Worship of the Gods
I find it odd - the greed of mankind.
People only like you for as long as they perceive
they can get what they want from you.
Or for as long as they perceive you are
who they want you to be.
But I like people for all of their changing surprises,
the thoughts in their heads,
the warmth that changes to cold and
the cold that changes to warmth...
for being human.
The rawness of being human delights me
C. Joybell.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Ellie's body was aligned for the first time in months with a silk dress that flooded around her bare feet, pale purple shimmered with icy diamonds along the rim. The sleeves were fitted, pointed down the top of her hand to cover the bandage on her wrist. With her hair freshly washed and curled right down to her lower back; it was angelically arranged with some clipped away from her face whilst others trickled down her chest. Bathed in vanilla extract and oil to soothe her skin of the stench of training sweat and Midgardian blood
Her cheekbones had become more prominent when she looked at herself in the bath water, before washing Ellie was disgusted at the sickly dark bags beneath her eyes also. But after trusting her chambermaid to soak every inch of her aching body, she'd clambered out refreshed and a little brighter. An ointment was placed on her skin and mouth and she basked in the soft sunlight of Asgard, her eyes watering in admiration for the soothing hands of Cecelia.
The Queen had returned Cecelia to her care for that night, as well as several Eldir. They discovered her wandering through the gardens in a humming daze and swept her back into her chambers. Her royal chambers.
When she was clean, the Eldir helped her from the water and brushing her hair until it shone like molten bronze. An elderly Eldir anointed accacia berry and vanilla perfume on Ellie's wrist, behind her ears, down the valley of her breasts and a dab down between her legs. They dressed her in wispy violet material which Freyr had sent. It was a gown of expensive grandur, the sleeves fell off her shoulders in rings of purple material, soft to touch. It covered her cleavage and chest, exposing collarbone and neck.
The old servant slid gold bracelets crusted with amethysts around her wrists and a ring emblazoned with ancient Norse glyphs. She wanted to know what they said: good luck? Don't trip? Run as fast as you can? As the taste of apple left her mouth, she regained her human senses and held a hand to her cheek; scarcely able to recognize herself.
"Now you look all a princess," Cecelia said breathlessly when they were done. Ellie glanced over at the looking glass that had been placed in her room. An Asgardian, she thought, but she remembered what Loki had said, how you could sniff out the stench of a Midgardian from realms away.
She sipped a mint concoction and washed her mouth of Iduna's sweetness. A sudden chill rippled up her arms.
Lounn was waiting in the cool corridor, seated on the stone wall, looking out across Asgard. He rose when Ellie appeared and looked over her with a fascinated glaze.
"Ellie," he greeted. "You look so..."
"Foolish," she said. "I feel like a sheep in wolves' clothing; everyone knows I am of Midgard."
"But you are not!" Lounn gushed. "Something is happening to you, Ellie. You're changing, look at you. You're almost glowing."
She looked down at herself and held out her arms. It had to have been the apple. Or perhaps Loki was tricking her; tricking the people of Asgard into seeing her as a newly found woman before she died of food poisoning. She strained to see the miracle that her friend was witnessing, as usual her skin was the same color it had been when she got there.
"She's too skinny," a sharp voice hissed. Ellie looked around at Malai, she was walking beside another member of the Guard, both on their way to the grand hall. Her hair, a spectacular silver-white was pulled back into a messy braid. It must've meant something, the brown beads interlocked in it were covered in runes.
Lounn scowled. "We'll see who will be dancing with the God of Alfheim, won't we?"
"I suppose," Malai said doubtfully as she walked past. With her back to them, her voice hissed, "those Gods have queer tastes; boys, horses, sheep. You'll fit right in, Midgardian."
Taking the bitter words in her stride, Ellie stuck her nose up and allowed Lounn to escort her down to the Throne Room. Hundreds of Elves and Asgardians skipped along the same corridor, from every corridor in fact. They conjoined in a harmony of excited chatter. It wasn't just the arrival of the Freyr which was to be commemorated, but the warriors being granted their arm rings.
Lanterns hung from the ceiling above, from the nature outside and in the sky. They were magically suspended to recreate the appearance of stars. Only these were in touching distance. As they reached the archway, Ellie came to a stop and reached for one. It was a ball of light; warm and electric in her hands.
"Is that your companion for this night?" Lounn grinned, plucking another from the air. It basked his face in white light, emphasising his strong features which had been accentuated by months of training. They walked inside the Throne Room with laughter on their lips and met the joyous chatter of ten thousand guests. In front of them was the upper half of the hall, where royalty stood discussing private affairs. Ellie spotted Lord Freyr swinging three of his children on his arms like a climbing frame.
