Hel (HOAM Spin-Off)

Barren

Eir looks up as a hesitant hand knocks at her door. "Enter." Her soft voice travels through the wood and the visiter does as told. Hel steps inside, murmuring a hello. Eir would smile in friendly hello if not for the circumstances. She was one of the few who was always kind to Hel. As the goddess of medicine and health, and a scientist at heart, she had always been fascinated in Hel's ability to live and had never recoiled at the sight of her.

But this was not a friendly visit. Luk's work in Muspelheim months ago had gone awry and he had been wounded. He had recovered but the transport from the realm of fire to that of the dead had very nearly killed him. Such an occurrence had brought pressure upon Hel. She had been forced to stop using contraceptives and was now under pressure to attempt for children. Luk hated to bend to the pressure but he knew that it was necessary he have an heir. Hel knew that it was her duty to provide him with one.

She had visited Eir more frequently, seeking advice. This time, she asked for an examination.

"It's been months. I find it hard to believe that it is this difficult to conceive." She muttered.

Eir shrugged and explained that for some women it simply didn't happen for years. But eventually it would happen. Nonetheless, she relented and laid Hel down on the examining bed. When she was done, she asked that Luk pay her a visit as she would have to take every possibility into account.

"The problem could very well be on his side and not yours."

"You think he's sterile?"

"He has a proclivity for death." Eir shrugged. "Have him stop by."

The next day, Luk nervously entered Eir's office. He sat on the edge of the examining bed and listened while Eir explained the possibilities. She told him what to do and he returned within the week with the sample she asked for. She smiled reassuringly and took it.

"I know this can be awkward. I should have suggested you have your personal doctor examine you. I'm sorry."

He shrugged stiffly. "You're the most qualified in all things medical."

She tilted her head in acknowledgement. "I'll have your answer in a week or two."

By the end of the next week, a personal message was sent to Nilfheim, addressed to Lady Hel. Hel sat on her bed and opened it with trembling hands.

My dear Hel,

I sorry to that I must tell you this. I will keep it brief. The results of your tests were not as you hoped. You are indeed barren. I have taken every possibility into account. Your husband is not at fault and it does not seem to be the cause of something you have done. Your body has changed over the years and while you can carry a child, you cannot conceive.

However, if there was a ray of hope, I was determined to find one. The Midgardians have made remarkable scientific leaps over the years. They have devised a way in which a child of one couple can be born from another woman. I am studying such a practice now. I encourage you to consider this. It would not require Luk be unfaithful to you, do not worry on that front. Please, do not hesitate to come see me if you need anything at all.

With love and condolences,

Eir.

"Hel?" Luk stood in the doorway, watching the tears that streamed from his wife's eyes and dripped onto the paper in her hands. She looked up at him and held the paper out.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She choked. He took the paper and read through it. Hel, meanwhile, hugged herself tightly and hung her head. "I knew I would let you down. I could never be everything for you. There's always something wrong with me."

He dropped the paper and fell to his knees, tipping her chin up and gripping her arms. "Darling, don't think that. I love you. You are everything to me. No one has ever mattered as you do and no one ever will." He leaned up to hug her, kissing the top of her head gently. "I love you. Nothing is going to change that. We'll find another way. Eir can help us, it'll be fine. Gods, please don't cry. It's alright."

She sobbed into his chest, wrapping her arms around him and gripping his shirt in tight fists. He shushed her and rubbed her back, tenderly kissing her tears away. "It's alright, my love. It's alright." He picked her up and put her in the bed. She pulled him down to join her and he slowly turned her around. She faced away from him as he fit his body behind hers. He draped an arm over her stomach and kissed the back of her neck. Her tears subsided slowly and finally she relaxed against him, falling asleep.

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T_T I thought about making Luk sterile being that he's the god of death. And then I could explore his feelings of inadequacy but I'm gonna do that elsewhere.