Chapter 13
ALFHEIM
Anya had known for years that life wasn’t simple. But she had thought by comparison to others that at least her life would be. And then a prince had chosen her, forever altering her course as an ordinary woman.
And now she was accompanying the queen of Alfheim to the building where the Senate convened. Nor was she following a few steps behind as would be appropriate. At Sigyn’s insistence Anya followed at her side. “This is highly inappropriate, La--…”
“Stop.” Sigyn all but snapped the word at her before sighing softly and regaining control over her temper. “While there are many in Asgard who could use a taste of humility and who lack respect, you are not one of them. Sigyn.”
Anya hesitated for several long seconds before obeying. “Sigyn.”
That small elf smile made an appearance. “Much better.”
Neither of them had paused in their steps. They passed through the merchant district without incident and stepped onto a stone walkway that would lead directly to the Senate among a cluster buildings. Slowly Anya shook her head and wondered out loud, “Why would you choose me to accompany you? I am merely a servant--…”
Sigyn wagged a chastising finger at her. “Ah ah. You are not a servant here. You are a guest, sent here by your king.”
Anya’s expression turned thoughtful for a moment before she asked what she was struggling to understand. “Then why would you include an outsider for an internal matter?”
From a hidden pocket within her clothing Sigyn retrieved a small, folded letter written on parchment before she handed it over casually. “I received this missive from Asgard. I have called for an emergency Senate session.”
Anya’s brow furrowed but only when further prompted did she read the rather simple message before glancing at the Alfheim queen. “I don’t understand.”
Sigyn took the letter that was handed back to her. “Do you know of my singular duty?”
“Yes.” Anya continued when Sigyn just glanced at her curiously. “Et’ana calls the legions of Alfheim to war.”
“It is interesting that you know that.” Anya frowned, not understanding why that would be interesting. “Most do not. It is not a secret, but I have noticed that your kind prefers to focus on their internal affairs instead of others.” She still didn’t see that as significant and Sigyn chose to explain the message, rather than dwell further on an AEsir who was much more than she seemed, yet considered herself ordinary. “This message suggests we turn our eyes towards Muspelheim. It is a rather distinct phrase. It means that there is a threat to Alfheim in that direction. I also know that other messages were sent from Asgard to the Vanir and the dwarves.”
“It--…” Anya cut herself off quickly, feeling her face flush with shame. She had almost blurted out in surprise that that was where Loki had gone.
A slightly crafty look crossed Sigyn’s face. “I will tell you what we know so far. We know that a large portion of Asgard’s army is assembling there. We also know your king is there.” Anya glanced away but the elven queen didn’t attempt to force a confession out of her. “From an earlier conversation I know that Asgard suffered from tremors.” Sigyn said this airily, as if it was just a bit of casual information that had been brought to her attention and not something that Anya had said. “It can only mean one thing.”
Anya frowned ever so slightly and asked, “What is that?”
“Surtur stirs.” Anya’s eyes widened in horror but Sigyn’s thoughts had already shifted to the distant past to interpret the present. “He has stretched out his hand to attack Asgard and they have responded.”
“And your response?”
Sigyn’s expression turned grim, her mind already set on the course. Elves weren’t known to act in futility, but to not even try was unacceptable. “I will order the legions to Muspelheim, but this message comes too late. I fear Asgard must win or lose without our assistance.”
“Then why send them?” Anya shrugged a little as she asked. She certainly didn’t want to dissuade any aid the elves wished to offer, but she was also curious.
“Unlike AEsir, elven remember the past well. If Surtur stays true to that past, he will lash out at Vanaheim next, followed by Alfheim. I would prefer he is defeated before we are. If the Vanir have any intelligence, they will do the same.” Sigyn said this with little inflection, as if she were merely stating facts that had no direct impact on herself or her people. “During this Senate session I will suggest communicating with Vanaheim to arrange cooperation.”
Sigyn slowed to a stop and Anya continued for a step or two before pausing and turning with a frown. The elf was staring forward with her vibrant blue eyes but it was as if she was frozen in a moment of time, her gaze distant and her clothing in mid swing.
“Sigyn?” When the elf didn’t respond Anya took a quick look around and noticed that the elven queen wasn’t the only one frozen in time. Birds in the air were still in mid-flight. Other elves nearby were frozen as well. Yet she could clearly see elves beyond the complex of buildings walking as normal, unaware of her or those that were motionless.
“She can’t hear you.” Anya jerked around towards the one speaking, her eyes widening as she recognized the woman who had been standing behind her. A tall woman with dark hair and piercing green eyes. “Do you know who I am?”
