Three months passed on Alfheim since the departure of Loki and Oveaus. Jennica wondered if such time went by for them on the other worlds, if they felt their leave lasting as long as it had been. Their names were chanted in her thoughts, not once missing a day. No word had been sent but they were alive. They had to be, she wouldn't believe otherwise. It was her glimmer of hope in the increasingly darkened days that were upon them.
She sat in the council room, Even's urgent voice filling its dim interior. It was a battle to listen to what he said in its entirety. The reports of the growing dark magic in the outskirts that had not dissipated, the men who had died trying to voyage near it, only added to her increasing worry. Yet, she kept herself as present as she could. The past months had been spent learning more of the elvish culture, learning more on how to be a princess, to be more diplomatic. Showing her face was considered a grace and even more so with their lack of council members. Kvasir had not begun a process in council restoration just yet.
"What must I tell the others?!" Even's voice raised, not having allowed his frustration to reveal so much until now. "The light magic you have given us is now barely making a dent. The darkness is growing! Are we supposed to watch as it devours our realm?"
Kvasir visibly stiffened. The words were hard to hear and Even was overstepping his bounds to raise his voice at the king, although Kvasir paid no mind. "We will put an end to the voyages. There is no use in throwing lives away to this evil magic."
"But my Lord, I beg of you to realize that we have no other plan in stopping this darkness. Our magic is no good for fighting something to this scale. Not without the artifacts I know we once had."
"The princess' magic is almost ready." Kvasir tried not to notice Jennica, dreading the thought of sending his daughter to the darkness. "She has been training and her power is soon unmatchable."
Jennica wasn't so sure of her father's last choice of words, although her commitment to the training was indeed truthful. Along with her diplomatic studies, growing in the art of mastering the Fractals took much time and energy during her days. She desired to play a role in seeing to the destruction of the dark magic plaguing their world. These thoughts brought her hand up to clasp the locket's charm.
"Our only hope is the one remaining heir to the throne?" Even's obvious distaste was disheartening, as it was clear the risk their only plan was. Losing the battle and losing Jennica would be the end of their royal bloodline.
Kvasir understood, but his firm countenance would not budge. Even knew his heart and the opposite was true, but times like these threatened to bring out the worst. "If our magic is doing nothing more as you have claimed, then Princess Alfva is our only hope. You will see to it that the rest of our people stay away from the sea and the outskirts, even moving away from the village if you deem it necessary. I place their lives in your care."
Even was relieved of any duties that required battling the darkness, yet he still felt the weight of his responsibility lying heavier than ever. He was to personally oversee the wellbeing of the villagers. An honor and a burden.
His frustration softened. Even bowed, clasping a fist to his chest. "I will honor thee with my actions, dear king."
Kvasir said no more, only raising his hand to give the young elf permission to leave. The pressing matters at hand were a clear strain on the king and his exhaustion was evident.
At this clear dismissal, Jennica quietly left before other words could be shared. Her mother went to the comfort of her husband and Jennica knew it would be an appropriate time to leave without announcing so. The realization of the matters at hand began to flush the blood from her face and her heart raced in her chest until it shortened her breath. The need for her fractals was soon. They had no more options, she was the only one.
She wanted to be brave. Just like when she fought Ulric, encountered the dragon, reclaimed the throne for her father... for some reason this task felt trickier than that. It put a deeper fear in her than what she had felt before. Maybe it was because of Loki and Oveaus' absence. Thor was not even there and he was alongside them in their previous battle. So much had changed and she felt alone, even in the midst of her real family.
Traveling down the corridors and across the castle, she found a place where she knew there would be no one to disturb her, no windows peering out into the darkness that was growing in the outskirts. These windows were all stained glass, decorated in beautiful colors and portraying the most thought-provoking pictures Jennica had ever seen. She stepped further into this room, the chapel, remembering where her coronation had taken place. It was a place the elves of the castle gathered for religious services; the villagers had a chapel of their own.
Jennica was never accustomed to religion. Her adoptive parents on earth were agnostic and raised her that way as well, however the Light Elves had it entwined with their culture. As Sol told her the story a month or two back, a few curious elves had traveled to Midgard during the life of St. Augustine. After being deeply influenced by his teachings, they brought back their discoveries. Soon after, the teachings of the religion from earth spread and became the realm's official belief. To Jennica, this was fascinating.
