Made a lot of formatting edit to this past chapters. I hope they look better now.

When they reached the palace, Thor jumped down his horse and ran, leaving Hela and Fandral behind.

She switched to an Asgardian gown on her way to the healing rooms, and paid attention to the movements of the guards, servants, courtiers and nobles that crossed her path. Every move was curt and precise, brimming with energy to the point of franticness. Even the whispered conversations sounded more like hushed screams. She also noticed delightedly that even when mostly everybody recognized her, just the usual people threw poisonous glares at her.

"How did it happen, Fandral?"

"I only know by hearsay, Hela, but if it's enough for you I'll be happy to share the tale." She muttered her agreement and Fandral continued. "Earlier this morning the Allfather received word that King Livamjo wished to see him, so he ordered the Bifrost to be opened and welcomed him. They spent most of the morning talking, but even I could see it was tense – I was with guard duties during the meal they shared – and after they were finished they strolled through the gardens. The King's Einherjar followed them at a distance, so when Livamjo pulled out a sword and attacked the Allfather, they couldn't stop him. King Odin didn't see the attack either and he couldn't stop it on time. Though he could stop Livamjo from striking a deadly blow, damage was already done. Livamjo then fled to Helheim and the King was taken into the healing rooms."

"You couldn't describe Livamjo's sword, could you?"

"I'm afraid I couldn't, but Hogun was near when this happened. And there he is." Fandral pointed to the entrance to the healing rooms, where Hogun leaned against the wall, watching Sif pace back and forth and Volstagg stroll in a loose circle.

Volstagg caught sight of them. "Thor's already inside," he said.

"Hello," Hela said and rushed to Hogun. "I am sorry to be so rude, but did you see the sword Livamjo was using? Could you describe it?"

"I cannot give you details," Hogun told her, "but it seemed entirely black."

"Hilt to tip?"

"Yes."

Hela cursed and ran into the healing chambers, screaming for people to make way and throwing her weight against the door where her grandfather was being treated.

The Warriors Three and Lady Sif tensed up and exchanged looks. As one, they sprinted forward.

o.o

Thor and Hela were shoulder to shoulder next to Odin, but while Hela whispered urgently with Eir the healer, Thor clenched and unclenched his fists. He seemed ready to extinct the whole of Yggdrasil with a single punch.

Finally Eir nodded and Hela turned to the Allfather. "Grandfather," she clasped his hand. "Grandfather, can you hear me?"

Odin's eye focused and unfocused, and he seemed to lose consciousness at moments. "Hela?" he said and his free hand moved to her cheek. "D..."

"Grandfather, focus!" she croaked and shook him gently. "The blade. The sword Livamjo attacked you with. What was it?"

"Livamjo," Odin slurred. "Oh, Livamjo. What of him?"

"His blade!" Odin's eye unfocused and Hela shook him again. "Grandfather, Livamjo's blade!"

"His blade... Soul Blade."

"He attacked you with it?!"

"...yess..." Odin's eye rolled back into his head and Hela stepped back. Her eyes were wide and full of terror. She slowly passed her fingers through her hair.

Thor's eyes were cold and hard. "This is war."

o.o

Just outside Odin's room, Thor, Hela, the Warriors Three and Lady Sif were conferring.

"The damage to his soul is already done," Hela said, "but I can do nothing from here, and he must be stable before I can try anything."

"What can you do?" Thor asked her.

"I can send his spirit to Helheim. The soil itself can repair the damage, but not until his body is stable, and I don't know how long the healing will take."

"What do you mean by how long?" Sif asked.

"The healing could take anything from a few hours to a thousand years, and the longer we wait the longer it'll take."

"Fine. We'll assemble the troops and head to Helheim. As soon as we take the castle you can send Father's soul."

"It won't work. And would take too much time even if it were possible." The Asgardians looked at her. "You won't be able to enter Helheim, it is sealed off. Not even I can get in when it's closed, let alone the Bifrost. People would just bounce off and reappear in Asgard."

"Then how could you send the King there?" Fandral said.

"Because it's a soul, not a whole, breathing body. And unless you're planning to kill the entire Einherjar they won't get in Helheim."

"Surely there must be another way," Volstagg added. "Every Realm is full of hidden access to the Branches."

