Prologue
The Allfather urged his horse quickly as nightfall began to fall. It guarded him with a shroud of fog as though it knew what was happening. Frigga rode closely to his right. Frigga's mind wandered back to the girl, tears filled her eyes as she recalled the expression she wore. Shattered. Defeated. Frightened. Frigga's horse sensed her hesitance and slowed itself.
"Come!" Odin demanded of the women.
"Fadir…" A small voice called out from the woman.
"Quiet," Rang out into the night.
Frigga snapped at that, "Odin."
The exchange echoed in Frigga's mind. It was the last time she would hear that sweet voice.
"Frigga… We mustn't waste time. If she is to survive, forcing her to leave is the only way."
Frigga bowed her head in submission and sadness. This night would become the most unbearable of them all. That little voice would ring through her head for centuries to come. Her daughter would only be a distant memory. A stranger. Her sweet girl would be all alone.
As though reading her thoughts, Odin spoke softly, "She isn't alone…"
"How will she not be alone?" Frigga cried.
Odin knew his queen, his wife. She longed to keep the child close and to protect her with her own life. But this was the way, the only way, to ensure his daughter's survival. She must leave. She could no longer stay here; it was too risky and dangerous. The dark elves rose in the shadows, Heimdall could not see them. But visions whispered in the Allfather's ears of the terrors to come. They only seemed like dreams but fear overrode wisdom, for it if it were true, if, then action had to be taken.
"If Asgard is to survive, so must she. But not here."
His tone, final and void, ended any counter argument that may arise from Frigga. Her face twisted at that but questioning her king was not her place.
Odin halted abruptly and dismounted, he motioned for her to follow. Frigga, flustered, flew off her horse and stood tall.
"Answer me."
Odin froze.
"Answer. Me."
Heimdall appeared from the shadows as if he were a shadow himself.
Odin turned his attention to the guardian, "Is it done?"
Heimdall dipped his head, "Yes, Allfather."
Relief flooded Odin but did not reveal this, he only nodded in return.
Frigga could not bear it, "Odin, I demand an answer!"
Heimdall stepped forward, "My queen, she is safe and not alone. Valkyrie have been commissioned to watch over her."
Frigga collapsed in grief and sobbed into her hands. Odin allowed a tear to escape.
"Ingeborg is to be at her side at all times and—"
Frigga cried out, "That does not matter! She is only a child!"
"—as taken the form of a dog and will remain by her side at all times."
No comfort was given to the Queen of Asgard, "A dog cannot speak to her. Comfort her. Reassure her. Remind her of who she is. Remind her of us—"
"Frigga…" Odin murmured.
"My heart cannot bear this. I cannot lose her, Odin. She—"
Odin knelt down and cradled her to his chest, Heimdall interjected quietly, "To ensure secrecy, I cannot reveal anything but I will watch over her. This is I swear to you."
Frigga's weary eyes met his warm ones, "Where is she?"
Heimdall could not bear the look of her sorrow, it borrowed its way into his soul.
Odin answered in his stead, "Safe and hidden."
Frigga's heart would forever be only half full. Her daughter was the only thing that kept the family united; now, it would surely be broken. She shook her head and cried out. Palace guards ran to the sound as fast as they could. Heimdall returned to his post before they appeared.
"My king!" They called out.
Odin raised his hand to silence them, "Return to your posts immediately. There is no need for concern."
Confused eyes rattled as they viewed their distressed queen but bowed and left them quietly. Odin held Frigga close to him and carried her up the steps. The horses neighed in dismay as they were left behind.
"Go," He commanded them.
As they fled to return to the stables, Odin continued up the steps to take his queen to rest. In the shadows, a figure watched curiously; it dashed up after the royal couple.
"Father!" It called out.
Odin turned to his youngest son, "Loki…"
Loki halted at the tone, "Where is she?"
Frigga sobbed at that, Loki backed away in horror, "What has happened? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
"Enough!" Odin barked.
Loki eyes filled with angry tears, "Is she—is she dead?"
The sound of his voice cracking made Odin cringe on the inside. He did not know what damage he had caused, at least not the severity of it.
"Come. We will speak in private…" Odin quietly ordered.
And so it was, the secret daughter of Asgard was gone. Those of that knew of her were silence, and her disappearance never stood questioning as the Allfather forbade it. Rumors flew through the realms at the sudden change of Asgard as it had become despondent and cold; it was as though the warmth and life of the royal family had been drained.