Chapter One
Hel
There are many things within the nine realms that I pondered on, the very existence of the world's we called home and the varying differences between each one. From the golden buildings of Asgard to the frozen rock palaces of Jotunheim, I had always looked upon the two warring realms with interest. The Asgardians civilised barbarity not vastly different from that of the Jotuns yet the Aesir see themselves above the Jotuns and strive to keep it as such; I could not and would not say that the Jotuns are innocent as that would be untrue, I would however state that the Aesir are just as guilty as their frozen counterparts.
It is the souls of their people that fill my halls. Some of the Aesir are lucky to be granted entrance to Valhalla but for those of old age, those claimed by illness or outside of a great battle the great halls of Helheim become their eternal home; forever wondering the halls and trapped within the realm of Niflheim. The dark palace is indeed a cold place surrounded by the mists of time and forever trapped in an eternal winter; I did and still do find that such qualities no longer bother me as they did during my childhood, now they provide comfort and familiarity for a half-dead creature as myself. The many walls of the palace decorated in ornate prophecies provide endless hours of interest, as the times change the images shift all in an everlasting state of change, bar one that is. The greatest of all depictions resides behind the stone throne; it is the prophecy of Ragnarok.
To the right Odin riding tall upon my brother his spear held tightly in one hand with Thor at his side as always; father and son charging head on into the final battle, with the many Aesir and Midgardian warriors behind them. With the walls of Asgard burning and crumbling to the ground beneath the large hands of the giant Surt whilst the Bifrost burns behind him. Then to the left. My brother Fenrir breaking free of the chains that bind him; behind him Jorgmandr emerging from the oceans sending large waves sprawling across the land drowning the Aesir and Midgardians caught off guard. The one part of the prophecy that I have always struggled to understand was the depiction of myself standing at the bow of a large ship; with the many dishonourable dead following behind along with thousands upon thousands of Jotun warriors, sailing into battle behind Jorgmandr in preparation for the worlds end. To me the greatest part of the carving is the image to the back by no means small but just the right size to be missed if one was not paying great enough attention; standing upon the edge of the Bifrost my father fighting gallantly against the keeper of the bridge Heimdall, he who sees all.
As Queen of the realm I have known and always shall know that Ragnarok is not the end; the Norns have shared such information with me several times before, for what purpose I do not know but in the greater scheme everything they do has its place. I am able to find comfort and security in the simple thought, being alone and isolated from life does have its effects upon a being whether mortal or immortal. There are days when I look upon the many souls that inhabit my realm among them families and friends reunited in the coldest of places yet there is warmth among those groups; warmth that I long to feel one that is always beyond my grasp, I have no true family to seek comfort from and no friends that I can obtain reassurance from. There is only Garm a large beast not dissimilar from Fenrir, while his mind is simple he understands when I am in need of company, resting beside my throne he keeps guard over Helheim preventing those who enter from leaving.
One would think that ruling an entire realm would mean a different life…a better one.
How wrong they are.
For so long I have wished to feel the sun's rays upon my skin and to look upon a living land; while I am comfortable and secure in my realm it is impossible not to long for life, for colour something that Niflheim severely lacks. The monochrome landscape makes my 'home' feel more like a prison just as Odin intended it to be. To my utter disgust something deep within what is left of my soul has warped; the innocence of my childhood was lost to me on my sixth birthday when I was cast into these halls, over the thousands of years a dark anger and hatred has replaced it. No amount of suppression ever keeps it hidden for long.
More recently I have found myself looking at the depiction of Ragnarok, with the arrival of Baldr's soul in my halls the minute interest I previously held had grown but the thought of fighting alongside the Jotuns has become more appealing than disgusting; envoys from Svartalfheim and Jotunheim have entered Niflheim and remained just outside Helheim. Each with a proposition for an alliance and up until now my resolve has held, ending with each envoy returning back to their home realm empty handed.
From where I sit upon my throne I am able to see most of Helheim and parts of Niflheim; day after day I have sat here and observed how the grey mists thicken and watch as the few immortal creatures become more erratic and violent against one another. Narrowing my eyes I watch as yet another envoy begins appears in the distance beginning its journey towards my home; within seconds I had made my decision.
Standing up and adjusting my cloak to cover the left side of my face I descended down the steps from my throne; the few shades present in the corridors of the palace bowed as the sconces lit themselves. Moving quickly and silently through the labyrinth of corridors I was unable to prevent my thoughts going back to the words Skuld spoke to me when I was a child.
