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lady-rose-moon · 2 years

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I have you || Chapter Fifteen ||

Hello to those who tuned in and welcome back to I have you!

The link to my main masterlist is ~~here~~

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Chapter Fourteen | Masterlist | Chapter Sixteen

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It took five days camping to get Jörmungandr brave enough to make the journey away from the ocean. The young boy had never wanted to leave his home; he knew that Loki would not leave without him, so he made the choice and he chose to take a chance at the family that was being offered to him.

The morning was peaceful as Jörmungandr sat on the edge of the cliff to look down at the waters that he had called home for centuries. Joining him, Loki smiled as he ruffled the boy’s head and stared out to sea, “taking in the last moments, huh?”

Jörmungandr rested his head on his knees and sighed as he watched the waves crash against the cliffside with a sad smile, “it’ll feel weird for a few days, dad… After spending so long underwater and being cut off from the rest of the world… it feels surreal that I’m leaving. Sure, I could leave the sea for a short while, but it was only a week at most. I learnt about Asgard, about you. I didn’t want to meet you because of it.”

Loki snarled and turned to look at Jörmungandr with a frown, “my son, I did not give you and your siblings up willingly, trust me. Odin took you one by one and as he did, he took shards and shards of my heart. I loved you and your siblings. You meant the world to me.”

“But why were we stolen in the first place? Why were we so dangerous to Odin that he would condemn children to such a terrible fate?” Jörmungandr whispered and Loki frowned, pulling the boy closer and kissing his head gently.

Loki knew that questions would arise, questions about which he didn’t know a lot about apart from how much it sickened him. So, reluctantly, he looked at Jörmungandr and smiled, “Ragnarök, Jörmy, it was foretold that you and your siblings would bring about Ragnarök.”

Jörmungandr shot up to his feet, appalled by the assumption of the elders of Asgard, “how dare they! We are children! Why, by the Allfather's name, would we bring about Ragnarök to a place that should have been our home?!”

Loki frowned and then his lips turned into a comforting smile before he stood and took Jörmungandr into his arms, kissing his hair and stroking his back lovingly. As a mother would to her womb child. Gently, he pulled away so Jörmungandr could see him and held his cheek as he mumbled, “do not worry, my child, Ragnarök will not come now. Odin is dead.”

Jörmungandr released a relieved sigh and then rested his head on Loki’s chest, welcoming his loving hug.

Packing away the tent, you watched as the boys talked with a small smile on your face. You had a feeling that something was coming soon, and you wanted Loki to spend the most time as possible with his children before this feeling became a reality. You only hoped that Loki felt that something was coming as well because you didn’t know how to describe this feeling of dread spreading around your heart.

“Mama?” a tiny voice came from beside her and when you looked, you saw Sleipnir at your feet holding the little snake teddy that Loki had procured for him not long ago and you picked him up, rocking him gently as he cuddled into your side with a smile.

Sleipnir had adapted to being a child very well. He still had his moments where he believed in a moment of tiredness or after a nightmare that he was back with Odin and was still brought into wars that he was too young to see. It pained Loki to constantly see his son behaving like this, bringing him to tears almost every time.

The moment Sleipnir’s birthday passes in two weeks, Loki planned to decree that he will start training with you to control both his Jötun born magic and his seiðr. Loki was studying his natural magic on his own and he was quick to grab an understanding after putting his bias behind him. Sleipnir Lokison was Loki’s greatest weakness and enemies would soon learn that. One enemy in particular.

Months passed easily after that. your pregnancy was going well, and Loki had started to adopt the mindset of the protective boyfriend if they ever had to travel to a Realm or even down to Midgard for an extended time. The baby was healthy and safe. Loki knew that you both would welcome this child into the world, and you would make sure that nothing and Loki meant nothing interfered with their upbringing of this baby.

New Year's eve was a quiet ordeal for the family. Serenity invited the little family around to celebrate and they all stayed up until midnight to watch the fireworks in London, Sleipnir was barely awake as he saw the explosions in the sky and squealing, “like mummy’s night night fireworks!!”

Much to everyone’s delight. The cute little boy.

Now, it was the end of February and you were struggling to do tasks on your own without Loki’s gradual intervention in the situation. To you, you seemed so weak to go from being able to do simple tasks like doing your shoes to expecting Loki to do it for you while you sat on a chair in a huff. To Loki, however, he was loving every moment of this new life with you dependent on him. Not in a controlling way but in the way that he loved to do absolutely everything for you.

One lazy morning, Loki and you were laying in bed and Loki heard a startled gasp, his head snapping up from the pillow to gaze at his fiancée, “what? What is it?” he asked hurriedly, and you smiled lovingly, grazing your growing belly with a soft smile on your face.

“They kicked,” you whispered with barely disguised wonder, and Loki gasped, getting up on his knees to stare down at your body with his hand hesitating over your belly. You giggled at his hesitation, “you needn’t hesitate, Loki, they’re your baby too.”

Loki laughed softly as he rested his hand on your stomach in time to feel a gentle kick under his hand and he looked up at you in disbelief before laying down again, his head on your swollen stomach, fingers tracing the stretchmarks all over with a fond smile, “hello, baby, I’m your daddy. I’m going to make sure that your mummy takes very good care of herself and of you.”

The warmth of your stomach and his joy lulled Loki into a half-awake-asleep state and he kept stroking your stomach lovingly as he imagined his world before you; foggy as it may be.

Your pregnancy was the turning point of the political side of Loki’s stay on the Moon of Midgard. He had been in contact with King Thor lately and had discussed that students come and accommodate the pristine houses that were going to waste since the decimation of the Moon during the last war. The battle hadn’t spared many and those that lived had sought out refuge on Midgard and had since forgotten who they used to be.

Reluctantly, Thor drafted a proposal that went out to all seiðr users in Asgard proposing that if they would like to go and live on Midgard’s Moon where they would be able to use the library within the castle to study their seiðr, it was allowed. A bonus? Frigga would also be moving since Thor had long since gained the knowledge to survive being a King on his own.

Construction had begun last November to create the school that everyone would be going to. There would be a foundation year, lower and upper school. The university being built was for young seiðkona and seiðmadr who wished to study deeper theory or do a degree in politics. All of this was to be free. However, if they wished to go learn at a university in Midgard, they would need to have the appropriate funds to pay or apply for a loan.

The uniform would be lenient, but they would also ask that a student clearly wear the lanyard either as a bracelet or around their necks. The summer uniform for the girls was to be a simple knee-length blue dress with a sequin belt, leggings, and any shoes they would like to wear and there was no ban on any accessories. For the winter, a green cloak, leggings, fur boots and a blouse that would be charmed with a warmth charm for an extra ten Aesir coins. As such, a uniform shop was also being built and materials were shipped from Alfheim.

Loki had jumped and whooped with joy when the plans to build the schools were approved by you. You had been eager to get the documents printed and a spot of land declared ownership for the schools being built but Loki could barely believe that this was happening. He was getting a seiðr school for all those who wished to advance their knowledge in more than just warrior training.

The accommodation was another thing that Loki had needed to discuss with you and Thor, he had pitched the idea of part-time accommodation, full time and timetable only. This would make the school accessible to all who wished to learn seiðr. The commute every day to the school would be tiring so they would only offer it to the ones of the lower, upper school and the university. Foundation, if they so wished to do the everyday commute, would need to be brought down the Bifrost every morning by their parent and sign a form. If a family wished to stay on the Moon for their child’s education, Thor allowed it.

Loki thought back to his childhood, being forced to try out at warrior training and having to carry on even if it was evident that he was not up to the material needed to continue fighting. He became a warrior in his own right but behind closed doors, seiðr was the subject he excelled in. He hoped that with the school, he could give children a better chance at learning seiðr than he got as a child.

Fenrir, Jörmungandr and Sleipnir would have access to the school when it was built as they were very behind in their practising of seiðr. Loki wanted them all to practice as well for any case that Loki was not there to protect them himself.

You had even agreed to send their child to the school once they were old enough so that the baby could grow up learning both Aesir seiðr and Jötnar.

That’s right, Loki had even agreed to Jötnar joining the school.

Well, that was what the meeting on this sweet February day was for. He needed to speak to his dam about the situation with the Bifrost.

“Loki,” you whispered, snapping Loki out of his daze and imagination to look up at you, head still resting on your stomach, “we have to start getting ready, my love.”

Loki groaned and turned his head away, nuzzling your stomach and gasping when he felt a kick to his cheek, “alright! Both of you bully me!”

You laughed and slapped his head before Loki stood up and walked into the bathroom. Staring into the mirror, Loki groaned when he realised that today wasn’t exactly a masculine day for him. Reaching up, he smoothed out the side of his jaw, making it more feminine. Brushing a hand over her hair, it grew in length until it reached her backside with delicate ringlets. The rest of her body shifted into her female form, breasts forming and her shape becoming lean and feminine, broad shoulders being replaced by delicate ones.

Smiling at the Loki she saw in the mirror, Loki sighed and walked over to the shower, turning it on and setting it to the coldest temperature before stepping in and proceeding with her routine. While doing so, she thought about how the meeting today might go. Would Laufey be against letting Jötnar mingle with Aesir or would her dam agree with her eagerness and let the Jötnar attend?

Stepping out of the shower, a green shimmer surrounded Loki as she dried herself and her hair curled in little delicate ringlets. Her towel was exchanged for a beautiful floor-length evening dress with an emerald cloak flowing off her shoulders, latched onto the straps of her dress by little diamond pins. Her hair became styled with tiny diamonds and emeralds, linking your birthstone and his favourite stone. Loki smiled lovingly to herself as she spun around, knowing that no one would suspect her of wearing comfy fluffy boots underneath her dress.

“Are you almost done in there?” Came the voice from her beautiful fiancée and Loki giggled before stepping out into the bedroom to see you struggling to tie her sneakers with a grimace on her face.

“Here, let me,” Loki mumbled and walked over to you, sitting you down on the bed as Loki knelt in front of you to tie your laces.

You looked down at the Goddess before you and smirked to yourself, “a Goddess is kneeling for me. Who knew?”

Loki giggled and shook her head fondly as she kissed up your leg from your foot to your thigh and only stopped when you shot her a warning glare. Relenting, Loki shrugged and stood up with an easy smile and offered you her hand. Taking it, you gasped when your nightgown was replaced by a cosy jumper with Loki’s symbol stitched onto the front with comfy black leggings.

