Authors note: Hi, welcome to another chapter of the winter berry! A lot more will be happening now, hope you all enjoy.

Summary:

Adopted and Raised by Freya the goddess of love, beauty and war who is an extremely overprotective mother, when older Hans was made a serf where he hopes that if he works hard enough he will gain a reward. As the day grows closer an terrible tragedy happens, Bauldr the god of happiness is killed signaling the beginning of rangarock. Or is it? As it seems something had changed when the Goddess Elsa of Helhiem, daughter of Loki, offers an alternative deal which will change everything. For the better or worse it will be seen.

Any way, enough of me blabbering, hope you all enjoy this new story and please leave a review when done as your opinions mean a lot.

A thread, it was not much to anybody, just one thread no matter the color. But for a long time Hans did not see it that way. Since childhood having spent a lot of time with the goddesses of the realm and every now and then the sisters of fate Hans knew a thread could be the start of something great.

Sitting down Hans worked on a loom, because he had nothing else to do as he had to make sure Elsa stayed in bed recovering. Laying in bed sourly Elsa said "You do not have to stay here",

"Your right, but I am staying in this room by my own choice" said Hans as he knew what was coming but payed no mind as he worked on the loom "Especially since I cannot trust you to stay in bed recovering",

Elsa laughed "That's rich coming from you, was it not you the one who ran away?",

"Then you will be happy to know that this way you know I will not leave" remarked Hans.

Huffing Elsa turned a bit, another hour of silence passed before she asked "So, you know how to work the loom?",

"Yes" answered Hans,

"Isn't that a woman's job?" asked Elsa,

"If a woman can go to battle and fight then I see no problem with a man knowing how to work the loom" answered Hans not bothered by that.

"I see, so if I were to go to battle now you would not stop me?" asked Elsa,

"I would advice against it because your not well right now, but I would not stop you if you wish to go to battle for it's your choice" answered Hans,

Elsa was silent then asked "So, your a vanir?",

"Yes and no, my mother is a vanir and so is my uncle, I was a baby when they found me, human, Freya adopted me, both Freya and Frey did a blood ritual making me their blood son and nephew" answered Hans as he finished the textile.

"And your father?" asked Elsa,

"I don't have any" said Hans honestly as he took the textile off of the loom and looked over it, looking for imperfection.

"What about Freyas husband?" asked Elsa, in truth Elsa was under the impression that Hans was aesir or at least half aesir.

"He was not much of a father" shrugged Hans "The closest thing to a father I ever had is uncle Frey and Tyr",

"Tyr?" asked Elsa,

"Yes, but I have not seen him in years, according to others he went on a journey" explained Hans.

Elsa nodded then continued to converse by asking "So you do not know how to fight?",

"I do know, my mother, Frey and the valkeries taught me, sometimes the other goddesses, Loki and Tyr took time and taught me" answered Hans,

"The valkeries?" asked Elsa,

"Yes and they were not easy on me... at all..." said Hans shivering as he remembered their training which bordered close to torture, they did not take it easy on him at all,

"You seem to have done a lot" Elsa commented "Where did you get the time?",

"Organization and planning is a wonderful thing" said Hans "Also I was not always a serf",

"I see" said Elsa then asked "Why were you a serf in the first place?".

Hans opened his mouth to answer but then stopped as he though before fragmentaly answering "I don't know..."

Thunder roared, the very nature and magic rebelled against the land as Freya and Frey stood in the middle of a feast room, though there was no feast being held this room was being used as a meeting room where future plans of war were being discussed.

After a dismissing the soldiers Freya walked to the table, poured herself some mead and drank it. Hoping to steady her nerves, but it was not working, her mind went back and forth over what her child could be going through.

Every scenario was always worse than the last.

At the hands of that Jotun, that, that... monster! She felt herself grow sick with worry and mentally pleading over and over that nothing bad had happened to him and if something did then for him to hang on as they were going to save him.

Taking a deep breath for a moment Freya though back, distracting herself with memories from the past, even if it was a brief moment.

Naming ceremony, one of the most important events in a child's life, next to being welcomed of course.