"There is a single root leading to Helheim, and Livamjo is aware of it. The rest of the paths fold over themselves."

"Then what would you suggest, niece?"

Hela took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her nose, gathering her thoughts. "I honestly don't know. Helheim was made to close off like this. I don't remember anybody able to appear just like that, excluding the dead." She frowned. "But maybe..."

"Yes?"

"There were rumors of... of dark elves appearing at random during the Convergence. Maybe if we could replicate whatever it is that happens during the Convergence I could direct it toward Helheim. It's a remote possibility, but the alternative is waiting for Livamjo to come out of his hole."

"And what about the King?"

"I can send him over as soon as the healers are done. There are enough nooks and crannies filled with friends of mine for him to be safe. Not forever, but for some months at least."

Thor looked pensive for a moment. "Jane had the technology to create portals during the Convergence. She may be able to help us."

"We'll help Tyr gather the troops, Thor. If you need us, call," Lady Sif told him, and she and the Warriors Three left.

He nodded and watched them go. "I'll meet the generals to plan the assault. Will you remain here?"

"Yes. I'll send Grandfather the moment the healers are done." Thor turned to leave but she put a hand on his arm. "Uncle, I should warn you... there is the distinct possibility that either I or the Midgardian power sources won't be able to transport more than a handful of people. Keep that in mind."

Thor nodded and left.

o.o

Not ten minutes later, Eir opened the door to the room and beckoned her in.

"We have done everything in our power," she said. "His body is stable now, and he will be able to wake up the minute the damage is repaired."

"I thank you, Eir."

"Do not; It is nothing but my duty, to my kingdom and my King." She watched Hela take a deep breath and observed the slight shaking of her hands. "Are you nervous?"

"I... Honestly, I've never done this before. But I can't fail."

"You won't."

Hela smiled tensely. "Thank you, again. Now, if you could leave the room. It will probably get complicated in here." Eir bowed and chased everybody away, closing the door behind her.

Hela walked toward her Grandfather's still form and took his wrists, circling them with her fingers. Green light shone in her hands, and she stood still for a while, concentrating. She finally let go and sighed, stepping back. She closed her eyes and unfastened her cape, letting it fall to the floor. She relished in the rush of power that came with untying her bindings, and opened her eyes to see the withered gray take hold of her left hand. Everything came into sharp focus: sights, noises, magics. The only problem was the smell, like old dust and long-rotten flesh. But she could live with that. She clapped her hands and stepped forward, putting her hands over Odin's heart. "Now we begin," she said, and there was a blinding light.

o.o

Two hours later, Hela walked out of the room, staggering a bit. Thor caught her arm and helped her to a seat. Hogun put a goblet in her hand and she chugged the water down, then waved for more.

"How did it go?" her uncle asked.

"Well," she panted, "I am weak, starving and thirsty," she sipped from the goblet, "but it's done. Grandfather's spirit is in Helheim, well hidden from eyes and magic. Not even Heimdall should be able to see him." Servants gave her food and she started to wolf it down.

"When will you be fit to travel?"

"Hhennah." She swallowed a bit. "When I finish the food."

"Are you sure?" Thor looked straight into her eyes.

"Child's play." But she relented under her uncle's stare. "It's not like we have much time, is it? And I won't die from this."

Thor sighed. "We'll depart in two hours' time."

"Midgard?" she asked and Thor nodded. "I'm going to need more food. Have you already made the preparations?"

"Yes. Lady Sif and the Warriors Three will come with us while Tyr is left in charge of the army. Heimdall will try to connect the Bifrost to Helheim once every hour three hours after our departure if we don't send word of our progress."

"That is probably useless, but better than sitting on your hands." Hela ate some more and then took a look around her. "I should probably find a table to sit at instead of eating in the hallway, shouldn't I?" She picked up a platter and watched at the others near her feet. She sighed.

"Here, let me help you," Volstagg said and picked up two, balancing them in his left arm. "It certainly smell delicious. Would you mind if I take a little serving?"

"Why would I?" She looked puzzled. "Just eat to your heart's content, Volstagg."

"That will make less to carry, without a doubt," Fandral quipped and everyone chuckled, but it was dispirited, and they left to find a hall.