Chapter Eleven
Angrboda fell asleep after several hours, but she clung to Loki, even in her unconscious state. While she slept she slowly grew larger, although she only stayed about as tall as Loki himself was. He lay with his arms around her, his mind echoing numbly. Jotunheim, gone. He had finally found a place to belong and it was just... gone. He knew he should be sleeping, but it just was not going to happen. Hela began fussing in her crib. Loki got up to see to her before she disturbed Angrboda.
"You don't want to sleep either, little one?" He crooned, caressing the red hair softly. The depressing thought came to him that his daughter, born an heir to a throne, now had nothing to inherit.
"Doesn't matter," he whispered to himself. "As long as you grow up healthy and happy, right?"
There was a soft knock on the door, and Loki picked up Hela, afraid she'd start fussing again once he was out of sight, and went to it. He peered through and to his surprise saw Frey standing there.
"Lord Frey."
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
Loki blinked- he hadn't expected anyone except his family to show consideration for his feelings! But then, technically, Frey was family, so...
"I'm fine, thank you. At least, I will be."
Frey nodded, and smiled at little Hela, taking her little hand gently between his rough fingers. "She's a beautiful baby."
"Thank you," Loki answered stiffly. He didn't know his uncle very well, and didn't want to share this moment with him. "Is there anything else?"
"Actually, there is. Freyja has a bracelet that Atum gave her on her wedding day. It can be used to call him, if you want to-"
"Thank you, but..." Loki trailed off. "I don't know if I want to see Atum right now. I'm not sure I could handle it."
"I understand. Just know that it is an option."
Loki nodded stiffly. "I'll let you know if I change my mind."
Frey nodded, then shifted his weight awkwardly. "I know Atum isn't exactly easy to talk to... if you ever want to just talk, I..." He didn't complete the sentence, trusting that Loki would get the message.
Loki nodded, and then just blurted it out. "I wish Sigyn was here. I could always talk to her. Or she'd make me talk, one or the other."
"I could see if there's any way to send for her. Mother might know."
"Wherever she is, she's probably safer and happier away from here." Loki shook his head. "I just don't know what to do."
"Take time to mourn. You don't have to do anything right now."
Loki managed a grateful smile.
"I'm headed off to Vanaheim in a few hours, but when I return, let's talk," Frey offered.
Loki nodded once. "We can try."
Frey cleared his throat, and left. Loki returned his attention to Hela, not realising Angrboda had woken.
"He's a good man."
He looked up in surprise. "You're awake."
"Have been for a while." Angrboda slipped out of their bed and joined him, smiling at their beautiful baby girl. "You wish Sigyn was here?" Her voice was soft, almost stating fact more than anything else.
Loki nodded slowly. "She was my best friend growing up."
"I know."
"Having her here wouldn't change anything, I know that, I just..."
"Want something familiar." Angrboda's voice was sad. "I know how that feels."
He gently handed Hela to her and then wrapped his arms around her. "We're going to make it through this, together. I promise."
"You can't promise me that. You have no idea what's going to happen. We could both be dead tomorrow. So promise me that you'll do everything in your power to stay by my side."
Loki nodded firmly. "I will, I promise. I just found you, I'm not losing you anytime soon."
She managed a small smile. "Then I know that everything will be alright, eventually."
He nodded, reassuring himself as well as her. "Everything will be alright in the end."
"Even though you have to leave for a little while, in order to fight. To prevent other worlds from suffering as Jotunheim did."
Loki hesitated. "I don't have to leave."
"Yes. You do. To stop this happening to anyone else. I don't like it, but it's true. As long as you come back."
He pressed his face to her hair. "Always."
Angrboda breathed deeply. "And I will have my part as well. For Hela's sake we cannot both go into battle, but I am a child of Ice and this will not melt me!"
Loki clasped her hand. "I've always admired your strength, even before I loved you."
