Chapter Text
Vanaheim was unlike any other realm. The world was covered with bright blue oceans, and was considered by many to be a paradise. Rolling hills decorated the landscape, as well as meadows and pastures. Thick areas of woodlands dotted the landscape. The coastline was expansive and split between rock cliffs and soft white beaches. Magic flowed freely amongst the population and as such the Vanir never found themselves wanting. It was a land of prosperity where none went hungry. Unlike the Aesir, the people of Asgard, the Vanir were gods and goddesses of fertility, not war and death. Despite their fundamental desire for peace, they armed and trained themselves as the Aesir did, as both groups often found themselves at odds with one another.
Eventually the two realms would find themselves at war. The reason for the Aesir-Vanir war was a simple one. The Aesir wanted all of the gods and goddesses to be united under the rule of the All-Father. The Vanir, of course, had no use for this and refused. They saw no need to march under the banner of the All-Father. The war was a long and bloody one. It pit wives against husbands, sons against fathers, and friends against friends. When the war began it seemed that everyone had a different opinion on what should happen. Some felt that it was time for both groups to merge, while others felt that it didn't matter and they should allow to do as they wished. By the time a treaty was finally signed, many lives on both sides had been lost. The cost of the war was particularly great for the Vanir. One of the terms of the initial treaty had been that their battle borne king and queen had to leave Vanaheim and travel to Asgard. In their place the All-Father would send another to rule over the land.
It had been ten days since the All-Father returned word to her that he accepted her terms of surrender. She had fought hard against the stipulations, especially the one where she was expected to give up the throne. Odin wanted her to exile herself and her family to Asgard and stay there until the end of time. She had spent many months debating that point, in hope that he would change his mind. However, in the end, he allowed all other conditions of their surrender to be lifted in return for her freedom. She agreed, of course. Odin would not deny them the apples of eternal youth. More importantly, the Vanir would remain Vanir, and would be free to be ruled over their own. In return, Freyr and Freyja would give up their claim to the throne and leave their world behind. Freyja was not pleased with the idea of being held hostage in a foreign land. Especially one that had, until very recently, been the enemy of her people. Despite this, she was happy that her people would remain free. She would wear a smile and kiss Odin's feet if it meant her people wouldn't have to bow before him.
Freyja stared at her reflection as her handmaiden Fulla wove her long hair into a series of braids and intricate folds. She could hardly believe what was happening to her. After all, she was the Queen of the Vanir. Freyja, having fought in the war, knew all too well the capability all men had for cruelty. Still, it was difficult to wrap her mind around giving up her entire way of life.
When her hair was finally finished, Freyja stood and allowed her maidens to dress her. She had a beautiful new gown commissioned for this day. It had taken ten seamstresses and five metal workers four days to complete the gown and its accompanying accoutrements. Normally Freyja favored light gowns that were the color of the sky and shone as bright as the sun. This one, however, was a true mourning gown. It was as black as night, the only color coming from the delicate silver work that was attached to the gown. The silver had been worked to mimic lace, and had been attached on the front panel of her bodice and sleeves. Freyja looked down at herself and laughed sadly. On any other day, the metalworking would have been a testament to the craftsmen of her realm. But that day, it just felt like a sad consolation prize.
"My beautiful Freyja. Is there no limit to your beauty," Freyr said as he entered the room. He had already finished changing into his armor. His normal armor was dwarven made and crafted with the best gold the realms had to offer. But like Freyja, he wore silver instead of his usual gold. Upon his head sat a silver crown and in his arms he held his cloak, which was as black as Freyja's gown. Freyr held out the cloak to Fulla and allowed her to attach it for him. "My thanks as always dear Fulla." He smiled weakly at the handmaiden's blush before walking to his sister.
Freyja sighed. "I feel like a present. Wrapped and waiting to be opened." As Freyr grew closer, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him tenderly. Freyr returned the kiss eagerly before pulling back and motioning for the maidens to leave them.
"How scandalous," he said while pulling playfully at her gown. "Shall I open you now or later?"
She swatted at him and frowned. "Fulla would throw a fit if you undid all the hard work she put into me."
"Darling sister, I have seen you tired and sick. I have seen you covered in mud, and not to mention in all stages of undress. You are no less beautiful then as you are now."
