Hidden Worlds

by Kristie Cook

  ***

  “He’s coming—hurry!” Olaug, Inga and I scrambled into place as Olaug put down the phone that linked to Asgard. It was time. Thor was going to show up on the screen any minute, and this was my only chance to convince him to change me. If this failed, we were out of options. Ull would become a human, the gods would lose at Ragnarok, and Earth and Asgard would disappear forever.

  Oh, and we’d all die.

  We stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the secret room under Ý dalir, Olaug and Inga flanking my sides for support, our hands clasped together. As we stared at the screen we heard a muted thud followed by heavy footsteps. The sound came from the chamber Olaug told me led to the Bifrost, the passage between Asgard and Earth. We weren’t expecting a visitor—we’d been very careful to keep this meeting secret from everyone, especially Ull. Certainly none of us were expecting the enormous man with fiery red hair coming out of the chamber.

  “This seemed like something that should be discussed face to face.” Thor’s gruff voice thundered in the suddenly small space.

  You could have pushed me over with a feather. Thor was a hundred times scarier in person. He stood at least a foot over me, sinewy muscles straining against his clothes and an enormous hammer clutched in his left hand. His face was weather worn and his ruddy skin bore the scars of countless battles. But none of that bothered me. I knew what was riding on this meeting, and I couldn’t afford to be scared. I narrowed my eyes in determination. I was going to get through to him, no matter how much I wanted to turn and run up the stairs.

  Olaug broke our silence. “I am sorry Thor, I did not know to expect you in person. What a treat for Ý dalir to have you. Would you care for a beverage?”

  “I would love a cup of tea, thank you Olaug. Hello Inga.” He nodded to my friend.

  “Hello Thor. Thank you for hearing us today.”

  “I will hear you. It is all I can promise.” His hand tensed reflexively around MjÖlnir.

  “Sit, please.” Olaug motioned for us to gather around the table as she brought Thor his tea. It was an uneasy gathering. Thor dwarfed his chair, but still managed to sit with the agility of a jungle cat poised to attack. I willed my voice to work.

  Thankfully, Thor spoke for both of us. “Miss Tostenson, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am sorry for this state of affairs. It pleases me that my son has chosen a companion, but under the circumstances, you can see why I am not in a position to celebrate your union. Losing Ull at this time is a travesty to Asgard, not a cause for revelry.”

  I wanted to yell, Then change your mind! But I didn’t want to sound petulant. Inga gave me a nod. “Thank you for coming, sir. I know this is not a good time for you to be away.”

  “No, it is not.”

  “I wouldn’t have asked this of you if I didn’t truly believe that I could help.”

  “Miss Tostenson, you are a human. Weak, fickle, and frail by your very nature. How could you possibly help the gods?”

  “I can’t, not as a human. But I can if you make me one of you.”

  “I thought I made myself clear on that topic. You are not fit to join Asgard.”

  “Yes. I am.” Thor’s brow tensed; he was not used to objections. “I am more fit than you know. Sir,” I added as his eyes flashed.

  He stood to leave. “I have no time for insolence. Olaug, see that my energies are not wasted again.”

  “Wait!” I ran in front of the enormous man. He frowned as I blocked his path. “I can save your realm.”

  Thor’s snort bordered on derision. “Miss Tostenson, what can you do that all the forces of Asgard cannot?”

  “I can see your enemies’ battle plans. I can discover their strategies and report to you. Or I could, any way, if you would make me a god.”

  “I do not understand.”

  “Here,” I fumbled in my pocket until I pulled out Elsker’s note, “This explains everything.” My lungs hurt for lack of air until Thor read the note all the way through. The crease on his brow deepened as he read it a second time. He folded the note and handed it back to me.

  “This means nothing. Elsker is a traitor.” Thor turned and moved towards the Bifrost.

  “What are you talking about?” I jumped in front of him again.

  “She mingled Ull’s fate with a mortal. She was cast out with cause. Now, if you will excuse me.” He tried to move around me but I blocked his path. His eyes turned black and he gripped his hammer. It was time to pull out the only card I had left.

  “Elsker.” I gripped my grandmother’s necklace as I said her name. “Elsker, Elsker, Elsker.”

