Consequences

14

As Thor spoke to the multitudes in the square, Odin met Bel and Angrboda and sighed in relief that they were familiar faces, "King Bel, what brings you here unannounced?"

Bel approached and handed the letter to Odin, "There was no time for an announcement or to arrange travel the usual ways. We had to move quickly and Angrboda knows the secret passages in our realm far better than I."

"So he suspects darker forces...Brynja has relayed she overheard Sigyn speaking of Thanos. Both were a part of what he did in Midgard. I fear he is in far too deep for us to easily break him free. Come, we will go to the palace. Brynja and Thor can fill you in on what is happening. It is not a story best told while walking."

Angrboda asked, "Could you use my skills as a Jotun witch?"

"I believe Freyja will be grateful for the offer. She is working with Frigga and Sunny to try to identify and break the spells on Sigyn's chambers. It is proving difficult."

When they arrived at the palace, they were immediately escorted to the throne room where Brynja sat, her face red from crying, her son watching Katja with fascination from a safe distance as she twirled her sword in complicated patterns around her body. Thor was once again pacing. Frigga and Freyja were nowhere to be seen, but Sunny was reading a very large leather-bound book while attempting to also keep an eye on Amundr.

Thor spoke when he saw them enter, "Welcome to Asgard, friends from Jotunheim. What brings you to our home during such distressing times?" Bel handed him the letter and he read it quickly, "Ah...I see. This is true. Loki announced his blood, showed his Jotun face, and threatened to take the throne of Jotunheim by force. I attempted to reassure the assembled crowd, but I do not know how well it worked. Loki is, indeed, bewitched."

Angrboda took the letter from Thor and knelt in front of Brynja while the kings spoke, "Loki wanted to make sure you saw this."

Brynja wiped the tears from her eyes, but they were replaced with more, "I'm sorry, I don't think I can stop crying long enough to read it."

"He begs Bel to talk to you, to come to an understanding of what is happening and that there are darker forces involved, not just a woman he abandoned centuries ago." Brynja took a few deep breaths, as though she were trying to calm herself enough to explain, and Angrboda continued, speaking softly, "He also says he is so sorry for what you saw in the garden." Brynja lost control and sobbed. Angrboda wished she could hold the distraught woman, but knew that her touch would only cause pain.

Sunny set her book down and sat down beside her mother on the bench, putting her arms around her and letting her rest her head against her shoulder as she cried, "Thank you, Angrboda, for bringing the letter."

"You are welcome. Do you know where I could find Frigga and Freyja? My magic is strong, perhaps I could assist."

"We'll be glad for the help. As soon as Mother calms down, I will take you to them. I'm working with them as well."

Odin heard the exchange between Sunny and Angrboda and insisted that Sunny take Angrboda to the Witching Rooms sooner, rather than later. He sat down next to his daughter and gathered her in his arms, careful to keep watch on Amundr, still fascinated by Katja's sword-play.

The kings discussed strategy. What to do if Loki tried to enter Jotunheim, where to place guards so the passages to other realms were secure, and how to try to apprehend Sigyn if the spells on her chambers could be broken. They brought Odin into their discussions as they tried to find any way to rescue Loki. Their negotiations went well into the night, as did the Witchery going on under Freyja's hall. Brynja returned to her chamber with Amundr and Katja, who had appointed herself her mother's bodyguard until other orders were received. Amundr loved the idea of having his big sister stay the night.

Loki, meanwhile, prayed for dreamless sleep, hoping to escape the nightmare he found himself in. At least physical torture was something that was consistent- he always knew it was going to hurt and was only going to hurt him. He knew this was hurting others, his wife, the girls, Thor...everyone he cared about except possibly Amundr, who would only really understand that his father was gone, not exactly what his father was doing. He thanked the universe for that small blessing, that his son would not understand why he was missing.