The Fen-Dweller

"What the fuck?" Hela whispered with absolute feeling.

She stared in horror, her mind whirling as she scrambled to process the fact that just a few meters away stood Fenris, the Giant Wolf, who was known to be one of the most vicious and dangerous creatures in both the Norse myths and the Marvel Universe. Also, original Hela's pet, and wasn't that the most hysterical thing?

She felt a headache coming in. What, was she expected to make it her pet too?

Anyway, after the first initial roar, the cave went silent again. The forest also slowly regained its sounds, the birds picking up the courage to start singing again. With such normalcy, Hela suddenly felt like she just hallucinated the whole thing.

I mean, talking squirrels and giant monsters? She must've ate something Tyrkir made again. Norns know that boy was a terrible cook.

Hela released a shuddered breath before sending a quick prayer to whoever god was listening right now for strength and a healthy dose of courage. Being led here must mean that she absolutely had to face the beast. She could only hope that it doesn't decide to make the future queen of Asgard its personal chew toy or something worse.

Curse that squirrel to the ends of Yggdrasil and back. Moreover, curse her lack of self-preservation and curiosity. It's going to get her killed someday, she just knew it.

And with that rather dark and gloomy premonition, Hela finally found the courage to take a few steps towards the cave. She won't be going there with a war cry and all guns blazing though, she'll take a page out of Loki's book and analyze everything first before striking. Judging by the fact that Fenris didn't roar before she even got here, she could only assume that the Wolf already knows she's near. As for why the squirrel said he needed a friend, damned if she knows. She's terrified enough as it was, and without an audience around, she's free to freak out and not get called out by anyone for a 'behavior unbecoming of a princess.'

Except… Hela stared at the tree line. Weren't those Odin's ravens Huginn and Muninn flying above the trees?

She watched as the ravens perched near the tree line, their beady eyes watching her every move. She tried clamping down on her sudden nervousness, touched the golden brooch on her chest lightly, and breathed deeply to regain control of herself. She absolutely refuses to show weakness, especially to a certain negligent king. Though as for why he thought she needed to be observed…

'Thanks for the vote of confidence, father.' She nearly rolled her eyes, but that move was aborted by Fenris' second roar, and she could actually see the sound waves travel through the forest; shaking every leaf and jostling the birds into a panic yet again. Only Huginn and Muninn remained unruffled, their beady eyes remaining on her.

"Stupid birds…" Hela grumbled while carefully adjusting her weapons around her body to minimize the noise. She needed to be absolutely silent if she wanted to scout this thing.

Hela drew her sword and crouched down, placing all her weight on the balls of her feet. She relaxed and breathed through her nose, before creeping silently towards the edge of the cave's mouth, knowing that any sudden moves may lead to Fenris attacking or worse.

Her hand reached the edge, and she exhaled in relief as she hid beside it. No sounds thus far. Hela felt her lips purse determinedly, her hand clutching the hilt of her sword so tightly the leather creaked. She inhaled one more time, before quickly sneaking a peek around the edge.

At first, she couldn't see anything. The cave was tall and massive judging by the outline, but what light coming from the outside doesn't reach the inside, making it look pitch black and damp. Strangely enough, she couldn't see anything further than the front of her face. It was that dark. Confused, Hela extended her neck to see better; perhaps Fenris was hiding further in…?

And barely stifled a scream when something in front of her face shifted. Instead, Hela quickly reared her head back in shock but ended up jostling her weapons with her abrupt movement. She froze, but the damage had already been done.

She could now see the black mass that was essentially a few centimeters away from her face shifting and writhing as the noise from the jostled weapons echoed throughout the cave, and a growl rumbled through the air. Hela staggered back as the light finally hit it, and she could finally see terribly matted black fur glistening with so much drool and foam it pooled on the cavern floor. Her neck strained as her eyes traveled slowly upwards, realizing that the shifting black mass extended as high as 13 feet tall, and seemed to be getting larger as it stood.

… What the hell had she gotten herself into?

The black mass suddenly tensed and the part she recognized as the head abruptly swiveled towards her; the blood draining from her face as finally, wide green eyes met wild yet equally identical green ones.

