The guards didn't handcuff them. They asked only for them to follow. As they walked, one guard in front of them and one behind, Rien noticed Hela had her hands clasped tightly behind her back. Her eyes were closed and she was in deep concentration. Rien had a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She felt as if she was about to throw-up. Her hands were a little sweaty and her heart beat violently. 'I will be executed…' she thought. 'but I will not let them take my children!'
Rien suddenly crashed into Fenrir's back. It felt like hitting a brick wall. "Sorry." She whispered. He didn't respond but gently handed her something. "From Hela." Was all he said without looking at her to not attract attention. She opened her hand to see a gold chain with a small gold ring. It had a magnificent bright green emerald sitting comfortably between two gold leafs. It was a simple ring, but one with great sentimental value to her.
-Flashback to when Rien and Loki were about 12 years old-
"But Loki… I want to go with you… please don't leave me here alone…" Rien's gaze dropped to her feet. She couldn't look up to see him or she'd cry. "Rien…" Loki sighed half-heartedly. "Thor insists to go with father to Svartalfheim and mother insists I go and look after Thor... I'm sorry but you cannot go." "But Loki… ok… I'm sorry…" she still did not look at him but could feel a painful knot in her throat. He cupped her hands gently and when he let go, there was a ring. She looked at him puzzled. "I did it." He smiled triumphantly. "I managed to concentrate a few protective spells and created an object. Think of it as if you were squeezing a lump of coal so hard that it became a diamond."
"Wow… so it's like I'm holding magic right now?" He nods a yes. "Wow." He chuckles. "It wasn't easy and it's not the strongest protective magic however, this should protect you while I'm gone alright?" "Protect me from what?" "Well as long as you do not venture from the kingdom, it should protect you from anything. Just hold it and nothing can touch you. So please, do not be upset ok? I shall return in a week or so. In the meantime, keep the ring safe and it shall do the same for you, ok?" She smiles and nods.
- Second flashback to when Rien and Loki were about 16-17 years old -
"Stupid Sif…" Rien muttered to herself. She had just finished practice sparring when, Sif of course, decided to join in and give her a hard time. She was walking down the hall of the palace making her way to the hot spring baths. "Rien!" She turned around to see Loki running up to her. "Hey Loki, you alright?" "Yes, thank you but…" He pointed to the ring Rien had around her neck. She bought a gold chain in the palace market and converted the ring to a necklace. "I need that back." She protectively clasped it. "Calm yourself. I shall return it. I want to see if I can add stronger protective spells to it." Rien gave him a skeptical look but handed the necklace over. "What?" "Hmph. You better be careful with it." "Yes yes… by the way... why don't you wear it? On your finger I mean... it's what it was intended for." "I didn't want to lose it while sparring. I'd be devastated." He smiled slyly. "Is that so?" "Yes it is so. Hmph." She walked away. "What?" he called after her but she ignored him.
- Back to the present -
'He never gave it back to me... how did Hela get it?' Rien was suddenly interrupted by the two huge doors leading to Odin's throne room opening. It was only Odin, Thor, Frigga, and some guards occupying the throne room. "Step forward. All of you." Odin rose from his throne and gave them all a very stern look. "I have no intention of delaying this. I have been advised that if I am to keep my throne, my kingdom, and my family safe... I must dispose of all three of Loki's children." The kids were in shock. They expected some form of punishment, but to be... 'disposed of?'... they were not sure what exactly they even did wrong.
"We have never tried to harm you or anyone else." Fenrir said through gritted teeth. Rien knew he was holding back tremendous anger. "I do not wish to risk the safety of my family and of my people." "But we have not done anything wrong!" Jorg was the one who yelled at Odin to everyone's surprise. "Enough! I have already made up my mind. Jorgmungand, you shall be banished to Midgard as your true form. You will live within the Midgardian Ocean as it's protector." Jorg hissed loudly. "What?! Banishment?! For what?! I have done nothing wrong! And protector?! Why would I protect Midgard!?" "SILENCE!" The guards took hold of Jorg and restrained him. "Fenrir... you shall also be banished from the kingdom in your true form... I know you hold immense strength Fenrir... and for that... I have asked the dwarves to create a magical chain to hold you. You shall be caged and be kept under the watchful eye of a God to ensure you do not escape." Fenrir almost took a swipe at Odin but the guards placed the magical chain, or rather ribbon: Gleipnir, and it seemed to zap away Fenrir's strength. Odin then turned to Hela, the youngest of Loki's children. "Hela... you are indeed a sweet child... but I cannot have you here... therefore... you too are banished, However... I will make you ruler of Nifelheim. To Hell go those who died of sickness, old age, and those who did not die in battle. You will judge those who were good and evil and give them their just rewards. You will be queen of the dead in your true form." Hela let tears flow from her rosy cheeks that soon turned white as snow. Half her face became rotted, decaying and ugly, while the other half was still a beautiful young woman.
"All-father you cannot! Please no! You cannot punish these children to a life of lonelyness for eternity!" Rien was also crying. "I do not care what you do to me but I will not let you banish my sister to hell!" Jorg was furious. It took a lot to infuriate this usually calm and collected serpent. "She will be queen there. Hela my sweet granddaughter..." she had fallen to her knees in tears and Odin bent down to her. "It truly does break my heart to do this... but it is for the best... I know in time you will understand... I shall grant a selected few the honor of visiting you." "LIAR! YOU WILL LEAVE HER ALONE TO ROT IN HELL! THAT'S WHERE YOU BELONG!" Fenrir was showing his fangs in fury.
Four guards had to keep Fenrir well restrained. Odin turned to Rien. "Please All-Father... I will take any punishment, even death... just please... leave my kids be." Odin sighed heavily. "Rien... you truly are a devoted soldier... even after all Loki has done, you still continue to defend him and look after his offspring as your own... but I regret to inform you that you are blinded by love..." Rien stayed silent. Tears streaming from her face. "Your devotion , dedication and loyalty will not go unseen. Therefore, I shall remove all memories of Loki and his children from you. I shall send you to Valhalla to train and become a strong Valkyrie. That way, you shall become Thor's personal guard and perhaps his bride." Rien and the kids were in utter shock. She felt as if her heart had stopped. Everyone was silent. Rien wanted to bed and plead with Odin to not bestow such cruelty to her but there was no use.
"Dear..." Friga placed a delicate hand on Odin's shoulder. "Though they did not come from Rien, they are still her children. Please don not be cruel. Taking them away from their mother is a punishment I wish upon no one. You said yourself Rien is a loyal, devoted soldier. She does not deserve such a punishment." Odin looked thoughtful for a moment. He cleared his throat and spoke. "Perhaps my wife is correct... however, I do not want you to be swayed or led astray by Loki again. "Therefore... I shall take any and all memories of Loki from you. You are to become a Valkyrie and then be with Thor."