Politics… No matter on what real or in what time it happened.
Was incredible… incredible boring.
The talks between the clan leaders of Jotunnheim had gone on for over a week now. And they were no closer to find an agreement than when they all arrived.
Thor had to shake his head to keep his focus on the group, but it was just the same talking points over and over going in a circle.
The Jotunns would all sneer and snap at each other, discussions would evolves into heated arguments and then finally a brawl would erupt between all these clan leaders until they all retrieved in a sneer, only to repeat the same cycle the day after.
Over… and over…. And over…
They needed a leader all right, A king so to speak. Or at least a moderator! Something.
At least Thors own man Bylestir was above becoming a part of the brawls, but clearly his own impatience and annoyance was rising. Not helped by the fact that Hyma was the dominating force of the room.
And Hyma would often enough question Bylestirs spot in the room. Claiming Bylestir had no right to claim the throne after having left his own name behind.
And the identity he had taken as Canute was also a no one.
Some Jotunns would nod at that, others though would tell Hyma to shut up. But only because they knew Bylestir was opposed to Hyma and they didn't want to give Hyma more power in the room. Or allowed him to take the titles as king.
Ones again, the brawl had broken out. Clan leaders roared and attacked each other. Bylestir how-ever calmly stood up and then walked out of the room, knowing that no more talking would happen that day.
Calmly he walked to the room he had been given, though ones he was in there. Bylestir hissed as he slammed the door and roared out his deep annoyance before throwing himself on the bed.
"Yeah… I don't envy you." Thor sighed deeply.
"This is pointless." Bylestir hissed. "They are never going to agree let alone appoint a new king!"
"Aye." Thor had to agree in a rather defeated tone.
Then there was silence. Bylestir fuming as he was laying on his back and Thor sucking in a breath.
"So erhm…" Thor hesitated. "You're…" he halted. "Laufey was your."
Bylestirs eyes narrowed.
"You're the prince of Jotunnheim." Thor finally said.
"Was." Bylestir corrected him. "Why would I ever want to associate myself with that name again? Laufey lead Jotunnsheim to its doom! And for what? Revenge. Over something that happened long before I was born. He dragged everyone down with him and his stupidity. This entire situation is because of him and his foolishness." he muttered. "But now I am here, where people recognise my face. And I can't escape my fathers name. What joy." he muttered sarcastically.
"Well." Thor breathed. "I can see why you would want to free yourself from your title and start over. This way at least, you can say with certainty that all your accomplishments as Canute were your own. None of that was given to you. It's something to be actually proud of." he commented closing his eyes. Trying to find things he himself was proud of, things Thor could say for sure were his own accomplishments and had nothing to do with the privilieges people had given him due to his title…. Sadly Thor came up pathetically short.
Which just meant. Observing was one thing. Thor had to go out there. To a place where his title didn't matter. And do things. For himself. Like Canute… Bylestir had done.
"Exactly." Bylestir replied. "I created those houses and that wall, with my own two hands! I killed that Ursa and Skrymir. It was my doing! I will not be caught in my fathers shadow! I will be my own person and my accomplishments will be my own. I swear by the ice of Jotunnheim."
"I admirer your will." Thor breathed. "To free yourself from your fathers legacy that erhm." he halted. "Bylestir… I… Can I ask you something?" he asked.
"I can't really stop you can I?" Bylestir asked. "I can't even make you leave my damn head."
Thor chuckled, but then he grew serious. "Bylestir… Malik must be Helbindi, obviously. Laufy's second son. Did he.. Did Laufey have a third son? Did you ever have a second brother?" he asked.
Bylestir blinked and he looked up. "How do you know about Loptr?" he asked.
Thor gasped. "So you did?" he asked.
"Yes and no." Bylestir commented. "He didn't even get to live a day."
Thor swallowed a breath. "What… What happened. If I may ask?" he asked.
