Loki's Daughter, Mortem and Mischief

Chapter Forty Eight

Just as the schedule called for, my paresnt stood at the enterance of the palace when Laufey and I arrived. They looked as proud as ever, polished preened to perfection. But all the while, I could see the glint of fear in my father's eyes. I wondered if he could see the fear that coursed through me too.

"You've met my father before, I'm sure. Loki, Prince of Asgard," I said as my father bowed in front of Laufey.

"It's a delight to make your presence," my father said, his voice strong and firm. I could tell that he was trying to impress Laufey, perhaps for diplomacy's sake or perhaps for his own. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Sigyn Iwaldottir," he announced as my mother fell into a deep curtsy before Laufey.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sigyn," Laufey said, his voice almost kind as he looked to my mother. She flashed that signature warm smile, the one that could melt the heart of a frost giant. "The pleasure is mine, your highness," she replied politely.

Laufey's gaze shifted to my father, looking him over. He scoffed lightly as his red eyes landed on the stripes painted onto my father's cheeks. "Still ashamed of your own skin after all these years? Or are the stripes some Asgardian trend I am ignorant to?" Laufey asked.

"I prefer to keep my Asgardian form, it's what I'm accustomed to and it's what most resembles my family," my father replied. By the way my mother took his hand, I could tell his temper was growing quite short already.

"Very well then," Laufey said with a nod. He glanced to me then back to my father. "I see more Jotun in your daughter then I do in you," he said to my father, "Yet your blood runs as cold as mine."

My father said nothing, simply grit his teeth and held my mother's hand a bit tighter. I stepped between the two and suggested, "Shall we be off to dinner then?" Laufey hummed in approval and fell in step after me as I walked into the palace.

We sat around the large dinner table, it had been adjusted ever so slightly to meet the needs of a frost giant. It now hit at our chests where it now fit perfectly at Laufey's lap. My mother looked to nearly be swallowed up by the table, so much so that she had to sit on her knees to truly be on the same level.

The first round of food was brought out-deliscious breads, cheeses, grapes, and wine. Perfect food for conversation.

"You bore Hela naturally?" Laufey asked bluntly as he looked to my mother. My father nearly choked on his wine at such a question.

"Yes, I did," she responded politely. She took a small sip form her own goblet before she questioned, "Why do you ask?"

"Hardly any humans survive the childbirth, if the pregnancy is even viable. Most become miscarriages," Laufey replied. I tried not to stare as I watched him eat. He picked up each morsel so delicately, making everything look absolutely minuscule in his large hands.

"It was difficult, but I prevailed," my mother said simply, her tone kind as ever. She was taking little to no offense to such questions, my father on the other hand was beginning to look uncomfortable.

"She's your only child, isnt she?" he asked, turning his attention towards my father who seemed to be supplementing his awkwardness with ale. My mother had grown slightly pale. I knew that to her, I wasn't her only child. In her eyes, she had two more-two sons that she had lost all those years ago. I couldn't imagine the pain it must have brought up in her.

"Yes, just me," I responded in place of my father. "Your parents must be very lucky then. You're quite a strong little thing, aren't you?" Laufey said. Little thing, I thought to myself. Here I was, the damn Queen of Asgard hosting another monarch and yet my title had been reduced no more to little thing.

"Though I hate to sound proud, I would have to agree," I replied as kindly as possible. Laufey nodded. "Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. You worked with the Titan and didn't go mad, that's more than what your father can say," he said as he took another bite. From the corner of my eye I could see my mother's hand flee from the table, meeting my father's elbow in an effort to soothe him. My father showed not an ounce of emotion, but from the state of his jaw I was sure he wasn't particularly happy.

"I was no more than six when I worked with Thanos. I was just a pawn, nothing to be proud of," I said softly. It was only the truth. There was no pride in the bloodshed I had taken part in, Laufey was just lucky he had been spared in all of it. If his blood didn't flow through me now, it was more than likely he would've been slaughtered alongside the rest of the universe.

"Do you have any suitors, Hela? I assume that as a young...eligible maiden, other civilizations must be dying for your hand. If not for love, to leech off of Asgard's overwhelming resources," Laufey said, taking a long sip from his goblet. Laufey's blood red eyes met my own and it took a considerable effort not to flinch at the sight. His looming, terrifying presence made me want to hide.

"No suitors. I don't have time to entertain further international relations or love, I'm far too busy as it is. Perhaps in the future," I said, watching as the maids brought in the next course. Their hands shook as they set down the trays of food, fresh venison and pheasant. As soon as they put down the trays, they practically ran off-terrified of Laufey.

"I forbid her from marrying any time soon. She's barely sixteen. It took me over a millennia to even consider marriage," my father interjected. Of all topics to choose from, Laufey chose the one worst suited to my father's taste. I was near certain my father practically had nightmares regarding my wedding day.

"What a shame. I might have considered an arranged marriage between you and one of my generals," Laufey said softly.

"We'll pass on that," my father said as he filled up
his goblet for the fifth time. "But I am more than grateful for your consideration," I added quickly, shooting a smile towards Laufey.

The dinner continued on just as awkwardly as it had begun. No diplomacy was carried out, no trade established, and relations between Laufey and my father certainly were not made better. I tried telling myself that at the very least, I had opened the door for opportunities to come. Afterall, it's not as if anythign truly awful happened. We were all civil, polite, and aside from the remarks regarding my father-we were kind for the most part.

As I watched that rainbow portal close after Laufey in the observatory, a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. The frost giant was gone. The night had gone...decently. Overall, it was a success. I hadn't failed.

"Not too bad," Heimdall chimed as he finished closing up the Bifrost, the swirl of rainbow turning dark once again. "Asides from the awkwardness of it all, I would say you did quite well for such an important event," Heimdall added.

"Thank you," I sighed, rubbing my face. I took a deep breath, finally it was all over. "Thank you for your assistance tonight, too. For bringing him here," I said, looking towards Heimdall. He merely hummed as if to say you're welcome.

I turned to leave, ready to melt into my bed and go to sleep. But Heimdall called after me, his voice chiming, "Hela. If you have the time, I would suggest checking in on your little...prisoner."

Instantly, I whipped back around to face Heimdall. "Why's that?" I asked cautiously. "The guards got bored tonight. Grimnir was the easiest target in the dungeons," he explained casually. My eyes widened and before I knew it I was running back to the castle as fast as my feet could carry me.

You don't care, you don't care, you don't care, I hopelessly repeated to myself over and over and over again as I ran. I didn't care that Grimnir was hurt, not one bit. I simply wanted to see the damage the guards had done, revel in his pain myself. But nevertheless, my heart was beating out of my chest with worry.