“You look ravishing, my darling,” Loki breathed and pulled you close to her with a bright smile while you squealed as she kissed you deeply, her hand pressed onto your pregnant belly affectionately. You smiled at the affection that Loki was giving you, and you sighed happily at the overwhelming affection Loki gave off.

When they finally reached the throne room, Laufey was already inside with Farbauti and Býleistr, Loki’s second brother. Loki smiled welcomingly at them but knew to hold his tongue as you took your seat on the throne.

With a deep bow, Laufey gazed up at the very pregnant Queen with a look that Loki knew to be a look of a longing mother. She should know, she had that look on her face constantly when she saw thriving families on Asgard.

“Many thanks for coming today, King Laufey,” you smiled and held a hand on your stomach lovingly as you turned to look at Loki, “I believe your daughter wishes to speak now. Loki, you have free speech.”

Loki bowed her head to her beloved before walking down the steps to where Laufey was, engulfing the giant into a hug with a small smile on her face. Laufey was surprised but relented easily into hugging his daughter happily, “it has been ages since you willingly accepted my hugs, Loptr.”

Loki giggled and nuzzled her face further into Laufey’s chest, “I am glad you are here, Dam, it has been a long time since we last spoke. I am here for political matters though… About the school for seiðr users.”

Laufey’s eyes widened before he smiled brightly and clapped his hands, “oh yes! Once we got the rough drafts off young Y/N, we were beyond thrilled to accept. Especially with a whole course just dedicated to learning our seiðr, our history, and our culture! You truly are a phenomenon, Loptr!”

Shocked, Loki said nothing for a long while before tears formed in her eyes and she sobbed much to Laufey’s confusion. Seeing his first-born child crying broke his heart and he knew that Loki deserved to be protected forever. Sniffling, Loki smiled up at Laufey, “thank you, Dam. I haven’t been complimented like that since I was little.”

Laufey chuckled softly before pulling Loki off him gently and sitting down on the marble floor with him, “now, tell us all of the details!”

And so, Loki did. For five hours. Laufey just had so many questions and Loki was happy to oblige her dam with a bright smile on her face. She was eager to please him, and she knew that Laufey would always be proud of her, no matter what. Farbauti was curious and leapt at the opportunity of teaching more people at Jötunheim. Byleistr was more judgemental but Loki knew that he was curious too, just hidden behind a wall.

A bell rung to announce that dinner had been served, pulling Loki and her family out of their keen conversation. Eagerly walking over to you, she shook you awake and laughed softly as you protested and rolled your head the other way. Instead, Loki picked you up bridal style and started walking to the dining room with her family while you were dozing innocently in her arms.

Loki carefully placed her sleepy Queen onto the chair at the head of the table as Laufey and the rest of the Jötun family sat along the table, sizing themselves down to fit onto the chairs offered. Loki smiled at them, silently thanking them for following Midgardian customs rather than staying in their giant forms. Byleistr didn’t look happy at the prospect of being smaller than his big sister but one look from Farbauti had him holding his tongue and sighing.

The feast was served, and Loki made sure that you had a full plate. You needed to keep your energy up if you were going to grow a Jötun in your womb. Groggily, you picked up your fork and sliced a piece of meat off your plate to eat it, still looking to your side to wave off the tiredness you felt. Loki watched her soulmate with such joy, beyond overwhelmed at the realisation that this was real. They were going to have a baby together.

Dinner was a quiet affair as everyone contentedly ate their meats and enjoyed the wild boar brought in from one of Thor’s quests with his troops through the forests of Asgard. He wouldn’t admit it, but Byleistr loved the taste of the medium rare meat on his teeth, the blood fitting his standards and maybe going above them.

Farbauti looked over at you once you were more awake and she giggled, hiding it behind her hand gracefully, “my dear Y/N, you remind me a lot of how Laufey behaved before when he was pregnant with little Loptr. Our child was very energetic in the womb, and so curious... maybe he never lost that curiosity. Loptr, my darling, pass me the gravy?”

Loki rolled her eyes tenderly before grabbing the gravy pot and handing it over to her with his seiðr. You watched the interaction between them with a gentle smile before resting your head on your hands, elbows on the table as you smirked, “so tell me more about baby Loki.”

“My love, please,” Loki whined, seemingly embarrassed by the request made by you to her sire. You smirked at Loki’s embarrassment and shrugged before looking at Farbauti eagerly.

Farbauti smiled and looked to Laufey, who was pestering Byleistr about the way he was cutting the meat, “oh Laufey was such a grump when he was pregnant with Loptr. He had cravings and all that but by the Norns, if we did something less than perfect by even a slither! I once had to sleep in a guest room of the castle because I wasn’t done in the hot springs when he was. Loptr made him very very moody.”

Loki groaned in embarrassment before sighing and shaking her head affectionately as she glared at her sire, “please, I hardly think this is meal-worthy talk.”

You snorted and rolled your eyes, “Loki, lighten up a little. It’s baby you! How could I not be interested in what you were like? I never saw you growing up.”

Loki rolled her eyes and sipped her Aesir mead as she looked away from the family, her cheeks tinted pink.

After Loki’s family had finished their dinner and said goodbye, Loki guided you back to their living room and helped you onto the sofa before slipping in behind you and pulling you back, your head resting easily on Loki’s breast. Smiling, Loki’s hand gravitated towards your stomach, and she tenderly stroked the evident swell of your stomach with a dumb smile.

“A baby of our own, Y/N, how unbelievable... it's all I have imagined for years now...” Loki muttered, and you smiled lovingly as you turned your head to look up at Loki with a breathy laugh. Loki shared her smile and leaned down to kiss you tenderly.

Your hand rested on top of Loki’s, and you smiled lovingly at her while helping Loki circle your stomach in a gentle circle, “a baby to make our family almost complete. We just need...”

Loki’s heart stopped at the realisation of who she had to save last, her beautiful daughter. She hadn’t forgotten the agony she had felt when Hel was lost. The dull, broken sensation she felt when she saw her crib empty. How her last love had died of a broken heart because all of her children were taken from them.

“Hel...” she whimpered, tears brimming in her eyes despite trying to hold them back with all of her might.

“We’ll find her, Loki, as we have with the rest... Odin’s magic is no longer holding her. It’s curious that she is not back already. Her banishment was different to the others and now that Odin is dead, she should be back by now,” you mumbled as you looked up at the ceiling.

Loki scoffed and ceased the rubbing of your stomach, becoming too lost in thought to take any notice, “Odin’s magic is still strong. The disguise I wear right now is still his magic. It has not worn off even though Odin is dead. I assume it shall stay as strong as this for a good time yet. Therefore, Hel will be held for much longer.”

You frowned but nodded your understanding, hating how right Loki was about Odin’s seiðr. You had felt his power the moment you stepped into Asgard that first time all those centuries ago and even with your last visit to Asgard just last week, you felt his power still lingering in the air when you searched for it. Odin still had a hold on Asgard even if he was dead. He was the Allfather, after all.

Loki helped her pregnant fiancée to her feet half an hour later after laying in the quiet, simply peacefully existing together in the silence of your home as the children were in the care of Serenity for the day. Loki missed these quiet moments with her beloved and she smiled when she remembered that once she had wished for her children back and now, she was getting them all back. She wished she could go to the past and tell her past self that everything would work out, but she had a feeling that the idea would not sit well with anyone.

Walking back to the bedroom, Loki smiled as you eyed the bed eagerly and waddled your way over to the bed, laying on your back and moaning in relief as your back popped in all the right places, making you even more relaxed. Stripping herself of the elegant dress, Loki quickly joined you with a bright smile, head on your chest as she gazed down at your pregnant belly.

“Think they can hear us?” Loki mumbled as she caressed your stomach for the thousandth time, unable to keep your hands off of you for more than two minutes.

You giggled at the tender gesture, and you rolled your eyes affectionately, “I believe with every fibre of my being that they can hear us. That they will know their mama is obsessing over their health so much when they’re going to be perfectly fine.”

Loki laughed softly and shook her head tenderly as she held your hand gently with her free hand, smiling lovingly when a gentle kick thudded through your belly.

“Well, they certainly know how to kick. Don’t say anything but if they love to kick this much, we might have to send them off to Asgard instead of your school. I bet Uncle Thor would get a kick out of training our child,” you smirked, and Loki laughed loudly.

Loki knew that their child would be powerful, but she would never subject your child to the brutal training that Aesir have gone through, “no, we agreed that the little rascal would go to our school and that is final.”

You rolled your eyes fondly, your nails brushing through Loki’s hair affectionately, “we agreed. We both know our child will do wonderful things in this family and I cannot wait to see what they do. They’re going to become a miracle… a Midgardian and a Jötun having a baby… it’s never been done before.”

Loki hummed with approval as she held you close to her, “I believe our child will be one of the best because they will have an amazing mother,” she kissed your brow and smiled lovingly at you, “an amazing set of brothers,” you giggled at that and Loki showered your face with adoring kisses before sitting up on her knees and gesturing to herself with a smug smirk, “and the most powerful parent in the Nine Realms.”

Dramatically, you draped your arm over her eyes and sighed, “oh woe is me! I’m stuck with an egotistical emo boy! Gods above save me!”

Loki rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, playing along easily, “ah ah, darling, you’re the one that is carrying my baby. There is no saving you now!”

You rolled your eyes and pulled Loki back down to cuddle you and you smiled brightly as Loki kissed all of your knuckles and pressed you gently into her front, adoring the scent of the shampoo that you adored using. Kissing your head gently, Loki mumbled lovingly into your ear, “now sleep, beloved, we’ve had a successful day. Don’t worry, I have you.”

With that, you fell right to sleep in the arms of your beloved.

