Chapter Seven

Frigga wearily sank into a chair as the generals left her alone. She ached from exhaustion. How much more of this could she take? How much more could Asgard take? She looked up when she heard footsteps; Alti and Freyja, perhaps her only two true friends, entered the room. They bore baskets containing food, judging by the smell.

She smiled warmly as they greeted her. "It's good to see you both."

"You look exhausted, Frigga." Freyja frowned.

"Running a kingdom during a war is not easy."

"Which is why we brought you something to eat. You do have five minutes to spare for your friends, don't you?" Alti said, plunking down her basket.

"Three minutes, perhaps," Frigga replied.

"Then three minutes it is," Freyja handed Frigga a sandwich. "By the way, I would like permission for myself and my family, Frey included, to visit my sister Gullveig for a brief while. She is apparently concerned for us and it would be good to see her again."

Frigga nodded. "Of course. It is probably safer on Vanaheim at the moment, anyway. You may leave whenever you wish."

"Thank you."

"And how are you managing, Alti?" Frigga peered at the other woman. "With Ander's loss, and Sif always away... are you holding up alright?"

"As well as can be thought," Alti replied with a half shrug. "Sif promised me that she would ask for a leave of duty if I asked for a place to stay with other people. She also said that I could be there when she asked for her leave, but that hasn't happened yet."

Frigga winced. "Then you probably don't know that she's just gone to quell a battle on Alfheim... Huginn just told me." The raven that had once been Odin's cawed triumphantly. Freyja and Alti jumped at the noise- neither of them had noticed the bird perched on the curtain rail.

Alti shook her head. "No, I didn't know that! Why does she do this to me?"

"I'm sure it's not intentional, Alti," Freyja soothed. "Warriors tend to think of their duty before anything else, whether they're male or female."

"Then I wish she'd never become a warrior!" Alti replied hotly.

"You've been saying that since before she became a warrior," Freyja said gently. She shook her head. "I suppose now is the time when I should thank Odin for hating me. Syn wanted to join the warriors once, but decided not to, after she found Odin and I fighting one day. He was calling me some nasty names... Ve always wanted us to be civil with each other. I never could manage it." She looked apologetically at Frigga. "I wish I'd tried harder now."

"Odin didn't try either," Frigga replied gently. "He blamed himself for Ve's death, as I know you do. He was also hurt because Ve's last words were for you, and not him." The queen blinked back tears. "I didn't get to say goodbye. He was always there, so strong and... I didn't get to tell him how much I loved him!"

Alti and Freyja exchanged looks before simultaneously moving to put their arms around their friend. Frigga dissolved into tears.

"I'm sure that on Ve's day he'll have news-" Freyja started.

"I don't want news! I want my husband back!" Frigga cried, and then sobbed again. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to snap."

Alti rubbed Frigga's back soothingly. "It's alright. You've been under a lot of strain. If you can't express yourself in front of your two best friends, then they wouldn't be your friends, would they?"

"I'm just so tired of being strong."

"Then don't be," Freyja advised. "Weep and wail and gnash your teeth. You deserve a break from always being in control."

Frigga shook her head. "I can't. Not as long as Asgard needs a strong ruler."

"You can spare five minutes."

Muninn flew in and landed before Frigga, cawing before he joined Huginn. Frigga paled.

"What is it?"

"Jotunheim..."

"What about it?"

Frigga's face was ashen. "It's been destroyed."

"What?!"

"I need to speak with Thor and Loki." Frigga stood up shakily. Freyja gasped in surprise suddenly.

"Loki survived? But wasn't he on Jotunheim?"

"He and Angrboda have been here for several hours, with their new child. If they hadn't been..." Frigga shuddered, not even wanting to think of the alternative.

"Then that at least is one blessing," Freyja murmured. "You know your three sons are safe. For now."

Frigga nodded, trying to gather some strength. "But all the lives on Jotunheim..."

The doors opened with a bang and Thor came striding in. "Mother, I need to speak with you on an urgent matter."

Frigga leapt to her feet and rushed to him. "Loki?"

"You heard, then," Thor said, softer. "Loki and Angrboda have retired to their chambers to deal with this loss... But I do have a very urgent matter to speak with you about."

She looked at her son seriously for a moment, before nodding. She turned to her guests. "Freyja, Alti, I'll see you later. If you'll give Thor and I some privacy?"

The two women left; Frigga exhaled heavily and turned to face Thor. "What is it?" She couldn't take any more bad news!

