Hel (HOAM Spin-Off)

Mother?

Hel frowned at the looks she got while she walked through Asgard. The people weren't just staring this time. They were glaring. She quickened her steps and hurried to her father's study room.

"Lady Hel." She jumped and turned to face the guard behind her. He bowed low, lower than anyone on Asgard had ever bowed to her. "The King requests your presence."

She nodded and followed him to the throne room. The door opened after she was announced and she stepped in. A familiar grin met her gaze and she faltered a step.

"Daddy?!"

He chuckled and ran down the steps to pull her into his arms. "I wasn't expecting you. Is all well?"

She stammered out a reply. "W-why are you on... What happened to Odin?!"

He frowned and his bright eyes darkened. She wasn't sure if to was sadness or anger, perhaps it was both. "Odin had fallen asleep. Thor was banished for his actions on Jotunheim. I alone am able to take the burden of the throne."

She narrowed her eyes. "Explain."

He gestured for her to follow him and he went back to sit on the throne. She paused on the steps, noticing how the throne suited him. But she knew him. Something was wrong. He set Odin's staff across his knees and nervously picked at his hand. She sat in Frigga's throne and listened as he quietly explained all that had happened.

"A Jotun..." She said, once he was done. He nodded. "Oh Daddy, I'm sorry you have to endure this. It's not fair. I agree with your anger and your fear. But Odin must have done what he felt was best. He had his reasons for acting this way." She jumped as Loki leapt to his feet.

"Oh he had his reasons! He could never love me. I'll always be the bastard child of a disgusting race, the unwanted thing. He could never have a beast like me on the throne but look where I am! All his planning and still he failed. I hold the power now, I'm in charge! That old fool. H-he thinks I'll simply understand and forgive him this. But how can I? After all I've suffered because of my differences! He always favored Thor and now I know why! Because he was disgusted. He was afraid of me. As he should be. I will not shrink into the shadows any longer! I will make myself equal to Thor and when I'm done he'll have to acknowledge me."

Hel watched him pace and gesture wildly. His eyes shone with power-hungry glee and his words came out rushed. She frowned and hugged herself tightly, fearing what would become of the loving father she knew.

..............................

He was dead. Loki, Prince of Asgard, father and son... He was gone. Luk had disappeared to find his soul and she waited outside their home, waiting to see him return with a tiny black orb filled with the last of her beloved father. She felt hot tears prick at her eyes but she blinked them back and waited.

A portal opened and Luk stepped through. He went to Hel and shook his head. "There wasn't even a body. I can't find him. And I can't enter the wormhole. I'm sorry."

His voice was no more than a whisper as he waited for her grief. But she frowned and thought. "He could still be alive. Somehow, he could be out there." She grinned and hugged him. "He's alive. I know he is."

.............................

Hel jumped down from her horse and started to push through the guards to get to Loki. She stopped though as she caught a glimpse of a woman beside him.

Who was this? A Midgardian?

Loki hung his head and the woman took his hand. As Thor knelt to Odin, Hel ventured forward. She pulled her white hood down and approached Loki slowly. The woman watched her with wide and curious eyes but there was no disgust on her face. Loki looked up at Hel and she saw the soft smile that shined in his tired eyes. She hugged him and stepped away as Odin cleared his throat. Turning, she went to find Sleipnir.

The woman stared at them both, an amazed smile hinting at her lips. She and Loki rode atop Sleipnir, kept in the middle of the group. Hel rode behind Frigga as the Queen conversed quietly with their guest. The woman smiled at Loki. No one had ever looked at him that way, not that she knew of. And he had never looked at anyone that way. Who was she?

A bag moved and Jormungand slithered up the woman's leg. Hel bit her lip and tried to hide her smile as the woman panicked. "Get it away from me!" She screamed. Loki picked up his son and draped him around his neck. The party resumed its travel as the woman calmed down. Hel couldn't contain a giggle.

When they reached the palace, the guards grabbed Loki and dragged him away. The woman called after him and then glared at Odin. Hel raised a brow. This woman would be trouble if she did not act with care. Deciding there was nothing to be done for now, Hel led Sleipnir and Jormungand to see Fenrir.

It was some time later that Frigga brought the woman to meet them. Hel kept her distance while Fenrir decided upon the character of the woman. Fenrir was a great judge of character but he appeared biased when he sniffed her. No doubt he caught a hint of Loki. Hel stepped around him slowly and approached the woman.

"He smells Father on you. So he likes you."

The woman stared at her for a moment and then smiled. "Hi."

Hel quickly scanned the woman's memory of the past half hour and her discussion with Odin. Her name was Ebony. She liked to be called Eb. Hel tried not to betray her surprise and glee at the things she found. Ebony had saved Loki, she loved him. And gods know, it was about time someone truly loved him.

"Is it true? We may have another brother or sister?" She smiled as Ebony nodded. "I hope for a girl." It would be nice to have a sister.

"Loki does too."

Hel studied the woman a moment longer. She liked her. There was nothing obvious to like really, she just seemed... accepting. And if Thor had seen fit to bring her and Loki loved her then Hel was happy to have her here. But would she be more than a guest?

Jormungand shifted around her neck. A mother? He whispered in her mind.

Is it too much to hope? She replied.

Ask! Ask!

But what if she doesn't want to be our mother? Who would ever want such a thing?

Father loves her. That means she doesn't mind what we are. Ask!

You're right.

"Will you stay?" She asked. Ebony nodded and Hel grinned. "I do hope we get along!"

Jormun jerked slightly as Ebony touched his head. She likes me. No one likes me. His voice rang with shock.

"You all don't mind me being here? With Loki?"

Sleipnir edged closer and nudged her in the back. She turned and grinned, greeting him cheerfully.

Hel smiled. "May we call you Ebony?"

Ask! Jormun demanded.

Ask! Sleipnir struggled to concentrate enough to enter her mind as well.

She took a deep breath. "And when you marry Father, may we call you Mother?"

Ebony stared at her a moment too long.

She hates us. Of course she would. Jormun sighed.

But... Sleipnir hesitated.

Patience. Hel demanded. Ebony grinned again and nodded. Frigga came forward and took her, saying Loki was expecting her. As they left, Sleipnir reared on his back legs and made a gleeful sound. Fenrir barked in reply and Hel laughed.

A mother! They shouted in her head. A mother!

"We'll have a family finally." She murmured. "And a sister to join us!" They celebrated again and Hel grinned. Ebony would never know the joy she'd brought a small and strange family that day.