Warning: attempted rape in this chapter.
This chapter runs at the same time as chapter 25 of The Gathering Storm.
#
Three days after Nanna's wedding, Freyja was fighting back tears as she looked at the grey stone in her hand. One. One more day. She could hear Eitri and Brokk murmuring in the other room, but not what they were saying. She replaced the stone and stood up. She should change into her nightdress...
"Freyja?" Eitri called. He appeared in her doorway. "Brokk wants to see you... there's a knock at the store, I have to go see who it is."
She swallowed heavily, smoothing her dress as she stood, nodding at Eitri. He hovered awkwardly for a few seconds before practically running up the stairs, as if he was afraid to stay. Freyja walked slowly into the room, where Brokk lay propped in bed.
He smiled to see her. "Freyja. I suppose this is the last night."
"I suppose it is."
He lifted his arms weakly, reaching out to her. She crawled into his embrace, holding him as tightly as she dared.
"I love you, Freyja. I just want you to know that."
"I know."
Brokk closed his eyes. "I'm glad you're with me... But go get Eitri, will you? I want both of you here."
Freyja nodded again. Gently she detangled herself from Brokk's arms and went up the stairs to the shop. Eitri was there, talking with all the girls. Freyja raised a brow.
"We want to spend the night," Nanna explained in a subdued voice. "All eight of us. We can sleep on the floors."
"But you've just married," Freyja protested, moving to cup Nanna's face in her hand. "And Balder lost Odin. He needs you right now."
"I talked to him. He said... that at least one of us should be able to say goodbye to ..." she choked, but brought herself back under control. "He thinks I should be here."
Eitri looked uncertain of himself. "I'm sure that Brokk would like to see you, but it's not necessary to spend the night-"
"We know," Idunn interrupted. "We had a vote, though. We want to."
"I don't mind, but it isn't up to me." Freyja looked at Eitri, who was standing there, stunned.
"I... I suppose we can find blankets," he mumbled. "This way."
Brokk's eyes were open again when the posse filed downstairs. His brows rose to see the girls, but Freyja hurriedly explained. His eyes moistened.
"Thank you," he murmured.
Idunn, apparently spokesperson for all of them, replied gently. "We know we haven't always been... as kind to you as we should, Father, but we'd like to apologize, and make up for it now, if you'll forgive us." Her eyes shone with tears.
"If you will forgive me for pretending that none of you existed."
They exchanged looks. And all nodded.
"Goodnight, Father," Nanna whispered, coming forward and kissing his cheek. "Goodbye."
Sigyn repeated it, and then the triplets, then Lofn, and Var with Idunn last. Tears were shining in all of their eyes. Eitri quietly ushered them out, handing out blankets and finding comfortable places for them all to sleep. Freyja slipped fully clothed into the bed next to Brokk and buried her face into his shoulder. He stroked her hair.
"It's going to be alright."
"I wish I could be certain of that."
"I do, too... Freyja? Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being here. I think... I have regrets still, but at least I don't have as many as I thought I would." Brokk smiled at her. "It's time to sleep, now. Can you get Eitri?"
Freyja nodded and went and found the younger brother, bringing him back to Brokk's room.
"Do you need anything?" Eitri asked.
Brokk shook his head. "I just want both of you with me."
Freyja wiped at her eyes and then climbed into the bed, wrapping her arms around Brokk as she lay down. Eitri slid under the blankets after her, wrapping his arms around her. Freyja could hear the whispers of her eight daughters in the corridor beyond; dwarf buildings had no doors. Soon she felt Brokk's breath become deep and even. Eitri's body shuddered with silent sobs. She tried to stay awake, but eventually drifted to sleep.
When she woke, Brokk's skin was cold and his breath stilled forever.
#
Freyja wept beneath her black veil as she followed after the casket bearing Brokk's body to the waterfront. Eitri was pulling the small buggy, struggling to keep his head raised, tears pouring down his face. Dis had returned to Asgard and walked beside Eitri, but he refused to let her help him pull the buggy. Freyja's eight daughters walked with him. Gaea and Frey walked behind them. They reached the waterfront in silence; they were the only ones there. So different from the splendour of Odin's funeral, only the previous day... Freyja's heart ached. I will have to go help Frigga the best I can. She's lost her husband and now has a kingdom to run. She didn't even know it was going to happen.
