Worship of the Gods
And the centurion who stood by said:
Truly this was a son of God.
Not long ago but everywhere I go
There is a hill and a black windy sky.
Portent of hill, sky, day's eclipse I know;
Hill, sky, the shuddering darkness, these am I.
The dying at His right hand, at His left,
I am - the thief redeemed and the lost thief;
I am the careless folk; I those bereft,
The Well-Belov'd, the women bowed in grief.
The gathering Presence that in terror cried,
In earth's shock in the Temple's veil rent through,
I; and a watcher, ignorant, curious-eyed,
I the centurion who heard and knew
Adelaide Crapsey, Verse by Adelaide Crapsey
Chapter Thirty-Two: Preparations
Ellie swam to the surface of consciousness, rising out and falling back in over a period of days. The time felt like seconds as sparks of conversation wriggled their way into her dreams.
"You poisoned her, then," Loki seethed. "You knew this would happen."
"This would not have happened when she first arrived," Odin said, his voice calmer. "We know her transformation is nearly complete."
"Transformation?" he spat. "Who is we? Who are you conspiring with? Treating her like an experiment?"
It was painful listening to two Gods bickering. Both were fighting for dominance over the conversation. However, the Allfather always won against his son.
"Don't feign innocence with me, boy," he thundered. "She has been a toy to you. You tricked her into eating from the Iduna Sanctuary. She would have been tested from the trial alone."
When she heard Odin raising his voice, she fought to wake. She had to see if Loki was affected by his father's words.
"I was teaching her," he responded, his voice visibly affected by Odin's misunderstanding.
"You were fooling her. By what right have to do infer with the Ljósálfar's troubles?"
"I was born a God," he hissed. "It is what I am owed."
"Don't you sound just like her. Or is it that she sounds just like you."
"Is that so terrible, Father?" There was torturous anger in Loki's voice. "Would you have preferred Thor, Father? Would you? Don't walk away from me! Father!"
There was a clatter of noise, frightening Ellie enough to slip back under and disappear into the world of dreams.
Time was a vapid, stateless entity when you were asleep. Ellie swam between memories and fictional universes. She could be stood in her chambers with Frigga combing her hair and then a draugr would burst through the door, biting her neck and throwing her into a new vision.
By far her favorite dream was the one where she sat on the windowsill of her Covent Garden apartment, overlooking the cobblestone road below. She was dangling her bare feet and it was snowing. Flakes fluttered into her bare legs. It sent tingles up her arms as she looked up at the porcelain sky and felt at peace with Midgardian life.
When she bowed her head, London was gone. The landscape was a tundra of ice. Across a clearing sat the Alfheim tree and in its soul was the Alkar stone. It glowed gold.
Ellie raised a hand, reaching for it.
The dream world faded away like a crackling television screen.
She opened her eyes with great difficulty, shuddering as the light of two suns welcomed her. Watering and stinging, she closed them again and exhaled a sigh. Yellow crept into the skin beneath her eyelids. For a moment, she imagined she was in the afterlife. Heaven was soft and gentle, like falling into a featherbed. Valhalla would be passionate and exciting; she could run through forests and over mountains forever.
"My lady?" Cecelia's soft voice accented with the northern flick of Asgard called to her. Ellie opened her eyes again. "I thought I heard you stirring."
"What happened?" she croaked, rolling her head away from the sunlight. "My throat feels awful. My stomach…" pulling her knees up and groaning, "oh, God."
Cecelia closed the curtains with a sharp swish and hurried to her bedside. There was a cabinet of potions which rattled as she opened the door and uncorked a yellow bottle. With a calm hand, she lifted Ellie into a sitting position and urged her to drink it.
The events of the torque celebration and arena presentation washed over her. "I don't want to drink it," she panicked.
"It will ease your sickness."
Hesitantly, Ellie took a sip. It was as sweet as honey and extinguished the stinging sensations in her innards. She hungrily gulped the remainder and sighed, falling back into the pillows. "Aelfred…" she started, "he gave me something to drink. It was poison."
"It wasn't, my lady," Cecelia said.
