Chapter Thirty-Three
Freyja took a deep breath as she approached the palace. Part of her mind was still screaming that this was a bad idea, but Idunn had been right- it wasn't worth losing Sigyn over this. She inquired where she could find the queen, and quickly made her way to Frigga's parlour. Her brows shot straight up. Frigga was elbow-deep in old gowns! Her expression was uncharacteristically furious.
"Frigga? Is everything alright?"
The queen glanced up. "Yes. Everything's fine. Is there something I can do for you?"
Freyja looked at the mess. It didn't look 'fine' but that wasn't why she was here. "I wanted to talk to you about Sigyn."
"Sigyn?" Frigga straightened, looking concerned. "Is something wrong with her?"
"No." Freyja twisted her hands nervously. "You know that she has been asking to study magic for a long time?"
"Yes."
Freyja sighed. "I tire of fighting with her about it. I was wondering if you would be interested in teaching her."
Frigga's brow furrowed. "That's all?"
"N-no," Freyja sighed. "Last night she and I had a major fight and she informed me that she was planning on asking you to teach her magic. So... I would appreciate it if you would."
"Certainly. Sigyn's an astute child, I would be glad to teach her."
Freyja sighed, half in relief, half in regret. Frigga noticed.
"You're still not happy about this."
"No, but I'd rather have her act with my permission than go behind my back."
Frigga's eyes grew stormy. "But even if she did go behind your back, you wouldn't disown her for it, would you? You might not be happy but you wouldn't say that she's disgraced her family and that she's no longer welcome in your house?"
Freyja's brows knit. "Of course not! Where is this coming from?"
"Alti kicked Sif out of her house."
Freyja's jaw dropped. "What?! Sif's only fourteen!"
"Alti has a true fast Asgardian view on women's roles. The thought of a girl being able to handle a sword appalls her!"
"What is Sif doing now?"
"Settling in to her new room here at the palace- assuming she isn't still crying!"
"What room did you give her?"
"The one usually reserved for young dignitaries. There are plenty of other rooms that can be converted to that function, and the current one is already furbished. Besides, she chose it herself."
Freyja nodded, feeling relieved. Those rooms were close enough to the rest of the palace, so that the girl wouldn't get lonely. "And now you are...?"
"Looking for something suitable for her to wear. Her mother gave her one small bag packed with clothing. It's not enough, and a wardrobe will take time to make. But all these old clothes of mine... Nothing in here is right for a young lady learning how to be a warrior! I would suggest some of Thor's clothes but let's face it. Thor has no bust and Sif does."
"All of my girls had tunics and trousers for their training days. I've kept most of them. Nine daughters, it's cheaper to reuse the clothes they don't wear out. I can dig them out for Sif, see which ones fit her."
Frigga looked relieved. "Would you? It would be a great help, and I think Sif needs all the support she can get right now."
Freyja nodded her agreement, though her heart wrenched as she remembered how harshly she'd spoken of Sif just yesterday.
"I'll be back quickly," she said, turning.
"Freyja-"
"What?"
Frigga was staring at her midsection. "Nothing."
Freyja put a hand to her belly. "Have I gained weight?" she asked, teasingly.
"You're pregnant again, aren't you?"
With a nod, Freyja smiled. "Our little ones should be born around the same time, given that you're just starting to show as well."
Frigga shook her head. "Nine pregnancies! How do you do it? I'm feeling ill enough with this one!"
"Each one is different. You're having more problems with this one than Loki or Thor?"
Frigga opened, then rapidly closed, her mouth, silently berating herself for the slip. "Yes... I suppose I've forgotten a lot, since it's been so long."
"You'll do fine," Freyja assured her. "I'll go look for some clothes for Sif now."
She slipped out of the room, frowning. Why did I get the impression she was lying just then?
She had not made it out of the palace when she saw Tyr walking towards her. Her heart sank. Can I not go one month without seeing him?!/Her hand drifted to her stomach.