"Born of forges, laid to rest by water," Dis murmured.
"It is our way, and Brokk agreed." Freyja stated, her voice distant.
She had purchased a boat for the occasion. Eitri and Frey together lifted the casket out of the buggy and put it in the boat. Dis turned her face away as the boat began to drift. Tears streamed down Eitri and Freyja's faces. Sigyn swallowed hard as she lit her hand, and set the boat ablaze. Brokk had been so kind to her, in her worst time... he deserved more than this!
"Sigyn?"
She swallowed heavily knowing that it was time for her to recite her poem. She took a deep breath, thinking of the first words, and beginning to speak...
When the voices of children are heard on the green,
And laughing is heard on the hill,
My heart is at rest within my breast,
And everything else is still.
'Then come home, my children, the sun is gone down,
And the dews of night arise;
Come, come leave off play, and let us away
Till the morning appears in the skies.'
'No, no, let us play, for it is yet day,
And we cannot go to sleep;
Besides, in the sky the little birds fly,
And the hills are all cover'd with sheep.'
'Well, well, go and play till the light fades away,
And then go home to bed.'
The little ones leapèd, and shoutèd, and laugh'd
And all the hills echoèd.**
Everyone was crying by the time she was finished.
"That's not a funerary poem," Dis muttered.
"I know. I just thought he would like it."
"He would have." Eitri's voice cracked as the mourners gathered into one group.
"So... what now?" Nanna looked around helplessly.
"We go back to life." Dis wiped her eyes. "Nothing else to do, child. He's gone and we can't bring him back. "
Eitri stared at his mother for a minute, before muttering something unintelligible and storming off.
"That was cold." Freyja chided.
"Girl, I lost three children in the womb and four in early childhood. My mother died before I started to bleed and the aunt who claimed me hated children. You move on after loss or you die. No other way." With a straight back, Dis walked away and didn't turn back.
Freyja wrapped her arms around herself, shivering, as her daughters gathered around her.
"Are you going to be alright, Mor?"
"Yes... I should go be with Eitri."
Idunn nodded, leading her sisters away silently. Freyja followed Eitri, her heart heavy.
"I'm going to the shop," Nanna said, subdued. "I think that I'll send a message to Balder though. So he knows where I am."
"Fair enough." Idunn nodded. "What are the rest of you going to do?"
"I'm going home," Lofn said. "Skaldi will be getting hungry."
"I think I'll just take a walk," Sigyn said. "Maybe I'll just go home."
"I'll walk with you," Frey volunteered. "I've been wanted to talk with you anyway."
Sigyn's interest was piqued. "Of course... but what about?"
"Let's just walk," Frey suggested.
Sigyn nodded, taking his arm as they left.
"I think we're going to go riding," Syn muttered, the triplets moving off as one, leaving Idunn and Var.
"Skadi and Gullveig will be arriving for the wedding soon. I need to make my house ready for them," the younger sister said.
"I'll help you," Idunn replied and together they started off.
#
"What did you want to speak with me about?" Sigyn looked inquisitively at Frey.
"We haven't had a proper chance to talk about Njord."
"I don't want-"
"Sigyn, please."
She twisted her hands. "You know what happened, why do we need to talk about it?"
"Why didn't you tell me when it happened?"
"I didn't want to tell anyone, I was so scared..."
Frey sighed and put an arm around her. "Your mother didn't tell me, either. What is it about me that isn't trustworthy?"
"Nothing!" Sigyn assured quickly. "In my opinion, though... you're such a good person, and I'd hate to be the one responsible for making you a murderer."
"Sigyn, I fought in battles. I've killed more people than I can remember, and those wars... I don't even know if they're justified. But killing Njord would be."
"I don't want his blood on my hands, Uncle."
Frey was silent for a moment. "Then I won't kill him."
"Why don't I find that reassuring?" She shook her head. "Uncle, just let it go, please!"
"I'll feel better when Njord is no longer in Asgard."
"Then let him go back to Vanaheim, just don't go after him, please! I don't want you punished or executed for treason!"