Anya swallowed slowly. “Queen Hela.” Through Loki there were a lot of people she knew by sight. He’d warned her to be wary of Hela’s deals.
The Helheim queen’s lips twitched before she asked, “Do you know what else I am called?”
“Lady Death.” Anya’s voice was a hushed whisper, as if to speak it would be to bring down Hela’s wrath upon her.
“Indeed…and I am here for you.” That twitch became a small, grim smile.
Anya paled harshly and swallowed painfully. “I--…I died?”
“No.” The twitch along the corners of Hela’s mouth happened again as the AEsir before her instantly scowled. Hela liked the hidden fire in this one and once again lamented that she should have paid this Asgardian commoner more attention. Purring her words softly, “I’m here to make a bargain with you.”
“Me? Why me?” Anya looked thoroughly shocked and confused. She was a commoner and she knew it. She wondered why the Goddess of the Underworld would have any interest in her.
“Why not?”
Anya shrugged a single shoulder. “I’m…I’m not important. Why would you need anything from me?”
Hela ignored her question and her claim of insignificance. Instead she spoke the dire warning calmly, “The AEsir are going to fail.”
Anya felt a ball of dread fill her belly, yet at the same time she felt her jaw stiffen. But she spoke softly and carefully, averting her eyes. “You can’t see the future, you don’t know that.”
Hela nodded slowly to confirm Anya’s beliefs. “You are right I cannot see the future. But then I do not need to, to hold certainty of their fate. Loki is incapable of saving them. He may try or he may not, but either way they will fail.”
“You may not believe in him but I do.” Anya crossed her arms over her chest, her hesitation to argue with a creature that could kill her with a touch obliterated in defense of her king.
Hela felt another flare of amusement. There was a bit of a temper buried in this one and it delighted her. She demanded respect but she despised groveling. “It is not an insult against his capabilities. It is an insult to your people.” Anya blinked at her in surprise. “The Vanir and elves have respect for their magical caste. Those individuals are folded into society and educated to use their talents. Loki has been made to stumble around on his own, using books and guesswork to achieve what he has now. But illusion and teleportation will not win this war. He is the strongest mage to have walked among the living, yet he could be defeated by a battle mage on Vanaheim who does not even have a fraction of his strength, all because the Vanir would know more spells and would wield seidr with more finesse.” She made a dismissive gesture and ignored Anya’s crestfallen expression. “Without me he will not walk off the battlefield, the odds are stacked too high against him. I’m offering to even those odds a bit.”
Now Anya felt truly wary. “In return for what? You do not give away something for nothing in return.”
Hela nodded in agreement. “Very true. I see he warned you. Ordinarily my price would be high, such as your soul.”
Anya waited a beat but when the price was not asked for she frowned and asked, “Then why is that not the price?”
With a soft sigh Hela moved as if to sit and a deep red chaise appeared beneath her. “I can only offer that price to one who would on the cusp between Valhalla and Helheim upon their death. You will never even come close to being one of mine so why would I barter for something I cannot have?”
Which made sense to Anya. But it also made her wonder what Hela was truly after. “Then what do you want?”
“I will clarify my motivation first. I act purely for my own amusement and enjoyment.” She glanced at her own fingernails for a moment before smirking. “I want to make this clear when I tell you my requirement. And it is this…I will give Loki a spell that he will be capable of using to defeat his enemy.” Now a strange light lit her eyes, something that could be described as more than delight, yet vicious in the same instant. It made Anya truly aware of the predator beneath the skin of an ordinary appearing woman. “In return if Asgard is victorious and Surtur is defeated, and of course if Loki survives, you will be required to give him a hug.”
“A--…a what??” Anya looked like she’d been slapped across the face.
Hela bared her teeth in response and repeated herself, “A hug. If I recall correctly you would utilize your arms and wrap them…” She trailed off on purpose, her point made, and her smile widened when Anya just blinked at her.
The AEsir servant was at a complete loss of words for several moments. “Why?”
“Because I want to see the expression on his face, which I have no doubt will be worth witnessing.” Which was true. If Loki received a hug from anyone not his mother then his expression would be priceless. But she also saw it as a reward of sorts. If he did win and if he did choose to continue living, in her opinion and as clichéd as it might be he was in desperate need of one. “Do we have an accord?”
Anya fought not to stutter but she was truly beside herself. It was the most bizarre thing she’d ever heard. “That is truly your price? You will provide a spell that could turn the tide in Asgard’s favor and save millions upon millions of lives and in return you wish me to hug Loki?”
