Song: Le Festin – Camille
Lyrics used: (translated) The banquet is now underway, so…
Bring out the bottles; a new tale has spun
In clearing this table, my new life's begun."
The feast began as most of them did; the royal family was seated high above their people on a platform. Any guests the royal family had would sit with them. The warriors sat just beneath them. The common folk then, by class, sat on the main floor. Asgardians of Fandas and Aslaug's status, however, spent the majority of the feast serving others. Gladsheim hall was abuzz with the victory of the Asgardian warriors, though Fandas could pinpoint a few unfortunates who were suffering the same loss that she and her mother suffered.
As Fandas carried a large tray of filled wine goblets, she was stopped by Heidrun.
"I wonder, little imp, if you believe Eira's words now."
Fandas' hazel eyes narrowed into a sneer as Heidrun walked away, feeling rather pleased with herself. Fandas gazed about, being sure that she would not be seen doing what she was about to do. She used her free hand and shot a bit of purple light at Heidrun's feet. Much to her amusement, Fandas watched as Heidrun's ankles were bound together by an invisible rope, resulting in the older woman to hop about absurdly.
Fandas took things a step further, shooting another purple beam at the food Heidrun carried. It rose off of the platter and danced around her head. Another twitch of Fandas' hand, and the food crashed onto Heidrun's head. She disguised her delighted chuckle as a cough as she made her rounds, handing goblets to any who wanted them.
"Please ease my troubled mind," Aslaug sighed as Fandas joined her at a small table, "and tell me that you were not the cause of Heidrun's misbehavior."
Fandas shrugged, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Had you known the reasons for doing so, mother, you would not be so quick to berate me for it."
Aslaug opened her mouth to respond, but the Allfather's staff hitting the floor quickly silenced her.
"As wonderful and joyous occasion this is," he stated, gazing at his people, "We cannot let the fact that many of you have lost a loved one pass. I would like to take this time to bow our heads in remembrance."
The hall grew silent as the Asgardians obeyed their king.
"And now, I would like to invite the families of those lost to join the royal family for our personal condolences."
Fandas felt her eyes grow wide. She would actually get to meet the royal family? She looked at her mother, who looked nearly as flabbergasted. Slowly, they joined the line that began to grow.
"This is most peculiar," Fandas whispered excitedly.
"To one so young, I am sure it is," Aslaug whispered back, "When the Allfather defeated the Jotuns many moons ago, he did something very similar."
Fandas looked up at Odin in awe as she neared him.
"He is a great ruler," she said, mostly to herself than anyone else.
She braced herself for the meeting of royalty. It would be a rather peculiar order to meet them, but she was not one to argue. First, would be the Queen Frigga, then the eldest son Thor. The second son Loki would follow, and then, finally, Odin. Too soon, Fandas and Aslaug were on the platform that overlooked the whole of Asgard. Fandas felt a strange sensation in her stomach. So this is what it is like to be on top of Asgard…
"I am remorseful of your loss," a lovely voice rang through her ears. Fandas shot back to the present, and stood right in front of the beautiful Frigga.
Fandas noted that she would barely meet the shoulder of any of the royals. She inwardly cursed her short stature. She also noted with regret that Frigga did not meet her eye. She must have heard the rumors.
"I thank you, your majesty," Fandas replied, lowering her head.
She moved on to Thor, whose bright blue eyes darted from her face to the very center of Fandas' eyes.
"I am remorseful of your loss," his deep voice muttered.
Fandas lowered herself slightly.
"I thank you, sir."
She sighed as she walked a few more feet toward prince Loki, now getting used to the idea of being treated the very same as with anyone else. Just to avoid any more disappointment, she kept her eyes cast downward as she reached the second born. She stood before him for a few seconds, but he said nothing. Fandas' brow furrowed, but she said nothing.
"It is customary to meet the eye of a royal, would you not agree?"
His voice was surprisingly smooth. Shock tore through her. Nobody besides her mother and Freyja had met her eye in over 80 years. Fandas raised her eyes to meet Loki's own. Her surprise must have shown, for Loki chuckled.
"I am most remorseful of your loss," he said, his tone still collected.
"I thank you, sir," Fandas lowered herself, not breaking eye contact with him, a gesture that would surely earn her a lecture from her mother. Loki's smirk remained as she walked away. Fandas gulped. Surely, the Allfather would not be as bold as his son. Surely he, like his wife and eldest son, had heard the awful rumors.
She now stood before him, her head bowed out of courtesy.
"My child," Odin's hand reached under her chin and gently guided her gaze to meet his own.
"I am very remorseful of your loss," he said in a truly remorseful tone.
"I thank you, your highness," Fandas answered.
"As I told your mother, your brother Herlof was a very brave man. It is a rarity we have such an amazingly talented warrior." Fandas gave a genuine, albeit small, smile. "Thank you, Allfather." He nodded and sent her on her way.
Aslaug waited for her at the bottom of the staircase that led to the platform.
"Unless I am mistaken," Fandas said, "our Allfather is much too often mistaken for a monster."
"Indeed," Aslaug agreed, then, out of nowhere, pinched her daughter's arm.
"Ouch!" Fandas laughed.
"What gall you have, child!" Aslaug snapped, pinching Fandas again, "Looking at the prince as if he were your familiar!"
Fandas merely grinned, relishing the feeling of being looked at…actually looked at…for the first time in what felt like ages.