4
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“Mother!” Ingrid bounded onto the porch in true Ingrid fashion, giving her mother a big embrace. “It’s good to see you. It’s been too long.”
“Ingrid,” my grandmother said. “It’s fortuitous to have you back.”
Ingrid moved out of the way, and my mother and I moved forward.
“Mother,” Leela said. “It is wonderful to set eyes upon you again.”
My grandmother marched down the porch steps. Rae and Sam stood off to the side, Sam’s eyes as wide as saucers. Grete was a towering figure who wore her long gray hair plaited the way many Valkyries wore theirs: braided closely at the sides, long and free down the back. She had Ingrid’s hazel eyes and Leela’s high cheekbones. She was beautiful and didn’t look a day over fifty. “Come to me, child,” she beckoned to me. “Let me see you in full.”
I stepped forward, saying nothing as she appraised me. After a moment, she opened her arms, and I walked into them.
That was it.
The hug was fierce and loving.
I relaxed as all my trepidation leaked out. This was my grandmother. My flesh and blood. When the hug was finished, her hands still gripped my shoulders tightly. “I’m Phoebe,” I told her. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“And I am Grete.” Her voice had a nice melodic ring to it. “Welcome to my home. I can feel your strength. I’ve heard about some of your adventures, but we have much to catch up on.” She dropped her arms and faced my mother.
I moved out of the way to give them space.
Leela had her head bowed.
For the first time, I realized that maybe Leela hadn’t left on great terms with her mother. My birth had to have been a family scandal.
“Come forward, my daughter,” Grete said, her tone unwavering.
Leela raised her head and complied, her hands clasped in front of her. She stopped a foot from her mother. “We parted it anger,” Leela started, “and I have much regret for that day. But I hope you understand I did what I did for Phoebe. I do not second-guess my choice to leave, although I have wished, at times, that it could have gone differently between us.”
“I understood your reasoning, even though I didn’t agree with it at the time,” Grete said. “Your temperament is fierce, as is your soul. It is a testament to you that you have managed to survive that harsh realm for all these years. I am happy to see you again, Daughter. I have had many years to contemplate our words, and I forgive you and your actions. Thusly, if you choose to forgive me, my hope is that we may come together and begin to mend old wounds.”
Leela smiled. “I would like that very much, and of course I forgive you. Now that I know what it is to be a mother, there is clarity where none had been before. For a Valkyrie, it is hard to put another before oneself, but it is a requirement for motherhood. I understand your anger and your fear, as I now have those same feelings for Phoebe and what is to come.”
Grete glanced in my direction. “Yes, there is much uncertainty there. But I have felt her strength, and she will weather this storm, just as you have.”
“Plus, she’s got a big ol’ wolf to protect her,” Ingrid joked, trying to lighten the mood. “Now let’s get inside before the neighbors come out to investigate. We don’t need any more gawkers. We’ve had enough of those already.”
Leela and Grete looked at each other for a moment and then embraced, both clearly relishing the reunion. I was beyond happy for them.
I walked over to Sam, who was busy dabbing a tear from her eye. Rae even appeared a bit shaken, but she was doing her best to seem otherwise. “That was such a beautiful reunion,” Sam said, her voice raspy. “I think everything is a little more beautiful here, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.” I put my arm around my friend as we walked into the house, following Ingrid and Rae.
The living room was spacious and well-appointed, seemingly larger than it looked from the outside. Everything was in order, with hardly any clutter or knickknacks around. The furniture was modern, with clean lines, a mixture of smooth wood and white fabric. There were several pictures over a mantel. I walked over and peered into the frames, smiling to see my mother and Ingrid as little girls with bright smiles, already dressed in Valkyrie costumes, awaiting the day they would be struck.
There were several pictures of Grete with a handsome man. He had a gracious smile, dark hair, and shining eyes. No one had mentioned my grandfather yet, and I hadn’t wanted to pry. I leaned over and squinted. He was laughing in almost all the photos. He looked relaxed and happy, his arm usually around Grete or one of his daughters.
Grete moved next to me. “That’s your grandfather, Lance. He was the love of my life.”
“What happened to him?”
Her face showed surprise at my question. She glanced at Leela, then back to me. “Well, he died, of course.” She headed purposely toward the kitchen, which had a wide doorway open to the living room. “Would anyone like some tea before we do more introductions?”
“That would be great, Mother,” Ingrid said. “Here, let me help you.”
Grete and Ingrid disappeared into the kitchen as Leela came to stand by me. “My father was a wonderful man. Ingrid and I loved him very much.” She moved down the mantel and picked up a photograph showing a very elderly man next to my grandmother. Leela traced her finger over his face for a moment before she said, “Valkyries age very slowly. And although the people of Asgard have a longer life-span than those on Midgard, they are not immortal. My parents were together for a hundred and twenty years before he died.”