She straightened her shoulders, intending to ignore him, but then she saw that Sif was walking with him. She grimaced. Her comments about the young girl had been cruel. She took a deep breath and angled for them.
"Sif, can I talk to you?"
The raven-haired girl nodded warily. Freyja placed a hand on her shoulder to lead her away, deliberately not seeing Tyr's suspicious glance- he must still think that she was going to be cruel to the young warrior. She led Sif into an unused sitting room, moving to open the curtains.
"What did you wish to speak of, my lady?" Sif's voice was prickly, and Freyja knew she hadn't forgotten her harsh words yet either.
"I just thought you might like to talk, that's all." Freyja kept her voice gentle. "I know how it feels to have a parent disapprove of your choices."
Sif crossed her arms. "You aren't that much different from Mother, not if your words last night are any sort of indication."
Freyja winced. "Yes... that." She sat down and took a deep breath. "My comments were unwarranted and I apologise, Sif. The truth is, I was angry with your mother and I took it out on you. I am sorry, it was unfair and foolish of me. But the important thing, Sif, is that you never listen to people who say those things. In the future, don't take that. Just spit in my face."
Sif managed a shaky smile, before her face fell. "I know I'm doing what's right for me, but I keep thinking... my parents..."
"If they love you, they will come around. They might never accept what you're doing, but they won't just abandon you. Take it from one who knows." Freyja smiled sadly. "Goodness knows my father has threatened me with disownment enough to write a book. But my stepmother tries."
Sif nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe someday, you and I can train together? I would love to learn from a Valkyrie... after your child is born, of course!"
Freyja raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
Sif scuffed her foot awkwardly. "Sigyn might have mentioned it."
Freyja smiled. "Of course. She is very excited." Her smile faded. She could still feel the slap of her hand against Sigyn's face. How could she have done that? Tears filled her eyes.
"A-are you alright, my lady?" Sif's voice was hesitant. Freyja swiped the tears away.
"I'll be fine. I just need to speak to Sigyn. I don't suppose you know where she is?"
"Last I heard, she was with Loki."
Freyja tensed. Loki. Of course. "Thank you, Sif."
Sif nodded once before slipping out of the room. At the doorway, she paused. "Thank you for listening," she murmured, before leaving Freyja alone.
Freyja ran a hand through her long red-gold hair. Would Sigyn even want to see her, after what had happened? Well, there was only one way to find out. She headed out, towards the library, where she thought it most likely for her daughter to be. She paused at the closed door, listening to two low voices. Loki and Sigyn?
Well... the library was never supposed to be closed, so she opened the door and walked in. The giant room was easy to hide in, but fortunately for her, she immediately spied her daughter sitting on the floor, tears running down her face. Next to her was not Loki, but Theoric.
Her heart twisted, and she all but ran to her daughter. "Sigyn, what's wrong?"
Sigyn's face went icy when she saw her mother. "Go away."
Freyja stopped. She swallowed hard. "Sigyn-"
"Go away!"
"Theoric, leave us."
Sigyn grabbed the young man's arm. "No. Stay."
The young Crimson Hawk looked from one to the other, torn. "Uh..."
Freyja raised a brow at him, and he scrambled to his feet, almost running from the library. Sigyn glared at her mother.
"Sigyn-"
"I don't want to talk to you!"
"I'm sorry."
Sigyn snorted. "I'm sure!"
"Sigyn-"
"You hit me!"
Freyja pressed her hands together. "Yes. I did, and that is inexcusable. You have every right to hate me and if you never want to return home, I'll understand. Just please, Sigyn. Please. I am sorry."
Sigyn visibly blinked back tears. "I'm not giving up magic, Mor."
"No. And you shouldn't. It was wrong of me to try to force you to give up something so important to you. It was wrong of me to forbid it in the first place."
"Yes, it was." Sigyn looked Freyja square in the eyes. "Why did you forbid it?"
