Thanks to MelindaMay, Lemomina, WintersSnowflake, and Guest for their reviews!

Re Guest: Thank you for pointing out my lack of warnings. I'm not entirely certain why I hadn't thought of those, but I really needed to have put warnings up to start with. I apologise for that. I have therefore changed the rating to M, and put a warning in the first chapter (it was too long for the description). Thank you again. If you have further suggestions for the warnings, please let me know.

#

Balder closed the book he had just finished reading and shut it, rubbing his temples. "My head hurts."

I'm sure it does. You are still fighting against me.

"What do you want?"

For you to stop fighting, so I can conceal my presence when that accursed son of Gaea arrives. Next book.

Even though he fought against the order, Balder's arms and hands moved of their own accord, pulling the book towards himself. He read the words on the first page without comprehending them. But his understanding wasn't necessary; the snake looking through his eyes was the true reader. Balder shuddered, trying in vain to break free.

This would be easier on you if you would stop fighting, Balder.

"I'll never stop fighting."

That is what they all say. But you will.

"No, I won't." His voice was a mutter. With an enormous effort, he managed to release his grip on the book, and it fell to the floor. Balder allowed himself a small grin of triumph... Until the throbbing headache became torturous, and his vision went white with pain. He completely forgot everything but the searing agony...

"...all right? Balder! Answer me!" A hand shook his shoulder. He slowly recognised his mother as the speaker.

"Uggh, Mor..." He had never felt so exhausted...

"Balder." Frigga bent over, stroking his head. "Are you alright?"

"What happened?"

"You fell off the roof!"

You jumped, actually.

Balder put a hand to his head. When he pulled it back, it was covered with blood. What have you done to me?

Just a simple demonstration.

"What were you doing up there?" Frigga helped him sit up; his head throbbed.

"I..." Balder bent over, nausea overcoming him. "I don't remember."

You will soon. You will tell her that you saw some pretty flowers, and thought of Nanna. Balder could almost see the snake's green eyes laughing at him. Either that, or you will tell her that you are feeling too much pressure with the wedding and you were trying to kill yourself, and then you will break it off with sweet Nanna and ease your broken heart in a brothel for three days and nights.

"There were flowers, I thought I saw flowers," Balder blurted, almost before he realised it. "I wanted to get them for Nanna. I... miscalculated the distance."

Frigga helped him stand; he leaned on her. "Come on, we'll take you to the healing rooms. Again."

"Thank you, Mor," Balder tried to straighten, but couldn't. What else did you do to me?

Nothing much. But now you see what I can do.

Balder closed his eyes. It won't hide you from Atum.

No, it won't. So that is why you're going to stop fighting me.

Never.

Then the next time you awake you'll be standing over your beloved's mutilated body.

The image came to his mind of Nanna's blue eyes glazed, faded. Blood trickled down from her perfect lips. Her hair had been ripped off; her body was stripped naked and cut open, flayed like a butchered animal, an expression of horror and betrayal and pain etched into her face. Balder gasped, bending half over.

"Balder?" Frigga tried to support more of his weight; they both staggered.

"My head just hurts, Mor." Don't hurt Nanna. Please.

I am going to kill her, Balder, the snake replied, almost gently. I am going to kill her, her sisters, her mother, your brothers, and everybody related to my dear sister. I am going to kill your mother, your father, your realm will be ash. Don't fret, dear boy. I will kill you, too, once my work is done.

Balder stumbled and fell to his knees. No! He screamed in his mind, because he couldn't make his mouth move.

"Balder? Balder, are you alright?"

"Yes, Mother," the snake answered for him. "It's just my head."

Why would I help you if you're going to kill us anyway?

There is a difference, my dear Balder, between killing a man and torturing him until he gives up the ghost because he simply hasn't the will to keep himself breathing.

Sweat broke out on Balder's forehead. Please.

There is no use in begging, Balder. I do not change my mind so easily as that. I have been planning this since before Asgard existed.

So what is this?

Revenge.

For what? What did I do to you?

Nothing. The snake let out an exaggerated sigh. I told you a moment ago that I have been planning this since before Asgard. This has nothing to do with you, Balder. It's just happy coincidence that my crown fell into your hands. Such a perfect puppet. Naive, innocent, beloved by many. Nobody will ever suspect you of deviance.

