The Challenge

Five

Thor pressed a light kiss to her temple, "There's a lot at stake, for us all. Hel will help him, Heimdall will ensure it is done in an honourable manner... Loki will make sure he is successful. Namira nodded at that, "But that means I'll allow him to build his strength again and then what? What's to stop him then?"

Thor flashed her a smile, "I will. We know what Loki is like, we know for the most part it is a ruse for him to just get what he wants, but still he might learn something and grow from the experience."
He brushed her hair aside, pressing kisses along her neck, "You are safe from him, you have my word. My vow."
Namira wanted to believe that too, even though she had strong doubts. She nodded her head, baring more of her neck to the God who now drew her skin into his mouth to leave a bright angry mark that drew a soft moan from her lips.

The man was insatiable and she loved it.

A voice interrupted them just as she was going to suggest going home, "That was quite a bold action, son."
Thor eased Namira behind him as he faced his father, "Bold but necessary if Loki ever wishes to be as he once was."

The message was seemingly harmless, but the hidden message was clear; don't you? Odin stared his son down to the point Namira felt nervous about it, but the Allfather didn't comment on that. Instead he directed his gaze to Namira even though Thor tried to shield her from it with his body, "You seem awfully comfortable in your new role. It'd be wise for you to remember who is in charge here."

Odin spoke with a quiet authority now. "Namira, you must understand that I am the All-Father, the ruler of Asgard. I will not bow to you or anyone else. The fate of the realms rests upon my shoulders."

Namira met Odin's gaze and her lips parted to speak, but it was Thor who spoke first, "Father, your power has waned and your arrogance has already cost you dearly. You must humble yourself and acknowledge the consequences of your actions, so that you can be restored to your glory."

Odin's eye narrowed, a flicker of frustration crossing his worn face. "Do not mistake my resolve for arrogance, young one. I have led Asgard through countless trials and tribulations. I will not beg for her apples."

Namira's expression remained serene, unmoved, even though her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She gathered her resolve as she spoke softly, quietly. "The apples aren't a gift you can claim or demand of me, but a blessing to be earned. You seek strength, yet you refuse to confront the weaknesses within yourself. Until you acknowledge the errors of your past, the apples shall remain beyond your reach."
She felt Thor's hand on the small of her back, gently applying pressure. The touch spoke of his pride, his approval, even as a tense silence settled over the chamber, a battle of wills between them all. Odin clung to his pride, unwilling to bend in what he considered a way that was beneath him.

"I will not apologize," Odin declared, his voice carrying a trace of the spirit that had defined him through the ages when he still held his power. Thor nodded, "Very well. we will not force you to, but be aware that means you will not receive the realm's blessing or a single shred of the power you so badly want and claim to need."
Odin's eyes narrowed at Thor, "You would do remember who you are speaking to, boy"

Namira stepped in then, stepping forward, "He is speaking to someone who used to be the Allfather, all-powerful, stronger than the rest of the pantheon. Something you are not anymore and if you don't gather your senses will never be again. You would do well to remember that too."

She had barely uttered the words before lightning shot at her. Thor barely had time to push her aside as he lifted his hand to catch the lightning and shield her from the impact of Odin's wrath. The lightning soon fizzled out and Odin's gasp was audible. It was clear in that moment that Odin had truly weakened, which said a lot about how much power he had been using in his role as the Allfather to control not just Asgard and manipulate regeneration himself but to wield wisdom and time, to create victories in battles fought on Earth. Thor shouldn't have been able to stop his father, he only intended to protect Namira and prayed Odin would've stopped short of harming him severely.

Namira rose from where she had fallen, a golden glow surrounding her that spoke of her powers as she approached Odin and just for mere seconds touched his arm, giving him a taste of the power and strength she could restore, "I don't need your regret, your apologies. All I'd need is your vow not to harm me, or him, by your hands or forcing others, in any way."

She drew back then, hoping her offer would sway the Allfather to consider this.

Thor had joined her, not trusting his father and not wanting to leave her side, but Odin merely nodded, "Your offer is fair. I vow you shall not be harmed by me or others by my instruction or command, in any way, as long as I live and you provide me the power I need."

Namira's brow rose at the quickly added loopholes even as the binding ripple went through the air, but then nodded as she moved to Yggdrasil and beckoned forth one of the golden apples before she offered it to Odin, "Visit me at my tree tomorrow and you shall eat."

Odin lightly inclined his head in acceptance, his pride not nearly as wounded now as it had been at the thought of apologising. He would receive one of the apples tomorrow and replenish some of his strength. It was a start, but he'd have to return in order to keep growing his power as everyone else did. She wouldn't restore him completely in a single visit. Namira took her task seriously and keeping the balance in tact was one of the greatest.

As the Allfather left Thor gently drew here close, trailing his fingers along her arms, "Are you alright?"

Namira nodded lightly, "Thanks to you." Thor smiled then, taking her hands into his own and pressing a kiss to the back of each hand, "You have to stop binding people to you, Namira, one might get jealous."

Namira laughed softly at that, "We can't have that, now can we?"

TBC...