"I'm not a citizen of Vanaheim anymore. And I'm sure Odin will be lenient considering the circumstances. Plus I am one of his most highly decorated soldiers."
"Uncle. No. Please!"
"Give me one good reason not to!"
"Because I am begging you not to! And if you can't respect my feelings..."
Frey kicked the dirt savagely. "Why are you protecting him?!"
"I'm protecting you! Do you really think that revenge to worth more than my family?"
He huffed out a deep breath. "No."
"Then please. Stay safe for me?"
Frey stared at her for a long minute. And nodded.
They were at Sigyn's house by then.
"Do you want me to stay for a while?"
"No, I'm not going to stay long. I just have a few things to get."
"Are you sure?"
"I'll be fine, Uncle Frey. Honest. I just need to spend some time in my own house."
"Alright..."
Frey left, walking slowly. He didn't like leaving Sigyn alone, but he had to respect her feelings. Besides, Njord was probably passed out drunk somewhere, like he had been since the wedding. He passed Gaea coming the other direction.
"How are you?" his mother asked, concerned.
"I'm fine. I'd be better if Sigyn let me help her... Maybe you could talk to her?"
Gaea nodded. "Is she indoors now?" At Frey's nod of confirmation, she quickly made her way into Sigyn's house.
Maybe I should go see how Loki is doing... Frey thought, thinking of his nephew. Or Atum.
Frey shook his head. Perhaps he had better just go home.
#
Gaea entered the house and immediately knew something was wrong. She headed for the stairs at once, instinctively knowing where to find Sigyn. When she emerged in her granddaughter's room, she saw an overturned mattress, and Sigyn in her under dress, shivering as Njord held a knife to her throat and kissed her.
Gaea saw red. She flared up instantly, causing Njord to cry out. He stumbled away from Sigyn and tripped, landing hard. He blinked, and then laughed. In response she kicked him in the throat.
"Sigyn, are you hurt?"
"N-no."
"Leave. I will deal with this."
Gaea turned back to the creature before her. She could count the number of people she had killed on one hand. Well. Now it seemed she was going to have to use two.
#
Sigyn's hands trembled as she fixed the tea, while Gaea sat serenely at the table. She had come down the stairs two minutes ago, telling her that Njord was no longer an issue. That could only mean one thing...
She swallowed, gathering her courage. "What did you do, Grandmother?"
"Don't concern yourself, Sigyn. Atum will be here soon and we'll dispose of the body."
Sigyn sat down heavily, her eyes widening. "You killed him?"
"I trusted him with my children, and he betrayed that trust."
"But..." She couldn't imagine gentle, sweet Gaea killing anyone!
"What's done is done."
"But... what if anyone finds out it was you?" Sigyn felt no grief for Njord- perhaps she was in shock?
"What if they do?"
Sigyn swallowed. Gaea sounded so cold! "Aren't you worried at all?"
"No."
A knock at the door stopped Sigyn from saying anything else, as Gaea calmly stood to answer it.
Atum stood there, and he ducked in. "Where?"
"Upstairs."
Atum nodded and glanced at Sigyn. "Are you alright?"
She nodded mutely. Atum made his way upstairs, returning shortly with the body wrapped in a sheet. Sigyn was glad she didn't have to see Njord's face again, dead or not... Memories of what he had tried to do assaulted her, and she wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. Gaea sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulder.
"It will get better, I swear."
She rested her head on her grandmother's shoulder. "I hope you're right..."
Atum hefted the body over his shoulder. "Gaea, Loki needs to be here, accounted for. Njord's body will be found soon. Loki's whereabouts must be verifiable by someone other than his wife."
Sigyn groaned. "But couldn't you set him up to be with Thor or something? Why here?"
Gaea raised an eyebrow. "I thought you would want to see him."
"Well, I don't! I haven't wanted to, not since I found out..."
"Since you found out he's your brother?"
"Yes. It's just hard."
Gaea honestly couldn't think of how to comfort her, so settled for simply placing an arm around Sigyn's shoulders.