"Good. Now let's go find your mother and brothers. I need to learn where my skills will be most useful." She cradled Hela in one arm, retaining her grip on Loki with the other. Losing Jotunheim had been hard, but all was not lost. They had each other, and a new purpose would be found for them. Somehow.
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Sif nursed a broken arm as she watched over the prisoners being deported to Vanaheim. The battle had waged mightily, but at last Asgard had been victorious.
"Too much blood is being shed," she sighed to Hogun, who stood by her side.
"This is war."
"This is madness."
"And all this incited because Asgard was the site of a recent death, fully deserved." Sif shook her head. "When will this end?"
"With more bloodshed," Hogun replied grimly.
Sif sighed. "Go with the warriors. Check on Queen Gullvieg's situation. She may need more guards with this influx."
Hogun nodded and made himself scarce. Sif ran her hand along her broken arm, allowing herself to grimace at the pain now she was alone. I wish you were here, Thor...
"My Lady Sif," a soldier said, coming up behind her.
"What is it?"
"There is need for you just beyond the buildings. A captain is claiming his right to a widowed woman and-"
Sif took no more time to listen. She dashed towards the buildings, the soldier following close behind. But when she got to the spot where she had been directed, there was nobody there.
"What is this?" she demanded, drawing her weapon with her uninjured arm, turning on the soldier.
"Can't a mother say hello to her daughter without all this waving about of weapons?"
Sif froze, her heart pounding. "Karnilla."
The soldier smiled, and his features dissolved into the half-melted but otherwise beautiful face of the Norn Queen. "Hello, Sif."
Sif gritted her teeth. "What do you want, witch?"
"I never congratulated you on your acquisition of Asgard's crown prince. Such a boon for you, my dear! Although it seems that the announcement of your betrothal has been lost in the scuffle. Dear me, what must people think of you? Sleeping with him like a whore!"
Sif raised her weapon and charged. She almost fell flat on her face when she fell through the astral projection. Cursing, she struggled to regain her balance.
"You're hardly one to talk of whores, Karnilla! How many men have you had before and since my father?" Sif demanded, her eyes flashing.
"I meant it as a compliment, daughter. But back to what I was saying... Congratulations. I think I shall give you a gift."
"I have no need of any gifts from you!"
"I think otherwise." Karnilla lifted her hands, starting to murmur an incantation. Sif tried to step away but her feet were rooted to the spot. She fought the urge to panic.
"What are you doing?!"
"If you're consorting with a crown prince then you must be able to give him babies."
Sif's eyes widened. What? Was she removing that curse she had put on her, all those centuries ago? "You... you're removing the curse?" Sif hardly dared to believe it!
Karnilla's smile was full of menace. "I never wanted children, but grandchildren... that might be a different story."
"Why?"
"To mould them to my will, of course!" Karnilla's spell continued, and Sif began to feel pain. She tried to stay straight, but it felt like her lower stomach was getting ripped in half! She hunched over, biting her tongue.
Karnilla laughed. "I would have thought such a celebrated warrior could withstand a little pain!"
"What - what are you doing to me?"
"Well, your womanly cycles have been suppressed for centuries. I imagine that you're having cramps, my dear. Ordinary women get them all the time. Well, once a month."
"I know what cramps are!" Sif hissed, clutching her stomach. "I've had them before. This is something else!"
"Is it?" Karnilla's cruel voice was amused.
"Yes..." Sif forced herself to straighten. "What else have you done?"
"Why don't you guess, as you're so certain that I've done something else to you?"
"It..." Sif gasped. "It feels as if something's growing in me, right now!" Her eyes were wide with fear. "What have you done?!"
"When was the last time you slept with your beloved, daughter?"
Sif doubled over again, the pain too much to bear.
"Answer me!" Karnilla's voice was sharp.
"Weeks ago, before coming here." Sif managed to gasp out. "Why?"