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@lokisgoodgirl @lokisninerealms @evelyn-kingsley @slpnbty2001 @jennyggggrrr @hahaha12123445 @ozymdias @holdmytesseract @itsybitchylittlewitchy @lovingchoices14 @xorpsbane @huntress-artemiss @muddyorbs @nerdy-fangirl-65 @lonadane @silverfire475 @chantsdemarins @iamsherlocked1479 @kittiowolf210 @just-someone11

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hraunwyf · 1 year

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DOSSIER CHEAT SHEET

LEGAL NAME: loki laufeyson. she does not use dottir. NICKNAME[S]: kiki/kikibelle (courtesy of angela—it isn't recommended to call her this if you aren't her) DATE OF BIRTH: celebrated on nov. 23 by the modern calendar; loki's birthday roughly splits the difference between the beginning of winter and the celebration of yule. nearest we can pin her birth year down is 49250 b.c.e., which she stands by. GENDER: woki is a wady PLACE OF BIRTH: the temple at útgarðr, jötunnheim CURRENTLY LIVING: pick a fancy hotel in a big city and loki has a suite there. she also has a little hidey-hole upstate of nyc. SPOKEN LANGUAGES: yes EDUCATION: standard asgardian royal education, encompassing sciences, magics, arts, martial training, and military strategy. plus whatever else she's taught herself in 50k years or so. HAIR COLOR: dark dark dark brown, not black. EYE COLOR: green with slight golden central heterochromia. HEIGHT: 5′2″ (1.57 m) WEIGHT: 260 lbs (118 kg)

FAMILY INFORMATION

SIBLING[S]: thor, balder, angela (adoptive); byleistr, helblindi (biological, deceased) PARENT[S]: odin, frigga (adoptive); laufey, f��rbauti (biological, deceased) RELATIVE[S]: (gestures vaguely at asgard) CHILDREN: fenrir, jörmungandr, hela (by angrboða; estranged); vali, narfi (by sigyn; estranged); sleipnir (by svaðilfari; estranged); deadpool (it's true and we don't know how; estranged?); kjälla 'kill junior' osborn (by norman osborn, verse dependent) PET[S]: none

RELATIONSHIP INFORMATION

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: bisexual and that is a threat RELATIONSHIP STATUS: every ship gets chucked in its own verse unless otherwise discussed, so by baseline, she's single; canon estrangement from her wife, sigyn; blog-canon past relationship with norman osborn SINCE WHEN: (shrug)

tagged: stolen from @fatummortem tagging: you. steal it

#[ OOC. ]#for funsies

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asgard-segun-elcadejos · 2 years

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Asgard según El Cadejos

God Robes

The seven (eight) original God Robes are and represent

Dubhe Alpha - Fafnir

Merak Beta - Sleipnir

Phecda Gamma - Jörmungandr

Megrez Delta - ?

Alioth Epsilon - Fenrisúlfr

Mizar Zeta - Saber Tooth tiger

Benetasch Eta - ?

The Princess of Asgard and her heir are aware of who is a candidate, but wait until the will of the gods manifests itself (instead of telling them beforehand). We see the God Robes have been slumbering undisturbed for a long time. Dubhe Alpha in the volcano outer walls, Merak Beta inside and under magma, and so on.

The anime is vague on what determines who can wear a God Robe, so I narrowed it down to two options

Those whose bloodline ties them to a specific God Robe

Those who are worthy

The former case seems to apply to Fenrir, Syd, Bud, and Siegfried.

Alioth Epsilon was inside the family manor (quite simbolic for it to be exactly behind the family crest, which also happens to feature two wolf heads). To consider, the fact that Loki » Fenrir » Hati / Sköll solidifies the importance of blood ties.

Mizar and Alcor Zeta reference a creature that doesn’t belong to Norse mythology, and also did not live in this region at all (Smilidon were local to Asia and America, not Europe). It seems too much of a coincidence for both God Robes and a family crest to illustrate the same animal.

Finally, we have Dubhe Alpha, which references a formidable dragon from Norse mythology, and Siegfried shares the name of the legendary hero who defeated it (as well as being their direct descendant). In a way, this shows how his bloodline is that of the true Asgardian dragon slayers, worthy of weilding power from Fafnir (99% invulnerability) after killing it.

Regarding those who are worthy, we know Alberich is Asgard’s brightest mind. Even if he were not as physically formidable as the others, he is skilled enough to weild a sword, and strategize ahead to have a clear advantage over his opponent (there’s even evidence that his ancestor was also a skilled warrior, fighting Dohko).

Thor is not only tall, strong, and formidable in combat. He is also a caring individual who takes risks for the greater good, hunting on royal grounds (which is forbidden) to feed those less fortunate around him.

Though I believe Asgardians have a natural tendency towards manifesting some ice when using cosmos (as seen with Hilda in general, and the twins when executing the Viking Tiger Claw attacks), Hagen is the only Asgardian skilled enough to have mastered both ice and fire cosmo.

Mime was rasied and trained by the great Asgardian warrior Folker, and was eventually able to kill him after realizing he had murdered Mime’s biological parents. The sheer skill and strength to do so at a young age goes to prove Mime’s prowess.

God Robes in Soul of Gold

There are inconsistencies regarding these armours. In the original saga, the seven (eight) God Robes were directly linked to the Big Dipper asterism in Ursa Major. However, in Soul of Gold they reference creatures from Norse mythology (much like Cloths, Surplices, and Scales do for their respective themes).

The SOG God Robes have Sapphires, but they were quickly discarded for the red gems Loki created, so I take that as a pass to HC that the original ones are in a higher category because their Sapphires are the only ones able to summon Odin’s God Robe (which also tries to explain why these are named after stars, instead of creatures). In SOG, the God Robes reference the following

Gullinbursti

Nidhogg

Tanngrisnir

Eikthyrnir

Grani

Hraesvelgr

Garm

Shadow Robes

Astronomically speaking, there is only one Shadow Robe (Alcor) because Zeta is a double star system. However, this feels incomplete to me within lore, so I have expanded it and designated a Shadow Warrior for each God Warrior. Their main task is to guard the God Warrior from treacherous danger, and act as their right hand (explored a little deeper in this post). Should the God Warrior perish, their Shadow will take their place.

Shadow Robes have no Sapphire, and aside from the mask/helmet eye colors, are completely pearl white. Being the only one with a designated star, Alcor Zeta is their leader.

Odin Sapphire

As mentioned before, all God Robes have a Sapphire, but only the ones linked to a star are able to summon Odin’s God Robe.

In my HC, are God Robes inheritable?

Only those tied to a bloodline can be inherited. Shadow Robes are not inheritable because the person chosen to wear them is directly linked (not necessarily by blood) to the God Warrior they protect.

Characteristics

Robes are warm to the touch of those who wear them, and their Shadows.

#asgard segun el cadejos #saint seiya #headcanons

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mxstball · 2 months

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[Parental Bond]

Jömungandr took a deep breath as he channeled his energy towards Meredith. While he didn't have a Key Stone, he used the Infinity Energy inside him to link himself to her. Soon, she was enveloped in a light...

Heidi could feel the energy, too; however, unlike Jörmungandr, the energy coming from Meredith was... softer and more disarming. She wasn't sure what this was, but the sense of peace could be felt even more from this surge.

Eventually, the light dissipated, revealing what had finally happened.

Meredith Mega Evolved!

"Hello, Heidi." Meredith waved. Unlike Jörmungandr, she looked different. "I'm sorry if we've been keeping this as a surprise to you."

"..." Heidi understood now. She heard about Meredith's Mega Evolution -- how she could enhance the capabilities of others while being one of the tankiest creatures to walk the land. However, it was always known that the two would never Mega Evolve together in one battle. She wondered why that was.

...speaking of wonder... something else was the matter. The moment the Mega Evolution was complete, she felt a sort of energy cut itself off from her. Strangely, it was like she wasn't providing anything to Meredith in the first place. What was that about?

"So, you two have been planning to Mega Evolve each other from the start, huh?"

"That's right." Meredith nodded. "Ever since you built this body for me and allowed me to reunite with your father, I've been planning for this very moment." She gave Jörmungandr a hug from the side. "Your father had told me of the many feats that you've done during the war, and detailed your other achievements since you've come from this world -- our new home. You've grown so much and gained so much valor since the day I left you on Southern Island all of those years ago. I had so much faith in you that you'd grow into a strong and loving dragon -- yet you eventually found a way to surpass even my wildest expectations. I could not be more proud to be your mother...."

"...? That's nice and I'm happy that you're proud of me but--" Heidi crossed her arms. "What does that have to do with... well... all of that?" Heidi gestured to Meredith's... well... everything.

"Is it not obvious, little one?" Meredith giggled. "You've achieved so much and reached such great heights. It was an inevitability that we'd test you ourselves."

"... but like, you weren't someone that liked battling, though. I still remember when you taught me so much about finding peace and tranquility instead of seeking violence when I was a little girl. Even in war, you were more of a healer and helper than a fighter."

"...and yet I was also the one to train many of our soldiers to a base level, as well as one of the leaders of the Kalos War."

"Wh--huh!? You were a what?"

"Oh, my sweet, lovely daughter. It seems that there is more to me than you knew." Meredith giggled. "Yes. I was one of the army leaders of the Kalos War 3,000 years ago. It was actually how I got to know your father so well in the first place. Much of my help was with morale, healing and boosting, sure, but I could hold my own in a fight should the need to regroup arise."

"Huh. Well then. The more you know."

"Your mother and I have trained to be in tune with each other's Mega Evolutions for some time." Jörmungandr nodded. "Unfortunately, the only individual to ever see that progress was our Arceus, as we were forbidden from working together while both of us are Mega Evolved during the war."

"Huh? That's... strangely specific. I heard that no one has ever seen the two of you Mega Evolve at the same time, but I just attributed it to the rumors around you, dad.... You know, powerful enough to make armies surrender and stuff like that?"

Jörmungandr and Meredith looked at each other.

"George.... I told you that your reputation was going to be first on anyone's mind, didn't I?"

Jörmungandr shrugged. "Better forced the intrigue on me than give you more worry, my love."

"Yes, but even with our daughter? Do you know how quickly her feelings about us could change after this?"

"Better you than me. I was never good with words."

"Then, just cut to the chase so we can fight alreadyyyyy--"

"Heh. She sounds just like you, George: so impatient to hear the reason and ready to get to the action." Meredith giggled. Despite her tone, she was enjoying this.

Heidi was slightly offended. "Wow! Rude, mom! I just wanna know what's going on. Why were you guys banned from fighting together as Mega Evolutions?"

Meredith turned back to her child. "...It's because, both times we did so, our combined power was so destructive that it would destroy everything in the Hoenn Region... including the very trainers that Mega Evolved us." She shook her head. "The first time on the battlefield, even with the combined might of Groudon and Kyogre, they were forced to retreat after we decimated them without any effort. The second? Well, it was against Friede herself in her own Origin space. We fought her off valiantly, nearly winning in the end, but the power we were to unleashed would have costed our human companions' lives. As such, we were forced to hold back." Meredith turned to Jörmungandr. "... but now that we don't have humans to watch out for...."

