A bit of a rushed chapter, but hey, I finally get something out in the open!
We arrived at the throne room, Astrid not pausing at the doorway this time. Everyone straightened up as we saw Odin sitting on his throne. Ollerus, Loki, and Astrid all bowed. Crap, I'm actually supposed to do that? I gave an awkward bow and made a mental note to apologize for not doing so the first time I was there.
Odin gave a look to his son standing next to him and Thor begrudgingly made his way over to us and stood next to Loki. I noticed Sif standing a few feet off from everybody else, her posture perfect, eyes trained on Thor.
"At least I know you two can stand within five feet of each other without starting a war," Odin said, rubbing his eyes with one hand. "In order to be just, I must hear both sides of the story. Thor, you may start."
He was silent, trying to figure out what he was going to say. Is he seriously going to try and lie his way out of this? Thor may have been a favored son of Odin's, but he was no Silvertongue like the man who stood next to me. If he were, he probably would have never pissed me off. Thor glanced over to where Sif was. She was glaring at him with an expression on her face that said, "Speak the truth or I will kill you."
"I… insulted the princess. She took offence, as she should have, and challenged me to a duel. I stupidly accepted. She defeated me and I continued to insult her behind her back until Lady Sif put me in my place. It was entirely my fault." He looked at his feet the entire time, his face a bright red. Sif smirked and I stared at him in shock. What had she done to the man? I had to learn how to do it!
Odin turned to me. "Do you have a different version of events Niorun?" I shook my head no, still not capable of speech after the drastic change in Thor's attitude. He asked Ollerus and Sif to confirm the story and they both did. He sighed and tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I must say, I did not expect this to happen at all, but since it did, punishment must be handed down. Niorun, you are still new to the court so I will give lenience this time, but do not expect me to be so kind the next time you challenge someone because of their petty statements. Thor, however, you should know respect by now, particularly to your sister. A day in the kitchens. You are dismissed." Thor opened his mouth to protest and shut it when Sif shot another glare at him. He walked out, his hands hanging limply at his side, not meeting anyone's gaze.
"You have caused quite a stir around here in a such a short amount of time. I had hoped for little conflict between your siblings, though I knew it was a stretch. It appears that I need to keep a closer eye on you." I restrained a chuckle. "I have set a schedule for you that shall leave you preoccupied for most of the day."
I took on the classic bitch position by crossing my arms and throwing one hip out. I looked at him like he was crazy. "You're giving me a schedule? You have got to be kidding me."
"I left you alone for one day and you managed to choke the future king into submission and nearly kill yourself in the process. It seems I have to!" I almost continued to protest when I felt someone squeeze my hand. Ollerus was avoiding my eyes. I tried to claim my hand back but he wasn't budging. I glared at him before turning back to Odin.
"Fine," I mumbled.
"Good. You will start out your mornings working with Sif on your basic battle techniques. At mid-day you will head to the archery range and work with Ollerus on improving your skills with a bow. I know of your interest in the field, so I thought it appropriate. When night falls, you will dine and then head straight to your room and spend the remainder of your night there. Astrid shall accompany you everywhere you go and ensure that you follow these rules. Perhaps you can learn to control your dream-walking. I would have you work with Frigga on your manners but I fear they are as refined as they can possibly get." I felt as if I should be insulted, but I couldn't be. He was right. I said my please and thank you's and that was about it.
"So I get to spend the entire night bored out of my mind? That's a useful and productive use of my time," I whined.
"Then find a useful and productive use of your time! I swear child you are more stubborn than Thor," Odin exclaimed.
Loki stepped forward. "Father, if I may, I believe there is something else that would be helpful to the kingdom that I could assist her with." I turned to him. He wasn't going to tell Odin about the circlet, was he?
"What is it Loki?" the Allfather asked, exasperated.
"I believe it is easier to show than tell," he said. As he finished the last word he spun on his heel and an icicle shoot from his hands. Straight at me.
I managed to scream "Shit!" before throwing my hands up in the air and shutting my eyes. I waited for the stabbing pain of the icicle to bite into me. But it never did. I slowly opened my eyes to see a pile of water at my feet. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and lowered my hands. Loki was smiling like an idiot. I grabbed his arm and dragged him to the side.
"One, what the hell! Two, I thought you didn't want Odin to know!" I whisper-yelled at him.
"I didn't until Odin required a pair of eyes on you at all times. I was going to help you in secret but that isn't possible anymore. I had full faith that you could stop me. And you passed wonderfully." He said the last part with a huge grin. I slapped him as hard as I could, effectively wiping the smile off his face.
"Don't do that again without warning me!" I whisper-yelled and stormed to my spot. Loki was holding the cheek I had slapped as if I had thrown acid on it.