"Hmm. Weeks. This isn't going to work as I had planned. I thought you'd be more vivacious than that, Sif. I'm disappointed. But no matter..." Karnilla muttered a short incantation, and the pain subsided. Karnilla looked resigned. "Since I cannot use you as I planned, I'll have to call on your aunt. She expects a child, doesn't she? That infant will suit my purpose just as well..."
"Leave Alti alone!"
But Karnilla had vanished. Sif's heart raced. I've got to get back to Asgard!
"Heimdall!" She screamed. "Heimdall, open the bifrost now!"
The lights descended almost immediately, and yet it had never seemed to take so long... Sif's mind churned with terror. What if Karnilla was already there? What did she want with Alti's child?
When she was back in Heimdall's observatory, she didn't even stop to talk with Heimdall. Holding her broken arm close to her chest, she dashed towards the city. She passed Sigyn's family as she ran but didn't acknowledge them. She prayed she wasn't too late as she burst into Alti's house.
"MOTHER!" she screamed. "MOTHER!"
There was no answer. Sif's heart pounded. Alti's cloak was still here, so she hadn't gone visiting... She made her way into the kitchen warily. A smashed bowl of cream lay on the floor, surrounded by its contents. There was no sign of Alti.
She heard some muffled sounds from upstairs and raced up the stairs, heart in her throat. Kicking open a door, she found Alti and Nanna sitting on the bed, looking terrified. Knowing that Karnilla must be nearby she drew her sword. A chilling laugh sounded from behind her. Sif whirled.
A spell hit her in the chest, knocking her backwards. Her head hit the bedpost as she fell. She heard Alti and Nanna screaming her name before everything went black.
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Nanna struggled to get up as Sif's eyes rolled to the back of her head, but Karnilla's spell held her fast. I've got to be able to do sssomething! What are you doing? She screamed at Set.
Thisss isss not part of my plan!
Then let me help Sssif!
Ssshortly. I wissh to sssee what the witch hasss planned firssst.
Karnilla took several steps towards Alti.
"Now that she's out of the way, where was I?" Karnilla said sweetly.
"How did you get to Asgard, witch?" Alti shouted.
"Now, now... Is that any way to talk to your sister-in-law? Although I don't suppose that's correct... After all, my brother divorced you and then he was murdered."
"He got what he deserved for murdering Odin!" Alti shouted, eyes blazing. "And I don't know why you're acting as if you care!"
"Quite simply, it gives me an excuse to do what I've wanted to do for a long time." Karnilla smiled. "Not that it matters to you. You'll be dead in a few minutes. As will you," she added, looking at Nanna. "I can't have my Balder's affections torn between me, and you and your child, can I?"
Alti looked at Karnilla in shock and horror. "What?"
Karnilla smirked. "Balder has been dallying with me for months now. He is such a skilled lover..."
Nanna knew that Set had been using Balder's body for that, but it didn't stop her from feeling sick. She shook her head. "No. Not Balder."
You will not reveal my presssence, Nanna!
"Oh, didn't you know?" Karnilla cooed insincerely. "You can't be much of a wife if he's looking elsewhere before you've been married a year!"
Alti shook her head vehemently. "Ridiculous! Nanna, don't listen, Balder would never-" She was cut off when Karnilla backhanded her.
"Don't contradict me. You are already going to die, don't make it more painful than it has to be." She turned back to Nanna. "Well? Aren't you going to defend your beloved? With you, has he done the thing where-"
"Ssstop!" Nanna shouted, anger and disgust firing her eyes. Her face went pale as she heard Set's hiss in her voice. What isss happening?
Karnilla looked at her in amusement. "Developed a lisp now? My, my... you must be upset."
"My husssband hasss never ssslept with you!"
Karnilla shook her head. "Denial is such a strong thing... I should bring him here, you can ask him if you like."
"It wasssn't Balder!"
Do not reveal me!
Alti was staring at Nanna, confused. Karnilla looked superior.
