Hi Everyone. I hope you're enjoying the story thus far.
I've changed the rating on this story to M because it gets a bit dark.
Anyhoosits, I hope you like this chapter. Thanks everyone. :)
Annika trundled into the kitchen carrying the last basket of potatoes for the feast that evening. Covered in dirt and sweat, she brushed her hair out of her face. The cooks were busy chopping and preparing the meal, Annika's mother among them. She was looking drawn and thin, which worried Annika, but the high-pitched chatter of the serving girls entering the kitchen soon broke her thoughts. Annika rolled her eyes as she set to peeling the potatoes in her basket.
The purpose of tonight's feast was to officially present the young princes to Asgard. Annika thought the whole thing ridiculous, as there wasn't a person in the nine realms who didn't know of Prince Thor and Loki Odinson. Even the often blind Midgardians wove their own tales of the pair. It was explained to her rather tersely by one of the servers that Thor and Loki were now of age when they could now begin to attend to their royal duties such as diplomatic missions to other realms and getting married off, which was a cause for great giggling.
"Thor is so handsome and he's even stronger now that the AllFather has given him Mjolnir."
"Thor can wield his hammer with me anytime."
"Laila, that doesn't even make sense," Annika piped up.
"Doesn't have to Annika. Thor is gorgeous and that's all that matters."
Annika leaned forward on the counter, holding her peeling knife in her hand.
"Laila, these potatoes are deeper than you."
Laila sneered. "Don't be so bitter Annika. You wouldn't know what to do with an Odinson if he dropped on your head."
"Well I'd probably be unconscious for one thing…"
"Annika Einarson, could you please keep that tongue still before someone cuts it out?" cried Klara. Annika stilled her voice even though she had many more insults to fling. She knew better than to anger the head of the kitchen staff. Annika resorted to glaring at the girls who were sniggering to themselves. She quickly finished with the potatoes in her basket and left the kitchen as quickly as the crowded room would allow. Annika disappeared into her quarters and sighed into the welcome silence.
After running hot water into her small tub, Annika removed her dusty clothing and untied her hair. The water was blissfully steaming and scented with oil that smelled like apples. Annika's mother had questioned why she didn't scent her water with exotic flowers like the other girls, but Annika had no explanation. Apples just suited her. Annika let the water surround her as she submerged her head. It wasn't easy given the size of the tub. In order to sink her hair into the water, Annika had to dangle her legs over the side. It never used to be like that, but Annika was finding her limbs seemingly longer everyday and it was becoming an awkward nuisance.
Once Annika felt sufficiently clean, she drained the muddy water and dried herself off. Evening had descended on the city and so Annika braided her hair down her back and changed into a fresh tunic and brown leggings. After carefully tying her green cloak around her shoulders, Annika slipped out of her room and down the hall towards the courtyard. Evening was the only time Annika could go riding, as she was always busy during the day. The daytime belonged to the nobility, but the night was hers alone. Frantic footsteps came bouncing up the hallway. Annika slipped into the shadows as another serving girl dressed in blue came running down the hallway, turning into the kitchen.
"Oh my goodness, Prince Loki is to die for…" Annika felt a little ill as a new round of jabbering erupted. She also felt a sharp stab of anger roll through her, which she found odd but quickly dismissed. Slipping into the courtyard, Annika made a break from the stables.
"Ori," Annika gently called out. Ori snuffled and pawed the ground, hearing his name on the wind. Annika smiled at her old friend as she petted his nose. As she was fitting the bridle over Ori's head, a crunching sound of foot on ground made both girl and horse turn to the shadows. Annika placed her hand on the dagger that was always on her belt.
"Who's there?" Annika called out. Perhaps it was the stable master. He was always drunk by this time, but maybe he had returned to the stables to sleep it off. Annika's breath caught in her throat as a shadow appeared and grew before her with two great horns rising in the darkness. Annika raised her dagger in the air.
"Show yourself!" she cried.
"Settle down Anni. It's only me."
Annika huffed and sheathed her dagger. "Loki, use your words once in a while will you?"
Loki emerged from the shadow and scoffed. "Anni you always say things to me no one else ever does."
Annika coughed out a chuckle and covered her mouth. "What's on your head?"
Loki looked indignant. "It's called a helm."
Annika pursed her lips together to prevent another laugh, but couldn't hide her grin.
"Oh…it looks great."
Loki couldn't hide his grimace. "Shut up Anni." He removed his helm and sat on the bench, running his fingers through his squashed hair. Annika moved to sit beside him and tried the helm on herself.
"This thing weighs a ton. No wonder you look so miserable."
"If only it were this stupid thing." Loki removed the helm from Annika and placed it back beside him. Loki leaned forward and sank his head into his hands. Annika nudged him with her shoulder.
"Come on Prince, talk to me. Tonight is your night."
Loki remained hunched over, but lifted his head from his hands.
"No, tonight is Thor's night. I'm just window dressing. The best I can hope for is getting married off to a royal who has all her teeth."
Annika furrowed her brow. "Sorry Loki, you're going to have to break it down for the peasant sitting beside you."