Bylestir sighed. "Another of my fathers foolish fancies." he commented as he stood up, putting his hands behind his back. "When I was a child. My father used to tell me a story.. When Laufey was young, he ones met a Volva. A female witch able to glance into the future. Laufey asked her, if he would ever be able to defeat Odin and she told him… That Laufey would father three sons. His first two sons would become strong and proud Jotunns. It's the third son though, who would be the strongest of all. And this son, would have the power to end Odins life. You can imagine how exstatic my father was. I was the first born, then came Helbindi. Both were strong proud Jotunns just like she said." Bylestir informed. "Then my mother became with child for a third time, and Laufey was overjoyed. He would keep repeating his story to me and Helbindi, over and over. Our new little brother that he had already named Loptr would become the strongest of all of us. The future king of Jotunnheim and sure to finally end Odins life for good!"
Thor was quiet as he listened and Bylestir glanced down.
"We were at war back then, battles were fought all over Jotunnheim against Asgards armies. I was just a child but I remember. The night before the big final battle which would determine the victor, my mother gave birth. At first my father was happy, he said it was a sign. His strong son would be born the morning of his victory, or so he said… Then the child was delivered and it was small… Weak… sickly. Laufey was furious. He shouted he had been tricked and he took the child and walked to our most holy alter, to offer it up to our ancient gods to aid him in battle."
"I… I'm sorry." Thor swallowed.
Bylestir shook his head. "Don't be. That child would not have lived for long regardless. He was to small."
"You're wrong." Thor informed and Bylestir looked up. "I…" Thor halted. "I already told you right. I lost my brother not long ago. How-ever my brother was not an Aisir like myself. He was adopted from Jotunnheim. A Jotunn."
Bylestirs eyes widened, his mouth hanging open. "Wait. Are you saying that… Loptr!"
"Grew up on Asgard. Aye." Thor replied.
Bylestir gasped for breath, then he silenced. A frown appearing on his face. "But then he died."
"Aye." Thor replied.
"So he had a short miserable life regardless." Bylestir concluded.
"I…" Thor halted, then he swallowed. "His life was… Not easy." he admitted. "He had many struggles, and often he didn't quite know how to fit in. How-ever, we spend many evenings laughing in each others company. Many days we would spend exploring and go on adventure! He would teach me about the mystics of our realm and I would drag him out of the library." he swallowed. "There doesn't go a day by when I don't miss him. He was loved. Believe me."
Bylestir was quiet, then he nodded. "That's good to hear." he admitted. "When-ever I have re-called that day. How Laufey would just rip Loptr away from my mothers arms in anger and take the child with him out in the snow… I felt shame. I will never forget my mothers scream, or how she cried until she fell a sleep. That was the day, when I first realized… My father was blinded by hate. He allowed rage to guide his actions. He never cared about who would get hurt or what price he had to pay to see Odin killed. That's what made him foolish. And it is not surprising he would loose his life in a foolish way due to this blind rage…. It had to happen."
"I'm glad you're not following in his foot steps." Thor said softly.
"I try not to." Bylestir sighed. "But it's a struggle."
"Aye. I understand." Thor nodded understanding. "My own father is…" he halted.
Bylestir frowned.
"My father is a great man here at Asgard." Thor informed. "Considered a great leader. I am supposed to follow in his foot steps…. Ones I thought I… I wanted to be him. You know? Now though, I'm not so sure any more. I just don't know."
Bylestir shrugged. "If you don't want to be in his shadow, forge your own path." he simply stated.
Thor smirked amused. "Well it worked for you."
"Hardly." Bylestir snorted. "I am right back here. Of all things fighting for the bloody throne!"
"You really don't want it huh?" Thor remarked.
"No." Bylestir muttered. "But what choice do I have? Those idiots out there would bring disaster to Jotunnheim."
"Aye." Thor agreed.
Bylestir groaned as he sat back down on the bed. "Question is if they will even let me become king."
"We have to figure something out." Thor stated. "You're literately the only choice."
"Thanks." Bylestir snorted.
"I mean that as a compliment, you would be a good king ensuring the rise of Jotunnheim." Thor stated.
Bylestir groaned deeply. "That's not what I want to hear Asgardian!"
Thor chuckled. "My apologies." he said. "It's true though."
And Bylestir sighed as he laid back in bad, looking up at the ceiling. "Fine." he muttered annoyed.