Song: 21 Guns – Green Day

Lyrics used: "Does the pain weigh out the pride?

And you look for a place to hide?

Did someone break your heart inside?

You're in ruins."

Two days later, the band of warriors made their way through Asgard in a parade-like fashion. Fandas and her mother were at the front of the crowds just outside the Bifrost.

"Do you think he will wave to us?" Aslaug asked breathlessly.

Fandas snorted.

"I should hope so. You are his mother, after all. I do not think even Herlof is heartless enough to ignore his birth giver."

She received a swat to the arm. "Hush! You must not speak of your brother in such a way! He has provided much for this family!"

As Fandas opened her mouth to argue, a large roar from the crowd halted her. Her head shot to the source of the noise as the warriors made their way to the Bifrost on horseback. A few kissed a maiden or two as they passed. Aslaug gripped her daughter's arm tightly, biting her lip.

"I am certain he will acknowledge you, mother," Fandas grinned, though it was one worn for the sole purpose of comforting her mother.

"Us, dear. Herlof will acknowledge us."

"Of course."

Then, he came into view. His was face broken in a wide grin as the crowd around him cheered. He waved appropriately at the crowd surrounding him, though Fandas noticed that his dark eyes swept over them, as if looking for someone in particular. Probably some maiden that caught his fancy recently.

Just as she was about to make her way back to the palace, she heard her mother gasp. Fandas turned to see Herlof standing tall in front of them. Her jaw dropped.

"You did not think I would omit my own family, did you?"

He then wrapped his large arms around their mother, who was crying freely.

"Do not weep, mother," he chuckled, "I shall return before you can say Jodenheim!"

Aslaug sniffed as she slowly removed her arms from around his neck. Herlof then turned his attention to Fandas, much to her surprise.

"And you," he smiled, "How could I overlook my little sister?"

Fandas's eyes widened as he pulled her into a hug. She hesitantly placed her arms around him.

"Tell mother not to fret, Fandas," he muttered.

Tears began to swim unwillingly as she nodded her understanding.

"Return to us safely."

It was more a command than a tearful plea. Herlof released her from the embrace and smirked.

"Have you known me to do any different?"

With that, he hopped back on his horse and joined the warriors on their trek across the Bifrost.

"What did I say, my daughter?" Aslaug elbowed Fandas, a triumphant smile on her wrinkling face.

"Yes, yes, mother," Fandas smiled, "You were right."

Four days had passed since the warriors left for Vanaheim, and the citizens of Asgard were getting anxious. It did not usually take this long to defeat another world's army. In the kitchens, Fandas grew weary of hearing of her coworkers' stories of their family members' war stories.

As the talk quieted down, Heidrun burst into the kitchens, tears pouring down her plump face.

"Heidrun! What is it?" the lead cook Eira gasped as the rest of the staff gaped at her. Heidrun took a few deep breaths before pressing on.

"Th-the warriors are back."

The kitchen workers smiled in relief.

"What kept you from saying such? This is marvelous news!" Eira beamed.

Heidrun shook her head fervently. "Th…come!"

She then ran out of the kitchens, leaving a group of very confused Asgardians, who hesitantly left their stations. Fandas did not like the feeling she was getting at all. Almost all of Asgard was coming out of their homes to see what the commotion was about. As she neared, Fandas heard many people gasp happily.

"Make way!"

Odin's voice rang throughout the shining city. His people dutifully stood aside and made a path for their king. Volundr stood before his army, very proud.

"What has happened?" Odin demanded.

"We have won, mighty Allfather." Volundr answered, lowering his head in a respectful gesture.

"This is wonderful! We must have a celebration! Eira!"

Eira stepped forward, her eyes cast downward courteously.

"Yes, Allfather?"

"Have your workers prepare a delicious feast! This is a wonderful day for Asgard!"

Eira bowed. "Yes, Allfather." With that, she beckoned her workers.

Fandas looked at Heidrun, who was still beside herself with grief.

"Heidrun, what ails you so?" she asked, placing a hand on Heidrun's shoulder concernedly.

The older woman glared daggers at her as she shoved the hand off of her shoulder almost immediately. Fandas did not miss the fact that Heidrun refused to make eye contact.

"Do not lay your poisonous hand upon me!"

Fandas blinked.

"Heidrun, I do not understand…"

"You are the curse which has hindered our warriors from having a truly triumphant victory! May the Allfather smite thee into ashes, you baneful alchemist!"

And with that, she left a very confused Fandas behind. What did she mean? What had she done that had caused such hateful words? She sighed and meandered back to the kitchens. When she entered, she was greeted with malicious glares.

Fandas attempted valiantly to ignore this; she'd had enough practice over the years. However, this time around, she was not so easily dismissive.

"I hate to pry," she began icily, "but I cannot help but notice that the lot of you have rather revolting expressions upon your otherwise ravishing features."

The glares only increased in intensity as they did not miss her sarcastic tone.

"Perhaps you would be so kind as to enlighten me as to what I have done to earn such attention?"

Eira stepped forward. "You foolish serpent," she spat, "Because you touched a warrior before battle, you caused a great number of deaths!"

Fandas scoffed. "I hardly think this is the case, Eira…"

"Scoff all you like," Eira snapped, "Your pride will not surpass the fact that one of the fallen is of your own blood!"

Fandas froze. "My…?"

Eira and the rest of the workers now wore identical smiles.

"You bluff!" Fandas growled, her gaze not leaving Eira's face.

"I do not," she replied smugly, "His remains are…"

Eira's voice faltered as she noticed that Fandas was quivering.

"You may not do your magic in here, Larsen! I shall have you banished from Asgard, mark my words!"

Fandas took shallow breaths, a failing attempt to calm herself down.

"Mark my words, Eira," she muttered dangerously, "should your words be false and uttered only to harm me, I shall make it so you pay dearly."

With that, she stormed out of the kitchens, her palms now pulsating with power. She didn't bother hiding herself behind an invisible exterior, for she had more pressing matters to attend to. People actually moved aside as she marched past them. When she finally reached the quarters she shared with her mother, she saw what she feared; her mother was weeping on her bed.

"Mother…" Fandas started, but was interrupted by a loud, pained wail.

"Not my son! My baby boy!"

Aslaug's face was contorted with woe, her blue eyes red from the tears that had already been shed. Fandas sat on the bed alongside her mother, patting her back slowly.

"There will be a f-feast tonight in th-th- Gladsheim Hall…celeb-brating the return of…"

The rest of Aslaug's sentence was drowned by another round of tears.

"Will we be going?" Fandas asked cautiously.

Aslaug sniffed, hastily wiping away the tears that threatened to fall.

"Of course we will," she replied, her voice sure, "We must not allow our grief to hinder those who have reason to rejoice."

She stood, straightening her clothing. "You look an absolute fright, Fandas! Surely you do not intend on wearing that to the feast, do you?"

"I…suppose not…"

"Get ready, then! The feast starts posthaste!" Aslaug walked away without uttering another word, leaving Fandas, once again, bewildered.