After returning to Raven's Hearth, Iolanthe was provided with a small room to rest in. She realized that her clothes were no longer clean and was offered a fresh set to wear for the night. Although the bed was comfortable, it still felt like being on a ship with someone sleeping beside her. However, Iolanthe didn't mind as this was her first time staying in an inn or hotel.
As she changed into the fresh set of clothes provided to her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the hospitality she had received. It starkly contrasted the cold and condescending treatment she had endured from Heimdall in Asgard. In Raven's Hearth, she felt a sense of belonging, even if it was just for a night.
As Iolanthe looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but appreciate the beautiful dress that now adorned her sun-kissed brown skin. The shade of purple complemented her complexion, bringing out the rich undertones and highlighting the warmth that emanated from her being.
The dress hugged her body in all the right places, accentuating her natural curves and giving her an air of elegance and grace. The leather belt added a touch of ruggedness to the outfit, a subtle reminder of her strength and resilience. The leggings provided both comfort and practicality, allowing her the freedom to move and explore the world around her.
As she laced up the boots provided, she felt a sense of empowerment wash over her. The sturdy footwear grounded her as if preparing her for the adventures that lay ahead. She was ready to face challenges, armed with her unique abilities and determination to prove herself in this new realm.
As she stepped out of her room and back into the common area of Raven's Hearth, she noticed the curious glances from other guests. She could feel their eyes lingering on her, and she wondered what thoughts they held about the newcomer with the striking black hair and the deep, captivating brown skin.
For a moment, she felt a pang of self-consciousness, but then she remembered the words of the All-father, reminding her of her purpose and calling in Asgard. She straightened her posture, confidently holding her head high, embracing the uniqueness of her appearance. She knew that beauty came in many forms and was determined to show the world that strength and grace could coexist in perfect harmony.
She left her room and began to think about Heimdall's stinging words. It was true about her - she was alone and longing for companionship, a sense of family. She had never felt such intense loneliness until she crossed paths with him and the other divine beings. His words struck a chord within her and triggered a sudden surge of emotions.
Best not to let his words get to her. It'll only weaken her self-esteem.
Asgard was a stunning and lush land with a refreshing breeze, although it had some strict rules. However, since she had little exposure to villages or cities, she might notice the contrast when she explored more of the godly realm.
I wonder how long I'll be here?
With those thoughts in mind, Iolanthe made her way toward the main dining hall, where she was sure to find a hearty meal to fill her empty stomach. It was still empty with just two servants in the room, no sign of Heimdall or any... Aesir gods dwelling in the Hall.
She sat beside the trestle table as she looked at a cooked pie on the plate before her. Although the food was delicious, the taste of freshly baked bread reminded her of home and filled her with homesickness.
"What can I get you?" asked one of the servers. Surprised, Iolanthe looked at her, confused. The woman was becoming impatient, her hand on her hip as she looked at Iolanthe.
"Mead?" Said the servant. Iolanthe nodded slowly, uncertain.
The servant walked away to fetch her drink. When she returned, she placed the cup of mead before her. "It's a local drink made from honey," she explained.
Iolanthe took a sip and immediately felt its effect on her.
"Hey." A soft voice appeared from behind her. It was Thrud who greeted her.
"Thrud. Yes?" lolanthe said
"Yup. Sorry about before. My mom is stringent and ... pretty wary of strangers. It's not every day we get people from faraway lands." Thrud sat beside Iolanthe,
"So, uh— what's Grandfather keep you here for? If you don't mind me asking."
"He is... interested in my origin. My... reasons for being here." Iolanthe explained as she drank her mead.
Thrud thought about that for a second.
"Oh, right, guess I should've expected Grandfather to be interested in your... knowledge. Whatever it may be."
Iolanthe wanted to tell him everything. The truth would set her free. But the All-Father kept his secrets close, and she feared revealing hers.
"Your family is... interesting," Iolanthe stated.
big and sometimes overwhelming." Thrud replied. "Why?"
"I met a large man with red hair. He... is vile." Iolanthe spoke as he shuttered at the thought.
Thrud's expression changed, "Oh, you must've met Modi... he's my brother."
Iolanthe looked at him, astonished. "This man is of your... blood?"
"Yeah, I'm not too close to him. He's kinda... messed up in a way. But he's my brother." As she spoke about her brother, Thrud appeared to be filled with shame.
"Have you met... anyone else? Maybe, my dad?" Thrud asked. Iolanthe looked at her and shook her head.
"He's big, bigger than Modi. He's scary, but... don't get too intimidated. My dad's cool, just a bit rough around the edges."
"Your family is... unnerving," Iolanthe explained.