Fenris roared at the same time as Huginn and Muninn cawed shrilly, leaving a frozen Hela in the middle of utter pandemonium. Quick as lightning, Fenris snapped her jaws at her, but Hela didn't train her whole second life without learning a few tricks. She jumped back just seconds before teeth closed in on her previous position and quickly tucked her body into a roll, cushioning her landing and allowing her a few moments to get her head together.

Hackles raised, Fenris snarled and snapped at her, its head craning this way and that to catch Hela's rapid movements. As for her, she's dodging for her life. She refuses to use the sword, knowing that the original Hela tamed this beast before. Hurting it will not exactly make it friendly to her. If original Hela who was a ruthless and cruel warmonger could tame it, then perhaps a kinder version could do it too.

Though with how wild Fenris was, Hela was beginning to suspect original Hela did not tame it, but rather subdued it to obey her. And wasn't that a frightening thought? Even the monstrous Giant Wolf from the myths was afraid of a girl. Just how strong was the original Hela?

Hela yelped as she barely managed to avoid the gigantic teeth. Fenris writhed and roared, its huge head slowly leaving the cave's mouth, and Hela wondered why it's taking so long. With how furious it was, Hela imagined that it could run straight outside and maul her to death in seconds, but it's like the Wolf was struggling to get its body out of the cave. In fact, it was almost like…

"Are you stuck?" Hela blurted, her terror replaced by curiosity. With a snap, Hela's sword – which was raised as defense in front of her – was seized and bitten in half. However, her sword was made of seidr, and as it snapped in half, her seidr winked the pieces out of existence, confusing the Wolf. With that moment's respite, she caught her breath, her mind still reeling from the sheer speed of the attack, before dodging again as the Wolf recovered from its surprise and lunged.

"Damn me and my pettiness." She cursed. Why did she have to hunt down the most vicious and dangerous animal again? Oh right, to shove the injustice of it all at Odin's face. Brilliant idea, Hela!

Speaking of Odin, Huginn and Muninn were still watching the spectacle, no doubt relaying everything they see to her father.

Hela itched to use her seidr; just one flick of her hand and she could send a pillar of roaring flames to scare it away, trap it with a cage, or with a thought, she could conjure more weapons to battle it with. But with the ravens serving as effective spies, she couldn't do anything. As it was, the only weapons she had were two swords, a set of daggers, and a bow and arrow. Fat lot of good it'll do against a 13 foot tall beast intent on biting her head clean off her shoulders.

What the hell was she supposed to do now?

…

Unbeknownst to Hela, Odin was not the only one observing her.

Heimdall leaned on his sword Hofund, his golden eyes intent on watching the mountains. Or more precisely, the cliffs where the princess was currently engaged in battle against the Hróðvitnir, the fen-dweller, and the monster of the river Van. The vicious giant wolf Fenris.

Heimdall watched as the princess tried desperately to fend off and dodge the wolf's attacks. He watched as her sword got snapped in half, and could only continue to watch how her expression changed from determined to horrified.

It was treasonous to think such negative thoughts; however, Heimdall couldn't help but worry. The princess does not have any weapons, nor her seidr, because of the King's order. In spite of those obstacles, she still chose to search for the most dangerous beast in the forest. Granted, she was guided by Ygddrasil's Messenger, Ratatoskr the Deceiver, and yet she still went through with it.

She was by no means weak (in fact, she's the strongest of her fellow trainees) however, she was very much at a disadvantage. Frankly, Heimdall was concerned for the outcome.

He took care not to let it show though. It was not his place.

Unfortunately, with his all-seeing eyes intent on the scene in the mountains and nothing more, he completely missed seeing a figure sneaking through the abandoned palace. Likewise, no one else saw; too preoccupied as they were by the competition happening at present…

…

It was stuck!

Hela stared in disbelief at the huge golden chains that bound the legs of the Giant Wolf. It wrapped around all four legs, with chains in between each manacle, and two chains tied into something further in so it couldn't even get out the cave itself. Inwardly berating herself for not noticing it sooner, it also made her wonder why they didn't muzzle it, if the ones who did this already got this far.

Fenris was half-out now, its huge body trying desperately to squeeze out of the cave's mouth, the roars now becoming whines as the chains dug harshly in its furs and through skin and bone. Dried crusted blood on the manacles indicated how hard the Wolf tried to get free in the past, and its now desperate thrashing was visibly causing the old wounds to reopen and bleed heavily, much to Hela's horror.