Loki looked slightly annoyed at Annika's inability to keep up.
"Thor will be king of Asgard. He's the oldest and has all the traits that these fools adore. I will never see the light of the throne, but I will still have all its responsibilities, perhaps even more."
"More than Thor?"
Loki nodded. "Do you really think Thor is capable of negotiating peace treaties or revising policy…or having anything to do with good governance that isn't smashing things with hammers?"
Annika giggled softly. "I suppose you're right, but look at it this way." Loki straightened up, waiting for advice.
"It is a great honour to serve Asgard in any capacity, even if it's just harvesting carrots and potatoes. You have the opportunity to fashion a new era of Asgard and shape this world as you see fit. You can make anything happen with the power you will one day hold and Thor will support you, because he trusts your wisdom and council over all else. And if it all goes to pot, Thor will take the blame as king as you're still standing pretty albeit with a funny hat."
"Helm."
"Helm, my apologies. And one day, you will find the most beautiful and radiant woman in the nine realms. You will fall madly in love with her and she you. Do you know what you do then?" Loki tilted his head and Annika smirked.
"You just convince Thor that you should marry this woman to form a new political alliance." Loki laughed and leaned back against a timber.
"Anni, have you ever considered becoming a diplomat? You're almost as manipulative as I am."
Annika smiled. "Well it would afford me a bathtub I could actually fit into." Loki looked at her with confusion, but Annika waved her hand, ending that thread of conversation. They sat in silence for a brief while, enjoying the air of each other's company.
"You look very handsome by the way…even in your funny helm."
Loki smiled and Annika noticed a slight blush appear in his cheeks. In all their time together, Annika had never seen the Prince of mischief flushed.
Loki fumbled with his armour. "Are you dancing tonight?"
Annika shook her head. "The AllFather wanted something a little more highbrow so I believe you are getting the singers."
Loki's shoulders slumped. "Trust Father to take the boring way out."
"It is a shame. I've always enjoyed dancing at these celebrations."
"I've always enjoyed watching you," Loki smirked with a wink. Now it was Annika's turn to blush. She stood up and held Loki's helm out before him.
"Well, I believe you have a feast to get to and I want to go riding before the gates lock at midnight." Loki stood up and straightened out his armour.
"Now, put on your cow hat and go be the best prince you can be." Loki laughed and shook his head before returning his helm to his head. As Loki left for the great hall, Annika held onto Ori's reins and couldn't help but feel a little sad. Ori nudged her elbow, snapping her out of her daydreaming.
"Sorry Ori. Let's get out of here." Annika jumped onto Ori's back and once she had guided him out the gate, they took off into the fields and into the night.
Annika and Ori returned from their ride just as the last party goers were departing. As Annika walked back towards the servant wing of the palace, an odd feeling took her. Her stomach clenched like something terrible was about to happen. Suddenly her thoughts landed on Freya and Annika raced to their quarters as quickly as she could.
Annika threw open the doors to their chambers and breathed a sigh to find the room empty. That sigh quickly got stuck in her throat as she looked over and saw the balcony window open.
"Mother?" Annika walked carefully to the open balcony, fearful of what she would find. Annika clasped her hands over her mouth. Freya was standing on the balcony railing in her nightgown. Her arms hung lank at her sides and her head was bent low.
"Mother…p-please…please come back down." Freya turned to her daughter with an expressionless face and said nothing. Annika felt pained tears begin to streak her face. She wiped them quickly, trying to show bravery in a dire situation.
"Come back to me Mother. We can talk about this."
Freya continued to stare at her daughter. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Why?"
Annika choked back a sob. "Because I love you," she whispered, her voice full of fear. Annika held her mother's gaze as she slowly crept forward. Freya didn't seem to notice how close her daughter was approaching until their hands slid into each other. Annika's voice was hoarse with unspent tears.
"Please…" As if all her strength left at once, Freya collapsed off the railing in a heap. Annika caught her mother up in her arms and guided her to the floor without injury. Freya wept heavy, muddy sobs.
"Anni…it hurts…it hurts so much." Annika cradled Freya's head in her arms and rocked her back and forth gently.
"I know…I know it does. I'm here. Don't be afraid. Everything is going to be all right." Annika wasn't sure whom she was trying to convince.
When Freya's sobs had dissolved into soft cries, Annika helped her mother to stand and guided her towards the bed. Freya sat down, exhausted with emotion and made no struggle as Annika turned her mother's legs into the bed and under the quilts. As Freya's head sank into the pillows, Annika crawled in next to her and smoothed her hair away from her face. As Freya's breathing evened out, indicating sleep descending, Annika sang gently, soothing herself more than anyone. After her father died, Annika assumed that her mother had gone into deep mourning, but this was something else. This was unfamiliar and it pained Annika that there seemed to be no solution. She had never heard of anyone so consumed with despair. The healers had no answers, nor did any of the endless books in the library. Annika knew that she alone would have to heal her broken mother. As Freya finally found sleep, Annika placed a small kiss in her hair, remembering the night Loki offered the same comfort. She slid down the bed and wrapped her arms around her mother, hoping that maybe in dreams, Freya could feel her love.