Note: This chapter gets dark in the second half, please see warnings at the end of the chapter.


A Healer's Resolve

Eir had started on her morning rounds of the healing rooms. She stopped next to the bed of one of the palace guards who appeared to have broken his leg. Jugen had finished setting the bone and was bandaging up the guard's leg.

Jugen looked up at Eir and said, "Lady Eir, I didn't expect you this morning. I heard that you and Pakshi were called out to the city late last night. I haven't seen Pakshi this morning, were you out all night? Is she still on that case?"

"I sent Pakshi home to get some rest. She will take the evening shift today", said Eir. Jugen must have sensed something in her tone; he refrained from asking further questions in front of his patient. He quickly changed the subject, "Gendry here was just telling me how he broke his leg, and it's quite a funny story."

The sheepish expression on the guard's face coupled with Jugen's barely concealed amusement was enough to convince Eir that this might be worth hearing. "Is that so Gendry? How did it happen?" she asked.

Gendry was just about to launch into his story when Eir sensed a light chill in the air. She turned around to see Loki, the younger prince of Asgard standing at the entrance to the room. Eir ran her practiced healer's eye over him noting that he was neatly dressed in a blue tunic and black trousers, his dark hair falling in curls to just below his ears. He looked fresh and well rested and Eir could see no sign of injury so she just raised her eyebrows waiting for him to address her.

"Good Morning, Lady Eir", said Loki with a most charming smile that seemed to indicate he was very pleased with himself this morning. Not that Loki's smiles could be trusted as a reliable indication of his moods anymore, she reminded herself. Though the mischievous twinkle in his eyes still gave the game away and for that she was grateful.

"Good Morning, Loki. What can I help you with?" she asked even though she had gathered that he was not here to request her services.

"Quite the contrary, Lady Eir, it is I who have been sent to help you. Major Kani has instructed me to report to you every morning for the next week as punishment, so –

Any equipment that needs cleaning,

Any patients that need screening,

Any draughts that need brewing,

Any mundane tasks that need doing,

Do not fear Madam, You have your Man", Loki broke out into an impromptu song.

"If you are finished being silly then get in here", Eir ordered strictly. It would not do to encourage Loki's aptitude for verbal rhymes. She knew from experience that the boy could effortlessly keep this up for hours and she wasn't quite in the mood for it after the night she had just had. Loki took the hint and walked over in silence.

Loki flashed a quick grin at Jugen and then glanced over at Gendry. "I see you are Suri's latest victim, how long did you last?" Loki asked Gendry. Eir let out a sigh of exasperation as she glared at the young guard, "Is that how you broke your leg?" she asked him. Suri was the name given by the palace guards to the untamed wildebeest that had strayed into the palace grounds a few weeks ago. They had taken it upon themselves to try and tame the animal by trying to ride atop it. It had turned into a stupid competition among the young guards.

Gendry nodded, his cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink. "I managed three rounds around the training grounds, but then she started kneeling on the ground and jumping back up into the air in rapid succession. That's when I lost my grip and went flying into a tree." he said.

Loki nodded and said, "Three rounds is pretty good." Gendry perked up at this and said, "Deosan says he did five rounds last week but everyone knows he is lying".

"Yes Deosan also once claimed that he had singlehandedly fought and killed an entire flock of Toghills. Best take what he says with a pinch of salt. Though perhaps it may be best to leave poor Suri in peace, she seems quite determined to be untamed. After all not all beasts can be tamed, some spirits are meant to roam freely" Loki mused.

The guard nodded enthusiastically, pleased at all the attention from the young Prince. Eir hoped he would take Loki's advice to heart but she still made a mental note to herself to have a word with Chief Guard Chartak and ask him to put a stop to this foolish game.

"So what did you do this time?" Jugen asked curiously as he finished wrapping up Gendry's leg, fully prepared for an account of Loki's latest antics.

"Nothing really, Minister Hadini was giving a speech yesterday at the evening assembly. It was quite a long speech and I think the poor man's throat must have dried up. For some reason his voice began trilling at a most shrill, alarming pitch towards the end of the speech. Sounded like a dying wood thrush going on and on about trade tariffs between Asgard and Alfheim. Then his robes started flashing in many wonderful colours. He still managed to finish his speech; you truly have to admire his persistence. But since I was present among the attendees, I ended up getting blamed for upsetting the decorum of the proceedings", Loki finished with a straight face.

