The fiery red sky matched the eyes of the Frost giants on that fateful night. The night their queen was giving birth to the child that was eagerly expected by the people of Jotunheim.

Their prince and heir to his father's icy throne.

Laufey stood outside with the group of his soldiers, among the tall grass of a rich land on Midgard. A place so different from their home, but important to their kind. He heard the warriors talking but ignored their words, his mind with his mate inside the cave that faced the sea.

It was Farabauti's wish to travel to Midgard to give birth. She was well aware of the possible consequences but she wanted to take them. Wanted to be sure her son will survive and hopefully be blessed with magic that eluded their people for centuries, ever since the last Jotun child that was born on this odd realm.

Laughter was heard somewhere in the distance and blood red eyes turned towards the ringing sound. Their sight allowed them to see a small mortal child following an older woman, most likely it's mother, as the two walked in the direction of a settlement some miles away from where the Jotuns stood in silent guard.

The king of the Frost giants wondered if this place possessed some kind of hidden magic that made this land look beautiful to those who appreciated the beauty of ice above any other. Perhaps it was a piece of that magic that entered the children of his people born here on Midgard, and made them into great mages.

Mages that haven't been born among the Jotuns in centuries, for his father Nal forbid this practice. Few children who were born here remained smaller in height for Frost giants, and the late king saw it as weakness.

His son and heir will be the first.

And be believed many more will follow.


On the very top of Yggdrasil was the Realm Eternal; the golden realm Asgard with it's tall towers and wide streets, with the bridge that connected it with the other realms of the World tree.

In the dome of the Bifrost stood a guardian that saw everything. The good and the bad. Nothing escaped his sight; from the fires of Muspelheim, famous dwarf mines of Nidavellir, frozen lands of Jotunheim, forests of Alfheim and Vanaheim. Heimdall could see it all.

So when a group of Frost giants gathered outside of a settlement on Midgard he knew. And he instantly sent a messenger to the king.

To Odin AllFather who sat on the golden throne of Asgard.

"What happened?" a worried look appeared on queen Frigga's face upon entering the chamber and seeing her husband in full armor. At any other time she would expect it, but not in the middle of the night.

Not when he was asleep less then an hour ago when she left to attend to their young son.

"A message arrived from Heimdall. A group of Jotuns is on Midgard." Odin answered grimly. He didn't wish to leave right now, but he was a king. He had obligations; not only towards his people but towards but towards Midgardians as well.

The mortals saw them as gods and bloomed under the protection of Aesir. He had no doubt they will only continue to prosper. But to ensure that he needed to make sure the Jotunheim frost doesn't spread to the rich lands of Midgard.

"Does he know why?"

Odin kissed Frigga's cheek in greeting. It was how she knew it was more dangerous then just few wayward solders. And her husband's words confirmed it.

"Laufey is among them. They are close to a settlement the mortals build for themselves. It can not be a coincidence."

The queen knew well the might and courage of the Aesir warriors, but still she feared. For all of them. For Frost giants were also formidable in battle and their mere touch was dangerous too all other races.

"Fight well and return to us." she spoke their final farewell before Odin left the chamber, to meet with the group of warriors that would travel with him to Midgard and force the Jotuns to return to their own realm.

But as things were now there is nothing to stop them from trying again, from traveling to Midgard once more. Not when the Caskett of Ancient Winters was in Laufey's possession. An artifact as powerful as the Caskett, with it's unlimitless power, could be dangerous in hands of those who have no problem misusing it.

And that left him with only one option.

The trumpets announced the time has time has come and the news spread like wildfire through Asgard. The news their king is leading the warriors to subdue the monsters from frozen wastelands of Jotunheim and protect Midgard.

Cries of well wishing and good fortune echoed through the night as the group of a thousand best warriors, with kind Odin in lead, traveled towards the Observatory. And at the same time a lone figure stood on the balcony of the palace and silently watched the procession of armed warriors.

The Norns didn't allow her to see how it will end but her heart told her there will be great grief.

A young woman comes to a stop behind Frigga and bows slightly after the queen turns to look at her. In her arms is the most precious treasure of Asgard. And it's currently doing everything in it's power to escape.

"My apologies Lady Frigga, but prince Thor woke up at the sound of trumpets and would not calm down." the chambermaid that attended to the princes needs spoke as the queen reached to take the precious cargo from her hands.

"Thor is his father's son. He will year for glory in battle... but he will not achieve it just yet." the Asgardian queen looked in the distance where the bright light illuminated the Dome at the end of the Asbru bridge.

The warriors have left.

All they could do now is hope their strength and prowess would be enough to protect the innocent realm and it's inhabitants from the invading force of Jotuns.


The cave Farabauti chose for this night was perfect in every way.

The entrance faced the sea and could only be reached by a narrow path. So narrow even the small mortals would have to walk one after another. So it was particularly difficult for her kind. But it was safe.

Additional safety was provided by two Jotun women standing at the entrance, each armed with a long dagger made out of hard Jotunheim black steel. They were picked and trained for this duty months ago and they were both ready to lay down their lives for the queen and the prince.

