Helheim (The Nine Worlds Trilogy Book 2)

by Debbie Champion

  She smiled back and gave a little twirl.

  "My own fairy godmother," she laughed at Ellewen.

  Ellewen grimaced. "Less of the fairy eh? Ok Alex, your turn, Matt looks decent enough," she said winking at Matt.

  "No way, you'll make me look like a dork and you need to fix my ears first," Alex growled at her.

  "Oh but you didn't say the magic word," said Ellewen sweetly.

  "Now," barked Alex, glaring at her.

  She grinned at him and reached up to touch his ears. He felt a slight burning sensation; saw a bright blue light and jerked back.

  "There, that's better," she said, standing back to admire her work.

  He reached up to feel his ears and was relieved they felt normal. He then noticed that she had cleaned him up somehow. The blood and dirt were gone from his hands and arms and he was wearing clean clothes; black jeans and a plain white t-shirt.

  "Hey the girl did good, cheers Ellewen," he said, looking down at himself.

  Becca giggled and Matt snorted.

  "What?" asked Alex.

  He sighed. "What have you done now?"

  Ellewen looked at him innocently. "Who me?"

  "You have horns," laughed Becca, pointing at his head.

  "Ellewen!" shouted Alex, lunging for her.

  "Ok, ok," she gasped, skipping out of his reach.

  She clicked her fingers and he felt a sharp pain on either side of his forehead.

  "Ow, that's not funny," he moaned, rubbing his head.

  "Don't be a baby. Come on let's get going. We don't want to be left with the scraps," she said.

  She spun around in a circle and when she faced them again she was wearing a little black dress and black trainers.

  "Er, nice, but what's with the trainers?" asked Matt.

  "Comfort before beauty. I hate heeled shoes. They make my feet hurt. Right, let me draw the door," she said, reaching into a black clutch bag, which had appeared with the outfit.

  "Hang on guys. Whilst I would love to go to Asgard and party all night, aren't we forgetting something?" asked Becca seriously.

  She was looking at the sword hanging by Alex's hip.

  "Oh come on. After all we've been through? An hour or so won't make any difference. Let's just enjoy this moment. We can meet my family and at the same time figure out how to get to the land of the Fire Giants," said Alex.

  "I guess so," she said dubiously.

  "Look, we'll plan this one properly, rather than flying by the seat of our pants," said Alex, wrapping his fingers through hers.

  She made to jerk back as she hadn't forgiven him yet for abandoning them but relented. He looked really hot in his tight black jeans. She held onto his hand tightly and he pulled her into a quick embrace, kissing the top of her hair.

  "I am sorry you know," he murmured into her ear. "We stick together from now ok?"

  "Ok," she smiled up at him.

  He leant down and kissed her lips and Matt moaned. "Get a room you two. Come on Ellewen, let's get out of here before they embarrass themselves."

  Ellewen was busy drawing a doorway onto a nearby tree. As soon as she completed the handle, the door edges started to glow yellow.

  "Asgard, Valhalla," she said clearly as she opened the door.

  A burst of laughter came through the door and the smell of roast meat and beer. Alex's stomach grumbled loudly and Ellewen laughed as she stepped through. Alex grinned at Becca and motioned for her to go first. She stepped through, followed by Matt and then Alex.

  They were standing at the edge of the now very packed hall. Every bench was filled with men and woman who were laughing, eating and raising toasts to Baldur and Nanna who were seated in the middle of the hall. Odin's throne had been moved to one side and he was seated next to Baldur on the raised dais so all could see them. A beautiful woman with long wavy red hair sat on Odin's other side and she was staring directly at Alex.

  "Alex," boomed Odin, when he caught sight of him.

  "Come and meet your granny," he laughed.

  The woman at his side glared at Odin. "That's not funny," she snapped.

  She looked back at Alex, smiled and beckoned him forward. He went to stand in front of the dais and looked up at her, not really sure what to do.

  "Welcome Alex," she said warmly. "You may call me Freyja. I've been following your adventures. You have been brave all of you," she looked around at Becca, Matt and Sasha who had come over to greet them.

  "Please, find somewhere to sit and eat. We can talk more when you've had your fill," she said, winking at Alex.