"Fine, lie to yourself if you want. It doesn't matter to me. I suppose it was Balder's doppelganger or something?"
Nanna was shaking. Ssshe's going to kill me.
No, ssshe issn't. Only Alti and her child will die today. I think I know what ssshe intendsss.
"You're going to kill me too!" Nanna screamed."You are!"
Karnilla looked surprised. "You sound like you want it."
Nanna went to say something else, but found her mouth sealed. SSSSET!
I told you to give nothing away!
Don't! Pleassse! Don't make me watch Alti die, pleassse!
Clossse your eyesss then. It'sss too late too ssstop it.
Nanna made her eyes focus again to see Set was right. Karnlla had already moved closer to Alti. The Norn Queen had one hand pressed to Alti's swollen belly, and was chanting in a low voice. Alti's face contorted with pain.
"Please... not my baby..." Her voice was faint. Karnilla's response was cutting.
"Why not? You stole mine."
"You didn't want her!" Alti's arms and legs were twitching as though she wanted to writhe in pain but couldn't. "Please..."
Karnilla continued her spell relentlessly. "You're right, I didn't want her... but I do have a use for your brat. This injury to my face will be healed with a sacrifice of unborn life."
Ssset, pleassse!
It isss too late, little one. Clossse your eyesss.
Nanna squeezed her eyes shut, feeling ill, as Alti's cries of pain became screams. She'd never forget that sound... or Karnilla's mocking laugh... After what felt like an eternity, Alti began weeping bitterly.
"Well, let's take a look..."
Nanna heard Karnilla walking but didn't dare open her eyes. Alti's sobs tore at her heart.
"The infant lies dead in the womb. Thank you for providing the energy I needed for the restorative spell, Alti." Karnilla's voice was outright cheerful. "Now, I do suppose it's time to kill the two of you and be on my merry way... Although come to think of it, I should slice Sif's throat first. You never know when she might wake up." Karnilla moved over to Sif. Alti began struggling against the spell again, her eyes wide with fear. Nanna stayed still until Karnilla came within her reach, then, exerting all her will, managed to shift one of her feet just enough to trip Karnilla over.
Karnilla's face contorted with rage. She sprang to her feet and slapped Nanna soundly across the face. The younger woman cried out.
Nanna! What are you doing?
You sssaid you wanted to ssseee Sssif'sss reaction to being my sssissster! Ssshe hasss jussst found out, we have not had time for it to sssink in!
True...
"Do you think you're going to stop me, brat?" Karnilla spat in her face. "Keep your eyes open this time."
Don't let Karnilla kill her! Please!
Very well.
Nanna could feel Set gathering power, but had no idea what he was doing. She found herself in his realm; she scrambled to her feet, knowing that this meant that he was in control of her body.
"What isss happening?" she cried.
Would you like to sssee?
An image formed in front of her, of the bedroom in Alti's home. Karnilla was towering over Nanna's body, her beautiful face twisted in fury. The Norn Queen reached down, to grab Nanna by the hair, but the younger woman's hand shot out, swift as a striking snake, and seized Karnilla's throat. Alti gasped.
"Do not think that you have power here, witch," Set whispered with Nanna's mouth. "Or did you truly believe that Balder, stupid, faithful Balder, would think of inciting rebellion against Asgard all by himself? He has been taking my commands and you will kneel before me."
Alti pressed a hand to her mouth. "Nanna!"
Set didn't respond to Alti. Karnilla was staring at her/him in horrified shock.
"You?"
"Of course. Kneel." Set tightened the grip he had on Karnilla's throat.
Karnilla raised a hand to cast a spell, but Set merely tightened his fingers and willed a block around her. Panic spread across Karnilla's face as her air was cut off. Set made Nanna lean in closer.
"Kill the older woman if you must, but leave me and Sif alone, or you die, understood?" He made Nanna's voice low enough that only Karnilla could hear. "And if you breathe a word of this to anyone, then what Atum did to you will seem like a blessing!"
