Twisted Hearts

A Useful Marriage - Part 2 (Brynhild)

No sooner had Odin and Freya disappeared from sight of their wedding guests, when Mimir stood from his seat at the high table with arms raised to hush the crowd.

"Although the brother of the bride may not be too enthused about this new union, this is still a marriage worth celebrating! We have a lot to look forward to, including..." he paused for effect, " five barrels of the All-Father's finest mead."

The crowd erupted into cheers. I did not doubt that some of these people would sell their own infants for a pint of fine enough mead.

Mimir caught the eye of someone on the sidelines of the crowd. "Oh! And the music for the evening as well." A small group of svartelfheim musicians appeared in front of the high table carrying their instruments. "So you can all dance off the mead and then drink some more," Mimir laughed with some others from the crowd and sat back down in his seat as the musicians began to play their cheery music.

Sif dragged her husband from the front of the mead line and got him to bumble through a couple tunes before the very large god of thunder returned back to emptying many more mugs of mead. Another large man with blonde hair, likely Thor and Sif's son stepped in and delighted his tipsy mother with several more dances as others moved on and off the dance floor. Heimdall sat at the high table with an ugly scowl mismatching his handsome features.

As I was chewing up the last bites of my meal, the party was really becoming lively. Tyr walked up to my father and made small talk. His previously joyful mood somewhat dampened. Ever the gentleman, he offered me the chance to dance a lively jig. I loved dancing. Anything to get the blood pumping. As delighted as I was to take my place on the dance floor, that same prickle on the back of my neck stayed with me the entire time. I refused to look, but I was pretty sure Heimdall was watching me. How annoying.

Finally, the All-Father and his new bride entered the party once again. Both seemed composed and much more comfortable than when seated earlier. Once again a hush fell on the crowd as the All-Father called for their attention.

"My wife and I would like to say a few words," Odin stated.

Freya interjected, "My sincerest thanks to you all for attending our wedding! There is so much joy and hope in my heart today as I look out on all your faces. For the first time in... a long time, I am looking forward to the future and what this hard won peace will bring." She picked up a horn of mead and raised it in a toast as anyone near a mug mimicked her. "To the future! Skol!"

"Skol!" A choir of guests echoed and everyone gulped down more mead.

Odin turned toward his bride, "Yes, exactly! And I... well I... I couldn't have said it better myself my dear." He smiled and Freya returned with a smile of her own.

"I uh, haven't been able to tell you this. It didn't really seem like appropriate small talk on the battlefield or the negotiating table but, I think you are one of the most remarkable women I have ever met. You know that? You're beautiful, strong, unparalleled in skill with combat and magic, wise. Your integrity leads your actions and your selflessness and kindness are easy for all to see. I want you to know that and make sure that you are shown the appreciation you deserve. So!" Odin gestured to Mimir who had already come down from the high table with a box about the size of a tome.

Odin opened the box and brought out the most stunning circlet. Delicate gold strands woven between flowers made of precious stones and gems that flickered in the last rays of sun before twilight. The whole thing seemed to radiate its own light somehow. A work of unparalleled make, fit for a queen of the highest order.

"I made this," Odin said softly, "For you. To show my appreciation." He handed the circlet to Freya who gently took it into her hands.

Her face showed genuine shock and admiration. "I... this is..." she looked up at Odin, " this is beautiful. Truly. I- thank you."