For what? Revenge on who?

My sister. Gaea. Dear, sweet, pretty Gaea who is so kind, so gentle, so loving. You call her Jord.

Jord. Balder's heart nearly stopped. If the snake was Jord's brother... One of the Elder Gods... Set.

Yes?

Balder's heart pounded. He remembered talking with Nanna. Set is my grandmother's brother. A giant seven-headed snake, one of the most powerful beings in the universe. Not just the nine realms, but the worlds beyond as well. He's almost as old as Grandmother, and she's practically older than the stars. He couldn't breathe. Set was bent on the destruction of the whole universe. You are-

Yes.

And in an instant, Balder knew that there was nothing he could do. Asgard would fall. Everybody he loved would die. Frigga was eying him concernedly- was his despair etched on his face? What would Set make him tell her if she asked what was wrong? When Atum comes here, he thought in Set's direction, I will tell him what you plan.

He will kill you.

I know. It's how it should be.

Ah, Balder. Naive, brave Balder. It is not your time to die yet. My plans will go forward. And if you consider telling Atum again... the image of Nanna's mutilated body came into his mind again. I can make you watch. Every day my hold grows stronger. Soon, Balder, very soon, what little will you have left will be gone. But do not fret. Your headaches at least will disappear.

Tears pricked Balder's eyes. He'd never felt so helpless... would it be better to just give in? This... thing would not give up...

Yes, Balder. Give up. Let go of hope. Stop fighting me, and I swear your family's death will be far less painful than if you continue fighting.

Balder's head hung. Very well, he thought, utterly defeated. I am your slave.

Good. Now I have a few things that I require you to do... but do not worry. I will still let you have your wedding, and your wedding night. Now tell your mother that you wish that Loki would come a little early, so that you and he might talk.

"Mother," Balder said obediently. "I wish I could talk to Loki... you don't suppose he'll come to the wedding a little early?"

Frigga pulled her youngest along. "I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."

Good.

"Good." The snake made Balder raise his head and walk on his own feet. "Good."

He felt sick, hating himself, but there was no other way... What do you want with Loki?

All in good time.

#

Sigyn knocked on Freyja's door and walked in to find her mother sitting rigidly on her bed, eyes and nose red, but no longer crying. She sat down next to her, and was quiet for a long time. A bracelet was sitting loosely in her hands.

"Mor?"

Freyja turned and embraced her daughter. "Sigyn... I'm so sorry... If I had known..."

Sigyn leaned into her mother's embrace.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I.." Sigyn trailed off. "I was going to, that same night, but... you had company, and I just... couldn't." She hung her head. "I'm sorry..."

Freyja smoothed her daughter's hair and kissed her forehead. "No, it is I who should be sorry. I should have... Whenever Njord came to Asgard, he would get drunk and... sometimes he found the way to the house and would mistake me for Mother. He always came to his senses, though, or at least I was able to knock him out until he sobered. I never thought..." Freyja started to cry again, pulling her daughter into her arms. "My baby. My precious baby. All I wanted to do was keep you and your sisters safe. And now... How many times?"

"Just once," Sigyn replied in a low murmur.

"But did he do the same to any of your sisters? And Hnossa lived on Vanaheim..."

"I think it was just me... Mor, he said it was my fault, that I made him drunk, the night of Var's wedding..." Sigyn's eyes burned. "That's why I can't tell anyone. No-one will believe my version of events over his..."

"I do," Freyja told her fervently. "You uncle does. Anybody who matters will."

"No. Odin would never convict him, even if he did believe me."

"Odin can die for all I care!" Freyja took a deep breath. "The people who matter will believe you, Sigyn. Know that."

Sigyn's gaze fell into the bracelet in her mother's hands. "I don't recognise that. Where did you get it?"

"Never mind the bracelet." Freyja set it aside. "Sigyn, about your father..."

Sigyn held her breath.

"I am going to tell you. I promise, I will. Just give me a little time."

"But... why did you have to lie? I don't understand... all I want is a name!"

"Names are dangerous, Sigyn. Your father... I love him. I have all my life. But not as a lover. It makes things... complicated. Please, Sigyn. Please. I just need to... I need to sort out my brain." Freyja bit her lip. "I love you. I have always loved you."

Sigyn looked down at her hands. "So you're saying I was an accident."

"I love you."