After a long discussion and a vote the baby was allowed in. Not that they had much of a choice, Frey, who sadly had never had a child of his own had done a blood ritual and declared the child as his heir apparent. Even with that the votes of Sif, Freya herself, Frey, surprisingly Loki, Sigyn, Tyr, Frigga and a bunch more out numbered the votes against, for that the baby was welcomed.

With that out of the way a long trek was made by Freya and her brother to see the sisters of fate, who by law had to perform the naming ritual and thus bestow the child a name. How they do it Freya was not sure but she knew that the name was always tied with the child's future, be it a future occupation or a trait that would make the child stand out.

With gifts in hand and the baby in hand Freya and Frey arrived to the home of the sisters. They were outside waiting.

Of course this did not surprise them as they knew the sisters knew they were coming.

Doing a proper greeting Freya held out her child, there was no need for words to be said as they already knew why they were there and found them explaining what they already knew a waste of time.

Holding the baby the sisters look over, stroking his face and whispering among one another before turning and saying "Will be back" and entering the tree.

What they did in there they had no idea but whatever was done was most certainly not their business to pry.

An hour or so passed, Freya began to grow nervous, even more as more time passed. This was unusual as the process was never supposed to take this long.

After a while the sisters came out, baby in hand, they still seemed to be discussing something before they noticed the two. Quieting down the eldest who held the baby handed him over to Freya and said "Valdr, his name is Valdr".

"Valdr " whispered Freya as she took and held her baby, stroking his hair.

Names given meant either a future or a trait...

Valdr meant king, did that meant he was meant to rule when older? Or was he just supposed to be important? Or was it that he would have that leader trait?

Freya was not sure but was happy with the name, before she could say her thanks Frey went ahead "Thank you sisters, that is truly a wonderful name". They nodded before going back inside while he and Freya made their way back home, discussing the name of the child and what could it mean for the future.

Freya gripped her goblet in anger, after what happened and being forced to become a serf Odin gave the name Hans to Valdr, the boy did not seem bothered but Freya hated it, she also hated that Odin did what he did.

"It will be fixed" though Freya when she heard, "Goddess Freya!" Turning she was surprised to find a female Jotun making her way over.

"Please! I need to speak to her!" The old one begged as she was held back by the Vanir "Please! It's about your child!".

This caught Freyas and Freys attention as they immediately went to her and gestured the guards to let her in.

Gasping she bow and wept "I am so sorry, I bear terrible news from Helas realm, about your son",

"My son? What happened? Tell me old one!" Ordered Freya growing panicked, wearing the old lady said "I am sorry... but your child... he is gone", reaching into her bag she pulled out some fabric coated with old blood.

Freya felt her world be destroyed before her as she recognized the fabric.

"I am so sorry, this was all I could salvage... What I saw I would not wish to my worst enemy" said the old lady as she handed it over "The jotun and Hela, they used him like a toy, tortured him"'shaking her head she cried "Odin saw, he knew, but did nothing, just let them do what they wanted before he died a slow death".

Shaking Freya looked over and swallowed "Thank you..." bowing the old woman left, as she left her tears dried and a hidden smirk went on her face as she heard the heartbreaking cries of the goddess.

Sitting down in a meeting in place of Elsa Hans was busy listing down all the realms subjects plights and such.

Though there were no plights or problems he has noticed that a lot of them were there to... suggest... something specific.

Apparently the word got around about the garden he had made for when and if he managed to free Fenrir and all the citizens were wondering if he could... extend... his generosity towards them by spreading some plants, greenery and such all over the city or maybe creating green spots. Of course Hans was not sure and would give them all the same answer, we shall see.

But in the end it is not his realm or his order, it is Elsas so he had to run it by her and see what she thinks.

"Okay, is that everybody?" asked Hans to Ganglöt who grunted,

"I will take that as a yes" said Hans as he got up on his feet and began to walk away only to hear a knock. Looking the two watched as a child, who Hans recognized as Olaf. In his arms he carried some papers.

Curious Hans stopped and approached the child who was chipper and happy, a rarity considering his current circumstances.