"I... I can't tell you that."
"Why not?"
Freyja took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She couldn't tell her the truth about her conception! It was too horrible! But perhaps, another way? What other way? "Sigyn, I have had very bad experiences with magic."
"So because /you/ had trouble, you don't trust me?"
"No, it's not that. I only want to keep you safe."
Sigyn rolled her eyes. "Using magic isn't going to hurt me!"
"But magic draws magic. And I'm just afraid that... somebody will hurt you."
Sigyn narrowed her eyes, suspicion on her face. "Someone like who?"
Your father. "...It's better that you don't know, Sigyn."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that..." Freyja sighed and shook her head. "It no longer matters. I was wrong to try to stop you from learning magic. If you still want to, then I'm sure Frigga will love to have you as a student."
Sigyn nodded, her happiness now clear. "Do... do you still want me to live at home?"
Freyja hesitated again. "Of course I do, darling. But if you want to stay with Idunn, I'll understand. I'm sorry."
Sigyn bit her lip. "I want to come home, Mor. I was just worried, after what happened to Sif... I never realised parents did really get rid of children..."
Freyja wrapped her arms around her daughter. "I could never do that, Sigyn. No matter what you did, I would always love you and I will always be there. I promise. I'll try harder not to be a selfish old bat. I love you."
"Love you too, Mor." Sigyn rested her head on Freyja's shoulder, and smiled when her mother's hand cupped her head protectively.
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Gaea walked through the streets of Heliopolis, smiling at her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The city had grown since she last visited. Wiping a hand across her brow to remove perspiration, she sighed- she'd forgotten how hot it was here! She spotted the ibis decorating the exterior of Thoth's library and gladly ducked into the cool, cavernous room. It smelled musty, and full of old wisdom. Gaea smiled, seeing that her son's collection had grown since her last visit. She moved through the maze of bookshelves. "Thoth?"
There was no response at first. "Thoth!"
"Hmmm?" An enormous pile of books moved towards her, only Thoth's legs and feet visible behind it. The stack wobbled, and Gaea just knew he was going to drop it...
CRASH.
She lunged forward to grab what she could. The rest fell and scattered across the floor. Thoth stood, his face aghast with horror.
"What hast thou made me do?" He wailed.
"Why do you carry so many at once?" Gaea sighed, helping to gather up the books.
"I canst do it. I hath not any trouble unless I art interrupted."
Gaea sighed. "Thoth, I told you I was coming."
"Thou didst? I do not recall that."
She shook her head. "I love you, Thoth. But I wish you would pay attention more. You've been distracted more than usual lately."
"I art trying to root out knowledge that remains elusive."
"On that note, I am doing something similar. Do you have any idea where your brother might be?"
"Which brother?"
Gaea arched a pale brow. "Atum."
"Oh." Thoth dropped his gaze and shuffled. "That brother."
Gaea's stomach twisted. She hadn't told Thoth what Atum had done. It was too hard and Thoth had always idolized his elder brother. But had he found out anyway? She set her books aside and put a hand on Thoth's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Thoth shrugged. "Mother, I must needs tell you something."
Gaea deliberately made her face impassive. "I assume you know what he did to your sister, then?" Her voice was stony.
"Yes, but... you doth not know the entirety of the story."
"How did you find out?"
"He told me."
Gaea's eyes widened. "He told-?"
"He told me he raped Freyja. And then he asked for me to end his life. I was so confused, Mother."
Gaea noted the lack of 'thous' but didn't comment on it. "He asked you to kill him?"
Thoth nodded. "And so, I researched. Mine brother hath never been that type of man. I could not believe he did such a thing knowingly yet he claimed he had. So unwillingly."
"Against his will?" Oshtur hinted much the same, years ago... "But if that were true, why wouldn't he just say so?"
"I doth not understand the workings of mine brother's mind, Mother."
"You said you were researching?" She prompted.
