Chapter Seventeen
It was several days after Gaea's departure from Asgard, and Freyja walked briskly to the palace. Frey had volunteered to watch Sigyn and the triplets for a few hours, and Freyja wanted to get back before all chaos broke loose. Syn could manipulate her uncle into doing practically anything! But she hadn't seen Frigga in a long while, and Freyja was concerned.
Tyr was coming out of the palace as Freyja approached. The goddess nervously smoothed her skirt. She was still thick around the middle from childbirth, though the sash around her gown concealed it well. She hadn't spoken with Tyr since Sigyn had been born, though she had thought of approaching him.
"Freyja," he greeted with a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Very well, thank you. And yourself?"
"The same."
"Your hand is bruised," Freyja noted with concern, taking his hand in hers. The bruise was dark purple, perfectly round.
Tyr chuckled. "Thor got hold of a worker's hammer and decided to use me as target practice. He has a strong swing. He'll be a mighty warrior some day."
"Hmm." Freyja shook her head. "I imagine his mother wishes that he was better behaved, though."
Tyr shrugged. "I must go now, but perhaps we can speak again soon?"
"Speak?" Freyja asked with a knowing smile.
"Speak." Tyr took her hand and kissed her knuckles, and added in a low voice. "I really do mean to speak with you, but afterwards I would not complain if we did other things."
Freyja hesitated. "Perhaps. I can't be away from Sigyn for too long, though."
Tyr nodded once and took his leave.
Freyja continued into the palace. She wasn't far in when she heard Thor's bellows. She grimaced. Perhaps it would better if she came back later? Or perhaps she could offer to mind little Loki for an hour or two. Sigyn did not seem to be taking to other babies her own age except the young prince.
She continued on her way, and Thor's screams cut off suddenly. A minute later he came into view, running for all his worth, stark naked, mud plastered in his hair. His tear-streaked face broke into a smile when he saw Freyja, and ran straight to her.
"Mama!" he cried, hugging her knees.
The smell that hit Freyja's nose told her that it was not mud in his hair. Thor looked up, babbling happily, but then froze. With the look of one who had made a terrible mistake, the toddler backed up. A look of intense fury came over his face and he threw himself to the floor, screaming as loudly as his small body could manage, kicking and flailing his fists and twisting so wildly that Freyja was afraid he'd hurt himself.
She dropped beside him, pulling him into her arms so he wouldn't hit his head on the flagstones. The stuff in his hair smeared onto her.
Moments later, Frigga appeared. Thor seemed to get even angrier to see her, trying to bite Freyja's arm.
"He certainly has a mind of his own!" Freyja tried to joke over the sound of his tantrum, but Frigga burst into tears. She sank to the floor, not even trying to take Thor from Freyja.
The younger goddess was so shocked that her grip on Thor loosened. Fortunately, the toddler seemed just as shocked and stared at Frigga, sobbing himself but no longer kicking and screaming. Eventually, Freyja bundled Thor into her arms, and went to Frigga, putting an arm around the queen's waist. She practically lifted the older woman from the floor, and led her back to her quarters.
Loki was wailing in his crib, and Frigga sank onto her bed, still sobbing. Freyja set Thor down, and surveyed the wreck that Frigga's room was in. There were pillows everywhere, some torn to shreds, books lying ripped and crumpled on the floor, and the shattered remains of a vase in the corner. Could Thor really do this much damage?
This isn't your problem, a voice in her head said, but she ignored it. Frigga was the only real friend she had in Asgard. "Where are your servants?" Freyja asked, deciding that cleaning up the broken glass was the first thing to do.
Frigga sobbed. "Odin– We think that children should be raised by their parents..."
"And where is Odin?" Freyja asked sharply, gathering the large pieces of glass into a nearby waste basket. "Thor is too much for you to handle on your own, Frigga. He has too much energy, and with the new baby you're running yourself to death!"