Thor's face was grim. "I have decided to rescind my earlier decision, Mother. I intend to claim the throne of Asgard."

"You do?" Frigga's brow creased. "Are you certain?"

"If I am to do what I need to do, then I must."

She tensed involuntarily- that didn't sound good. "And what exactly is it you need to do?"

"I must marshal our forces and march on Muspelheim before Surtur destroys another realm as he did Jotunheim."

"If you do that, you will leave the rest of the realms open to Karnilla's attacks."

"It is a risk that we must take."

"Why?! Haven't enough lives been lost already?"

"Mother, you know as well as I do that whatever weapon Surtur has, he cannot be allowed to use it again or more lives will be lost." Thor's expression was determined. "This is our only chance."

Frigga nodded and cupped his face. "I know."

"Then we should convene the council."

"You look so much like your father."

Thor hung his head. "Do you think he would approve of my decision?"

"Yes. He made plenty of hard decisions in his time."

"I still wish he was here..." Thor took a deep breath before straightening up, his face expressionless. "Summon the Council."

Frigga embraced him. "Go get your brothers. You'll need their support."

Thor nodded. "I... I'm frightened, Mother."

"We all are."

Thor let her hold him for a few more minutes, before going to find Loki and Balder. Frigga sighed. Well, I wanted the burden off my shoulders... I just wish I wasn't passing it to Thor! She quickly tidied her appearance before heading to the throne room to convene the council.

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Loki put Hela in the bassinet provided, having just got her to sleep. He joined Angrboda, who had shrunk down to the size of a small child. She sat on the bed, staring straight ahead, not moving. Hardly breathing. She was rigid. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Angi..." I wish I knew what to say!

"Please tell me that I'm in a nightmare. Please tell me that this isn't real."

"I would if I could."

She buried her face in his chest, shoulders shaking. "Please make this stop hurting?"

He wrapped his arms around her small body. "Angi, I wish I could. I wish I could."

There was a knock on the door. Angrboda's arms tightened. "Don't leave me, Loki. Don't leave me."

"I won't," Loki soothed as he got up to open the door. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." He opened the door, and blinked in shock. "Thor?"

"Loki, I need you and Balder in the throne room at once."

"What? Why?"

"I need your support. I... I intend to claim Asgard's throne and then march on Muspelheim. Surtur cannot be allowed to use his weapon again."

Loki winced. He heard a soft cry of protest from Angrboda, and steeled himself. "Thor, I can't right now. My wife needs me. I'm sorry."

Thor's voice lowered. "Loki, I need you. I can't protect the nine realms on my own. I can't stop Karnilla without you, I can't stop Surtur. And other worlds will suffer Jotunheim's fate if I do not."

Loki took a deep breath. "Look, I'll support you in battle, in court, whatever. But I can't right now. I'll confirm my support of you during my next court appearance, but I have to stay with Angi and Hela."

Thor opened his mouth as if to protest.

"Thor, I need your support right now too. Jotunheim was my home as well. Give me a few hours, that's all I'm asking for!"

Thor's shoulders slumped. He didn't look at Loki, just walked away silently. Loki closed the door, sighing, before turning back to Angrboda, returning to sitting beside her.

"Why can't I grow, Loki? I don't want to be this size, why can't I change it?"

Loki was bewildered, but hid it. "Heightened emotional states can affect our control of our abilities. You're probably just distraught, love."

"How can Jotunheim just be gone?"

"I don't know."

"What am I supposed to do now?"

He held her tightly. "We do what we can to make a new life here. Us and Hela."

"I've only ever known Jotunheim. That's the only place I called home. You have Asgard."

"You have me. You have Hela."

"A family is not a home."

"But it can help make one."

Angrboda climbed into his lap; he was so surprised by the childish act he didn't know what to do.

"I'm sorry, Loki. I'm not... I don't... I can't..."

"It's alright, Angi. It's alright. I love you, I'm here for you."

She shook her head helplessly. She snuggled against him, clutching his tunic as tightly as she could. He put his arms around her, trying to support her without words.

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In Balder and Nanna's chambers, they clung to each other in their bed, both crying quietly, trying not to move or think as Set raged. Balder had never sensed him this furious, and feared what was going to happen next.

Thor and Loki were sssuppossed to die!

Balder tensed, clutching Nanna tighter. He could take whatever Set wanted to do to him, as long as he didn't hurt Nanna.

Thisss isss not part of my plan! Set hissed, and Balder could almost see the seven-headed snake whipping its tail back and forth in agitation. Why aren't they dead?

