I didn't want to create a new story since I am unsure of when I'd be able to add chapters to it, so I decided to attach this to Mistletoe as like an arc. This is like chapter 1 of the arc.
This chapter is unbeta'd. I hope it isn't too unreadable.
The warnings of the previous chapter apply here as well. No trigger warnings for vomit. I also take liberty with Finnish Mythology.
Mistletoe: Cuckoo
Frigga had rough hands.
Her rough hands spun her Great Wheel day after day, tireless, she stood without complaint. She made yards of glittering golden yarn.
Frigga was sharp-sighted. The pieces were never too short, too long, too tough, or too soft. Frigga was skilled. She had been at this craft since the stars were conceived and the universe had given its first birthing cry. The fibers were fused into one.
Her Great Wheel came to creaky halt. The waters outside her hall shined white under the belly of the moon. Frigga's fingers were loving. She unhooked the soft yellow tufts caught in the spindle.
Frigga stroked the tufts.
Her Great Wheel was restarted and golden thread glittered in piles around her feet. Somewhere in the distance there was the cry of a falcon.
...
He had heard of Odin Borrson. Odin's court was filled with crows and falcons and wolves. Odin was a great foe if provoked.
He whispered envy and strife and dreams of grandeur. He watched in the shadows as the humans were torn by war. He delighted in the smell of chaos and rot and the dying wails of those short-lived.
He was assured in his knowledge of his warmongering. There was clarity in his blindness.
As terrible as his nine brothers were they did not take as much he did. He had provoked AllFather. He had broken far too many men of ash and women of elm.
The Destroyer was a fitting end. Louhi would be pleased.
Rough talons dug into his shoulder. His head darted to his left. The Falcon. She shined in his darkness. Her magic more subtle than his own.
"Louhison," the Falcon said.
A son in name.
"Swear fealty to House Odin and you shall grow up as one of his own."
He understood. The crows cawed. The wolves growled. Borrson stirred none.
"Your answer?" asked the Falcon.
He understood. He bended his knee, his hand crossed over his heart and his head bowed low. His nose brushed the floor.
"I swear."
Wide spaces and thick bars.
"Welcome to House Odin."
...
His trainers looked terribly out of place.
Harry looked terribly out of place in an old t-shirt with a bit of dried ketchup and the same trousers he had worn for the last two days. It wasn't the best first impression.
Harry paced.
Harry never paced.
Harry went through the information for the fiftieth time. He was on Asgard, one of the nine worlds; yes, there were nine worlds that included Earth, erm, Midgard. He had two older brothers. Thor was the crown prince. Loki was the middle child. He was the youngest. His mother was Frigga. His father was Odin. He had one eye. He lost it to… "Giants," Harry muttered. "Frost Giants. Much bigger than actual Giants."
Harry edged the end of the red carpet and he spun back around. The bridge he had crossed was the rainbow bridge and the man with the golden eyes was Heimdall. Watcher.
Harry attempted to comb down his hair. It seemed like he had waited for this moment his entire life. Harry under the stairs yearned for it: he'd wake up from some terrible nightmare and his reality would be a loving family like the Weasleys.
Harry felt an awful mix of nervous and terrible with it in his grasp.
Harry under the stairs had been introduced to the wizarding world. Harry had been told his parents were Lily and James, they had died protecting him. He inherited his mother's… he had Lily's eyes. Harry cherished Hagrid's gift, the photo album filled with pictures of Lily and James. Harry frequently used it for a thread of connection and reassurance. What would this mean for him, for his life; a lie or a truth?
Harry stopped at the other edge of the carpet. He spun.
There were a lot of what-if's and holes to fill. Loki called him Balder. Harry was Harry. Harry had a life on Earth. He was an auror. He had Ron and Hermione. He had Sirius and Teddy. He had the Weasleys. He had Ginny.
Did Harry have to be Balder to keep his family; would he have to abandon his ties on Earth and what would his friends think? They'd require proof.
