Ragnarok: Doom of the Gods

Chapter 3- Drifting

Chapter 3

Drifting

I am called into Asgard's throne room. Terror is engraved into my people's faces. The four guards and I loom through the hall; I float, they grind. Our shadows' bounce, reflecting on the ever changing outcomes in my mind.

Bor's son, Odin, could be as fierce as his predecessor. He could condemn us to a public execution. It could be imprisonment for life. Whatever the verdict, it will not be favorable.

Two Einherjar open the intricate doors and they groan just like I am inside. It's as if someone has taken a magnifying glass and zoomed in tightly onto one man: Odin. My spirit pulls my feet away, but the guard's throw me in front of his throne.

The cold gold hits my face, and I lay there for a second. My head pulses, crying out. The previous confidence that I had has now been shifted; I'm off beat.

When I can bring my face off the floor, humiliation floods me. The guard's are snickering. I've been brought down from my regality. Odin's ice cold eyes hit, and I pull back as if a blinding light has been shined in my eyes.

Before I can regain my composure, he speaks, spewing out his words.

"Elf, I have little sympathy for your kind. Your leader, Malekith, killed my wife and son, and brought ruin and chaos to my kingdom. If you wish for mercy, the only way to garner it would be to somehow convince me that you don't deserve my fury. Seeing as that is impossible, I'll give you one chance, thus not waste my time."

How can he be so heartless? Why does this shock me, though? My heart immediately chastises me. There is always a hidden person. Always. I must find that shadow, that hidden figure, and grab it; squeeze it's heart.

Odin lost his wife and son. I obviously didn't do it, but the guilt is probably taking over him; he wants someone to blame.

I need him to pity us. For him to realize we have lost things, too.

Well, here goes nothing.

I take a deep breath. "Allfather, I understand you must be pained from your losses." He coughs, and I bow out of my power a bit. "I have recently found out that my brother is dead. While nearly everything he did infuriated me, he was my brother all the same. Although my loss is not near as tender as yours, I understand your pain." I continue on, fast pace, trying to rid myself of empty sympathy.

"But please have mercy on us. I'm not sure if we deserve it, but the only reason we are here right now was to escape Malekith's tyranny. They are not him; they are innocents. Please realize that we never tried to go after the Aether, we tried to survive.

"I'm not sure if this plea is enough, but please spare my people."

My words settle around the room like ashes after a fire. Odin's menacing eyes try to grasp mine. I stare straight ahead, refusing to let a tear slip; a tear of passion. My throat is tight.

"Your people are still Malekith's people, no matter the circumstance." My insides are screaming. I want to rip free of this body. Go off to the woods and cry out for my life. Because dear God, why am I here?

"The small pity that is inside of me is only enough to not dole out death." Odin's voice is gruff, as if he is using an axe to cut a tree; cutting an entire forest of family trees. "You and your people will serve as slaves to the Asgardians and the palace. They will not be allowed to have children with one another, for I won't have Dark Elves try to start an uprising against my people. Again."

My throat is still clenched. These words need to be released from my throat: "You would let an entire race die?" My voice is high; shrieking.

Odin visibly winces. Then he seems to go back into his haze of anger, and pounds his staff into the ground. Angrily, Odin declares, "I shall do what I feel is best for my kingdom, and these nine realms!"