Beside him, his wife and the Queen Mother were in a deep conversation. Odin was studying the hall with his single, all-seeing eye. His Godly sons were heartily rejoicing over a horn of ale. Ellie eyed them until they caught her gaze and both looked over. In Loki's gaze, they shared a wordless acceptance of the Iduna Sanctuary's revelation. Ellie quickly became overwhelmed, looking down at the lantern.
Lounn allowed his to drift back up. In turn, Ellie lifted her hand, pushing hers into the air. Light glistened over her, showering her bland eyes with white power.
They joined their warrior companions quickly and engaged in festive games until Odin offered a speech about the Light-Elves. Then there was a merriment of dancing, singing and drinking. Ellie sipped her water, watching the Ljósálfar younglings dancing with a bounty of lanterns. She noticed that the balls of light would brighten when held by them. A girl threw hers up in the air, catching it and running with it excitedly. She sprinted with a group of other children and tripped, throwing the lantern towards Ellie.
Fluidly catching it in one hand, Ellie smiled down at the girl. "Careful," she said. "You don't want to break it."
The youngling took it, grinning up at her. "Thanks a bunch. Do you want me to get you one?"
"No, I'm alright with, uh, holding this." She lifted her water.
"But every one of us has to have one."
"I already let one go earlier. I don't need another."
The youngling shook her head fiercely. "No," she gripped the lantern. "You need your own."
"Do I?" Ellie grinned widely. "Very well. Where can I find one?"
Darting into the crowd, the Elven child disappeared for several moments before re-emerging with an unlit ball. It was smoky grey and cold to touch. Ellie placed her water down and crouched, taking ahold of it. "How do I light it?"
"You light it," the girl said.
"How? You'll have to teach me. I'm not good at this."
Placing her tiny hand on her lantern, the youngling closed her eyes. Her lantern went dark immediately. With a deep inhale, the girl compelled the lantern to blossom like a star. Ellie copied the girl, holding her palm out on the glass. Within her, the magic gushed and swam into the tips of her fingers. She chewed the inside of her cheek, urging the power to snake into the glass. There was a childish gasp from the youngling.
Ellie opened her eyes, surprised by the lantern in her hands. It was glowing. She held onto it tightly, concentrating on the magic staying alive. The youngling took it with her hands. "Wait," Ellie said, "it'll go out if I let go."
"No, it won't. I swears it."
With a regretful sigh, Ellie allowed the girl to take it. She was sure the lantern would flicker and die, but it stayed alight. A smile grew on her face. "You were right," she got to her feet. "It didn't go out."
"You are one of us," the little one pushed the lantern into the air. "Why'd you think it'd go out?"
Ellie pushed a plait back, revealing human ears. "I'm not one of you."
The youngling touched the tip of Ellie's ear curiously. Wonder widened her eyes. "My name's Genevieve."
"Really?" a memory from long ago sprung to Ellie's mind. She crouched again, taking the youngling's hand. "That's my name. I have two."
"Oh..." she gasped, "why?"
"Well," Ellie admitted. "I have two names. My real name is Ellie, but when I was a little girl like you, I had to choose the name of a powerful woman in order to grow up. I chose Genevieve." They shared a large smile. The youngling held Ellie's hand tighter.
"Can you dance with us?"
At first, she was reluctant, but the hefty hall hid her well. She followed the youngling and came upon a gathering of Elves. They were singing and dancing, swinging youngling about and pushing lanterns into the air. Genevieve yanked her into the crowd, maniacally laughing. She took the child's hands and pranced in a circle. They were both giggling, overjoyed with the new company and comfort of Asgard. Another took ahold of her hand, pulling her into a great circle of Ljósálfar younglings. They were gracefully tugging and pushing, laughing loudly and skipping to the lutes' tune.
Breathlessly, she slowed and dipped out of their celebrations. She clapped with the music, cheering for them to continue. Their song came to an end, much to their groaning distaste. Ellie copied the pout of Genevieve who hurried over to her, taking her hand.
"Your turn!" she cried. "Your turn! Sing us a song!"
"A song? I, uh, don't think I know many."
"Oh, you must know one," she beckoned the others to gather round her. "Tell her!"
"Sing to us! Sing to us!" they cawed, turning Ellie's cheeks pink. With a finalized ripple of excitement, they sat down like a childlike gathering of story-time. Genevieve squeezed her fingers, pulling her to the ground which warmed Ellie's heart. She touched the Ljósálfar's cheek with a smile.
It was a surge of otherworldly pride which compelled her to begin the tale. Norse fables didn't require someone with a voice for singing, just an enthusiasm and ability to stick to one tune. There was a Midgardian song used by the orphanage which told the story of angels providing peace to humans; as well as a beautiful afterlife where they would continue to keep them safe.