"It had to be. My insides have been stripped raw."
"The drink was a silver concoction, not poison."
"Silver? And the bangle…" Ellie lifted her wrist to find it bandaged. The door to her chambers swung open. She snapped her gaze to Frigga.
"Good morning, Eurelia," she said, dismissing Cecelia.
"I was poisoned," Ellie repeated. "Aelfred poisoned me."
To her surprise, the Queen nodded and smiled. She pushed a graceful hand through Ellie's tangled, unwashed hair and let it rest on her shoulder. "You were poisoned. Not purposely, albeit Aelfred's intentions were unknown to Lord Freyr and us but justified."
"Justified? The silver made me sick. I couldn't breathe."
"Secrets make you sick," she pointed.
Remembering the torturous dreams which had plagued her mind for days, Ellie moved out of Frigga's reach. Her eyes began to water as her voice dropped to a crackled whisper, "my mother. You took my memories. You knew all along."
"I did." She leaned forward as if revealing a joyous secret. "I knew the moment you saved me."
It felt closer to betrayal than giddy gossip. "How?"
Sensing her unease, Frigga inched her fingers to Ellie's bare collarbone. Ellie clenched her teeth, attempting to repel her magic from morphing her emotions. The Queen's magic warmed her and filled her with mindfulness. "I was raised by witches," she said Ellie exhaled and unclenched her fist. "My blood is streaming with magic. I sensed a connection; a power."
"You shouldn't use magic on me anymore," Ellie said, a hint of sadness leaking through the magic. "You should've told me from the start. Why didn't you tell me?"
Frigga took her hand away. "If I were to tell you that you were the daughter of one of the most beautiful and angelic creatures in this universe, it would've tainted you."
"What? You wanted me to be humble? That's it?" The Queen's silence told her everything. "I've felt so alone… all my life."
"There was no way of approaching your heritage with you without emotional turmoil."
"Emotional turmoil?" Ellie offensively repeated, wishing she had stayed asleep. "My mother is dead. My father is… who? No one. A human. Dead."
"And you are alive. You are the child that time lost and you found your way back," Frigga took hold of Ellie's cheek. Magic warmed her face, filling her with devotion and forgiveness. The Queen's power was centuries old and Ellie's could feel it.
With a shaky breath, Ellie nodded. "What happens now?"
"The real war has begun. It's time to join it."
"And where do I start with that?"
"Speaking with your grandfather will be a good place."
How could he be? Where did she begin with accumulating family members? She felt like a raven collecting shiny objects from near and far. They'd all sit in her little nest like trophies, giving her a sense of purpose. "How long has he known?" she wondered how many times she had stood within reach; looking like his daughter.
"It took some time for him to come to terms with it all. Even now, it will be difficult. There is so little time to make amends now."
"How do I speak to him?" Relaxation swept over Ellie. It seemed Frigga did not need to physically touch Ellie to do what she wanted. Ellie looked away. "What do I say?"
"We can start by greeting one another as family," a deep voice echoed. Ellie snapped her head back to the Queen only to find her watching Lord Freyr. She swore there were tears in her eyes as she watched Freyr walk towards Ellie.
She sat up straighter, her heart thundering despite the Queen's magic.
Lord Freyr's rosy cheeks were still plump on his face, but the shadows beneath his eyes were haunting. He was exhausted and joyous features could only hide so much. Ellie had gotten so used to the expression; it was chilling to be deprived of it.
"My Lord," she said, her voice lost in the large room. "I'm… sorry."
To her confusion, Frigga and Freyr started laughing. He held his chest, walking towards her with a hearty expression. "My girl, half of my blood you are but your words are so human," he boomed. Ellie sat up straighter in bed.
Freyr held something in his hand. It was a torque. Taking her unbandaged wrist, he pushed the bracelet over her skin. "It is pure gold." Ellie could feel the weight of it. She swallowed, running a finger over the runes. It said her mother's maiden name: chinn òir.
"What happened to her?" she dreaded the answer.
"She was murdered in Hel, retrieving the stolen Alkar." Memories flashed in his shimmering eyes; he was living in the past. "She was foolish." Ellie blinked. "Foolishly reckless, passionate and strong."