The chapel was quiet at this time and yet so beautiful. The colors of the windows brought peace to her heart and she tried to recall the stories their images told. Sol had not taught her everything about this matter and Jennica wondered what the difference was between Alfheim's religion and modern-day Christianity. Whether or not she would decide to learn more about it, what she knew now made her feel closer to her kind than ever. These beliefs drove their very lifestyle.
Approaching the chapel's altar, now becoming more aware of the surrounding silence, she knelt as she had been taught how and let the silence linger for a moment. Sol came in here often, much more than Kvasir ever did. Sometimes Sol would be in the chapel for hours to pray, but Jennica wasn't exactly sure how to do that and feel comfortable. She wasn't even completely sure who she was praying to and if it was even someone who was there to listen. What kept her on her knees was remembering all of the times Sol left the chapel feeling rejuvenated and at peace, and she needed that in this moment. Whatever encouragement or peace she could receive, she wanted it. There was so much worry stemming from what was coming, she just wanted something.
Taking a small breath, she decided to try her luck. "I, um... I'm not sure who you are supposed to be to me... or what I should call you right now, but I'm in need of some help." Her eyes met her shaky hands that were folded in her lap. "If you're listening, can you give me something? I just need guidance... and strength. Everyone's in danger and I'm supposed to be the final resort in keeping our people safe. I'm not exactly sure if I'll be able to do that well. Then there's Loki and Oveaus." Her voice broke at that, missing them terribly and worried something may have happened to them. "I just need them to live through this. And if... if you could give me a sign of hope that we will win this... I would be... I just..." She paused for a final time, feeling foolish as no voice came in reply to her prayer. She stood. "I need it."
The castle shook with a crash of thunder from the outside and Jennica stumbled on her feet. The light coming through the windows was darker than before. Flashes of lighting could be seen, then the faint sound of the village's warning bell rang... her heart sank.
Her legs burned as she ran down the corridors, watching as soldiers scrambled around her to also leave through the front gates. Her mind rushed through so many possibilities during her race through the castle. Was it another monster attack? Had the darkness substantially grown? Was it Thor returning?
The thunder roared as she exited the gates and it was clear that this was not Thor. It was a storm, not unusual for Alfheim, but the wind was drawing the dark cloud of the outskirts into it, melding the two together in an ugly catastrophe. Normal lightning darkened in color and ignited surrounding trees with a loud crack.
She could hear the frightened screams of the villagers in the distance and her instinct took over. She ran from the comfort of the castle and into the pouring rain, splashing through the mud once she crossed the mote. Soldiers were already at the village helping to secure what they could but she had to be there. She was the only one with power to protect against the dark magic, now.
Her dress tripped her and she fell face-first in the mud. The rain was coming down so hard that she could no longer see the village well enough in the distance.
"Princess!" Even's voice could be heard shouting above the thunder. Leaping from his horse, he rushed to Jennica's side.
She coughed and spit some mud from her mouth as Even was helping her stand. "Go, I'm fine!" She shoved at him but he wouldn't leave. "Help the villagers, they need you!"
"I can't let you follow me!" Even was urgent. "It is not your time to protect us, you must stay here."
"Even, I will—"
"No!" He mounted his horse again, pointing to the castle. "Go back, the King wishes it!"
Jennica stood there, watching as he rode away towards the village. Would she listen? Rain soaked her dress and her hair. The makeup she wore went down her cheeks in streams of red and black.
The sound of another lighting crack made her spin back towards the castle, her reflexes snapping her hands up to cover her ears from the noise. The strike broke apart the cobblestone of one of the upper towers. One more strike and the tower would come crashing down.
Jennica watched as some of the soldiers decided to stay behind and help guard the castle, doing what they could to protect the nobles and keep her parents safe, especially if parts of the castle ended up being destroyed.
No. She couldn't allow that to happen.
If her powers were meant to protect and she was meant to stay behind, then she would protect the castle. She rushed back, her power warming in her palms as she tried to gather what she could. A shield surrounding the castle would do the trick, if she could conjure one big enough. She had created some before but on a smaller scale and not nearly against so much energy.
She stood near the bridge, trying to avoid any trees for fear of getting struck. The lightning was ferocious and the clouds swirled ugly gray and black shades. The storm was worse than ever, now. She had to act fast.
Creating the shield, she grew it from the ground up but it proved to be difficult. She was not used to conjuring a shield so large, as she worried. When lightning struck it, the energy would dissipate and she would feel the shock spread down her arms in a wave of pain.
Frustration began to fester as she tried, countless times. The severity of the storm was only spurred on by the growing dark magic and that angered her. How long would this go on for? Soldiers had locked down the stables and tried to keep the royal animals secured. Her parents were undoubtedly below the castle in a safe shelter and she refused to leave where she was planted.
