A Slight Disagreement

With that conversation done, Hela – hammer back at her hip – headed back inside the palace towards the Great Hall, where the feast was currently being held. All the participants' families and relatives will be there so it will likely be crowded. The King and Queen too, since they were the main hosts. Hela only postponed attending because of Fenris but now she had no more excuses.

She almost sighed; she always did hate parties. And now her parents would likely want her to brandish and flaunt her new weapon around, which she of course couldn't do without offending the Allfather.

Sorry in advance, little brother.

"Well now, whatever's got the ceremony's champion so down?"

Startled, Hela looked up to see a black-haired boy looking about her age sitting on the stone railing overlooking the courtyard, a bored hand on his chin while he gazed at her out of the corner of his eye. She raised an eyebrow curiously at him, until he remembered protocol and jumped down from his perch, landing squarely on his feet before bowing, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Greetings as well," She raised an eyebrow, "I don't recall feeling down, nor being the 'champion'. Perhaps you've mistaken me for someone else?"

He immediately straightened up from his bow, an amused smile on his face. "I can never mistake the person who brought back Fenris the Giant Wolf all by herself; therefore I am pretty certain I got the right princess."

Hela shrugged, "Fair enough. Can I ask who you are though, since I'm pretty sure I haven't seen you around before…?"

"Forgive me, allow me to introduce myself." He saluted, but the action was done almost lazily. "I am Lucas Einarson, and I believe you have not seen me yet because I am a trainee from the other unit. We probably have different schedules."

Hela nodded slowly in understanding. That made sense, especially because there were many trainees who dreams to become Einherjar, which was the highest and most important honor a person not from a noble family could get, particularly because you get to serve and protect the royal family themselves. They were kind of like the ultimate soldiers.

Now since there were many trainees, they have all been divided into several units. Hela herself was a part of Herryk's unit whose training schedule was in the mornings. Other units have schedules in the afternoon and evening, so there were most likely many more that Hela haven't met yet. The thing was, every single unit participated in the Coming-of-Age ceremony, so it made sense that she just hadn't seen Lucas among the hundreds of trainees.

However, he did say his name was 'Einarson', which meant that he's the son of Duke Einar, who was the fourth most powerful man in the Realm Eternal after the King, Queen, and Princess herself.

The reclusive Duke Einar, who reportedly rarely left his home unless the King himself summoned him. Because of that, there weren't a lot of news about him and his family. She didn't even know he had a son.

Good thing Lord Lucas doesn't seem to be a loner like his father. "I see." She smiled, "Greetings Lord Lucas, how is the Duke these days? I didn't see him in the ceremony earlier."

"He is fine," He replied, though his words sounded like it was rehearsed. "He is a busy man and has opted to remain in our home to work."

"I understand. A Duke's duties are very demanding." She gestured to the nearby entrance of the Great Hall, where she could already hear laughter and clanging of silverware inside. "Are you not going to the feast?"

He shook his head, "I already went earlier, and the food is as excellent as ever, Your Highness."

"You should thank the cooks for that; they always do a wonderful job."

"Then I will be sure to extend my appreciation." He nodded and tilted his head, "My congratulations for the excellent catch, you bringing back a Giant Wolf will undoubtedly go down in history and will be very tough to beat for future generations. I just wonder how you did it, since the Queen looked especially surprised." 

At that, Hela smirked slyly. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

His green eyes glinted with something similar to amusement, before he gestured to the hall, "That reminds me, the King and Queen have been looking for you."

"Truly?" She looked to the doors and thought she felt the hammer at her hip grow heavier. "Then I will see you around, Lord Lucas."

He bowed his head again before turning and striding away. Hela stared after him for a moment before making her way to the hall. Any curious thoughts about meeting Lucas were drowned out by the boisterous laughter and yells she could hear even beyond the huge doors.

She observed the wide-eyed and admiring gazes directed at the hammer from the Einherjar by the door. She felt Mjolnir humming in delight at their appreciation and she internally rolled her eyes in amusement. "Open the doors." She told them, and the guards almost scrambled to do just that.

The doors opened, and before she could stop him, the guard quickly announced her presence to the entire room.

Conversation stopped, and everyone's gazes immediately turned to the doors. At once, the whole room was chorusing with 'your highnesses' and 'princess.' Hela almost sighed at the display; sometimes being royalty was tiring. Everyone must always maintain proper behavior and decorum around her, some so blatantly fake it's nauseating.

Hela walked swiftly towards the head table, where the King and Queen watched her approach as conversation in the hall started again. She bowed deeply, "My King, my Queen."

"Daughter." Frigga gestured at the chair beside her. "Do sit down; your father and I were just looking for you."

