Your Hand To Hold

Chapter Four: Bloodlines

          "So, tell me, girl, what action would you take," Odin asked, blankly watching me.

I took a breath to steady myself, remaining as tall and straight as I possibly could despite my pain as I admitted that I did not know. "Yet I would not rest upon the laurels of today believing that there is not more to do beyond finding the breach that allowed them past Heimdall. In all the years that he has been in service to Asgard I have not heard of one moment where he has failed to alert us of danger. If the Jotun were able to get past him, then there is more that we must examine."

"I see. And you, Thor Odinson; what action would you take comparatively?"

"March into Jotunheim as you once did, teach them a lesson; break their spirits so they'll dare not try to cross our borders again!"

"You're thinking only as a warrior! The girl at least is thinking with Asgard in mind, you only think of what will bring you the most glory."

"I am thinking about what will best send the kind of message that prevents an enemy from believing they can walk in here any time they like."

"By starting a war."

"This was an act of war!"

"It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail."

"Yet they got this far. As the king of Asgard, I would-"

"You are not the king. Not yet. And she is no Asgardian. You do not dictate to me whom I should respect, observe nor abide by, not even yourself."

"All-Father, you go too far!" I cried, once more turning all eyes to me. I hesitated, knowing it was too late to backtrack. "Thor is your heir, our king-to-be; should his counsel not be welcomed as much as yours will be when he is king?"

"This matter does not concern you-"

"It does too concern me! How am I to protect those I care for if I cannot trust that those I would lay my life down for will expend every option to not only find the breach that led to this attack but more that may allow for others? Asgard has many enemies, most known, yet I am sure there are others out there that we do not yet know; how can you sit there and act as if these concerns are inconsequential?"

Silence filled the hall. I could hear my heart beating in my chest along with the sounds in the hall as stewards, servants, guardsmen, and nobles alike went about their routines as if nothing was happening. Slowly, Odin rose again, lifting Gungnir, his face stern. "I would choose your next words carefully girl," he stated with an eerie calmness to him, despite the active threat of Gungnir pointed directly at me.

"Eibhlin," Frigga said softly as she looked over to me and then bowed her head as if showing me how I was to act. Even Loki reached out for my arm, urging me back. I would not be silenced though.

"You say I am not of Asgard, and so you are right; I am not, yet I have the foresight to know when I am woefully unprepared for something. Do you?"

Once more a hush fell over the room.

Loki stepped in front of me, his hands upraised. "Perhaps we should all just take a breath. Many good points were made this evening, I am sure we can come to some arrangement that does not involve the dungeons or banishment, or death..." His eyes darted between mine and Odin's as we all waited for an answer.

The silence continued, yet slowly as Frigga stepped forward and placed a hand on Odin's, he calmed. Lowering Gungnir and sighing. He looked at his wife and sons, seeing the pleading, worried expressions reflected in two and the rage-filled one of the other. I was unsure of how to feel at such a moment and simply watched quietly.