Hel (HOAM Spin-Off)

The Portrait

Hel flopped onto her bed after another long day. She and Loki had been busy helping Thor and Odin take care of things around the kingdom. Luk had sent word asking Loki to let Hel go for a week. Loki had considered refusing, claiming he needed Hel but Luk had sent a message the next day threatening to kidnap her otherwise. Loki had merely chuckled, knowing Hel would go more than willingly either way.

He promised she could leave tomorrow. She grinned and shoved her bags over to the door before preparing for bed. The night passed slowly, dawn finally telling her it was acceptable to rise. She jumped up and grinned to see her bags already gone. Dressing, she burst from her room and bumped into Loki. He chuckled and hugged her tight, kissing her cheek.

"Be careful, be good. Have fun. Don't sleep with him." She laughed and slapped his chest.

"Daddy!"

He grinned and shoved her. "Go on. Have fun." She kissed his cheek and ran off, holding her hood up. She rushed into Sleipnir's stall and said a quick goodbye.

"I'll tell you all about it when I get back." He nuzzled her cheek and she ran off, pulling herself onto Holt. Heimdall dropped her on Nilfheim without a word. She rode Holt into the village, looking around. The people took little notice of her and she went straight to the estate. A man met her by the stables. Servants took her bags. He bowed to her.

"Lady Hel, it is good to see you. My name is Amet. I am the King's head advisor. Should you want for anything, please do not hesitate to ask any of us."

She smiled and bowed to him. "Thank you, Amet. Is King Luk busy?"

"Yes, m'lady. He sends his heartfelt apology that he could not come to see you but he will be held up for most of the day. He will see you for breakfast in the morning and promises he has cleared the day for you."

She smiled. "He didn't have to do that. I'll entertain myself. Please, thank him for me. I'll see him in the morning, then." Amet nodded.

"Shall I show you to your room, m'lady?"

"Yes, please." He started walking, trying to covertly peek into her hood. He gave up finally and led her past the guest chambers. She looked curiously at him. "Am I not staying in the guest chambers?"

Amet shook his head. "There is a much nicer room that Luk wants you to stay in. He sincerely hopes you like it as much as he thinks you will." She was taken into the hall that usually housed the family chambers. "This is his main room." Amet murmured, gesturing to a door. He kept walking, finally stopping far down the hall. He led her inside and she gasped. The room was lined with bookshelves. Against one wall sat a large bed and a desk. The shelf next to it had instruments for her studies. She grinned and looked around, trying not to squeal in excitement.

Amet smiled. "Is it to your liking?"

"Yes! I love it! It's the most perfect room! Oh thank you! Please, give him my thanks! I can't believe..." She stopped as she realized he was staring at her.

Her hood had fallen.

She cleared her throat and pulled it back up. "I'm sorry." She whispered, lowering her gaze.

"Do not apologize m'lady. I admit it was a shock to meet you. But Luk is right. There is a light in your eye that makes you look positively radiant. You should not be ashamed of it." He smiled kindly and bowed, leaving her. She stared at the door long after he had left, feeling her flesh cheek heat. Luk talked about her to his court? He said she was radiant?

She looked around at the books, trying to take in what was happening. She had found someone who liked her despite her cursed face and wanted to court her. He had gifted her for a week with a library all her own. His closest man accepted her. Falling onto the bed, she grinned. What more could she ask for?