"Stop!" Hela raised her hands, trying desperately to calm it down. "Don't do that, you'll get hurt!"

Unsurprisingly, she was ignored.

"Please," Hela called urgently. "I know you're smart, Fenris. Doing that won't change anything; you'll only make it worse!"

A pair of feral green eyes the size of dinner plates suddenly locked on her face, and Hela only had a moment to sigh in relief for finally having caught its attention, before the Wolf roared at her before continuing its struggle.

Hela frowned and thought quickly; the original Hela tamed Fenris, so that meant she found the beast in this state and obviously freed it. Question was, would Fenris acknowledge her as a friend if she also did it? Or would it just attack her again? A bigger question was, should she just leave it?

Why not? Hela grumbled internally. She didn't exactly sign up for this. She's not suicidal.

Except… everyone always said she's a bleeding heart. Whoever left Fenris here left him to die, and the sorry state of the Wolf – who she noticed was unnaturally thin and emaciated despite its height, the evidence of dried blood on the restraints, its frothing mouth and heavy breaths suggesting its distressed and panicking state, and a whole lot more – was simply cruel. Worse, Fenris was probably intelligent, which just made its situation more inhumane.

Hela sighed and rubbed her temple, just knowing she'll regret this. "Alright, I want to help, but if you don't stop struggling and let me free you, that's your choice." She waved a dismissive hand, trying to project a casual air.

Surprisingly, the Wolf froze; its frantic eyes swiveling around to look at her again. The only sound remaining on the clearing were its heavy pants. Hela dared not even twitch. "So you can understand me." She marveled aloud.

The Wolf's eyes only remained on hers, as if… waiting?

"Ah– umm… right." Hela cleared her throat nervously; sweat beading down her forehead. She got its attention all right, now how to keep it… "I will free you, but only on one condition."

Fenris' eyes narrowed.

Hela's eyes narrowed back, "Now, don't look at me like that. I need a guarantee that you won't attack me immediately after releasing you. That's just ungrateful and hardly civilized."

To her disbelief, the Wolf snorted, before locking its gaze into hers again; this time, it seemed more piercing and dangerous.

Her whole body tensed.

Why did she do this again stupid reckless she is suicidal what's gotten into her, for Frigga's sake, she's gonna die again–!

Fenris' eyes smoothly slid close.

Hela's breath caught, completely confused and out of her depth but instinct told her the Wolf was agreeing…?

"Right…" Hela squared her shoulders and starts creeping forward, hyper aware of the fact that Fenris could move fast and if it actually does, she'll get out of there and find another beast without hesitation.

Though it seemed the beast was aware of that fact, because Hela was only a couple of steps away from the nearest leg and it still hadn't moved.

"Right, just hold steady." Hela told it softly, before hesitantly reaching for the chains, her hands trembling. Time seemed to stop as Fenris' breathing stilled when she touched the manacles, all sound disappeared, and the only thing that mattered was the immense power and seidr weaving through the manacles, the very air almost feeling saturated with seidr. Familiar seidr.

Hela closed her eyes involuntarily as she took in a deep breath; this feeling… this sheer power… it could only come from the All-Father himself. Only he could have such power as to keep this mighty beast contained. However, knowing that it was the All-Father who trapped Fenris here (despite the fact that this likely guaranteed Asgard's safety in the long run) just made Hela feel like she needed to make it up to the beast for her father's sins.

Eyes still closed, Hela frowned thoughtfully and spread her hands out to inspect the manacles more thoroughly. Sensing seidr technically doesn't count as using seidr, so this should be fine. And what she sensed almost made the risk worth it.

In her mind, the huge manacles glowed with sheer power and purely complicated spells that kept the Wolf bound and imprisoned. This was expected, just as she expected to sense her father's magical signature all over it. In fact, it's almost blinding how potent it was. However, that's not what caught her attention. Because while the manacles and chains were guarded with everything in the All-Father's power, the thing they were tied to was not.

Hela recoiled as Fenris shifted impatiently, drool and slobber splattering all over the grounds. The beast was growing irritated, and she still hadn't found a way out of this.

"Just hold steady," She murmured before trying to peek around its massive body and into the cave. To her relief, there was a way inside so she could inspect the chains better, but it required having to press her body between the walls and the beast's massive build.

