Timburmennsku
Chapter 20: Timburmennsku
You felt like goblins had manged to slip inside your room unnoticed in the night to stab you multiple times in the head and the ribs. You simply felt like death and each breath you took, each movement you made, had you groaning in pain. You heard someone laugh and even though that sound had once made you happy, right now all it did was worsen your headache.
“Have fun, did we?” You recognised it as Fulla’s voice, but you refused to open your eyes. For some reason you knew it was going to be worse than travelling with the Bifröst and you had hardly been able to keep your stomach from emptying itself back then. “Amusing as it is to see you like this, we do have to get ready for departure.” You grunted in response and heard the awful creaking of a door.
“Has she woken up yet?” That was the queen’s voice, given the gentle tones like a lovely ballade.
“She has, but I’m not sure if she’s still with us or if she has passed on to Valhalla.” Fulla chuckled again. You slowly opened your eyes and saw the whole room turn into a blurry combination of shapes and the orange morning light. You felt your stomach protest fiercely as you tried to rise into a sitting position.
“Oh, dear.” You heard the queen mutter as she sat herself down on your bed and helped you rise. “Here, drink this.” She said as she handed you a vial with some sort of thick liquid in it.
“What?” You groaned and only realised then how awfully dry your throat was. You took the vial from her hands and downed its contents in one go. That was a mistake as the liquid was of such an odd texture that your whole mind and body protested to swallow it. Your mind, however, was too slow as the contents of the potion were already on their way to your stomach before you started gaging.
“What in the Nine was that?” You managed to sputter out while you coughed and trashed about like an animal. When you manged to get yourself under control again, you did feel much better than before. The blurriness was gone, the headache was still there but it felt less like someone had put needles in your brain and your stomach didn’t seem as upset as it was before.
“That, my dear, is Timburmennsku. A potion to cure the negative effects of a heavy night of drinking. The vial came with a note.” She said with such a big smile that instantly warmed you up as she handed you the folded piece of paper. The queen gave you a soft pat on the shoulder before she stood up again to pick up her brush on her bedside table to go through her golden locks. You made yourself a little more comfortable in your bed before unfolding the piece of paper.
Little one,
I hope you are not feeling too poorly after your very first drinking endeavour with Asgard’s finest alcoholics. In case you feel a bit queasy, I have provided you with a potion to sooth your ailment. Drink it all. I suggest to do so in one go for you might not want to take that second gulp. Once you feel better again, I would be grateful if you had breakfast with me.
Your prince
Well that was unexpected.
“Do we still have time for breakfast?” You asked.
“If you get dressed now, then yes.” Fulla answered, so you got out of bed and rushed into the bathroom with your clothes from the previous day. You smiled a little to yourself as you discovered that the bathroom was indeed carved out of wood just like the bedroom was. You quickly washed yourself before you took off your nightgown, only to realise it wasn’t a nightgown at all. Your eyes widened as you let the fabric slip through your fingers.
It was a green linen shirt and it was plain to see that it was made for a man, a man from high nobility given the excellent quality of it. You had slept, you realised with horror, in prince Loki’s shirt! When had you put it on? Did he help you with it? Oh, Norns, had he undressed you in the night? No, that couldn’t be true, given that his mother was sleeping right next to you. Oh, Norns! His mother, the queen, had seen you walk over to the bathroom wearing her son’sshirt! A knock on the door startled you.
“Svinnr? Everything alright?” The queen asked.
“Y-yes, my queen! I’ll be just a moment!” You hoped the queen hadn’t noticed. You quickly put on your own shirt and trousers before tucking the green one into a ball and opening the door. The queen stood there giving you a concerned look.
“Are you sure you’re alright? You look like you might have a fever.” She said before reaching out to touch your forehead with her hand.
“N-no, my queen. Thank you for the concern, but I… I’m fine.” You said and quickly went over to your travel bag to throw the green shirt into it so no one could see you had it in your possession.
“Well then, let’s have breakfast.” Fulla piped up and you looked at your feet. What were you supposed to do now? You couldn’t refuse the queen for having breakfast with her, but prince Loki would be angry at you if you didn’t show up at his door.
“What’s wrong, Svinnr?” The queen asked and gave you a look that said that you better be honest.
“I, err, prince Loki wishes to have breakfast with me, but I understand if you-“
“Go ahead, dear. I know how grumpy my son can be if his wishes are not granted.” She gave you a warm smile which you happily returned.
“Thank you, my queen.” And with a ‘have a pleasant morning’ to both of them, you left your shared rooms with your travel bag to seek out prince Loki. You asked a pacing Einherjar where you might find him and he told you where his shared rooms with prince Thor were. You followed his directions to the point you stopped at a wooden door that looked just like the one from your own shared rooms. You took a deep breath and knocked on the wood.
“Enter.” Came a muffled voice. Tentatively you opened the door to slip inside only to freeze in your tracks. Prince Thor’s chest was bare as he walked around the room followed by two servants.
“Girl? What are you doing here?” He asked as he looked at you with a raised brow. Your cheeks flushed red and you felt the heat rise all the way down to your chest. You heard noise from the bathroom as prince Loki stormed out to look at you as well.