"I remember her." Briefly glancing at Frigga, Ellie recalled her foggy thoughts. "She was beautiful. She liked to sing. Even though she wasn't…"
"Very good at it," Freyr laughed, finishing the sentence. Their laughter fell into mournful silence. "She loved you. We all did. You were so young when we lost you."
"I don't remember that part. It's too painful to retrieve."
"You followed your mother. Through the portal," he said. "She didn't know you were awake. You liked to hide the woods; you see. Off you went… after her and into Hel."
The mind was a powerful entity. It locked thoughts and words in a cage for the safety of its sanity. Ellie chewed the inside of her cheek, imagining a devilish world. For a youngling, it would've been monstrous.
"I will show you," he said, drawing her attention back. His grip on her cheek softened. Ellie found herself leaning into his hand, her eyes watering. "One day soon. For now, you must rest. There will be a council soon in preparation for the war to come. I will visit later. Perhaps with the little ones. It would be good for them to get to know their cousin."
Several Days Later
"You will be addressed," Freyr said, pressing a hand to her cheek for a moment. "Your rightful name has been given to you and you will be treated as such."
Ellie nodded hesitantly. Her palms were sweating so she dared not offer a hand back to him. Their relationship was still unnatural to her. Everything was different; the training, magic and prayers. She hadn't seen Lounn in over two weeks or been allowed two minutes alone. With healers flittering around and Cecelia assigned back to her, a moments peace was all she craved.
Her breath was suspended at the top of her throat. She lived in a constant state of unease. For what? She could not answer. It was a companion; anxiety.
"Eurelia," Freyr said. Ellie snapped her gaze up to his. "Are you alright?"
"Fine," she said. "I'm fine."
"If this is too much, then the council will understand."
"They won't." Rumour had it a few of them were vicious. They were so obsessed with the protection of the realm, they disregarded any being they deemed inferior. "They'll think I'm weak. I'm not weak. I'm your…"
"Granddaughter," he said.
"And I'm not weak. I'm ready for war."
The words felt alien on her tongue. She knew she had been indoctrinated into bloodshed. It could have been comparable to joining a cult, she supposed. Although, cults relied on lies and fear. The war was very much real, and she was on the frontline.
Freyr pulled his cape further over his shoulders, smiling proudly. He squeezed her shoulder once more and swished out of the archway.
Ellie exhaled, letting her head fall back against the stone wall. How could it would've felt to slide down it and fall asleep in the glorious silence. Her head began to ache.
"Greetings, sweet princess!" Thor said, appearing around a corner with his brother.
Ellie groaned quietly and straightened, brushing her dress down and painting a smile on her face. The princes were in black and purple, assumedly to match the Allfather. Her own gown was lilac.
"Please," she said softly. They stopped before her with knowing smirks on their faces. "Don't call me that."
Thor raised an eyebrow. "Why ever not? You're a legend. A myth."
"A ghost," Loki said. Ellie looked at him quickly.
"And you?" she asked, unable to shake the itch of betrayal. "How long did you know?"
"Not as long as I wish to share."
"As long as the rest of them?"
Loki studied her silently. He tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. They flickered to her braids, the torque and to her throat. Could he hear her racing heartbeat? Sense the sweat on her palms? The nagging pain in her head?
Ellie clenched her teeth.
"Quite a scare you gave us," Thor continued, idly poking his head around the corner and into the chamber. "Crying and screaming like that. Thought my ears were bleeding."
"Believe me, so did I," she said, continuing to hold Loki's gaze. She wanted to rip his eyes out and see into his head. Perhaps his thoughts weren't neurons bouncing around a brain, but an ancient, infinite book. His articulate nature wouldn't have made it a surprise.
But she had seen him bleed, which meant he wasn't an inanimate object. He was… a God.
"Presenting His Royal Highness, Prince Thor Odinson of Asgard," a man beckoned the lither God.
"Suppose you feel better now you know you're not a nobody." Meant to be light and off-hand, Thor gave her a cheeky smile and continued out of sight. Ellie nodded after him, her gaze falling to the floor in self-loathing.