Nanna, still watching from inside her mind, screamed in horror. "No!"
You asssked me to ssstop her from killing Sssif!
"I didn't think... Not like thisss!"
There isss no other way, foolisssh girl!
"But what are you doing?"
Ensssuring that you and Sssif live, and that Karnilla ssstayss sssilent. But I cannot ssspare Alti.
Nanna collapsed to the ground of Set's realm. "If I keep begging, how many people will you kill to sssilence me?"
Asss many asss it takesss. You will not die until I have no further ussse for you!
"Then at leassst kill her quickly. Don't make her sssuffer. Pleassse."
Asss you wisssh.
Nanna, dreading what she would see, returned her gaze to the vision of the room. Set was still controlling her body, holding Karnilla's throat.
"End the life of your sister-in-law quickly." He released Karnilla, and she, looking shaken, marched over to Alti and drew a knife.
Alti was staring, ashen-faced, at Nanna. "I don't understand."
Karnilla plunged the knife up through the base of her skull and then slit her throat. The blonde woman collapsed in a pool of blood just as Sif began to stir. Set made Nanna's eyes meet Karnilla's.
"Remember, breathe a word of this and you will live a long painful regret. Get out of here!"
Karnilla vanished in a swirl of dark purple energy. Set retreated, putting Nanna back in control of herself just as Sif opened her eyes and sat up, groaning.
"Mother-"
Nanna reached out and touched Alti's hand; she was still struggling to breathe. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry..."
"Mother!" Sif lurched to her feet unsteadily and stumbled over to them. She met Alti's eyes just as they fluttered closed. Forever.
"No..." Sif whispered. "NO!"
Nanna began crying softly. After some time, Sif managed to look up at Nanna.
"What happened? Why did Karnilla-" her words ended with a choked-off sob.
"She... she killed the baby to restore her face. For her vanity!" Nanna wrapped her arms around herself, sobbing. "And then... I don't know why!"
"She murdered my mother for no reason?" Sif's voice was faint.
"She didn't say why. I thought she was going to kill me and you too," Nanna's words flowed naturally. She wondered if maybe it was Set still in control of her mouth...
Sif was wary now though. "She just took the lives of Alti and her child then left, sparing us?"
"N-no," Nanna sobbed.
What are you doing? Set demanded.
"She - she mocked me first. She said that... that once she has Asgard, she's going to make Balder marry her!"
"What?" Sif shook her head. "Nanna, Karnilla will never have Asgard. Never."
No. Because it will be gone. Nanna looked away, a trembling hand closing over Alti's. Sif looked at her slaughtered mother and broke down into sobs. Nanna reached out to her; Sif flinched away, not wanting comfort.
"I... I can go get somebody, if you need me to."
"I want Thor."
Nanna nodded. She managed to heave Sif to her feet and lead her out of the bedroom, so she wasn't alone with Alti's body, before darting down the stairs and running as fast as she could towards the palace. She quickly found Thor. He was in a meeting of some sorts, but given that Nanna was allowed to approach she didn't think it was that important.
"My lord Thor," she greeted. "Sif is in need of your presence. Karnilla-" she couldn't continue.
Thor's eyes narrowed. "What about Karnilla?"
"Karnilla found a way into Asgard and murdered Lady Alti."
Thor leapt to his feet and stepped towards Nanna. She flinched back from the look in his eyes.
"Where is Sif now?"
"Alti's house, but-"
Thor ran. Nanna stood still for a while, the generals staring at her. She expected to be grilled on how she knew about Karnilla's actions, but none of them said anything.
"Where is Balder?"
"He was going to question a suspected spy, my lady."
Nanna nodded shakily. "Where can I find him?"
"At the dwarf Eitri's forge."
Nanna's heart stopped beating. "Eitri?" It'sss ssstarting, isssn't it?
Yesss.
Nanna turned and fled. Let me have sssome more time with him, pleassse.