"...You want to unleash everything on me, the new Arceus, without holding anything back." Heidi's heart started to sink. Did they really fight Friede way back then and nearly win? Could they really have destroyed an entire region by themselves? From the sounds of it, did she even want to risk staying in this form? "This isn't just a lesson and a progress check for me.... This is to finish what you started with Friede, isn't it?"

"... One can say that, yes." Jörmungandr took a step forward as Meredith took a step back. "What's a Pokémon without wishing to learn their own full potential these days, hm?"

"...You got a point there." Heidi stretched a little. "Well, if you're really that strong--"

Heidi switched to High Power!

"Then perhaps we shouldn't hold back our own power, either."

"I wouldn't want to have it any other way, Heidi." Now, it was time to show off what they got.

#muse heidi #jormungandr #meredith #verse: main #plot: parental bond

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teddybeartoji · 3 months

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hi mickey! could we get 11 and 42 for the ask game?

sunnie (@fic-over-cannon)

OMGGG HIII SUNNIEEEE HIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAHH IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU HEREE:333 I HOPE YOU'RE DOING WELL ANGEL!!!!!!!!!

11. favourite myth?

i really like norse mythology!!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY LIKE JÖRMUNGANDR!!!!!! like how cool is a world-serpent????!!!!! wdym there's a big ass serpent just curled over the world???????????????? need to be friends with him asap!!!!!!!

42. how did you meet your best friend(s)?

OH WHAT A LOVELY QUESTION I LOVE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! weeee met in a dance class actually hehehhee!!!!!!!!!! and now we've been friends forr like... seven years i think............. but it's such a cute little meant-to-be moment bc i wasn't even gonna go to the dance class actually!! i had been dancing for six years before that but it was always more of like a... task for me bc my parents just wanted me to do it but then my classmate was like ohh!!!! i found this awesome studio and the trainer is super fucking cool too and it's just soooso much fun aaand then my friend was like ok they wanna give it a go to but they wanted me to come with aaaaand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! life-changing!!!!!!!!!!!!

the trainer was veeery fucking cool and i made sooo so many friends there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! including my best friend:333333 we got very close there bc during competition times there were a lot of night training sessions aand we got to travel together aaand that made us bond so much faster yk?? we had a lot of fun hehehe!!!!! and i'm really really glad to have met her!!!!!!!!!!

interview the mayor

#I'M SENDING U SOOOO SO MANY KISSES!!!!!!!!#I HOPE YOU'VE BEEN EATING WELL AND DRINKING WATER AND GETTING YOUR REST!!!!!!!!!!#MWAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!#ILYY!!!#lunnie <3 #friends!!#interview the mayor

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fearofahumanplanet · 2 years

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Fix Them Tag

Okay I haven't seen this one before but I love this already, thank you @aohendo!

Template is here.

The literal story of Serpents They Stone does essentially boil down to "I could fix Badb, the crow war goddess that was trained from birth to be a demented killer of chaos", so let's all fix Badb, shall we?!

Hestia: I can fix her (and of course no one listened)

Loki: "I can fix her" Yeah? Well I could accept her as she is. You don't like the murder? Grow up. The atrocities are part of her and I've decided they're funny

Huītzilōpōchtli: I can fix her by making her worse

Mímir: I could fix her, but whatever's going on with her is much more amusing

Wadjet: "I can fix her" Okay Bob the Builder, relax

Hel: "I can fix her" You can't even fix your sleep schedule bestie

Jörmungandr: I love her, no matter how many men, women and children she’s killed (in her infinite simping)

A certain Dreamer master I will leave unnamed because spoilers: "I can fix her" That's cute. I can break her. I can leave her a shell of a person

Medusa: I can stick around and see how much she can fuck up. Kinda like watching a trainwreck

Tagging: @afoolandathief (those horrid horrid things PLEASE), @cactusmotif, @linearfault, @brynnewrites

#tag games

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ashleybenlove · 9 months

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"This staff might have worked for Hiccup, but you're not Hiccup."

Tom, probably:

Negative/critical interactions with me involving this show are strongly discouraged. Please allow me to enjoy this show in peace. Thanks.

#ashleybenlove posts #how to train your dragon #Dreamworks Dragons: The Nine Realms #httyd spoilers #tnr spoilers #the nine realms spoilers #season 8 #How To Train Jörmungandr

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dr-lokidottir · 3 years

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As someone who's been betrayed by people I considered to be my family, honestly, Tyr got off pretty easy only losing a hand for that betrayal. But hey, I'm biased.

Well I've been waiting for a question like this for a long time!

Tyr and Fenrir: a story where both were betrayed.

I want to clarify that this is SPG. and UPG.

We all know the story where Hel, Jörmungandr and Fenrir were taken to Asgard. There are many paintings where they are portrayed as children, not as adults and much less as dangerous beings, because they were not and never were. They were simply feared because of their appearance, leaving much to think about. And I must repeat this: they used to be children.

Let's talk about Tyr.

My boyfriend works with him. He is an incredible God. Tyr is the God of war, but I want to emphasize that he is the God of order and justice.

Tyr and Fenrir in their meeting.

According to the Eddas, Tyr was the only "brave" God (and perhaps not brave, but with the brains not to judge another by his appearances), who fed Fenrir. In my mind and of many others, they played together, became best friends, and Tyr spent all his time with him. We all know the relationship was wonderful. Tyr cared for him, fed him, and offered his trust. We know that Fenrir did not trust the Gods at all, but Tyr earned his trust.

The Wolf the Æsir brought up at home, and Týr alone dared go to him to give him meat.

Gylfaginning XXXI-XL

The betrayal of Fenrir, and why I am sure that they also betrayed Tyr.

Tyr and Fenrir were together all the time. Tyr did not know that they were building the chains, since he was always with Fenrir. Being his protector, the Gods would obviously never have mentioned to Tyr that they wished to bind (and practically torture) his best friend. Besides, Tyr would have stopped the situation. And he would have even alerted Fenrir and let him escape. Being the God of justice, he would have raised his voice for his INNOCENT and BEST FRIEND.

Besides, if Tyr had been part of the creation of the chains, from the first chain Fenrir would have been stuck, why? Simple, because Tyr was the only one who truly knew his strength and destructive potential.

The loss of Tyr's hand.

Tyr was sure that, like all past chains, Fenrir would break them. Tyr trusted Fenrir completely, and that was why he placed his hand on his jaws. He was sure that his best friend would emerge victorious as on all previous occasions. When Tyr saw that his best friend had been totally trapped.... He had to keep his promise, being something they both suffered. If Fenrir had desired revenge or to make him truly suffer, he would have devoured more than the arm of his best friend, Tyr. But there was an oath to keep.

We even know that Tyr did not plan to deceive him, much less sacrifice his hand:

' The Wolf said: 'If ye bind me so that I shall not get free again, then ye will act in such a way that it will be late ere I receive help from you; I am unwilling that this band should be laid upon me. Yet rather than that ye should impugn my courage, let some one of you lay his hand in my mouth, for a pledge that this is done in good faith.' Each of the Æsir looked at his neighbor, and none was willing to part with his hand, until Týr stretched out his right hand and laid it in the Wolf's mouth. But when the Wolf lashed out, the fetter became hardened; and the more he struggled against it, the tighter the band was. Then all laughed except Týr: he lost his hand.

Gylfaginning XXXI-XL

Therefore, as the Eddas say, all the Gods laughed, except Tyr, not only because his arm was going to be devoured, but because his best friend had been betrayed and had been trapped because of him. Tyr is the God of justice, and if he had known that situation he would never have allowed it.

To my mind always comes a scene where the two of them stare at each other, in pain and fear, maybe even with tears in their eyes.... Two best friends who were separated by the ignorance of many.

My personal experience:

As I said, my boyfriend (husband, practically) works with Tyr and Odin. I've had a lot of contact with Tyr because of that, and his presence never generates rancor in me. Because of my traumas and being hypervigilant constantly, I can't trust the Aeisir and Vanir because of everything they did against Loki and his family, but it's a personal thing I have to work on. I can't especially trust Odin though, for banishing children, just because of how they looked. Saying this I don't mean to make you hate the other Gods, far from it, but I'm telling my personal experience and how my Post Traumatic Stress is reflected there.

Tyr is the only Aeisir I have my trust in, along with my aunt Sigyn.

Tyr has accompanied me a lot of times, especially when I go to the gym to train. More than once I have felt Fenrir (he is the one who always accompanies me to practice boxing and weights, and in general, to do physical activity) talk and laugh with Tyr while I train, about things in life that I have never managed to hear clearly, but they get along excellently. Tyr has even helped me a lot in my practices!

One UPG that is practically a SPG, is that my best friend and I asked by pendulum if Tyr gives apples of Idunn to Fenrir in secret. We know that the Gods are kept immortal by them. The answer was a playful "maybe" from Fenrir. Come on, we all know it's true. Even in meditations I have seen them both together in the cave where Fenrir is bound. Tyr is amazing.

Well, that might be all! Remember it's SPG/UPG, so you can avoid negative comments, attacks, and so on. I'm a pretty sensitive person and I ask please for patience, especially in contrary opinions please, and that negative comments usually hurt me a lot! I appreciate the understanding.

Art by Meretyh.

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theroleplayingedda · 9 months

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A rping masterlist for vikingISH muses.

I am once again sorry to spam your @s. Tumblr will not let me edit the post to update it.