Ellie's soul felt connected to two worlds. She met the eyes of the Allfather, Freyr and then Lounn. "I present a tale from my world," she declared, earning a cheer from the younglings. Looking down at Genevieve, she whispered: "this is about angels from my world." The lutes began slowly behind her. She took ahold of a drum and began:
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From valkyries banding near Yggdrasil ,
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on Asgard, goodwill to men
From Valhalla's all gracious God!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the valkyries sing.
There was a swollen gathering of singers; onlookers, guests and the choir alike fluidly joined in with the story. Ellie's fingers brushed the drum and she closed her eyes. Her mind swam with the vision of winged horses and shieldmaidens fighting in the sky above:
Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed valkyries sing.
O ye beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the valkyries sing.
For lo, the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When Midgard and Asgard shall own
The God of Thunder and Mischief and their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the valkyries sing.
Enthralled by the rendition to a race of warriors long lost, the Lord Freyr rose from his seat and clapped. The enter hall had ceased their individual merriment, to listen to the small Ljósálfar gathering Ellie stirred around her. The hall followed Freyr's actions, cheering in memory of the Valkyries. A heartwarming pride blossomed in Ellie's chest. She stood and smiled up at the Queen Mother, who was wiping tears away. The Ljósálfar younglings clapped, touching her hands and arms as she looked down at them. There was an overwhelming connection which Ellie couldn't shake away. Genevieve stared up at her with wonderous eyes, her mouth open and baring a toothy smile.
Stepping out of their group, Ellie moved towards the upper table. Lounn appeared beside her as another group of Ljósálfar sang their song. "Góðr," he took the drum from her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "You're meant to be here. You always have." Ellie's eyes swelled. She laughed through them and touched her friend's cheek.
Nodding through her joyous tears, she looked back up to the royal family. Frigga raised a hand towards her and she gathered her skirts, leaving Lounn to cheer with Gustav.
Freyr took her hand as soon as she was within reach. He pulled her towards him and smiled paternally. "You have changed so much, little Midgardian," he said. From his touch, Ellie was lost with her words. She swallowed as her heart raced. It must've been the Iduna's magic. Something, a memory or a word, was on the tip of her tongue and she couldn't quite reach it. But now, she knew it was there.
The Elvish king's eyes bore into hers. His aged face shone with hundreds of years of battle, heartbreak and loneliness. Ellie swore she felt his pain; it scratched inside of her brain like a creature.
She began: "my Lord…"
"As the Lord's advisor, I must request the first dance on behalf of my superior," a voice interrupted, startling Ellie. She pulled her hand out of Freyr's and stared at Aelfred.
"Of course," Freyr said, his voice distant. "I shall the hand of the Queen if I may have the pleasure."
The two fluently took a turn about the floor. Aelfred's hand was tightly gripping her waist and hand, leading their path. Against the tall oak walls, their attire appeared beautifully grafted and hooked the attention of many. They became a true pair.
The Gods of Asgard were watching Elia with brute fascination. Immersed in how easy the mortal weaved through others as if a hot knife through butter; Aelfred was the one fighting to keep up with her.
Ellie began to feel the haze of wine the faster she moved. She looked away from Aelfred in fear she would embarrass herself and so focused on their clasped hands. The man was pleasant and sour which disturbed her. It was difficult to tell whether he relaying good news to Freyr or bad. By the appearance of the Ljósálfar's Lord, it must've been the positive he spoke of.
They crossed the floor, taking on another's hand. Ellie exhaled, wishing she had someone other than the bitter, wrinkled advisor in front of her.
"I must say," he controlled the dance, pulling Ellie sideways. "The younglings have taken to you well."
"They're lovely." Ellie thought of them fondly. "So clever. Despite what is happening to their world."
"What exactly do you know?"
Blinking, she frowned up at him. "Well, I… just know. I can't explain it. I just know they suffer."
"How peculiar," he murmured. His breath wafted over Ellie's face, filling her with the uncomfortably sweet scent of a herb she'd never smelled before. With a cough, she squeezed her eyes together and left the dancing to Aelfred. He moved brutally quickly, swinging and tilting every few moment.
In his sickly sweet breath, Ellie could taste the apple in her mouth. It consumed her. She swallowed and found the taste stuck; choking.
As she swirled and spun around the room, her mind began to become hazy. She fought to concentrate on Aelfred's hands strung tightly on her waist and hand, she was no longer feeling his warm skin on hers but nothing. Blinking, she found the hall to be full of different guests. They were beautifully grafted against the tall walls made of old oak.
She watched in awe of their golden hair and sparkling complexion, several looked at her and smiled warmly, as if old friends. These beings were far taller than her, dressed in gowns of flowing water and starlight, eyes glowing bright yellow and purple. Ellie was thrown back into another time, she looked down at her gown and found she was several feet shorter, her hair was past her knees and her hands were that of a child.
"Eurelia, come say hello to your grandfather!" an angelic voice called.
She gasped and stumbled backwards, out of Aelfred's grasp.
