Odin was staring at the Norns in shock as their words to the mortal, no Master of Death, rung in his mind. Master of Death?! How was that even possible? Instantly his mind flashed back to the oath he'd forced the seidr into taking. The laws of such an oath were clear. The full name and titles of the person must to recognized or else...
Or else the oath would be void and magic would... Oh, how foolish he'd been.
The Norns smirked as the realization washed over him. They knew. They knew it would happen this way. Anger boiled up in him but he could do nothing more than hold his tongue. No being could fight against the Norns. There were no others powerful enough to challenge the sisters of fate.
"Yes, you see it now, do you not?" One of the Norns asked in a gentle voice full of power. "Quick you were Odin, to have a sorcerer under your control, you failed to learn more about the stranger in your halls. Magic is a free-flowing power, given to those who prove themselves worthy of its gift. Harry Potter is more than a mere mortal. He is the Master of Death. The rules of such an oath are not something to trifle with; else magic chooses to act for itself."
"..." Odin opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it after receiving a particularly sharp glare from one of the Norns.
"He did warn you did he not? That his magic was changed, different, sentient. The oath is not as true as you'd hoped. Harry Potter, the Master of Death, is not your servant. He is something else, something more than you could ever be."
Harry might have laughed if the situation hadn't been so serious. He knew as well as anyone just what uncontrolled magic could do with or without direction. It was frightening just what uncontrolled magic was able to do with and without direction.
That didn't change the fact that Harry did want answers to the Norns questions. If that wasn't an unbreakable vow, what was it?
"My Ladies, if I may ask?" Harry queried. He took a small step forward.
One of the Norns nodded at him inviting him to continue his question.
"I don't understand. How did my magic change the vow?" Harry couldn't help but look down at his silent hands as if expecting them to carve a hole through the very center of Asgard. "Is...is there some way that I can be as I was before?"
"It was not you that foiled the vow, Master of Death. The rules of an unbreakable vow are clear. The full names and titles of both sides of the agreement must be stated properly. If they are not, then magic is allowed to choose how true the vow is and if one side was being cheated." One of the Norns explained. Her companions were shooting Odin sharp glares anytime it looked like the king was trying to speak.
Harry looked between the King of Asgard and the Norns. There was something more going on between the four that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Odin obviously didn't like them, that much was clear, but why? The Norns seemed to be going out of their way to cut Odin down in any way they could.
Was it some sort of rivalry? A disagreement?
"Odin was about to force you into becoming a servant of his house. We, the Spinners of Fate, could not allow that to happen. Death must remain neutral at all times. That is the law of the universe set out since the dawn of time."
Harry's mind whirred. By gathering the Hallows, he knew he'd gained the title of the Master of Death. After his body lost all sense and his magic changed, it was clear the title meant something, but he never could find out what exactly. Yet here the Fates were, giving him more information in three seconds than any wizard had collected in the last thousand years.
To say it was hard to take in was an understatement.
"So, my magic changed the vow. Into what exactly?" Harry questioned again. Then he thought.
They said his magic would choose if he'd been cheated or not and that Odin wanted him to be a slave to his family. What's the opposite of a slave? Harry's face lost all color. No, it couldn't be...
The Master of Death's head shot up, locking eyes with the Norns intense gaze. They looked at him with an almost sad look on their faces. The leader inclined her head slightly, confirming his idea.
"Yes, child. In return for Odin's mistake, your magic chose to warp the oath in the opposite way that was intended. Instead of a slave, you are now a leader, a ruler, of Odin's house."
"I...I... I," Harry stuttered. This wasn't what he wanted. He never intended to rule Asgard, to be a king. Why did this always happen to him? "But, I don't want it. I mean...isn't there some way to remove it? To force the oath to unwind? I can't be the King of Asgard or even a part of the Royal House. I'm not worthy. I'm human, a stranger. This...this is preposterous! This can't be happening right now!"
Before he knew it, Harry was rambling. Spilling out words he wasn't even sure why he was saying. All the while his mind was in turmoil.
"Child." One of the Norns stated calmly.
But Harry couldn't hear what she was saying. All he knew was the overwhelming desire to run, and kick and scream, and...and...he didn't even know what he wanted!
"Master of Death!" One of the Norns yelled. The cell he stood in shook with the power of her voice. Mutely, Harry looked up.
"Master of Death, hear us now. What has been done cannot be undone. Let all of the Nine Realms know this now, that it is the decree of the Norns that Harry Potter-Black. Lords of the Houses of Peverell, Potter, and Black, will rule the Nine Realms and Asgard upon the death of Odin, God of Wisdom. There is no being that can change it. And now power, be it magic or technology that can remove you from the throne as the rightful king. The fate of the Nine Realms rests in your hands. Not just anyone can wield the Deathly Hallows, let alone set eyes on them unless it is the Fate's decree."