The power from the fractals grew so strongly within her that now the soldiers could not touch her to force her away. Her body trembled under the amount of energy she was summoning but she would not back down now. The shield had to be put up. This storm, this dark magic would not win. The shield grew.
Continuing to fight, her body weakened as her own energy was being poured into the creation of this mighty shield. It was no easy feat. She didn't know whether the storm would worsen or not and the protection of the castle was vital.
As the top of the shield finally sealed shut and it wrapped around the castle, Jennica surged more energy into it so that it would stand. With each surge, her consciousness suffered. It was too much energy lost for her to stay awake. She felt so weak. Spots danced in her vision as she continued to hold the shield up.
One more clap of thunder rang in her ears, and as a final lightning strike hit the shield, her vision went dark.
...
Jennica awoke in the healers room, surrounded by three female healers who were tending to her needs. Her muddy dress had been cut off and replaced by a white gown, customary for sleeping but it was comfortable.
Although her arms felt heavy, she managed to lift them and found no significant burns on her skin. She was sure she had secured some damage from creating the shield but there were none to be found. Impressed, she lowered her arms back down and tried to sit up. It was clear that her body was handling the fractals as well as they were hoping, even if it felt like death using them to their capacity.
"My Lady, please don't sit up so fast!" A healer came rushing over, holding a small bowl of broth that she soon offered.
Jennica accepted and took a sip, settling into the pillows behind her. "Is the storm gone? Is everyone alright?"
"The storm has left us," the lead healer replied. She was using what looked similar to the Soul Forge back on Asgard but it came from her own sort of magic she used. "Your shield protected the castle. All is well."
Jennica heaved a sigh of relief and sank into the pillows further. Her exhaustion was more welcome now, knowing what she did had protected the lives within the castle. She took another sip of the broth.
As she drank from the bowl, the silence of the healers around her became more obvious as the minutes went by. It wasn't until she emptied the bowl and set it aside that she wondered why this could be so. On past occasions, the healers had made small talk with her. They were welcoming and friendly. Now, they seemed worried and even stoic. Jennica wondered why.
"When am I free to leave?" She asked.
"Not yet," the lead healer replied, writing something down that Jennica could not see.
"Why?" Jennica sat up straighter, now completely worried by the vague response. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong." The healer seemed hesitant to say more.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jennica's heart thumped heavily. That wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear when she didn't believe their response. "Have the fractals harmed me?"
This time, the healer met Jennica's eyes but she was noticeably pale. "Your body handled the fractals very well, my Lady. We have checked everything and there is no reason for concern of harm."
"Then why can't I leave yet?"
Jennica's adamance was obvious and the healer pressed her lips together, hesitant to reply. "Are you aware that you're with child, my Lady?"
These words froze Jennica where she sat. She became cold as her breath caught. No, she hadn't been aware, not for a moment. One forbidden night with Loki didn't feel nearly enough to cause concern. Plus, she hadn't noticed any personal signs, although she was admittedly stressed and distracted as of lately.
Nothing more needed to be explained and the healer's strange response now made so much sense. A child conceived out of wedlock was against Alfheim's beliefs. Her pregnancy would shame the royal family, tarnish the good will Loki had with both Kvasir and Sol. She suddenly felt nauseous, not as a symptom, but as a result of the realization.
Jennica found herself becoming scared and angry. She didn't want this. A baby couldn't be born at a time like this. How could she protect the realm now? Only a few more months and her child would be born. Even though there was no physical evidence of her pregnancy, six months would pass by quickly.
"Do not tell the king about this," Jennica muttered as she thought about how Kvasir and Sol might respond. "Not even if he asks."
The healer looked appalled. "My Lady, I am to give the full report if he asks for it, and you're his daughter."
"I will tell him myself. He won't be finding out through medical records, it's not your place."
"But... but my Lady..."
Jennica stood from the bed, snapping in frustration. Everything had irked her and now she could no longer take it. "You will listen or I'll have your ears boxed!" When she noticed the healer's obvious shock and quite possibly fear, she cooled her tone despite still feeling heated. "I command you to allow only me to know the state of my wellbeing and I will share it with the king and queen when I see fit."
When the healer at last agreed, Jennica wasted no more time and left the room. She wanted to hide and she certainly did not want to tell anyone what she was told. She didn't want this baby. Loki probably didn't either.
Was this a cruel answer to the prayer she prayed?