"Love doesn't solve problems, Mor."

"Maybe not... I think you'd better go find your Uncle Frey. Make sure he's not going to do anything foolish."

Sigyn sighed heavily, managing to embrace Freyja before walking out of the room. Why can't she just tell me who my father is? she wondered as she went to find Frey.

#

Freyja stared at her bedroom door, her eyes brimming. How can I tell her? She will never understand... neither will he. That thought made her go cold. If Sigyn's father found out the truth... any progress they had made at rebuilding trust since that night would collapse, possibly irreparably.

A knock made her look up; Frey was standing in the doorway. She attempted a smile at him, one that he didn't return. He slowly came to sit beside her. "Freyja."

"She doesn't need revenge."

"Njord needs to die."

Freyja picked up the jeweled bracelet again. "I'm taking care of it."

Frey's brows raised. "I didn't think you'd go that far."

"He raped her. He deserves what's coming to him. And nobody challenges the god slayer."

"Except you," Frey managed a small smile and kissed her forehead. "Come downstairs soon, will you? Gerda wants me to take her to the beach. You know how she doesn't like going out by herself. People stare."

"She is half Jotunn."

"She is the girl of her dreams." Frey smiled. "I never thought... maybe I will be a father someday after all."

Freyja smiled at him until he left, and then the smile faded. She looked back down at the bracelet in her hands. It had been a gift from her brother, Atum, a long, long time ago, before everything went wrong. She fastened it onto her wrist. Maybe judges and juries would not believe Sigyn over Njord, but if they could not get justice, the least they would get was the assurance that Njord would never hurt anybody again.

"Atum," she whispered into the jewels on the bracelet. "I need your help."

Nothing to do but wait now, she told herself. She had never had any way of knowing if her requests had been heard, but the bracelet had never failed before. But what could she tell him when he came? The truth of Njord's actions would seem the easiest choice, but Sigyn would never forgive her for revealing it to anyone else...

Then she won't know that I've told anyone. Freyja thought decisively. Njord needs to pay.

Freyja put the bracelet away. It could takes minutes or days for Atum to arrive. She straightened herself up and went back downstairs. All her daughters were coming to dinner. She needed to get it started.

#

"Heimdall?" Sif shouted, tapping her foot impatiently. She had been waiting for at least half an hour. "Open the bleeding bifrost already!"

"Bleeding bifrost? Is that a new feature that I'm not aware of?"

Sif turned to see Loki striding towards her. He was dwarfed by his wife at his side. Angrboda had grown to be at least twice as tall as him since Sif had last seen her. She gawked openly.

Angrboda laughed lightly at her expression. "I am half-fire-demon, Lady Sif. I can alter my size at will." Her form rippled as if fluid, then she was the same height as Loki, although her clothes were baggy. She rippled again and resumed her former size.

Sif remembered to close her mouth when Loki laughed at her. He glanced at the sky.

"Trouble with the Bifrost?"

"Yes, I've been waiting for some time, I don't know why... and that smirk on your face means you obviously do." Sif folded her arms. "Out with it, Loki."

Angrboda snorted. "Your friends know you too well!"

Still wearing his arrogant smirk, Loki explained. "Mother spoke to me mind-to-mind a while ago. Apparently Balder wishes to see me, so we are journeying to Asgard somewhat earlier than planned."

Sif frowned. "But what of your... ritual that you told me of?"

"It is complete." Angrboda said flatly, ignoring the slightly dismissive tone of Sif's voice.

Further discussion was cut short as the Bifrost descended.

Re-orienting themselves after the dizzying journey, Loki hovered protectively near Angrboda, whose hand was on her stomach. She smiled reassuringly at him. Sif wondered what that was about. Could she actually be...? That would be an interesting spectacle: Loki as a father!

Thought of that was put out of her mind as she saw Thor standing beside Heimdall. As always, her heart jumped a little on sight of him, and a smile spread across her face, which he returned, before striding forwards to greet Loki, bowing to Angrboda. Loki smiled warmly on sight of his (technically uncle) brother. He was about to speak when Thor swept him up in a crushing embrace. Sif and Angrboda shared mutual eye-rolls at the display.

Loki shook his head when Thor released him. "Good to see you too, Thor." A wry smile appeared on his face. "Enthusiastic as ever!"

