It wasn't hard for Angrboda to create a passable Aseir form for herself. She often traveled from realm to realm, hoping for a breif esccape from the cold of Jotunheim. She surveyed her new skin in the mirror.

The enchantress had the same snow white hair, but her crimson eyes were black as coal now. Her skin had turned from blue to unblemished mahogany, and her teeth were perfectly flat.

Helblindi, who had stayed the night to avoid the cold, wrinkled his nose at her. "I never understood how Aseir women became renowned for their beauty," he said.

"I think I look quite fetching," replied Angrboda. She gathered up the last of her belongings and turned to face Helblindi. "Once I arrive in Asgard, I will contact you as soon as I can. I shall remind you again that this will be a very slow operation. It will take time for me to get inside the palace, and even longer for the king and queen to trust me," Helblindi nodded at her words.

She handed him a silver dish. "When you return, fill this with water," she instructed, "It is how I will communicate with you." Helblindi inspected the dish and nodded. "I am not sure how often I will be able to contact you, but rest assured I am always working."

"Again, I thank you for your service," said Helblindi. Angrboda looked out the window. Sunlight had begun to filter down through the tree canopy. "I beleive the time has come," she said somberly. "Good luck," said Helblindi.

The witch stepped outside and took a deep breath. She began to murmur the incantation, feeling the Seidr flowing around her. Angrboda felt herself lift off the ground; it was as if she were light as a feather.

There was a loud crack, a blinding light, then she felt nothing at all. At last Angrboda felt solid ground under her feet. She opened her eyes and smiled triumphantly. She was in a warm feild, and she could see the golden palace before her.

Quickly she began to weave a concealment spell, for she had heard tales of Heimdall, and knew he would be watching her. The spell would blind him to her true form.

Angrboda shed her heavy cloak and set off towards the palace. As she walked she mulled over the plan she had made last night. The easiest way for her to get in the palace was to become a handmaiden or a serving girl, so she would start there.

Walking through Asgard was quite refreshing. It had been quite some time since she had traveled off-realm, and she was enjoying the sun tremendously. She didn't care for the city, though. Upon entering, her senses were assaulted with loud vendors calling people to their stands, smells of spices and perfumes that burned her nose. She hated the close proximity of the other people.

This is why I live in the woods, she thought miserably. She worked her way through the crowded streets with a scowl on her face. If someone bumped into her again she would surely scream.

At last she reached the doors to the palace. She took a deep breath and put on a smile. Angrboda sauntered up to the gaurds. "Good morning!' she said cheerfully.

"Good morning," replied a gaurd, gruffly.

"Would you be so kind as to let me in?"

"Why?"

Cheerful as an undertaker, this one, thought Angrboda. "I come seeking work," she explained, "I heard that the palace was seeking handmaidens." The gaurd turned to his companion. "I heard of no such need. Did you?" The other gaurd shook his head.

"Well, perhaps it is a mere rumour," said Angrboda, "but in any case, I would still very much like to see if any workers are required." She smiled sweetly in hopes of swaying them. The gaurd looked at Angrboda, then at his partner, then back at Angrboda. "Fine," he said lazily, "find another gaurd when you get inside, and they'll take you to wherever you need to go."

"Oh, thank you!" exclaimed Angrboda in mock giddiness. All this smiling was making her cheeks sore. She walked through the gate and was met with a set of stone doors with another set of gaurds. "Hello!" she chirped. "Hello," replied the gaurd, not quite as reppellent as the last one.

"I was told one of you would show me to someone I can talk to about work," she said. "Follow me," said the gaurd, opening a door. "Thank you!" said Angrboda. All it takes is a little concealment charm, and the Aseir let a Jotun walk right through their front door! she thought, smirking.

"What sort of job did you have in mind?" asked the gaurd.

"I had heard that there was a demand for handmaidens," she replied.

"You heard wrong," he said, "we are in need of ladies in waiting, so I am told." Angrboda smiled, genuinely this time. This would bring her even closer to the royal family.

"Well, I'm sure I could do that job as well," she said cheerfully. The gaurd led her through the labyrinth of the palace's halls and up spiraling flights of stairs. She was short of breath as they reached the top. "Are you all right?" asked the gaurd.

"Yes," panted Angrboda, "I'm just a bit tired." He led her to a room with a large wooden door. He grabbed the ornate knocker and slammed down with it three times. An older woman in a beautiful red gown answered the door.

