Loki's Daughter, Mortem and Mischief

Chapter Forty

"I'm going hunting," Hela stated as her bow shuddered on the table. She grabbed pastries and stuffed them deep into her pockets, clearly she wasn't wasting any time. Hela's face was sunken and pale, her eyes encircled by dark bags. From the looks of it, she was turning into quite the insomniac.

"Is there coffee? Do Asgardians drink coffee?" she asked hurriedly as she scanned the dining table. Hela was dressed in trousers, it was the first time I had seen her out of a dress in weeks and yet it wasn't strange at all. The trousers paired with a loose white shirt and knife filled baldric were much more akin to the Hela I knew.

"No coffee. That'll just make you jittery," Sigyn said as she passed Hela a tea cup instead. Hela downed the tea in one go before grabbing a green apple. My wife glanced at me, her lips were just barely curved into a smile as if she saw the good in all of this too. To be honest, neither of us had seen Hela eat since her coronation.

"What are you hunting for today?" I asked as I took inventory of the weapons she possessed. She had about three knives strapped to her along with a large quiverfull of arrows. I was unsure if killing poor innocent animals was really the best outlet for my daughter but I would take that over her murdering me any day.

"Not sure," she replied with a shrug, taking a large bite of her apple. "I need sinew for a bow and fat for..something else. I suppose that since we no longer have a leather worker, I should get some hides," she explained with just a twinge of poison and mischief in her voice. It made me weary.

"Why should you feel the need to do that? We have hunters who can do that all for you," Sigyn prompted. From the smile on her lips, I could tell that she desperately wanted Hela to get fresh air-to enjoy herself, but that she too was a little suspicious in this sudden change of heart.

Hela shrugged as she slung her bow over her shoulder. "Because I'm Queen and I can," she replied as if it were more than obvious. With one last adjustment to her bow, she dashed out of the dining hall without another word.

Sigyn scoffed as the doors closed behind our daughter. "Does she get her brattiness from you because it certainly is not from me," she asked, taking a long sip from her tea cup.

"I never assumed that my awful attitude in my adolescence was hereditary," I sighed, rubbing my face. I desperately wanted to run after Hela, to go on the hunt with her just to make sure that she wouldn't do anything stupid. The thought of her going out to who knows where with nearly a full arsenal of weapons made me more than anxious.

"You can't go after her," Sigyn said, looking at me from across the table. Sometimes I was truly worried that she could read my mind.

"I know," I said, looking at the big oak doors. It was taking more willpower than I cared to admit to stay in my seat,

"Besides," Sigyn said, smiling at me as she took my hand. She bat her eyelashes at me as she turned my palm over tracing over the scar in my hand. "You have a lot of explaining to do."

I furrowed my brows as I met her eyes. "I'm not sure what you mean?" I said, altogether confused as to what I was at fault for.

Sigyn sat back in her chair and raised a brow. "I've memorized my husband's scar. Yours certainly doesn't match the bill," she said as she gestured to my hand. "But what intrigues me the most is the fact that the man I married would've slapped Hela a thousand times over for the way she's been behaving. That bastard might have even killed her. Yet, you've been nothing but gentle. And furthermore, I don't think I've seen a single whore in the palace in at least a week. So...all this to say...who are you?"

I gulped and it felt as though my shirt collar had shrunk three sizes. Oh god, how was I going to explain all of this?

HELA'S POINT OF VIEW
"Send me where you sent Grimnir," I demmanded as I stepped into the Bifrost observatory. Heimdall shot me a pungent glare, raising his brow. "Please," I added timidly, trying to fight the embarrassing blush that spread across my cheeks.

Truth be told, I truly intended to go hunting. I wanted to get the new sinew just as I had said, But, as I walked to the woods I caught the most intoxicating glance of the Bifrost. Its vibrant array of rainbow colors seemed to just be begging me to use it.

At first, I fought it-ignoring that damn bridge the best I could. Just go hunting, no more trouble, I repeated to myself over and over and over again. I didn't want to make any more of a mess than I already had. Besides, I didn't want to blow Grimnir's cover. Going after him any just lure the TVA to wherever he was hiding.

But, as the cold wind met my face-kissing my cheeks with small bits of ice, I found myself practically sprinting to Heimdall. I needed to know Grimnir was okay. I worried that he might've died, gotten hurt, or had already been found by the TVA. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep or even think about anything else until that intrusive thought was put to rest.

"Grimnir gave me strict direction not to reveal his location," Heimdall explained coldly as he turned his back to me. "Please, please, just tell me if he's okay. I just...I have to know," I begged but Heimdall just shook his head.

"I believe it is in the best interest of all for you not to know the leather worker's whereabouts," Heimdall said. I held my tongue, trying my best not to blurt out a crude remark or insult. Despite all my stupidity, I knew better than that at least.

"Please?" I said, my voice no more than a squeak. Heimdall looked at me over his shoulder, his eyes were narrow as he looked me up and down. "I thought that Grimnir stabbed you, I'm surprised you care so much about his well-being. Unless...that was all a lie?" he said, his voice flat and plain.

I pursed my lips. I truly had to concentrate to withhold the comments I wished to make. "You know the truth, Heimdall. As does my father. My conscience is clean," I said.

He hummed in reply. "I can see all things, your highness," he said.

"I know, but-" I began before he swiftly interrupted me. "That vision isn't limited to what is physical. I can see quite clearly that your conscience is far from clean."

"Are you trying to make me annoyed?" I blurted out. I truly didn't remember Heimdall being so awfully annoying. I had thought he was kind, perhaps even funny. But christ, all he was now was a pain in my ass.

"Oh yes," he replied with a small smirk, "I figured it would be best to make you angry before I let you go make a wreck of Midgard. It's more entertaining for me that way."

My face fell as I stepped up on the teleportation platform. "Midgard you say?" I asked as he readied himself to harness the Bifrost's power.

He nodded. "Norway, to be precise. I hear you're quite fond of that place," he replied. I narrowed my eyes at him, about to ask if he somehow knew about New Asgard or where I came from. But before I was able to get even a squeak out, an abundance of colors began to swirl around me. Then, that all to familiar rush of teleportation began to pull at me.

Midgard, here I come.