ii. meeting
The older god crouched next to him and patted his head comfortingly. "That is just how things are."
"Could you fix it?" the fire-haired boy asked. "You know these things better than anyone, Thanatos."
"No one can stop fate," He stood, taking the soul from the dead prince.
"Then…" Aqua eyes met black ones. "Could I try?"
"You? Bring someone back to life?" the reaper said, doubtfully.
"I could try!" the boy puffed out his chest. "I'm a healer after all!"
The elder chuckled and tossed the soul to him. "Knock yourself out."
He placed it back over the open wound in his friend's neck, and rubbed his hands together. Focus, he thought. Remember what Chiron taught you. He took a deep breath and hovered his hands over the soul. He felt a warmth travel from his palms through his fingertips and out. He thought of the prince's beautiful face, and sweet laugh, the wonderful things they did together, sneaking out of the castle and swimming in the lake in the woods, archery contests, and kitchen thievery. He opened one eye to find his friend, still lifeless. Turning to the older god, he found Thanatos' usually stoic face in a state of shock.
"Did...did I do something?" the boy asked expectantly.
The reaper resumed his facade. "No...no, of course not." He looked from the redhead to the corpse and back again. "You should head back. Your mother is probably worried sick."
"Oh...alright," The younger god left one last kiss on the prince's cheek, before getting up and walking away. The elder watched him disappear over the hill before kneeling down and plucking a single blue flower from the ground. Hades will want to know about this.
He woke to the sound of someone banging on the door.
"Lord Apollo! Lord Apollo, it's time to get up!" The door opened slowly, and a chubby face peeked through. A stout woman with short dark hair and rosy cheeks that match the red of her dress stepped in, carrying a tray of food. She placed a hand on her hip and huffed "Lord Apollo, I realize that it might be dark out, but you still must get up and eat!"
"I'm up…" He muttered, sitting up and running his head.
The woman smiled. "Good! Now, I have-"
"How...how did you open the door?" he asked, staring at the open entranceway behind her.
She tutted her tongue. "Ganglati forgot to show you, did he? It's simple, just believe that it will open and it will."
The sun god stared at her dumbly. "What?"
"It's that simple."
"No locks, no deadbolts?"
"None," She let out a small laugh. "It's alright, we respect each other's' privacy."
He pressed his lips together into a doubtful frown. Noticing his disbelief, she explained. "The entirety of Niflheim runs on magic. Your kind know about magic, yes? Well, Lady Hel, bless her soul, built the entire thing from the ground up. She really is a lovely girl when you get to know her. Before she came here, the Niflheim was a frozen wasteland, but she made it beautiful and green."
"And then it froze again," Apollo finished.
"Well…" she darted her eyes, the same look flashing across her face that Ganglati had the day before. She quickly resumed her cheerful exterior. "I'll just leave your breakfast here." She placed the tray on his bureau and wiped her hands on her apron. "If you need anything later, just ask for Ganglöt!" She went to close the door behind her, but stopped. "Also, one more teensy little thing. Lady Hel has requested that you join her for dinner this evening. Alright, goodbye!" She quickly shut the door behind her.
"You invited him to dinner?" Hel said, as her servant braided her hair back. "Why would you do that?"
"If he is to be your king, it's beneficial that you two get to know each other," Ganglöt retorted. "Besides, it will make him feel welcome."
"He's not really going to be my king," Hel shot back. "He's a pawn, a bartering piece, nothing more."
The pudgy woman frowned as she smoothed her Lady's raven hair. "Bartering chip for what exactly? Odin said-"
"I know what Odin said!" Hel's voice shook the room, and even the people in the tapestries seemed afraid. Noticing the room's sudden change in atmosphere, she took a deep breath and repeated herself. "I know what Odin said."
"Then why fight it?" her servant offered. "Why don't you just accept what's right in front of you?"
Hel gritted her teeth. "I was barely even a girl when he took everything from me. I had no say, no trial. He killed my mother, took me from my father and brothers, ridiculed and outcast me, and you expect me to just forgive him?"
"He was doing what had to be d-"
"He killed someone who did nothing wrong! He imprisoned me when I had no knowledge of my crimes! He wanted me to die!" Hel screamed. The people in the tapestries seemed to stop what they were doing to watch the scene in front of them. She got up and began to pace. "I have to get out of here. I can't stay stuck in a place doomed to be forgotten."
Ganglöt stared at the floor. "I see."
The queen noticed her servant's sudden drop in mood. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like-"
"No, no, it's fine. I understand," The woman looked up at her. "I'll go attend to my duties now." As quick as a rabbit darting from a hungry wolf, she slipped out the door.
It's just dinner, right? There's nothing to be afraid of, he thought to himself. Then why are my hands shaking? He tugged at the sleeve of his new coat, one of the many articles left over in the bureau in his room, and opened the heavy oak door.
A fire immediately lit up the room. The dining hall was bigger than the meeting hall on Olympus. It was papered with deep red wallpaper with dark pine crown. The long umber table was so glossy, he could see every detail in his reflection. A gilded chandelier hung from the ceiling, taller than himself, with innumerable candles. He took a seat in one of the only two chairs, with red cushions and wood that matched the table. He clutched his hands together and waited.
As if on cue the candles dimmed and the fire strengthened, basking the room in a warm glow. The door opened slowly, revealing the queen on the other side. She wore a large red dress, with long black sleeves and matching gloves. Her dark hair was done up in an intricately braided bun, with a delicate silver tiara. She didn't greet him, or even look at him, just walked over to her seat and sat down across from him.