"I know, Duke Einar's son told me."

"Ah, I see you have met Lucas." Frigga smiled widely, "Charming young man isn't he?"

"I suppose." Hela swirled the wine around her glass idly. Frigga suddenly placed a hand on her own, halting the movement before smiling warmly, her eyes shining with pride. "I never got to say it earlier, but I am so proud of you Hela. You did very well despite encountering numerous complications and difficulties." She nodded to the hammer at her side, "I see Mjolnir has already chosen you. That is good, it will serve you well."

She nodded, "Thank you." She then suppressed a wicked grin. "Though I did hear somewhere that my new weapon isn't originally a reward, but was supposed to be my weapon for the ceremony itself?"

To her great amusement, Odin growled out something that sounded suspiciously like 'Vor.' Frigga side-eyed him before gazing apologetically at her, "Hela, we are so sorry for leaving you to fight out there without any proper weapons. Had I known, I would have commissioned something myself."

"It's alright, Frigga." She smiled kindly at her. "Everything turned out well in the end, so no harm done."

"Just as well, especially because you have truly proven yourself worthy without any need for special weapons." Odin finally spoke, before glancing at his wife. "As I said, you should have trusted in our daughter's abilities, Frigga."

Frigga's gaze suddenly hardened at the reproach. Sensing things were going to get even worse; Hela quickly excused herself and left the tense atmosphere before she gets dragged into it. Peering into the crowd, she began searching for familiar faces while trying not to look too obvious about it when some curious eyes remained on her person.

"Your Highness!" Hela whirled and found herself face to face with Minister Vifil himself, Tyrkir's father. "Greetings, Minister Vifil." She smiled cheerily.

"I just want to say congratulations for bringing back such a marvelous beast." The Minister laughed heartily, "Everyone may say otherwise, but I believe you when you said you can control it. I cannot say the same for Minister Hrolf though."

At that statement, Hela laughed as well. Everyone knows Minister Hrolf – also known as the Minister of Security – was obsessed in maintaining the safety and security of the palace. A huge unknown such as a Giant Wolf suddenly appearing must be driving him crazy. "I hope I haven't gotten on his bad side because of that."

The Minister winked at her, "Do not worry, I will make sure to convince him of your innocence."

Hela bowed in mock solemnity, "I wish you luck on such a difficult task, Minister."

The Minister laughed again before walking away. Hela smiled in amusement before continuing her search for her friends. Unfortunately, everyone she passed took turns congratulating her, forcing her to engage in small talk for every one of them.

Finally! Hela grinned in relief when she finally spotted Tyrkir, Ornulf, and a brown-haired burly boy she recognized as their fellow trainee Gudrik at the end of a long table, everyone giving them a wide berth. Walking more confidently now that she had a destination, she came closer and watched as Gudrik immediately stopped talking and cleared his throat when he caught a glimpse of her, before putting a heavy hand on Tyrkir's shoulder. "See you two around."

Grinning smugly, the burly boy stopped to salute her lazily before passing by. Hela absentmindedly gave him a slight nod before continuing to approach her friends. "Tyrkir, Ornulf!"

Tyrkir visibly startled to see Hela suddenly standing right next to him and hastily placed his right fist over his heart in a salute, and she noted that he was trembling slightly. "Your Highness!"

Ornulf looked over as well, "Princess."

Titles again… Hela visibly sighed. Why were they always so polite with her? "Hello to both of you too." She smiled wryly, "I thought we are friends? So please, none of that 'Your Highness' stuff or any kind of title."

They stiffened, "…S-Sure!" Ornulf shrugged and Hela noted the slight stutter. "Though you'll probably have a hard time beating it out of Tyrkir here."

Hela noted the interesting choice of words, and the fact that Ornulf looked more hesitant than usual. "I'm sure it wouldn't come to that, right Tyrkir?"

Said boy remained silent for a few moments, and Hela turned to him worriedly, "Tyrkir?"

He shook his head and turned away. Hela debated on making him spill, but backed down in the end. Maybe he'll cool off by the end of the feast. "…So what was Gudrik doing here?"

There was a slight pause, before Ornulf shrugged slowly. "Nothing important. He's just bragging as usual, said he caught a bear. Who cares though, if you caught a Giant Wolf?"

"Fenris wasn't exactly my catch, though." Hela reminded him.

He waved it away, "Details."

Hela glanced around the amount of food on the table and swiped a piece of bread from a basket. Chewing thoughtfully, she noted that everyone is still giving them a wide berth. There was also a rather tense feeling in the air, and she frowned heavily. "Why's everyone staring at us?"

Ornulf didn't look up and shrugged again, "I don't know."

