Hel (HOAM Spin-Off)

Proposal

Hel pulled herself up onto Fenrir's back. She gripped his hackles and rubbed under one of his ears. He tilted his head and huffed. Loki rode up beside her on Sleipnir. He'd just arrived on the Bifrost. Hel and Fenrir had decided to meet him. They were on Nilfheim, realm of the dead.

It really was just a common cemetery. The King had an extremely small kingdom and the only native subjects were the eerie shadow creatures that roamed the dead land. They listened to him but few else. Hel looked at them as she and Loki rode through. The creatures looked like crippled people, bent over and hissing at her as she caught their gaze. Fenrir growled and his hackles rose. She rubbed his neck and shushed him. Sleipnir shook his head and fidgeted. Loki patted his neck and murmured in his ear.

The King's estate rose before them as they rode through the quiet village. They were seen in. Loki left Sleipnir in the stables and Fenrir was told to stay close. He laid down and fell asleep as Hel commanded. The stable hands looked at him warily. Hel followed Loki inside, going to the large sitting room that was usually a ballroom.

Luk sat on a raised dias, talking quietly with another man. The doors closed behind the guests and the man left. Luk smiled and stood, greeting Loki. He hurried down the steps and they shook hands, talking quietly. Hel stayed to the side, watching the King. He was taller than Loki and thinner, paler.

All had said that the king of death had an eerie voice and a terrifying face. But he was elegant and had a kind smile. His eyes shone with cheerfulness despite the dismal realm he ruled. He had been banished here by his brothers long ago, reminding her of Hades from the Greek myths. He pushed his long white hair from his shoulder. It reached down to his lower back, looking strangely attractive on him. Loki stepped aside and introduced her.

"Luk, this is my daughter, Hel." Hel snapped from staring at the King and bowed to him. He smiled and greeted her. Loki gave a wry smile. "Excuse her, she's very shy."

The King nodded and said it was alright. Hel jolted, registering his voice. It was soft and almost musical, a whisper really. He and Loki continued to talk and every once in a while, Luk's soft eyes would travel to her. She would blush and turn away every time, feeling her heart racing. The men talked for some time before Luk was called away.

Loki and Hel were shown to their rooms and told dinner would be ready in a few hours. Hel sat down to read before it was time to get ready. She regretted not being able to wear her cloak and hide in her hood but there was nothing to be done. Loki met her in the hallway and tipped her chin up.

"You look fine. Come." She wrapped her hand around his arm and let him lead her to the dining room. The doors opened and the room quieted. Gasps went around as all eyes focused on Hel. She felt her fleshly cheek grow hot and she stepped slightly so she was nearly hidden behind Loki. He pulled her forward and squeezed her hand before sitting her down. He took his seat and greeted everyone coldly. They stopped staring and tried to go back to their conversations.

Hel kept her head down throughout most of dinner. It was sometime during the second course that she felt the eyes boring into her. She risked a glance up only to meet the eyes of the king. He stared at her before blushing slightly and looking away. She felt her eye tear up, knowing he was embarrassed for being so horrified. She didn't speak for the entire two days they were visiting.

Finally, she looked up as they left the kingdom. "The king is very attractive." She said to Loki.

He jolted in his saddle and looked at her, wide-eyed. She smiled and shrugged. "Yes, he is." Loki murmured, trying to appear normal. She almost laughed.

"Calm down, Daddy! I can't have him anyway."

"And why not?"

"He's disgusted by me. As he should be." She mumbled, sighing. "But he seemed so kind. Damn my looks."