Chapter Fourteen

Thor's coronation was almost right away, allowing for the realm to show stability after the war once more and to give the people something to look forward to.

It was a difficult situation for you. The rest of the soldiers had found out about your true identity and many took it badly that a woman had bested the vast majority of them in every way in training, and even after the King and prince knew your secret, they continued to depend on you. Some made comments that you should have been beheaded as was law; others made comments as to why Prince Loki had you in his tent so often. You simply ignored the remarks, knowing that there was nothing you could do to alter them. Sadly however, you also knew that such words would have made every man question your virtue, and along with your new somewhat and apparently grotesque scar, it was a simple fact that none would want you now.

Your mother cried on seeing you at the palace, she embraced you close for a moment before pulling back and scolding you for doing such a thing. When she saw the mark, she sobbed at the idea of you never having someone to care for you. It hurt hearing her think that way, mainly because you were starting to think it too. As for your father, there was no man in Asgard as proud or as happy as Bjórr Eriksson as he walked into the palace and straight to you. "My little Cubby." He beamed. You knew the Warrior's Three had heard what he had called you, and that for the foreseeable future, Fandral would take immense pleasure in teasing you about it. "I never worried so greatly in my life. I swore when I saw you again after reading that damned note I would tan your hide for you."

"'When' you have too much fate in me Father." You smiled.

"Clearly not, you have proven me right have you not?" He smiled, looking at you up and down. His eyes were drawn then to the mark on your neck.

"Malekith cursed me, but the Queen was able to prevent it from going any further." You explained. "It won't go away though."

"You really are my daughter." He smiled proudly. "I think you more beautiful than ever."

"You're biased."

"Guilty." He laughed. "How is it they are so at ease with your gender, surely you did not walk into the camp like this?" he asked looking at you in a dress. You laughed at explained everything from the moment you decided to go in his stead.

"So I save the King, so you decide to one up me and save the princes, then the whole of Asgard?" he laughed.

"You always taught me to aim high." You smiled.

"Eleonora, there are no words to describe my pride in the woman you have become. You have the realm in your debt and all so you could try and protect me. I fear you have this parent/child relationship completely backward, it is the parent that protects the child, not the other way around."

As you enjoyed each others company, you walked through the halls of the palace. The rubble had been cleared away but all the repairs had not been completed yet, you looked at a large crack that was in a pillar next to you. "War changes people Cubs; I can see it in you too." Your father stated solemnly.

"I just feel so worn, I cannot even describe what is in my mind anymore."

"For one so strong willed and opinionated, that must be hard." He chortled. You gave a forced smile. "It never goes away Cubby, but it does become easier to try and work around it." You nodded silently as he placed his arm on your shoulder.

There was a moment of silence before a voice filled the hallway. "Excellent, just who I was looking for."

You turned and forced another smile and bowed. "Your Majesty, surely you have better things to be doing than to be in the hallway speaking with mere peasants."

"If my advisors are telling the truth, it seems the vast majority of my days now are to be dealing with the complaints of such, so to abandon that harrowing thought for a moment, I decided I would speak with you of a matter of great gravity." He explained, turning slightly, he took in the figure of your father next to you. "You must be the great Bjórr Eriksson; my father told me much of you as I was growing up." He smiled.

"Your Majesty, indeed I am, I am proud to say your father and I knew each other for longer than merely the time of the first Jötunn war." He bowed. "He was a good man, I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, I hate to seem rude, but I was wondering if I may speak with Eleonora alone please, I promise not to keep her for too long?" You looked at the blonde man in concern.

Your father looked to you for a moment before looking back to Thor. "Of course, I dare say my wife is looking for me anyway. Cubby, come back to us when you are finished."

You swore to and looked to Thor. "What is this great matter?"

"I wish to discuss with you your lodgings here in the palace." He explained.

"I assure you, you need not worry too much longer on them, now that your coronation is over I will be vacating them by the morn."

Thor stared at you in shock. "What?"

"Well I plan to leave with my parents tonight."

"You cannot."

"Why?"

"You are needed here."

"How so? You have your advisors; the war is over, all I have done since the battle is keep your mother company and miss my home. I swore were I to survive, I would go home and I have yet to do so."

"Please Eleonora, I beseech you to stay. My mother has had a hard time mourning my father and I know she enjoys your company. And you are the only person aside from my mother and I to ever make Loki smile so." You felt an odd light sensation in your gut at his words.