Thor shrugged, unabashed. "I'm just glad to see you- both," he amended hastily for Angrboda's benefit. "Especially since... you remember what we discussed, Loki, on Jotunheim, when we explored Far-"

"Yes, I remember." Loki cut in. "What of it?"

"I overheard Lady Freyja say something about Atum possibly appearing here soon. I do not know quite why, but perhaps you could tell him about that... thing."

Loki nodded gratefully. "I will, thank you."

Angrboda's face was shrewd: Sif's outright puzzled. The warrior-woman vowed to get some details out of Thor later.

Thor shook himself. "What am I thinking? You've just arrived, you'll want to refresh yourselves before seeing our family. Come, I'll show you to your rooms." He took Sif's hand, and began walking, heading towards the palace, beckoning to his brother and sister-in-law to follow him.

"Why must everything in Asgard be so shiny and golden?" Angrboda complained as they walked. "It's enough to make me blind."

"It is rather bright," Loki agreed, squeezing her hand. "But it's beautiful."

"Hmm." Angrboda muttered in a non-committed way. "Speaking of beauty, do you think that I'll be able to see your fat companion while we are here?"

Loki laughed. It had been a long time since Sif had heard him actually laugh genuinely! She glanced at Thor to see him beaming.

"Volstagg is currently visiting his wife's family on Alfheim," he informed the Jotünn king. "But he will be returning before the wedding."

"He is married?" Angrboda sighed, sounding disappointed. "Ah, well. I suppose the court would not be pleased if I had two small pink husbands, no matter how handsome the fat one is."

Sif's brows rose into her hairline. "Do Jotünn women marry more than one man?"

"If she is the king or queen," Loki replied. "By tradition, both Angrboda and I may marry as many times as we wish. Which means if you get tired of Thor…" He winked teasingly.

"How severe an incident would I cause if I broke your nose?" Sif replied swiftly.

Loki and Thor chuckled, but Angrboda frowned.

"Lady Sif, please keep in mind that my husband is the first queen of Jotunheim, and any attack on his person would be considered an attack on the realm itself. Unless of course this is some sort of bizarre mating ritual and it is as common on Asgard as it is Nidavellir for brothers to share their women."

Sif opened her mouth, but didn't know how to respond.

Angrboda laughed. "A jest, Lady Sif."

The warrior rolled her eyes. "You two really are well matched, aren't you?"

Loki smiled fondly at his wife. "Indeed we are."

#

Loki's good humour faded into anxiety as they reached the palace. It had been so long since he had last been here, and under such different circumstances! Thor glanced back as though sensing his brother's mood and smiled reassuringly. He stopped and waited until Loki and Angrboda were equal with him and Sif, and then the four of them strolled into the palace together.

"So, where are you putting us?" Loki asked mildly. Angrboda's grip was tight on his hand, though she gave no other indication of nervousness. "In my old quarters or the chambers reserved for visiting dignitaries?"

"Your old quarters have been converted into chambers designated for visiting kings and queen from Jotunheim," Thor replied. "Or rather, they are being added to. They aren't quite finished… but unfortunately King Njord from Vanaheim – Sif! You're crushing my hand!"

"Sorry," Sif muttered, loosening her grip.

"What was that for?"

"Nothing."

Loki had been able to control himself better than Sif, but a quick glance at Angrboda showed him a frown on her face; she clearly saw the storms in his eyes.

"Njord's here, anyway. Steadily working through Father's stores of ale."

This time Angrboda's hand tightened. Loki squeezed reassuringly, knowing that she was thinking about her experiences with men who drank copious amounts of ale. She still had some scars on her back and legs from Laufey's worst bouts of alcohol-induced rage. She gave him a brief smile, which he tried to return. He would like to gut Njord like a fish – he suppressed the thought. It would put Jotunheim and Asgard both in a terrible situation, the worse for Jotunheim. It would put Angrboda in danger. While he was here, though, he hoped that he would be able to talk to Sigyn…

"Here we are."

Loki's brow rose. He would never have recognized this hall had Thor not told him it was being redesigned. The ceilings had been raised by ten feet, doming rather than arching. The doors to his room had been replaced by large, intricately carved and silver-plated doors made in the lesser image of the entrance to Odin's throne room. They were easily more grand then the doors leading to the chambers of visiting dignitaries!

