Twisted Hearts

Heimdall

It had been a long day. Although, the day had not gone nearly so badly as I predicted. For all of the praises that father sang for Freya at the wedding, she simply did not have the weight to pull her people in line like he did. That really was the only reason the Aesir seats were filled. The Aesir loved the All-Father, but were deeply troubled by the idea of peace without violence. Because of Freya's lackluster, I half expected a hoard of dirty Vanir to ambush the gathering. Having a word inscribed in stone and a drunken brother show up really was one of the better outcomes. Who knew if the peace would really last though. I was not as optimistic as the rest of my family. At least father seemed happy.

There was a pounding in my head. I tossed under my covers and tried to massage my temples to fend off the headache. The onslaught of all those people's thoughts in my head all day was excruciating. It was a relief to be in my own hall and finally alone.

I thought back to the encounter with Brynhild. She really was a strange creature. Finding me
Attractive one moment and then rejecting me the next.

The All-Father had asked me to keep an eye on the girl and her father for any signs of treachery or discontent. The small group of forty or so Aesir immortals the pair belonged to had broken off some time ago and became friendly with that giant lover Tyr. Father took the opportunity presented by making peace with the Vanir to make peace with the split faction and remove a possible point for interested resistance movements into Asgard. But they needed to be vetted. Father wanted to ensure contact had not already been made. His proposed marriage consideration was mostly an opening for me to assess the situation more closely. So far all seemed sincere, but time would tell for certain.

Father had also made it clear that if I was interested in the girl, or any girl for that matter, he would happily bless the marriage. Thor's children had proved useful enough in this long war, he must want to see what mine could do. A useful marriage indeed.

I hated the thought of disappointing father, but it was hard to think that I could find someone to operate on the same level as me. Someone who could fulfill the same great expectations and who I could stand for more than a few hours. I thought back to some of my other romantic and sexual attempts. There were not many encounters to recall, but most were unpleasant to remember. I had very high standards. Not just anyone could interest me.

Thor and father and the other men in my circles just did not get it. They constantly teased me about how I must not have a cock under my tunic just because I did not chase any woman with legs and a pair of breasts like they seemed to. It was hard to engage in sexual encounters when you could hear the woman in your mind actively comparing you to past lovers as you were in the act. Or hear their unfiltered thoughts on your appearance before you even approached the bed. Many women had found me attractive in the past until they saw my teeth or looked me in the eyes, or any other number of perceived flaws. And the worst part was that when they were confronted, they all lied about it. I had tried to ask some what I could do better to please them, but most feared that I would be angered by their comments and refused to say. And of course the women would talk amongst themselves. There was sort of a group that worked their way through the circle of gods and now I had a reputation of being ineffective and temperamental.

I sighed deeply. The headache was not going away. I would likely need some medicine to assist. My home was kept empty as often as possible. Servants were some of the worst liars. Still, I had a system in case I needed anything.

I stood up from the bed and walked over to my window and woke up the raven sitting outside of it. A personal gift from Odin, the raven would wake up a servant and deliver my message for me. I wrote a quick note and sent the raven on its business. My home was on the outskirts of the All-Father's settlement. A place to find relief from constant sensation.

A different raven arrived at the perch with a small scroll in its beak. A message from the All-Father. Inside was an order that I invite Brynhild and her family to a gathering in my hall. The whole cowardly lot would be moving back to Asgard within the week. 

"It will be done, All-Father," I said aloud. "I'll water down the mead so I don't have to carry Brynhild out again."

I thought back to my encounter with Brynhild. After she collapsed I delivered her back to her father, Budli. He was an ungifted immortal Aesir who had worked his way up the ranks as a soldier with skill and honor to become a minor lord, fit to feast in father's great hall. Those traits were also said to have attracted one of the Valkyrie to him, although that entire situation was hush hush. It was rumored that the same Valkyrie was likely Brynhild's mother.

One of my servants came out of their rooms across the courtyard from mine. All my servants had separate living quarters from the main hall of my home. He placed the tea and poultice on the window sill. I waived him away and walked back to bed.

Brynhild was very attractive. She was tall and fit. I could feel the muscle through her clothes when I lifted her. Even in just the short interactions I had with her I could tell she was spirited and intelligent. Her pale blue eyes reminded me of a clear winter's sky. Her dark brown hair had a hint of red in it and was arranged in two braids on top of her head combined at the back and reaching down to her mid-back. It was easy to pick her out of the crowd to assess for the All-Father, but it was harder to make eye contact.

All day she had been flitting her eyes about, taking in the sights. Having grown up outside the refinement available in Asgard must have made the wedding an eye-opening experience. Her father said she enjoyed the arts, perhaps I could show her some of the available collections to enjoy. When I did finally make eye contact I found an inquiring mind and a somewhat mixed reaction to myself. I could hardly blame her. It seems her father had not opened up to her about his long-laid scheme for a high-status marriage.

I would do my duty to the All-Father and watch the group for traitorous intent. I would not force the issue with Brynhild though. She was obviously lacking in some areas, including the most important aspect of interest in the match. But I could not tell the All-Father I had not tried.