Hela huffed at the Asgardian. “I really do not know why you are hesitating. I hardly find my price a burden--…”
“It isn’t!” Anya rushed to speak before the Helheim queen changed her mind. She swallowed once before she nodded. It was completely inappropriate even if it was a strictly platonic gesture, but she was a woman of her word. “I’ll do it.”
Hela tilted her head slightly in the opposite direction as if she’d heard something Anya could not. She grinned and faded, a moment before time reasserted itself around Anya.
Sigyn paused after several steps to see Anya stopped and facing the other way. “Are you well, Anya?”
Anya blinked and glanced back at Sigyn who was looking at her oddly. She pasted on a small smile and moved to catch up. “Of course.” If the elven queen noticed the bemused expression on her face or the worry in Anya’s eyes she made no mention of it and together they continued towards their destination.
MUSPELHEIM
Loki slipped behind a small hill. He had limited time and if he delayed too long, someone would come looking for him. He knew what he was going to do, but he had to plan for the future as well. Thanos would not get his hands on the gauntlet. All he had to do was gain the assistance of an accomplished wielder of seidr. The problem was that the price for her cooperation was always high. “Hela.”
Hela had her arms crossed loosely, giving Loki a thoroughly unimpressed look as she appeared before him. “I do not come when called for just anyone, Loki.”
Loki ignored her slight annoyance, his mind calm now. He just had to move a few more pieces to accomplish his goals. “A bargain, Hela, name your price.”
“My…my…so reckless.” The Loki she had known and watched would never offer such a bargain. But then again, from his perspective he was seeking death and had nothing left to lose. She smirked privately to herself. Especially since he already knew what price she would ask for. “What is it you want?”
“I cannot be in two places at once.”
Hela knew instantly what he was saying. She resisted the urge to frown slightly. That was…unexpected. But then delight filled her immediately after. He was so deliciously unpredictable. “Mhmm…so you wish to protect the golden realm.”
His tone was insistent, making sure to emphasize the distinction. “For the citizens. Not the warriors, just the citizens. Until they are no longer on Asgardian soil.”
She shrugged slightly, carelessly, and gave him the expected price. “Your soul. I want your soul.”
His smirk had a twist of bitterness to it. “You are welcome to what is yours.”
Hela lifted a single eyebrow ever so slightly. They both knew he was exact when he spoke, particularly with someone like her. But if she thought the phrasing was odd she made no mention of it. “Consider those wonderful innocents safely out of harm’s way.” Her green eyes flicked away from him, in the direction of the AEsir assembling. “What are you going to do?” He flashed her a smile, saying nothing. Not that she had expected one. But her curiosity forced her to ask. “One question, Lord Loki.” He inclined his head ever so slightly, indicating for her to ask. “Is it compassion that moves you?”
“I do not feel compassion. It is…” His eyes flicked in her direction but he felt the hesitation drift. These were some of his innermost thoughts but she was the queen of the dead. Speaking to her of this was like speaking to his mother’s fountain. There was no judgement and she had no interest in offering it. He was just giving his thought a voice. “It is something my mother once spoke of that now resonates with me.” Words that hadn’t stopped his actions against Jötunheim, but then he had never felt anything for them beyond contempt. Asgard had been the realm he had loved.
He and Thor had been read the defeat of the dark elves a thousand times over. A defeat that not only killed them, but had destroyed all life on Svartalfheim. But even as Thor had been crowing about AEsir might; that one night, Loki had seen something in her eyes that spoke of a sadness. He had wondered why she would be saddened by the defeat of an enemy of the nine realms and asked her about it. He now repeated those words to Hela, “Denizens should not be held responsible for the actions of a realm.”
She nodded slowly to herself before a sly look stole across her face. A folded piece of parchment appeared between two fingers and she wagged it at him teasingly. “Care to make another bargain?”
She knew his greatest disadvantage was his youth and the realm that raised him. There were spells known in the nine that could accomplish almost anything if one had the power to support it. And as she was a fount of information she knew most of them. Other than illusions and travel, Loki used his magic the way AEsir used their weapons. If he’d had the proper training, he would have the finesse of a true seidmadr. This piece of parchment held a spell that would allow him a more artful display of his gift.
His brow furrowed slightly, surprised. “I have nothing left to barter.”
The sly expression only grew bigger, deciding not to mention Anya. “This is not that sort of bargain. I will offer you two choices and you will decide which you will accept.”
“I am listening.”