This day just kept getting better and better.

"Alright, I found a way, but this is going to be very uncomfortable for us." She warned, and the beast stilled abruptly, "I need to get inside so I can see the chains better. If you want to be free, I strongly suggest not crushing me. Do we have a deal?"

She doesn't even know if it could understand her, but there's nothing to it; the beast was trapped, she needed it free so she could hopefully prove herself to Asgard, and that required going into the gods damned cave. At least if she died, she had it on good authority that there will be another life awaiting.

"Here I go…" She took a deep breath, before slowly slipping in between the narrow path.

It was a tight fit; Hela found herself breathing in deep to minimize space as she crept sideways, taking good care to plaster herself onto the walls and not into the rigid body in front of her. The Wolf looked unnaturally calm and steady, but who knows what's really going on in its mind. It could be imagining crushing her for all she knew.

"Steady," She muttered, both to herself and to the beast. The chains almost glowed in the dark, helping her find her way into the dark interior of the cave. The walls were slick and coated with saliva, and Hela wrinkled her nose at the thought that it's probably all over her at this point. Fortunately, the trail finally stopped, and Hela smiled as she saw the golden chains tied around a giant boulder, and nothing else.

A quick check and she found no sign of her father's seidr on the rock. It was just a normal boulder, and that suited her needs just fine. Fenris probably only pulled at the chains holding his legs together, but not so much at the chains wrapped around the boulder. That would explain the slightly scraped and scratched surface, but nothing more.

"Fenris," She called, and the beast stiffened up even more. Any more and it'll probably look like a statue. "I have an idea, but I need you to be patient. Please don't move until I'm done."

The beast snarled, and the cave shook with its rage. Hela found herself sucking in a sharp breath as fear took hold of her. One shift and she'll be crushed. This wasn't exactly how she imagined going out in this life. Just her luck that she'll die another embarrassing and pathetic death. Crushed by a giant dog, she inwardly snorted.

Thankfully, Fenris calmed down soon, and Hela was free to maneuver herself to stand beside the boulder. She analyzed the rock, seeing the frayed edges that suggested that Fenris did try to pull herself out of here before but with obviously no luck. Though perhaps she could make it easier on her…?

Hand clenching into a fist, she narrowed her eyes before summoning her strength and punching the boulder.

The cave rumbled at the impact and Fenris jerked, nearly stepping on her as it moved. She scrambled back and dodged as rocks rained from the ceiling, landing on the Wolf who whined in pain. 

The trembling stopped, and Hela turned to check the boulder to find it barely cracked.

Of course, if the Giant Wolf can't break it, there is no way she could. She eyed the cave's ceiling and the tight space her body is squeezed into. She'd need momentum to carry her to break that thing, which she doesn't have. She stifled a sigh, 'Let's do this the old fashioned way then...'

Bringing out a dagger glowing in seidr, which added to its durability, she brought it on the frayed and cracked edges and started whittling at the most fragile parts. Perhaps if she loosened the chains' grip on the rock a bit, Fenris could slip free.

Though with the rate she's going, it'll probably take her all day. Thank the Norns the ceremony ends tomorrow.

And with that, Hela continued whittling away.

…

She was right.

Night fell, and she was still carving around the rock. Any normal dagger would've broken under extreme use, but her seidr made it a touch stronger than normal, so it remained an effective whittling tool. Though she did go through at least four of them, and was now going through the last one in her set.

Fenris had long since laid down a few hours after she started; its huge body looking almost relaxed the longer she spent without harming it. It seems it trusted her, for now.

On the other hand, the rock was looking good. There was now space between the chains and the surface, and a few prods revealed that the chain became much looser now. But was it enough?

"Better find out." She nodded to herself determinedly, standing abruptly and inadvertently jolting Fenris out of her relaxed state, "Ready to get out of here, Fenris?" She grinned cheekily as the Wolf's head turned as best as it could to glare at her. "Oh don't give me that look, I tried my best! Granted, using seidr would've definitely made this easier if it weren't for those stupid rules…"

A growl suddenly reverberated in the cramped cave and made her roll her eyes, "All right, all right, I'm going." She grumbled before steeling herself and grabbing the chains. Eyes narrowing, she planted a foot on the rock and yanked upwards hard.