Freyja stopped and looked back at the queen. Thor had crumpled to the floor where Freyja had put him down, but Frigga didn't move to collect him. Probably afraid that he would bolt again. Once the glass was cleaned up, Frigga had pulled herself together enough to try to soothe Loki. The baby stopped crying as soon as his mother picked him up. Thor had quieted as well, and Freyja continued to clean up the room.
"It's been a while since we've spent time together," Freyja mentioned as she continued to work, wanting to at least make the place presentable before attempting to deal with Thor.
"I... I've just been so tired. Thor has been especially difficult for the last few days. He behaves better for Odin, but he's been so busy..."
"Doing what? Starting more wars?"
"Don't speak of my husband like that, Freyja," Frigga said warningly. "Odin does his best for the welfare of Asgard, you could show a little more gratitude!"
"For what?"
"Try opening your eyes for once and you'd see!"
Freyja had a bitter reply on her tongue, but she swallowed it down. Frigga was obviously stressed. She didn't need to add to it! "I'm sorry, Frigga."
There was a moment of silence for Frigga spoke again. "Thor's fallen asleep."
Freyja glanced at the boy and saw that it was so. Frigga wiped her eyes and gently put Loki back in his crib before collecting Thor. She cleaned his hair the best she could without waking him and laid him in the trundle bed beside hers. Freyja picked up the last of the torn pillows and handed it to the queen.
"Thank you, Freyja."
"You need to take care of yourself, Frigga," the younger goddess said gently. "When was the last time you did anything for yourself?"
"I have children to care for. I can't just go to market whenever I want to."
"No, but you need to be able to have an hour or two just to relax."
Frigga didn't reply.
Freyja contemplated the queen. "I'll go and let you have a rest."
"Perhaps we can get together tomorrow."
"That would be nice."
Freyja left then, hoping that Frigga's boys would sleep long enough for the queen to regain her energy. A heavy frown was on her face as she headed back to her house. Part of her did not want to get mixed up in the king and queen's personal business, but she was concerned for Frigga. Thor was a difficult child to deal with, and Odin seemed to be completely oblivious to the fact that while he was off hunting or drinking with his friends his wife was losing her mind! She had two young children to care for by herself, and he wouldn't even let her have servants help?
These were the thoughts running through Freyja's mind when she saw Odin and Tyr walking the corridor, deep in discussion. Anger flared in Freyja, and she marched up to confront the king.
"You know, if you showed more respect to your wife she wouldn't be half-dead trying to get Thor to listen to her."
Both men stopped. Tyr looked wary, but Freyja ignored him. Odin's single blue eye narrowed.
"Lady Freyja, I am discussing a very important matter with Lord Tyr, go do your screeching elsewhere."
"I'll screech right here," Freyja replied promptly. "You have no respect for Frigga and obviously you don't care anything for her wellbeing or you would be with her right now-"
"I have nine realms to protect, woman."
"And a fine job you do."
"Lady Freyja, perhaps now isn't the time-" Tyr started, reaching to take her arm.
"Just because you sleep with me, it does not give you the right to silence me!" Freyja spat, pulling away.
Tyr glanced at Odin. The king's brows were almost to his hairline.
"So you didn't tell your closest friend?" Freyja demanded of Tyr, only getting angrier. "Ashamed to be known to spend nights in the bed of the whore of Vanaheim, twined in her arms- and more than that!"
"Freyja-" Tyr started.
"No need to give any excuses, my lord," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I should be ashamed to be with such a woman as well!"
"Get out of my palace," Odin spat, his face white with anger. "Why Frigga spends any time with you, why she allowed you to mind our son, I cannot fathom!"
"Perhaps because you aren't!"
"Do not think that you can speak to me like that!"
"Somebody has to!"
"Freyja!" Tyr tried to step between them again. "Obviously everybody here is angry, please-"
"You will not be seeing my sons or wife again," Odin interrupted, glaring at Freyja. "If I had known what type of wicked wench you were, I never would have forced my poor brother into marriage with you! You'll not be minding Thor again. I won't have my boy corrupted by a whore and her daughters."