"When did you grow such a silver tongue," she teased while peppering his mouth with small kisses.
"You love it." Freyr wrapped his arms around her and smiled. He didn't like the idea of going to Asgard, but he kept a happy expression for her sake. He didn't know how Asgard would treat them, or what would be expected of them. Going to Asgard meant that everything was to change for them. The Aesir frowned on the kind of relationship he had with his sister. He knew that once they arrived he would be unable to continue to share her bed and her heart. He would have to simply become her brother and nothing more.
"I cannot lie. You know I do," she murmured before giving him one last kiss. She pulled away from him and looked at their reflections in the mirror. "I am sad to leave."
"As am I. But we must think of this as a grand adventure. Today is a sad day, but I promise it will get easier." Freyr reached out to her table and picked up the silver crown she was to wear. He placed it upon her head before wrapping his arms around her.
She sighed at his words. She didn't know what Asgard would have in store for them, but she was sure that she wouldn't be truly happy until she could step foot back on Vanaheim's shores.
"Come now Freyja, smile. Your face was not made for sorrow," he said before he leaned in to kiss her neck. "For me? Just one smile."
Freyja laughed and swatted at him. "Never! I will never smile again."
"Really? Then I fear I will die, because a world without your smile is a world not worth living in."
She rolled her eyes before cracking a small smile.
"There it is," he exclaimed. "Now then... let us be on our way my Queen. No need to prolong the inevitable."
Freyja had been the first one through the Bifrost, and so had been the first one to arrive in Asgard. Her father and brother were busy with organizing the various servants they were taking with them, and had allowed her to go on ahead. When she arrived her head felt fuzzy and spun. Her legs were weak and she couldn't help but collapse as she took a step forward. Freyja gasped as her hands hit the ground hard as she tried to blunt her fall. She looked down at her palms which were scraped up and starting to redden with blood. It was the first time she had ever taken the Bifrost and she hadn't expected it to be so dizzying. As Freyja looked down at herself, she noticed a hand lower itself into her view.
"Are you injured my lady," he asked as he kept his hand extended to her.
"You are kind to worry, but it is nothing life threatening." Freyja reached up and took his hand. As she was pulled to her feet, her eyes met his and she gasped.
"Do you find my appearance troublesome?"
"No, forgive me. I must appear rude," she replied as a blush crept across her face. The man before her was a specimen indeed. He stood nearly two heads taller than her and wore the most magnificent golden armor. She was impressed by the armor, but what stood out the most were his eyes. They were the same color as Vanaheim's sunsets. "It's just that your eyes remind me of my home. My heart is gladdened that they are the first ones I get to see here."
Heimdall was unsure of what to say to her comment. He hadn't expected such a compliment from a woman as beautiful as her. He expected fear, or perhaps nothing at all, but definitely not a compliment. He watched over Asgard and was their first line of defense. Despite this, the Aesir often seemed to forget that he was even there. When they did notice him, or even need something from him, they often regarded him as a thing and not a person. It swelled his heart to receive such a pleasant compliment for once. "Thank you my lady. You are as kind as you are beautiful."
"Truth is not kindness dear Heimdall, it is simply truth. They say that you are able to see everything that happens across the nine realms. Is this true?"
"It is," he replied softly. He knew what she had meant. She wanted to know if he could see Vanaheim and her people. Heimdall turned his gaze upon her lands and nodded. "Your people weep for their loss."
A soft sigh fell from her lips as her brother and father finally appeared next to her. "You may see me again soon dear Heimdall." She knew that she would have to visit him again in the future, if only to stare into his eyes and remember her home.
"I would be honored my lady." Heimdall bowed deeply and stepped away to allow them to pass. He wasn't sure if she would actually come to visit him. But, he hoped that she would.
"Sister, you're injured." Freyr said while taking her hands into his. He reached into his robes and pulled out a length of fabric to wrap around her hands.
"Brother, you embarrass me. There is no need to make such a fuss." Despite her words, Freyja allowed him to wrap her palms to stopper the small pricks of blood rising to the surface. When he had finished, she turned back to Heimdall and bowed. "Thank you good Heimdall."