"Would you have mourned me?" she asked in their silence. "You tricked me into eating Iduna's fruit. Would you have mourned if it had poisoned me?"
"No."
Tilting her head up, she looked down at Loki. "No?" she asked again. How many days, months even, had they spent together? He saw her soul; her anguish, loneliness and hatred. The prince was her saviour and a part of him had to know that she would give her life to save his. Only one God could be relied upon it seemed and not once had he shown his face.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Eurelia Niamh-Chinn Òir of Alfheim," the addressor's voice sung. "Accompanied by his Royal Highness, Prince Loki Odinson of Asgard. The words sparkled through the archway, reaching Ellie's ears like glass daggers. She had heard the presentation many times when she was a youngling, but that was years ago, and she scarcely believed the memories were hers yet.
The raven-haired prince reached for her arm, but she held it back childishly. "Don't touch me ever again," she hissed.
He held his hand open as if approaching an angry dog. "I apologise," he pressed. "I apologise for eternity. But you have to understand that if you died, you wouldn't have been you."
"Just human," she spat. "I still am."
"Yes, not completely but if you were you would have died when we first met." He eyed her carefully, moving gently before her. "You wouldn't have survived your injuries. You know this."
"I might have." She knew the truth that she would have died in Frigga's arms. Or they would have both passed away together. Loki would take his Mother's body and discard hers; a stranger with a different heaven. "You should've mourned the human who tried to save your Mother, then," Ellie growled and pushed Loki's hand down. She shoved her arm through his and pulled him through the archway.
The chamber's skylight bathed it in a yellow glow. A dozen councilmembers sat around an oval table. Odin and Frigga stood at the far end watching them enter. Elders she'd never seen before were stood either side of Aelfred and Freyr was grinning proudly.
Ellie's jaw twanged. She figured it was her clenched teeth.
"Perhaps I would have returned for her body," Loki said. "Set her on fire and returned her to Valhalla." It was loud in her ear. She looked at him sharply, only to find he had barely whispered the words. With her rediscovered heritage, she figured her senses would become as sharp as a Ljósálfar's.
She didn't forgive Loki for his betrayal. After many nights in her chambers, mulling over the process she had taken to become what she was, she decided she wanted to be his equal. Not because she was Ljósálfar or human, but because she was a living being.
Unhooking her arm, she bowed to the addresser who pulled a seat out for her. Ellie took her place beside Lord Freyr and smiled at him apprehensively. He winked. She turned to the table and was surprised that all of their eyes were on her. It shouldn't have been one, they had been called to witness the final plans for Alfheim.
On the table was a map of the kingdom. Wooden figurines were posed in certain areas; overthrown castles, valleys and the Alkar Tree. In the middle of the map was a replica of the stone. Where was the real one being kept?
Odin stood, sweeping his golden cape back. An apprehensive silence filled the room. "Members of the council; Gods, Lords, Captains and Queens… you have been gathered for the call of war. This will be the final war for Ljósálfheimr – Alfheim. Lord Freyr will present our plan of entrance into the realm."
Freyr rose. "The realm is home to an abundance of beings. They belong to no creature or God and must be respected when we enter. The Dwarven sanctuary on the Alkarion Mountains will not disturb us; they took to hiding over five hundred years ago and will not risk their folk for any battle." He pointed towards a jagged landscape covered in snow. It was miles from the Alkar Tree, but Ellie still felt a twinge of annoyance that not everyone would be willing to restore the realm.
"As for the Bifrost – it can only be opened in one place," Freyr continued. "The Lumeer Forest. This is the home of the Fae and the sacred woodland has never been used as a bridge to warfare. We have acquired the homage of their Queen, Aesla Featherwine." He raised a hand, presenting two beautiful beings who were sat opposite Ellie.
"I am Aeltri, daughter of Kharis," the first spoke, her voice like crystal in the room. The second bowed, his luminous green eyes meeting each person in the room.