Why ssshould I?
You made me watch Alti die.
I gave you a chance to look away. You insssisssted on sssaving your sssisster.
Nanna knew there was no use in arguing. Very well.
That'sss it?
What'sss the point of arguing?
Set sounded surprised. You're jussst giving up?
Why not? You're going to win anyway. Nanna's voice was leaden with despair. And you'll just keep killing the people I love and making me a party to it.
True. Set didn't sound happy... In fact he sounded vaguely troubled.
Nanna felt a twinge of curiosity, but ignored it. She reached the marketplace just in time to see Balder leaving Eitri's shop. Her heart leapt to her throat.
"Balder!" She raced over to him, praying it would be him, and not Set...
He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Nanna..."
"What happened?"
"Eitri is being charged with treason tomorrow."
She had known it would happen, but still hated herself. "What proof do you have?"
"Apparently Karnilla managed to get into Asgard. Or so Set tells me."
"And that means Eitri must be involved? That's not proof, that's prejudice because Eitri's a dwarf!"
"Nanna, I'm not doing this! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Balder held her tightly. "You'd best take what time you can with him. The guards will arrest him at dawn tomorrow."
She nodded, before pushing his arm off her and heading into the shop. Balder's head hung low as he walked home alone.
"Eitri?" Nanna called as she entered the shop.
"In the back."
She went through to him, smiling weakly. He grinned at her. "Your husband was just here, did you want him?" Eitri was humming cheerfully as he hammered a piece of metal, plainly having no idea what tomorrow would bring.
"No. I wanted to see you. We haven't talked recently... Actually I was hoping that we could finish that necklace that we had been working on. I know you're busy but I really, really want it finished..."
Eitri smiled fondly. "Alright. I'm not really doing anything else. May as well spend the afternoon with my favourite apprentice."
Nanna tried to smile back, but tears filled her eyes. Eitri frowned, setting the sheet of metal aside. "What's wrong?"
Don't dare try to warn him.
Then what am I sssuposssed to sssay?
I think you know.
"Mor lied to me. And you. About my father."
Eitri's confusion cleared. "Ah."
Nanna's eyes widened. "You knew?"
Eitri nodded slowly. "I didn't think she'd ever tell you, though."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't my business! And... I didn't want to stop spending time with you. I feared, if you knew we weren't kin, you wouldn't want to see me."
Nanna threw her arms around him. "I still would have come!"
Eitri smiled gratefully. "Thank you. So, are you doing what your sister did, and refusing to speak to Freyja at present?"
Being reminded of Sigyn only made Nanna's heart hurt more. Wherever she was, she hoped that she would never come back! She hoped that Sigyn would travel around the universe with her Jotünn lover and never even think of returning to Asgard. "I am never talking to Mother again."
Eitri wisely didn't press her. She'll calm down eventually, the other girl did, she's just in shock... "Would you go and retrieve the gems for the necklace?"
She went, grateful for the subject change.
"I'm glad you decided that you wanted to work on this, Nanna. I'm growing weary of armour all the time."
"Can we finish today?"
"Today! It will take at least a week."
No. You only have one day left.
She smiled tremulously. "Alright. We'll get it done as fast as we can though, right?"
"Of course." Eitri smiled back at her.
Perhapsss I can give you a week.
Nanna's heart leapt. What? Why?
Out of the kindnesss of my heart.
Liar. What do you want me to do?
You'll find out sssoon. But aren't you glad that you'll have a memento of your dwarf?
It won't make up for hisss death, if that'sss what you're thinking, monssster!
What makesss you think I'm trying to make up for hissss death, Nanna? What would I care?
"Nanna? Are you alright? You seem distracted."
"I'm just mad at Mor."
"You know, I'm sure if you just talked to her-"
"No!"
Eitri sighed, trying to persevere. "She must have had her reasons for keeping it from you."