  “Oh, my.” Olaug stepped back as the old woman appeared next to her. Elsker stood four and a half feet tall, tops. Her white hair was pulled up in a bun, and her wrinkled skin had a soft glow.

  “Elsker?” I stepped toward her. There were a million things I wanted to say, but only one mattered right now. “I need your help.”

  “I should say you do.” She marched to Thor with surprising dexterity for a woman who looked so frail. “What exactly do you think you are doing, Thor? Shame on you.”

  “Shame on me?” Thor stepped back out of the Bifrost. “Shame on you! You meddled with my son’s future. Cast his fate with some human? You deserve your banishment.”

  “You always were a pigheaded prude. Even as a child. Oh, I remember you well.” Elsker stood inches from Thor with her hands on her hips. “You are lucky I was not your Norn.”

  “We agree on that at least.”

  “What are you doing, Thor?” Elsker asked again. “My prophesy for Kristia is true. Her visions will save us. But you have to change her.”

  “I would never go against the Three Sisters. They gave you one rule, Elsker. One rule. And you could not follow it.” Thor’s eyes blazed.

  “You are right. I found The Seer. Would you have turned a blind eye?”

  “The Seer? That is not possible.” Thor’s gaze shifted to me and back to Elsker.

  “It is, and I found her. Read the note more carefully.” Elsker folded her arms.

  “What’s going on?” I whispered to Olaug.

  “The Seer was one of the first prophecies proclaimed by the Three Sisters, but the identity of The Seer has never been revealed. So much time passed, most of us began to doubt The Seer’s existence.” I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the way Olaug was looking at me.

  “What’s so special about this Seer?”

  “He or she will be able to see everything—past, present and future. Absolute knowledge of the nine realms at all times. It will be an unconquerable power. Odin thought he was The Seer. He gave his eye to Mimir in exchange for knowledge. But Odin was not the chosen one—his sight is vast, but he can only see the present.”

  “And they think that I’m … that I can …” I was the product of an ancient prophecy?

  “We do not think, Kristia.” Elsker stopped glaring at Thor long enough to look at me. “We know. Even Thor must know, if he can get over himself long enough to admit he is wrong. Touch her necklace Thor. Go on. Touch it.”

  “I will do no such thing.”

  “Why should he touch my necklace?” I whispered to Olaug.

  “Because if it’s the necklace from the prophecy, to anyone else, it is just a necklace. But when The Seer puts it on, that necklace channels MjÖlnir’s magic. They were forged from the same piece of metal.”

  “Touch it, Thor.” Elsker was brave. I’d never be able to order Thor around like that.

  “Fine. But only to prove what a liar you are.” Irritated, Thor marched away from the Bifrost and held his hand to my neck. “May I?”

  “Sure,” I whispered.

  Thor held the charm between two fingers. Nothing happened. He turned to Elsker, still touching the silver. “See you old woman? It is as worthless as your word.”

  As he spoke a faint beam of light came from the necklace.

  “What?” Thor spun around. The necklace shot nine beams in quick succession, each stronger than before
. The last beam was so bright I shielded my eyes. When I lowered my arm, the light had dimmed. Inga’s hand was over her mouth and Thor was staring at me.

  “Great Odin,” Inga mouthed. “You’re The Seer?”

  Olaug bowed her head, then looked at me with awe. My legs shook. Whatever this meant, it was a very big deal to the gods.

  “It cannot be. The Seer is human?”

  “I have been trying to tell you this for eighteen years.” Elsker was impossibly smug.

  “And you brought The Seer to my son?”

  “Yes. They are the perfect fit. It would take an extraordinary heart to warm Ull’s. And it would take an extraordinary warrior to protect The Seer.”

  “You might want to sit down Thor,” Olaug offered.

  Thor lowered himself onto the leather chair.

  “You too, ladies.” Olaug gestured and we sat on the couch while she retreated to the little kitchen and returned with a fresh pot of tea and five cups. Inga and I distributed them quietly.

  “What happens now, Elsker?” Thor lifted his cup.

  “First of all, you lift my banishment, you nitwit. And apologize.” She was a sassy one. I liked her a lot.