Merlin. Harry only had intuition in this case. That had been enough plenty of times before. In this situation. Harry paused. A chill went through him; it seemed too good to be true.
"Midgardian. You block the door," the man said.
Harry jumped out of the way. "Er, sorry," Harry said. He looked back up at the man. He was tall and slim and dark like Heimdall, he looked young as if he were in his twenties. A milky film covered his eyes. "D'you want to me to get that for you?"
The man laughed. Harry heard the phantom hiss of Hermione's reprimand. The dark dreadlocks of the man's hair bounced with the shake of his head.
"I didn't mean to assume that you couldn't – or that you weren't able – or that you needed. Bugger. Sorry."
"A mistake made by many," the man said easily. The man's eyes landed on Harry. Harry was used to staring. That wasn't the problem. It was the strangeness of the blind man's stare. It peeled back layers as if the man saw Harry.
"It is rare for a Midgardian to be on Asgard."
"I'm used to being the exception," Harry said.
The man laughed again. It was obvious to Harry that this man had business in the throne room same as him, but the man stalled. "Er, d'you need something? I can't, like, direct you to the bathroom or anything important."
"My audience with AllMother and AllFather can wait a moment," the man said. "I felt you pacing."
"Felt?" Harry asked. The man lacked the long cane he saw blind people use. Harry hadn't been stomping. He had dragged his feet from one side of the carpet to the other.
"My seidr gives me a form of sight," the man said.
"Cool," Harry said. It was cool. The man was like a bat or mole. It was innovative, a definite useful skill. Harry considered his own magic and if it would work the same if he were blind or was this an Asgardian thing?
Loki taught him the differences between Asgardians and Midgardian. When Harry ignored the Asgardian superiority it boiled down to Asgardians were the nearly perfected versions of the people on Earth. Harry avoided questions of his own biology.
Harry was compelled to restart his paces.
Harry waited long enough. Harry was ready to go in there and introduce himself.
The large doors were pushed open. The man was fluid as moved to Harry's side.
Harry rushed forward. Blood sprang to Harry's cheeks and his hands were clenched at his side. When Loki stood straight he towered over Harry. His dark green eyes were like ice chips as they set to Harry's side.
"Hoder," Loki said. "You're late."
Hoder lifted his chin. He nodded to Harry. "Brother, you know how I like to dawdle when something of interest has come up."
"You're related. Loki?" Harry faltered. Loki was peeved. The pink of his lips had all but disappeared and he hadn't so much as breathed or moved.
"He is a ward of the court. A Vanir," Loki said.
A syrupy smile seeped on Hoder's face. "As is AllMother. I was raised alongside Thor and Loki. We suckled from the same teat."
"Let us be glad it is not wet-nurses that determine family, I suspect I'd be related to the whole of Asgard," Loki said shortly.
"Your tongue never dulls."
"The same can not be said for my patience," Loki said, an edge to his voice. Loki smiled all teeth. "Come along. It is best not to keep Mother and Father waiting."
"What about his meeting?" Harry asked. Hoder had started to walk away.
Hoder shrugged. "I will reschedule. They will understand. We will meet without prying eyes, Balder." Hoder gave Harry an impish smile.
Harry dumbly nodded at Hoder. A strange affection rushed inside him. Harry hoped to see Hoder soon.
Harry fell into step with Loki. The throne room was large and narrow. The ceiling made out of silver and the sides with arches for windows but no glass. The floors gleamed bright. There was familiarity in the diamond cut of their tiles.
"It's best to keep away from Hoder," Loki said.
"I can choose my friends, thanks," Harry said coldly. He wasn't a child and he had never taken kindly to a person's presumption of knowing what was best for him.
"You are as bullheaded as our dear older brother," Loki said dryly. Loki didn't push his issue. "There is another matter to discuss. Hel has informed you of the spell I cast?"
Harry squinted. "The one to make everyone forget me."
"A rudimentary simplification, but you are correct," Loki said. "I have performed the spell too well. It will take time for it to come undone."