Hela looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He's acting strange today, and she couldn't put a finger on it. She turned to glance at the other person in the table, "Tyrkir?"

No response. Hela tried calling for him again, but he didn't even look up or apologize, which was odd, given that it's the respectful and overly polite Tyrkir they're dealing with here. Glancing at her apologetically, Ornulf repeatedly nudged him, which finally annoyed him enough to yell out. "I just don't get it!"

Hela stared in surprise, "Get– what?"

He gasped and immediately covered his mouth, clearly not meaning to yell that. He glanced nervously at her and she stared expectantly. He visibly steeled himself to continue.

"I… I just don't get why you're here." He mumbled.

"Why wouldn't I be here?" Hela asked him patiently, brows knitted as she tried to understand what he's trying to say. "Tyrkir, you know you can tell me anything, right?"

"I know," He sighed in frustration, "I just… why are you here with us? Why are you wasting your time?"

Hela stared at him in disbelief and immediately glanced at Ornulf for clarification.

Ornulf doesn't look surprised, instead he just turned to his friend, "Do you want to take this outside?"

Tyrkir nodded silently.

Hela frowned. Seems like they both feel this way. Whatever this is. Silently, the three left the bustling hall and she led the way to their room for privacy. Locking the doors, She then turned to face them, Mjolnir humming almost in concern at her belt.

"…Alright, what did you mean earlier?" She attempted a neutral tone. "I don't understand."

However, it seemed her tone betrayed her hurt, because they immediately scrambled to apologize. "We're sorry," Ornulf said awkwardly, shrugging. "It's... it's pretty stupid, actually. There is really no need for you to worry."

Hela crossed her arms, "Let me be the judge of that."

Ornulf glanced at the other boy, who was still silent, before sighing. "Well, remember what I said the first time we met? That compared to the others, we aren't exactly the most fitting companions for a princess? Especially since we are both… you know..." 

"Since we are both dead lasts." Tyrkir muttered bitterly.

She immediately narrowed her eyes, "I thought those insults were over and done with."

"Yeah, well, it never really stopped." The blond-haired boy shrugged. "And now Tyrkir is having a fit because we're apparently dragging you down."

"But we are!" Tyrkir gestured around in frustration. "Can't you see?! We are the worst of our unit. I cannot even swing a sword without pulling my body along with it. Not to mention our ranks! Ornulf here is practically treated like dirt just because he isn't born to a noble family!"

Ornulf looked away at that, but Tyrkir soldiered on.

"Even I was treated horribly just because I wanted to become friends with Ornulf," Tyrkir raged. "And now you went and became friends with us, and suddenly, everyone acted like they didn't do anything wrong! You even went and got us a room in the palace which definitely made things worse!"

Hela stared in shock. She had noticed that the other trainees often ostracized and avoided the two like a plague before she came along. And she had definitely noticed that the two boys always seemed behind the others in terms of training.

Wait a minute, was that what happened with Gudrik earlier?

"What do you mean it 'made things worse'?" She asked, suspicious. "Who was it?"

The two boys suddenly paled, "Who was what?"

She snarled, "Don't play dumb with me."

They gaped in shock at her tone, before Ornulf blurted it out. "It was that drittsekk1 Gudrik!"

"I see..." Hela glared holes at the wall. How long was this going on, and why didn't she notice?

Tyrkir shook his head frantically, "Gudrik or not, it is true that you are better off without us, Your Highness. I know you already know this, but I feel it prudent to remind you that it's a cruel world out there. Power and social status are everything. You would be better off associating with the Duke or the Count's son." 

Hela stared at him, "Why bring it up now? Was it because of Fenris? Was it because I put you two in danger? If so, I apologize. I was stupid and careless and didn't think things through at a-"

He immediately shook his head. "No, Princess, it's not about that."

Hela's eyes then hardened, "Then what is it?"

The brown haired boy tensed and gritted out, "We're holding you back. Not to mention, we would only give you a bad image and that's not something you can afford–"

"You think I care about that?"

Tyrkir immediately cut himself off as Hela glared fiercely at him. "Do you really think I cared about my status, or the opinions of other people?! Dammit, I approached you because I just wanted us to be friends!"

He backed away as Hela stalked towards him, and Ornulf immediately tried to stand between the two. "Princess–"

"I don't care about your statuses or your abilities! Do you think I would approach you in the first place if I did?" She glowered and stood her ground. "I knew about your reputations and I didn't care then, nor do I care now. I'm not going anywhere." She then faltered, "...not unless you really want me to."

The two had frozen at her outburst and now looked like she had smacked them across the face. 