Norse Mythology:

@alldaddy Odin @arcanigenum Loke & Ull & multiple OCs [MultiMuse] @astridnorddottir Astrid | A Valkyrie OC @belcvednanna Nanna @berserkerofrealms Garmr @brknmnds Angrboða & Jörmungandr [MultiMuse] @brokenandlonelysouls Fenrir Lokison & Sleipnir Lokison [MultiMuse] @bruadcr Jormungandr, Sif, Sigyn, Þrúðr Þórradóttir & Ullr Lokison | Kinda OC? [MultiMuse] @chiimaera Sigyn [MultiMuse] @eclipsecrowned Fenrir, Freyja, Hel, Hnoss, Laufey, Odin, Sigyn & Utgard-Loki [MultiMuse] @exiledcrown Eir, Freyja, Narvi Lokason, Vali Lokason [MultiMuse] @eddapoetic Havar | A fun fusion of many trickster deities (Loki, Hermes etc) [MultiMuse] @fidelitygoddess Sigyn @gleamingcrowns Lady Sif [MultiMuse] @gulldrengur Baldr @heartsdefine Sigyn [MultiMuse] @helreginn Helreginn Lokadóttir @justicescreaming Loki, Narvi, Sigyn & occasionally Vali [MultiMuse] @kingoftheravens Angrboda, Fenrir, Loki, Hati, Hel, Jormungandr & Skoll [MultiMuse] @kissofthemuses Freyja, Sigyn & Liv Gunnarsdottir Gunnarson | A Vampire OC [MultiMuse] @lordsigynofvanaheim Lord Sigyn @mistressesandmastersofmythos Freyja, Hel & Odin [MultiMuse] @moonhoundman Hati @mystiokinesis Bergfinnr Thrymrson @norseforces Freyja, Frigg, Loki, Odin & Thor [MultiMuse] @nykrose Nyk | A Näcken OC @paracosmms Angrboda, Fenrir & Hel [MultiMuse] @runaljod Angrboða, Fenrisúlfr, Frœyjɑ, Jörð, Loki, Magni & Móði Þórsson, Óðinn & Þór [MultiMuse] @savstaroth Thor & multiple OCs including Ida Fjalarsdóttir | A Witch [MultiMuse] @sigynthevictorious Sigyn @starwrittenfates Sigyn [MultiMuse] @tessastormrp Baldr, Freyr, Loki & Tyr [MultiMuse] @valkxrie Brunnhilde @varldsormr Jormungandr @wildserkr Victor Halvorsen | A Berserkr OC @yggdrasilushxrt Dvalinn

American Gods:

@brknmnds Technology Boy @cursedwanderer @helreginn

God of War:

@cryptiique Angrboda, Atreus (Loki), Freyr & Heimdall [MultiMuse] @deficd Kratos [MultiMuse] @fidelitygoddess Sigyn @helreginn Hel [But AU because she don’t exist yet] @missallanea Freya & Sif [MultiMuse] @stardustedstories Atreus (Loki), Faye (Laufey), Freyr, Mimir, Odin, Thor & others [MultiMuse]

How to Train Your Dragon & Dragons: The Nine Realms

@acourtcfmuses Astrid Hofferson @adskilt Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III @ancestryfound Tom Kullersen @baldrengr Hiccup & Toothless [MultiMuse] @deficd Valka [MultiMuse] @dragetunge Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III @haseti Eret son of Eret [Sideblog] @scouts-thingsandrps Astrid, Dagur, Fishlegs, Heather, Hiccup, Inkeri, Ruffnut, Snotlout, Thyra & Tuffnut [MultiMuse] @starsweepers Ruffnut [MultiMuse] @storyhaven Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III [MultiMuse] @tournesolette Hiccup Haddock [MultiMuse] @vendettavalor Bewilderbeast, Cloudjumper, Light Fury & Toothless @warraigoe Astrid Hofferson [MultiMuse]

OCs I feel should be here but I can’t figure out where to place???

@cursedwanderer Fenja a Tree spirit, skogsrå/huldra @dragcnlxrd Lysander Balaur - Last of the Dragonlords @ofholocenemuses Eska Ulfsson a Stablemaster turned warrior with a bit of wanderlust [MultiMuse] @skallagrimulfhedinn Skallagrim Ulfhedinn A shapeshifter and the son of a blacksmith @scgugio Renora Luciana Alvarez

The Almighty Johnsons: (My fave NZ tv show!!!!)

@melodicwitchlight Hel [MultiMuse]

The Last Kingdom:

@all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone Aethelflaed, Brida, Finan, Gisela, Sihtric Kjartansson & many OCs! [MultiMuse] @bebbanburged Uhtred @entangledmuses Eadith & lots of OCs with TLK verses! [MultiMuse] @fantasywritten Beocca, Edward & Leofric [MultiMuse] @ladybebbanburg Ædgyth of Wessex (OC?), Æthelflæd, Alfred, Brida, Eadith, Finan, Gisela Hathacanutesdottir, Iseult of Cornwalum, Mildrith, Sigtryggr Ivarsson, Skade, Stiorra Uhtredsdottir, Thyra Ragnarsdottir, Uhtred & Others! [MultiMuse] @kingalfrcd King Alfred @ofprevioustimes Aethelflaed, Brida, Eadith, Gisela, Iseult & others! [MultiMuse] @ragnaarson Ædgyth, Ælswith, Æthelstan, Aldhelm, Alfred, Edward, Finan, Gisela, Sigtryggr Ivarsson, Sihtric Kjartansson, Stiorra Uhtredsdottir, Uhtred & many OCs! [MultiMuse][Sideblog] @tessastormrp Sihtric [MultiMuse]

Vikings & Vikings: Valhalla:

@all-that-is-gold-is-now-gone Aslaug, Canute, Emma, Freydis, Freydis Eriksdottir, Godwin, Gunnhild, Hvitserk Ragnarsson, Ivar the Boneless, Lagertha, Leif Eriksson, Rollo Sigurdsson, Snaefrid & many OCs! [MultiMuse] @brknmnds Ivar, Sigurd & Hvitserk [MultiMuse] @crowsandmurder Bjorn Ironside & Ragnar Lothbrok [MultiMuse] @deficdGyda Ragnarsdottir, Ragnar Lodbrok & OCs including Hilda Ragnarsdottir, Sindre Ísleifsson& Solveig Ísleifsdottir! [MultiMuse] @entangledmuses Anma, Katia & Lagertha & lots of OCs with Viking verses! [MultiMuse] @ladybebbanburg Aslaug Sigurdsdottir, Freydis Eriksdotter , Gyda Ragnarsdóttir, Helga, Lagertha, Torvi & others! [MultiMuse] @melodicwitchlight Aslaug, Floki, Thorunn & Siggy [MultiMuse] @ofprevioustimes Aslaug, Lagertha, Siggy & others! [MultiMuse] @pleinsdemuses Astrid, Emma of Normandy, Gunnhild, Lagertha Lothbrok & Torvi [MultiMuse][Sideblog] @tessastormrp Harald Finehair & Ubbe (GETS HIS VERY OWN TRIGGER WARNING!) Ragnarson [MultiMuse]

DC/Marvel:

@brokenandlonelysouls Loki [MultiMuse] @brutalage Vandal Savage @cffidelityy Sigyn @fidelitygoddess Sigyn @inkdreamt Sylvie [MultiMuse] @starwrittenfates Sigyn [MultiMuse] @theamazingloki Loki

Discord ONLY rpers:

@thenorthling

Up to date as of 13/01/2024

#Vikings Rp #Norse Myth rp #Norse Mythology rp #The Last Kingdom Rp #The Almighty Johnsons RP #The Norsemen Rp #Valhalla Rising Rp #The Northman RP #Beowulf RP #Viking Rp #How to Train Your Dragon RP #RP Masterlist #Norse Mythology RP Masterlist #Vikings RP Masterlist #Viking RP Masterlist #HTTYD RP #Redbad RP #American Gods RP

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odisn · 4 years

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𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐀𝐑Ø𝐊𝐑 -- 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐒 .

the biggest downfall of the Æsir was their arrogance , really , in the face of Ragnarøkr . they had plenty of signs that the end of their world was imminent , and yet decided to implement safeguards in their hometown instead of accepting what they had been taught their whole lives : that the events written in their lifetimes , forewarned through premonitions and shared through childhood tales , confirmed by visionary Nornir and inscribed in golden walls of the palace that housed them , were unalterable . tangible . inevitable .

but ask any Asgardian about Ragnarøkr and chances are you would be met with a scoff , a chuckle , brows raised as if to say ' how dare you imply that anything could defeat us ! ' --- or , you'd be hit with actions the Gods were taking to minimise the damage . either way , the problem was that the immense cataclysmic destruction of their doomsday was played out as something they could handle , something they could control . a minor battle , which they would fight and win , like many battles prior .

this isn't a mindset that afflicted ALL the Æsir . Baldr was one of the first to showcase concern and try and create a plan of action --- and in fact , it was his plan that saved most of the Asgardian people , in the end . he had ships in place to evacuate them , he had guards and Valkyrie trained to the highest degree , ready to lay down their lives to protect civilians . Thor followed suit , Frigg knew better , but convincing the Gods to be proactive instead of reactive was ... a challenge , even in the face of the signs .

1 . Baldr's death .

Thor's brother , Baldr , is predicted to die a thousand years before Ragnarøkr , and is the first incident that feels like it triggers a countdown to doomsday .

2 . Miðgarðr's natural disasters .

perhaps not entirely 'natural' ------------- humans would blame global warming , the Æsir would blame Jörmungandr , the world serpent , which frees itself and causes turmoil across the realm as a result .

3 . visions .

Thor , Frigg , Odin , Heimdallr , and others , will have visions of the fated day soon after Baldr's death , and closer to doomsday itself those visions will feel more like premonitions , a glimpse into the future , with events that actually play out as is on the day . they will feel more real , more vivid , and almost tangible the closer and closer Ásgarðr gets to Ragnarøkr .

4 . Thor meeting Surtr .

and Thor's aware of this sign ; somehow , somewhere , he will meet Surtr only one time prior to Ragnarøkr . they will exchange words , Surtr will try and trick Thor into giving up his powers and his hammer to prevent Ragnarøkr . Thor assumed that this meeting would take place on Múspellsheimr , where Surtr is chained up , until the day he's destined to break free . but as it turns out , this meeting didn't require Thor’s physical presence there at all : it was an invasion of thoughts , of meditative state , of dreams he had while he was awake , and it took place at a branch of the world tree , where he felt most connected to the nine realms , and the storms across all of them .

5. three harsh winters .

Fimbulvetr is known amongst the Asgardians as the ‘ long winter ’ , and represents the months that bring unbearable cold to the realm . described as three periods of wintertime with no intervening summer , it’s a slow , painful lapse in their luxury , and symbolically the cold before the burning heat of the end of their world .

