Loki's Child

Chapter 12: My Harp

Esmond and I followed the guard through the palace and to the throne room where Odin, Thor, Loki, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three were.

"Hela," Loki said and ran over to me, he pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. "Are you alright, did you run into anyone?"

I pulled away from him. "What's going on?" I asked. "Esmond and I were at the river."

"Child step forward," Odin told me. I took a few steps forward. "Hela our kingdom is going to be invaded. Earlier our guards found some Dark Elves of Svartalfheim spying on us."

I looked at Esmond. "They invaded the kingdom not so long ago, they were the ones who killed Queen Frigga. The Princes and the Mortal named Jane defeated the Elves," He explained.

I nodded. "Right, gotcha!" I told him and looked back at Odin. "Why are they here now?"

"That is what we are unsure of," Odin told me sadly. "We have a plan!"

"It's a terrible plan!" One of the Warrior's spoke up.

Thor and Loki shot him a glare. "We are going to confront the Elves," Thor told me.

"All of you?" I asked in confusion.

"All but I," Odin told me. "I am the King and you are the future Queen."

I shook my head. "No it should be Thor, he's next in line!" I told him.

"Hela I don't want the throne, I would rather be a warrior," Thor told me.

Thor gave up the throne and now he and the others were going to confront the Elves!

I looked at Loki. "You're going with them?" I asked him.

Loki sighed. "Hela I have to do this, I must prove to the people that I am still good," He told me.

"I have lost everything!" I snapped. "I had a family here then that was taken away from me, I was sent to earth and had another family then that was taken away from me. Then I met the Avengers, I was apart of a team and then that was taken away from me... All I have left is you."

Loki looked at me with sad eyes. "Hela I am doing this to protect you, if the Elves invade Asgard they will kill you," He told me.

"Whatever," I muttered. "When do you all leave?"

"Tomorrow night!" Odin announced. "Tonight is the royal ball, we are celebrating your return Princess Hela."

I mentally groaned; Great more people calling me Princess Hela and dancing!

"Hela go with Esmond and find a dress," Odin told me. "You are to sing for the people tonight."

My eyes widen. "W- What?" I asked.

"Come along Princess, I shall find some maids to help you," Esmond told me and led me away.

Esmond held my hand tightly as he pulled me towards my room, he swung open the door and pulled me inside. He sat me on my bed and gently placed his hands on my shoulders.

"I'm not going!" I told him.

"Harper you have to!" He told me. "Anybody who has anything to do with your family is coming!"

I pushed him away and went out to my balcony; I changed into a white wolf and sat on the balcony softly howling hoping he would leave me. I kept my eyes on the sky and ignored all movements behind me; Esmond sat next to me and gently ran his hand down my back sending shivers down my spin. I changed back into myself and glared at him...

"What I wanted to know how soft your fur was," Esmond told me.

I sighed. "Why do I need to go?" I asked quietly.

"Your family want you there," He told me.

I scoffed. "Family?" I asked. "What is a family?"

"They are the people who will never give up on you no matter what you've done, they will always be there to give you shelter and love," Esmond began. "Family are the ones who anger you and complain about your choices in life but that's what they are there for. They are there to help you through the darkest of times even though you don't think they are helping."

I sighed and looked at his brown eyes; Why was he so nice? I leaned over to him and hugged him tightly, he wrapped his arms around me and chuckled softly.

"I don't deserve a protector like you," I told him..

Esmond smiled at me. "You are one of a kind Harper," He told me and helped me up. "Don't let anyone tell you differently!"

I laughed lightly as he led me back into my room and gently pushed me in front of my closest door, then opened it for me.

"Now you have many dresses to choose from, the maids put some in that are your size so take as long as you need and I shall come back for you in a few hours," Esmond told me.

"Hey erm would you accompany me to the ball?" I asked softly. "I have a feeling I'll be the person without a partner."

Esmond's smile grew wide. "Princess Hela, I'd be honoured," He told me and bowed.

I laughed and threw a pillow at him. "It's Harper!" I told him. "You may leave!"

Esmond chuckled. "One in a million," He told me and left.

I looked at the many dresses in front of me and sighed; Spoilt for choice.

"Hela." Something whispered.

I span round. "Who's there?" I demanded. "I know magic, stay back!"

"Princess Hela, you have returned!" The voice said in a happy tone.

I frowned. "How do you know me?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"Hela I am your harp!" The voice told me. "Open the chest and play me. You are the only one who can!"

I took a breath and went over to the chest, I knelt on the floor and gently opened the chest... Inside was a small hand held harp, I gently ran my finger tips over the stings and metal, I gently plucked it and my head began to hurt

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"Daddy listen!" I shouted and plucked the harp playing a little tune.

My Dad smiled. "Oh Hela that is beautiful just like you!" He told me and held me close.

"Like Mommy too?" I asked.

Dad smiled. "Just like your Mother!" He told me and kissed my head.

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I opened my eyes and looked at the harp in my hands.

"What the hell?" I asked out loud then strummed the strings, the sound was beautiful. "I remember, this was my harp, my first instrument!"

I held the harp close to me; It had stopped talking now... Maybe it was enchanted to call me?

I hummed; Maybe I should play it for the people?