Thoth nodded. "I hath fond something. Around that time, Chthon grasped a world known as Utop. He grasped it, his shadow had it fully in his grasp. But then he left."
Utop? Gaea swayed on the spot. The last time she had seen Atum was on Utop...
"Mother, are you alright? Thou art white as a sheet."
She became aware that Thoth was guiding her to a carved bench as her mind whirled. She sat down, feeling dazed. Only one thought was concrete in her mind. "I need to speak to Atum."
Thoth sighed. "I art working on it. I know his eldest Sekhmet has joined him but I art afraid to try contact..."
"Then let me. Even if Atum will not speak to me, I am reasonably certain Sekhmet will. How soon can you make contact?" Gaea's voice was steely now, full of determination. This would be solved soon, one way or another.
"I hath a direct line of contact with Sekhmet's ship."
Gaea got to her feet hurriedly. "Then what are you waiting for? Try and speak to her."
"I art not sure..."
"Thoth, I have waited fourteen years to have this explained. Do not make it any worse!"
Thoth nodded and shuffled off. Gaea followed, heart in her mouth. Finally she was going to get answers!
Thoth activated the device that would let him make contact, but frowned at the result.
"What is it?" Gaea's heart was pounding.
"It appears they are not on the ship, Mother."
She wanted to weep. Instead she took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's leave a message for when they come back."
Thoth looked nervous, and with a flourish, moved away from the console, gesturing for her to go ahead. She fought the urge to roll her eyes, and stepped closer, thinking about what she could say.
She looked into the recording device and took a deep breath. "Atum, I need to speak with you. Sekhmet, make sure he does." She turned it off.
Thoth opened his mouth, but Gaea shook her head. "Leave me alone for now, Thoth. I need to think."
Idunn burst into the kitchen as Freyja was trying to be happy for Sigyn as her daughter talked about her lessons with Frigga.
"The triplets have been arrested!"
Freyja jumped to her feet knocking her chair over in the process. She ignored the loud crash as it hit the floor. "What?! What in blazes happened?"
"I don't know! All I've heard is that they supposedly attacked a lord- Volsak, I think. They're in prison!"
Volsak! Freyja swallowed down bile. "Sigyn, stay with Idunn. I'll let you know what's happening as soon as I can. Gather your sisters."
She swept out of the door instantly, gritting her teeth as she headed towards the palace. She marched past the guards, head held high, and barged into Odin's throne room without so much as acknowledging the Einherjar outside.
"What is the meaning of my daughters being imprisoned?!" she seethed, glaring at the Allfather.
Odin looked nonplussed. "Please come in. I was expecting you."
"Odin, I swear-"
"I was just about to judge whether the case was worth pursuing." He held something up in his hand. "The eye of Agamotto. I will hear your daughter's words and Lord Volsak's. But given recent events it won't surprise me they did attack him."
"Recent events? You mean his attempted rape of me which earned him no more than a stern word?"
Odin hung his head as Frigga walked up beside him- Freyja hadn't even noticed her!
"What does she mean, Odin?" The queen's voice was acidic enough to have melted metal.
"Frigga-"
"Don't you speak to me in that tone!"
Freyja arched a brow - she would like to see Odin explain this!
His eyes remained on the ground as he mumbled. "I came across Volsak and some others molesting Freyja a few nights ago. They were drunk, so I did not see much point in speaking harshly then, as they would likely not recall it. I intended to deal with them more firmly soon, once I had identified them all, but..."
"But I wasn't important enough, so you 'forgot'." Freyja scoffed.
Frigga frowned and turned to Freyja. "When?"
"After I was ejected from the auction."
Odin's face coloured as Frigga whirled on him. "You were supposed to apologise to her!"
"That was what I planned to do, until I was interrupted."
"You told me you had!"
Freyja would have loved for this to continue, but she had more pressing issues. "My daughters," she interrupted.
"Probably attacked him for vengeance." Odin said.