"Hrinmeer," he said. "Son of Maglor Tasartir. We are from the Queensguard and will escort you to our majesty. Your offering will be judged and received." Ellie suddenly felt unworthy of their presence. She tried to hide, dropping her face downwards and allowing strands of hair to lop over her cheeks and forehead.
"Offering?" a guttural voice said. "What kind of offering?"
"Lord Vali…" Aelfred attempted to settle him.
"No," he said, rising to his feet with a loud clatter. Half a dozen swords hung on his waist. His hair was tied in a dreadlock bun atop his head. If not for his cruel voice, he would have been terrifyingly beautiful. "If you are giving the fae a gift, then I demand one. You are using my valleys and rivers as transport for your armies. How much land will be destroyed by your men?"
Odin stared at him. "Forgive me, I assumed you were aiding the daughter of Óir out of the goodness of your heart."
"You mock me, Allfather," he said.
"On the contrary, Lord Vali. I provided my strongest men in your safe journey despite the imminent threat of thievery and attack."
"You demand me trust a strange girl and give up my lands so you can attack the heart of Alfheim."
Freyr clenched his fist. "Which has been infested by wargs and dark magic, Vali."
"By what proof? My people have not seen nor heard from the wargs in years. They leave us in peace and do not destroy my lands like you plan on doing."
"Grass will regrow," Odin said.
"Organs do not," Freyr added. "The heart of our realm is diseased. Can't you sense it? It weakens your people and will feed on you until there is nothing left but blood and bone."
"And the girl?" Vali spat, jabbing a finger at Ellie. She inhaled sharply, unable to control the anger filling her from Freyr. The room was bubbling with annoyance and she couldn't stop them leaking through her soul. A wave of magic swam in her chest.
"Do not speak over me, Lord Vali," she said, her voice shaking slightly.
"How dare you address me in such a way. The audacity of you… a mere girl. How long have they trained you for? Indoctrinated you in wanting more than you deserve? What was it, Allfather?"
Odin unblinkingly watched Vali, his stoic face passive. "Three years she has been with us." Ellie snapped her gaze to him. Had it been that long? How had time gone so fast? She was twenty-seven and hadn't celebrated a birthday since leaving Midgard. The mundanity of human life felt so distant, but not so far. She blinked hot tears away and turned back to Vali.
"I have trained for this," she said carefully. "I will return the stone and restore peace to Alfheim whether you wish it or not."
"Trained? No doubt spoiled in the Allfather's kingdom and courted by servants all day long!" Vali levelled her up, his height towering over her as if that settled their argument. "Especially as you are nothing more than a human — you have no right surrounded by these kin."
Glowering at his stupidity; his blindness for the world outside of his fur coats and indulgent Alfheim livestyle, Ellie did not back down. "I am Eurelia, Daughter of Niamh Chinn Óir and a guardian of Asgard." She felt the eyes of the council on her, marvelling the way she possessed every word. "I would think twice before using human as an insult when there are humans far greater and steadier with a blade than the slithering tongue you slide down the councils' ear."
The Elven princess' sharp tongue surprised those sat around her, Thor and Loki stilled in their chairs; enthralled by her courage. Silence descended upon the room. Vali breathed heavily and took a moment before collapsing in his chair. He glowered at her and then at Odin. "My offering, Allfather. Or I will remove my army from the battle."
The council turned to look at the Allfather. He had a finger pressed to his lips and was mulling over Lord Vali's words. Ellie had spoken to him in the same way once but received a good telling off. She had to assume Odin had plans for the man.
"We will discuss this in private, Lord Vali," he said. "Out of respect for the battle plans we must agree upon now."
"Delightful," Vali said, a sly grin emerging on his face. "If it's good, I might just invite you all to my daughter's wedding. It's tradition for my people to wed during times of turmoil."
Frigga gave him a tight smile. "That's very gracious of you, Lord Vali. We look forward to it."
For the entirety of the meeting, Ellie supressed the grin which threatened to eat her face. She knew the Queen was poking fun at Vali. Thankfully, the lord was foolish enough to take it as praise. He sat smirking at the Allfather and twiddling a dagger in his hands.