Jugen broke out into a low chuckle – "I wish I could have seen that", he said. Gendry was highly amused as well and even Eir's lips twitched slightly. Minister Hadini was well known for taking every opportunity to give boring and long winded speeches. It was the running joke that even Asgard's most strong willed warriors would fail the test of endurance that was listening to Hadini's complete speeches without falling asleep.

"I can't imagine your father was happy about this", Eir said putting on a stern face in an attempt to hide her mirth. She regretted it the next instant as the light faded slightly from Loki's eyes at the mention of his father.

"He gave me the usual lecture last night… you are not a child anymore… evening assembly is not the time or place for your pranks… learn to act more responsibly, etc. etc. As expected, he left my punishment up to Old Kani and so here I am", Loki recited with a cheerful smile but Eir noticed that this time it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Major Kani does seem to like sending you here; he is getting quite predictable in his old age", said Eir.

"Well he is terrified of you, and he is convinced that I am too", said Loki in an exaggerated whisper.

"You must know that you are welcome to visit here anytime. There is no need for such elaborate mischief", Eir remarked dryly.

"Why thank you Lady Eir, I always knew that deep down you truly appreciated my company", replied Loki, winking at her. Eir decided not to dignify that with a response though in all honesty she knew she did have something of a soft spot for Loki. She did appreciate his sharp intellect, constant curiosity, and his fierce drive to keep learning – all characteristics of a great student.

Eir had been pleasantly surprised when she discovered that Loki had the natural talent required for the healing sciences. In fact if it weren't for his royal status she would surely have offered him an apprenticeship by now. But as things stood, she was perfectly happy to let Loki pick up a few useful skills during his occasional stints at the medical center. Given how the young Royal Princes and their group of friends seemed to have a proclivity for exciting and dangerous activities, it was probably a very good idea for someone in the group to have some ability in this area.

"Alright let me see… the Beraht Machine needs recalibrating, you know how it works right? You can do that first and then just help out Jugen for the rest of the morning", she instructed. Loki nodded and left making his way towards the equipment room. Eir turned back to Gendry and started lecturing him on the need to rest his leg properly for the next few days in order for it to heal quickly.


Eir had completed her morning rounds and finally had a few moments for herself. She walked over to Frigga's gardens and sat down on a cool stone slab. The gardens were lovely at this time of year – rare and colourful summer flowers were seen in full bloom, the pear and apricot trees were ripe with tasty fruits, a gentle, soothing breeze blew in from the western gate. It was probably the most beautiful and peaceful place in the entire city, but Eir could not find any measure of peace. She tried her best to soak up some of the warmth and cheer from the garden, but her thoughts kept circling back to the events of the previous night.

Shadows danced across the wall of the small room. The room was simply furnished. A large bright lamp hung in a corner. The tiny fireplace lay bare, which was to be expected during the warm summer months of Asgard. A lovely tapestry depicting a flock of swans swimming in a lake decorated one wall. A large bed and dressing table were the main items of furniture in the room.

All the occupants in the room were currently crowded around the bed. Eir stood next to the bed attending to Rosna who was three hours into labour. Rosna's elderly mother was on the other side of the bed holding her daughter's hand and whispering reassuring words to her. Pakshi, Eir's efficient assistant, stood attentively near the foot of the bed quick to anticipate Eir's instructions. Manu, Rosna's husband, peered into the room from the doorway, his face creased with worry. A kind of tension had built up in the room. "It is time", said Eir in her calm, reassuring voice. Rosna cried out in pain as her child finally entered the world.

Eir held the child in her arms as Pakshi severed the link between mother and child. "You are blessed with a daughter", declared Pakshi. Rosna lay back on the bed exhausted but deliriously happy. Rosna's mother and husband broke into wide smiles at the news. The birth of a couple's first child was considered as one of the most auspicious events in the life of an Aesir. Manu was already making plans for the naming ceremony.

However, Eir's face remained serious as she examined the child. She tilted the child cautiously in her arms and gave it a few pats on the back trying to clear the air passage. The child gasped weakly and started breathing. "Why doesn't she cry", asked Rosna's mother. Eir continued her examination in silence trying to ignore the growing sense of dread in her heart. "No not another one", she thought, praying that her natural instincts as a healer were wrong, just this once. She reached out with her seidr and enveloped the baby girl in it, checking all vital signs and ticking off symptoms in her head. Her shoulders slumped when she caught sight of the telltale reddish purple specks on the child's feet.