"Yes?" she asked. The gaurd cleared his throat. "This young lady seeks a job as a lady in waiting. I thought you would be the one to talk to," he said. The woman looked Angrboda over with sharp, cold eyes. "I'll see what she can offer," she said, "thank you, you may go."

The gaurd left, leaving Angrboda alone with a woman who looked like she could spit fire. "Well, come in," she said strenly, opening the door further. Angrboda decided that she did not like this woman. "My name is Gudrun," said the woman. "I am Angrboda," she replied.

Gudrun motioned for Angrboda to take a seat. She looked around the room. It was quite sizeable, and more ornate than anything she had seen on Jotunheim. She sat down in the chair Gudrun had told her to. "Now," said Gudrun, "what brings you here?"

Isn't it obvious? thought Angrboda, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "I heard there was a demand for ladies in waiting, and I needed a job, so here I am," she said, doing her best to keep up the 'innocent teenage girl ploy'. Gudrun still looked at her suspiciously. "Where are you from?" she asked.

"I am from the northern farmland country," Angrboda explained, "I have no parents or husband, so I must make my own way." At least the last part wasn't a lie. Gudrun continued to stare her down. "What would make you worthy of becoming one of the Queen's ladies in waiting?"

The more this woman talked, the less Angrboda liked her. "Well, I can read," she said. Gudrun looked unimpressed. Just being able to read could get a person a lot of things on Jotunheim. Apparently, this was not the case on Asgard.

She began to grasp at straws. "I can sew a bit, I can read and speak Jotun." Gudrun's eyes widened. "You can read and speak Jotun?" she asked. Angrboda's heartbeat raced. She shouldn't have said that. Why did she say that?

"Ah...yes," said Angrboda nervously, "my parents had some books on the subject. I studied them as a child." Gudrun nodded. "Well, it appears you might be useful to us after all," she said, standing up, "follow me."

Angrboda followed her down more hallways and up more stairs. Angrboda's heartbeat quickened with every step. Would they discover her on the first day? Where was she taking her? She did her best to keep up the giddy fam girl routine.

Gudrun led her to a pair of enormous wooden doors. She knocked three times. "Come in," said another woman from the other side. Angrboda and Gudrun entered the room, or house, rather it seemed. They had stepped into someone's living room.

A woman with golden hair and a kind face stood in the center. "Good morning, Gudrun," she said. "Good morning, Your Highness," replied Gudrun. The woman nodded in Angrboda's direction. "Who is this?" she asked.

"She says her name is Angrboda," said Gudrun, "she wishes to become one of your handmaidens." The woman smiled. "How lovely," she said. Gudrun continued. "I was not impressed at first, but then she told me she could read and speak Jotun."

Angrboda supposed this woman was the queen, judging by the finery and the 'your highness'. She attempted to slow her heartbeat. She had lied many times to get what she wanted, but never to a monarch. She'd never expected to meet the queen this early, either.

The queen raised her eyebrows. "Can you, now?" she asked. Angrboda snapped out of her trance. "Y-yes, Your Majesty," she said shakily.

"And just how did you come across this skill?" asked the queen.

"My father fought in the Jotun-Aseir wars. He brought back some books from Jotunheim. He also said that he picked up some of the language. From there he learned the language and passed his knowledge on to me," she explained, hoping she sounded convincing.

The queen stared at her for a moment. "And why did your father feel that you would need such information?" she asked. Angrboda took a deep breath.

"He simply wanted me to have a solid education. He thought perhaps the knowledge would be useful to me one day," she said.

"It would seem that it has," said the queen. "Tell me, who was your father?"

Angrboda froze. "His name was Erik," she paused slightly, "Erik Ulfricsen." It was the most common name she could think of. Surely many men named Erik had served under the king.

The queen nodded slowly. "Well, then," she said, "we will see how you perform." She extended her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Angrboda Eriksdottir, I look forward to working with you."

Angrboda nervously shook her hand. "Thank you, your majesty," she said, now beaming. The queen turned back to Gudrun. "Show her to her new quarters, then you can begin training her," she instructed.

As she and Gudrun made their way down the hall, Angrboda allowed herself to feel as giddy as she made herself out to be. She had formulated a plan the day before arriving and it had actually worked!

She would have much to tell Helblindi tonight. At this rate Asgard would be on its knees in a year, perhaps two.