Freyr told them that Asgardian soldiers will travel with the Ljósálfar in several days. Ellie would travel with the Warriors Three and the princes to meet Queen Aesla Featherwine and present their offering before the soldiers came through the Bifrost. They would continue their journey through the forests until they reached Lord Vali's communal kingdom. If he received a good enough reward, he would allow the warriors through and into No-Mans Land.
There were several abandoned fortresses which the armies would use as lily-pads; hopping up to the inner realm and facing the final battle against the wargs. The Asgardian fighters were known as Einherjar and one of their captains sat listening intently, pointing at advantage points their armies could use. It was becoming very real; the threat of starvation, poverty and war-wounds filled Ellie with dread.
Ellie sat digesting the plans as the councilmen agreed heartily with one another. After her outburst, none of them gave her the side-eye or treated her with disdain.
"Let us commemorate this gathering," Odin said, rising from his seat. There was a bounty of shuffles and chairs scraping. With a wave of Frigga's hand, the table disappeared and they guests were left within meters of one another without furniture to hold them apart.
Ellie's eyes darted to Aelfred's, Hrimeers and Aetri's and then Freyr's. They were quick to meet her gaze. The strange fae watched her silently, almost curiously. She sensed their intrigue and approached them immediately.
"Pleasure to be acquainted with you, sweetling," Aetri greeted, his voice like a purr. She took his hand, indulging in the smoothness of his skin. Midgardian folktales told of faeries being erotically charming and sweeping humans away for eternity. Hrimeer pressed a kiss to her cheeks. Ellie didn't think an eternal romance was such a bad idea.
"The rumours were unsettling," he said. "Like our Dwarfish bretherin, we have lived underground for over three hundred years waiting for the Alkar to return. False stories were always buzzing in our cities."
"You learned to be wary," she nodded. "I understand how terrible this has been for you. But I have made it my life to help return Alfheim to its rightful state."
Hrimeer shared a long look with Aetri. Ellie sensed their dwindling romance was coming to bloom soon. They both turned back to her and bowed. Frigga appeared at her side with an ironclad warrior. He was ginormous, with tattoos running over his head and runes hanging off his beard.
"Captain," Frigga pressed graciously. "Princess Eurelia Niamh Chinn Óir."
"Ellie," she said, her cheeks turning pink.
"Skurge, my lady," he said, taking her hand and pressing his lips to it. "Captain of the Einherjar; protector of Asgard."
He took her hand with suprising elegance. His beard tickled the skin of her hand as he pressed a kiss to it. "It's nice to meet you," she said, slightly flattered.
"My word, you really are Midgardian bred." It was neither a compliment nor insult, but the warrior took note of Ellie's confusion. "What I mean by that is your mannerisms are… otherworldly."
"I'm sorry." Ellie scratched her head. "Some things are hard to shake off."
"No apology is necessary. I've always wanted to visit Midgard myself. You could escort me 'round the sights."
Her cheeks turned pink. "I do hope to go back one day," she said. "It might've changed since I left. Time seems to go fast here; I imagine it has back… home."
"It would be an adventure for us both."
"I look forward to it," she mirrored his light voice and mannerisms in hope of gaining another friend. She missed Lounn and Gustav; even Malai and Naeva. Were they in the taverns? Or clearing out their training barracks and moving into the professional quarters?
Skurge continued indulging her with tales of battle. He had recently been promoted and was splurging coin on ale, lovers and food. His colourful language was hard to ignore, but Ellie found herself listening to a conversation behind her.
"You make me feel inferior when you speak to me like that," Thor said, his voice hushed and hidden from the brash chatter of the other gods. Ellie raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly.
"Inferiority comes from a place of poor self-esteem," Loki replied. "Are you a bit self-conscious, Thor? Bit shy?"
"Don't insult me."
"You make it so easy."
"I don't make it easy. A peasant wouldn't talk to me like this."
"Of course not. Why would they be cruel to their own people?"
There was a scoff. Assumedly from Thor. "I'll strangle you," he said. "Or I'll just snap that little head right off your tiny body."
"I am two inches shorter."
"And one hundred pounds lighter."
The scuffle of shoes and a grunt followed. "Ten times more powerful than you."
