Notes:
Hel's pov
I love books. Sadly not all people would agree. However I never felt as happy as I did then when my noes was in a book. Thankfully Loki also agrees.
Romeo and Juliet thoroughly annoy me, how pathetic can they be. Shakespeare how could you disappoint me, where is Macbeth and lady Macbeth when I need them. I can't read this any more. Dropping it on the desk i climb up from my bed, and stretch like a cat. My back popped, I sigh.
A knock came from my door. 'Probably mother' I thought, I loved spending Sunday mornings enjoying the comfort of her arms and magic lessons. Before being subjected to fathers continuous spiels about how to be a 'True shield maiden of Asgard, to up hold the family honour and inspiring Goddess'. When all I really wanted was to laugh with him and go for a ride around the city with him.
Some times I felt he just couldn't connect with me. Not like I remember when I was a child he would take me everywhere, one of my favourite memories I have of us together is when I was young and he was on his thrown bouncing me on his knee as he dolled out punishments to some bandits. Probably not as enjoyable for the bandits though. Sadly over the years those moments had dwindled, until finally the last trickle of comforting parental affection had run dry. leaving only exchanges of confusion and uncertainty between us.
A second set of more urgent knocks brought me out of my daydream. I hurried over to my tall door and turned the handle to slide it open. Standing before me with her ethereal golden glow stood my mum. Her silk robes clung to her proud, statuesque yet feminine form. Nobody would doubt her elegance.
Looking at us together you would nit have thought us to be related, let alone mother and daughter.
Where her hair was golden, mine was black. Where her skin was tan, mine was ivory. Where her body was soft and slim, my bone structure was sharp, and my body curvy but with an underlining harshness of muscle.
all except our eyes were the same. Clear crystal blue.
She smiled at me. The tip of her lips promising mischief, similar to the usually permanent grin Loki has on his face.
"why such a sly grin mother", I jokingly questioned raising a mocking eyebrow, knowing full well what she had planned.
"Oh nothing in particular dearest daughter, just wondering if you wanted to walk with me and visit your brothers while they train", her eyes twinkled as she held out her elegant hand, which I clasped with my own moments later.
"I would love to Allmother" graciously bowing sarcastically.
Stepping out of my room, I shut my door. mother than looped our arms together and we glided through the large corridors. I enjoyed this, the comforting company we shared enveloped around us like a blanket as we talked about nothing in particular while making our way to the training area.
When we were close to the garrison mother stopped us. She reached out and held both my hands in hers and looked into my eyes. Her face growing older as she became serious.
"I do not wish to spoil this beautiful morning for you", I realise now the jokes of going to distract Thor and Loki while they trained was just a ploy to get me out of my room somewhere she could speak to me without the chance of me evading her.
"... but you have been keeping to yourself a lot more lately, I know Loki always has but you were always so sociable and happy, you even made Heimdall smile. what worries you."
I did not want to tell her (though I don't know why) of the horrific dreams that clouded my sleep, of freezing earth and blood filled screams.
So I did what any loving daughter would do in the situation.
I lied.
"Thor's coronation, I worry he is not ready" I admitted, voicing the statement with a hint of guilt.
Although it was not the real reason for my troubles the thought stilled weighed heavy on my mind.
It is not that I did not love him, but I feel that he is still a child. Whenever we are together I feel I must watch over like a mother, berating him for starting pub fights and arrogance. He has been acting differently towards me though, more clumsy than usual with his words. As if he is unsure of how to interact with me, like farther. However he is always caring and the times he makes me laugh are some of my favourites, like time I was learning to do archery. No matter how many times I missed he stayed, joking until it was late and the stars were out, we lent against each other gazing at the sky.
That was the side of Thor I knew would be a good king.
"Oh Hel you are not the only one, Loki has brought up the same views as well and regretfully I slightly agree, but we must be there for your brother to help him. Sometimes I feel You and Loki are the only ones he really listens to." She wound her arms around me and held me to her chest. I was fully grown but top of my head still fitted under her chin.
Even though she was comforting me for a different reason, her cuddles still to this day had the power to stop my racing mind and bring me back down to Asgard. Thankfully she had believed my lie. The bags under my eyes from lack of sleep she thought was caused by worry for my realm.
After this we walked into the training yard. The smell of sweat was quite of putting, and how strange that people prefer this smell to the homely one of books. I despair with the world sometimes.
Mum and I reached the balcony over the sand filled pit where royalty would sit a watch our warriors fight. At this moment in the arena Loki and Thor were back to back fighting the high guards, surrounded.
Not for long I sussed. Both my brothers were highly competitive especially with each other and by the looks of it were keeping score of who was taking down the most. As legendary as they are at fighting, the were never as formidable when they were together.
Usually I would be raring to go and join them, but is was content to sit this one out. Only occasionally tripping Thor up with a flick of my finger. Loki would always win if I was around.
The last man fell by the swing of Loki's sword. Every one stopped and I could hear their huffing breaths from 2 feet away.
"I believe I won that one Loki even Hel would agree" Thor shouted a giant grin on his face.
"Oh no dear brother you were to far behind to see who the true winner was and Hel will always side with me" My twin mused, his face also holding a smile though.
They both hadn't realised we were watching them so I stood up and lent over the wall and exclaimed, "cant I ever leave you two alone without being worried your rivalry kill all of fathers guards, you do know we need them to protect the city".
my smug voice drew their attention. My eyes locked with storm cloud grey ones.
"Hel oh I did not see you arrive well ho.." Thor's ramblings were cut off , "sister why did you not join us your competitiveness would have over come us surely"
I moved my eyes away from the fidgeting Thor to gaze into Loki's emerald orbs.
Are you well sister you look weary. his voice whispered in my mind.
The days grow longer and nights shorter, I do not sleep enough that is all. I dismissed. I could never lie to Loki only half truths would do. He could sniff a lie a league away.
We will talk about this later. He insisted, I gave no answer.
Turning to mother I said loud enough for both my brothers to hear, "I feel like going for a ride out of the city, would you join me mother?"
"I am sorry I can't today dear, I promised your farther I would be with him when the Valdaheim council would arrive for the coronation, but I'm sure your brothers would love to go with you' she pushed. Obviously wanting me to spend time with Thor after our conversation earlier.
"I'm no.."
"Thor and I would love to" Loki grinned wrapping an arm around Thor's burly golden shoulders.
"Yes brother and we will see who is fastest" His eyes already filled with child like glee.
I agreed and sighed. My plan to escape backfired.
Although it could have been worse, I could have been forced to spend time alone with Thor. He would not have anything to talk about and probably end up discussing in detail the weather. Sadly not like the ones we use to share.
After the horses were tacked up the three of us rode out of the town and into the silver forest. The trees flew past causing me to lose sight of the boys on and off. A warm feeling swelled in my stomach, bubble up my chest and burst through my lips in an uncontrollable laugh. This is life. The wind swept my hair across my face and was sucked into my mouth.
I spat it out rather ungracefully and whipped my head to the right. Grey eyes locked with mine an unknown emotion swirled in them.
I was scared, not of his feelings but of mine. Feelings that should not be felt for your brother. No matter the confusing emotions, I had to continue like everything was normal. I guess I did have some things in common with Juliet. But I know what I should not do.
Tomorrow was the coronation and nobody would even entertain the idea that the princess of Asgard has incestuous feelings for the crown prince.
Going straight to my room as soon as we came back, making sure not the make eye contact with the stormy orbs.