  “I am sorry Elsker. Odin was wrong to cast you from the realm. I will make sure this is rectified.” Thor sounded sincere.

  “Thank you.” Elsker gave one nod. “Now, agree to change Kristia. The Seer isn’t going to be very effective as a human, is she?”

  Thor looked at MjÖlnir for a long time before he spoke again. “You will use your gift to protect Asgard, Kristia?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You will be good to my son?” His words were gentler and something almost like tenderness crept into his eyes.

  “Yes sir, I will.”

  “He has seen much pain in his life. I expect you shall treat him with kindness.”

  “Of course. Ull is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

  He paused again, closing his eyes as he fought against his impulses. Everything he knew was being challenged and I knew this decision cost him. “Then Miss Tostenson.” He extended his free hand. “Welcome to Asgard.” I winced at the firm handshake. “Ahh, so fragile.” He patted my arm. “Well, not for long.”

  “Thank you, sir,” I gasped. I looked at Inga, my eyes wide.

  “I shall speak to Odin about our conversation. Of course Kristia’s conversion will be known in Asgard, but I think it best if we keep the details of her gift a secret.”

  “Agreed, Thor. As far as we are concerned, the fewer who know of this the safer Kristia will be. Odin shall be fully briefed, and Ull and Gunnar of course, but no one else.” Olaug picked up a notepad and began writing.

  “Excellent. And I will ensure you are granted entry to Asgard, with full apologies from my father.” Thor stood and rested a hand on Elsker’s shoulder. “I cannot believe you found The Seer.”

  “I cannot believe you ever doubted her.” Elsker shook her head.

  “I apologize, Kristia.” Thor turned and entered the Bifrost. “I am needed in Asgard. You will train her, Olaug? Prepare her for life as a goddess?”

  “I shall do my best.”

  Thor nodded once. “Very well. Inga, Kristia.” he nodded to each of us in turn. “I shall see you at the wedding.”

  “Thank you,” I called feebly as he disappeared into the chamber. Good gravy. What had I gotten myself into now?

  The moment he was gone, I turned to Elsker. “You’re amazing! I can’t believe you stood up to Thor like that!”

  “I had to. He was being inordinately stubborn.” We smiled at each other.

  “It’s nice to meet you. Er, see you again I guess. I don’t remember meeting you the first time.”

  “You were a cherubic baby.” Elsker touched my cheek. “I am so happy Ull went looking for you.”

  “Oh, no. Ull.” We’d gone behind his back and convinced Thor to change me. I wasn’t sure what scared me more—fulfilling some ancient prophecy as an all knowing visionary or owning up to Ull about what I’d done. “Um, Elsker? Do you think you could stick around for a couple of hours? Help me soften the blow for Ull? He wasn’t very happy with the idea of Thor changing me. He’s really not going to like knowing I’m... I’m …”

  “The Seer,” Elsker said gently. “It is a tremendous honor. And a tremendous responsibility. Are you all right?”

  “I think so.”

  “I will help you.” Elsker rubbed my arm.

  “We all will.” Olaug nodded her assent.

  “I’ll tell Ull,” Inga laughed. “Serves him right.”

  “And of course I will stay.” Elsker patted my hand. “I have waited a long time to see you and Ull together.”

  “Well, you won’t have to wait much longer.” Olaug cocked an ear toward the stairs. “He is here.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “HEI LADIES.” GUNNAR’S VOICE was both a greeting and a warning. “We’re back, early!”

  “Wait here,” I whispered to Elsker. No need to freak Ull out with the excommunicated Norn the second he walked in the door.

  “Hei hei,” Ull’s hearty voice bellowed. As far as he was concerned, Gunnar and Inga had joined us for a weekend at Ý dalir to get away from school. He had no idea Olaug helped us plan a secret meeting with Thor, or that Gunnar had taken him fishing to keep Ull out of the house all day. He certainly had no idea Inga and I had been plotting for weeks to get me into Asgard. Just how angry was he going to be?

  “In here,” Inga called as we rushed up the stairs and into the living room. “We were just, uh …”

  “In the garden! We were in the garden!” I finished hurriedly. “Boy, it’s a nice day.” Time had not improved my acting skills. Inga elbowed me as she rolled her eyes.