As though on queue, there was a large peel of laughter from a woman as she rounded the corner, her arm linked with Loki's, who seemed a slight bit worse for wear with drink. "Brother there you are…Oh." He became silent as he saw you looking at him. You looked between the raven haired prince and the beautiful woman with him; you bowed your head slightly and stared at the far wall.

"I was just pleading with Eleonora to remain in the city, she is one of Asgard's finest soldiers and assets." Thor tried to signal to Loki to help convince you, but somehow the prince did not seem to pick up on the hint, you huffed at his less than subtle manner.

"I thank you for your kind words my King, but really, I prefer the quieter life of the country side, much like my father."

"Wait, that is the great hero of Asgard?" The woman asked disbelievingly. "I was led to believe she was pretty, no wonder no one questioned whether or not she was a man. She looks so plain, and her neck is grotesque."

"Her neck is the result of saving Asgard from ruin." Thor growled. "If you dare insult her again Ingrid, I will ensure your family rue the day they ever permitted you to court." The red headed woman shied back.

"I better go; my parents are no doubt tired and will wish to return home. I thank you again for your kindness and hospitality, and wish you nothing but the best." You bowed, walking off, forcing your voice to remain level as you fled. As soon as you found your parents, you pleaded for them to leave. Frigga came to say her goodbyes, embracing you tightly, wordlessly pleading with you to remain. As soon as her arms left you, you turned and walked briskly to the door.

"Eleonora, whatever is the matter?" Your father caught up with you in the carriage. "Eleonora!" He pulled you close to him as you sobbed pathetically. "What did the King say?" he pleaded.

"Nothing of note." You hiccupped between sobs. "Just that he wished for me to remain close as my skills are useful and the Dowager enjoys my company."

"And that upset you?" He probed, trying to comprehend.

"No, nothing of the sort, I am flattered, but not interested."

"Then I'm afraid I do not understand."

"Neither do I and it scares me." You admitted.

"Come now, it will be alright my little Cubby, you just need to relax at home for a while and you will be yourself again soon." You curled into his side as you had done as a child, as he continued to mumble to you about the horses and dogs that had been born or trained since you left. For once, your mother did not interfere, unsure of how to deal with what you had become.

XXXXXXX

A month had passed since your return to your home and as your father had expected, your had calmed considerably. A new litter of pups were whelping and the mares were beginning to foal, so you invested all of your time and energy into that.

Every day was busy and you often forgot about what had happened for brief moments, until one of the stable hands would stare at you for a moment too long or when you would see your reflection and were reminded of the black and red scarring on your neck. You thought of what people had said of you, and how some people even stepped back, such was the revulsion of your scar. Sadly there was nothing you could do but endure it; the scar itself did not bother you, merely people's reaction to it, thankfully your father was well used to such behaviours from when he had suffered his injury, and was a pillar of support.

Worse than the thoughts of your appearance however, were the images that haunted your sleep, but night you were visited by dead children, lying in the street, the life gone from their little eyes, as a result, you only slept when you could no longer force yourself to remain awake.

Sitting at your bedroom window one beautiful afternoon with a book on your lap, sleep overtook you and you drifted off, the sun shining on your skin as you rested. The dream that came as a result had started well, exchanging jibes with Loki in his tent at the training grounds as had happened many times in reality, his words not even effecting you as you spat back insults at him, only causing him to smile even more, but then the scene faded and instead the ruby red of Jötnar eyes and the claw like nails of Malekith took over the dream, closing in on you, Loki and the others, but your weapons were no longer by your sides, and your armour nowhere to be seen. Just as Laufey's blade formed you drew back, causing you to fall over. You hit the floor with a loud thump, hitting your shoulder and head as you did so, and waking you from your nightmare. As you tried to figure out your surroundings, loud thuds came toward you and the door opened.

"Cubby, is everything alright? Why are you on the floor over here? I thought that you had fallen from your bed." Your father surveyed the room, wondering what happened; on seeing the book on the floor with a cushion from your window, he realised and said no more, leaning down to help you up. Dazed, you leant against him and with his one arm he attempted to pull you up, but was not able to.

"Allow me." A smooth voice offered. Still stunned you looked to the person who had rushed to your room with him. He walked forward and gently took your arm and lifted you with ease. All the time you stared silently at his rich emerald green eyes.