"Hi, got a moment? If you do then okay if not then I can come back tomorrow" said Olaf, his tone always happy,

"Yes I have a moment" said Hans as he wondered what did Olaf wanted.

With a smile he held out papers "Me and the rest of the kids of this realm made this as a proposition", taking them Hans looked over it.

It was what he had half expected, drawings of the kingdom, remade and covered in plant life and light.

Hans looked over them, he could not help but frown.

Noticing this Olaf quickly said "You don't have to if you don't want to... please don't be mad",

"No no, I am not... I.. have to see what Elsa says, it's her realm after all" said Hans softly,

"Your not mad?" asked Olaf unsure,

"No, I am not mad, I promise" said Hans as he gently handed the drawings back. Olaf smiled, taking them before heading back out.

Once gone Hans mentally sighting before heading back to Elsas room, as he walked he could not shake it off.

Was that it? Was this why he was there? To be used?

Pressing his hand against the door Hans sighted as he remembered.

"Mama, why do people act the way they do?" He once asked his mother when he was 6 years old, "People are cruel, selfish, they want what they want and never think of others" that was his mother's response "Don't be like them, be kind, help, but at the same time be wary, never let anybody take advantage of you" then gently added "You don't have to worry, I am here and I will never allow anybody hurt you", "thank you mama".

Taking a deep breath Hans knocked on the door, "Come in" he heard Elsa answer. With that he entered the room.

Hans opened up the door and entered, looking over to where Elsa was he was beraly able to hide his worry for her. The queen of the realm did not look well, she looked quite pale, more so than usual, seems she had been sweating a lot as well as her skin had a strange oily shine to it, her hair was matted and damp while her eyes seem to be dull.

Trying to compose herself Elsa sat up straight in bed before saying "What is there to report?", hesitating for a bit Hans debated on whether to ask if she was okay or not, then when he noted she did not seem to have patience today Hans answered what she asked "The people of the realm stop by, all of them seem to be doing well",

"There is a but to that" Elsa pointed out, Hans nodded and continued "But the people have come to make requests",

"what kind?" asked Elsa,

"They all ask for me to, put greenery and such all over the realm" answered Hans "I am guessing that they saw what I did in the back and heard what I did to the throne room a while back".

With that Hans said nothing more as he waited for Elsa to say something. Half expecting her to command him to do as he was asked by the people of her realm.

"Alright, thank you for the report" said Elsa which surprised Hans as he looked at her, beraly able to hold the shocked look in his face as he asked "Your not going to order me?",

"Order what?" asked Elsa puzzled,

"To do what was asked? To make me do what the people ask" said Hans hesitating. She looked at him as if he has grown two extra heads before asking "Why would I do that?",

"Considering you are the ruler and I am" he shrugged "I don't know what I am, plus what happened... I though you would, force me?".

"Force you?" Said Elsa incredulously "Hans I already told you, you are not my serf or my prisoner, you are my guest, I would never force you to do anything you don't want".

As soon as she finished Hans spoke, before he could stop himself he said "A guest has the freedom to come and go, yet you force me to stay here, I am not your guest, I am but a trophy for you unless you just want me around to warm your bed".

That was a cruel thing to say, Hans knew that and felt bad for saying it, but he could not help it. That was what he felt and it did not help that Elsa was being so contradictory.

Was he really her guest? No, as he mentioned guest have the freedom to come and go.

Was he a serf? No, at least he did not think so as he was not treated like one or ordered around.

Was he a worker? Maybe? He had done a lot of work, but it was at his own volition, Elsa never asked him to do these things and when she did she gave him the option of refusing.

Was he just there to warm her bed? Hans was not sure, yes he and Elsa had been sleeping in the same bed, but that's it, just for sleep. She gives him space, never touched him. Though she did comb his hair once, she has respected his space, privacy and never forced him to do anything in the bedroom, in fact she has never even suggested it.

So that left Hans with confusion, why was he there? Why did Elsa want him there above anybody else? Why did she ask for him when she could have asked for anybody else?