Freyja turned to follow her father and brother toward the palace. They were followed closely by a large procession of lady's maids and male servants. Odin had agreed to allow them their most favorite servants, in hopes that they all would find the adjustment to Asgard easier. The servants were dressed as richly as Freyja and Freyr and wore black as well. Freyja folded her hands in front of herself as her eyes danced around the landscape. Asgard was a beautiful world indeed. However, the beauty didn't lessen the fact that she knew it was her prison. When they entered the palace, Freyja stopped and gasped at the monumental feeling of it. It was much larger than she had expected.
"Come now my dear. My must not keep the All-father waiting," her father said while pushing her along.
As they grew closer to the throne room, Freyja could hear the sounds of horns heralding their arrival. The family and procession stopped. Njord did some last minute inspections to make sure everyone and everything was in order before they entered the throne room. Njord entered the room first with Freyja and Freyr side by side behind him. The servants followed closely behind them.
The throne room was filled with people. She didn't know why she hadn't expected such a crowd. Hushed whispers crept to her ears as they passed through the crowd. Her eyes fell forward and to Odin and his family. Freyja watched as Odin rose from his throne as they grew nearer. They knelt before Odin in respect before slowly rising back to their feet.
"Glory to you All-father. I am Njord and I present to you my son Freyr and daughter Freyja." Her eyes remained downcast as her father introduced them.
"Welcome to Asgard. The rumors of your children's beauty were not overstated it seems."
The Vanir were widely regarded as being beautiful people. However, above all other sat Freyja and her twin brother Freyr. Freyr was considered by all to be the most beautiful of all men, while Freyja's beauty was seen to rival even Frigga's own. The twins were mirrors of one another. They both stood tall with long limbs and lightly tanned skin that illustrated their love of the sun. Their blond hair, when caught by the sunlight, created the illusion of a halo around their head. Their bodies showed a great dedication to their health and appearance. The twins were lean, and while Freyja's body had filled out into the hourglass shape her mother-aunt had, they both made sure to train regularly to keep a light layer of muscle on their bodies. The only true difference between the twins was that Freyr's eyes were the color of a clear summer sky, and Freyja's blue eyes had gold flecks in them.
At Odin's comment, Freyja slowly looked up and found him smiling brightly at her. Even though he smiled at her, her face remained emotionless. "Your words are too kind All-Father," she said softly.
"If it pleases you All-father. We have brought gifts for you and your family," Njord said while motioning for the servants holding the gifts to step forward.
"Is that so?" Odin couldn't help but be amused by the idea of them bringing gifts. His eyes lingered on Freyja for a moment longer, before turning to her brother. She was more beautiful than the rumors had said her to be. It hurt him to do so, but he knew that propriety was needed. He couldn't simply stand there staring at her, even if he wanted to.
"First, for you All-father. My daughter has brewed you three potions." As Njord spoke a servant stepped forward and knelt before Odin. The female servant held out an intricately carved wooden box.
Odin took the box in his hands and opened it, revealing three metal vials at the end of metal loops. The first vial had rather abstract designs on it. As he pulled it out of the box to examine it, he let out a bellowing laugh and looked down at Frejya. The designs were actually stylized symbols of erotic love and fertility. Odin put the vial back in the box and smiled. "I can guess what the first potion is for. But what of the second and third my dear?" The second vial had a boar carving while the third had a cat.
Freyja forced herself to smile at his comment before clearing her throat. "The second is a potion of protection. It will protect your body and your mind from whatever harm may come to it for three hundred days. The third is a potion of cunning and resource."
"Fine gifts indeed father," a voice as loud as his father's exclaimed.
Freyja turned to look upon the golden haired prince. Freyja nodded in thanks before turning to Frigga. "For the most beautiful woman in all the realms, my brother presents you with twenty bolts of our finest fabric. As well as ten spools of gold thread." When Freyja spoke another servant stepped forward and offered Frigga a sampling of the fabric and the delicate gold thread.
Frigga smiled warmly at the twins as she ran her hand over the fabric. It was beautiful indeed, and she knew it would make a beautiful gown. Frigga picked up the gold thread and examined it closely. The gold shone like the sun. Frigga knew that the Vanir prized themselves in their gold, and so she knew that the thread must have been completely pure. "It is wonderful my dear. I will have to send it away and have a gown made immediately."