Balder cried out softly as pain jolted through him. Nanna whimpered.

"It's not his fault! Stop!"

Would you like to be punissshed in hisss place, then?

"No!" Balder's voice was weak.

"We didn't do anything, we've done as you asked," Nanna replied, holding Balder tighter. "You don't have to do this, there has to be another way!"

There was silence for a moment. You are ssso much like Jord. Another way? There isss no other way!

"If you just talk to her-"

SSSILENCE!

Nanna went white, clutching her skull, fighting the urge to scream.

"Stop," Balder begged. "Please!"

I SSSAID SSSILENCE!

Balder's vision went white with pain. He didn't know if he was screaming or suffering in silence. He was dimly aware that Nanna was with him and his hand searched for hers, clinging to it when he felt her warmth. Neither of them knew how long the pain continued. It seemed endless. It was night when Set's wrath abated.

When they came to, they weren't in their chambers anymore, but rather up in the mountains. They were both laying on the ground, gasping. Their clothing was torn, and Balder could see a large bruise forming on Nanna's jaw.

"What did you do, Set?" he asked, whimpering slightly. He shifted closer to his beloved.

"Balder, your eye." She touched his face, and he flinched.

"What about it?" His vision was dim in his left eye, he realised, but he seriously hoped it was only because there was blood or dirt obscuring it...

"It's almost swollen shut. What did he do to us?"

"I don't know."

I taught you both a lessson about obedience.

Nanna started to cry softly. "Did I do this to him?"

Yesss. And he gave you your bruisssesss.

"How are we supposed to explain these away?" Balder asked, subdued.

The baby, Nanna thought.

The child isss fine. Set stated. I would not risssk my future hossst. Do not fear for him.

Nanna didn't know if she was relieved or if her heart broke again. "Why do you hate us so much?"

You are my sssisster'sss dessscendant. That iss reassson enough. Balder isss merely a target of opportunity.

"I hate you."

"Nanna, no," Balder whispered, wrapping his arms around her. "He doesn't like that."

"Am I supposed to care?"

She shrugged Balder off, without warning furious. "He's destroying the universe, and he expects us to like him?!"

I am not dessstroying the universsse and I expect you to hate me. It jussst getsss tiresssome lissstening to the sssame sssentimentsss over and over and over!

"Sorry to inconvenience you!" Nanna snapped.

Ssshall I teach you another lessson on obedience, little niece?

"No!" Balder gasped.

"YES!" Nanna screamed defiantly.

Both felt a ripple of shock from Set; clearly he had not been expecting that answer!

Balder gazed at Nanna in horror. "What are you doing?!"

Nanna met her huband's eyes steadily as she answered his question. "I'm not going to be bullied for the rest of my life, Balder. He can't make me obey."

Balder spasmed, and his chin dropped to his chest. When his head raised, his eyes were putrid green. "I can't?" he asked, his voice cruel and calm.

"No! You can't."

Set, in Balder's stolen body, pushed himself to his feet. Nanna scrambled up as well, her heart hammering. She raised her chin.

"I won't do as you say anymore. I'll tell everyone!"

She turned to leave; before she got two strides, Set had wrapped Balder's hands around her throat. She elbowed him in the sternum. There was a soft grunt of pain, but the hands tightened. He twisted her to the ground, choking her still. She punched at his face; the feral, cruel grin on Balder's face was horrifying. His grip tightened until black spots crossed Nanna's vision. She used all the air she had left to scream.

"We're in the middle of nowhere, Nanna, nobody can hear you." Set smirked and released her throat, grabbing her wrists and pinning them down. He straddled her, and Nanna's gut twisted. Her eyes widened.

"What-" she gasped, but was unable to get anything else out of her bruised throat.

"Not what you're thinking. I may use a host body from time to time for intercourse, but I am not so low as to commit rape, especially not my own niece."

She let out a shuddering sigh of relief, mingled with confusion. "Then what-"

Set murmured an incantation, and Nanna could no longer move. He pulled a knife from his belt, and very carefully cut into her hand, following the lines of her palm. "Balder is watching this, just so you know. He might never speak with his own voice again. I could have him arrested for murdering his young, pregnant wife. And executed for treason. But then where would my perfect host be? I could kill you right now, just you, and keep your body for myself."

He smiled at her, and though she tried to keep herself calm tears pooled in her eyes. I won't stop fighting you!