The smiles in the room had faded. "What's wrong?" asked Manu. "Let me hold her", said Rosna. Pakshi abandoned her ministrations at Rosna's bedside and joined Eir. "It's not…?" asked Pakshi. Eir looked up from the baby and gave a curt nod to Pakshi who could not suppress a gasp of horror. "Tell us what ails the child", Manu snapped at Pakshi. She averted her gaze and looked towards Eir with pleading eyes. Eir closed her eyes for a second and then turned to face Manu, straightening her shoulders and standing tall. Eir spoke loudly and clearly, "I am sorry Manu, but the child is showing all the signs of the blood sickness".

She was met with shocked silence for an instant as she paused to allow her words to sink in. Manu tried to remember what he knew about the blood sickness. He recalled that it was a rare and dangerous illness that affected newborns. Rosna spoke out, "What are you saying? No it can't be… the blood sickness is so rare… you must be mistaken. It's probably some other simple ailment." Eir shook her head, "No Rosna, I have seen cases before. I am sure of this."

Rosna's mother stepped forward quietly and took the newborn from Eir's hands. The old woman peered closely at the baby, examining the child's legs and looking into its mouth. After a few moments she sighed and gently brushed her hand over the child's forehead and through its hair. She handed the child back to Eir and nodded in agreement.

Manu blustered, "But you can cure her can't you? You are the best healer in all of Asgard". Eir's face must have given away her answer because Rosna cried out, "So you are not going to do anything? You will just let her die?" in a voice laced with despair. "I will do everything in my power. But I cannot give you any false hope. Such cases usually prove fatal" said Eir as she began her work. She had tried not to be overly harsh but she knew that such cases always proved fatal. There was not a single documented case of a newborn surviving the blood sickness. The child would die in a few hours but Eir would abide by her vows and do all she could. Pakshi joined her and they both knew it was going to be a long night.

Four long hours had passed. Pakshi glanced out the window and saw faint streaks in the sky which signaled that Asgard's golden dawn was soon approaching. Eir had worked tirelessly but they had just delayed the inevitable and now they both knew it was pointless to continue. The child was barely responsive and was minutes from death. The family were all in the room, tears streaming quietly down their faces.

Eir gently picked up the child and handed it to her mother. Rosna took the precious bundle in her arms and looked down into her daughter's face. Manu sat down next to her and put his arm around his wife. Rosna's mother stood next to the window looking on stoically, her dark eyes glittering in the light. Eir and Pakshi retreated to the doorway and allowed the family some privacy. Manu gently stroked the child's cheek. "She even has the same crooked nose as you", he said sadly to Rosna. "And your stubborn chin", said Rosna. A faraway look came into her eyes and she whispered quietly, "Lahja that is her name".

The room went silent and there was nothing left to do but wait. Seconds stretched into minutes, time itself seemed to slow down, a reluctant accomplice to this awful crime. And then finally it was over. Eir moved in and confirmed the death. Rosna broke down into loud sobs as Manu looked on helplessly. The old woman enveloped her daughter firmly in her arms and said, "The Norns have been very unkind to us this day, Rosna. But take strength my daughter; for they must repay us someday for the cruel trick they have played on us today."

Eir placed her hand on Manu's shoulder, "I am truly sorry my friend. I will send word to Hendi", she said. She left the room with a heavy heart and was greeted by the pleasant odour of fragrant wood as she stepped into the outer room. Manu and Rosna hailed from the outer province of Gnuri, famous for its talented craftsmen. They had moved to the capital city just seven years ago and set up shop but they had already made a name for themselves. One of Rosna's tapestries even hung in Queen Frigga's tea room.

Eir could see the tools of Manu's trade neatly arranged in one half of the room. Her eyes landed on the lovingly crafted wooden cradle standing in a corner. She had admired the beautiful piece of work on her way in, the previous night, but now the empty cradle seemed to be mocking her.

Eir suddenly stood up, filled with a familiar sense of resolve and walked purposefully out of Queen Frigga's garden.


Warnings: Death of a newborn child, grief stricken parents.

Note: The idea for a young Thor & Loki story has been brewing in my head for a while so I decided to finally start writing it down. Any reviews, comments and criticisms would be greatly appreciated, so please let me know what you think :)