Freyr and Freyja turned to face the two sons. The gold haired prince was smiling brightly, obviously excited for what gifts they came bearing for him. The dark haired prince, however, seemed less interested in the gifts that were to be offered. Freyja had heard much about Thor and Loki before she had left her people. Thor was a lover of fine things. Girls, drink, food. He found joy in all things. Freyja found this to be rather amusing. She felt that he would have made a fine Vanir. Well, if it hadn't been for the fact that he was very much a warrior at heart. His prowess on the training field was legendary, and it was said that he only grew stronger by the day.
"I must confess that your gift, Prince Thor, was my sisters doing. I wished to give you a chalice that never emptied, but my dear sister figured that you may have already had something like that already."
"Which I must confess is still a terrible idea. Instead, we finally settled on this," she said while motioning for Thor's gift to be brought forward.
Thor's box was large and took two servants to lift. Thor's face lit up as he saw the large box that was meant for him. He took a step forward and opened the box pulling out a chain weapon. The chain was thick and heavy and at one end had what appeared to be a spiked mace head. Thor's brows furrowed. "I do not understand. A weapon? But I already wield the mighty Mjölnir."
"I know, and that is what I tried to..." Freyr began before being shushed by their father.
"And if it is stolen or you are parted from it? What then? Will you simply walk the battlefield with just your fists," she asked Thor. Thor's expression turned to one of pure shock. Freyja's eyes sparkled with amusement. It was as if the thought had never even crossed his mind. Her eyes drifted from Thor and to Loki. Loki had a pleased expression on his face. She grinned before turning her attention back to Thor. "I have trained with this weapon and many more. It is wise to be trained in the use of many different weapons."
"I think it is a fine idea Thor. A great many things will happen that you will not expect. It is a good idea to expand your training to include other weapons." Odin looked from his son to Freyja for a moment, and smiled. Beautiful and pragmatic. A fine combination, he thought to himself.
Thor, who had been listening carefully to their arguments for expanding his training, smiled brightly. "It is magnificent Lady Freyja!" Thor realized that she had only wanted to help make him a better warrior. It was a prospect that excited him greatly. "You have my thanks!"
Freyja nodded and moved to stand before Loki. She motioned for a servant to come forward before she heard laughter rise from all around her. She lifted a hand to rest upon her brow. "Idiots," she mumbled to herself. She didn't need to turn to look to know that Freyr had, in the end, given Thor the gift he had wanted to give him.
"If it is any consolation, I believe your gift is the wiser of the two," she heard Loki whisper to her.
"I fear this world will be unable to survive our two brothers." She pulled her hand from her brow to see Loki smiling across at her. She had heard much about Loki and found him the more interesting of the two. He was so unlike his father and brother. Freyja had been informed that Loki was extremely gifted in the art of magic and while he wasn't as physically strong as his brother, he possessed great mental strength. She had also been warned that he was silver tongued and wasn't to be trusted. Freyja didn't like to listen to gossip, but she knew that even the most outlandish gossip often had a small nugget of truth somewhere in it.
Loki watched Freyja as the crowd around him laughed. He had never been one for crowds, and very nearly had decided not to come that afternoon. Although now, after seeing the beauty before him, he was glad that he did. Loki prized himself in his ability to read people and a situation. The gifts that Freyja and Freyr had presented told him that she was far more practical than her brother. The potions that she presented his father had peaked his interest greatly. They were potions, but not ordinary ones. From her descriptions he figured that there must have been great magic involved. He found himself excited to see what gift he was to be presented with.
When the laughter finally died down, Freyr took his place besides Freyja. "And for you Prince Loki," Freyja began as opened the large box the servant held. Inside were many small pouches as well as a number of great tomes. "The magic of the Vanir." Freyja knew she didn't have to continue past that as Loki was already studying the small embroidered bags and their contents. The pouches all contained various herbs and minerals that were only found on Vanaheim. Freyja smiled as Loki's attention turned to one of the books on top of the pile. When he pulled out the book and began to flip through it, a grin slid across his face.