  He blushed bright red; she must have heard his stomach growling. Sasha laughed and led them to a table to the right of the dais where seats had been saved for them.

  "Is my dad here yet?" asked Alex, scanning the hall eagerly.

  "No, not yet. I'm not sure he will bring your mum in here anyway," she said gesturing to a beautiful woman with long, golden blonde hair, sitting at the table on the opposite side of the hall.

  The woman was glaring at Alex and talking to her companion out of the side of her mouth.

  "Sif," said Alex, realising who she must be. "Ok, this is awkward," he said sitting down.

  "Hey, just ignore her. A messenger will let us know when Thor is back and you can go and meet him outside," said Sasha, sitting next to Matt.

  Ellewen sat on the other side of Matt and looked over at Sasha.

  "Where's Lexi?" she asked.

  Alex felt Becca stiffen next to him and he put a reassuring hand on her knee under the table.

  "Oh, she'll be here in a moment. You know Iduna, she does like to make an entrance," laughed Sasha.

  "Come on Alex, eat up before it gets cold," she said indicating the heavily laden plates in the middle of the table.

  He didn't need asking twice and immediately attacked a roast chicken with his fork.

  "This is wicked," grinned Matt.

  Beef juice was dripping down his chin from the huge slab of meat he had picked up.

  "It's like a Viking feast from the movies. Look they even have those horn things," he said, pointing to two mail clad warriors who were sitting at the next table.

  They were drinking a frothy looking liquid from long horns and were laughing raucously.

  "I've got to get me one of them," said Alex, looking around for a server.

  "Mist," called Sasha, trying to get the attention of a young girl who was busy filling the horns from a large jug.

  She looked up and Alex and Matt gasped. She was stunningly attractive. Her long blonde hair was so blonde it was almost white and she had eyes of pure gold. She scanned them both with her golden eyes and laughed, sending shivers down their spines.

  "Ah, the thirsty warriors have returned. Now here are two I would have picked off the battlefield," she said, coming over and handing Alex and Matt a horn each.

  "Sorry, what?" asked Alex, confused.

  "Mist is a Valkyrie. She and her sisters choose who gets to live and die in each battle. Once they decide, they pick half of the best dead warriors from the field and bring them here to Valhalla so they can feast and fight for ever. The other half are taken to Freyja's afterlife field to continue their battle," explained Sasha.

  "It's much nicer here in Valhalla," Mist winked at them, filling their horns to the brim with beer.

  "Can I get you ladies some mead?" she asked the girls politely.

  "Oh, do you have anything non alcoholic?" asked Becca.

  "Non alcoholic? In Valhalla?" Mist laughed. "I'm afraid that word doesn't exist in here."

  "Ok, mead it is," smiled Becca, accepting the horn Mist gave her. "That must be tough. Getting to decide who lives and who dies," said Becca.

  "Oh not really. I just go for the good looking ones," Mist laughed. "Hadn't you noticed how good looking everyone is? There have to be some perks to this job."

  Becca had certainly noticed the hall was filled with beautiful women and squirmed in her seat uncomfortably. She felt drab in comparison; a
ll of the women except for herself and Ellewen were wearing long, floaty gossamer pastel coloured gowns. She tried to pull her dress down over her knees but it just sprang up over her thighs again. Sighing she took a look at the men. Mist was right, they were all stunningly attractive. Most of them were wearing breastplates, embossed with six packs that she guessed were actually real underneath the armour. They were tall, broad shouldered and had chiseled cheekbones to die for.

  "Quite a sight eh?" laughed Ellewen, getting her attention.

  "I'd say," she laughed back.

  "Yeah well, they're only warriors right? Not demigods," muttered Alex.

  Ellewen, Sasha and Becca burst out laughing and Alex glared at them.

  Suddenly the noise in the room died down to a few whispers and they all looked around to see what had caused it. Iduna and Lexi had entered the hall. They walked slowly between the tables exchanging greetings and smiling at everyone. The whole room was transfixed by the sight. They looked like two ethereal angels floating down the hall; the light from the candles reflected off their long, golden hair and illuminated their natural beauty.

  "Matt, you're catching flies," said Sasha, reaching over and pushing Matt's jaw closed.

