Part 5

The following few days were a learning curve like none other for you. Survival instinct came into play when you had been forced into the form of a wolf; it had taught you to survive, fleeing from dangers, and killing out of sheer hunger. But to act Æsir was far more complex it seemed.

Using your hands to aid eating was not too difficult, half a century of watching those around you on different occasions for countless meals had taught you how to perform such an act, though you had yet to attempt to use cutlery. But trying to stand upright, as often as you had seen it done, was somewhat more of a challenge. After a few failed, painful attempts, Loki had conjured cushions around your quarters as to permit you to attempt the task at your own leisure and pace, but honestly, you were somewhat saddened and disheartened by the incessant failures of your efforts.

Speech was having even more limited success, you tried to whimper, grown and whine less, and instead tried to use your voice while moving your lips, which led to making peculiar and somewhat amusing sounds, but no actual words.

The palace and the city, according to what you heard from eavesdropping on the maids and servants as they passed your quarters, was alive with talk that the disappearance of the realms resident large wolf was because it was indeed the King's lost daughter and that you had been returned to your original Æsir form due to the Elf Æthelnoð's good work.

Æthelnoð had also been able to establish that it was the Enchantress Amora that had aided Odin in changing you. Loki swore vengeance upon her if he ever set sight on her again, having already despised her for many a century. The people of Asgard had been shocked and appalled by Odin's emerged actions, and many absolving Loki of his previous behaviour and wrong doings with regards his father as a result, understanding now the reasoning for such hatred.

The realm was desperate to set eyes on the young Princess, and rumours circulated as to why she had not yet been presented. Some thought it because you were unattractive and the King did not wish to reveal such an heir, others thought it was the exact opposite issue, he did not wish for his young daughter to be overrun with male suitors, though few actually seemed to realise that going from wolf to Æsir was not a simplistic and easily accomplished change. It made you feel pressurised into achieving your new set goals as soon as possible, which also made you feel that more and more, failure would be the only likely outcome. Loki, however, remained patient checking on you throughout each day between his different kingly duties.

Eir too was a constant visitor, teaching you exercises to strengthen your facial muscles as well as how to correctly do other such things as move your ankles, toes, wrists and fingers with precision. You practised from sun up until long after the stars shone in the light of the moon, praying to the Gods for some sort of success.

The nightmares continued, though after a few nights, your wolf form was replaced by your Æsir one. No matter what you did to try and save the boy, the end result was the same; you awakening in a cold sweat, terrified and on most occasions, in a heap on the floor.

Æthelnoð remained at the palace until he was fully recovered. He assessed his hard work proudly when he finally visited your rooms and saw you sitting up in the bed. Though there was something about his gaze that you found unsettling. Loki noticed it too and thankfully he asked Æthelnoð what he found so interested as to look at you in such a manner. "In the wolf form, Odin and Amora seemed to have been able to have suppressed it, but now she is free once more, so too is it." He stated cryptically.

You and Loki looked at one another for a moment in concern before Loki spoke again. "It?"

"Her power; her gift, or perhaps her curse. I know not what it is exactly, but I can sense it. And by gods is it strong." Æthelnoð explained.

You looked at the two men fearfully, hoping to convey your distress. You had been cursed long enough, what other misfortunes you were going to be forced to endure.

"It is a natural power, one born of you, yourself, developed within you in the womb. As a child, you more than likely would not have been capable of accessing it, but it has grown with you, and in doing so, no doubt is more easily accessed now. Or it would be, had your body been allowed grow as is natural. As it stands, your body is simply trying to deal with changing."

"How will we be able to know when she is able to access it?"

"How did you know you could channel seidr Loki? You are simply capable of it, it cannot be tested. Only time will tell."

"And what of you now Æthelnoð?" Loki asked as Æthelnoð turned from the bed to exit the chambers.

"I am going to go about my way once more." He answered. "And I shall return again in the near future. You are so much like Frigga in so many ways King Loki; I will miss our conversations as greatly as I have missed hers, which will guarantee my return to Asgard in the near future if nothing else." He smiled.

"Indeed, the stimulating company has been most welcome. My gratitude is beyond measure Æthelnoð; you shall forever be welcomed on this realm."

The Elf bowed with a smile, before turning to you. "And you, young princess. You deserve to be as you truly are, embrace it, and indeed whatever power it is that dwells within you, do not fear it, for then it will control you, not as it should be, and you in control of it." He stated.

With a confused look and a cocked head, you waved goodbye, which only caused the elf to chuckle.

"Well that was peculiar." Loki stated after Æthelnoð had left. You could only nod in agreement.

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Loki stood staring in absolute shock, his mouth slightly open as he tried to process what he was seeing in front of him.

You smiled shyly as you looked at your hands anxiously, waiting for him to say something.

"How?" The word coming out as barely a whisper.

You shrugged one shoulder as you were not able to give a verbal response.

"You have been foregoing sleep for practise haven't you?" He realised.

Nodding proudly, you could not stop smiling. As Loki continued to look at you, you put one foot in front of the other until you made your way over to the vanity table, took a plum from the fruit bowl upon it, and took a bite out of it with a smug grin.

"Now you are just sowing off." Loki chortled. "I cannot describe my pride." You blushed, looking down at the floor to try and conceal it. "Wait until one and all see you in all your glory at the banquet tonight."

It felt as though your stomach dropped through the floor as terror filled you. The piece of fruit fell to the ground as you stared back at him.