  “Sure is. Gunnar and I had a great afternoon fishing.” I could hear Ull hang his coat on the hook under the mirror, before he carried a cooler into the living room. “Supper is here!” He swaggered with bravado, making me smile despite my nerves.

  “I caught the biggest one,” Gunnar boasted.

  “No, I caught the biggest one,” Ull countered.

  “Yes, but yours got away, didn’t it?” Gunnar patted his shoulder in mock sympathy. “Sorry mate, doesn’t count.”

  “It counts,” Ull muttered.

  I kissed his cheek. “It counts to me.”

  Ull looked grateful. “Way bigger than Gunnar’s fish.”

  “Aw, that’s why it got away, mate.” Gunnar smiled.

  “Stop bickering boys, tea is in the garden,” Olaug called from outside. She had busied herself bringing tea and cakes to the backyard sitting area and we gratefully followed the sound of her voice. As we gathered around the table Olaug nodded. She wanted me to tell him. Right now. Was she crazy? Inga caught my terrified look but she nodded too.

  “What did you girls get up to this afternoon?” Ull asked through a mouth full of scone. Olaug raised an eyebrow. There wouldn’t be a better opening. Why did Ull have to choose this moment to be perceptive?

  “Funny you should ask that. Um, well, we sort of had a visitor.” Do it, Tostenson. Tell him.

  “How nice—who was it?” Ull picked up his teacup. It was so fragile in his enormous hand. I hoped it survived my news. It would be a shame to break Olaug’s set.

  “Uh, well, it was, uh … your dad.”

  Very deliberately, Ull set his cup down. The china was saved. “Thor was here?”

  “Yes. Here. At Ý dalir,” I continued unnecessarily.

  “Why?”

  “Well, see, Inga and I sort of thought that maybe there would be a way to convince him that I should get to be one of you, so we asked him to come and”

  “Inga,” Ull thundered. “How could you? Kristia has been through enough!” Ull stood so forcefully that his chair fell to the ground. He started pacing in the small space, crossing from the table to the yew dale and back again in clipped strides. His body started to shake, and the veins in his forearms throbbed as he clenched and
unclenched his fists.

  “Ull.” I wanted to defend my friend, but he held up a hand to silence me.

  “Of all the deceitful, underhanded things you could have done.” His voice grew louder with each word. “Inga Jensson Andersson, how could you do this to her?”

  “I didn’t do anything to her Ull. I did it for her.” Inga jumped up, hands on her hips. “This is what she wants. You are what she wants.” She poked Ull in the chest and he shook with rage.

  “She does not know what she wants!” Ull thundered.

  “Enough!” I couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop yelling at her! Inga did this because I asked her to. This is my fault. I want you to be able to protect your family, and I want to be able to protect you. Thor agreed to make me a goddess because I want him to. I can do this Ull—you just have to believe in me!”

  “Kristia, how could you ever think I do not believe in you? You are the strongest woman I have ever met. Frustratingly, irritatingly strong in every possible way. You are the only woman who has ever been brave enough to challenge me. Well, except for this one.” He glared at Inga. He knelt down so his eyes were level with mine. “But what you want to do is incredibly dangerous. Why would you think this was a good idea?”

  “Because she is The Seer.” Elsker stepped out of the house. “And she knows it is going to work.”

  “Kristia is The Seer?” Gunnar clapped his hand to his forehead. “Did not see that one coming. Did you see that, doll?”

  Inga shook her head.

  “Elsker.” Ull stood. “How did—where—what are you doing here?”

  “Kristia needed me.” Elsker crossed to Ull. She stretched up to touch his cheek. “Oh my sweet boy, you are just going to have to trust her. She will be fine.”

  “Elsker,” Ull enveloped the tiny woman in a hug, “I thought I would never see you again.”

  “You cannot get rid of me that easily,” she tutted. “Now did you hear me? Your fiancÉ is the one the Three Sisters prophesied.”

  Ull looked at me, then Elsker, then back to me again. “No.”

  “Yes,” Elsker confirmed.