Eitri woke by turning over too far and tumbling from the unfamiliar bed. He sat up, yawning. Where was he? Oh. Right. Freyja's house... It felt very strange and almost indecent to be in her home, even though he had been staying there for several days. She had never permitted them to come anywhere near her properties, except for extremely rare occasions. He had never seen inside it before.

A knock came on the door, and then Nanna's voice. "Eitri? We're going to have lunch soon, Mor wants to know if you'd like some."

"Please. I'll be down soon."

He heard Nanna's footsteps retreating, and with a sigh stood and dressed. He combed his hair and beard and then went down the stairs and, following the noise of talking, made his way to the kitchen. Brokk and Freyja were already there, Brokk looking in high spirits as he mixed egg with mushrooms, peppers and onion. Freyja gave Eitri a dazzling smile and gestured for him to sit.

"I hope you like pancakes!"

"Er...yes?" It came out as a question as he felt somewhat overwhelmed.

"Good, because we made too many," Nanna put in.

Eitri sat down. "What sort are they, anyway?"

"Potato buttermilk pancakes. It's my own recipe," Nanna announced proudly.

Eitri hoped her baking was better than her art. He took a tentative bite, chewing slowly.

Nanna stared at him, waiting for a response.

He swallowed. "It's... interesting."

Nanna wilted. "You mean terrible. I'm not good at anything. "

"It's not terrible!" Eitri reassured. "You just need practice in the kitchen."

Nanna sighed and sat down. "That's what everybody says about everything I do."

She folded her arms on the table and rested her head on them. "Why can't I be good at anything?"

"You're good at cheering people up."

"But I want to be good at something that isn't dependant on others." She sighed heavily. "All my sisters seem to have talents."

"Maybe you just need to practice until you're better. Talents take time to develop, they don't spring up overnight."

"But I've tried almost everything! I don't have any skills."

Eitri smiled. "I used to say the same thing. It took years for me to be able to craft the way I can."

"Any ideas for what I could try?"

"Are you giving up metal work?"

"I broke Brokk's foot with my stupid unicorn!"

Eitri blinked - he had thought it was a mountain... "A mishap. You can only get better."

"Another way of saying I have no talent." Nanna stood up, having had enough of this. "I should just give up now, I'm useless!"

"Only if you give up. Nanna, I enjoy working with you."

"Why?"

"The company is nice, and you're a very attentive student."

She smiled weakly. "I just wish I was better at it."

"You'll get better, as long as you don't quit."

"I hope so."

"Just be patient," Eitri advised, taking a big bite of pancakes.

she smiled wistfully before going to get herself a drink. Eitri immediately disposed of the pancake into his napkin. Freyja served out the scrambled eggs and everybody dug in, eating heartily... and avoiding the pancakes. When they were done with breakfast, Eitri glanced at Nanna.

"So are you going to accompany me to the shop today?"

"No," Freyja interrupted. "She has to have a fitting for her wedding dress."

Nanna's hands flew to her mouth. "How did I forget about that?"

"Because you've got a wonderful fashion sense, Nanna, but you're not into dresses like Idunn or me." Freyja laughed and kissed her daughter's forehead.

Nanna laughed. "If I was, we would have bought half the gowns in Asgard by now!"

"That's true," Freyja agreed.

Brokk smiled at their banter, before looking at Eitri. "I can come to the shop with you, if you like, just to see what you are currently making."

Eitri's brows rose. "I thought you were moving back."

"I am, but not today. I just thought I could keep you company, since your apprentice is busy."

"I'd appreciate it."

Brokk smiled. "That's settled then. Shall we be off?"

"Let's," Eitri agreed.

They quickly bade farewell to Freyja and Nanna, leaving quickly, Brokk leaning on Eitri.

"It's good to have the smell of the forge again," Brokk sighed as they entered the shop.

"You missed the smell of molten metal and acrid smoke?"

"I did."

"Why?"

Brokk sat down with a sigh. "Because I did. Anyway, what are you working on?"

"Not much, to be honest. Trying to keep Nanna from burning down the place is a full-time job. She reminds me a lot of me when I was first learning the forge..." Eitri smiled fondly.

Brokk smiled as well. "I suppose one has to be at least partly dwarf in order to really have any skill at the forge. Poor Nanna..."

Eitri's brows shot up. "What do you mean?"

Brokk winced. "Nothing."

His brother folded his arms. "That sort of comment is not 'nothing', what did you mean?"

Brokk sighed. "Brother, you remember the times when Freyja would wake up in tears after the demon's attack on Asgard, all those years ago?"

"It attacked her daughter, she was having nightmares."

"Lord Tyr was killed in the attack."

Eitri's eyes narrowed. "Meaning?"

"What do you think?"

"Brother, whatever you mean to say, just say it."

"Nanna isn't ours any more than Sigyn is."

Eitri's jaw dropped. For a long moment, he couldn't say anything. "Tyr? That giant of a man produced a girl as petite as Nanna?"

"All of Freyja's girls look like her."

"True... wait, didn't Tyr have another daughter? I'm sure Nanna's mentioned her... does she know she has another sister?"

"I doubt it. Freyja has never been eager to share her daughters... I very much doubt that Nanna knows that she's not our kin. Sigyn didn't."

Eitri shook his head. "That's wrong... and it went so well when Sigyn found out!"

"Are you going to tell Freyja that?"

"No!" Eitri shuddered. "I have no intention of dying anytime soon!"