I tried not to act shocked, as Grete appeared to be no more than fifty years old. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “I shouldn’t have pried. I knew Valkyries age slowly, but the timing of everything is confusing. It’s so different than what I’m used to. He looks like a wonderful father and husband. I wish I would’ve been able to meet him.”
“He would’ve loved you very much. Living in Asgard is a big change, but you’ll get used to it.” My mother handed me another photo. In the frame was the same face, but this time younger. He was handsome with a definite twinkle in his eye. “Ingrid gets her sarcasm from him. He was a very witty, charming man. He was a great father. We couldn’t have asked for better.”
Grete came in carrying a tray. When she’d finished setting the platter down, I set the photo back on the mantel and led Sam over. I didn’t know yet what to call my grandmother, so I didn’t address her directly. “This is my friend Sam. She came with me from Midgard after she got caught up with us in a chase by the dark elves. We think her father is Asgardian, so it was a happy chance.”
“Very little here runs on chance,” my grandmother said, smiling.
Sam stuck her hand out. “I’m very pleased to meet you. Thank you so much for opening up your home to us. Asgard is a remarkable place from what I’ve seen so far. The gravity thing is incredible.” Sam grinned. “I can’t wait to discover everything else.”
My grandmother shook Sam’s hand. “Make yourself at home. I haven’t spent much time on Midgard, but yes, designating gravity makes things very useful for us here.”
Ingrid took a teacup off the platter and handed it to Rae. “Mom, this is Ragnhild, our current battle captain.”
Rae bobbed her head as they shook hands and, for the first time, I saw that my grandmother still wore her weapon. The handle of an ornate sword was tucked into her belt, which was cinched around a short tunic. Other than her gray hair, she could’ve passed for a young Valkyrie, no problem.
“Ragnhild, I’ve heard much about you,” Grete said. “I knew your mother well, of course. We served together. She recently moved to Vanir, correct?”
“Yes,” Rae answered. “She remarried a god and moved. Throughout my childhood, I was lucky enough to hear stories of you and your legendary prowess and unflinching courage leading our sisters into battle. Those stories are what made me want to become a battle captain myself. Thank you for being such an inspiration.” Rae bowed in reverence to my grandmother, bending at the waist. I’d never seen Rae affect a pose like that for anyone. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“I’m certain your mother generously embellished those stories,” Grete said. “But I’m proud to have even lent a small hand in who the Valkyries are calling the greatest battle captain they’ve ever had next to Brynhild. That is high praise indeed.”
“They exaggerate,” Rae said, briskly brushing aside the compliment. She set her teacup down. “I hate to rush out, as I’d love to spend more time sharing stories, but there’s a lot of organizing that needs to happen before tomorrow morning. I will leave two of my warriors behind, even though you are all capable of fending off any threat. That way, you can catch up without glancing over your shoulder. These are unsettled times, and we must remain diligent.”
“Indeed,” Grete said. “We appreciate the extra hands. There has been much gossip and stories flying around since the Norns arrived. They have whipped people into a frenzy. I’m not expecting anything to go easily over the next few days.”
Leela took a cup off the tray and settled into a chair as the battle captain left the room. “Rae is right. There is much to do before tomorrow, but I must leave within the hour. I’ll be back in time for the evening meal.”
We all sat.
“Who are you meeting?” Ingrid asked.
“Mersmelda,” Leela answered.
“The oracle?” Ingrid gaped. “I thought she died. That was the rumor anyway.”
“Her death was a necessary cover,” my mother said. “But she is alive and well. I’ve kept in contact with her over these long years. We had a special way of communicating that went undetected by the dark elves, facilitated by my servant, Willa.” Willa, a dark elf hybrid, had stayed behind at the stronghold in New Mexico with a few of the Valkyries. She would join us in Asgard once it was safe.
“Mersmelda has been forgotten by many over the years,” Grete said. “How did you communicate?”
“By stone.” Leela pulled a flat stone no bigger than a half-dollar from her pocket. It was matte black with a tiny hole bored in the center. “She placed her thoughts into here, and when I held it, I could read them. Then I would do the same.” My mother smiled. “Each time, I was certain she wouldn’t understand what I was asking, but she always did. She forbade me to speak of it until I was out of Svartalfheim. It was one of the things that kept me sane during my long incarceration. She foretold that this day would come. That we would all be here together. Now I must go see her and give her my thanks and a generous payment.”
“And where exactly will you get the funds?” Ingrid asked, grinning as she leaned forward in her seat. “You haven’t exactly been gainfully employed for the last twenty-four years.” As far as I knew, Valkyries didn’t earn money. Everything they needed was taken care of, so there wasn’t much use for it.