6. the death of Ásgarðr's primary sun and moon .

this will happen a month or so prior to the fated day . children on the realm should be told a story about how Ásgarðr's main sun and moon will be swallowed by two of Surtr's guardians , the wolves Sköll and Hati . instead , they're told that this is entirely Odin's doing -------- that to shroud the realm from Surtr's gaze , he ordered the sun and the moon not to rise , and not to shine . post - Ragnarøkr , Thor identifies this as a major mistake of both his and the other Gods ; in changing the narrative they dismissed the crucial sign of an impending doom , playing it down as a self - congratulatory pat on the back .

7. the reddening of the skies .

Surtr , a giant aflame , will redden the skies with his arrival , illuminating the realm far more than any sun or moon managed to in the past . this reddening sky will come with a new air , full of smoke , difficult to breathe ----------- the kind that gets behind your eyes . everything will smell like ash , everything will taste like ash . this happens in the final two weeks before doomsday .

8. Surtr's gaze .

the final week before Ragnarøkr , Surtr will tower above Ásgarðr , and do nothing . he simply marvels his new land , and revels at the time to come . for seven days , his terrifying gaze will transfix on Ásgarðr's ----------- in the form of a single eye that doesn’t blink , replacing the swallowed sun in the sky . a pupil like a black hole , seeing everything , and everyone , surrounded by the flames of his iris , sitting in position , day and night , until his armies are ready .

9. destruction of the bifrost .

Ragnarøkr begins with the destruction of the bifrost , and Heimdallr with it . from the horizon , Surtr arrives , small enough to walk yet large enough to take up the skyline , with an army of soldiers , comprised of molten rock , and ash .

#hc.#61.#arc. ragnarøkr.#there's plenty here I took from lore but u kno #head full . lots of thoughts .#long post #me. sobbin : who will read this #dkjfhdkjfd #idk I was excited to share some stuff #apologies for any typos #some of my keys stopped working :////

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d-a-anderson · 4 years

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I was a scientific journalist, specializing in paleontology. Most of my work consisted of expeditions in the American northwest, but I’d had a few excursions to Mongolia. When they called me from Boston, saying they had a team heading north of Scandinavia, I asked them: “why do you want me? What paleontology is north of Scandinavia?”

Not just Scandinavia. Svalbard, to be exact. I was used to deserts, even cold ones—both Mongolian steppes and the Canadian badlands can hit negative temperatures—but this was Svalbard. Over the Atlantic, straight into the Arctic. I shivered just thinking about it.

Turns out, I shouldn’t have been so pretentious. There were fossils found in Scandinavia and beyond—Ichthyosaurs, the ubiquitous trilobite, and even fossilized tropical forests. I blushed over the phone at my sophomoric assumptions: after all, continents shifted. Of course there were tropical forests in Norway.

“This one is different,” they said. “It’s a newer find, not like what we’ve seen before. Maybe a new species—“

“What are we talking?” I asked hurriedly. “Carnivore? Herbivore? Maybe a Pteranodon?”

“See for yourself,” they said. “The Norwegians are handling it. They specifically asked for you after they read your reporting on the Mongolian expedition. ”

“Fine,” I said. “Expenses paid?”

“Expenses paid,” the department manager said. “Just bring your warmest clothes on-hand and get to Boston.”

When I arrived in Boston, it was wet. Soggy. The one winter coat I had was barely enough for New England weather, much less an Arctic sea voyage. The train ride was pleasant though, and it gave me a chance to brush up on the related research for the region. There had, in fact, been findings in Norway, in the Kristianstad Basin to be exact, but this was much farther north in the arctic archipelagos off the mainland.

I napped on the train, and I often dreamed when I napped. I’d attended church just the weekend before at my mothers’ insistence. Have you ever gone to church as a paleontological journalist? Depending on who you talk to, it can be awkward—after all, the typical conversation, starting with “so what do you do?” is:

“I watch and record research done on dinosaurs—fossilized ones… of course.”

You might get a skewed glance, with the options of replies ranging from: “that must be quite interesting,” to “I doubt that; if they exist, those bones were placed there by demons,” to “so you believe in evolution, then?”

I usually get around the problem by saying: “I just do the writing; I don’t do the digging.”

Some irony then that the pastor was doing a series on the Old Testament. Last week’s book: Job—today’s: Ezekiel. I’d forgotten that the Leviathan was a perfect paleontological candidate… but now it was all prophecy and mythic imagery. Angels with multiple faces and thrones made of spinning wheels of eyes. I appreciated the change from typical Pauline doctrine which, week after week, grew rather mechanical and dry.

But the pastor’s sermons stuck with me on the train ride. As I napped, I dreamed of ichthyosaurs, the Jurassic equivalent of a sawtoothed dolphin, or of giant eels with too many sets of eyes, or of oversized trilobites, crawling on the sea floor like oceanic centipedes. That last one woke me up with a jolt, and I welcomed the sight of predictably sagging powerlines and their poles, repetitively passing by.

I did my shopping in Boston, got a proper Arctic outfit, and found myself on the docks. The crew seemed straightforward enough: a team of paleontologists from the University of Massachusettes, including one who was an exchange student from Sweden; a linguist who specialized in old Nordic studies, a token geologist, and—to my surprise—a Jungian therapist.

“What brought you onto the team?” I asked him, a Welshman named Tomos.

“On a long sea journey like this, team members may get stressed,” he said, the lilt of his accent enchanting me, I’ll admit. “When the University told me about the destination, I said they should include me, as I can help maintain their morale and… address any problems—should they arise.”

His manner seemed posh—if that’s the term the Brits use for it. He was a balding man who confessed that he enjoyed the occasional cigar. He seemed to me the spitting image Jung himself had Jung grown a full beard rather than a mustache.

I in turn confessed that I knew little psychology, but understood that it had something to do with interpreting dreams. He gave a nod and an “uh-huh,” maybe a try at hiding boredom. I mentioned the dreams I’d had on the train up, including the ichthyosaurs and the giant eel.

“Maybe that last one had something to do with that preacher’s sermon on the book of Job the week before, eh?” I said, trying to keep the conversation engaged. “Leviathans—and all that.”

He gave a slightly piqued grin, as if letting me in on an open secret:

“Job’s Leviathan is certainly an entertaining character. There’s much to be said of mythical serpents. In fact—perhaps it’s appropriate given our destination in Svalbard, but the old Norse aren’t excluded in their cultural transmission of the serpent archetype.”

“Oh?” I said. I knew next to nothing of Nordic mythology, save for the basics of Thor, maybe, and magic hammers.

“Not at all,” he droned on. “The ancient Norse have their own Leviathan, the Midgard serpent called Jörmungandr, who encircles the whole earth. He’s very much in the vein of the Ouroboros archetype, the snake that bites its own tale. The hero of Nordic armageddon, Thor, eventually defeats him, but not without a fatal blow to his own self.”

I wondered if this was how the parishioners felt when I talked paleontology. I conversed with Tomos and learned a great deal about the history and myths of the region before we boarded our ship, which would take us to Newfoundland. From there, we’d cross the Atlantic, and eventually board an icebreaker for the Arctic.

That night I still had dreams, even though I slept deeply, of many-faced serpents, and many-eyed creatures. Not like the Mongolian and Chinese dragons I was used to. These ones seemed alien to me, borne out of dark seas rather than vast deserts, and they spoke wise, obscure things but in a different language. I was rocked to sleep in my cot, and I wondered if I should record these fossils come to life in my dreams. At least, maybe, Tomos could make sense of them. Maybe he was right; maybe it was a good idea to have a therapist on this expedition. If something bothered me, he would at least take me seriously.

–

Art Source: Gaëlle Seguillon - “Dragonblight”

#daily #writing #prompt #scifi #eldritch #nordic #horror #dragon #leviathan #lovecraft

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mythologyfolklore · 3 years

Text

Baldr in Hel - Ch. 01

(A/N: This is another fanfic I’m rewriting. So prepare to be confronted with some crack ships (yes, I mean BaldrxHel). Also, they’re both ace and Baldr has a crap ton of issues. If you don’t like that, you’re perfectly welcome to leave.)

Hel's POV

Hel was sitting on her throne, just being her usual self and ruling the underworld.

Before her throne was a queue of dead souls, waiting to be assigned to their respective afterlife.

First in line was a middle-aged woman.

Hel's black eyes bored themselves into the soul in front of her.

Hmm … extreme vanity, violent outbursts of anger, abuse of servants and slaves, adultery. Died of dysentery. Gross.

“Náströnd¹. Give her to Níðhöggr² as a chew toy.”

Two servants dragged the screaming, flailing soul away.

Hel grimaced in scorn at the cries for mercy – mercy! For that scum! Who would praise her incorruptible and fair judgement, if she let evildoers get away with their crimes, just because they begged for mercy?

“Next”, she ordered.

A man stepped forward.

Pathological liar, murderer, perjurer. Fell from his horse and broke his neck. That's hilarious.

“Same as the last.”

Same reaction as the woman before him.

“Next.”

An old man.

Womaniser, but not married. Guilty of avarice. Died of old age.

“Niflheimr. He shall shovel the pathways.”

The old man let the servants take him away, muttering something that sounded like “was nice, while it lasted”.

“Next.”

A little girl.

Guiltless. Died of hypothermia. Poor little thing.

Hel's expression softened and the dead side of her face turned lively and fair, both to accommodate the innocent soul in front of her and because her face changed condition according to mood. Cute things made her happy and children were darn cute. Most of them anyway.

“Oh my Norns, you're so adorable!”, Hel cooed and the child smiled shyly. “To Helheimr with you. There are lots of children for you to play with.”

“Will I be punished?”, the girl asked frightfully.

Hel smiled gently: “Of course not. For what would I punish you? You have done nothing wrong.”

“Can Mama come too?”, the child asked and stepped to the side to reveal the woman behind her.

Hel read the woman's soul and found her to be blameless as well.

The queen smiled: “She can.”

Mother and child cried with joy and she picked her daughter up, as another servant led them away to a more pleasant life than their old one had been.

The underworld wasn't as unpleasant as everyone thought it was. The living spoke of horrible torments, but why would Hel let the innocents be tortured?

She took a moment to smile after the two, before turned back to- oh. Apparently those were all the souls for the day.

Hel just shrugged and resumed her usual blank expression. She would enjoy a few minutes of quiet, before leaving to do her paperwork.

Or not.

Because right that moment her manservant Ganglati³ entered the throne room, unusually light-footed.

After the old man had caught his breath, he addressed Hel: “Your Majesty, Queen of the Underworld, Ruler of Helheimr and Niflheimr, Lokidóttir-”

“What do you want, Ganglati?”, Hel groaned in annoyance. She really wished they would just call her by her name instead of rattling down all those titles.