"Is this your hand," he asked while running his fingers over the delicate script.
"Indeed it is my prince. I hope that my gifts please you."
"They do indeed," he replied simply before putting the book away. "You have my thanks." Loki bowed.
Freyja smiled and nodded before turning her attention back to Odin. Odin, who had been staring at her, smiled and nodded. "We thank you all for such wonderful gifts. We have planned a feast in your honor tonight. We would all be delighted if you would attend."
Freyja turned to her father who looked relieved that they all had enjoyed their gifts. "We would be honored All-Father."
"Very well. I shall have someone show you to your rooms."
They bowed once more before the All-Father before turning and walking through the crowd once more. Freyja felt slightly better about her situation. Thor and Loki seemed to be interesting boys, and Odin was friendlier than she had expected.
"See my daughter, it was not as terrible as you feared." Her father wrapped an arm around her as they were lead toward their rooms in the palace.
"I would watch out for Odin though," Freyr added.
Njord sighed, "It is unwise to speak of such things in the open Freyr." He knew Freyr was right. He had seen how Odin kept his eye upon his daughter. Odin had been known to take mistresses, and being the concubine of Odin was not a fate he wanted for a woman who was once a queen. "For now, we must concentrate solely on making life bearable here."
Freyja placed a kiss upon her brother's lips as he was guided to his room. When her fathers room came next, she kissed him as well. Freyja walked along side the handmaiden that had been assigned to show her to her room. "What is your name?"
"Zaida Ansgardóttir, my lady."
She nodded. "It is nice to meet you Zaida. Have you lived in the palace all your life?"
"I have my lady. My mother is one of the queen's companions."
"Do you like it here?"
"I do, and I know that in time you will as well."
Freyja forced a smile across her face. She wasn't as sure about that as Zaida seemed to be. The palace and the royal family didn't seem to be so terrible, but she still was very aware of her situation. Asgard was a prison, albeit a rather pretty prison. When they arrived at her room, she nodded to Zaida. "Thank you. That will be all for now."
Zaida nodded her head and turned to leave, walking off the same way they had came.
Upon entering the room, Freyja noticed that it was a large bedroom with two doors on each side of the room. The doors opened into other similarly large rooms. The door to the left lead into a dressing room, while the one on the right opened into a sitting room. The rooms were all decorated in typical Aesir fashion. The walls were covered with gold panels, and carved with various runes and scenes from their history. Heavy fabrics hung from the windows and covered all of the furniture. Freyja sighed. Her handmaidens were all fast at work getting her trunks unpacked.
Fulla came rushing to Freyja with an exacerbated look on her face. "My Queen. It is worse than we feared. It will take time to get everything how it should be."
"Yes thank you," she replied. She knew once everything was unpacked, the servants would go to work ripping down every single thing in the room to redecorate it to suit her own tastes.
Freyja fell down upon the bed and let out another heavy sigh. "I hate this place," she mumbled into a pillow.
"I know," Fulla whispered as she sat down besides Freyja. Fulla began to gently stroke her hair, "You may not like it here but one day I fear you'll grow used to it. I beg you to remember that you are Vanir by blood. No matter what these dogs day, you will always be a queen."
"Wise Fulla, I do not know what I would do without you." Freyja smiled and sat up. "Will you take my hair down? I wish to change."
Fulla nodded and shifted so that she was sitting behind Freyja. Fulla lifted off her crown before her hands began to unbraid Freyja's long hair. "What did you think of the sons?"
"Thor is handsome, although I suspect he already knows that. He seems to me to be rather impertinent still."
"He is young. Perhaps he will change with age," Fulla replied with a small laugh. "What of the other brother?"
"Loki is interesting indeed. They say he can be quite petulant and I do see it in his eyes. He is one I will need to keep my wits around."
"But he is very handsome in his own way."
"Indeed he is, but in a different way than Thor. Thor is attractive because he is so magnetic. He has a joyful personality. Loki is attractive because he is very complex. He is the type of man to enthrall you from a distance."
"I wonder how dexterous he is," Fulla giggled.
Her eyes widened at the comment. With a small smile she turned to swat at Fulla. "You are terrible." When her hair was finally finished, Freyja stood up and allowed Fulla to undress her.