'The Queen of the dead shall give in little one, oh how glorious the alliance shall be. A half-dead Queen and her army of the dead beside the residents of Frost, still a Queen in her own right and as glorious as her father. The King himself shall greet the Queen, both of the same blood and both with the same desires. Not of power little one but of family. Oh how important family shall be for the greatest moment in the history of the realms.'
Taking one last step I stopped before the large intricate doors that symbolised the entrance to Helheim; raising a hand I placed it over my chest and willed my heart to slow its rapid beating. Closing my eyes for a brief moment and taking a deep calming breath I pushed myself forward; the large stone doors swinging open without assistance revealing the cracked stone steps to me for the first time in many years. I noticed with some amusement that the Jotuns froze in their tracks, all but one kneeling down crossing one arm over their chest in a sign of respect. On either side of the staircase the large dragon shaped torches flared to life casting an eerie light across the mist; illuminating them in a way that I had never seen before.
Lifting the edges of my dress I walked down the grand staircase and approached the pale beings; as I got closer I was able to distinguish their bright blue eyes and the large horns upon the head of the only one standing. Coming to a stop just before him I stood tall and waited for him to speak first.
"Queen Hel, it is an honour." He greeted with a bow of his head "I am King Laufey of Jotunheim"
"An honour" Inclining my head respectfully towards him "I do request an explanation for your personal appearance though Laufey. You have sent many envoys to my realm yet I have sent each back with a decline to your offers, so tell me what does possess you to travel to my realm personally?" Laufey seemed to be taken back by my words but quickly corrected his stance and looked directly into my one visible eye
"The Allfather has become too comfortable in his tranquillity, allowing himself to become blind to the chaos and anarchy in the other realms not including ours of course. It is time the Son of Bor is removed from his pedestal; only together can we make this ambition true. The rulers of two of the greatest realms; with warriors insurmountable in numbers and skill. With an alliance between our two realms we can raise an army larger than has ever been seen throughout the nine realms, together we can obtain power far greater that even we can imagine. Jotunheim can finally obtain its freedom from Odin's fist and you shall be free from this prison." With every word Laufey had taken a step closer until he was mere inches from myself distinguishing the height difference between us; taking a step backwards I inspected him for any sign of treachery but was unable to find one.
"Shades and Jotuns working together" I hummed walking around him slowly watching his body language "Two worlds combined in the battle against the Gods." Chuckling darkly I smirked at him from behind my cloak "Such a suggestion would be enough to warrant an execution Laufey" The Jotuns kneeling stiffened at my words casting wordless glances to one another "Should the Allfather hear such words death would be certain."
Laufey narrowed his eyes and folded his arms across his broad chest "I should hope Hel that you are not insinuating anything." With another chuckle and a wave of my wrist I looked up at him.
"The Queen of the dead has nothing to fear from the living. I however have been waiting for the day Odin is removed from power and I am no longer prisoner within my own realm." Stepping towards him a dark sense of pride welled up within as a quick flash of fear appeared on his face before being concealed once more. "You know not of what you are starting Laufey. Nor do you know who you are suggesting an alliance with"
"Then show me and let me understand the implications of my words."
I laugh harshly "Very well Laufey" Reaching up I removed my hood revealing my half dead form to him and taking a sick satisfaction at the reaction gained. "You have made a deal with death Laufey and let me assure you such a thing cannot be taken lightly." Reaching a skeletal hand out I placed it upon his face "When dealing with death agreements and the like cannot be broken less your soul becomes mine Jotun." Withdrawing my hand I watched as a range of emotions ran through his gleaming crimson eyes.
"Such deals and sacrifices must be made."
"Indeed they must." Returning my hood to its original position I straightened myself up "Though the knowledge of what you are starting is lost on you, in time you will see the true implications of your words and what chaos shall be started." Once more he narrowed his eyes in suspicion "Think on my words Laufey." Turning around I slowly began to ascend the staircase calling back over my shoulder "Niflheim accepts the alliance with Jotunheim. We shall meet again on the eve of the third moon; I do hope you will not disappoint men Laufey. It would be a shame if I was to reap your soul for forgetting a simple meeting." Casting a glance down at the Jotuns from the entrance to Helheim I watched as Laufey bowed his head slowly.
"We shall meet again upon the arrival of the third moon Queen Hel. Until then."
"Until then Laufey King of the Jotuns." With that I walked inside Helheim once more the large doors swinging shut encompassing the halls in darkness and sealing the Jotuns out.