Thrud gave a soft chuckle, understanding the sentiment behind Iolanthe's words. "Yeah, I can see why you might find them unnerving. We Aesir can be a bit... intense at times. But beneath that, there's a lot of love and loyalty."
Iolanthe nodded, still processing the encounter with Modi and the revelation of Thrud's family ties. "It's just a lot to take in. I come from a different world, and everything here is so new to me."
"I can imagine," Thrud replied sympathetically. "But you'll get used to it and find that Asgard can be an incredible place. There's so much to see and learn here."
Iolanthe took another sip of her mead, letting the warmth of the drink soothe her nerves. "I hope so. It's simply... I feel so different here. Like an outsider."
Thrud placed a reassuring hand on Iolanthe's shoulder. "You may be from a different land, but that doesn't make you less worthy of being here. Grandfather sees something special in you, and he wouldn't have brought you here if he didn't think you had something valuable to offer."
"I wish I knew what that was," Iolanthe murmured, her eyes wandering around the inn as if searching for answers.
"You will, in time," Thrud assured her. "Just be yourself, and let things unfold naturally. Asgard has a way of revealing its secrets to those who are patient and willing to learn."
As they continued to talk, Iolanthe began to feel a sense of comfort in Thrud's presence. Despite the initial awkwardness and unfamiliarity, she found solace in the fact that Thrud, too, had experienced moments of uncertainty and struggle within her own family.
"Would you tell me about... Heimdall?" Iolanthe questioned.
Thrud's expression turned somber as she looked at Iolanthe. She understood the curiosity behind the question, but her feelings about Heimdall were far from positive.
"Heimdall... my uncle," Thrud began, her voice tinged with frustration. "Gatekeeper of Asgard takes duty very seriously. But... I don't like him."
Iolanthe raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Thrud's candid response. "Why?"
"He's arrogant and condescending, always acting as if he's superior to everyone else," Thrud explained, her tone tinged with annoyance. "He treats me like I'm just a child, always underestimating my abilities because I'm Dad's offspring."
Iolanthe nodded in understanding, recalling Heimdall's smug demeanor and condescending remarks. "He... makes others feel small."
"Yes, exactly!" Thrud exclaimed. "And he so focused on duty, forget compassion, empathy. Rather follow orders than connect."
"I see why you do not like him," Iolanthe said sympathetically. "Difficult... deal with him, especially family."
Thrud sighed, her frustration evident in her expression. "It is. I try my best to avoid him as much as possible, but sometimes it's inevitable, especially since we both live in Asgard."
"I understand," Iolanthe replied, grateful that Thrud had opened up to her. "Thank you for... sharing."
Thrud offered a small smile. "Of course. Nice... talk about these things."
Iolanthe and Thrud bonded over their shared frustrations and experiences as the conversation continued. They found solace in each other's company and the knowledge that they weren't alone in facing challenges in Asgard.
Suddenly, a deep voice greeted them both from behind. "What's going on here?"
Thrud turned around and saw a large man towering over them. She gleamed with a smile, "Hey, Dad! You're back."
"I never left. Who's this?" Thrud's father gave Iolanthe a stern look.
The girl held her head high, showing no fear in his presence. "This is Iolanthe... Surely, you've heard about the visitor from All-father."
Thrud's father nodded. "Yeah, I've heard. Not sure I like her talking with you, Thruddie."
"Iolanthe, meet my father, Thor, the God of Thunder," Thrud said, introducing them.
Iolanthe took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and extended her hand toward Thor. "Greetings, Thor. Iolanthe," she said confidently, trying to convey respect despite her broken English.
Thor looked down at her, maintaining his distance and showing no warmth in his expression. He glanced at her hand but didn't take it, keeping his arms crossed. "Greetings," he replied curtly.
"I apologize if I cause worry," Iolanthe continued, determined to express her sincerity. "No harm... just learn, understand."
Thor remained stoic, not showing any sign of softening. "If All-father let you stay, guess I wouldn't worry about it. But don't try anything with me, the All-father, or my daughter. You understand?"
"Dad! It's okay." Thrud reassured him. "She's not going anywhere. Besides... Iolanthe would never dare to defy All-father."
To Iolanthe's shock, Thor nodded and accepted her apology. "All right then," he said, his expression turning more cordial, albeit still guarded. The man sighed, relenting slightly. "Fine, fine. Just... be careful, Thruddie."
"We will," Thrud assured him, giving her father a warm smile.
Thrud's father walked away, leaving the two girls to continue their conversation. Iolanthe felt a mix of relief and understanding. She knew she had to earn his trust and was determined to show him that she meant no harm to his daughter or anyone in Asgard.
Thrud smiled but looked like she was suddenly occupied with something. "Oh, that reminds me. I have to get going. I gotta do my daily training."
"Yes... I understand. Thank you again," Iolanthe said politely, bowing her head.