An almighty clanging sound made her teeth rattle before the chain went slack. Stunned, Hela only had a second to grin widely in triumph before the Wolf howled and dashed.

"Fu– AH!" She yelped before the chain – which she still held in her hands – jerked and she suddenly found herself being dragged along down the mountains and into the forest with frightening speeds. She might've screamed a little (and probably blacked out most of the way) but a moment's clarity made her grit her teeth and shout at the beast incoherently. Though all that earned her were a few bumps and crashes amongst the trees and rocks that the Wolf happened to not dodge. Thanks a lot.

"Are you serious?! This is the thanks I get?" She yelled in frustration. Her hands and arms strained to keep their grip on the enchanted chains; her palms were probably scraped raw right now and she's just too numb to feel it.

The surroundings were just a blur as Fenris continued to ignore her. Hela could spot several fires and light in the distance; no doubt her fellow trainees already killed their own game and were just settling in for the night. Whereas here she was, being dragged along by her own game. Her father was probably getting a kick out of this.

Fenris suddenly veered sharply to the right, Hela screaming as her body got tossed straight into a tree. She twisted so her back received the brunt of the impact and she felt the trunk give way before her arms jerked and she was pulled along again. She dazedly blinked the black spots out of her vision and prayed fervently that she hadn't just destroyed the talking squirrel's home.

She tried to dig her feet on the ground, hoping that her Asgardian strength could at least slow it down, but that only resulted in a deep gouge on the dirt and an irritated growl from the beast itself.

Voices up ahead! Hela perked up and immediately shouted for all she was worth as Fenris burst into a clearing, hoping to catch their attention and warn them. The moon shone brightly enough that it took her eyes a few seconds to adjust. When they did, the pale light immediately illuminated two figures fighting with what looks like a huge elk. Her yell effectively caught their attention and they swiveled around to stare at her in shock, and Hela was surprised to see Ornulf and Tyrkir's flabbergasted expressions as they watched her get dragged around like a rag doll.

"Princess?!" Tyrkir blurted.

Before she could respond though, Fenris spotted the elk and jolted to a stop, causing Hela to abruptly crash into its back. To her horror, the brooch got jostled out of its place on her chest and fell, but before she could catch it, Fenris roared, spooking the elk and causing it to rear back in fright. The poor thing began to run away, and Hela could only watch as Ornulf shouted something incoherent at Tyrkir, who immediately turned his back to the giant wolf and took a running leap at the elk, sinking his sword in its broadside, probably piercing its lungs and killing it instantly.

Despite Fenris' presence, Ornulf whooped loudly enough that even the Wolf jolted in surprise. "Great shot!" He clapped Tyrkir on the back enthusiastically; heedless of the fact that Tyrkir had barely glanced at his perfect kill and instead continued staring at the Giant Wolf growling in front of them. "I knew you had it in you! Of course, if it weren't for me, you would not even know when or where to strike in the first place–"

"Ornulf!" Tyrkir hissed urgently, and the blond finally took notice of the huge danger in their midst. He breathed, "Mother of Frigg."

"Fenris, don't you dare!" Hela hissed at the Wolf, who snapped its jaws at the two boys threateningly, "Those are my friends!"

Unsurprisingly, the Wolf didn't acknowledge her. Recognizing the threat, Ornulf immediately drew his bow and arrows, ran forward and took a stance in front of the other boy protectively, bow held with steady hands. Tyrkir immediately drew his sword behind him as well.

Hela growled lowly in her throat; if that beast thought it could just maul and eat her friends, then it had another thing coming.

Even though the Wolf was right in front of them, its sudden move still took them all by surprise. Like a true predator, Fenris lunged with incredible speed at the two boys, who froze momentarily before scattering. Ornulf quickly lined up a shot and fired, the arrow clipping Fenris in the ear as the beast dodged. Tyrkir blocked the claws that swiped at him, but the strength of the blow still made him crash into the trees with a scream.

Hela saw red, and she immediately threw herself into the fray. She took a running leap, and Fenris could only yelp as her foot suddenly connected with the side of its head, abruptly jerking the huge beast's head to the side and stunning it momentarily.