They also guarded something else of great value that was placed in the cave by their king Laufey. The Casket of the Ancient Winters. The power artifact that allowed them to travel to other realms, that brought prosperity to their own home and calmed the raging storms that threatened their cities during the harshest winters.

It was hidden in a maze behind the main system of caves and only the king knew the way to it.

A firefly flew by the entrance, it's progress closely followed by blood red eyes. Nothing escaped the sight of the protectors.

Farabauti silently waited for the next contraction to hit. Her back was pressed against the solid wall of the cave and her knees bent and spread. There was no thick skin or fur underneath her for protection. Jotun women didn't accept such luxury during labor.

Only one who will receive the protection will be the child. A soft woven blanket already waited for the young prince. A gift from the eldest of their kind. The only ones who still remembered when children were born on Midgard.

One of them, Angrboda, insisted on traveling along to attend to the queen. It was her first child; and while it was expected for Jotun women to be strong enough to go through labor without any assistance of others, things progressed differently on this odd realm.

"I am starting to doubt the wisdom of this decision." Farabauti interrupted the tense silence that surrounded them.

The older woman gently squeezed the young queen's hand, "We have all doubted our strength in this moments. But we endured, just as our foremothers endured, and just as our daughters will when the time comes."

"I will survive the pain. But if it is too soon and my son..."

"Your son will be a strong one; in both body and spirit. And his magic will awaken within moments and protect him."

"I do not doubt your words..." Farabauti looked directly into the red eyes that revealed the wisdom of many centuries, "...but my decision. If I am wrong and he is born far too soon not even his magic will be able to save him."

"My queen, leave your worries for later when your son starts wishing to participate in a hunt despite being far too young, or chooses to court a woman you do not approve of. Yes, children are born early on Midgard, but no child born here was lost. Not for this reason."

And Farabauti nodded, grateful Angrboda insisted on traveling along. Laufey didn't have much choice but to allow the old Jotun woman passage to Midgard along with the rest of the group.

But her mind kept telling her it was too soon, despite knowing deep down all will be well. Usually a Jotun woman carried her child for a full year, until it was large and strong enough to survive the harsh weather of Jotunheim.

They traveled to Midgard shortly after the ninth month mark since she conceived. And the labor pains started soon after. A child didn't require such a long gestation period here in this much milder climate, even a Jotun child.

The young queen wished at least one of the Jotun mages born on this realm still remained, to witness the rebirth of magic in their kind. But unfortunately they were all lost in in battles fought by Nal against other realms. It was a great loss for their people.

Angrboda moved away from her queen to lit the single torch that was driven in the narrow break in the cave wall. It won't give them much light, but they were Jotun's. They could see quite well in darkness. But a prince deserved to be welcomed into the light.

The fire burned happily, the light illuminating the rough grey walls and forming shadows that moved in a dance known only to them. It looked like they started to celebrate the new life that was close to joining this realm.

A strange and sudden sound reached them from somewhere outside but Farabauti had no time to think about what it was because the next contraction hit. And Angeboda kneeled in front of her queen and offered her hands for the younger woman to hold and squeeze to endure the pain.

"Your son is in a rush, my lady. I can already see his head." the old Jotun woman said with a wide smile, "I should inform the king it is almost time, he did wish to be present when you give birth to his heir."

But before Angeboda managed to stand up one of the women that guarded the entrance moved into the inner cave. Her face was grim and her dagger firmly grasped in her hand.

"What is happening?" a question escaped as a whisper out of the queen's lips.

"The sky signaled the Bifrost opening. The Asgardians arrived on Midgard." the protector answered, "The cave entrance is turned away from where our men and the king are, but we could still hear the sounds of battle. I'm afraid king Odin decided to strike when we are away from the majority of our army and more vulnerable in the warm climate."

Her first instincts was to stand up from the hard ground and go outside to fight beside her mate, to join him in a battle like Jotun women often did. But a sudden pain reminded her there was another she needed to focus on right now.

If something was to happen to Laufey, if the Jotun king should perish in a battle against the Asgardians, her son would be the only heir to the throne. He needed to be kept safe.

And she will ensure that.

"My lady..." Angrboda muttered when Farabauti grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly.

"My son is ready to arrive."

"As a true Jotun warrior he does not wish to be late for a battle." the protector said before joining the other woman at the entrance of the cave. They waited for the order they knew would arrive soon.

And arrived it did.

Less then ten minutes after the shrill scream of a newborn prince echoed through the cold cave and the maze behind it, she stopped at the entrance and looked outside.

Farabauti, the queen... the new mother... the Jotun warrior woman who was ready to fight on her mate's side. Wrapped in leather and fur, armed with a dagger made out of black steel she received as a wedding gift, she looked as intimidating as any male warrior.

And several times angrier; for the Asgardians dared to attack them this night.

"Stay and protect my son." she told Angrboda, not bothering to even turn around and see if the older woman acknowledged the order. There was no need for it.

No one would dare to disobey an enraged queen.


Laufey stood in the middle of his warriors, using his natural ability to create ice sword around his hand. But in a climate as warn as this one on Midgard, the weapon that would be unbreakable on their realm, wasn't always strong enough to resist the Asgardian steel.

