules, Svinnr.” Prince Loki said with amusement laced into his voice. “Now I want to see you preform a perfect trot before we move on to galloping.” You sighed and pushed your heels back into the horse’s flanks to make him move before you clicked your tongue and shifted in the saddle to make him go faster.
The rest of the day you practised with the biggest horse you had ever seen and even though he had seemed dangerous at first, you quickly felt yourself relax in the saddle as he followed every order you gave to perfection. Prince Loki too, behaved exemplary as he guided you through his lessons. Not once did you feel as if you didn’t belong here or that you were a mere servant. Prince Loki too seemed to forget for a moment that he was in fact a prince and was not supposed to spend his time with a maid as he laughed and made you laugh in return.