"That certainly changes things…" Odin muttered. "The crescent moon that you wear on your forehead is a well known symbol for magic, though I had not thought so in light of your recent actions. Fine, Loki, you shall train Niorun in the art of sorcery at night, since you are the only sorcerer I trust. But avoid shooting things at your sister while training her."
Loki smiled painfully. "May we take our leave now Father?" he asked cordially.
"Yes, some of you need rest. Some of you need practice," he said. We all bowed slightly and made our way out of the throne room. Sif almost instantly split off into another hallway, shouting, "I expect you in the training room bright and early tomorrow!" with a wink. Loki was the next to leave, giving me an awkward one-arm hug before taking his leave. Ollerus and Astrid continued to walk at either side of me until we got to my room. I opened the door and they both followed me in. Ollerus glanced at Astrid pointedly and I sighed.
"Astrid, go get some rest. You haven't slept for 24 hours like I have. I'd like a private word with Ollerus anyway," I said with a smile. Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned red slightly. "What? It's not like I'm going to sleep with him or anything." This time Ollerus's eyes were bulging out of his head and Astrid giggled maniacally.
"Alright miss, good night Lady Jodi. I will see you in the morning," she said with a giant grin on her face. She walked out of the room and Ollerus turned to me.
"I did not know that Midgardians were so…frank," he said tentatively.
"I just say the things that others are afraid to," I smiled. "Onto business! Why have you been essentially stalking to me?"
"I have not been stalking you!"
"Then what do you call watching me as I slept after barely speaking three sentences to me?"
"Though my actions seem less than cordial, it is not intended to be that way. Would you like the lengthy version or the short version as to explain them?"
"Short version please. Despite my protests I think that Astrid won't believe me if we stay in here long." He chuckled.
"I think not." Silence engulfed the room as he thought of what he was going to say next. He was certainly strange, going from kind and caring to prideful and pushy and back again, all in a matter of minutes. On Midgard, he probably would have been diagnosed with some mental disorder. His type probably would have had me running for the hills (which I kind of did) but there was a reason for his actions. Something that he hadn't told me. Damn it all, I liked the mystery he brought. It intrigued me.
He paced back and forth and I sat down on the bed. I patted the space next to me and he gave a small smile as he took the seat. He stared off into space before mumbling something like, "I hope I do not anger the Norns," and turned to face me.
"The simplest way to explain is through a prophecy that has been with us since Borr lived, a prophecy that some waited thousands of years to see achieved. It is told to every Asgardian when they are a child. I do not know if Odin wanted you to know. Most likely not, at least not yet. It would be much to burden with the information already given to you. But I'd rather you stop looking at me like I am some elf gone mad, so may Odin forgive me for what I am about to tell you."
He took a deep breath and began in a low and quiet voice.
"The missing blood, taken without will, returned when her heart accepts rage,
Her humanity not allowing the kill, A world she never belonged to
Making her wiser for the age.
The hourglass begins to fall, the moment her spark is seen.
Time ticks away down the hall as the world prepares its queen.
Winter and the bow unite in one, to help the dreamer learn.
To hide the flame from a false sun, giving her love in return.
The end approaches nearer. No word must be wasted.
Winter's death should he fail, Dreamer's choice forever changed.
Two paths lay open; Eternal war or the loss of all,
The path only she can choose to decide Fate."
He finished and looked down at his lap, not wanting to meet my gaze.
"So you're the god of winter and archery?" He nodded. "And you're suppose to protect me from this false sun or you die?" Again he nodded. "And we're actually suppose to…um…" I couldn't even say the word now. He refused to look me in the eye, but I saw the confirmation on his face.
The glances at me, the questions when I was young, Thor's and Loki's different attitudes towards me, everything suddenly made sense. But what the hell did those last few lines mean? I decided Fate? Eternal war or the loss of all? I had gotten one more answer and opened up a thousand more questions.
"That's a lot to take in," I said after a while. Ollerus's fate depended on him protecting me. At least I knew why he was so freaked out about me being okay.
"I know. Do you wish to be alone?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yeah. I need to think about this on my own. I'll see you tomorrow at the archery range, alright?"
"Yes. Good night Princess," he said. He got up and kissed my forehead before leaving the room, not looking back once. Was that really necessary? I thought. I decided to let it go; he was just doing what he thought he was required to do.
I lay down on my bed, not intending on sleep but to more of faze out. I took out my old IPod and jammed the headphones into my ears. I put it on shuffle and the first thing that came up was Get Out Alive by Three Days Grace. I smirked. I was already holding on for my life, though it looked like I was going to have to grip tighter.