Firebird by NorseFan1

Chapter 10

"I want to come with you," Ana said, struggling to keep up with Loki's long strides as he headed for the stables. It had been several hours since they had spoken with Ullr, and those hours had been spent making any preparations needed for the trip to the ancient castle.

"Anastasia, you are still recovering. Eir said you are not to use magic yet. If we reach a confrontation then, how will you defend yourself? Were you in good health I would not dream of stopping you, but this could push your recovery back," he stopped and cupped her cheek, his thumb running over her smooth skin lightly. "I do not want to see you hurt again. You would be defenceless against them, and you have to admit, even with your magic, you have a limited knowledge on how to use it due to your removal from your education. When you are recovered fully, I will train you to defend yourself in any way you ask me to, and if something like this comes up again, you will be free to come. But this time, I want you to remain here."

"When you throw those reasons out there, I can hardly argue, can I?" Ana asked, sighing. "Fine, I'll stay here- but I want to know everything that happens."

"You have my word, you will have the truth of the matter."

"If I may speak with your soul mate, Loki?" A voice interrupted.

They turned round to see an old man with white hair, armour and a gold eye patch. "Of course, Father. We should not be long," he said returning his attention to Anastasia, kissing her briefly. "I will see you soon." With that, he walked away.

"Come, Anastasia, walk with me."

Anastasia complied, once again at a loss for words. She had once again been sort out, and she had no idea on the why. Odin's reasons were anyone's guess. She would not know until he chose to tell her.

"I have no doubt that you have noticed the surprise some people have greeted you with?"

"Do you mean the stares?"

"That would probably be one aspect of it, yes. There is a reason they stare however. Your nature is a shock to them. In all of history there has never been a phoenix that has been anything other than a being that has fully represented all that is good and pure within the universe, as you, as a witch prior to your changes, would know. Many believed that should Loki ever find his soul mate, there would at the very least be leeway for her to become very dark so you are a surprise to them indeed."

"But not to you?"

"No. Who do you think sent that phoenix to you in your hour of need?"

"That was you?"

"It was. Had you survived that night through any other means, you would have been tainted irrevocably. Had you died, again the realms fortune would have hung in the balance. I had to act. My son is destined to end all things unless the right person is there to stop him. Only you have that power, and the only certain way of ensuring you also did not tread the same destructive path as he would have, was to ensure the path was barred to you. There were a number of options open to me that night which included either simply healing you or allowing you to die. My duties include protecting my people as well as my family. The option I chose allowed me to do both."

"So you knew I was there?"

"I did. You were also young at the time- too young to be brought here. I believed that had been why we had not been alerted to you at first. I believed your parents were going to send the alert once you came of age, though I soon realised that was never their intention. Two things held me back from interfering. Loki had already started down a dark path. I doubted he would believe you were not some trick unless he found you for himself. With the right nudge here and there that was easily arranged in due time. The other was the situation with Ullr. No doubt Loki would have had many supporters here had he confined his invasion to the magical world. There were many who thought the peace treaty was not enough and that the magical population of Midgard should have been brought to heel forcefully for their attempt at disregarding the bond of soul mates as inconsequential compared to their own petty alliances. I could not allow open warfare upon mortals, be they magical or not, over one person. Now they have repeated themselves- and in a worse way too. They would have bound you in such a way that you would have been a slave. Upon your marriage to my son you will become a part of my daughter and a princess of the realm. By disregarding the treaty, especially with you, is a sufficient declaration of war on their part- especially if they have committed further crimes against Helena Ravenclaw. Many have wanted blood in return for what was done centuries ago. Now I have reason to allow them to have it."