Loki's Daughter, Mortem and Mischief

Chapter Fifteen

The second I arrived in my bedroom, I was bombarded by handmaids aplenty. Before I could protest or even say a word, they stripped me from my night gown and began dressing me for the day. As one cinched my waist as tight as can be, another worked at raking out every single knot in my hair. Every time I tried to pull away, I was instantly brought back into the tornado of silks, ribbons, and leather. Though it felt like it lasted forever, it was no more than two minutes they had me out the door once more.

"You're going to be late, your highness," they scolded me as they shooed me out.

"You mustn't keep Grimnir waiting!"

"What would your mother say!"

"Who even is Grimnir?" I asked, hoping to God they'd give me an answer. However, they only laughed before harshly shutting the door in my face.

With every passing minute in this new reality, I felt more and more confused. Thor was dead. I was to become queen. My mother was alive. Sylvie was missing in action. Nothing was making sense.

I was struggling to decide what part of all of this was most shocking. Just hours before this, my reality was light years away from what I was now experiencing. However, as I walked down the hall and to the gardens, I pondered if this new reality was really a bad thing.

As I thought it all over, I now hand everything I could ever want. I was to be queen, not some dumb child like I was back home. My mother was alive and my father was rightfully by her side. My people were happy and healthy. The only downside was Thor's passing but truly, I never did care for my father's side of the family. Perhaps this wasn't too bad afterall.

As I came upon the palace gardens, I saw a lone boy sitting with his back facing me. He sat on a bench before a large golden fountain, seemingly just admiring its beauty. With a glance around, I realized that he was the only one there. I could only assume that this was the famed Grimnir that everyone was talking about.

"Grimnir?" I called out as I slowly walked towards him. Again, I was clueless. I had no clue as to why I was even meeting this boy. But by the way everyone acted it seemed to be a bit deal.

"Hela!" Grimnir said happily, his tone sweet and joyous. The second he turned around I could immediately understand what the big deal was.

My heart stopped within my chest and my breath caught in my throat. The whole world stopped the second I saw him. As Grimnir stood, turning to face me I felt a shock run through my body.

It was as if the entire world was going in slow motion. Looking up at him, he flashed the most dazzling smile I had ever seen. My heart fluttered as I met his cloudy grey eyes. Framed by thick black eyelashes, his eyes shimmered in the sunlight like silver. His facial features were sharp and defined as if he were carved from the finest marble. His skin was pale yet vibrant. By his cheek bones it looked as though there were faint white stripes that instantly reminded me of my father's Jotun form. His hair was dark brown, a mess heap of short curly tendrils. He was dressed plainly in a white blouse that was stained with spot and oil.  I felt as though I was beholding a body of art, catching myself dazed within his beauty.

"Are you alright?" he asked, shooting me back to reality. His expression immediately turning to concern as he had me sit on the bench.

"I'm fine," I stammered, trying to get past my shock, "I'm quite well, actually. How are you?"

"Just fine," he replied with a smile as he sat beside me, "I have a gift for you."

Grim or fished out a small book from his coat pocket and gave me a small leather bound book. The cover was stained with images of leaves and upon the left corner, my name was pressed into the leather. But most notably, I couldn't help but stare at his hands. They were large and rough, calloused at every knuckle.

"I made it myself," he said proudly as he handed me the book, "Figured every queen needs their own journal and with your coronation coming up, I-"

"It's perfect," I interrupted as I traced the cover's intricate designs, "You really made this?"

"Of course I did," he replied cheerfully, "It was my first time binding a book but I figured I've worked with leather so much I might as well give it a try."

Another piece of information was aquired: Grimnir was a leather worker. This undoubtedly explained his calloused hands and the stains on his shirt. Grimnir was clearly not some prissy noble, he had substance to him.

"I love it," I said, smiling at him, "Thank you."

As I looked into those silver eyes and he smiled proudly, I realized that I was right where I wanted to be. Everything had been simply perfect since I had woken up that morning. Nothing seemed array or disheartening. And now with Grimnir, I realized I had received more than I had ever bargained for. My family was back, as was my kingdom, and now I even had a new friend. Although I hoped he was more than that.

"Anything for you, princess," he said sweetly, "If I get to see that smile of yours, I'll bind as many books as you please. Perhaps I should make a whole library full!"

"You're too much," I laughed.

"No, I would be honored," he insisted, taking my hands in his, "The Queen's library full of my handiwork! I'll bind any book you like."

Grimnir was grinning from ear to ear, smiling as bright as he could. His smile was just infectious.

"Whatever makes you happiest," I said. My heart felt as though it had been replaced by butterflies. Every time he looked at me or even spoke, I felt starstruck.

For once, I was happy to hear a voice besides my own. I could've listened to him in that garden for hours, hearing about his day and whatever else he wished to talk about. As I listened to Grimnir, I learned more and more about him. He was the youngest of three brothers and was currently apprenticing under the lead leather worker at the palace. Grimnir explained that he hoped to have the position of lead one day but was definitely still learning. He continued to talk and talk but I didn't care in the slightest, I hung onto every single word.

He was polite of course, stopping every other sentence and insisting he was talking too much about himself. Grimnir was nearly begging for me to speak but I refused. Afterall, he seemed to already know all about me but I hadn't a clue about him. And frankly, I wanted to know as much as possible about him.

"Must I go on," he whined, "I want to hear about you. It's nearly your birthday and you're about to become queen! That's far more exciting than leatherworking."

"I can hardly wrap my head around it all to be honest," I admitted, being truthful for the first time in a while, "All of this is just so confusing. I guess I never thought this day would even come."

"I understand," he said with a nod, "It seems overwhelming. I certainly can't imagine having to become king at our age."

"I can hardly fathom becoming queen," I sighed, "And yet, within three short days, there'll be a crown upon my head. It just doesn't seem right."

"Well," Grimnir said, looking at me that bright smile and those glimmering grey eyes, "Even though it seems scary, just know I'll be here for you whenever you need me. You're going to be a good queen, Hela. I know it."

I couldn't help but smile. He made it seem as though it was all possible. Everything would work out just fine. And truly, I believed him.

Once Grimnir finally had to retreat back to work, he bade me farewell with a small and innocent kiss to the cheek. As I walked through the halls of the palace, I felt as though I was walking on clouds. And yet all the while, I felt so silly for caring so much about someone I had just met. Grimnir was great but I had no reason to be feeling the way that I did.

I figured that only my father could bring me back to reality. For as reckless as he was with his own life, my father guarded mine with upmost care. If I was being stupid, he'd be the first to let me know. Thus, I began looking for him.

I truly hadn't a clue where I was going, it seemed  as though my memory of the palace floor plan had completely abandoned me. So, I had to aimlessly search through every study and unlocked room I could find. Until I eventually came to a door that was slightly ajar. From it, I could clearly here my father's voice within despite how muffled it was. Without a second to think, I pushed open the door and instantly regretted it.