"Please, Nanna. That's what they all say. But since you continue to be so belligerent, I think I will have to teach you a lesson. Somebody you care about will die. Your mother? One of your sisters? No, I have further plans for them. Hmm..."

If Nanna hadn't been paralysed, she would have been frozen in horror. You wouldn't!

"Wouldn't I? Ah, I know just the person. That dwarf you like so much, the one you often spend time with, helping him with his forges... It will soon be discovered that he's a spy."

Eitri? But he wouldn't!

"I know that, you know that, he knows that. But the evidence will be against him, my dear. The only question is what his method of execution shall be. I think a beheading. That way his head can be displayed in the marketplace as a warning to other traitors... No, too quick."

No.

"Yes. Now be quiet or I'll add somebody else in there as well. A hanging will be best. Yes. Hang the traitor. Let his body rot in the street."

Nanna was fraught with panic. I can't let anything happen to Eitri! He's either my father or my uncle... She tasted bile in her throat, but forced herself to respond. Please, don't hurt him... I'll stop fighting. Tears poured down her face.

"Why so concerned for the dwarf, niece?" Set used Balder's face to sneer at her.

You've been in my mind and Balder's, you know why! He's part of my family, one way or another!

Set threw back his head and laughed.

"What an unfortunate child you are, to believe that lying wretch of a mother you have. Just like her mother... But there is no use in apologising now, dear Nanna. Your dwarf friend is a dead man. I don't declare punishments just to rescind them. You will obey or it will be one of your brothers-in-law that will be the traitor next, with evidence that you will bring against them."

"No, please!"

"Shhh..." Set laid one of Balder's fingers over her lips. "No point in begging, little one."

Tears coursed down Nanna's face. I was just getting to know him!

"That is true. You were just getting to know him. And now he dies for your disobedience. You won't be able to work in his forges with him. All those pretty things that he promised his recently-dead brother he would make, and then set aside in order to make weapons and armour for Asgard's sake, will never be completed. Ah, for shame. All because you demanded a lesson in obedience."

"I won't fight anymore."

"I know. Because first one brother-in-law, then another and another until they're all gone. And then even though I do have other plans for your sisters, I could spare one or two for a lesson. Not to mention your oldest nephews-"

"I get the point!" Nanna cried, sobbing.

Set chuckled. "Goodness knows that all your sisters look like your mother and she looks like hers... But come now, Nanna. Aren't you going to ask why I laughed at the notion of Eitri being part of your family?"

Nanna blinked; she had been so distraught that she hadn't even bothered trying to decipher what Set had been laughing about, let alone why.
"No, I suppose not. I wonder if I should tell you... Ah, might as well. Get that emotional trauma in there as well."

Nanna wished she was dead.

Set's stolen brows raised. "Really? Already? I haven't even really started on you yet!"

"Have you no mercy?"

"No-one has shown mercy to me, why should I show mercy to any of you?"

Nanna closed her eyes.

"Eitri, little one, is not your uncle nor your father. Your mother lied to you, just as she lied to them, about your parentage."

"Don't care. She must have had her reasons."

"Yes... Perhaps she didn't want to share you with your other half-sister..."

Nanna's eyes opened. "What?"

"You have another sister, shared via father."

Nanna opened and closed her mouth a few times. "You're lying."

"Lying? Niece, you wound me."

"You're not my uncle."

"Great-uncle." Set shrugged. "Don't you want to know who your father is?"

"No. You're lying!"

"Your father," Set continued, "was killed shortly after you were born. Lord-"

"I don't want to know!'

"Tyr."

Nanna's jaw dropped. That isn't possible, Mor would have told me... right? She shivered. If it's true, my sister... SIF?!

Set chuckled. "Yes. Sif is your older sister. And your mother denied you that."

Nanna began to shake. "You're lying... you have to be!"

"Am I? Ask dear Freyja, then. See what she has to say." Set smirked.

"I..." Nanna didn't know what to say.

"Well, I'm sure that there are people looking for you. Let's heal the two of you up and then get you back to the city."

The green glow in Balder's eyes faded, and he blinked, disoriented, even as his wounds, and Nanna's, began to heal. "What happened?"

Nanna wrapped her arms around herself, too miserable to answer.

"Nanna?"

"He said you were watching."

"I was for a bit- but then he stopped it. I thought that he..." Fear shone in Balder's eyes.

Nanna embraced him and began sobbing. She realised with a sudden chill of horror that if Set had used Balder's body to do what they both feared he would, she might not be able to hold him for comfort.

"He's going to kill Eitri."