"Get back!" She shouted and the boys scattered, Ornulf retreating further into the trees to line up another shot while Tyrkir hovered at the sidelines, trembling fingers clenched tightly around the hilt of his sword. "T-That's Fenris! The Giant Wolf!" He gasped out, and Hela spared a glance at him. "The stories say he was chained by the All-father. Why is it here?!"

"This is not the time for your random facts, Tyrkir!" Ornulf yelled at him in frustration.

Tyrkir gestured with his blade at the stunned beast helplessly, "But Ornulf, this means the All-Father's seidr burned out or something. Fenris can't just free itself!"

"I am afraid that is my fault." Hela admitted as the beast recovered and snarled at her. "But this is not the time. Everyone, get back! I will handle this."

Tyrkir gaped, "But Hela–!"

Hela glowered at him, "Just do it!"

Shocked, he withdrew; watching worriedly as she drew her own sword – the one he faintly recalled was made by just her seidr – and began squaring off against the huge beast.

Despite its size, the Wolf moved fast and attempted to pin the princess down. Hela immediately darted to the side and leapt back as clawed paws swiped at her. She barely landed before another swipe nearly took her head off and she leapt back yet again. The fight (if it could even be called a fight. At this point, Hela was almost sure it's playing with her) was deadly; it would only take one mistake on Hela's part and it would all be over. She couldn't spare a moment to check on her friends, intent on keeping the beast's attention on her and her only.

However, the longer this took, the more likely it would be for Hela to tire. Thinking fast, she spotted the chains whipping around with Fenris's every move and an idea struck.

She suddenly lunged, grabbing the golden restraints before making a run for it. The beast spun around frantically as it tried to keep her in its sights, and in doing so, completely failed to realize what happened until it was too late; the chains coiled around its feet and became taut, and in an almost comical fashion, the Wolf stumbled off-balance.

Spotting the blunder, Hela quickly took advantage. She released the chains and vaulted herself on top of its body, ran along its staggering length before landing right between its eyes. The Wolf barely had time to rear back before Hela pointed her sword right into its eye, effectively freezing it in place.

Hela gazed at it coldly, "Move, and I will kill you where you stand."

The forest seemed to hold its breath; Tyrkir and Ornulf gaped, the Wolf panted harshly, its body rigid and still, and Hela waited with eyes narrowed. She may have spent the whole day freeing Fenris, and she may want to befriend it, but if it so much as twitches towards their direction, she's going to gut it like a fish and damn the consequences.

'Very well.'

Hela blinked, and Fenris unexpectedly settled down, sitting back on its haunches. Behind her, she heard someone swear in surprise, before she turned her attention back to the Wolf's bright green eyes. She cleared her throat and whispered harshly, "I'm sorry, but did you just talk?"

The Wolf gazed back, indifferent.

Hela barely resisted the urge to groan. With talking squirrels running around, why not talking wolves as well? "Do you give your word not to attack me and my friends?" She asked it seriously, refusing to think about how ridiculous she probably looked.

It blinked slowly.

She soldiered on, "None of that silence! I need to know for certain, so talk."

"Uh, Princess?" Tyrkir called hesitantly after a moment of silence, staring at her as if she's gone insane. "Are you all right?"

Ornulf 'shushed' him and grinned in amusement, "Talking to animals must be a princess thing. Let them talk."

"Well?" Hela waved her sword threateningly, and the Wolf's eyes slid close.

'I give my word.' A deep voice suddenly rumbled in her head, and she nearly lost her grip on the weapon. 'You initiated a life debt, I shall honor it.'

Hela stared in confusion, a sense of foreboding taking hold of her. "What do you mean 'a life debt'?"

However, Fenris seemed content to stay silent and remained with its eyes closed.

She glanced helplessly at the two below. Specifically at Tyrkir, who's probably the only one around here who might actually know what the hell the Wolf was talking about.

Unsurprisingly, Tyrkir answered dutifully once the full weight of the Princess's gaze settled on him, though it's obvious he's still completely terrified. "If the beast is invoking a life debt, then that means you saved its life, and it'll forever be in debt until it can repay by saving your life as well." He blinked several times in disbelief, "But Hela, you saved its life?!"

She nodded, "It was chained and left to die for who knows how long. I couldn't just leave her."

Ornulf hummed, "I believe your Highness seems to have forgotten our reason for being here." He remarked lightly, though his grip on his bow remained unrelenting. "Saving the beasts you see instead of killing them is not exactly what the All-Father wants, Hela." He reminded her.