"It doesn't matter. She lied. She lied to me and to Sif. I have another sister that I've never known." Nanna dug her fingers into her hair and shook her head. "Never mind that. I don't want to talk about it. Let's make this necklace."
Eitri eyed her for a minute. "Nanna-"
"I said I want to work on the necklace!"
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. It's just that in these times of war, you never know what words might be your last to the ones you love." Eitri put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. Let's work on this necklace, huh? It's the last of Brokk's designs. Did I tell you that?"
Nanna blinked back tears. "No, but it looks like his work."
"Talking of war's uncertainties..." Eitri cleared his throat. "If anything happens to me, the shop and everything in it is yours."
Nanna gasped. "What?" She certainly hadn't expected that!
"I know I have blood kin, but you're the closest thing I have to true kin."
Nanna struggled not to cry. "I... thank you so much."
"You're welcome. But I intend to stay forging for a long time."
She nodded, turning her face away to pick up another jewel. You'll die within a week, Eitri. And it's my fault...
I grow tired of your whining, niece!
There was a sharp jolt in her brain, and Nanna rubbed her eyes. Why was she so sad? Right. She had just witnessed Alti's murder. I should go back. They'll probably want me to tell them what happened. She couldn't stand the thought of talking about it, and silently handed Eitri the next jewel.
"I always like working with you," she told him. "I know you're really busy but maybe you can teach me filigreeing sometime soon."
Eitri smiled and nodded. "If you want, it's complicated work though."
"You've got a long time to teach me!" Without warning she collapsed into sobs.
"Nanna? What's wrong?" Eitri put an arm around her. "This isn't just about your father, is it?"
Nanna shook her head. "Sif's mother was murdered. I just saw it. I went to tell Thor and then I came here."
Eitri's expression was horrified. "You're in shock. Come and sit down."
"No, I want to get this necklace done!"
"Nanna, you just witnessed something terrible. Maybe work isn't the best thing right now."
Nanna buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry. Maybe I should go back home. I don't want to though. I just want to pretend nothing bad is going to happen..."
Eitri was confused. "Why do you think something bad is going to happen?"
"I... I can't say." Nanna hunched over, miserable.
"Look, I know that war is frightening, but Asgard is too strong to be overtaken by the likes of Karnilla!" Eitri said, trying to buoy up her spirits.
She turned and wrapped her arms around him and began to sob. He held her, too stunned to do anything else. She sounded like she'd never stop!
"There, there," he said, not knowing what to do. He had never had fatherly instincts! "Nanna, is there anything else wrong?"
She shook her head. Eitri sighed.
"Should I send for your husband? Or one of your sisters?"
"No. They've all gone to Vanaheim, and Balder's busy. I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm such a mess. Let's make this necklace." Why am I crying ssso much? What did you do to me?
You watched Alti die. You don't think that'sss enough to traumatize you? Now quit complaining! It'sss giving me a headache!
Well, I'm ssso sssorry! Nanna snapped, and then recoiled. I'm ssssorry. I didn't mean to sssay that.
She suddenly became aware that Eitri was looking at her oddly.
"Nanna, you need to go home and rest. Stress isn't good for the baby, and after seeing Alti die... You need something... Not work."
"I don't want to go home. I want to stay here, I want to finish the necklace. I just... want everything to go back to the way it was. I want to be safe. I want my baby to have a future."
"He or she will. War doesn't last forever, child."
"No, he won't," Nanna blurted.
Sssilence, Set warned.
Eitri gave her a small smile. "I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but your baby will grow up healthy and strong. And by your leave I'll train him or her in the forge."
"That would be nice..." But it will never happen! Her heart ached.
Eitri squeezed her hand. "I'm sure he'll be at least as talented as his mother!"
That earned a choked chuckle from Nanna. "Can we work on the necklace?"
"If you think it will help."
She nodded and handed him a ruby. Eitri took it, and explained the best way to set it as he did so. Nanna listened attentively, trying to forget everything that was happening.