Leela gave her sister a cagey smile. “I have my ways.”
My grandmother nodded thoughtfully as she sipped her tea. “I never thought I’d live to see three generations of Valkyries sitting in the same room. It makes me very proud.”
“Don’t get any ideas about seeing any more,” Ingrid joked. “I won’t be retiring for the next hundred years or so. Then, who knows about starting a family? Not sure I’m the mothering kind.”
“In a hundred years, you might feel different. Give it time.” My grandmother turned her focus on me. “Tell me about yourself, Granddaughter. I’m anxious to hear your story. The Norns portrayed you as a threat to our well-being. Seeing you sitting before me, their stories don’t add up. Is that your weapon?” She nodded to the short sword I’d managed to strap haphazardly onto my belt.
I set my tea down, glancing unhappily at my substitute. “Um, no. This is not my weapon.” I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to tell her what was, since it had become a secret.
“Odin has bestowed a special weapon upon Phoebe,” Leela said. “We felt it was best to keep it under wraps. Her half brother Tyr carries it now for safekeeping.”
“What weapon is that?” Grete asked curiously.
“Gundren,” Ingrid said.
Grete stared at Leela, then at Ingrid, before her gaze landed solidly on me. “You wield Gundren? As in the twin blades crafted specifically for the god himself?”
“I do,” I said, suddenly uneasy, fidgeting with the chair cushion. I hoped the people of Asgard, once they found out, didn’t think I’d stolen it. I missed it like a severed limb that kept itching.
My grandmother straightened. “If that’s the case, it’s good you’ve entrusted it to your brother. The people of Asgard would be up in arms if they saw you with it, as they think you will be responsible for bringing about Ragnarok as it is. Witnessing you wield the swords meant for a god might cause riots in the streets.”
Ingrid rose abruptly. “Phoebe can’t bring about Ragnarok—it’s a fated event.” She spun around. “How can the people of Asgard be so easily fooled? The Norns lie for their own gain, and we will prove they lie. We just need time.”
Grete patiently watched her daughter begin to pace the room, not lifting a single eyebrow. It was clear she was used to Ingrid’s actions. “Of course Phoebe cannot bring about Ragnarok,” Grete said. “Anyone with any sense knows that. But these are hard times. There’s been much upheaval in our world recently. The Norns prey on those who will listen, and the gossip is hard to ignore. The fact that Baldur is dead, and Frigg is inconsolable, doesn’t help matters. The goddess is much beloved, as was her son. To kill a god is no small thing, as you know.”
Ingrid threw up her arms. “Phoebe didn’t kill Baldur. Verdandi did! You can bet she left that out of her soapbox oration. That Norn threw a mistletoe dart straight into Baldur’s heart. We all witnessed it.”
“The Norns claimed that Phoebe alone freed Baldur from his cell in Svartalfheim. Is that correct?” Grete asked.
“Yes,” I said before Ingrid could comment. “I set him free.” I missed my brother. Baldur had been one of a kind, with the knack to draw you in and make you laugh in less than two minutes of meeting him. Of course he was beloved by all. People couldn’t help but love him.
“Phoebe set Baldur free by his own authorization,” Leela argued. “He was done being kept. He knew his fate and embraced it. Verdandi took advantage of the situation, knowing Phoebe would be blamed. But Phoebe did not kill her brother, and soon everyone in Asgard will know it.”
“Had I known he was going to die within hours of me freeing him, I swear I would’ve done things differently,” I said. “I would’ve found a way to help him, of course. Maybe coming back later or sending someone for him.” I stood and walked to the mantel. “Baldur was a wonderful person, even though I only knew him a short time. His life shouldn’t have ended that way. I feel responsible.”
My grandmother rose. “There is no shame in doing something good, only shame when you could’ve helped and didn’t. Everyone in this realm knows that Frigg’s decision to keep her son a prisoner in Svartalfheim was the wrong one. Baldur went along with it because he loved his mother and wanted her to be happy. But it was his time. You can’t argue with fate. Your mother is right. The people of Asgard will soon know the true events. Have no fear, Granddaughter. We will see the wrongs righted.”
“I hope so,” I said.
Loud rapping sounded from the front door.
Leela stood. “Are you expecting anyone, Mother?”
Grete shook her head. “Of course not. This is our time together.”
The knocking grew louder. “The guards should’ve intercepted anyone who came this close to the house,” Ingrid said, withdrawing Betsy from her waistband, the spear reaching its full length in under two seconds.
My grandmother drew her sword out of her belt. It was an impressive weapon, at least three feet long. “Well, let’s go see who it is, then, shall we?”