Chapter 5:
With her hands clasped behind her, Erica's eyes ran lovingly over the long table and benches, the clean rushes on the floor and the huge stone fireplace that graced the north wall of her family's dining hall.
Oh, the memories that this place held.
"Erica...you look lovely."
The young woman turned at the sound of her father's voice, and at the sight of both her parent's standing side by side just a few feet away, she nearly ran right into their arms. She had never been incredibly clingy, but considering the circumstances, Erica allowed herself these few moments to just be held like a child.
"I know I had to agree to this..." Erica spoke as she rested her head on each her father and mother's shoulder, "...But I would be lying to say that this was something I wanted."
"Oh sweetheart..." her mother Astrid's voice cracked with emotion before the auburn haired lady gently took Erica by the shoulder's and gently pushed her away just enough so they could meet eye to eye. "I know this seems horrifying...but..." Astrid looked to her husband for support.
"We have the utmost faith that you will make the best of this situation." Rowen concluded, "You always do."
Erica took a step back, casting her eyes towards the fireplace, "But this goes beyond just me, Father..." she answered firmly. When she spoke again, her voice was soft as she continued studying the cold hearth, "I've never even been to Asgard...I'm still surprised the All-Father chose me..."
Rowen caught his daughter's jaw and tenderly turned her face back, "Odin has his reasons, Erica. You must never doubt that."
Erica forced a small, uncertain smile, "If only it was that easy."
Less than an hour later, Erica found herself outside, pausing on the manor's front steps. Gathering her heavy black cloak about her, the young woman stared out at the tall, golden mare that was already saddled and waiting.
"The mists are heavy today..." Rowen spoke as he came up alongside her, placing a hand down on her shoulder.
Indeed they were. The swirling vapors blanketed the lush land, filling the low hollows and rills, curling restlessly about the trees to spread ever onward in an eerie sea of fog.
"Perhaps it is better this way..." Erica voiced evenly, "It'll cover my going."
A soft sniffling came from behind, and Erica turned around and spotted her mother who desperately appeared to be holding back her tears.
"Oh mother..." Erica's throat tightened as she swiftly moved and embraced the older woman tightly, "Please don't cry..." she murmured softly; taking a moment or so to breathe in the sweet vanilla fragrance her mother always wore.
Astrid drew in a sharp breath as she fought back her sobs and kept the tears that shimmered behind her blue eyes at bay; with a shake of her auburn head, she planted a loving kiss upon her daughter's brow, "One day when you have a children of your own, you will understand the hardships a mother faces when that day comes and she has to let them go."
Erica closed her eyes, letting the words sink in while taking a long second to collect herself. "This isn't goodbye forever..." she reminded, "You'll see me again, won't you?"
Rowen stepped up and joined the embrace, easily wrapping both his wife and daughter up in his muscled arms, "Of course we will..." he promised as he mimicked his wife and placed a fatherly kiss on top of her copper head, "...and sooner than we both think."
Erica swallowed the lump of emotion that was building up inside her throat, "Good." she replied firmly before she lowered her arms and stepped away from her parents who reluctantly, let her go. Turning away quickly, Erica moved down the stone steps, her hands reaching up behind her only to pull the black hood up and over her head while approaching her horse.
Biting her tongue to keep her composer, the young woman took hold of the saddles horn with one hand while she used her other to lift her skirts just high enough that she could raise her leg and slip it into a stirrup.
Hoisting herself up singlehandedly, Erica mounted the golden beast, taking a seat in a proper side-saddle position. After using a few seconds to rearrange her skirts, the young woman took hold of the reins before she willed herself to look back at her parents who stood like two statues on the stairs.
"Are you sure you don't want me to escort you there?" Rowen asked as he stood beside his wife, having her smaller frame tucked beneath his arm so that she could hold onto his waist for support. "Even if it was just to the Bifrost sight?"
According to her father, the Bifrost would open to her once she reaches the outskirts of her land; and it was by that, that she would travel into the Realm of Asgard.
Erica forced herself to smile before she shook her head, "If you did so, I can promise you now that I would no longer be able to find it in my heart to part ways, Father."
Rowen smiled forlornly before speaking once again; his next words taking Erica completely by surprise, "I'm so proud of you, my daughter." he said, "Your mother and I love you with all our hearts, I hope you know that."
Erica's eyes suddenly stung with unshed tears, "I know, Father..." she answered with a nod, feeling grateful for her shrouding hood, "I love you both as well...so very much." her voice cracked subtly on those last three words.
"May the Great Vanir watch over you on your journey, sweetheart." Astrid spoke, an affectionate smile was on her face even though a few tears slipped unchecked down her cheeks.
Erica, whose throat instantly felt too tight, could say nothing and instead raised a hand to her lips and blew a silent kiss. Without another word, she turned her mount and heeled her forward, all the while trying her best to contain the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes as she rode off into the blanketing mists.