"What? Why? He's done nothing!"

"To punish me." Nanna buried her face in Balder's shoulder. "It's my fault!"

Balder's arms wrapped round her; he rubbed her back soothingly. "It's not your fault, it's Set's. All of this is Set's fault."

"He wouldn't have targeted Eitri if I hadn't disobeyed."

"Wouldn't he?" Balder replied grimly. "His plan is to destroy all of Asgard."

"I just..." Nanna kicked the ground in frustration. "I just wish there was something we could do to stop him!"

There isssn't. And it will jussst hurt more if you continue trying to fight me.

How could anybody hate Gaea this much? Nanna wondered helplessly.

Ssshe isss not the sssaint you think ssshe isss, little Nanna. Set sounded condescending. Nanna scowled.

"Then tell me. Tell me what she is."

A liar, who pretendsss to care only while it isss sssafe for her to do ssso. Ssshe would never risssk hersself for sssomeone in peril!

"That tells me nothing. You're a liar, why should I believe you?"

A pause. She could feel Set glaring at her. Do you know why I have thisss hideoussss form, little girl?

Nanna shook her head. "No. I don't." She should stop this... she was only going to hurt more people!

Do you want to know?

"Is it relevant?"

You asssked me. I think I will tell you...

"I don't want to know!"

But she was helpless as the barrage of images flashed into her mind. A small boy, playing with Jord in a meadow. The same boy, dragged out of a cave by a shadowy figure, screaming with fright. Being chained to a dungeon wall, whipped, cut, beaten... Nanna gasped in horror. But it wasn't over. A shadow was beating him, he was screaming. Chthon stopped for a moment, and the small boy stirred.

"Gaea..."

The beating resumed, more ferocious this time. Blood splattered the floor, the walls. Set gave in and screamed. When Chthon's rage had cooled, he seized Set's face, forcing him to meet his eyes.

"This might interest you, boy: until a few hours ago, Gaea was held here, just as you are. She fled as soon as I turned my back. She never once even thought of you. She chose to save herself. Clearly, even she does not think you important enough to save!"

Set shook his head weakly. "No... you're lying... she wouldn't leave me..."

"Keep deluding yourself if you will, child." Chthon's tone became cruel. "She cares for no-one but herself."

Nanna, white with shock, pulled herself out of the nightmarish scenes. "And you believe something he told you?!"

It isss the truth.

"No, it's not! It can't be! How could you believe him over Jord?"

WHERE WASSS SSSHE, THEN?! Set demanded, livid with rage. When I sssscreamed for her to help me, to sssave me, why didn't ssshe come?!

"I don't know!"

Then how can you sssay that ssshe didn't abandon me?

"Have you asked her?" Nanna felt Set's rage increase and flinched as Balder's arms tightened. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I won't bring it up again. I promise. Please..."

Eitri diessss. And now, ssso doesss Bragi. That will teach you to remain sssilent.

Nanna's thoughts raced even though she tried her hardest not to think. "Please-"

"Nanna," Balder said, stroking her golden hair. "It won't do any good."

She burst into tears, sobbing like she'd never stop. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

There isss no ussse crying, Nanna. Bragi'sss life hasss been condemned by your ssstupidity asss well. He will not die at once, though. You will feel the pain of waiting and knowing you can do nothing to ssstop it.

Nanna only wept harder.

"Nanna, I love you," Balder whispered. "I'm so sorry..."

"I know." It was a choked rasp, but she managed to stop crying.

Enough sssentiment. Return to the city.

They stood up slowly, leaning on each other.

Mor's right. I'm too stubborn. If I wasn't, Eitri and Bragi wouldn't be condemned to be thought of as traitors... Sobs caught in Nanna's throat. If Set would only listen to Jord, maybe- STOP IT! she screamed at herself. STOP! Don't even think of that!

She was terrified that Set would be angry over it... For once, the serpent Elder didn't respond, though, and she and Balder were able to walk back into the city in peace, their injuries now fully healed. As they made their way through the quiet streets, Balder noticed there were an unusual number of guards roaming around.

"Do you think they're looking for us?"

"My lord Balder!" One of the guards hurried forward, answering the question for them. "You are needed urgently in the Asgardian council."

Balder blinked in surprise. "What for?"

"I am not at liberty to say, my lord. If you'll follow me?"

Balder glanced at Nanna. "I had best go see what this is about. I'll see you in our rooms later, alright?"

Nanna nodded, and Balder let the guard lead him away.