Njörd was still sitting on his throne, his expression betraying to thoughts.
„I was stupid and weak but I thought you would forgive me. I thought you loved me." Freya was walking up and down the room, tears running down her face. She whipped them away quickly. „I have been a bad wife, I know it. But it happened before 20 years and you're still seeking for revenge. You killed them! You killed Nathaniel and an innocent girl's adoptive parents!"
-„They're just mortals." Njörd said coldly.
-„You love everyone. What is your love worth, Freya, I ask you?"
-„How can you dare saying that to me? She's my daughter."
Njörd laughed and the noise sounded so cruel, Frey's heart made a bump.
-„ I failed to kill her. Tell me, how did you hide her all those years?"
Freya didn't answer. „I won't let her die." She whispered after a while.
-„I'm travelling to Vanaheimr. I want to see my brother." She decided without looking at her husband.
-„Go hiding behind your brother. I don't care."
-„I suppose there's a reason for your visit, sweet sister." Frey smiled knowingly. He walked next to Freya in the Halls of Vanaträdgard. Slim marble columns lined the hallway, all decorated with silver ivy and leaf patterns. At the end of it, turquoise water bubbled in a violet, marble fountain under a light-flooded, open tower. Freya prefered Vanaheim's more subtle beauty over the opulent golden luxury of Asgard.
-„Yes, Frey. Njörd... he's more dangerous than ever. He wants to kill my daughter and I'm not going to let it happen."
-„What about the dagger? I thought she was hidden."
-„I gave it to her..."
-„Why don't you ask the Allfather to help you?" Frey stopped suddenly and looked her in the eyes. His violet eyes were piercing but Freya didn't look away.
-„I never judged you for it, Freya. I never judged you when you decided to close your eyes when Njörd killed the father and the family of the child. So if you really want to help this girl, you have to take the risk."
Freya's eyes filled with tears.
-„ I was scared, Frey. My husband, I do love him, but you don't know him like I do. I thought he would forgive me... I tought if I never talked about it again and if I forgot the man.."
Frey took her in his arms, and Freya cried like she'd never done before. Frey loved his sister, but sometimes her ways were too complicated to understand, even for him. She wasn't the only deiety with children in other realms, there had been a time where Midgard was full of halfbloods. But now, there were only a few who could travel to Midgard without using the bifrost, and the Asen had stayed in Asgard. Things had changed but his sister had not.
-„ She is a Halfblood with magical powers, almost as strong as yours. There'll always be people who want to hurt her..."
Freya looked up to him, her sapphire eyes sparkling. „Frey, please let me use Heijastin. I have to know what exactly is happening on Midgard. Dreams are not enough anymore." Heijastin was a mirror, showing whatever someone wanted to see in other realms. It was even more powerful than Heimdall's gift, since no one could hide from it's sight. However, only a Vanaheimr could use it, and if he used it to often, he would never awake from it.
Frey just nodded and took her hand. „My sweet sister, I promise you, we'll save the halfblood child."
Freya closed the door behind her. The walls reflected her image. She looked pale, Freya thought and took a deep breath. „Heijastin, I demand you to show me the blood of my blood. Heijastin, show me Midgard. I demand it as Princess of Vanaheimr, as blood of the Vanir." The goddess felt waves of power rushing trough her body, like waves of warm water pulsing trough her vains. Freya relaxed and let the magic take over. It didn't take long until Freya closed her eyes and fell into the darkness.
The goddess of love opened her eyes again. She stood in a room with bright-green walls, and a girl and man sat on a large bed. The young woman was red-haired but dripping wet, wrapped in a blanket. Her expression showed pure horror and fear, and Freya recognized her. Serena Freyasdotter of Vanaheimr, Freya's daughter. The man next to her was familiar to Freya. Prince Loki of Asgard.
-„Did you do that?" the girl muttered.
-„No. But I know who did. I'm sorry I locked you in, I'm sorry you had to endure this."
-„Tell me. Please" she whispered.
-„Tomorrow. I'll explain everything to you, but now you have to sleep."
She nodded. Loki took her hand. „You're safe now."
Freya dropped her mouth in surprise. That was not the Loki she knew, not at all. From what Freya understood, he had locked her in this cell. However, when Njörd attacked her, he had rescued her. And Loki knew Njörd was behind this. Even when Freya was just a shadow of herself, even when she was only looking at Heijastin's reflection and she couldn't use her powers – the look on Loki's face was enough for her. He's face had always been a cold mask and his eyes never betrayed any emotions, but not in front of Serena. Regret, fear, anger, determination, compassion and something else. It wasn't love, but it would be soon. A smile lit up Freya's face. He would protect her. And with the god of magic at her side, Serena would never have to fear anything from Njörd.
Heijastin isn't part of norse mythology and Njörd was Freya's father, not her husband ;) But I changed it so it would fit more into the story... Reviews are love!