The four warriors, sitting atop their well-groomed horses, were neatly huddled ten paces away from the Bifrost. Their steeds snuffed and pawed irritably at the shimmering rainbow bridge that was beneath their hooves.
"The All-Father's words were pretty vague..." spoke Volstagg as he shifted in his seat on the saddle to reach over and pat his horse upon the neck. "This 'guest' we are expecting..." he carried on as his bushy brows furrowed slightly with thought, "...who is she exactly?"
Seated alongside Volstagg on his own steed, Hogun shook his dark head in answer, "A lady from the Realm of Vanaheimr. That is all we know."
"We weren't even given a name." voiced Fandral with a sigh as he nonchalantly adjusted his riding gloves.
Listening in on their soft-spoken banter, Lady Sif turned in her saddle and fixed her blue eyes upon her three companions, "It isn't our concern who she is or why she is being brought here." She reminded coolly, "What is, however, is making sure she arrives inside the All-Father's Hall safely."
The men grunted in agreement.
"Still wish we knew her name, though..." Fandral added in a hushed grumbled.
Sif rolled her eyes and waved him off with a flick of her hand, "If you really wish to know, you can ask her when she gets here."
"And that will be when?" Volstagg inquired. "I do hope not too long...I'm famished."
Lady Sif couldn't help but smile softly at her friend before growing serious once more as she turned her dark head to look over at a fifth, silent member nearby, "Heimdall..."
The dark-skinned Gatekeeper, clad in his golden armor, stood with his sword clasped in both hands in front of him at his post a few feet away. His head turned softly at his name.
"Can you see this girl?" Sif asked.
Without taking his gaze off the horizon of stars before him, Heimdall turned his all-seeing eyes upon the distant Vanaheimr and nodded, "Yes..." he replied seconds later before he turned and moved into the large golden dome that was the Bifrost. "She is coming." he informed.
With his sword in hand, Heimdall approached the center mechanism in the middle of the dome. Sliding his blade inside, the dome came life and started to spin.
Thunderous rumbling sounded from overhead. Casting her eyes up to the sky, Erica noted the dark swirling masses of clouds above her head before she pulled back on the reins and slowed her horse to a stop.
"Those clouds aren't normal..." the young woman found herself speaking out loud as she continued studying the sky. Before she could dwell further on the thought, the sky suddenly roared and lit up with a piercing light that came crashing down and engulfed Erica and her horse.
To her, this could only mean one thing.
"The Bifrost." She cried in surprise. She had read about the magical bridge that connected the worlds together. But no amount of reading could have prepared her for this exact moment.
The strong, sinking feeling that tugged nauseatingly at the pit of her stomach immediately confirmed that. Next thing she knew, Erica was swiftly taken up in the light.
With a soft cry, the young woman's squeezed her eyes shut and hunched over to cling to the neck of her horse as she rode out the sickening sensation brought to her by traveling though the Bifrost. To her, the escapade seemed incredibly long when in fact it was really only a matter of moments.
When it was done and Erica heard the reassuring clomps of hooves on solid ground, the young woman opened her eyes while straightening back up; her hooded head turned from side to side as she assessed her new surroundings while her body remained trembling ever so slightly beneath her black cloak.
She appeared to be inside a dome of gold, a sure sign that painfully told her she was no longer anywhere near her beloved Vanaheimr.
"My lady..."
Startled by the deep voice, Erica gasped and turned sharply over her shoulder, spotting instantly who she assumed was the renowned Gatekeeper she had heard stories about from her father when growing up.
After pulling his sword from a strange looking contraption, he approached Erica's side and gave a respectful bow of greeting, "Welcome to Asgard."
Erica nodded her hooded her in polite acknowledgement. "You must be Heimdall, I believe..." she replied, recalling his name from memory.
The dark, golden-eyed man nodded, "That I am." he answered before he lowered his voice, " And you are Lady Erica."
Taken back, Erica found herself holding her breath, "You know who I am?"
The corners of his mouth turned up in a faint smile, "We've been expecting you."
The young woman couldn't tell whether she liked the sound of that or not.
'We' implies people...multiple people. And that left her wondering...
Just how many people already knew her purpose for coming here?
"Your escorts are waiting for you just outside to take you to the Palace." Heimdall informed, shaking her out of her thoughts as he took a step back and made a courteous gesture towards the dome's one and only exit.
Following his direction, Erica spotted a team of four Asgardians who were indeed posted just outside on their horses.
Her...escorts to the palace, Heimdall had said.
Her stomach once again knotted in protest at the thought.
Swallowing back her nerves to keep herself composed, Erica nodded her head once, "Thank you..." she murmured quietly before she heeled her mare forward into an easy walk.
