The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 53: The Prince's Fear

"NO!" I scream loudly as I jerk myself up into a sitting position. My heartbeat running a mile per second while I try to take deep breaths in as a way to calm myself from my nightmare. Again.

Once my heartbeat has returned to normal, the double doors burst open and a flurry of brown hair rushes to me. A pair of arms engulf me in a tight embrace, one that I recognize as my mother. She must have heard me screaming in my sleep again. Nevertheless, her hug is always welcomed and I return it just as tightly.

"Everything is alright, my precious son. You are safe, my love. Safe and sound." My mother assures me while she strokes my long brown hair.

It has become a routine for us. I wake up from another one of my nightmares, she would rush into my quarters and soothe me with her reassuring words. Father comes to check me on me as well which is normally after Mother has calmed me down. Of course, it is only temporary. Once I return to bed the next night, the nightmares will return and I will wake up screaming.

Who wouldn't scream themselves awake after dreaming of their deaths since the day they were born? Year after year, night after night I have recurring nightmare of my death. Each one a different method to kill me. Poisoned, starvation, dehydration, eaten alive by a troll, decapitation, mauled by Fenris Wolf and others I wish not to remember.

"I-I know, Mother. . . But, the nightmares seem vividly real. . ." I reply shakily, the nightmare still fresh in my mind.

"That's all they are, Baldr. Nightmares. Not one single thing will ever harm you. They promised." Mother coos in a gentle tone and places a chaste kiss on my forehead. I replayed her words inside my head until I have fallen into a peaceful sleep. At least, one free of my nightmares.

A few hours later, I woke up and got out of bed. I go through my morning routine to start the day then head over to the large banquet table in the dining room to join the rest of my family for breakfast. At the head of the table sits my father Odin, the All-Father and king of the gods, with my mother Frigg sitting on the other end of the table. To my father's right sits my brother Thor with his shoulder length blond hair, his stormy grey eyes watching my every move, and Mjolnir hanging at his side. I'm glad to see he hasn't lost it again.

There is one other person sitting who I didn't expect to see. Sitting across from Thor is our youngest brother Loki with his black hair sleeked back, contrasting his alabaster skin and his emerald green eyes that are gleaming as though he were keeping a secret from everyone. I must have stared at him for too long because a sly smirk appears on his lips and greets, "Come now, brother. I haven't been away for that long. Did you miss me?"

"Don't mock him, Loki. He has had a terrible night." Father scolds and sends him a glare that would have silenced anyone. Except for the god of mischief.

"When has he ever had a good night?" Loki ponders while his smirk grows.

"Enough, Loki! Can't you see that our brother has not seen you for days and you jest him as a greeting?" Thor roars, his fist hitting the table so hard that I fear it would break. It wouldn't be the first time. He and Loki are always at odds with each other.

I decided to intervene before a fight could ensue and walk over to where Loki was sitting, wrapping my arms around his body. "Welcome home, Loki. I have missed these mornings of you and Thor fighting."

"I believe you miss the ruckus we cause. Has my absence bored you to death? Did you pick up the slack and cause some mayhem while I was away?" Loki banters and returns the gesture, patting my back twice.

"I can never do that. Being mischievous is your expertise, not mine." I remind, pulling away from our embrace before taking my seat to my mother's right.