Harry stopped. "They don't know me," he said. "That's what you're telling me."
"They do know you. I have merely hidden the knowledge."
"Unhide it then."
"I will. It will take a fortnight at the most," Loki said.
Anger buzzed in Harry. "You lied to me!" Harry said. "If I knew—"
"If you had known the truth, what?" Loki asked. "You'd stay on that miserable hovel without family. A fortnight is all. Be reasonable, brother."
"Be reasonable," Harry said mockingly. "Why am I here if no one remembers?"
"Balder."
Harry stepped back. Harry would be an outsider looking in. It was cruel to dangle this in front of him.
Harry wondered if there was like a cart or a horse or a broom he could take to the rainbow bridge and if he could get Heimdall to beam him down. Asgard to be pushed out of his mind as soon as possible. Harry stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Loki has spoken of little aside from his friend for months," a warm voice interrupted. "I'm happy to finally meet him."
It was an echo of long ago. A shadow of once before. Harry turned to see a blonde woman dressed in glittering fabric. Harry moved back to Loki's side. His throat curiously dry.
"Mother," Loki said. "My apologies. The meeting has been premature. Harry wishes to return to Midgard."
Frigga's light eyes moved over Harry. They were kind and Harry was sure he imagined the glint of concern directed at him. Harry cleared his throat.
"Er – nerves – a bit of bad roast from last night – I've never met royalty – there is really no preparation – I can stay if it's not a problem." Harry rubbed the back of his neck.
"It is no problem. A friend of Loki's is rare," Frigga said. A brief fond smile was sent in Harry's direction. It felt better than ten Molly Weasley hugs.
Frigga led them to the dais. Frigga wore a light blue cloak as Loki wore a dark green one. Harry saw a couple of guardsmen with cloaks as well.
Frigga climbed the throne steps to stand by Odin. Odin was impressive in a different way than Frigga. Odin sat in a golden throne behind him hung intricate artworks and sigil banners from the high ceiling. Two crows black as tar were perched on the throne chairs. In Odin's right hand he held a spear.
"Father. Mother," Loki said.
Out the corner of Harry's eye he saw Loki bow low. Harry copied, he kept his eyes on the both of them.
"Hello," Harry said. He waved awkwardly. "I'm Harry." That was frighteningly basic. There wasn't much to say when they didn't remember they had a third son.
"He is part of the Midgardian population able to manipulate the basics of seidr," Loki said, the corners of Loki's lips twitched. "He was a most helpful guide on Midgard. I sought to return the favor."
Odin grunted. His single eye landed on Harry. It was weighty and dismissive. Odin judged him. Harry wasn't cowed.
"No harm shall befall you while on Asgard. Our home is yours," Frigga said kindly.
Harry nodded. Loki cleared his throat. Right. "Thanks," Harry said. "I appreciate it."
"Mother. Father," Loki said. He bowed again, Harry followed. "If you will excuse us."
"Of course," Frigga said. She moved from Odin's throne. Her fingers brushed the chair. "Thor returns from Alfheim."
Loki's black eyebrows lifted. "I had thought he'd be gone longer. A sighting of the Accursed…"
Frigga's lips pressed together as Odin struck his spear across the floor. "Enough," Odin said. As level as his voice was it reverberated around them as if he had yelled.
Loki inclined his head. Harry's stare darted between the three of them. The Accursed? He was going to see his oldest brother?
Loki beckoned Harry. Loki did not speak until he was outside the throne room. Harry was grateful for the few minutes of silence. It was a chance for everything to sink in.
Harry's eyes burned and were wet. He had met his parents alive and well. Frigga was nice and warm and kind. Odin was imposing and removed and kingly. Loki was… Harry didn't know what Loki was, Loki was charming and welcoming.
Loki was also off.
When they were in the main castle of Asgard he faced Loki. "A fortnight," Harry said. "You swear it?" he squashed down the childish urge to hold out his pinky or even to ask for an unbreakable vow.
