Walking With Shadows [#Wattys2015] [Being Edited]

Truth in Lies

*Quick Note: This chapter contains a couple of flashback scenes, so just know that whenever a paragraph(s) is in italics, it means that it is, in fact, a flashback scene that Tassel has found herself watching. Okay, enjoy!*

The sound of the wooden door opening alerted the family to the new arrivals. Milana looked up and immediately ceased to bounce her young child on her knee. Tassel looked upon her younger self, probably a few years older than when she had first arrived, who was leaning back against her adoptive mother's breast, holding tightly to her hands. Milana held her daughter closer as four of Kurse's guards broke down the door, clad in all black and armed with weapons.

"Excuse me!" Wilfred shouted as he rushed forward from the small kitchen.

Ignoring him, the head guard did a quick scan of the room before shouting unintelligible orders at his men. He pointed to the young child, and the remaining three men moved forward. One ripped the young Tassel from her mother's arms, while the other two restrained Milana and Wilfred.

"Leave my daughter alone!" Milana shrieked, struggling against captor.

The guard holding onto her let out a grunt and reached for the nearest vase, breaking it over her head. Tassel let out a cry of anger, but found it did nothing more than make her realize she had to watch on in silence. Milana fell limp in his arms, and he threw her over his shoulder as if she were nothing more than a sack of vegetables. Wilfred roared angrily, and the little girl began to cry, but it was only when the head guard stuffed Tassel's younger self into a tattered, burlap sack that everything went black.

Tassel panted heavily as she reached down to dip water from the clear stream into her cupped hands. She splashed her face with the water, attempting to get rid of the beads of sweat that adorned her forehead. Seven months was a long time to wait for answers to the questions that had arisen in Tassel's mind once she'd found out her true origins, but every day seemed to bring her closer to the full truth of what happened to her. Her heart ached as she realized how close she was to discovering the fates of her adoptive parents.

The sun was beginning to set, so Tassel gathered herself and walked over to Atlas, who was waiting patiently at the edge of the clearing. She took hold of the reins and climbed onto his back.

"Come on, Atlas. Let's head back." Tassel said as she urged her mount onward towards the palace.

The black stallion moved into a steady canter as he carried Tassel away from the peaceful stream.

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Dinner had just been set out in the Great Hall when Tassel arrived back. The queen was already seated at the table in her usual place. For nearly eight months, the Great Hall had been empty during the evenings, save for Tassel, the queen, and the few servants that brought in the food.

Tassel took her spot next to Frigga and felt a pang of sadness as she glanced around at the empty table. She missed Thor and Volstagg's hearty laughter, Sif's witty remarks, and Loki's mischievous grins from across the table. She even yearned to see one of Fandral's heartfelt smiles.

"Has there been any news?" Tassel asked, somewhat hesitantly.

It had been a little over four months since anything had been heard from Asgard's leader, and Tassel knew that if she was nervous, the queen must be terrified. Frigga cringed when Tassel spoke. The older woman dipped her head slightly.

"I'm afraid not. There's been no word from anyone." Frigga said.

"But it's been so long, I would've thought that-"