Moments later as she found herself leaving the dome, Erica's breath caught inside her throat as she, for the first time ever, laid her eyes upon the eminent rainbow bridge of Asgard. She had read about this bridge in many books, but none of them, Erica realized now, actually came close to capturing such a beauty.
It sparkled as if it had been made completely of diamonds; its brilliant shades of blues, greens, purples and pinks twinkled and illuminated breathtakingly.
Erica was at a loss for words.
"Welcome my Lady!"
The bellowing voice shook her from her trance, bringing her instantly back to the present moment. Setting her eyes upon the four Asgardians, Erica courteously dipped her head in response, "Hello..." the young woman brushed her tongue across her suddenly dry lips, "And you are?" Feeling their eyes upon her, Erica found herself grateful for wearing her hood.
The large, bearded man who had first spoken grinned proudly, "But of course...allow me to present, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. I am Volstagg." He answered while nodding to his other comrades, "...on my left is Fandral, on my right is Hogun...and finally.."
Erica eyes quickly flew to the dark haired woman who was off to Hogun's left, "Lady Sif..." she finished for him.
The lovely warrior woman gave a half-smile and nodded her dark head. "And what is your name, my Lady?" Sif returned. Erica noted the faint suspicion that gleamed behind Sif's blue eyes.
Or perhaps it was curiosity?
"I thought I was suppose to ask..." Fandral protested softly while Hogun chuckled.
She drew in a deep breath to steady her already growing nerves, "I am Erica." she answered.
"Well Lady Erica...we welcome you to Asgard..." Volstagg addressed formally with a gentle bow from his saddle, "If you would please follow us, we'll escort you to the Palace which I'm sure..." he paused with a grin, "..after your journey, you must be anxious to arrive at."
Erica couldn't speak how she really felt, so instead she nodded her hooded head and remained silent. Truth was though, she wasn't that anxious just yet...
"Let's be off then." Lady Sif voiced. Heeling their horses forward, the five of them started off down the bridge, away from the Bifrost, heading towards the glorious city of Asgard.
Knock-Knock-Knock
"Brother..." Thor's voice bellowed cheerfully from outside the chamber door as he rapped on it impatiently, "Let me in or I'll break down the door again."
Sitting at his desk, covered with a variety of open books and papers, Loki finished his note writing inside a spell book of his own design. Setting down his quill pen, the dark prince sighed before leaning back in his chair.
With a wave of his hand, he undid the magical charm he had placed over his chamber as a way to secure a bit of privacy as he worked.
"You may enter..." Loki called back.
Not needing to be told twice, Thor threw open the door and strolled inside. "I'm sure you know why I'm here, Loki.." the oldest son of Odin spoke as he approached his young brother who remained seated at his desk in the corner of his large room.
"Let me guess..." Loki replied good naturedly as he picked up a leather bound book and flipped it open to skim a page or two, "...you've missed me?"
Thor chuckled before he stepped on up to his brother's side and clapped him affectionately on the shoulder. "Not quite." The blonde man answered. "I'm here to make sure you show yourself at dinner tonight."
Loki's dark head dropped back as he let out a sound that was a mixture of both a laugh and a groan, "Of course you are, brother..." the dark prince replied nonchalantly, " And I suppose telling you that I am not in the mood for that wouldn't discourage you in the slightest?"
Thor grinned, "No..." he answered, "Mother and Father insist that you come down and I am to see that you do."
So his parents are the ones responsible for interrupting his studies. Well that had to mean that there was a motive behind all this. His parents didn't just 'insist' for no reason and because of that, his interest was suddenly peaked.
Closing his book with a snap, Loki rose from his seat, "Right...well then...best not to keep them waiting."
Was it already too late to go back?
The thought haunted Erica's mind as she dutifully followed behind her escorts through the indescribably grand marble halls of the Palace. In Vanaheimr, her father's household had always held its own kind of elegance when she was growing up.
But this...
The sheer splendor of Asgard was becoming overwhelming and Erica felt with great certainty down to her bones just how out of place she was now.
"It's just this way, Lady Erica..." Volstagg spoke as he and the other three warriors made a left down another corridor.
Erica remained a few steps behind them out of respect and her growing hesitancy of her situation.
In the distance, the unmistakable sounds of merriment and laughter began to resound from down the hall. With every step, the noise got louder and more distinct.
Would it be wishful thinking to hope that her arrival would go unnoticed?
Of course it would.
Unfortunately, that would not be the case. As Erica reached the pillared doorway leading into what she assumed was the Great Hall, the young woman froze in her steps as her eyes quickly assessed the room while her escorts happily chatted on through.
It was a large and impressive room to say the least, both in size as well as luxurious appointments. The walls were plated with gold and the floor gleamed of polished black marble.