Her green eyes flicked out again, in Surtur’s general direction. “I know your plan. You plan to throw the full force of your magic at him.” His expression vanished, which all but confirmed her observation. “Blunt force might defeat your enemy…but then again it might destroy more than just your target. If your calculations are in error you could destroy all those around you.” Either the excess seidr could physically destroy them, or he might inadvertently destabilize the entire planet, killing all of them in the implosion. She shrugged a shoulder. “Or you might destroy this realm along with Surtur, which supports my previous observation. You might find that acceptable…but then again you might not.” She held out the paper. “The parchment is one possibility. The calculations are perfect, the words precise, and the result should be predictable.” It was more than just a series of words. They were specific instructions on how far away from his target he would have to be in addition to the words and gestures.
He took it but didn’t look at it, asking, “Or?”
The slyness shifted to a slightly evil expression. “If you abandon them to their fate I will ensure that Surtur is trapped in his grave once more.”
“In exchange for what?” He asked carefully and warily.
His caution was with good reason when she offered a response. “I will take the life of every warrior on this planet as compensation.” She put emphasis on the first word. “Every warrior.” Her eyes glanced over at Thor, Sif, Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg to emphasize her point.
He slowly narrowed his eyes, his voice mystified as he asked, “You expect me to agree to such a bargain?”
That evil grin became a full smile. “You wanted them dead anyway. And if you take the latter you will avoid Helheim for a little while longer.”
“Why should I be limited to two choices? Why would I be so interested in saving my own life I would sacrifice Thor?” He couldn’t even figure out what he was feeling as he asked. There were too many emotions crowded together.
She hummed softly. “Choose any of them, choose all of them. But neither your initial plan nor the parchment are a guarantee of success. The latter is.” A crafty look crossed her face as she put forward her own opinion. “If you fail, the nine will falter…and Thanos will gain what he wants.” His eyes narrowed to slits. “I believe you are so interested in defying the Titan and protecting your little servant girl that you will sacrifice a man who isn’t truly a brother.”
If he was surprised that she knew about Anya his expression didn’t show it. He turned the parchment over and over with his fingers. “It hardly seems like a bargain for your advantage.”
Whether he died and went to Helheim now or later was hardly a concern to her. “It’s only time. And I have an unlimited supply.” She gestured to the right and from nothing a gateway appeared that led to the twilight of Helheim. She walked into it and spoke over her shoulder, “Besides, the fun lies in seeing which choice you make.”
HELHEIM
Hela appeared in Helheim just as unexpectedly as she had disappeared. As Queen of the Underworld she could come and go as she pleased but it always made Odin curious how she accomplished it. Her brow was furrowed in thought as she retook the throne.
Odin had watched her silently but now his voice was clearly mystified as he asked, “How are you able to do that?”
She didn’t even glance in his direction, holding out her hand for wine and gesturing with the other so that they might all see what was happening on Muspelheim, “What?”
“How is it that you are still capable of using magic?” He clenched his fists as he inquired, suppressing the bitterness in his tone that she was capable of a power in death that he was not. He didn’t have a whisper of magic within his soul now and since Gungnir was in Asgard he had no way to reclaim it.
Slowly she lifted an amused eyebrow, looking at him as if he were no more than a pouting child. “I was never mortal like you so your rules don’t apply.”
His frown was almost thoughtful before he asked, “What were you?”
“Complicated.” She wasn’t in the most indulgent mood. Nor was she interested in discussing a past that was none of his business.
Farbauti slinked out of the shadows, standing next to a pillar and speaking softly. “Some of the tales say that you are the heart of a realm, made flesh. Others that you were a Norn, not unlike the sister fates.”
Amusement crossed Hela’s face. “Yes, and others that I am Loki’s daughter. Obviously not every story is true.”
“This time.”
Hela blinked at the Jötunn in surprise. “You have been paying attention.” Farbauti just inclined her head slightly.
Odin looked back and forth between the two of them in confusion. “What is this?”
Hela settled herself comfortably on her throne, her green eyes distant for a moment as she thought of how life truly worked. “The ancient tale that life and time are nothing more than an endless loop. When the end comes, instead of destruction and nothingness there is a restart of time and life begins again. Only we do not remember the cycle.” Her lips quirked in amusement. “Odin. Odinn. Woden. Wodan. Wuotan. Wotan. You have had many names. You have had many lives. Once you were blood brother to Loptr, Loki’s previous incarnation. There were several cycles where you never found him. Others still where you killed him as an infant, but that only happened twice.” Hela said this as if she were discussing the weather while Odin looked truly vexed for several seconds before he hid it.
Farbauti ignored his reaction, nodding in agreement. “And with each new cycle is a possibility for different choices.”
“Fictions.” Odin whispered the word, trying to reassure himself that Hela was just attempting to torment him.
