Chapter 15
Bjorn sat in the dining area waiting for his mother and her mate to join him at the table.
He couldn't believe that he had gotten a family after such a long time in solitude.
He could only remember flashes of his blood family.
Bjorn remembers clashes of swords and screaming.
"Run child, hide," An elder male had told him as he kept the wolves at bay.
He could hear the snarling in the background as more wolves entered the tent.
"GO!" The elder roared as he pushed the wolves back.
Bjorn had transformed to gain more ground away from the slaughter.
Bjorn knew know to stay away from werewolves even though his kind has always been protectors.
His family had been betrayed for land rights.
Bjorn felt tear tracks on his face and he wipes at his cheeks.
He jumped when a large hand squeezed his shoulder.
"It is ok to cry Bjorn, keeping those emotions in can tear away at your mind," Thor had said with a small comforting smile.
"Thank you Uncle Thor," Bjorn said with a teary smile and wrapped his arms around the blonde's neck.
Thor hugged the small body to ease the sadness away.
"You are safe now my nephew," Thor whispered into Bjorn's hair.
Serene was walking down with Loki trailing behind her when she saw the scene.
She watched from the door way and leaned back into Loki.
"He will be a great father one day," Serene whispered to her Lover as she saw the tenderness in Thor's eyes as he comforted the crying child.
"It's the matter of him settling down first, Serene," Loki responded back as he leaned down to nip at her ear.
Serene playfully slapped his arm as she squirmed her ways out of his arms.
"Good morning you two," Serene said as she leaned down and kissed Bjorn's hair and gave Thor a squeeze on the shoulder.
"Morning Mama," Bjorn responded.
"Good morrow sister," Thor said with a beaming smile.
Loki entered the room and took a seat on the other side of Thor and waited for breakfast.
Serene rummaged through the cabinets and found bread, meats, cheeses and fruit.
She prepared the morsels and set them in front of the hungry males as she prepared her own plate.
Loki beckoned his mate to his side with a glance and Serene chuckled at the stare.
She shook her head and joined Loki on his other side.
Serene nibbled on the cheese and fruit for going the meat as she gave her newest son her share.
Soon the food was finished and dishes were collected and washed.
"We should set out soon, I'm sure Asgard would love to hear the new story their Crowned Prince has to share," Serene said lifting an eyebrow.
"Aye it is a lesson I shall never forget," Thor said sheepishly.
The group packed up what little they brought and set out for Thor's tree.
A low buzz of chatter had ensued between the group as they helped describe Asgard to the youngest member.
"Someone help please!" A woman's yell called out.
The adults sprung into action and rushed over to the woman.
"What do you need maiden?" Thor asked as he stood in front of her.
"Oh God of Thunder, I had left a message with plea to escape from the pixies," the maiden said curtsying.
Loki held back a smirk as he stared at the young woman.
"What trouble have they caused?" Thor asked concerned.
"They bewitched my boy and kidnapped him, please help me your Majesty, he is my Nine Realms," the woman said with a heart tugging sob.
Serene frowned when she heard the sob.
Bjorn tugged on Serene's wrist, "Mama I know where the pixies are."
Serene tilted her head, "Show me darling."
Bjorn led her towards the far edge of the town the woman had come from.
He led her to a cluster of bramble bushes and stopped.
"They made a cloaking spell to hide where they live but I have seen them leave through here," Bjorn said as he stood just in front of the brambles.
"Thank you sweetie," Serene said as she kissed his head.
Serene summoned a burst of magic and removed the image.
The illusion dissipated revealing a small community of tree houses that were the size of her hand.
Colorful specks flew past them and circled around the pair.
The heard giggling and saw a small boy clapping his hands as the pixies danced around him.
" Return the child to his mother," Serene said in a stern voice gathering everyone's attention.
The pixies hovered in mid air and soon a large one settled on a branch that was close to her face.
"And what exactly are you going to do mortal," a high pitch voice said.
The small figure crossed his arms in front of his chest.
" I am no mortal, let me introduce myself then I am Serene and I am a Galaxian," Serene said once again using a firm voice.
A sudden hush fell over the small pixies as they recognized her origins.
" A thousand pardons my lady, you look very much mortal," The leader spoke as he bowed his head in shame.
"It is unwise for me to reveal myself to certain people, but I know some can know, now why did you kidnap the child?" Serene asked.
"The child's mother was killing our kind with a rage, she destroyed our old home and we need to seek out a new site, so we took her child as a means of fairness, she destroyed so many of my clan she needed to feel the same emotions," the leader aid as he flew from the branch to land on the child's head.