  "But she...she...," he stuttered.

  "Yes, she's practically naked," whispered Alex, reddening to the tips of his ears. "I'm afraid Auntie Iduna doesn't seem to own anything which isn't transparent."

  "Oh there's nothing wrong in that," laughed Matt, staring at her.

  "Matt!" shouted Sasha and Ellewen together.

  "What?" he asked innocently. "You can't blame a guy for looking."

  "We'll just make sure that's all it is," snapped Sasha.

  Iduna and Lexi made their way slowly over to their table.

  "Nephew," Iduna winked at Alex.

  "Auntie," he greeted her, averting his eyes, which were level with her breasts.

  "You must be Alex's brave friends we have all been hearing about," she said smiling at Becca and Matt warmly. "Move up Alex, let Lexi sit down. I can squeeze in opposite next to this handsome, young man," she said, nodding to Matt.

  He went bright red and stumbled as he stood up to help her into the space next to him on the bench.

  "Becca, hi, I'm Lexi," said Lexi, reaching over Alex and shaking Becca's hand. "I love your dress. I feel a right idiot in this getup." She plucked at her long, pale blue dress which had runes intricately carved into the neckline. "Mum wouldn't let me wear something normal," she moaned.

  "Lexi, you know how I feel about Midgard clothes. Honestly, some of the skirts I have seen you wear, they barely cover anything."

  Alex choked on his beer and Becca patted him on the back. Mist reached over to refill his horn but he waved her away.

  "No thanks, best not. I don't want to be drunk when I meet my mum."

  "Oh, you can't get drunk Alex, you're a demigod. Your metabolism breaks down the alcohol too quickly for you to feel any effects," said Mist.

  "You what? I can't get drunk? Well that sucks," he moaned, looking into his drink morosely.

  "Hey, that's great, we'll always have our designated driver," laughed Matt.

  "And look on the bright side, no hangovers," added Ellewen.

  Alex rolled his eyes and stabbed another juicy chicken leg with his fork. Lexi nudged his leg with hers and said quietly. "You'll get used to it. It's kinda fun watching the humans get drunk and making idiots of themselves."

  "You too?" asked Alex, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

  "Of course. I'm one hundred percent goddess,"

  "Oh, I thought you hadn't come into your powers yet, like Sasha."

  "Oh yes, I got upgraded early. I can't believe Gramps let me stay in Midgard with my gifts but, I'm his golden granddaughter, I can do no wrong," she laughed.

  "You didn't say. What's your power then?"

  "My gift," she corrected. "I have the gift of beauty and love. I thought you might have figured that out already," she said, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

  Alex blushed again and cleared his throat. "Well, yeah, I guess that all makes sense now," he said uncomfortably.

  "What does that mean?"

  Suddenly a loud crash at the end of the hall made everyone stop and look around. The doors to the hall had been flung open and Thor came bursting through them. He strode down the hall; static electricity was snaking over his skin and his face was full of fury. He stopped when he reached the dais and shouted. "Treachery!"

  He was so angry he could barely speak. He stood there pounding Mjolnir into his fist. Odin stood up and glared at Thor with his one good eye. "Thor, what is the meaning of this, explain yourself and calm down before you blow my hall up."

  Thor closed his eyes and the static electricity sunk back into his skin. "The Light Elves have declared war on me," he spluttered. "They have stolen Alex's mother and are holding her to ransom. They will release her if I provide them with a thousand golden apples and a hundred sapling trees from Iduna's garden. The devils. I say we go and annihilate them once and for all and put them back into their proper place."

  There was a roar of approval from all of the warriors on the benches. The sound was deafening and made the golden shields in the rafters rattle. Odin raised his hand and the noise died down.

  "Thor, you know better than anyone how much I love a battle but this is not a war I can condone. Alex's mother is a human. We are not going to war with the Light Elves over a human and we are not going to give them any golden apples. I forbid it."

  Thor's face drained with blood and he took a step back. "But Odin, they have gone too far this time. First they kidnap Lexi and try and force her to marry their prince and now they attack me. It's outrageous," he spat.