Brokk chuckled. "So you are saying that I should tell her?"

"That's not what I meant."

"I know. But it's a possibility, isn't it? She's been trying very hard to put me ahead of herself of late... She might actually listen. Or at least, not be angry."

"That is a good point... Anyway, I want to show you this," Eitri plucked a thick chunk of metal from the table. "Nanna made this yesterday. What do you suppose it is?"

Brokk studied it. "A tree?"

"Apparently it's a bush."

"Well, at least it's somewhat recognisable."

"Yes... Nanna's problem is that she's impatient with herself. If she'd only take a little more time..." Eitri sat down. "Are you sure she was not sired by one of us?"

"Certain of it. Freyja confirmed it herself."

Eitri sighed. "That is one complicated family."

"At least we get to be a part of it now, right?"

The younger dwarf was silent, a troubled frown coming over his face.

"Eitri?"

"I... I never was like you, Brokk. I didn't feel the need for family. Or at least, I didn't think I did. But I like having Nanna around. I liked thinking that she could be my daughter."

Brokk sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't have told you."

"Are any of them mine?"

"Var and Lofn are for certain."

"The two that wanted the least to do with us..."

"Idunn was worse for that."

Eitri managed a smile. "She basically started it, didn't she?"

Brokk nodded. "I suppose she had good reason."

Eitri shrugged. "Do you feel up to doing some polishing? I've got a ruby that Nanna dropped into tar."

Brokk flinched. "Give it to me, I'll see if I can rescue it."

They younger dwarf retrieved the stone and handed it over. Brokk retrieved a thick cloth and began scrubbing at it. The brothers enjoyed working together in silence, Eitri fashioning a small brooch.

"Shouldn't you open the store, brother?" Brokk asked eventually. "I'm sure there are customers waiting to purchase something.

"They can wait. I have to get these done-"

"I could try to run the store," Nanna's bright voice put in.

Both dwarves jumped; neither of them had heard her come in. She looked excited, setting down a basket of bread.

They exchanged looks. Brokk spoke carefully. "Are you sure you want to, Nanna? It can get very busy."

"You've got the prices on everything, I'm sure I can accept money!"

"People often try to haggle," Eitri warned.

"I can try, though, right?" Nanna's eyes were excited and pleading.

Eitri felt himself cracking and looked at Brokk for help. Brokk shrugged helplessly. Eitri sighed.

"Alright... but come and get one of us if you're unsure, alright?"

Nanna nodded eagerly, beaming. She skipped back out of the storefront and Brokk and Eitri looked at each other, shrugging.

Eitri brightened as an idea came to him. "Maybe it won't be so bad if you sit beside Nanna, giving advice? No customer will try to fool you."

Brokk nodded. "Good thinking, Brother, it's not as if I can really forge much." He lumbered out slowly to join Nanna.

Nanna was sitting at the front desk, upright and alert, her gaze fixed on the door as though she expected a horde of haggling customers to burst in at any moment. Brokk sat beside her, resting his elbows on the counter and smiling.

"I thought I'd keep you company, since I can't help Eitri anymore." His eyes were sad.

Nanna's brow furrowed. "Should I go help him, then? I can do some things alright. I'm very good at the bellows now. Mostly."

"No, I'd be overwhelmed by customers."

She glanced sceptically at the empty shop. Brokk tried a different tactic.

"You don't want to leave me all by myself?"

"Alright. If you think it'd be better for me to stay out here."

They sat in silence for a while, waiting for any customers to come in.

"This is really boring."

Brokk shrugged. "Eitri and I used to reminisce on our childhood when business was slow. Why don't you tell me a story of yours?"

Nanna tapped her fingers against the countertop. "I guess I could tell you when I first met Balder."

"Please do."

"I was eleven years old at the time, and had been exploring in Queen Frigga's garden. I heard a rustling from inside a hedge. A boy was hiding there..."

#

"Freyja!"

Freyja turned to see Frigga hurrying towards her. She waited for the queen to catch up.

"How are you faring?"

"Well enough. I will be more relaxed when this wedding is over with though!"

Frigga laughed. "I would have thought you'd be used to this by now. You've arranged weddings for seven daughters!"

"Yes, but none of those have been a royal wedding. Honestly, this whole affair is a royal pain in my-"

"Anyway," Frigga interrupted, shaking her head. "I was wondering how your dw- Brokk was faring."

"As well as can be expected. There's only a few days left..." Freyja hung her head. Frigga put a comforting hand on her arm. "He'll die only a few days after Nanna's wedding."

"I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Freyja's eyes filled with tears. "I wish Ve was with me."

"His day is coming up in a month or so."

"I know. But a few hours once a year... It's not enough. I know it's more than what most people have, but..."

Frigga sighed, not knowing how to answer.

"I know that Odin thinks very poorly of me, and my behavior. He thinks that it's an insult to Ve's memory. But I never stopped loving him. Never. Every day, I wish there was some way to have him back!" Freyja blinked rapidly, and managed a smile. "While we're both here, why don't we stop by the florist and make sure that everything is as it should be?"

"If you like," Frigga replied, a bit stunned by Freyja's outburst. The Vanir woman did not usually show so much emotion... She resolved to talk to Odin about it later.

"Yes, let's," Freyja said, a mask of brightness locking down over her. "I swear, this wedding is going to send me to my grave!"

"Odin said the same!" Frigga laughed. "But you're both drama queens."

"Are we?"

"You are!"

The women continued on, laughing.