Once lush green grass was now trampled and stained with blood.

Once silent night now echoed with the sounds of a fierce battle.

Once large group of warriors he brought along for protection was now decimated.

And the Asguardians just kept coming. Their warriors bold and and bloodthirsty; surrounding his men and killing them. Fighting without honor they always claimed to possess.

And their king not fighting in the first line like he did. Instead he waited in the background and watched. Observed calmly as Jotuns fell and his army coming out victorious from a slaughter.

It enraged Laufey, for all he wanted was peace for his son.

A scream on his right startled him and the Jotunkeim king turned to see an Aesir warrior fall down, his lifeless eyes turned towards the night sky but not seeing the storm clouds approaching. And over him stood she.

Farabauti.

She looked at Laufey's matching blood red eyes and smiled weakly. The birth tired her, but not so much that she couldn't join her people and fight. And the king knew better then to ask her to retreat to safety. They were mates; they always stood next to one another when it became necessary to fight.

The Asgardian warriors hesitated at first, never before had they fought against a woman Jotun. And Farabauti used that. She was ruthless, even more then the men of her kind.

For her newborn son slept in a cave and she needed to protect him. She held him for only few minutes before handing the tiny infant to Angeboda. He needed her and she needed to make sure he was safe.

After almost a dozen of his men fell from the hand of the Jotunheim queen Odin struck. Gungnir came down in an arch and the Frost giant closest to him fell. The second followed soon after.

The storm clouds now completely covered the night sky, obstructing the stars and the full moon that illuminated the battle until then. And the winds began to blow and a thunder struck somewhere in the distance. But it didn't hid the sounds of the battle that could be heard all the way to the human settlement.

They could all hear it, in the distance, somewhere on the fjord cliffs. Although the few brave ones that dared to venture outside of their homes brought back the frightening tale. There were no armies in sight... no enemies battling one another... And instantly the lore began appear, stories about gods fighting for predominance over Earth.

Laufey was unaware the tales will all say he is an invader who brought his army to enslave Midgard and turn it into an icy wasteland like Jotunheim. At the same time Odin will be a hero of the Nine Realms who bravely fought the monsters and defeated them.

But not without a price.

It was a dagger that matched the one in Farabauti's hand that Laufey used, after wrapping it in frost, to strike Odin. To inflict the Asgardian king the single wound that neither his body nor magic will be able to heal.

Pain momentarily paralyzed Odin as the blood stained the right side of his face, and he stumbled back away from Laufey. But his pain and rage brought forward a burst of magic and he slammed Gungnir on the blood stained ground.

"Midgard is under my protection!" Odin shouted as the dark portal opened behind Laufey and the remaining surviving Frost giants, "No Jotun is welcome on this realm, and those we find here after this night will be killed to protect the mortals!"

Farabauti tried to resist the pull of the portal, to reach the safety of the cave where her son was hidden. But she barely managed to make few steps when the gravitational force of the dark magic pulled her in. And before she managed to yell her son's name the Jotun queen found herself home.

Laufey and few surviving Jotun warriors stood around, their dead now coloring the ice covered ground with their dark blood. And the portal that brought them back to Jotunheim was gone.

As was their hope to return to Midgard. For the Caskett was still there, in the maze.

As was the Jotun prince.


The Asgard welcomed their king and heroic warriors home. Celebrated their victory and grieved for the dead that have joined their forefathers in Valhalla.

Frigga stood on the same balcony from which she watch them depart and rejoiced. Her husband has returned. And although the messenger informed her the king was injured she trusted Eir, the best healer in Asgard, will be able to aid him.

But there was nothing any healer could do to replace the eye Odin lost. There were limitations to even powerful Aesir bodies.

But it didn't bother Odin. He was an Aesir, they were proud of their scars. It showed they have fought and were strong enough to win and survive.

"And you sent them all back to Jotunheim?" Frigga asked as she took a seat in an armchair opposite of her husband, their young son in her hands.

"All but one. After the passage closed a Jotun appeared on the edge of the cliff and attacked." Odin answered before taking a sip of the mead from a tall tankard, "It was an older one, a woman."

"What happened to her?" the Asgardian queen was surprised to hear an older Jotun woman would leave their icy realm. Never before had she heard of it happening.

But even before she received an answer, she knew. The Frost giant elder was killed by one of the warriors that traveled to defend Midgard.

"Her body now lies on the bottom of the sea. A reminder... and a warning. I do not believe Laufey will make the same mistake again."


What Odin didn't know is he left a Jotun child alone in a cave, and so a living Frost giant remained on Midgard, and a powerful artifact in a maze to keep the prince company. Heimdall's gaze could not penetrate the walls of their shelter.

What Laufey didn't know is his son was still alive, and not killed like Farabauti feared, and the Casket was where he left it, not locked away in a vault in Asgard. Still he swore to revenge as he comforted his mate who almost died from grief.

What neither of them knew is a village woman braved to come to the place where the gods fought during the storm and she heard the hungry cries. And she followed them to find a blue child in a cold cave. A magical child whose skin turned a soft pink the moment she touched him.

A little boy who was special.

And who will be saved.