“Svinnr.” He addressed you with his cool and silky voice.
“I… good morning, my princes. I-I thought… I will go now.” You couldn’t handle this. You had no idea what you were saying and it was better to simply leave than to endure this awkward encounter a moment longer.
“No, stay.” Prince Loki said as he took a step forward to block your view from prince Thor’s impressive torso. He then glared at his brother who quickly put on his shirt and left the room to get his own breakfast, quickly followed by the two servants. Once they were gone, you let go of a breath you didn’t know you had been holding.
“I thought you weren’t coming anymore.” Prince Loki spoke after a long moment of uncomfortable silence.
“I… I’m sorry, I came here right after I read your note. Thank you for the potion. It worked wonders.” You snorted and to your great relief the tension lessened instantly.
“Come and sit with me.” Prince Loki said as he gestured towards the table. You quickly followed him and dropped your bag next to the closet before sitting yourself down. Prince Loki waved his hand and a basket of sweet breads appeared on the table, quickly followed by a bottle of gyldne bær wine, some jars of jam and a basket of fruit.
“Wow.” You couldn’t quite stop yourself from admiring his seidr. He seemed to enjoy it anyway as he puffed up his chest a bit while a grin spread widely over his face.
“Help yourself.” You didn’t have to be told twice as you quickly grabbed for a sweet roll and a pear.
“How did you do that? Did you summon it from somewhere?” He chuckled as he too grabbed for a sweet roll and a jar of yellow jam.
“I did. In fact it comes from the kitchens of this very inn. Except for the wine.” He said it as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
“And where did the wine come from, then?” You said before taking a bite of the sweet roll in your hand. You moaned in delight at discovering it was still warm from the oven.
“From a dimensional pocket. I always put things in there for if an occasion arrives where I need them, I simply have them with me.”
“And in what occasion would you need to have gyldne bær wine with you?” You chuckled.
“When I’m in the company of a beautiful Vanir lady, of course.” You almost chocked on your piece of bread before prince Loki began to laugh. “I’m only jesting, little one. I brought it with me because I have developed a taste for it.” He explained and you were able to breathe again. Honestly this man was going to be the death of you one day. Both of you ate in a comfortable silence after that, occasionally talking about this and that until prince Loki leaned back in his seat with a satisfied sigh.
“Do you have breakfast with that einherjar friend of yours sometimes?”
“Egil? Uh, no. I usually eat with lord Blekk at the archives.” He nodded his head.
“It was very nice of him to lend you his horse.” You didn’t know where this conversation was going, but something told you it wasn’t anything good.
“Yes, I think so as well.” You then began to chuckle. “He wasn’t very happy when I told him I was allowed to go on this journey. He said it was too soon for me to do anything given that my body was still healing, but I managed to persuade him anyway.”
“Well, I’m glad.” He said and then leaned closer to lock his eyes with your own in an intense stare. “Does he know about your secret?”
“What? No! Of course not!” You were a bit shocked by his question.
“So, I am the only one?” You pursed your lips and nodded. “Good.” He suddenly said with a smirk. “The less people know about it, the safer you are. Very clever, Svinnr. Although I must admit that I am a bit surprised you haven’t told another soul about it. I had expected this… Egil boy to have known about it at the very least.” The way he had spat your friend’s name angered you.
“With all due respect, your highness, but I would appreciate it if you spoke about my friend with more care.” He chuckled and then raised his hands in a mocking way to indicate his surrender.
“I am so very sorry, my lady. Do forgive me my impudence.” He was simply mocking you now and so you huffed out a breath and got up from your seat all while glaring at the man before you hatefully. His eyes widened and his smirk instantly disappeared, but you didn’t care. You turned your back and took a step towards the door to leave this stupid room and its stupid occupier.
“Forgive me.” Prince Loki suddenly said which stopped you in your tracks. “I was disrespectful and I apologise for it.” You turned around and saw that the prince looked rather apprehensive as he scratched the inside of his hand. You sighed and sat yourself down, but you kept your glare anything but friendly. “Do you still wish for me to help you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, we’re probably going to spend the night at the Silverwood. I wish to see how you use your seidr there, so I can come up with a plan with the best way to train you.” A shiver went down your spine. Spend the night at the spooky forest the queen had warned you about yesterday? “What’s wrong?” Prince Loki asked and then the expression on his face turned stoic. “Have you changed your mind on letting me help you?”
“No, it’s not that.” You quickly said because he seemed like he was struggling to keep his anger at bay.
“Then what is it?” Oh by the Norns, what a fine trap you had managed to set up for yourself. You couldn’t tell him that spending the night in the Silverwood was actually scaring you! He would mock you for being childish! Maybe you could tell him some clever lie, but then again he was known as the liesmith! He seemed to realise you were struggling internally as you felt a hand grab your own before giving it a little squeeze. “I won’t mock you, Svinnr. You have my word.” The look he was giving you was so intense that you felt all your defences crumble to pieces. Still you lowered your eyes to watch your hand fidgeting with the fabric of your shirt in your lap.