"I'll let you know the next time I need an enemy levitated."
"I'll levitate your brain out of that thick skull of yours," Loki said, his voice slightly shaky as he avoided his brother's grasps. "Oh, I forgot, you don't have one." With a cry, Thor grabbed his neck and began pulling him to the ground.
Ellie turned and shot them glare. Skurge was too busy demonstrating an upper-cut to notice. It was unfair the princes were allowed to foolishly and frivolously argue, and she had to withhold a state of elegance. "Do you both mind?" she hissed. "The fate of the Elves-my people -is at stake." Loki used his magic to compel Thor to the ground. His brother crumpled in a heap, gasping for breath. When the blond went for him again, Ellie stomped forward and grabbed his clenched fist. "Are you five? Stop fucking around."
Loki got to his feet, brushing his tunic down and grinning proudly. Ellie released Thor and glowered. "Wipe that off your face," she hissed to Loki. "You're just as immature."
"Is that you speak to a prince?"
"According to my grandfather, I'm the same status so shut up."
Smiling slightly, the prince took a step toward her. "Is that how you speak to a God?" he said lowly.
Ellie grinned in return. "I don't pray to you," she said chirpily.
"Didn't you admit to doing so?"
The smile nearly slipped from her face. "Not outwardly. When we danced… could you read my thoughts?"
"Wouldn't you like me to tell you?" he said as Thor clambered to his feet. "Little Midgardian." His brother dove, holding Loki's waist and throwing him overhead. He screamed, tumbling into the corridor and out of sight.
Skurge laughed loudly. "Men after my own heart," he said. "I trained with the princes many eons ago. It seems they haven't lost their spite for one another."
"You two!" Frigga appeared, flushed and brandishing her cape. "You're over a thousand years old. The pair of you! Get back in here. Thor-stop. Don't give me that stupid grin-get that off your face."
A sharp pain shot through Ellie's head. She grimaced and touched her temple.
"My lady?" Skurge asked, pressing towards her.
She stood up and smiled forcefully. "Perfect," she said and turned to the room. "Excuse me, guests of the council, I must attend another matter," she announced, bring their chatter to a close. "It has been a honour conversing with you all and I am proud to stand beside you on the Eve of War." Out of everyone, Aelfred and Lord Vali watched her in apprehensive judgement. Ellie held their gazes until she turned on her heel and sauntered out of the room.
Halfway down the corridor and collapsed against the wall. Exhaustion had been a friend for many weeks. It was so difficult to keep it hidden away.
At the end of the corridor, Cecelia appeared and hurried towards her. "Allow me to help you back to your chambers, my lady," she said. With a grunt, Ellie got to her feet and took Cecelia's hand.
"How did you know I'd be here?" She looked down at herself.
"The Queen," she said.
Ellie glanced down at the corridor and sure enough, Frigga stood beside her two sons. They watched her cautiously. Ellie was overcome with fatigue. She nodded haphazardly and continued out of their sight.
With a warm bath running, her curtains billowing in night air and the caw of a raven nearby, Ellie felt sadness creeping over her. She hung over the sink, watching the water swill round and round; disappearing down the pipes.
Snapping her gaze up to the mirror, she peered closer at her features. Her skin was as textured as a humans' with a premature wrinkle by her mouth where she smiled too wide. The eyes, as mundane as they were in colour, where not from her mother but a father she still didn't know. It was the ears which frightened her the most. They poked out of the side of her head, exposed by the hair wrought up in a bun. And they were pointed.
With a shaky hand, she touched the tip and gasped. It was startlingly sensitive, as soft as baby skin and smooth without flaws. A small cartilage hoop hung in the alienated new world of her ear. It looked bizarre.
Ellie met her own eyes in the mirror. She ran a finger down the side of her face and dropped her head to her chest, feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness.
Ellie sobbed. Her cries wracked her body, heaving her chest painfully until she collapsed on the floor. With red cheeks, spit and tears coating her face and neck, she could only cry louder. Where did she belong? Who was she? Why was she?
There was not an answer.
Comments:
Be safe everyone x