Harry's hands shook with emotion. All he wanted was a family, a home, a place to find peace. Now even that was taken from him.
Odin looked like he'd swallowed a lemon, but strangely, he remained silent.
"Harry." His name was said so softly and gently, it captured his attention. The Norns looked at him with sympathy in their eyes. "You are not yet ready to rule the Nine Realms. We do understand that, but Asgard can offer you more than power. It can offer you what you seek the most. A family, peace, love, and friendship. It is within our power to offer it to you, for it would not do well for a tyrant to rule and protect the Nine Realms."
Tears welled up in Harry's eyes and he stared down at the clean prison floor. "I never wanted this. I don't want this."
The Norns drew closer. "We know child. But it is your fate to protect those that cannot protect themselves. 'Tis your nature. The best rulers do not see themselves as great kings and lords but as no more than a lowly servant. It is those leaders, that men, women, gods, and all manner of races would follow to the end of all time. You have done more in your mortal life, than any god, or human as ever accomplished in all of eternity."
Odin took his own step forward. "If you would allow me-"
One of the Norns cut him off. "Silence fool! We do not speak to you Odin AllFather!" In a softer voice, they turned back to the quivering immortal. "We offer you recompense for the sorrow you have endured in your life, Master of Death. It is your destiny to rule the Nine Realms as we have said before. It is so that we would send you back in time, midst the time of Odin's first wife. You would be reborn again, as a full-blooded son of Odin. Your immortality, we cannot take away from you, however until you come into your full power you would age and have the same abilities as an Asgardian. This would allow experiencing love and family. This would allow you to learn how to be a king as you are now meant to be. What say you?"
Harry hesitated. "Would I have the memories of my old life? And will the Hallows travel with me as well?"
"The memories and experiences will return to you in full once you come to your powers as the Master of Death. So as to allow you the experience of a family and childhood you so desire. This will also not change the fate of Odin's first-born daughter, Hela the Goddess of Death. The Hallows will not forsake you, but will however return to you, should you ever need them while young. Be warned, Master of Death, there are many beings within the Universe who would be angry indeed, should the truth escape that there is a Master of Death. Once the Hallows are called once, they will never leave you again. The Hallows will give you great strength and protection, but can be very dangerous once greedy eyes behold their power."
Harry's brow furrowed. All he ever wanted to have was a family. Even if he wasn't so sure about being reborn again, it did sound somewhat nice to experience love and a family. If there was even the smallest chance that he could experience this, he was taking it. He would be expected to rule Asgard someday anyway. This way he would at least be able to grow into it.
"I'll do it."
The Norns smiled softly at him, proud. "Thank you, Master of Death. You are chosen indeed, for you hold more wisdom in you as a youth than any gain in the centuries they are given to toil. Take care to watch over, Loki Laufeyson. He is also marked by fate. We cannot allow his life to end as it would if you were not a member of the House of Odin."
A soft, withered hand touched Harry's forehead, and he felt his eyes close of their own accord. "Be safe, Master of Death." All at once, Harry felt himself fall into darkness.
oooOOooo
Sweat dripped down Arnora, the Queen of Asgard's face. Her thick black hair had escaped its bonds and clung to her cheeks and brows. Orange and red auras of power surrounded the bed she rested on. The room was expansive and several healers wandered through the room, using spells to help their work go faster. Several other beds were pushed against the walls, also pulsing with the same red and orange power. Her husband, Odin, hovered over her, calloused hand clutching hers.
But none of that mattered.
Another group of healers stood around a small soul forge not far from the Queens bed, tending to a small infant. While the child appeared healthy, he had yet to cry like it was so normal for babies to do. Tensely, both parents waited in anticipation. The longer the healers remained quiet the more fear that filled their hearts.
At last, Lady Eir came forward, a small bundle clutched in her arms. Swiftly, she placed the infant gently in the Queen's arms and then stepped back.
"He's healthy, your majesties. I know not what he does not cry, but there is nothing wrong with him." Eir intoned seriously.
Odin and Arnora spared Eir a short glance before studying the small face sleeping unawares under their watchful gaze. A small argument at the back of the room caught the King and Queen's attention. There, was a young Hela, arguing with one of the healers.
The young princess was gesturing to where her mother and father lay on the far side of the room with a small bundle held protectively in their arms.
Odin wasted no time calling his daughter. Hela needed no second invitation. Within moments she was by their side peering down on her brother.
"My daughter, meet Haraldr Magnus, your brother," Odin said.
I know, I know this is very late and i'm sorry. I've been slammed with all sorts of work and assignments so I haven't had much time to write. So what do you think?
Thank you all for everyone who took the time to review, favorite and follow this story. I gives me energy to keep writing!