"Njord must be furious that I get a fancier entrance than he does."

Thor smirked. "Go inside."

Loki did so, and his jaw dropped. "Where are all my things?" he wailed, sounding far more infantile than he intended.

"Mother had them moved until the work is done. I think she means to ask you if you wish to take anything to Jotunheim with you. Father plans to take that wall back another thirty paces, and to run water straight from the glacier runoff to the bathing room, and pipe it through the floors and walls, bypassing the furnace."

"To keep the room as cool as possible?" Loki muttered. "That is…"

"Very thoughtful." Angrboda wandered into the room. It was near empty except the giant-sized bed. She looked up and her jaw dropped.

Loki followed her gaze and his jaw dropped again. Thor chuckled. The ceiling had been painted deep blue, with pinpricks of yellow stars in the constellations of Jotunheim. It was so detailed that it could almost be real.

"We should leave you two to freshen up before the Allfather requests your presence," Sif said, pulling on Thor's hand.

Just then, Balder came bounding into the room. Loki grinned widely as his brother launched a hug attack.

"Whoa, Balder!" Loki laughed, bracing himself. "Not so tight!"

"I've missed you," Balder said.

"I have missed you as well, little brother." Loki stood back to get a better look at Balder. And frowned. The youngest Odinson had lost a significant amount of weight, his skin was almost as pale as Loki's, and he seemed to have aged a decade since Loki last saw him. "Balder, are you alright?"

Balder laughed, somewhat embarrassed. "I keep doing stupid things. I just fell off the roof a few hours ago trying to get flowers for Nanna. Don't worry for me, brother. I'll start taking better care of myself. Have you figured out my present yet?"

Loki reached into his pocket and pulled out the box. "I have spent hours staring at this thing, and I can't get it open. Maybe I can get a hint?"

Balder huffed in annoyance, and took the box. Loki watched carefully as Balder enveloped the box with both his hands and muttered an incantation. His hands glowed slightly, and when he opened them, the box had hinges and a lid.

"I didn't even know you knew that spell." Loki took the box and laughed. "You've been studying, little brother, havn't you?"

"I certainly have."

"Go on, then, open it." Angrboda prodded his side. "I have been intensely curious since you received it."

Loki opened it, and frowned. "Um… well, that is a beautiful ring, Balder, but it is a better fit for a woman than me."

Balder rolled his eyes. "The box is for you. The ring is for my sister in law. I had three of them made." He plucked the jade ring from its velvet cushion. "I thought it would be nice for Nanna, Sif and Angrboda to have matching rings."

"It is beautiful, Prince Balder," Angrboda said, "and I am immensely grateful for your consideration. At this time, however, I am going to have to decline to wear it."

Balder's countenance fell. "Why?"

Loki and Angrboda glanced at each other. Sif glanced at Thor and Balder; they seemed completely clueless. But maybe she was just reading too much into it…

"It's a supers-" Loki cut himself off. "Tradition. It's a tradition."

"What sort of tradition?"

Loki hesitated, but he couldn't stop the beaming smile from breaking across his face. "We should probably tell Mother and… Father first."

Thor's shoulders slumped at Loki's reluctance to refer to Odin as 'father' still, but he supposed that he would just need to be patient.

"Tell them what?"

"It is said that a woman who carries a child should not wear jade. It might give the child the mind of another."

Balder and Thor still looked confused. Loki's grin grew wider.

"Angrboda and I are expecting a child."

Balder's eyes went wide, and a grin broke across his face and he pulled his brother and sister-in-law into an embrace. Thor grinned like a fool, slapping Loki on the back and congratulating both of them. Loki noticed Sif slipped away, but didn't say anything.

"Balder, let Angi go. She doesn't really like hugs that much."

"Sorry." Balder beamed. "I'm going to be an uncle! This is great!"

"It is a happy day. But we should leave you alone, to prepare for your meeting with Mother and Father," Thor said, putting a hand on Balder's shoulder. "I will see you later?"

Loki nodded. After they were gone, he turned to Angrboda. "Those are my brothers."

"You're lucky. To have them."

"Yes, I am. And I'm lucky to have you."

Angrboda rolled her eyes and swatted his arm. "Let's get 'freshened' before we're summoned before Odin."

"Yes. Let's. But I mean it. I'm lucky to have you."

She flushed turquoise and turned away.