“I’m just… The queen told me about the Silverwood at night and how… I’m just afraid of the unknown I guess.” You struggled to get out, but you managed to say it all the same.
“Svinnr, look at me.” He spoke ever so softly and when you met his gaze it was friendly and maybe even adoring. “You shouldn’t be ashamed of being afraid nor for telling me about it. The Silverwood is indeed dangerous, but we have travelled through it hundredths of times before. You’re safe with us.” He suddenly seemed very determent when he gave your hand another squeeze. “You’re safe with me.”
“Thank you, my prince.” You said and squeezed his hand in return. He however seemed like you had struck him as pain filled his eyes.
“You may call me by my name, Svinnr.” You wanted to protest, but he lifted his hand for you to be silent. “Not in public of course for that might cause trouble for the both of us, but when it’s just you and me, I want you to call me by my name.” You smiled and nodded your head. He mimicked your smile and let go of your hand. “Now that we have established that, I suggest we leave for I am sure my brother will barge in here any moment now.” You chuckled and got up from your seat.
“Thank you, my prin-I mean Loki, for breakfast and the wine from Vanaheim.”
“No trouble, my dear.” You felt your cheeks redden involuntary and decided to fetch your travel bag rather than look prince Loki in the eyes. You then remembered something and turned towards him again.
“I have your shirt.” You blurted out. “I-I have brought it with me.” You quickly added.
“Keep it.” You looked confused. Didn’t he want it back? It sure looked and felt expensive. Such a fine piece of fabric would be wasted on you. “I have many others like it.” You bit your lip and nodded. There were other questions inside your head, but you were simply too shy to voice them out loud. Besides, asking a prince whether or not they had undressed you without your permission to put on their sleeping shirt, might be seen as offensive. You followed Loki out of the room to go downstairs to catch prince Thor marching up the stairs.
“Finally! What were you two doing that took you so long, little brother?” By the way prince Thor was smirking, you gathered he was suggesting something scandalous. Loki confirmed that as he grunted and pushed his brother aside.
“Don’t be daft, Thor.” He spat as he walked past his brother to descend the stairs. Prince Thor however sighed and looked a little hurt. You didn’t really know what to do. Follow Loki? But then you would have to pass prince Thor and that seemed to be a little rude, but you couldn’t stay here either.
“He hasn’t always been like that, you know.” Prince Thor suddenly spoke up.
“My prince?” You asked a little confused as he locked his eyes with yours.
“Loki. He hasn’t always been like that. Cold and harsh, I mean.” You were lost for words. What were you even supposed to say to that? Was he expecting an answer or was he just saying that because he wanted to let it out somehow. Prince Thor sighed deeply before he shook his head and gave you a smile as if he had just realised that he had told you something he hadn’t really wanted to share. “Come along, girl. Adventure awaits!” He beamed and walked you down the stairs and to the stables where Léttfeti stood saddled and ready to go.
You thanked the stable boy and tried your best to mount Léttfeti gracefully. You would never get to lady Sif’s level, but you did manage to get on his back in one go.
“There she is!” A voice called out to you as your rode out of the stables to join the others of the party. Lord Volstagg was giving you the widest smile you had ever seen while he waved his hand as an indication for you to come closer. “I wish for you to ride beside me.” You were a little taken aback by that. You hadn’t talked much with lord Volstagg, but then again you hardly remembered anything of the previous night. For all you knew you might have had some sort of deep conversation with the man for hours and hours.
“I would be honoured, my lord.” You nudged Léttfeti to trot next to lord Volstagg as all of you left the little village to resume your journey. Once again the sight before you was that of endless green fields, but other than last time, you could spot people moving about them. These must have been the tea fields the queen had spoken off as you remembered her telling you the villagers were meanly tea farmers. You took a deep breath and a smile formed on your lips as you could smell the sweet aromas coming from the fields.
“Have you tried their tea, my lord?” You asked lord Volstagg as you pointed to the fields in front of you.
“Oh, yes, of course! Haven’t you?”
“Unfortunately no.” He gave you a knowing look as he elbowed you.
“Too busy drinking ale, right?” It wasn’t even a question as he roared with laughter at seeing your reddened cheeks. “To be honest I’m surprised to see you so shy given that last night you indulge everyone with one story after the other!”
“Oh, Norns. I hope I haven’t said anything to offend anyone.”
“The owner of the inn didn’t look too pleased when you told everyone that elven ears were pointy because their mothers pulled on them for their children to listen to them!” Great. That’s why the balding elf had given you such a glare when you had left. You were glad with lord Volstagg’s company though as he told you of various battles, all of which they had come out victorious of course. He had been to every part of the nine realms. Asgard, Midgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Nifflheim, Svartalfheim, Jotunheim, Hellheim and even Muspelheim. He had been to them all! Accompanied by the two other warriors to make the Warriors Three, the lady Sif and of course prince Thor who had always been the leader of the group.
Prince Loki accompanied them too from time to time, but by the tone of voice lord Volstagg used whenever he spoke about the younger prince, you gathered he didn’t like him all that much.