"I know that." She replied, willing them to believe her. Besides, that life debt certainly sounds useful. "But this is different. Fenris is no ordinary beast."

Ornulf side-eyed the Wolf, who frankly looks wild and dangerous in its emaciated state, "Princess, you have to admit this is unorthodox and very dangerous. Unless you plan on killing it, taking it back with us is suicide."

"...Ornulf is right, Hela." Tyrkir said softly. "Bringing it back is dangerous. Everyone would kill it on sight. The King, more so."

At the mention of the king, Fenris stiffened and snarled. Hela immediately tightened her grip on the sword and her friends tensed, their hands immediately settling on their weapons. Trained or not, Hela could see clear as day that they were terrified, and were only holding back from attacking or running from the beast because she's still there. It suddenly struck her that they were only children. Training to be warriors, they may be, but anyone sane enough would be terrified of a 13 foot tall beast who had a mouth large enough to swallow the three of them whole and still have more than enough room to spare.

Still... with a life debt, that meant she has the chance to take Fenris back with her. She could be useful in the upcoming war, if Odin finally goes through with it. She can't let that opportunity go to waste!

"I understand your concerns, but I assure you I have it handled."

Tyrkir sighed, "Well, you always do things for a reason. Besides, if you kill it now, the life debt will be null and void. That would be a waste." He eyed the Wolf too, "Are you certain Fenris won't actually harm anyone?"

Hela looked down from her perch on the giant head, Fenris growling and digging its claws on the earth in irritation. Hela could just feel its hatred at being forced to restrain itself and behave. "Fenris, do you swear not to hurt anyone when we get back?" She paused and added thoughtfully, "Unless I tell you to?"

Fenris abruptly stopped at that before letting out an amused snort, 'I like the way you think, godling.' It huffed, 'Very well.'

Hela turned back to the two boys, who looked visibly frightened and unnerved at their silent conversation. "It agrees."

Tyrkir let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "All right, that's good. Now all that's left to do is for you to hunt another creature, since an alive one doesn't really count." He paused, before shrugging. "It is probably for the best if the Princess asks how it plans to do its end of the bargain so we are clear on all fronts."

Hela looked down at the eyes again, "You heard him Fenris, how exactly do you plan on fulfilling this… debt?"

The Wolf turned its gaze up towards her, looking both annoyed and amused at the same time. 'I do not intend on owing someone for long.' It sniffed imperiously. 'I will stay with you, until the debt is repaid with haste.'

In other words, Fenris will stay and probably find ways to 'save' her life to call it even. Just great. She'll probably have to watch her back now for unexpected 'dangers.'

Hela sighed, "Fine, all right, just help me kill some beasts so I can finally finish this gods-damned ceremony, since I can't exactly bring you back as my game."

To no one's surprise, the prideful wolf refused. 'It is your task, not mine.'

Hela almost threw her hands up, if not for the sword still pointed in its eye. "Fine!"

"We can assist Your Highness with that as well, if you would like." Tyrkir offered, though his eyes still glanced at the beast warily. "Just let me secure the elk and we will follow you."

Hela shook her head, before sliding down from the Wolf's head and into the ground, landing lightly on her feet. She sheathed her sword, "It will probably be best if you go back first. Best not to let anyone think we are helping each other. Thank you for the offer, though."

"An excellent idea!" Ornulf grinned, back to his usual sunny self. "What a born day, am I right? Happy hunting, Hela. And please actually hunt something this time, yes?"

"Ornulf…" Tyrkir groaned.

Hela laughed, "I swear it." She then began searching around the ground, narrowing her eyes as she walked before finally spotting it. "Ah-ha!" She hurried and picked the brooch up from where it had fallen in their struggle to tame the Wolf. She swiftly pinned it back on her chest and touched it to reassure herself that it's there before nodding to the Wolf. "Come on then, we have a ceremony to finish."

…

Freeing Fenris was definitely worth it, as Hela found out the next day when dumbfounded expressions and horrified gazes greeted her return.

