The Challenge

Fourteen

Ares paced back and forth in front of the portal, his hands clenched into fists, "I cannot go without her!"
Thor stared the God of War down, "Yet she will not go without me."
Freyr cast Namira a look that said he was tired of the battle of egos between the two men and Namira offered the lightest nod of agreement, "I will go with him, then when Zeus welcomes us, you'll join. He's right. I can't make him travel to a different realm alone, it might kill him and that will definitely get in the way of Zeus welcoming us."
Thor sighed in frustration, "You'd'be alone, there."

Ares turned to the God of Thunder at this, "She wouldn't be alone. I made her a vow and I will stand by it. She'll be safe with me."
It wasn't enough, it didn't ease Thor at all. Ares had more of his power returned, but they'd seen no one of his pantheon, not even Apollo or Athena. He had no doubt that Ares would do his best to protect Namira there, but against a pantheon? With no guarantee he could follow her. What if Zeus didn't welcome them and she would be stuck there?

Thor pulled her close and kissed her deeply, "I don't like this."
Namira nodded her agreement, "I know... Neither do I, but this is the easiest solution, isn't it?"
Reluctantly, he let her go.
His hands clutched Mjölnir tightly as he watched the two of them vanish through the gateway.
Freyr stepped up next to him, his shoulder brushing along Thor's, spreading that sensation of love and lust, easing him.
Thor cast him a look, pressing a kiss to the man's temple, "What if they keep her there?"
Freyr grinned, "I think she's shown us all she's quite resourceful, she won't be kept."

The air crackled with energy as Ares and Namira had stepped through the shimmering portal, leaving behind the frosty realm of Norse gods and goddesses. They emerged onto the sunlit mountaintop of Olympus, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the ancient Greek pantheon's celestial abode.

As they materialized, the divine presence of the Greek gods became palpable immediately. Ares stood confidently, his eyes flickering with the anticipation of a meeting that promised both tension and opportunity. Namira briefly surveyed her surroundings.

Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, sat atop his throne, a bolt of lightning clutched in one hand. His stern gaze fell upon the newcomers and a scowl formed on his mighty visage. The other gods, including Hera, Athena, Apollo, and Hermes, gathered in a semi-circle, their expressions ranging from curiosity to suspicion.

"What brings the Keeper of the Apples to Olympus?" Zeus thundered, his voice echoing across the mountaintop. Namira stepped forward, her deep brown eyes meeting Zeus's stern gaze. "I come with an offer. The world is in peril and the balance has been disrupted. I propose a collaboration between the Norse and Greek gods to restore harmony and balance in the world, where it is now lacking."
Namira tried her best to keep her voice steady, void of the nerves and fear she felt, but she knew it was evident.

Zeus raised an eyebrow, his scepticism evident. "Why would we entertain such an alliance? Our powers have sufficed for eons without interference."
Namira glanced at Ares, then back at Zeus. "Your powers wane, Zeus, as did those of the Norse pantheon before I was given the chance to restore them. Even now, just by being, you grow weaker, as others around you do. Meanwhile there are those in your pantheon who have already been granted newfound strength. Apollo, Athena, and even Ares here have tasted the fruits of Yggdrasil's apples, I am sure you are aware. They have not been fully restored, but the effect must have been clear to you. You, mighty Zeus, still stand without such gifts."

Ares spoke up, his tone measured and controlled, echoing his support for Namira's words, "The world faces threats that none of us can handle alone. The balance of power is essential for the survival of both pantheons. Three of us have regained strengths, in return of rather simple things I'm sure you've been told. Her terms have been beyond clear and simple. Lady Namira's apples can restore your strength, restore all of us and together we can face the challenges that lie ahead."

Zeus leaned forward, his gaze narrowing. "And what do you gain from this, Lady Namira? Why should we trust the intentions of the Norse pantheon?"
Namira smiled, her voice steady. "I seek to restore the harmony that once existed between our realms. The chaos that threatens both the human world and our pantheons endangers us all. By combining our strengths, we can ensure the survival of both pantheons and the mortals who depend on us as in the past we depended on them."

Zeus remained silent for a moment, contemplating Namira's words. The tension in the air was thick, but Namira's negotiation skills prevailed.
Finally, Zeus spoke, his voice a low rumble. "Very well, Keeper of Apples. We shall join forces, but be warned – trust is a delicate thread, easily broken."
Namira nodded, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. "Thank you for this opportunity. I know there are others of my pantheon who would echo my sentiment, those who would offer to stay here for a while, aiding you... Would you allow them passage here?"

To her surprise, Zeus agreed without inquiring who these others were.
Namira waited as the portal opened and Freyr, Loki and Thor stepped through it.
There was chaos among the Gods as they discussed the arrival but Zeus silenced them by simply raising his hand.
It was Thor who spoke, "My brother, Loki, has investigated the things your pantheon has need of. The greatest need is to restore your own trees, so that you have less need of our pantheon. Loki has taken it upon himself to study this method, will you allow him to stay for a time so that he may attempt this?"

Zeus regarded Thor, "We have no faith in your trickster God. We will not allow him to meddle in our sacred orchard. If you are asking us to house him as a token of good faith as you have taken it upon yourselves to host Ares... We can do so as long as he is not a threat to our pantheon. The moment he becomes one is the moment this alliance ends. However, we will also accept the aid of the Keeper of the Apples in restoring our trees. We ask her to remain."
Thor's lightning crackled around him, drawing an amused chuckle from Zeus, but still Thor nodded, realising they truly did need this to work out, "But if she remains, so do I."

Freyr stepped forward then, "I too would like to stay a while, I'd like to acquaint myself with my equals in your pantheon, if you would permit it."
Zeus nodded, "All of you may remain, but only she will have access to our orchard and our welcome is only given so long as there is no risk to us, no threat."
And so their bargain was made, not a binding vow, but a definite understanding.

Namira didn't seem at ease, knowing she'd have to try this alone, without any help. As if sensing her distress Ares lightly touched her hand with his own, "I have no such limits. I will stand by you when he can't."


TBC...