The Hidden Goddess

By The Blessing of The Allfather

You watch helplessly as Freyr storms out of the room in a fit of anger, and you faintly hear him bark orders at the guards stationed outside your room. The young maid carefully places a hand on your arm and guides you into the bathroom. She helps you into the steaming bath and washes your hair, and scrubs your body. She doesn't talk to you; she just carries on with her job, concentrating as she gets you washed and dry. Once you are out of the tub, she wraps a soft towel around you and exits the room, re-entering minutes later with a team of maids carrying a heavy-looking dress. None of them talk to you as they pull your hair into a braid and roughly shove you into the heavy, albeit stunning wedding dress.

"Tell the guard she is ready." One of the maid's commands. "Freyr wants no time wasted."
Two younger maids assist you into a pair of heels.
"You look lovely, my lady." One of the young maids' comments.
"Thank you." You smile tightly.
Four golden clad guards enter the room and shoo the maids out of the room. Two guards remove the handcuffs that stop your powers and swap them for two silver bracelets. The skin underneath the handcuffs is a burning red, and the new bracelets make you feel weak and unsteady. The guards position themselves around you.
"Prince Freyr is waiting for you. The ceremony will be starting momentarily."
The four guards surrounding you start to walk forward, forcing you to do the same. This is it.

Being brave means being afraid, or at least it does for you. The two go hand in hand. First is the fear, then the determination not to be ruled by it. You will always choose to face fear, to conquer it, for how else are we to make true progress in life? You will not be moulded by those who want you conveniently placated; you will not shy from the battlefields they create. Though your heart often beats fast and your fingers tingle from an excess of adrenaline, you are a warrior at heart. Faced with adversity, you have an ability for calm and rational thought – to you, that is a blessing.

As the guards march you through the golden palace, everything seems to move in slow motion. It's like you are walking to your death. The halls are void of people, but there is a great noise from the end of the corridor. It sounds like there are thousands of people behind the double doors, and there probably is; the whole of Vanaheim will be watching. Watching as you vow away your freedom, as you chain yourself to a man you despise.

Two guards open the heavy gold doors, and the noise erupts like a tidal wave. Thousands of people are stood on either side of the aisle. Their outfits becoming more extravagant and elegant the closer to the altar they stand. You can see Freyr in the distance, his back is to you, but Njord, Skadi, and Freyja are starting straight at you. You gulp, clenching and unclenching your fists as you amble down the aisle. The chatter has died down as a grand quartet starts to play. Two guards remain behind you, making sure you do not attempt to escape.

You reach the end of the aisle and climb the stairs to the top of the altar, where your future husband is waiting. Freyr turns to face you. He is dressed in his finest gold armour. You gingerly step up beside him, keeping your gaze ahead and your jaw set.
"You look ravishing." He mutters in your ear.
You refuse to reply, silently urging the ceremony to start.
"Giving me the silent treatment? I was expecting a grand speech on how you will never bow down to me." He jests. "I wish you would always remain this quiet. You would make a much nicer wife if you were seen and not heard."
"I have nothing to say to you." You calmly state.
Freyr grins. "You might as well accept your fate, (Y/N). Your brothers are helpless, and your new Midgardian toy will never compare to me. You belong to me now." He snarls. "I would like to see your brothers come and save you now."
You laugh, surprising Freyr and yourself. "You really think I am waiting for them to save me?" You turn to face him. "I do not need my brothers nor Scott to come and save me. I can save myself. Do you not remember what happened on Midgard? Or do you need a reminder?"
Freyr's face falls in anger, and he roughly grips your wrist.
"It might be wise if you shut your mouth. Do not make life worse for yourself."
You glare down at the hand coiled around your wrist and yank it from his grasp.
"Do not touch me."

The two of you are interrupted by Njord standing in front of you, ready to begin the ceremony. Normally Odin would bless this marriage, but due to the circumstance, he has allowed Njord to do it instead.
"We are gathered here today to join two kingdoms that have fought for centuries. My son, my firstborn, Prince Freyr, will be marrying the Allfather's youngest, Princess (Y/N). The union of our children shall bring together Asgard and Vanaheim. Although this will not be a traditional royal wedding, the Allfather has given me his permission to marry Freyr and (Y/N)."
Njord is holding a golden ceremonial longsword. Freyr turns to face you and roughly grabs your hands. Njord then rests the sword across your joined hands.
"Prince Freyr of Vanaheim, son of Njord, do you take Princess (Y/N) to be your wedded wife?"
Freyr's hands grip yours painfully tight.
"By the blessing of the Allfather, I do."
"Princess (Y/N) of Asgard, daughter of Odin, do you take Prince Freyr to be your wedded husband?"
The whole room seems to take a deep breath as they await your answer. You know what you have to say, but as you stare into Freyr's cold eyes, all words escape you. Your throat is drier than Freyr's humour, and you gulp.
"By the blessing of the Allfather, I-"