Protecting You

Chapter 15

Stepping down the concrete steps, I brush my hands along the tiled wall. Wandering down into the cells, I watch my Father pacing from one side to the other, his arms crossed and his cape dragging across the floor.

"Father, you make it very hard for me to convince everyone you're a good person and make them trust you." I point out.

"I apologise, I did not know that was your intention." Loki mumbles, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"That was the whole reason I was in Midgrade!" I argue.

"You teleported last night?" he questions.

"Yes."

"To a place you have never been before?"

"Yes."

"You're growing stronger, my child."

"I don't want to grow stronger." I admit.

"Hattie, you need to learn to control these powers. Would you like me to teach you?" Loki offers.

"Yes please."

"Harriet." A familiar voice bellows as I hear him stride into the room.

I turn around to face my Uncle, he sends me a quick smile and nods.

"We are leaving. Have you got everything?"

"No. I am not leaving."

"Odin is sending you home, Hattie, and there isn't anything I can do to change his decision."

"I'll go talk to Odin then. I will not just stand by while I'm sent home and I won't see my father again!" I argue.

Storming out of the cells, I race up the concrete stairs and stop in the corridor. Volstagg is stood at the end, he smiles at me but I hear my Uncle following after me.

"Volstagg, where is my Grandfather?"

"In the throne room, Hattie."

"Can you show me please?" I ask.

"Sure." He replies.

"Volstagg, are you seriously going to disobey me?" Thor quizzes.

"I'm sorry, old friend, but it won't hurt for Hattie to at least attempt to persuade Odin." Volstagg points out.

Volstagg leads me down the corridor and we turn left. In front is a set of double golden doors. Two guards stand by it, clutching swords and wearing magnificent armour that shines bright, obviously new.

"Harriet to see her Grandfather." Volstagg announces.

"Of course, but it will just be Harriet." One of them points out, his voice deep and laced with authority.

"Yes." I reply.

They both turn their backs, pushing open the heavy doors that crunch loudly as they are opened. Striding through, I raise my head with confidence and walk through into the throne room.

At the end of the massive hall, my Grandfather is sat in a great velvet throne, a large book in his hands. Stood either side of him is another guard, both with a sword and wearing golden armour. He looks up as he sees me enter, he seems taken back by me and puts the book down to give me his attention.

"Sir." I state.

"I hear you're well now. Is that true?" He asks, his voice bouncing off the engraved gold walls.

"Yes, Sir, I was feeling much better until my Uncle informed me that we are returning home, without my Father." I explain, trying to sound sophisticated like everyone here is, but it's difficult.