The Unknown

Chapter 30: Fenrir

For Hela, it felt like she had been waiting outside the Hospital Wing for information on her sister for hundreds of years. It was one of the most painful and anticipated waits she ever had to go through in her 1,839 years of living. Finally, healer Saida came out of the room, blood clearly on her clothes, and Hela immediately stood with Falcon holding her hand but the healer offered a smile as she said, "my Queen, she'll be fine".

Hela let off a sigh she didn't realise she was holding. Falcon smiled and said, "I told you".

Saida continued and said, "the blade's been safely extracted, I've managed to stop the bleeding and all the internal damage is repaid. The arrow wound to her leg is healing nicely and has been stitched and I have explained to the matron here not to give the Princess any potions as it could affect her recovery. The poison, however, is still in her system and I have slowed the process down, but I must return to Niflheim to make the antidote".

"Can we see her?" Hela asked.

Saida nodded and before she could say anything, her Queen practically ran past her into the wing. A bed was at the end of the room, different to the rest as the others were against the wall while this one was in the centre at the end where the windows were. Hela knew it was moved during the surgery so Saida, and presumably the matron Madam Pomfrey, could move around the bed. Most of the blood was cleared away but Hela quickly glanced and saw the sheets and bloody clothing the matron was trying to hide. Walking to Dahlia, Falcon let go of Hela's hand as he stood back next to Saida and glanced to Akio, who stood against the wall near Dahlia's bed and nodded to the soldier.

As Hela sat down on the bed next to her sister, she dropped Dahlia's wand and necklace next to her and grasped her sister's hand, she couldn't believe how deathly pale she was and it didn't help that she was now wearing a white gown. She knew her sister would have lost a lot of blood but the paleness in her cheeks, Hela only ever saw people like that when they weren't far from death. Hela kissed Dahlia's hand then asked Saida, "when can she be safe for travel? When can she return to Niflheim?"

"With the antidote administered regularly, I would say she can return in three days. That is if nothing interferes with her recovery, milady".

"I'm opening a portal in two hours for some of our soldiers to come through and make camp. Can you make the antidote in that time or do I have to open another portal?"

The light elf thought for a moment before she nodded and said, "the timing should be fine".

Hela then simply waved her hand and the portal opened, hearing Madam Pomfrey gasp at the sight, but Saida simply curtsied before stepping into the portal. Hela didn't watch as she closed it but she could sense new people entering the room and when she looked, she saw headmaster Dumbledore and Professors McGonagall and Snape.

"Headmaster," Madam Pomfrey said as she looked between the group of professors and the people from Niflheim.

Hela stood from the bed but stayed stood in front of her sister, as did Falcon and Akio who stayed to the side but had a hand on a hidden blade. He may not have been noticed by the others immediately but if danger occurred, he would be the last face they saw before Falcon collected their souls for Niflheim.

"It seems that a great secret has been revealed tonight, one that Dahlia has been keeping to herself. I believe introductions are in order," Dumbledore said taking a step closer but Falcon held up his hand to stop him and Hela was the one to step forward then, an emotionless mask now showing.

"I'm well aware what Thor has been teaching about realms and has made it known that I rule the realm of Niflheim. Of course, many of what he has been teaching has been from the point of view of an Asgardian, so not entirely true. I am Hela, Queen of Niflheim, Goddess of Death, daughter of the Liesmith Loki, god of mischief and lies, sister of the great wolf Fenrir, the Midgardian serpent Jörmungandr and the witch Dahlia. This is Falcon, also known as Death, my second in command," Hela gestured to Falcon then to Akio, "Akio, the head commander of my army, soldiers and guards. I would say it's an honour to meet you, Albus Dumbledore, but it really isn't".