  "Thor, I have spoken already. We are not going to war with the Light Elves over a Migard woman. If you want her back, go fetch her yourself but under no circumstances will you give them any golden apples, no trees, not even a damn leaf. Do I make myself clear?" shouted Odin angrily.

  His bright eye flashed dangerously and he threw himself back onto his seat, making it clear that the conversation was over. Thor scowled at him but then bowed and retreated to where Alex was sitting.

  "Father, I'm with you, we'll rescue her together. I managed to get Lexi out of there," said Alex, standing up and gripping Thor's forearm.

  "I know son but I was hoping Odin would finally agree to put those elves in their place once and for all. They're always stirring up trouble and they'll do anything to get their hands on the golden apples."

  Baldur strolled over and placed his arm over Thor's shoulders.

  "Fine greeting my brother," he laughed.

  "Baldur, forgive me. My mind was elsewhere. You haven't changed a bit, you're still the ugliest god in the Nine Worlds," he said, embracing Baldur and thumping him on the back hard.

  "And you haven't either. Still causing trouble and disobeying father. You didn't seriously expect him to raise the Asgardian army to rescue your mistress?"

  Baldur saw Alex bristle and he nodded apologetically to him. "Sorry Alex, that was a bit harsh. You have to see it from Odin's point of view though Thor. He hasn't really forgiven you yet for creating a demigod. Even though he is a fine man," he added as he saw the flash of anger in both Thor and Alex's eyes.

  "But he needs to see sense. The Light Elves have been niggling us for centuries. We need to show them who's in charge," bristled Thor.

  "We will brother, we will. We don't need the whole army though. Look I'll come too, we'll sort this out together, just like the good old days eh?"

  "No you won't Baldur. Your place is here in Asgard. I have only just got you back, I'm not losing you again so easily," shouted across Odin. "This is Thor's problem and he can sort it out," he said firmly, glaring at both of them.

  "Look, we've got this," cut in Alex. "You don't need anyone else, we can get her together. I've been there before, I know where they'll be hiding her."

  "Er, excuse me Alex but you had some help bef
ore, remember?" said Ellewen sarcastically.

  "Well, yeah we'll need you too," he grinned.

  "You cheeky....hang on, Alex, your nose, is bleeding," she said suddenly worried.

  "What?"

  He wiped beneath his nose with the back of his hand and looked at the bloody smear, surprised.

  "It's ok, it's just a bloody nose," he said, wiping his hand on his jeans.

  "Alex, demigods don't get bloody noses and look," said Sasha, pointing to the sword at his hip.

  The ruby red eyes on the snakehead pommel were glowing and pulsating.

  "Take it off," cried Becca.

  Alex quickly undid his belt and the sword clattered to the ground. He kicked it away from the table and the red eyes stopped glowing.

  "It's the curse," said Sasha, horrified. "It's starting to affect you."

  "Guys, I'm fine, honestly," said Alex, dabbing at his nose with a tissue Becca had handed to him.

  "Sasha is right," said Thor, looking towards the sword. "You need to get rid of it now before it does you more harm."

  Suddenly Ellewen cried out and jumped to her feet. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she jerked a few times before collapsing onto her back onto the floor.

  "Ellewen!" cried Matt, bending down and patting her cheek gently.

  She was breathing very quickly and her eyes were wide-open and pure white. She started to whisper. "Beware, when the curse of the Tyrfing sword ends, Ragnarok will begin, beware...beware...beware..."

  "Ellewen, Ellewen," said Matt, shaking her gently.

  She closed her eyes and took in a deep shuddering breath. When she opened them she could see all of their worried faces looking down on her.

  "Ok, that's embarrassing," she said, sitting up quickly. "That normally just happens in my head. I haven't done that since I was a little girl."

  "Are you ok? You're really pale," asked Matt, rubbing her back.

  "Yeah, I'm good, a bit dizzy, but that's probably the mead."

  She stood up and Matt held her elbow, directing her back to her seat.

  "Well, that's a problem," she said when she sat down.

  "What do you mean?" asked Alex, sitting opposite her.

  "That was a prophecy delivered via the Norns. Lovely ladies....not," she said, bitterly. "If we stop the curse, i.e if we destroy the sword, then they will start Ragnarok."