The confusion was pushed to the back of his mind when he saw Elsas face, it turned from shock to anger and finally... sadness? Turning Elsa buried her head into the pillow and said "Please leave me".

Feeling guilty Hans began "I am sorry, I did not mean-",

"Just go!" yelled Elsa as ice exploded from her, sending Hans backwards into a wall. Scrambeling to his feet Hans got up and ran out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Once alone Elsa buried her head unto the pillow, weeping softly, careful as she never wanted anybody to see her like this.

Making his way out of the castle Hans walked all over the realm, seems he was there but not mentally as some of Eldas subjects walked over to try to talk to him but he did not answer to them, just kept walking.

After a bit he found himself in the gold bridge, stopping in front of it, starring, before sitting down on the ground.

"Something wrong?" Hans heard, looking up he saw Modgu, the giantess leaned against the pillar she carried as she looked down at Hans.

He sighted and said "Nothing",

"It does not look like nothing" said Modgu as she set the pillar down and sat on it.

Hans hummed, Modgu poked "You can talk to me about it, you will find I am an excellent secret keeper".

With a sight Hans said "I don't know, a part of me is angry, confused, I don't know what to feel",

"About what or who?" asked Modgu,

"About everything" said Hans as he looked over the bridge "I can just get Hemrod and friend and go, but something tells me I am meant to be here",

"Maybe you are" said Modgu,

"How do you know for sure?" asked Hans,

"I don't, only you know" said Modgu then suggested "Why don't you give it a try? If you try it then you will know for sure if it's what you want"

Hans listened, before getting up and saying "Thank you"

Modgu watched, wondering what she said that helped but was happy to help regardless before going back to watch the bridge.

With quick steps Hans made his way over to Elsas room. Arriving there he knocked on the door, "come in" he heard, sounded like a whisper.

Frowning a little Hans entered the room and said "It's me", she moved a little from her bed, did not look at him.

"Probably still angry" though Hans before he continued "Elsa, I want you to know, I am sorry for what I said, regardless of why I said it it was a cruel thing to say to you".

Elsa did not answered.

"Elsa, I need you to listen to me, I did not come here by my own free will, you know that, I am here against my will, not knowing the why, then your family assumed I am your husband when I am not" continued Hans.

There was more silence, but Hans refused to give up "I don't know the how, why and all that, but, I am willing to put everything that happened in the past... before I do you have to meet me half way... you have to tell me why I am here, why me, then maybe maybe we can start over, only this time in the right foot"

No answer, not even movement. A sign that Elsa did not want to talk, Hans frowned and looked at Elsas still form. Something about this did not seem right.

"Elsa?" said Hans carefully as he approached her, gently he placed a hand on Elsas shoulder "Elsa, are you okay? You are worrying me". With a gentle hand he moved her so she was facing him.

As soon as she did Elsa coughed before vomiting all over the bed. Panic filled Hans as he moved her to her side, slightly elevated as she continued to cough and puke. Gently rubbing her back Hans was careful to hold her so she would not choke on her vomit and keep her hair off of her face.

When she stopped Hans ripped some of the linen cloth under his fur outerwear and used it to clean Elsas face and mouth a bit. Tossing the cloth away Hans ran a hand through Elsas cheek gently, she looked at him, placing a hand on his.

"Your not feeling okay?" asked Hans worried, Elsa looked and whimpered, unable to speak.

Worry and guilt began to fill Hans even more than before as he gently picked her up and said "Don't worry, you will get better, I promise"

How much of that was true Hans was not sure, but he was willing to give it his all and try to make this wrong right.

To be continued...

Fun fact: The vikings had a strange concept about blood, they believed that sharing blood in a ritual you would become blood brothers or blood son, etc. In the myth Odin did that to Loki and they became "Blood brothers".

Another fun fact is this, Vikings named their children based on traits or the future they want for the child to embody the meaning of the name. In the story the Viking name chosen for Hans is a big deal... as Valdr despite sounding similar to Bauldr it has a different meaning. While Bauldr means golden or Prince (usually Prince) in norse, Valdr means King. This will play a role later.