"You don't need to do that!" Tyrkir waved his hands frantically, "I… I just don't want you to regret becoming associated with us…" He bowed his head in shame. "Forgive us for assuming otherwise, Hela."

Her head snapped up, "You said my name." 

Tyrkir instantly flushed red, and Ornulf laughed. "Well, with that declaration you just did, I think it's past time we start calling each other by our names."

"Agreed, I have been telling you to do so for a long time." She rolled her eyes, before smiling. "So, are we good?"

The brown haired boy nodded, face still red.

"Now about Gudrik..." Hela glared at nothing, already planning on how to tear the burly boy a new one.

Tyrkir winced at her expression, "Just… don't take it too far?"

"Is unleashing Fenris on him too far?" Ornulf's hand was in the air like he was in class. "Because I wholeheartedly vote for that option." 

"I'll consider it." She told him amusedly.

"Good, because he always makes fun of us and the new recruits. Not to mention the things he said about you-"

"Ornulf!" Tyrkir hissed.

The blond-haired boy immediately ducked in apology, but Hela already heard. "What things?" Hela asked curiously, but not surprised. She knew she doesn't have the best reputation, but she doesn't let any of those rumors get to her. After all, she was already a grown woman, bullies couldn't affect her no matter how hard they try.

The two glanced at each other and then at her, most probably trying to gauge her reaction. Tyrkir started, "Well… he once called you a fool for trying to defend seidr use to the commander. Said it was for cowards and cheats."

Hela raised an eyebrow, "Well, nothing new there."

Tyrkir visibly faltered in surprise, and Ornulf took over eagerly, apparently using this chance to insult the princess without repercussions. "He also said you are trying too hard, and that you will not last a second in a real fight, though we all know you definitely proved him wrong after the ceremony." He grinned, "He also said you have delusions of grandeur. 'A skinny girl like her cannot become a warrior,' he said. 'I bet a strong wind can knock her out–'"

"Ornulf!" Tyrkir yelled, and said boy's jaw clamped shut. They quietly waited for her reaction for such treasonous words.

"...You know what? Let me go get Fenris."

They stared in disbelief. 

Ornulf practically guffawed. "If I have money, I'll bet it all on you."

Hela laughed when Tyrkir looked like he's this close to strangling Ornulf. Mjolnir hummed in support and she patted it calmly before grabbing the two boys and hugging them as tight as she was able.

"What a day, huh?" Ornulf mumbled from where he was squashed between Hela's arm and Tyrkir's front. "Almost wished I gave you your gift before the ceremony and before all that stuff with the Wolf happened. You could have used all the luck you could get." He pulled back and shrugged, before handing her a small pouch. "Happy born day, Hela." 

She quickly flung herself at Ornulf, hugging him tightly, before releasing him and accepting the pouch. Opening it, she was rewarded with a smooth rune stone pendant, handcrafted with the ᛉ symbol. She could almost feel the sheer power of that one stone alone. "The rune for Algiz. Protection." She observed before glancing up at him and smiling widely. "Thank you, Ornulf!"

He just shrugged again nonchalantly, looking studiously at the wall beside him, "For when you get yourself tangled up in Wolves again or some other equally dangerous beast. You'll need protection, Princess."

She just grinned, uncaring of the way her eyes are wet and Ornulf's look glassy, and she flung herself at them again.

…

As an apology, the two boys – each looking eager to make it up to her after the disagreement – escorted Hela back to her room. She shook her head when the door finally closed, knowing that she'll never grow tired of her friends' antics.

Giggling to herself, she dropped Mjolnir off on the table before heading towards the bathroom to shower. After a long day climbing mountains, accidentally covering herself with wolf drool, and attending a feast with the other trainees who haven't washed up either, she knew she smelled pretty darn awful.

Stepping into the bathroom, she quickly realized something was wrong. The bath wasn't filled up yet for one thing; everyone knew she preferred to shower twice a day so the bath was always filled up whenever she came back to her room. For another, the water jars had tipped over, spilling their contents across the floor, almost as if the servant who handled this left in a hurry.

What made them leave, though?

Turning around, Hela quietly sneaked back to her room, trying to extend her senses. The atmosphere felt murky, now that she thought about it. There was a general sense of unease, and she actually strained to get a feel of her own room.

Something was wrong.

"Heimdall," She called as quietly as she could. "If you could hear me, please get help."

She didn't know if he heard or that murky feeling prevented him from doing so, but if there was someone in her room, he or she already knew she's here.

The question was, who?

Steeling herself, Hela paused before stepping back into the room normally, looking for all the world like she was just heading to her dresser to search for a change of clothes.

With her back to the rest of the room, Hela closed her eyes, grasped the Algiz rune stone on her neck, and waited.

…