"My Lady," he aggressively scolded, gripping her hands.
Ellie clutched her chest, feeling nauseous. "I… I'm sorry I…"
"Am in need of a new partner," a cool voice ordered. Like fresh, spring water, the prince's presence washed over her and enveloped her. Only she wasn't drowning. She took Loki's hand and took a wavering step out of Aelfred's grasp. He bristled aggressively and stormed back to his seat.
Loki brushed his fingers across her forehead, soothing Ellie's jumbled mind. The… vision disappated, becoming an experience she didn't want to confront just yet. At least, not tonight.
"You are ravishing this 'Eve," he said, earning a scoff from her. "Well rested. Well cleaned and… well fed."
"Don't," she said, following his lead.
"Don't what? Did you manage to find your way out of the sanctuary? I had royal affairs to attend to. I am dreadfully sorry for leaving you… unattended."
"No, you're not. You're a God of Mischief."
"I am the God," he said, fluidly manoeuvring them between the other dancers. He lapsed into comfortable silence, relaxing beneath her hands when he figured she wasn't going to trip over his feet.
Ellie felt a warm ripple of intimacy emerge between them, mainly due to his relaxed composure and ability to trust Ellie with harrowing memories. Her gaze settled on the tip of his jaw, just below his ear lobe. The last time she had been intimate with a man was so long ago, the memory was like a footprint on a beach. It was being washed away by the sea; filled in with new memories. She swelled with mourning. To be so close to man, even standing; dancing, meant different energies were intermingling. Gods, she had spent too many hours with Tamra.
But it was undeniable. The air was hot with sparking atoms; bouncing off each other and colliding. They hit Ellie's skin and ping-ponged back to the prince. She chewed the inside of her cheek and looked up at his face, meeting his blue eyes.
"It didn't poison me," she said in the silence. "The apple… the apple meant for Aesir didn't hurt me. I felt…"
"Heavenly," he said.
"Am I of Asgard?" she shot a glance over the other dancers, worry knotting her brows.
Loki's lowered head rose to cast a glance behind her. "Would you want to be? Most are frivolous and greedy." She followed his gaze to a group of Aesir who stood watching them from their table. They hid behind their hand, giggling and whispering to one another. Half of them ogled Thor and the other were focused on Loki.
"Their heart's desire is to bed a prince," he said. "The binding ceremony is a rather erotic affair."
Ellie studied the guests. "Why? Do you have to have sex once you receive your armring?" Indeed, their eyes twinkled in the starlight at the sight of Loki and Thor Odinson. She remembered giving crushes the same look after a few pints of beer.
The prince laughed gently. "It's a spiritual event. You must exchange energy with another. Some find it… erotic." With a hazardous nod, Ellie lowered her gaze back to Loki's throat. "It's only fleeting," she said, "they'll sober up soon and realise it wasn't worth it."
Loki raised an eyebrow. "Alcohol pushes our deepest thoughts out of hiding."
"Is that why you're not drinking?" Ellie flexed her fingers between his. They'd been dancing for several minutes; their bodies held in a strict formation. "Afraid of what you'll say to me?"
Loki's gaze flickered from the giggling hens and to Ellie. He raised an eyebrow and she felt stupid suddenly. "If I want to indulge in you, I would've done so. Or do you believe I'm hiding behind my pretty voice?"
Overwhelmed by the events of the evening; the singing, memory, dancing and Loki, she snapped her gaze away. The Allfather was on his feet. The Lord Freyr was no longer dancing. He was watching her; waiting for the true reason of his arrival.
Ellie had supressed the final task's existence for weeks. Since being healed, she pretended the excessive training was Asgardian normality. The magic lessons with Loki were just him admiring her company. All of it was a lie.
She was preparing.
"Is it time?" she asked, her voice dropping to a frightened whisper.
"Do you remember what I told you?" he said, his voice burning her inner ear.
Ellie nodded. "It's a fire inside of me."
"And?" he slid his fingers through her palm and down to her wrist, wrapping them around it. Soon, a arm ring would sit there. "Silver poisons Elves," she whispered. Excitement danced in his steel eyes.
He released her hands, his gaze drifting to the Norse Gods which waited for Ellie.
References
Góðr – Old Norse for brave, noble and good.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – an 1849 poem used at Christmas, but I changed the lyrics to match the Norse mythology to aid Ellie's narrative.
Genevieve - In Catholicism, there is a confirmation ceremony where you are accepted into the Church by choosing the name of a Saint based on virtues.
Author's Note: YOOOOOOOOOOO THE CLIP OF LOKI IN THE MARVEL TRAILER. MY READERS I HAVE SO MANY PLANS.
I have written the vast majority of the non-movie part of this story and chapters leading into the movies. Ellie plays a very important role throughout the second Thor, namely as it includes the Dark Elves. Thank you for reading. My love to you.