Servants poured out of the walls, placing down heavy steins of spiced mead, pitchers of cold water with mint and lemon, glasses of wine so red, it looked like they were about to drink blood. They placed down platters of meatcakes drizzled with berry jam, roast pork covered in thick, rich gravy, and strong smelling mutton soup, with carrots and potatoes. Baskets of warm whole wheat rolls with freshly churned butter and bowls of seasoned mashed potatoes were placed to his left. He gawked in awe of the feast, glancing at Hel, to find her gaze flicking away. He quickly began piling his plate, having not eaten in days. He listened to the sweet music that filled the air, as he chewed a bite of meatcake. It seemed to come directly from the walls themselves. It was a sweet, slow melody, unlike anything he's heard before, which surprised him.
"Nice music," he said. She didn't look up from her plate, instead taking a small bite of potato. He studied her carefully, her shoulders raised and her movements stiff, like a sculpture coming alive. As dessert was served (a rich raspberry-vanilla cream layer cake, with intricate picture of a small village on the sides in white chocolate), she had barely finished half her dinner.
After what seemed like ages of silence, he spoke up again. "Did you design this place yourself?" She stayed silent. He sighed in exasperation. "You're going to have to speak at some point! We talked yesterday, what makes today any different?" The silence fell over the room again, and he was afraid he had offended her in some way, before she spoke.
"This is business," she said quietly. "You don't need to know anything else."
"Then you don't have to speak," Apollo replied. "I'll talk and you can listen. I'll tell you everything about myself, as long as you return the favor somewhere down the line."
She looked up, which he took as a sign to begin.
"Dad!" A boy's voice rang through the temple. Zeus turned away from his conversation to see his son, a talented boy with hair like the sun, looking extremely upset, with his younger brother's wrist clutched tightly in his grasp. "Hermes stole my cows!"
"Nuh-uh!" The younger boy claimed, tugging his arm away. "I've been with my mom all day!"
"That farmer said he saw you!"
"Nuh-uh!"
"Yeah-huh!"
"Nuh-uh!"
"Yeah-huh!"
"Quiet down!" Zeus shouted. The boys immediately shut up and stared, each one expecting him to take their own side. The storm god kneeled down so that he was eye level with his dark-haired son.
"Hermes…" he began. "Did you or did you not take your brother's cattle?"
"I didn't!" He claimed. Zeus raised his eyebrows. Hermes seemed to sweat under the pressure.
"Okay I did!" He said quickly.
His brother's eyes widened. "I knew it!"
"Take your brother back to his cows, and I'll let you off the hook. Just please don't bother me again today," Zeus sighed, turning back to the other gods, who watched the whole display, amusedly.
The sun-haired boy stepped into the darkened cave. No light filtered in, and he could hear contented moo's of his cattle as a soothing tune fluttered through the air. "Hermes, where are you?"
The music stopped. "You're so slow!"
He stepped further into the cave and snapped his fingers. Immediately, a tiny flame appeared on his fingertip. His cows laid on the ground, sleeping soundly, and Hermes sat cross legged on a rock, a huge grin on his face, and a peculiar object resting in his lap.
"What is Zeus' name," the older boy began. "Is that?"
"Oh, this?" Hermes played a couple of quick chords on its strings. "Just a little something I made while I waited for you."
"It sounds beautiful…"
A mischievous look spread onto the younger god's face. "Okay, I'll give it to you then."
"Really?"
"If…" he started.
"If what?" The sun-haired boy furrowed his eyebrows questioningly.
"If you give me your cows!"
The older god looked shocked. "What? I can't do that!"
Hermes pouted. "Oh come on, sun boy! It's just a couple of measly cows! And besides…" The boy waved the instrument in front of him. "It's one of a kind!"
He pondered for a moment weighing his options, before opening his mouth to speak. "Okay."
She raised one dark eyebrow. "You traded a herd of cows for a silly harp?"
"It was a lyre, and yes, maybe it seemed foolish at the time, but look at me now. I can play nearly every instrument. I'm the patron of the arts!" He exclaimed.
"Patron of the Greek arts," she corrected.
"Well...yes," he said.
"Alright then," She stood up and smoothed out her skirt. "Thank you for the story and for joining me for dinner, but I must head back to my room now."
He stood up quickly. "Oh, no, it was my pleasure."
She gave a quick curtsy, and disappeared out the door.
"I don't trust him," the dark apparition said.
"You don't trust anyone, Vak," Hel replied, taking pins out of her hair.
"If you trust people you get hurt."
"You trusted me."
They went silent. She smirked as she loosened her corset. "He made an effort to try to get to know me."
"And you said nothing. He talked the whole time."
"He never lied though, not once. I was watching him.'
"So you trust a man who traded some very nice cows for an instrument."
"I wouldn't say 'trust', not yet at least. He seems nice enough though. He's adapting well."
"I'm just trying to protect you," they offered. "I'm going to find out more about him."
"Vakkerdod, don't you dare try anything funny! I need him unharmed, remember?"
"I know, I know." As they phased through the wall and disappeared into the next room, Hel hoped that Apollo wouldn't find the shadows looming too large as he shut off the light.
A/N Ugh this chapter is soooo awkward sounding. But it's whatever. Sorry for the wait!