The child no older than one full year babbled as he looked around him wildly.
"I will have words with the mother in order to make a better compromise, keeping someone else's child is disgraceful even if she killed others," Serene spoke.
"I will keep that in mind but she must pay for the damage done to my people," The leader growled out.
"And she will, for now let me take the child and you may accompany me to make a treaty," Serene said holding out her hand.
The leader sighed and allowed Serene picked up the child.
"Bjorn, thank you for your help sweetie," Serene said laying a kiss on his head.
"Not a problem Mama," Bjorn said as he grasped her free hand.
The small group walked back towards the maiden's house with the king and another pixie following.
Serene saw Thor talking to the maiden and saw Loki leaning slightly against a near by tree.
"Oh my child," The woman cried out and ran towards Serene snatching the child out of her hands.
Serene held back a shocked noise as the child was ripped from her arm.
"Did the pixies bewitch you? I bet they lured away with their dark magic," The woman muttered.
Serene raised an eyebrow and Loki held back a chuckle.
"You should know Midguardian, that pixies are physically incapable of preforming dark magic it would kill them," Loki said with a smooth voice.
The leader landed on Serene's shoulder with a huff.
"Lies, they humiliated me and destroyed my property with their squanders," The woman sneered.
Serene shook her head as Loki raised an eyebrow.
"You see what mortals think of us, they think us the pigs when in fact they are." The king spoke to Serene.
"Mortal, you destroyed their homes and killed families, of course they are going to retaliate," Serene said with a huff.
"And how would you know that, are you a Dark Sorceress?" The woman said with sharp venom.
Loki barked out a quick laugh.
"My my, mortals don't seem to grasp what goes on around them," Loki commented.
Thor stood by idly watching the match.
"You mortal, have no idea who you are talking to, My people created every single creature and the cosmos, We may use dark magic but that does not mean I am a bewitched loon," Serene spat out.
The woman looked flabbergasted at Serene.
"You created the nine realms? HA you don't even look strong enough to battle a drunk man," The woman barked out.
Thor looked ready to step in but Serene held up a hand.
" Mortals are so thick, it is a wonder how you haven't died out yet due to your ignorance," Loki smirked as Serene seethed.
Serene snapped her fingers and the woman turned into an ugly toad and then into a cackling raven.
"You think I wouldn't be able to fight a drunkard? You aren't fit to raise a child," Serene said as she changed the woman back to normal.
The woman was gasping for breath as she scooped up her child that was lying in the grass.
"How dare you, Thor God of thunder how can she get away with black magic, I thought that she is the kind you fight against to protect those in need," The woman said pointing a finger at Serene.
"Aye but that is not I that fight magic, that would be Loki, but even he, the most powerful sorcerer, isn't even on the same realm as his Lover," Thor said with a shrug.
"I thought the gods were suppose to be the light in the darkness, not those who court monsters," The woman spat out.
Serene was on the verge of snapping.
"You don't get it, I crated the light, I created the darkness, if you think I am the monster then you are a danger to the child and everyone around you," Serene said with a dangerous growl.
She felt her body shift into her Naga form.
The woman shrieked and tried to run. Serene lifted a hand and the woman froze.
With a twitch her voice became a hypnotic allure and her eyes drew the woman in with compulsion.
"You will forget you ever came in contact with the gods, you will from now on embrace those that live around you, you will not harm or belittle those in need and finally you will forget ever having this son you decided to give him to a family member," Serene whispered.
Loki had a look of shock at the quick turn of events; he has never seen this side of his love.
She was as a dangerous as a cornered wolf. Serene broke her gaze with the woman and the maiden blinked in confusion.
"Oh I'm sorry I must be going, my sister needs her nephew back," the woman said with a cheerful smile on her face.
Thor had a shocked face as he watched the mortal rush off.
"King Raphe your problems have been solved, though I could not restore your old home, there is a surprise waiting for your return," Serene said with a smile she then changed back to her more normal form.
The king tilted his head and bowed.
"Thank you Lady Serene," King spoke before flying off back to his people.
Loki hesitantly approached Serene and wrapped an arm around her waist.
She leaned into him and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see that," Serene spoke softly.
Thor gave a sympathetic smile, "Sister you did what was needed." Bjorn looked confused before the child wrapped his hands around Serene's leg.
"It's ok Mama," he said as he nuzzled her leg.
Serene let out a tearful laugh as she stared at her son.
"Thank you sweetie," Serene said as she carded his hair with her fingers.
Loki felt a smile pull at his lips and pressed a kiss to Serene's head.