"They and realm will know Balder Odinson oncemore, I swear," Loki said. He placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, he squeezed. Harry gave him a tight smile. Actions spoke louder than words.
"Erm." Loki thankfully dropped his hand. "Where will I be staying?" Harry asked. He hadn't made arrangements for staying on Asgard. "I haven't brought anything."
"Your rooms have been modified," Loki said simply. "You no longer need the bassinet or the myriad of soft dolls and blankets. Do you, little brother?"
"You're hilarious," Harry said dryly. Loki expressed Asgardians lived for thousands of years, Harry's lifetime was probably less than a blink of an eye for Loki.
Loki walked briskly through the dizzying amount of halls, which were bigger than any football stadium with ceilings so high it looked as if they were part of the sky. "I have rooms, as in multiple, wouldn't they be given away, or…"
"No," Loki said. "They have fallen into disuse. If Mother and Father care to ask I'll tell them I wanted you near me."
"Near you?"
Loki sighed. He gave him a single glance both bemused and exasperated. "The Princes' rooms are near each other, the same wing, in fact," Loki said. "When we reach our–"
"Hoder too?" Harry asked curiously, it wasn't bad to be near a familiar face. Harry needed the guide for Asgard and Harry felt like Loki had responsibilities to attend too.
"Hoder resides with the other wards of the court," Loki said.
Harry began to see that Loki wasn't the most forthcoming person.
Loki went to the right. He pushed open two richly decorated wooden doors. Loki gestured for Harry to make the first step, his black nails shined.
This room was big, bigger than the Dursley home. The room was flooded with the soft afternoon light. Harry had a ring of windows to his left. The windowsills wide enough for him to sit and there was a balcony. Harry was given the view of Asgard. The Bifrost. The clouds and the golden spires and towers.
"You liked the sunlight," Loki said quietly.
Harry glanced at Loki. His eyes cast off and hands pushed behind him. He wore a painful smile.
Harry nodded.
To Harry's right was his bed. If you could call it that. Asgard seemed to do everything in excess. The bed was raised and covered in royal blue and it was big like one and a half ultraking-sized beds fit into one. It was couched by two dark-colored nightstands.
"Erm," Harry said awkwardly. He'd deal with the bed issue later. "Clothes?"
Loki snapped his fingers. Harry heard the distant clack of what he was presumed was a door opening. Loki pointed at the doorless arch further down. "Wardrobe. You will be dressed for every occasion," Loki said.
"I can dress myself."
"You will struggle with the new attire," Loki said dismissively.
Harry frowned. He wasn't a pompous git or helpless. He'd figure out how to dress himself. Loki moved on before Harry had a chance to protest further.
Loki went into the other room connected to his main room. The bathroom. Harry stood next to Loki. The bathroom looked more like a posh mini indoor swimming pool with a tub… basin… in the middle and marble columns. A bit like the Prefect's room. The tub was filled with foamy water. The steam clouded Harry's glasses.
"You need bathe before dinner," Loki said. "Afterwards, you can wash at your own discretion. I am aware of how much you value choice. They will be here to help if you wish." Harry managed one look at Loki.
Then, Harry noticed three women in the tub. Three naked women in were in the tub. Harry swallowed. Harry's ears red. Harry imagined the hexing he'd be in for if Ginny found out. He winced.
"I don't need help," Harry said weakly. Harry licked his lips and made a point to look away.
"A no will serve as a sufficient rebuff. An Einherjar will escort you to dinner when it is time," Loki said. Harry had the idea that Loki was amused if he didn't outwardly show it. "Harry." Loki patted him once and he was gone.
A woman. The middle one with the white-blond hair and dark skin crooked her fingers. She beckoned him. Harry didn't think he could get any redder. He was slow to undress.
"No," Harry repeated like a broken record.
An awkward bath and a more awkward dressing later, Harry was on the bed. He was spread out eagle-style. His eyes on the ceiling where braziers hung.
A belated realization hit him just as someone knocked on his door. Harry got to his feet. He hadn't told anyone his birth name. How had Hoder known that?