And her daughters. Freyja's blood ran cold and then boiled. She lunged at Odin, her Valkyrie training flying away with her anger. She scratched at his face; her nails left long jagged marks across his face. Striking at the king, she got in several blows before he recovered from his surprise and attempted to grab her wrists. Tyr grabbed her waist and dragged her away while she lashed about, trying to reach Odin again.
"NEVER CALL MY DAUGHTERS WHORES!" she screamed, elbowing Tyr in the stomach. He tightened his grip, catching her arms to her sides. She threw back her head, connecting with his nose. He stumbled but didn't release her.
"Freyja!" Tyr grunted.
Odin stood there with a stupid look on his face. Freyja howled with anger, trying to break free of Tyr's grip.
Suddenly fear cut into her anger. She couldn't get away. He was going to throw her onto the ground. Rip off her clothes. Force her legs apart. In that second she was so certain that he was that she could feel it, smell it. Her heart pounded against her chest and her angry cries caught in her throat. She tasted bile.
Her horror overcame her and she froze. Tyr was saying something but she couldn't hear him. It was going to happen again. Would Odin join him or just watch? She felt Tyr's grip loosen and she took her chance. Yanked an arm free. Jammed her elbow into his throat. Fled.
She was halfway to her house, screaming for Frey, when her senses came back to her. She stopped suddenly, bending over, gasping, clutching at the stitch in her side. Tyr and Odin were not going to rape her! Tyr had been restraining her because she had attacked the king! That was all! It had to be. All men were not Atum...
"Freyja?"
She lashed out instinctively as a hand touched her shoulder. Her fist caught Brokk between the eyes.
"Oof!" He fell down, looking dazed.
"Oh." Freyja stared down at the dwarf. "It's you."
"I... Oh..." Brokk got to his feet, rubbing the red spot on his forehead. "I did not realise that you were so strong, my lady."
"I'm sorry," Freyja hastily wiped at the tears that had started down her face. "I didn't-"
"It's quite alright, my lady." Brokk frowned at her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she snapped, but then wavered and shook her head. "I attacked the king."
Brokk's brows rose. His jaw dropped. "What?"
"I attacked the king. I... I lost my temper. I need to go home."
"Perhaps the king deserved it?"
"Oh, he did. But he is still king, and I do not know how this will affect my standing in Asgard..." She had probably lost her only true friend. Why would Frigga ever see her now, after that? Assuming that Odin would even allow it! "I need to get home."
Brokk handed her a handkerchief, which she gratefully used. "Perhaps you would like to step into my shop for a moment and compose yourself?"
Freyja rolled her eyes. "I need to get home. Sigyn will be getting hungry. I don't have time for your bed right now."
"My lady, I don't always think of the bed when I think of you," Brokk replied. "Occasionally I do think of other things. Would you like me to walk you, to ensure you get home safely?"
"That will not be necessary."
She had most likely lost Tyr as her lover as well. Her words to him had been unjustified. But what of it? Yes, he had helped her but that did not mean that she owed herself to him! She belonged to no man and would never belong to a man!
"Tomorrow, just after noon. One hour."
Brokk's brows rose. "Your little one is not yet three months."
"Which is why you only get an hour."
Brokk shrugged. "My brother is back from trading on Alfheim."
"Then you'll have to decide between the two of you how you want to share me. One hour, that's all. I'll bring my riding crop."
Freyja turned on her heel and walked away, feeling anything but happy. Why did everything always go wrong all at once?
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Frey wasn't sure if it was his attack on Njord or Freyja's attack on Odin that prompted his summons to the palace. Either way, he was not looking forward to his discussion with the king.
When he arrived at the palace, he was surprised to see Frigga pacing the corridors trying to soothe Loki. From what he had seen, Loki was such a quiet baby that a whimper seemed out of place, let alone the red-faced wailing he was doing now. Frey bowed respectfully to her and was going to pass by but stopped. Loki caught his finger and instantly quieted.
"Now are you giving Modir a hard time?" Frey asked the baby.