“A very special guest has arrived!”, the old servant announced excitedly.

The queen was not impressed. “A 'very special guest', huh? Well, who is the unlucky soul?”

“It's Baldr Óðinnson!”

Hel's black eyes widened. Then she smirked wickedly.

Baldr. Óðinn's most beloved son. The fairest of the Æsir.

She had already been waiting for him; her tables were laid, the mead brewed.

“Hm, he took his time, didn't he?”

Baldr's POV

Where was he?

What had happened?

The last thing he had felt was this pain in his chest, where the mistletoe dart had pierced him.

Strangely enough it hadn't hurt as much as he had suspected.

No, what had hurt him more was what he had seen last – how Loki had tricked Höðr – his blind, darker, yet beloved twin – into shooting him. Oh poor Höðr, he had to be so heartbroken! Knowing that he had killed his brother …

Ah. Yes.

That was it.

He was dead.

And this had to be the entrance to the underworld.

Finally! No more pressure, no more getting stuff thrown my way … oh Norns, why am I like this?!

Now he just had to find the gate. A bit of a challenge in this fog.

Before he knew it, there was an obsidian bridge with a golden roof. Where had that come from?

More so, there was something inviting and mesmerising about this bridge. It called to him.

Come, it seemed to whisper to him. Cross me. Go to the afterlife. Enter the place, where you will be beyond all pain.

He chose to follow the call.

As he was in the middle of the bridge, he encountered a Jötunn, who was sitting on a watch tower. When she saw him, she jumped off her seat and greeted him briskly: “Welcome, Baldr Óðinnson. I am Móðguðr⁴, the gatekeeper of the underworld. Her Majesty, our venerated queen, is already awaiting you.”

She was? Huh.

This was exactly what Loki had told him, a night before he had murdered him.

Baldr smiled: “Well, I better hurry, then. It would be rude to keep the queen waiting, wouldn't it?”

“That it would”, the Jötunn agreed, unsmiling.

Suddenly a new voice made them both jump.

“Baldr? Where are you? Wait for me! Don't leave me here! I can't see anything in this fog!”

His blue eyes widened.

Nanna?! Oh no! When had she – okay, scratch that, he had to get away!

He stood on his tiptoes to whisper to the giantess: “I beg you, Madam, give me directions, quick!”

Her colourless eyes twinkled in amusement, though she still didn't smile.

“When you arrive at the other end of the bridge, go to the left, until you arrive at an iron gate. From there, just follow the black path, but be careful not to slip. Inside the castle are signs and layout plans, so you should find your way to the audience hall easily”, she whispered back.

He thanked her and made haste to follow her directions.

Hel's POV

Hel picked up her scythe and made her way to the audience hall to receive her new special subject.

The bells tied to her scythe jingled as she walked.

A long time ago, her father had given them to her, to remember her daddy by. Lucky charms he had called them. She still cherished them dearly, that was why she had tied them to her scythe in the first place: so she could take them with her, wherever she went. They were a reminder of happier times, times before the Æsir had come, had torn her and her brothers away from their mother, had bound Fenrir and thrown Jörmungandr into the sea that surrounded Midgardr and banished her to Niflheimr.

That and they were a nice change from the constant howling of the wind and wolves and the faint whispers of the dead. Their jingling was comforting (and alerted dead souls, that she was near).

She entered the audience hall to receive this indeed “very special guest”, sat on her high throne, placed the scythe on her lap and waited for the dead Ása to arrive.

Baldr's POV

Baldr had almost got lost in the many crooked corridors, but he had somehow managed to find the way in the end.

Eventually he found himself in a huge hall, presumably the throne room.

It was rather dark in here. The only light sources were tiny, pale blue lights, that floated through the hall like fireflies. Every time they neared the walls, their dim light would make fluorescing minerals glow.

A thick ground mist was covering the ground up to Baldr's knees, but everything above that level was perfectly visible.

As he looked around, he saw that he was standing in front of a golden throne. It was currently vacant, but he could tell, that normally the Mistress of the Dead herself sat on it.

What didn't escape Baldr, was how the tiny lights gradually orbited closer to him. Maybe they were attracted to his own glow, like moths to a flame.

This place had a foreign kind of beauty to it. It was nothing like the descriptions of Helheimr he had heard in life (well, except for the darkness and mist).

As he was standing there, taking in the ambience and letting the tiny light balls circle around him, he heard slow steps approaching the room, until from a side entrance an old lady emerged and came up to him.

“Baldr Óðinnson?”, she inquired.

“That's me”, he confirmed.

“Good”, the woman said. “Welcome to Éljúðnir⁵, the high castle and seat of Her Majesty, the queen. I am Ganglöt⁶. My mistress is expecting you in the audience hall. Follow me.”

He obeyed and followed the old maid.

All the while, he tried to figure out what she was. She wasn't an Asýnja, nor was she a Jötunn. She was clearly not a Light Alf or a Vana and, if the appearance of Iðunn was anything to go by, not a Dark Alf either. She didn't even look like any of the Midgardians he had ever encountered. Maybe an Elemental? But then the question would be what she embodied.

His train of thought was put to an end, when he and the old maidservant arrived in front of a giant fluorescing green door.

And suddenly it came back to his mind, that he was about to meet Hel Lokisdóttir – the daughter of his murderer.

Baldr took a deep breath to compose himself.

Ganglöt seemed to notice. “Are you nervous, young man?”

He nodded awkwardly.

She lifted her head to give him a small smile. “If you're remotely as virtuous as people say, you have nothing to fear”, she assured him.

Then she tapped the threshold with her walking cane and Baldr screamed in terror, when the ground between the two and the door opened up to reveal a pitfall.

“What is this?!?”, he gasped out, as he recoiled from the pit.

“Eh, just one of the little tricks her Majesty has installed”, the old lady explained.

“Little tricks???”

“Aye. And now we need to walk over the chasm.”

The bright god gawked at her. “Excuse you?! That chasm is too wide for-”

But the maid only giggled softly: “Don't wreck your pretty head, young one. Watch.”

Then she stepped forward – into the empty.

And Ganglöt walked. Over the void of the pit. As if it was solid ground.

His eyes grew even bigger. “What … how …?”

“Come”, the old woman smiled and stretched out her hand to him. “There is nothing to be afraid of. I will hold your hand.”

Baldr gulped and took the offered hand.

Ganglöt's hand was as could be expected of an old woman's hand, but at the same time it felt really strange; as if someone had warmed up a piece of wood, softened it and given it a pulse.

“Come”, she repeated. “The queen doesn't like waiting that much.”

“Right”, he mumbled and took a few deep breaths.

Pull yourself together, Baldr scolded himself. Stop being such a wuss!

He closed his eyes and stepped into the void.

But when it didn't feel like he was falling, he opened them again – only to find, that he (just like Ganglöt) was standing in the air, right above the chasm.

“Huh”, he said. “Okaayyy …”

He let the old woman bring him to the other side (to top it off, she proceeded to hum “Walking In The Air” as she did so) and sighed in relief, when he stood on actual solid ground again and the chasm closed behind them.

“What was that?!”, he desired to know.

The maid shrugged: “Ask Her Majesty. Now compose yourself and straighten your posture, young man. You don't want to face queen Hel with that expression, do you?”

Hel's POV

When the door finally opened and her handmaid Ganglöt brought the dead Ása in, Hel was startled.

What everyone had told her, it really was true.

There were no words to describe just how beautiful the person in front of her was.

His face was boyish, almost feminine, and very pale. His hair was almost white and hung from his shoulders in two thick braids, in addition to the open hair in the back. He had the cutest little nose and big, sky blue eyes with long lashes. Despite him being dead, there was a faint blush on his cheeks (she wanted to pinch them), his lips were rosy and he was shining!

His eyes held a whole range of emotions: nervousness, anxiety and an undefinable sadness, but also warmth, softness and curiosity.

But this wasn't the time to get distracted.

Hel mustered a small smile and stood up to greet him.

“You must be Baldr Óðinnson”, she addressed him. “Welcome to my humble abode. I have already been waiting for you.”

Baldr's POV

So this was Hel?

For a few seconds he was speechless.

The queen of the eponymous world and of Niflheimr was certainly a sight to behold.

A bizarre sight; she was the strangest thing Baldr had ever seen.

It started with her hair. It was platinum blond on her right side, pitch black on the left.

She was wan, probably from the lack of sunlight. And parts of her face were black and withered, like a rotting corpse.

He was struck by pity. Was it painful for her to be half dead? And if not, how much did it bother her? And did this really make her ugly, like everyone said?

Strange, yes.

Ugly? Hmm … no, not really. Not in Baldr's opinion.

The way she united life and death in her person gave her a strange kind of beauty.

And when he approached her, his glow illuminated her enough for him to see more.

She was thin and a head taller than himself.

Her right cheek was as rosy as any maiden's.

Her night blue dress spoke of her wealth and power⁷ and she was wearing a moonstone necklace.

Her profound black eyes, which at first had looked startled (probably by his appearance, Baldr was used to it), were now looking at him with mild interest and curiosity, which for some reason was really cute and endearing to him.

I must have a weird taste in what I find cute, he thought.

Hold on – where were his manners?! He had just walked up to her without bowing or even saying hello and now was staring at the queen of the underworld, like a total idiot!

Time to fix that!

Hel's POV

Hel could tell, that the other was just as startled by her looks as she was by his. Of course everyone was, she was used to it, but he didn't seem to be as disgusted as most other people were.

In fact, he seemed fascinated.

How curious.

Then he blinked and seemed to remember, that he was standing in front of his new sovereign.

He blushed bright scarlet and hastily knelt before her.

“Y-yes, I am indeed Baldr”, he responded to her own greeting. “And you are, without a doubt, Queen Hel. It's such a pleasure to finally meet you!”

Now it was her turn to blink. “A pleasure to finally meet me”, she echoed blankly.

He smiled up at her and nodded – primordial cow, he actually meant that!

“Your father has told me so much about you”, Baldr continued. “Oh, speaking of him!”

He rummaged through the leather bags he was wearing around his belt, until he found something – a small stone plate.

“Your father snuck this note into my bag. I do believe it's for you?”