"I didn't tell them about it! I didn't even know Syn was back from Vanaheim! I demand that I be allowed to speak to them!"
"You can hear what they say as I question them."
Freyja shook her head, scowling. "I will see them before they are questioned!"
"No."
"Odin," Frigga said sharply.
He shook his head. "Frigga, this is a matter of law. No-one may speak to them. If they speak the truth their stories will collaborate. I can't risk-"
"You have the eye of Agamotto!" Freyja exploded. "You can know the truth!"
Odin sighed heavily at the glares his wife and sister-in-law levelled at him. "Fine. If you insist, I will commence the trial now. Then it will be over with sooner."
Frigga put an arm around Freyja and pulled her off to the side. "I'm sorry for his behaviour," she murmured.
Freyja snorted as Odin ordered Volsak and Snotra to be brought first. "I'm used to it."
She glanced at Snotra as she and Volsak were made to kneel before Odin. She was pale, but her face was determined. She looked around, and relief came over her face when she saw Freyja. Freyja tried to smiled at her daughter. This was to do with Syn. It had to be...
Volsak's face was bruised and bleeding. "My Lord, may I speak first?"
Odin held the Eye of Agamotto tightly as it began to glow. Its eerie light bathed Volsak's face. "You may, but do not waste my time. I assume you know that this artefact will compel the truth from you."
Volsak frowned.
"Where are Syn and Sjofn?" Snotra interrupted. "Syn especially! He punched her in the stomach. The baby-"
"Lying little wench!" Volsak shouted.
"Enough!" Odin's voice was sharp. "Lady Snotra, you will be given a chance to speak later in the proceedings. Lord Volsak is being questioned at present, so remain silent!"
Snotra's eyes fired with anger (Freyja didn't know it, but Odin was thinking how similar mother and daughter looked) but Freyja spoke first. "He punched her in the stomach?"
"He said he was going to kill her baby. Syn needs to see a healer! Nobody will listen to me!"
But Freyja was already out of the hall, running towards the dungeon. If Odin has cost that baby's life I will have him on charges!
She heard voices calling after her, but took no notice. She grabbed the guard by his collar, all but throwing him aside as she hastily unbolted the door. Syn was sat in a huddle on the floor, her face tearstained. Sjofn's arms were tightly wrapped round her.
Freyja swooped down instantly, pulling Syn to her feet and all but scooping her unto her arms like a baby. "Are you bleeding?" She asked, starting for the door at once.
Syn shook her head slightly. "I was." She half whispered. "It's stopped now."
"Sjofn, run for Eir. You!" Freyja shouted at the guard who moved, presumably to stop her. "Help me. My daughter is in medical need."
"But-"
"I know your mother, do you want me to tell her you cost a child's life?"
The guard sputtered, but let Sjofn pass and then took Syn from Freyja's arms. Freyja stroked her hair. "You'll be fine. I promise."
"My baby..."
Freyja's heart broke.
"It's alright, Syn. It might not have... The bleeding has stopped, which is a good sign."
"But the blood was really heavy, and it hurt..." A tear trickled down Syn's face.
"Eir will be able to tell us." Freyja prayed that everything would be alright - Syn was several months along, just as she was. There would be more blood if Volsak had killed the baby, wouldn't there?
Footseps could be heard approaching rapidly as Freyja directed the guard to carry Syn out of the cell. Sjofn and Eir came into view, both looking frantic. Eir wasted no time, immediately placing a hand on Syn's belly. She cursed.
"The girl should have gotten medical attention at once!"
Sym burst into tears.
"Don't bawl, child. Hope isn't lost," Eir snapped.
Freyja looked up at Eir, desperate hope in her eyes. "She hasn't lost it?"
"No. Get her to the healing rooms, they are both far from being out of danger. Move! Now!"
The guard fell into step with Eir. Freyja and Sjofn followed, hearts pounding, the trial forgotten for the time being.