The Queen went horribly pale underneath the harsh sunlight, suddenly looking like she aged an additional hundred years. Hela winced at the sight, making a mental note to apologize for the heart attack she almost induced. To her delight though, Herryk appeared as though he was about to pop a vein, and Vor had frozen where she sat. Only her father remained unpertrubed, and Hela suddenly remembered that he had watched everything that happened through Huginn and Muninn.

It seemed her attempt to render him speechless had failed after all.

Tyrkir and Ornulf smiled at her where they stood with their kills – the elk and the boar respectively – and she sent them another quick apologetic smile before coming to a stop before the All-Father.

"My King," She saluted with a fist over her heart and knelt.

"Daughter." He acknowledged, his amused gaze flickering to the beasts and back to her. "I see you have been busy."

Hela glanced at Fenris, who tossed her head back smugly, and at the ten dead beasts slung across her back – her kills ranging from bears, boars, deer, to lions and even a venomous snake so long it could probably wrap around Fenris' body three times over – and smiled slightly. "You could say that."

Odin then stood, and Hela was unsurprised to hear Fenris snarl. The Wolf had expressed its hatred of the All-Father back in the forest for imprisoning her. It was all Hela could do to make her swear not to attack him if she doesn't want a repeat of the imprisonment.

Still… 'Calm, Fenris. Remember your oath.'

Fenris growled in irritation.

Odin paused, and Hela noted how his eyes narrowed. "Back again, fen-dweller?"

'Obviously, All-Father.' Fenris almost drawled out the word. Hela had no doubt it would've, if it were actually capable of speech. Also, one thing she learned during their brief hunting trip in the forest was that Fenris is a sarcastic and sassy thing, and it'll probably be best not to let her antagonize the King further.

Hela abruptly stood and assumed a stern and commanding air, effectively catching everyone's attention away from the budding tension. Her narrowed eyes slowly looked over the gathered crowd, noting how their gazes varied from frightened, suspicious, to even anticipation for a punishment. She decided to quickly crush any cause for suspicion and doubt before it could take root. "Fenris Wolf owes me a life debt, and has sworn an oath to serve me until that debt is repaid." She said slowly, observing as the faces shifted from frightened and horrified to intrigued. "As such, she is mine. Anyone who plans to hunt her down or harm her shall answer to me." 

The crowd went silent in surprise, and Hela turned to her father, who watched the scene without a word. "Fenris is not the game I brought back, nor did she help me kill these beasts," she waved a dismissive hand to the carcasses still slung over the Wolf's back. "There was no cheating or trickery involved, as you well know already, All-Father."

"...I know." Odin confirmed, and the whole crowd breathed out as one in relief. The King's word is absolute; everyone knows this. If he does not see a problem with this, then there was no problem.

Odin silently gestured for all the trainees to line up, and Hela swiftly stood with her friends who offered reassuring smiles. "All of you have performed admirably. You have shown courage, strength, honor, and ingenuity (his gaze briefly landed on Hela) to succeed in your tasks. The beasts you have brought back will be a staple for tonight's feast, where you will finally be recognized as worthy men and woman of Asgard. Your actions are to be commended."

The crowd dutifully applauds and cheers, though Hela was amused to note that it doesn't sound as enthusiastic as it should've since they glanced warily at the Giant Wolf the whole time.

Odin suddenly held up a hand and the noise immediately died down. "However, there is one such individual who deserved to be recognized for finally coming of age and even performing beyond expectations, despite the limited resources provided for her." Hela suddenly got a foreboding chill in her bones. "Crown Princess Hela of Asgard, step forward."

What are you playing at, Father? Hela stepped towards the King and knelt.

He gestured, and a servant then stepped forward and handed Odin a small chest. He opened it slowly, and Hela's heart promptly plummeted to her stomach at the sight.

"Rise." Hela rose numbly, eyes trained on the thing in Odin's grip. "For your admirable actions during the ceremony, I see fit to reward you a fine weapon, worthy of a true warrior and princess of Asgard." He held the thing up, letting the crowd see, "A war hammer made from the powerful metal uru, crafted by the finest Dwarven blacksmiths in Nidavellir and laced with spells of my own making." He continued, heedless of Hela screaming internally, "A weapon that can win wars, slaughter our enemies, and defend the Realm Eternal. It will serve you well, my daughter." His eyes gleamed with triumph, and Hela closed her eyes in defeat. "Use it well."

And with those ominous words, Mjolnir was hers.

...