"He's been like this for days," Frigga sighed. "Ever since your mother left."
Frey caught the anger in his chest and breathed it out slowly.
"I am starting to think that-" the queen cut off.
"Maybe he is just catching up. Or perhaps he misses little Sigyn. They seemed to have bonded." Frey glanced up at Frigga. "Although I certainly understand why you and Freyja are not on speaking terms, after the incident with her and the Allfather."
"Odin hasn't forbidden me to see her, if that is what you are implying," Frigga snapped at him, and Loki whimpered again. "I've tried to talk to her, but I will not be spoken to as though I have no will of my own!"
"Forgive me, my lady. I did not mean to imply anything but that Freyja physically accosted your husband and that would put a strain on any relationship. Speaking of which, I was summoned by the Allfather, and I had best not be late. Good-day, my queen."
Frey smiled once more at the baby in her arms, tapping the little nose fondly. The big green eyes stared back at him. As he went to the throne room, Frey wondered when Atum had been involved with a Jotünn to produce a son... and how a sun-god and a frost giantess could actually be compatible... And why Atum had not been back to see his child since Odin took him from Jotunheim.
He took a deep breath before entering the throne room. Odin was there alone, and Frey bowed deeply to him.
"Ah, Lord Frey," Odin greeted.
"You summoned me? My lord," he added quickly, though he did not want to address Odin with any respect. What grudge had the man against his mother, to banish her?
"Yes. I have been reviewing my records and have discovered that you were not rewarded for your exceptional bravery during the battle on Jotunheim."
Frey's blond brows rose. "What?"
"You seem surprised."
"You have been less than kind to my family of late, my lord. I thought that perhaps you wished to discuss them."
Odin's eye flashed. "And what of them would I discuss?"
"I am not certain," Frey said slowly, knowing he trod on dangerous ground. "I thought that perhaps you would wish to learn more of Freyja's present circumstances before handing out punishment for assaulting you."
"There will be no punishment," Odin waved his hand. "I am not so blind to hold myself guiltless in that. As for this matter with Njord – He is king of Vanaheim, and to have him attacked while in Asgard reflects badly on my realm. That being said, you are no citizen of Asgard, and yet prince of Vanaheim, unless your father chooses to disown you which I cannot imagine him doing, as you are his only male heir."
"Njord is no more my father than my dog is," Frey replied hotly.
Odin's brow rose. "In any case, he is not asking for punishment. It seems he hardly remembers how his wrist was broken."
Frey snorted. "That man could drink an ocean of ale."
"Now that is over with, let us discuss the matter of your reward." Odin sat in his throne. "Lord Frey, have you any boons to ask of the king?"
Frey was silent for a moment. There were many things he could ask for, but most of what he suspected Odin expected meant nothing. Wealth, land? He already had that. What did he want that Odin could grant him? He could ask for the king to end Gaea's banishment, but when Heimdall had told him of it he had also warned him that no-one was meant to know. He would not cause the gatekeeper trouble.
"Yes, my lord. One."
"Name it."
"Passage to Heliopolis."
Odin's brow rose. "The city of the Heliopolitans?"
Frey nodded. "As you know, it was founded by my elder brother Atum, and many of its citizens are kin to me through Jord my mother. I have a private matter than I wish to discuss with my brother."
"Atum has not been seen in the nine realms for nigh a year."
"My brother Thoth still resides there, and it is his... wisdom that I seek."
Odin looked puzzled still, but nodded. "Very well. It is not common for we lesser gods to seek out the Heliopolitans, but as you say, you are kin... I will have arrangements started at once."
Frey bowed. "Thank you, my lord."
Odin dismissed him, and he left the palace grim-faced. He knew that Gaea would warn him to stay away from the Heliopolitans, they having much the same view of the lesser gods as Atum did, although they themselves were not Elders like Atum and Gaea herself. But he had exhausted all other routes he could think of to find Freyja's attacker. Perhaps, if he was able to worm his way into Thoth's book-crazed mind, he would be able to discover something new.