Hel took the stone plate and read the content:

“To my beautiful little girl,

the best birthday present ever to the best daughter ever. A ray of light for your realm of darkness. Happy birthday, Hel!

Love you lots, sweetie. Your dad.

PS: Sigyn says hi.”

She sighed in exasperation and shook her head. That was so typical for her father …

Then again, who was she to complain?

Not only was this beautiful creature in her hands now, his death surely caused his father and all the Æsir great grief. The soul of Óðinn's beloved son was the best birthday present indeed.

Now, what to do?

Should she take her grudge on the Allfather out on his son?

No.

Her resentment towards Óðinn would not cloud her judgement.

“Look me in the eyes”, she ordered and he did so.

He squirmed a little under her gaze, as her eyes bored into his soul and read him.

Hmm … no bad deeds, no condemning character traits. What a pure and adorable cinnamon roll! But what is that … oh! Oh no! What a mess!

Baldr's POV

Baldr was getting increasingly unsettled by the blank expression on Hel's face.

He was pretty sure, that he had never seen such a blank face in his life. Her big black eyes were like two voids. It reminded him a little of the owls he had sometimes seen, when he had walked in the forests in Asgard. Oh yes, that was the word: owlish. Her stare was owlish.

“Are you alright?”, he asked worriedly.

Hel tilted her head. Her face was still blank, but at least she now seemed to snap out of her trance.

Then, finally she opened her mouth to speak again.

“Nope.”

“S-sorry?”

“The son of the jerk, who banished me down here, can't be this cute. It just doesn't make any sense”, she … uh, clarified?

“I-I'm sorry!”, Baldr stammered and blushed a deep red.

He didn't know how to deal with this.

Baldr was an Ása, he was used to being around people, who were brutally frank and outspoken.

But Hel seemed to be a different kind of blunt.

Though he had been called cute before, it had never been like this. Hel had said that sentence with a completely straight face, without the faintest blush and in the most no-nonsense tone ever – as if it was a matter of fact. And that startled him somehow.

What startled him even more, was when a third person stumbled into the room.

Baldr almost cringed at how dishevelled Nanna was looking (and at the fact, that she was now here and there was a high chance that she would make him and/or Hel insanely uncomfortable).

“Oh, finally, I found the right room!”, she gasped. “The gatekeeper gave me wrong directions – hi, Baldr – so orientating myself was a nightmare, then I almost fell into a pit and this old lady showed up and brought me here!”

She pointed at Ganglöt, who was lingering in the background.

The light god paid close attention to Hel's reaction. Her expression didn't change at all, but Baldr could have sworn, that the left side of her face just had become slightly more decayed.

Still her overall demeanour stayed the same.

“Seems like Móðguðr played a trick on you. You have to forgive her. My gatekeeper has the tendency to give wrong directions to people she doesn't like”, she told Nanna.

“Eh, whatever”, the other goddess muttered, “I'm here now. Sooo … uhhh …”

Whatever she had been about to say died, when she got a good look at Hel. Baldr could feel the horror and disgust radiating from his former wife.

Obviously Hel noticed it too, because she brushed her black hair forward to conceal the left side of her face. Somehow that really bothered Baldr; the queen shouldn't have to cover half of her face, just because others couldn't stand it.

Nanna on the other hand seemed to have it easier now. “You're queen Hel, right?”

“No, I'm just your average Jötunn woman with a half decayed body, who has power over the dead and the entirety of Niflheimr and can read dead souls like open books”, Hel deadpanned.

For some reason Baldr couldn't help but burst into giggles. He quickly pulled himself together, but the fact that he had laughed at the queen's comment at all seemed to be enough to tick Nanna off.

“Good to see that you're having fun!”, she hissed.

Her husband coughed and mumbled an awkward apology.

“Now, now”, Hel spoke up. “Let's not get into an argument. Welcome to my realm, Nanna Nepsdóttir. Aren't you going to at least say hello to your new sovereign? Because now that you're dead, you're my subject – whether you like it or not.”

“Oh … right. Sorry”, the dead goddess mumbled, bowed and gave a polite, but cool greeting.

“Better”, the queen nodded. “Now, let me see …”

Hel's POV

Hel couldn't claim to be surprised by what she saw, when she read Nanna's soul.

This time she said it out loud, if only to expose her.

“Ah. Cynical, self-esteem issues, guilty of adultery with … Hermodr? Isn't that Baldr's bro-”

“Oh no, what a shock, I couldn't possibly have seen this coming!”, Baldr deadpanned.

Nanna stared at her former husband in horror. “You knew? All this time you-?!”

“Nanna, I'm neither naïve nor stupid. Yes, I knew.”

“Then why did you never say anything?!”

“Because I-”

Hel cleared her throat: “You two, this isn't couple therapy and I'm not a marriage counsellor.”

The two blinked and apologised sheepishly.

“It's forgiven”, she accepted it. “But please settle your marital issues between yourselves. I may be Loki's daughter, but that doesn't mean, that I have his sense of humour. I do not revel in the misery of others. It would be unbecoming of a queen like myself.”

The dead couple nodded.

“Anyway, Nanna, I think you know, that adultery is a crime, no matter what.”

“Yes, I do”, the dead Asýnja sighed. “So, what will it be? A snake pit? Being chewed on by a dragon, or whatever punishment people like me get around here?”

“That is indeed the standard punishment for adulterers”, Hel confirmed.

“NO!”, Baldr screamed and fell on his knees. “Please, don't do this to her!”, he pleaded. “I beg you! My wife doesn't deserve such a harsh punishment! She only-”

“Let me finish”, Hel cut him off and turned back to Nanna. “What I was going to say, before Baldr interrupted me, was that this is the standard punishment for adulterers, who actually deserve it. My judgement is fair and just. As I said before, dead souls are open books to me. I know what kind of life you two led, what tragedy your marriage really was and why you did what you did. And that, Nepsdóttir, is your saving grace.”

“So, what will it be instead?”, Nanna asked nervously.

Hel considered for a moment, before answering. “I think shovelling the snow off the paths outside would be appropriate. A bit of manual labour and cool, fresh air never hurt anyone.”

“I accept my punishment.”

“Good. Servants, take her into my garden and give her a snow shovel. The pathways out there really need to be cleared.”

Her ghostly servants were about to lead the goddess away, when Hel remembered something:

“Oh, one more thing, Nanna.”

“Yes?”

“Now that you two are dead, Baldr is your husband no more. Wedding vows do not transcend death, contrary to the assumption of the living, that they do.”

The daughter of Loki wasn't surprised to see relief run over the other woman's face, before she nodded in acknowledgement. Then she was led away.

Baldr's POV

“They won't hurt her, right?”, the Bright One asked the Mistress of the Dead in concern.

“Unless she does something to warrant it, no”, she replied, to his relief.

Then she told him to follow her and he did so.

She guided him through dark halls, illuminated only by his glow. No word was spoken, until Hel stopped in front of a door, opened it and motioned for Baldr to go inside.

As the dead god glanced around the room, he was stunned by the the splendour, visible even in the dim light. It was elaborately furnished, with jewels embedded in walls and furniture.

Seemed like Hel acted on the maxim “If you've got it, flaunt it”.

“Wow”, he breathed. His house in Asgard, Breiðablik⁸, hadn't quite been as luxurious (even though compared to the other houses in Asgard it was the most splendid), mostly because showing off wasn't Baldr's thing.

“I'm glad you like it”, Hel stated. “This is actually one of my own spare bedrooms, but there have been complications, while preparing your rooms, so for now you will be staying here. Your things will be brought to you shortly. In the meantime, you can make yourself comfortable.”

Baldr blushed in embarrassment. “I … I don't think I'm deserving of such honours.”

Hel lifted an eyebrow. “What, are you questioning my sound judgement?”

The blush was immediately replaced by pallor. “No! Of course not!”

“That's what I thought”, she said and he could have sworn, that there was a hint of amusement in her otherwise still completely toneless voice. It didn't show on her face either, but Baldr was pretty sure, that she was enjoying herself at his cost.

With a sigh, he sat on the bed. It was a king-sized bed and it seemed really comfortable.

Suddenly exhaustion set in with a vengeance and he felt really tired. Why was he tired? He always had assumed, that dead people didn't need to sleep – after all, wasn't death already an everlasting sleep? Oh well, another afterlife lesson learned.

Hel seemed to sense his fatigue, for she said: “You must be exhausted. After all, you travelled all the way down Yggdrasil. That's not exactly a stroll in the park. So lie down and sleep a little. A servant will come and wake you up, when dinner is ready.”

He stood up once more and bowed. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

“No need for formalities. Just Hel will do”, she replied. “I'm more than just the queen of Niflheimr. I founded a whole kingdom and named it after myself. I think that expresses my power more than my queenly title does.”

Baldr couldn't have argued with that, even if he had wanted to.

Hel left the room and closed the door, leaving the dead god alone.

The Bright One sat back down and contemplated his new situation.

Hmm … Hel doesn't seem so bad. Neither the place, nor the person. The Mistress of the Dead seems to be a fair ruler. And of course, no one throwing stuff at me is always nice … I think I'm going to like it here.

He lay down and found the bed just as warm and comfy as his old one in Asgardr.

Baldr fell asleep within seconds.

---

1) Náströnd: "Corpse Shore", the place of Helheimr, where oath-breakers, adulterers and murderers are punished. 2) Níðhöggr: "Malice Striker/Hateful Striker", a serpentine dragon living and gnawing at the roots of Yggdrasil (the cosmic World Tree), who also chews on the corpses of the inhabitants of Náströnd. 3) Ganglati: "Lazy-Step", Hel's personal manservant. 4) Móðguðr: "Ferocious Battler", the guardian of Gjallarbrú, the bridge across the underworld river Gjöll. 5) Éljúðnir: depending on the translation either "Misery", or "Sprayed With Blizzards/Damp With Sleet" (personally I tend more towards "misery"), Hel's castle. It's described as being enormous, having really high walls and large gates. 6) Ganglöt: "Slow-Step", Hel's handmaid. 7) Dark dyes for clothing were quite expensive, especially black-blue dyes (raven black). Most Norse societies only had access to them via trade (with the Byzantine Empire, for example). So really dark or colourful clothing was a status symbol, since it was only available to the wealthy. 8) Breiðablik: "Broad Gleam". According to Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, it was the fairest hall in Asgard.

#norse mythology #hel #baldr #nanna #ganglot #ganglati #modgudr

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