"You needed to show her just what she needed to change her fate," Loki whispered to Serene.
Serene buried her nose into Loki's neck and laid a kiss there.
Thor looked at the family and then stretched his gaze into the sky.
"Heimdall open the Bifrost," Thor commanded.
Soon a bright shoot of rainbow enveloped the group and whisked them home.
~With King Raphe~
When Raphe returned to his village he let out a gasp.
Those who perished were standing in a circle hugging and greeting their families.
Tears were free flowing and chocked cries filled the air.
"Thank you Lady Serene, thank you." He watched as the group cheered and laughed as the ones who died had miraculously appeared and were swarmed by the village.
~In Asgard~
The group stepped through the portal, though Bjorn stumbled on shaky legs.
"Welcome home my Princes, Lady and warrior," Heimdall's deep voice spoke out.
The voice was a deep baritone that bounced inside Bjorn's head.
"Thank you Heimdall," Thor said as he strode towards the entrance and mounted.
"I hope to see you again, Master Heimdall," Bjorn spoke shyly as he followed his Mother and her Lover. Heimdall nodded his head before returning his gaze into the abyss.
"I will see you momentarily Heimdall once I get him settled," Serene said as she guided Bjorn towards her horse.
"Very well my lady," Heimdall said.
Serene hoisted Bjorn up onto her horse and climbed up behind him.
Her nightmare nickered softly and snorted.
"Mama I thought Nightmares haunted dreams and ate children," Bjorn said in a shaky tone.
"Oh they do when the children don't listen to their parents," Serene said with a chuckle.
Bjorn swallowed nervously. He gripped her arms tightly and held on.
"My son, do not fret Skynapper only obeys my orders and Nightmares can be tamed with proper training," Serene said as she broke the knuckle breaking grip on her wrist.
She could see her child relax at the news.
"Oh good… that is a cruel joke Mama," Bjorn said pouting.
"It's to keep your uncle in line," Serene whispered.
Bjorn laughed as he glanced up at Thor who was talking idly with Loki.
The group entered through the gates and walked towards the throne room.
"Father we have returned victorious,' Thor bellowed out as he lifted Mjölnir.
Frigga gave a warm smile and approached her son and wrapped her arms around him.
Odin gave a smile to show how proud he was.
Loki was then enveloped with a warm hug as well, but still fumed over how Odin didn't scold Thor for losing the hammer in the first place.
"Oh who is this young warrior?" Frigga cooed as she knelt down to be at the child's height.
Bjorn was half hiding behind Serene and grasped her dress.
"This is my son Bjorn, Bjorn meet Queen Frigga of Asgard," Serene said with a gentle push.
Bjorn walked shyly out and looked at the floor.
"Oh isn't he precious, you know I think there is some lemon tarts in the sitting room won't you join me?" Frigga asked.
Bjorn looked to his mama and she gave a reassuring smile, "Yes Queen Frigga."
"Oh child Frigga is just fine," Frigga said with a smile as she led the child to the sitting room.
The two left the room and Odin fixed his gaze on the Galaxian.
"How did you come across the child, Lady Serene," Odin asked.
"He was orphaned in the woods, Werewolves attacked and killed his family," Serene responded.
Odin nodded before stroking his chin. "So does his name entail his origins then?" Odin asked.
"That is not for me to tell Odin," Serene clipped.
She could see the calculating eyes at work and the gears turning in his head.
Odin raised an eyebrow and looked to his sons.
"And do my sons have anything to add?" Thor looked away while Loki looked on with a uninterested face.
"No Father," Thor responded.
Loki looked at Thor with a somewhat raised eyebrow in shock.
For once the Oaf kept his mouth shut.
"Very well then, just know nothing in Asgard goes unseen," Odin spoke before dismissing them.
The sons bowed their heads and exited but Serene was stopped.
"Just know Lady Serene, that if he endangers any of my subjects he will be put down," Odin said with a stern voice.
"I would think you know better then to threaten my child Odin Borrson, there are secrets that could slip to ears that need to hear them," Serene countered before she exited with a flourish.
Odin sat on the throne and slumped slightly.
She wouldn't reveal the secrets would she?
No that would send him into complete despair and torture.
I must keep an eye on her then.
"My ravens keep an eye on our Lady Galaxian, she is treading on thin ice though I cannot threaten her," Odin called to his ravens.
They flapped their wings before taking off.
How did she know those secrets?
She can't be that powerful can she?
I just hope she can't see the future because then Ragnarock would be nothing compared to her broken soul.