"Maisy, how could you be so reckless?!" Thor reprimanded as Hogun dragged her through the palace, toward Odin's study.
"I don't want to be trapped here, Thor! Can't you understand that?"
"You are not trapped," Thor snapped, he had to lengthen his stride to keep up with Hogun's quick pace, "You did not even think to ask me to speak to Odin on your behalf?"
"If I hadn't told him that I'm pregnant then you might have been able to convince him," Maisy was mad at herself for thinking that the baby would have made Odin send her back.
After hearing her say "pregnant" Hogun slowed down and Maisy could catch her breath.
"He got really weird when I told him," she said to Thor, "And now he's forbidden me from leaving."
"I will speak to him. We'll be able to arrange something."
"Thor?" Maisy looked worriedly over her shoulder, "I didn't see where they took Linn and Bjorn. They aren't going to execute them, are they?"
"I will not allow that," Thor said, "Do not fear."
"After you talk to Odin, can you make sure they're okay?"
"Of course."
Hogun stopped in front of Odin's door and knocked. Maisy felt her cuffed hands shaking with the prospect of facing her horrid old father-in-law. She'd been prepared to argue for herself if she'd gotten caught, but she hadn't imagined that Linn and Bjorn could be killed for helping her. She never would have tried to escape if she would have known. At least not with their help. Now she would have to fight for their lives and she wasn't sure how to do that.
The study door opened.
"Enter."
Hogun pulled Maisy inside and she narrowed her eyes at Odin. He flicked a glance at her wrists and seemed annoyed, but he didn't comment. Thor followed into the room and the king truly looked annoyed then.
"Just as you said, Allfather," Hogun said, "She and her companions tried to escape through the portal in the cellar of the Valkyrie's Wings."
"I suppose they put up a fight," Odin gestured to Maisy, "Or else you would not have bound my daughter-in-law like a common criminal."
Hogun undid the cuffs and Maisy rubbed her wrists gratefully.
"Father," Thor started.
"I will speak to you later, my son."
"You will speak with me now. We must discuss this order that keeps Maisy here against her will!"
"Later."
"Loki charged me with her protection and I-"
"If you continue to push this matter then I will have you removed from my presence," Odin snapped and Maisy flinched at the thought of losing her protector, "Get out before I call the guards."
"Father…"
"Out!" Odin roared, "Hogun as well."
"No, wait!" Maisy gasped, "You can't!"
"I am sorry," Thor gave her a quick hug, "I will be right outside should you need me."
"Thor, wait!"
He left and Hogun followed. Maisy felt panic over take her and she could have sworn she saw the shadow of a lindworm on the wall. Walls which were quickly closing in on her. She gasped for air.
"You must have forgotten, in all of your plans for escape, that I invited you to dinner with me."
"I wasn't feeling well," Maisy bit her lip.
"Sit down," Odin said in a much kinder voice.
"Let me out of here," she whispered, eyes wide as she watched the walls inch toward her, "The walls…"
"Maisy, please, sit."
"Let me out!" She turned around and found him standing a mere foot away from her, "Odin, please! I have to get out of this room now!"
He gently took her hands and pulled her to a chair. She sat down, but she couldn't stop shaking and watching the walls.
"It's just the nightmares," she muttered, "It's not real. It's not real."
"It is not real," Odin sat down across from her, but still did not release her wrists, "Please look at me."
Maisy took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The vision faded and she could think clearly once more. She had to defend Bjorn and Linn.
"Do not hurt my friends," she said, glaring at him, "You can't possibly accuse them of treason! They were only being kind to me! If you try to have them killed then I swear I'll raise my baby to hate you!"
"We would not want that," Odin's eye sparkled mischievously, "I promise to pardon Linn and Bjorn."
"Good!" Maisy sighed, but then remembered why else she was mad at Odin and crossed her arms, "How dare you force me to stay here?! What authority do you have over me?! I am an American citizen!"
"I am aware, but-"
"No buts! You'd better let me go or I'll tell Thor to get the Avengers involved!"
"Calm yourself."
"You think they wouldn't zoom up here and whoop your big golden ass? I bet they would once they find out that you're trying to force me to live here!"
"Maisy."
She jumped to her feet and started pacing the room.
"Just because I'm pregnant you think you have the right to order me to stay?! Well, news flash, asshole, it's not even your grandkid, okay?!"
"You are speaking to the king of Asgard…"
"I know that, asshole," Maisy felt a good rage work up inside her and wondered if part of her sudden bravery was from the hormones, "Loki told me that you were never really a decent father to him anyway, so you know what?"
"What's that?"
"If Frigga was alive this would be her grandkid, but not yours. Got that? You have no right to-"
"Maisy just look at me," Odin stood and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him, "Look at me for just a moment."
His voice changed and gave her pause.
"What?"
"You're right."
"I… I am?"
"Yes. About many things," he smiled, "But mostly over the fact that I am an asshole."
"Uh…" Maisy couldn't process that Odin had just called himself an asshole.
"And… if you read my letter then you should know that you have every right to slap me right now."
A note from the author: I just realized it's been over a week since I last posted. :P It's only the sixth and November is already a crazy busy month. I'm doing NaNoWriMo (and having so much fun with it btw) and trying really hard not to read all of the really awesome books that are coming out or the books that I put on hold at the library a while ago without realizing they'd be in during November (aka the month I try not to read books in because I'm trying to write a book). And we had family here for my grandfather's memorial service, and for some reason I picked up an extra shift every week at work and... sorry lol. I don't mean to rant. I've just got a lot going on at the moment. Thank you all for being so patient with me!
I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for all of the condolences and prayers. I really appreciate it and your understanding for my slow updates lately. You guys are literally the best reviewers on this whole website. :)
Thank you so much to everyone for reading/following/favoriting!
Special thanks to my reviewers:
MetallicarBaby: I was telling my grandma that he's probably eating a big pot of heavenly chili and maybe drinking a heavenly beer while watching the Packers (his favorite football team) on a heavenly TV. XD Thank you for your kind words!
sweetreader: Now that you mention it, I wonder if Odin had any friends at Shady Acres... that would make a really fun story. Did he play bingo? Did he yell at the nurses? Did he gossip with little old ladies? Marvel should make a short film about him lol.
Ninja Squirrel: Whenever I need a random guard guy I'm probably going to name him Ralph from now on lol. I have no idea where the portal in Caxton's basement goes... but now I want to write about it. Hmm... hmm. I may have a really good or a really bad idea... hmm. I'll keep you updated. Hmm... ;)
Lwolf: Thank you so much for your condolences. I know my grandpa is doing a lot better where he is now and that's a comforting thought so I am doing pretty good. :)
Dragoncat: Thank you for your condolences and allow me to express some of my own. I am so sorry to hear about your mother, I can't imagine how that must feel and I'll be praying for you. I was so excited to read that you are doing NaNoWriMo! I abosolutely love NaNo (this is my eighth year doing it). This year I'm writing a fantasy-western about a knight-cowboy. I'm having so much fun with it lol. :D
As always, you guys are the bestest and I love ya. Hopefully it won't be too long before I see you again!