"See ya!" Thrud called after Iolanthe as she headed into the hall.
As Thrud departed, Iolanthe found herself alone again, contemplating the encounter with Thor. Despite the God of Thunder's distant and unfriendly demeanor, she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Thrud's bravery and resilience in the face of her father's sternness.
As the day waned, Iolanthe's weariness caught up with her. The unfamiliar surroundings and the emotional rollercoaster of the day had left her drained. Seeking a moment of respite, she found herself back in the Great Hall, where the trestle table beckoned invitingly.
Without a second thought, she lay down on the table, resting her head on her arms. The soft glow of the candles above provided a warm and comforting ambiance, lulling her into a peaceful slumber.
Unbeknownst to her, Heimdall had been observing her from afar, his arms crossed and a curious glint in his eyes. He watched as she drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and calm. He couldn't deny that there was something intriguing about Iolanthe, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
For a moment, he considered leaving her be, perhaps allowing her to rest peacefully for once. But as the minutes passed, a smug grin spread across his face. He couldn't resist the temptation to disrupt her peaceful slumber.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Heimdall approached the trestle table, standing over her sleeping form. He leaned down, his lips inches away from her ear.
"Wake up, little Lele," he whispered, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Can't have you sleeping like a common vagrant in the Great Hall."
Iolanthe stirred, groggily blinking her eyes open as she realized where she was and who had woken her. Her heart raced, a mix of annoyance and frustration filling her. Heimdall's smug expression only added to her irritation.
"I was resting," she muttered, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Oh, how precious," Heimdall mocked, standing back with a self-satisfied smirk. "Resting on the sacred trestle table. You truly are an outsider."
Iolanthe glared at him, her pride and patience wearing thin. "And what concern is it of yours where I rest?"
Heimdall shrugged nonchalantly. "None, really. Just thought you should know that you're not welcome to sleep here."
Iolanthe resisted the urge to snap back at him, realizing that arguing with Heimdall would likely get her nowhere. Instead, she decided to simply ignore him and go about her business.
"Fine, I'll find somewhere else," she said, pushing herself up from the table.
Heimdall watched her with an amused expression, but he couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment as she walked away, refusing to engage further with his taunts. There was something about Iolanthe's defiance that intrigued him, and he couldn't deny that a part of him wanted to see how far she would push back against his arrogance.
"So, I see you've been getting well acquainted with the other Aesir here? Trying to be as friendly as possible so you can befriend each and every one of us." He examined her, grinning, and very well knew her intentions by looking at her.
Iolanthe met Heimdall's scrutinizing gaze defiantly, soon becoming relaxed. "I know it is your nature to be... vigilant and watchful. Perhaps it is better to become... allies." Iolanthe said with a soft expression.
She stood perfectly still, waiting for any signs that he might respond in kind.
Heimdall's grin wavered for a moment, surprised by Iolanthe's unexpected response. He was used to defiance and resistance from outsiders, but her willingness to consider the possibility of an alliance seemed to catch him off guard. He studied her carefully, trying to gauge whether she was being sincere or merely trying to play a different angle.
"Allies?" he sneered, raising an eyebrow. "You're truly being serious, are you? Iolanthe the Lele of... Rome." Heimdall grinned as he continued to stare at her.
He sighed, "Very well. I'll tolerate you... for a moment. Only because you seem so fragile." Heimdall mocked
Iolanthe was taken aback by his words but quickly recovered. She didn't trust this man, and she wasn't foolish enough to believe that he was going to change. It made sense, however, to try and work with him.
Time had surprisingly passed on, and the sun began to set in the sky. As evening descended, Iolanthe wandered through the Great Hall, lost in thought.
Iolanthe's steps echoed through the Great Hall's vastness as her mind wrestled with conflicting thoughts. The place's grandeur reminded her of the stark contrast between her humble origins and the splendor of Asgard. She couldn't help but marvel at the intricate carvings and designs that adorned the walls, each telling a story of the Aesir's history.
As she walked, she caught glimpses of other Aesir doing business. Some cast curious glances her way, while others ignored her presence altogether. It was a constant reminder that she was still an outsider in this realm, and gaining their trust would be a long and challenging journey.
The memory of Heimdall's arrogance and Thor's wariness lingered in her mind. She wondered if there was more she could do to prove herself to them, to show that she meant no harm and only sought to learn and coexist peacefully.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Iolanthe silently vowed to herself. She would continue to explore this realm, learn its customs, and strive to understand its people. She would find a way to bridge the gap between her world and theirs, one step at a time.
With newfound resolve, Iolanthe turned away from the window and returned to Raven's Hearth. The night may be filled with uncertainties, but she was determined to face them head-on, embracing her journey in Asgard with courage and grace.