Cold Blood

Summoned

 Thunder clapped and the wind blew. Something was definitely bothering the God of Thunder. Whatever it was, it must have been an important matter for the storm kept on growing. As the rain started to pour, I was called in by the guards of the castle, leaving my gardening duties unfinished.

« Maid Vira, you have been summoned by Her Majesty Queen Frigga. If you will follow us, we will lead you to Her Majesty. »

With those words and the look on the guard's faces, I understood it was somehow linked to the ongoing stormed caused by the Prince's wrath. The guards walked in silence before me, which gave me time to think about the many reasons fo which Queen Frigga would summon me. Why would she summon me, a common maid, to her side? Have I gotten myself in trouble in any way? Maybe I should not have trimmed the roses in her garden, I know she gives them particular attention. Lost in thought, I did not realize I was standing before the Queen's bedchamber's door until one of the guards cleared his throat. I jolted in surprise and looked at him apologetically for making them wait. He gave me a small nod in understanding and knocked on the door to announce my arrival to Her Majesty. The door was opened by the Queen's maid, Livia, whom I had known since my childhood. We grew up in the same village, both of our mothers were maids in the castle and therefore we had met at a rather young age. Livia led me to a chair facing the fireplace and had me sit down before she would fetch Queen Frigga. She left the room, offering me a reassuring smile before she disappeared. Minutes passed during which I kept on worrying about my fate. I heard footsteps approaching the door before it opened and revealed Her Majesty standing there with a smile adorning her face. Was I not in trouble? Why would she smile at me if I have done something wrong?

« Vira, my child, it is a pleasure to meet you, » said Frigga in a friendly manner. « Do not fret about the reason for which I have summoned you. I would like for us to share a cup of tea before we discuss the matter. Would you like a cup of tea Vira? ».

I looked up from the floor for the first time since Queen Frigga entered the room and nodded shyly in response. Her Majesty asked Livia to fetch some tea and some treats to eat alongside the hot beverage. She then offered me a warm smile and sat down on the chair beside mine. Once she was seated, I sat back down after bowing to Her Majesty. Livia returned quickly with the tea and set everything up on the small table separating me and Queen Frigga.

« I thank you for your service, Livia. Could you please give Vira and I some privacy to discuss on a private matter? » said the Queen with a smile on her face. Livia bowed in response and left the room without looking back at me. I was growing nervous as to why I had been summoned in the Queen's bedchamber.

« Vira, my child, please feel at home and enjoy the food and beverage, » said Frigga in a warm voice. « I have summoned you for a particular reason Vira. Before I share the matter with you, you must promise me you will keep it a secret. I will give you some time to think about the proposition I will make, and if you choose to refuse it, then I have to make sure you won't talk about it. Is it alright with you Vira? »

« It is my Queen. You can put your faith in me, whatever it is I will keep it to myself, Your Majesty, » I said softly.

« I sensed you were the person I need. You see Vira, the reason behind the storm which is raging on is that the Princes' have gone to Jotunheim following the invasion which disrupted my son Thor's coronation. When in Jotunheim they found themselves in trouble and Odin had to intervene so as to bring them, Lady Sif and the Warrior Three back safely. Upon their return, Odin was seeing red and rashly cast out Thor who is now banned from Asgard and has been sent to Midgard. However, the Allfather did not notice the small infant wrapped in Loki's cape, but I did. I found out from my son that they had found the child cold and famished, crying, laying behind a rock. Without a second thought, he decided to bring back the child as he seemed to be an Asgardian infant which may have been kidnapped during the invasion of Asgard. What I need, dear Vira, is someone to look after this infant. I have seen you around the castle, and you seem to be a most gracious young woman. I believe you would take good care of this child, » said Queen Frigga, looking at me with hope in her eyes.

« I am sorry Your Majesty, but I do not know if I am ready to take on the responsibility of a child. It requires a lot of attention and I have my duties as a maid of the castle, and doesn't this child have parents looking for him? » I said frantically, not yet understanding why I had been chosen when other maids were far more qualified to look after the child.

« You are nervous my child, and it is understandable. Though I really need you to consider taking care of the infant. You see, this child is .... different if I may say so. And you, Vira, are the only person in the kingdom, other than my son Loki, who can handle this difference. You are not aware of it yet, and neither is my son, but you both share a particular trait which makes you the only ones who can take care of the baby, » added Frigga in hope to convince me.

It made me wonder about my capacity to take care of this child, why would I be able to take care of him better than another maid could? What made me different from the other maids? And why is Prince Loki the only other person who can look after this child? Many questions came to my mind, but I also thought about what would become of the child if I did not consent to look after him. How could I refuse when I knew what this infant had already been through at such a young age?

« I believe I can look after him, Your Majesty. Though I do not know what sets him apart from any other Asgardian child, I will do my best to fulfill my duty as his guardian as best as possible, » I said bowing to Queen Frigga. An even larger smile grew on her face and she clasped her hands in happiness.

« Thank you, my child. You will be an incredible guardian for this child. Should you require help at any time, feel free to call for me. Now, how about you meet this charming infant you will take care of? » said Queen Frigga, standing up, waiting for me to follow her out of her bedchamber.