#
Freyja sat perched on the edge of the bed in her guest room as Eitri lay on the mattress, having just gone to sleep. She hummed softly, stroking his hair. It had taken a while to convince him to come back to her house, but once there he had wrapped his arms around her and wept like a baby. Now, though, she found herself unable to sleep. Slipping out of the room, she went downstairs and made herself some tea. Brokk was gone. She was a widow again. What would they do now?
Move on with life, she thought. Just like Dis said. There is nothing else we can do. She sighed heavily. Does Eitri want me to sleep beside him, or would I be better off giving him his privacy?
"What do I want now?" she wondered aloud.
No quick answer came. She sipped her tea miserably. There was a knock on the door. She set her tea down and answered it to see Prince Thor standing on her doorstep. She was surprised, and her brows rose.
"Prince Thor. What brings you to my door?" she asked coolly.
"I hate to bring bad news, my lady, but... your father was found murdered this morning."
Freyja's jaw dropped. What? she thought and Finally! "Are you sure?"
"Are you quite well, my lady?" Thor looked like he was fearing for her sanity.
"Sorry," Freyja brought herself back under control. What must this look like to Thor? "I don't expect that's the normal reaction for a daughter to have, finding out her father is murdered."
Thor blinked. "Do you have any idea who might have-"
"Yes. Atum."
"What?" Thor looked like a brick had hit his head. "Why?"
"Because he found out some things that Njord did. And he's not a forgiving person." Freyja frowned. Gaea and Atum were both approaching, a slightly disapproving expression on her face. Perhaps she should have waited to talk about this... "Should I have asked you about it first, though?"
"Yes, you should have."
Freyja barely kept herself from flinching at Atum's cold tone. He gave her an apologetic look, and she shrugged slightly.
Thor sighed, looking extremely uncomfortable. "I suppose you're not going to explain what Njord did, exactly?"
"You suppose right." Atum replied flatly.
"What am I supposed to tell people then?" Thor challenged.
"Tell them you cannot challenge the god-slayer."
Gaea put an arm around her youngest son. Thor sighed heavily, looking defeated.
"There will be people wanting to know why... Whatever he has done, Njord was still king of Vanaheim... this won't be forgotten soon." He gave Atum a significant look.
Atum met his gaze without blinking. "I would let them all know the truth, except that would cause more grief than closure."
A look of surprise came over Thor's face. "Why? What could possibly be so bad?"
Freyja decided it was time for this to end. "None of your business!"
Thor looked confused. And irritated. Freyja sighed. This was going to be a long conversation.
#
"Are you alright?" Balder asked, squeezing Nanna's hand.
She nodded quietly. "I just... all this death, first your father, then Brokk, now my grandfather..." her eyes welled. I shouldn't even be sad that Njord is dead, should I? After what he did to Sigyn... I don't know what to think!
Balder pulled her into his embrace. "At least we have each other, right?"
She nodded again, laying her head on his shoulder.
He stroked her golden hair. "I love you, Nanna."
"I love you, too."
"I... I just..." Balder's voice broke. "I just can't stop thinking that Father's never going to meet any of his grandchildren. That our children will never meet their grandfather."
She stroked his hair quietly.
"Promise me you'll never leave me, Nanna. No matter what."
"Of course I won't!" The idea horrified her.
"And if I die too you'll find a good man that will treat you right and fall in love, right? You won't cling to me obsessively like your mother does with Ve? Promise me!"
She swallowed hard. "I'll try not to... but you're not going anywhere, right?"
Balder managed a watery smile at her. "Not if I have any say in the matter. I'm sorry. I'm just..."
"I understand." Nanna wrapped her arms around him. "You lost your father."
He nodded, eyes full. "But so did you."
"I didn't really know him." Unexpectedly the fullness of that statement hit her and she was weeping like a baby. "I didn't even know my father, and now he's gone!"
Balder didn't speak, just holding her as she cried.
"Maybe we can go pick daisies later," he suggested softly. "We always said that daisies made everything better."
She gave him a watery smile. "That would be nice."
He took her hand, squeezing it gently.
"We'd probably better get to supper... Your mother will be expecting us."
He led her away, back indoors. She didn't see the flash of despair in his eyes.
#
** Nurse's Song by William Blake