Unlike the living she did remember the past cycles. All those possibilities with all sorts of results. These most recent incarnations of herself had been like this, but there had been an increasing number of versions with herself somehow as Loki’s daughter. If this version ended as the rest, perhaps in the next cycle she would be his daughter once more. She longed for an end to the parody of living with no meaning. “Brave words for a man who dabbles with magic.”
Odin stiffened, offended. “I do not dabble.”
A chilling smile slowly inched across Hela’s face. “Or perhaps it is more appropriate to say that I do not attempt to enslave the magic around me…unlike some people I know.”
Farbauti, who was leaning against a pillar, snorted softly to herself. “He enslaved everyone else. Why should he have respect for magic?”
Odin ignored the Jötunn as he stood up taller, his back stiff and pride in his gaze. “I utilized magic without Gungnir.”
“Not really. Parlor tricks don’t count.” Hela snickered, thinking of the magic he’d been capable of before Gungnir had fallen into his possession. The warriors of Asgard chided Loki for his ‘tricks’ but held short memories for the ones that Odin had been known for. All they remembered is the Odin of the now. The mighty King. The accomplished warrior with Gungnir in his hand and Sleipnir under his seat who used prized AEsir tactics to win wars. They didn’t remember him like the nine remembered him. The puppet-master. The miser. The king who arranged wars as coldly as he arranged alliances and took back prizes from those victories, whether they be trinkets or people. Those people being his war bride and his second born. He used sleight of hand and a basic understanding of potions. But most importantly, he used the sound of his own voice as a controlling mechanism. A rumble to cause strife to dissipate. A roar to cause fear. A soothing tone to persuade his victim to his point of view. All of which was a spell that he had paid a mage to cast over him several thousand years ago.
Then of course there was the more direct approach. Evidence of a corrupt Duke of Vanaheim mysteriously appearing in the King’s study. A prince of Alfheim beds a young servant girl and it is later revealed she was in fact a Vanir priestess who is now with child and has no memory of how she came to Alfheim.
“I meant real magic, real spells. You needed it because magic does not heel to your command without force.” A sly little grin crossed Hela’s features, knowledge in her eyes. “But then that was why you were always envious of Loki.”
“What?”
She rolled her eyes at him when it seemed he was determined to play dumb. “Magic adores the trickster. It has been his companion since his birth. If you had left him on Jötunheim, his magic would have sustained him.”
Farbauti nodded in agreement. “It has happened before. An accident will result in deaths, yet a child will be spared, found days later with no sign of injury or malnutrition.”
Odin blinked in surprise, distracted from his pride by such a claim. Loki had been but an infant, not even a few days old. Without the knowledge to control it how could magic nurture and protect him for any length of time? Asking softly, almost to himself, “How?”
A secret little smile pulled at Hela’s lips. “Do not underestimate magic, Borson. You view it as a tool to be managed and contained. A tool that will not act or react without direction. Magic is so much more. Paired with the right person, it is a loyal partner.”
Farbauti’s eyes glinted. “Do you not know the songs of Ymir?”
“Songs?” Now Odin glanced at the Jötunn in surprise.
The former Jötunn queen rolled her eyes. “The ancient stories, passed down through the ages. We do so with songs.” She hummed softly to herself for just a moment as if to remind herself of those songs. “The tales say that Ymir died 5 times over the course of his life. Twice his body was destroyed, yet he returned.”
Now Odin looked indulgently amused as he offered what he thought was the answer. “In a new form, perhaps.”
“I have heard the mortals talk of reincarnation.” Farbauti was not an idiot and knew when she was being mocked. “No, it was his body made new. Seidr restored to him that which was lost because he would not be parted from life before he was ready.”
Odin glanced with his blue eye in Hela’s direction. “Is he in Helheim…or Niflheim?” There was no denying the vicious curiosity that was now in Farbauti’s eyes.
Hela made her face contort as if she were thinking really hard about the answer before answering with a soft sigh, “I can’t remember.” Hela could of course, but she would never tell. Her little smile grew. She also knew that the songs sung by the Jötunn were true.
Ymir held a link to seidr and the World Tree similar to the one that Loki now holds. A partnership of man and magic combined with a will to live that could survive a plunge through the branches of Yggdrasil and into Thanos’ hands. A bond that could reassemble a mind shattered and broken by the titan. She blinked and waved her hand towards the image of the AEsir assembling on Muspelheim. “But enough prattling. Asgard is about to confront Surtur and I refuse to miss a moment of it.”
Author's Notes:
I know, I'm just a big old tease. And I've heard so many times people saying Loki needs a hug that I just had to do it. The will was weak and the body was willing.
Next:
A near disaster