A long and intricately carved table was off to the left. At least thirty Asgardians, both men and women sat around it, eating and enjoying themselves as a band of musicians played their music in the corner.
Another table, much smaller but equally if not more magnificent as the first lied centered at the far end of the room. Focusing in on that table instead of the other more populated one, Erica's eyes found with some relief though it was slight, the familiar face of the All-Father himself.
"No turning back now..." she reminded herself as she drew in a deep, steady breath of air into her lungs. Her stomach was still jittery with nerves, but her face refused to show them.
With her hands, hidden by the black folds of her cloak, curled determinedly down at her side, Erica raised her hooded head softly and moved forward with a graceful stride into the room.
It didn't surprise her one bit when she passed the first table and had several pairs of eyes alight with curiosity follow her movements. Even with music being played in the background, Erica could here all the sudden whispers and murmurings of everyone as she passed on by.
Pretty soon, every eye in the room was upon her - including that of the All-Father as she quite boldly approached his table.
Despite the hood and cloak she wore, she could tell as he slowly set down his drink and rose up from his seat that he recognized who she was. When only five feet separated her from the table's edge, Erica halted, bringing her feet quietly together before she charmingly swept into a low curtsy. By now, the whole room had grown silent so that they could watch the scene.
"All-Father..." Erica spoke steadily, keeping her head bowed out of respect for the old King. " I am here as you have requested me."
Odin smiled, his arms rose and opened in a welcoming gesture, "My dear Erica..." he replied, bringing his arms down as he moved around the table to stand before the kneeling woman. "Arise my child."
At his command, Erica rose back up to her feet and to her surprise, found both her hands taken up by the All-Father's. "You are most welcomed. " he added with the same warm smile she remembered as a little girl.
"It is always a great honor to be in his majesty's presence." the woman answered, allowing a half-smile to grace her face.
"Let this old eye look upon you, dear one. " he asked as his one blue eye traced the dark hood shielding most of her face from view. "It has been many years."
Taking her hands back, Erica reached up and with a bit of reluctance, drew back her hood.
As it fell away, another wave of murmurs went around the room forcing Erica to cast her eyes to the floor and wait for the All-Father's approval.
Her vibrant copper hair stood out amongst the many fair blondes and few brunettes that were present in the room. By their fascinated stares, one might have thought that they had never seen a red-head before.
Odin shook his white head with disbelief, "I cannot believe how much you have grown, Erica of Vanaheimr."
The young woman lifted her eyes and smiled softly at the old man's words.
"Your eyes would melt a heart of stone and render a strong man weak as water." Odin spoke with complete sincerity.
Erica had soulful eyes the color of the ever-changing sea and they were fringed by thick, dark lashes tipped with gold.
"You're very kind to say so, sire."
Odin smiled again, "Please excuse the absence of my wife...she wanted to oversee the preparations of your bedchamber. She has been quite anxious to meet you."
Erica forced a smile, "And I her."
Which was true...more or less. The Queen, like herself was of Vanaheimr, which means she had someone here she could relate to. It was the other two members of Odin's family that she wasn't really looking forward to seeing just yet.
Nodding his head, clearly satisfied with everything so far, Odin found his gaze wandering from the woman before him to the site of his two sons as they finally made their appearance in the room.
"Ah...just in time."
Seeing the All-Father's attention had been diverted, Erica found herself turning over a shoulder to see just what exactly had caught his eye.
When her eyes landed on the distinctively familiar faces of the two boy- princes whom she had met long ago, something inside her twisted with sudden opposition. They most certainly weren't boys anymore.
Long gone were their scrawny boyish frames and faces which the years had replaced with towering, well-muscled limbs and chiseled features.
Erica couldn't deny that the brothers had grown into two handsome men...but that wasn't going to be enough to change how she felt about the arrangement that would eventually tie her to one of them.
And to add on...she still had to find out which brother she would even be handed to.
"Erica..." The All-Father's voice shook her from her thoughts. Turning back to the old man beside her, she met his blue-eyed stare.
"Yes?" she answered softly as she tried her best to ignore the fast-approaching Princes.
"I'm sure you remember my sons.." Odin stated with a proud smile. Moving away from Erica, the All-Father stepped forward, moving till he came between the two brothers and placed a fatherly hand upon their shoulders. "Thor..." His eye went to the blonde first and then his dark-haired youngest, "Loki..."
The sons nodded their head in acknowledgement. "Father." they replied simultaneously.
Erica's eyes skimmed the faces of the two princes with a light scrutiny before turning her attention back onto Odin who was looking back over his shoulder at her, clearly watching for some kind of reaction.
Her shoulders rose and fell with a quiet breath of air, "How could I forget..." Erica answered coolly as she felt the eyes of both brothers upon her face, "... the two Princes of Asgard."