Twisted Hearts

A Useful Marriage (Brynhild)

It was a beautiful day for a wedding. Vanaheim's green finery was on full display to celebrate the new peace brokered by the union of one of its finest leaders, Freya, to the All-Father of the Aesir, Odin. Centuries of brutal war could not dampen the beauty and vitality inherent to this realm, nor Freya, who, despite looking nervous around her new, much older husband, was radiant in the afternoon shade at the high table of her wedding feast.

I could understand her current attitude, if only in a small way. Despite being Aesir, my family had parted from Asgard and made a small settlement in the plains of Ida outside the All-Father's fortress many years ago. I had never known war since I had been born long after the assault began, but my father had told me time and time again of the horrors he saw on the battlefield. Vanaheim priests and priestesses driven to the use of Seidr magic to protect the ones they loved, becoming indiscriminate, thoughtless monsters in the process. Deadly night raids and ingenious uses of magic became hallmarks of Vanir forces as they fought against an enemy who was intent on seeing every last one of them dead. Battles won by Aesir with few casualties to either side, would still result in the Vanaheim survivors being brutally killed just the same. Fields salted, dams constructed and deconstructed to starve or flood entire valleys. My father and the other warriors in our small group were not cowards, but they felt that honor dictated a more dignified approach to war. It was clear the Vanir were our equals, should we not treat them that way? If peace was not possible, at least dignity in battle should be.

The god Tyr would often visit us and invite us to his temple for food and drink. It was clear that he agreed with our way of thinking, but tensions were rising between the Aesir and his own people the Jotnar and he believed that if he stayed by Odin's side, he could prevent a similarly brutal conflict before it even started. Tyr was currently sitting on Freya's right hand side, clearly pleased with the day's events and doing his best to make the revered godess comfortable.

Although Tyr was pleased, it was clear that many others were not. The word "traitor" had already been discovered chipped into the stone blocks of the temple where one of the several marriage rituals had been held earlier that day. The seats reserved for Freya's family and subordinates sat mostly empty. My own family was sat at the very end of one of the lesser tables and had received some disgusted looks. We did not exactly have a shining reputation among the Aesir. All were on high alert should something untoward happen at this exalted event.

Father had told me before the event to be on my best behavior. No overdrinking, no showing off, no debates on which of Kvasir's poems was best, no fighting anyone who insulted me. I hated making myself smaller for other people, but since there was now peace between Vanaheim and Asgard, my father desired peace between himself and Asgard. Our group's split from Asgard, while tolerable, had not always been the easiest or safest path. Peace was best for everyone. Even Odin recognized that, for the time being, since he had so graciously extended us an invitation to this wedding. So I met the looks of the Aesir with the calmest face I could muster and a slight smile. Although many knew my father and the rest of our group, I was new. It was important to make a good first impression as I and my family had been gifted immortality, if no other significant gifts. This is probably the only reason Odin left us all alive without any punishment beyond isolation. All except mother anyway. If all went well, I would be around these people for a long time.

"Brynhild!" I heard whispered close to my right ear.

"Yes, father?" I leaned towards him so he could continue in hushed tones.

"Smile more." He grinned with no small exaggeration. "The other Aesir are noticing us. I want you to have good standing with them. See if you can introduce yourself to some of the Odinsons! And especially see if you can introduce yourself to our new queen. She'll want as many friendly faces as possible. Make some friends too, if you can." He turned back to his mead.