Arahaelel
When I returned to Asgard, I flew to the throne room, "Father!" I called out, "Back so soon, little sister." Loki's voice drawled, "As much as I would like to stay and talk with you, brother. The world I was sent to is in trouble, and I pray father changed his mind about the guardianship." I muttered the last part as father and mother entered, "Arahaelel? The sun has hardly just left the sky, what are you doing back?" Mother asked quickly, "I need to talk to Father alone." I replied, with a shared look with mother, she and Loki left, Loki more reluctantly then her, but he was always afraid to leave my side. Loki sent me one last look of concern before leaving, "What happened there?" Odin asked me quickly, "When I was down there, what happened in my dream happened there. Men in masks killed children, fire spread, then there was a mark of great evil in the sky. A war is coming for them, but it doesn't have to be our war! We have no reason to get involved with these witches or wizards!" I cried out, father glared at me, but then it turned into a smirk, "You are the Goddess of War, are you not?" He walked closer to me, "You are the Goddess of Protection, are you not?" One more step closer, "You are the Goddess of Travel, are you not?" I looked up at him slowly. And all at once I felt his disappointment, I never tried to get out of a quest, in fact I was the one who pushed to go, but I never held the fate of children in my hands. "I am all of those things." I whispered, I kneeled before him, like we were trained to, "You are my daughter, you are strong enough to handle any war they may face. You are no match for their enemies." He is going to order me there, I have no choice, I will be their guardian! "Which is why, even if you wish it isn't so, you are the Guardian Of Their World now." I nodded my head, my blonde hair fell in front of my face and thankfully covered my eyes, for I couldn't look at my father without feeling shame. A warrior begging to not take a quest in Asgard is a shameful act, "Forgive me, Odin. You know I did not mean what I said. I take my life into my own hands, but I do not care to take children's lives into my hands. But, then I must protect them, then I start a war, then I travel. The cycle repeats itself." I sped through my words as quick as I could. "Get off the ground, go wash up and I will speak to you in the morning." Odin ordered, of course he wasn't angry at me, while I got the image of him being incredibly angry in my head, I could tell it was not the work of my small prophecies.
I walked out slowly, but held my head high, as I unbuckled my armor on the way to my bed chambers, I heard footsteps running towards me, in five seconds I had Loki pinned to a wall, holding my sword to his neck. "Evening, brother." I greeted with a laugh, "Are you in trouble with him? He's not as harsh as he is with Thor and I with you, I doubt you got in trouble with him, did you?" Loki always did this, we were always closer to each other then Thor and I. "No, although I could tell I disappointed him after a few words that were spoken." As we walked to my bed chambers in silence, I knew he didn't think going to this world of witchcraft was an idea I should pursue, "You know how I feel when you leave Asgard. Your quests can get you killed or worse!" His voice rising with each word, I saw the gold and black doors that would lead to my bed. "Brother! I know you're unhappy with the circumstances of my quests, but I would like some sleep." I informed him, I opened the doors and tossed my shoulder armor onto the bed, "Have a nice rest, sparring tomorrow. Remember to pick a dress for tomorrow." With that my brother kissed my forehead and left. Ah, yes, the celebration of the leaving of a long quest. I always forget about those. It was a tradition, the day after you are assigned a quest, long or short, a celebration takes place. Our father and mother usually hide out while we celebrate, each celebration gets louder and much more violent. Although in my opinion the spike in violence might be part of Thor and I, we get quite competitive when we drink. Even though we can not get overly drunk, everyone acts like they are. I sat upon my bed and undid my hair, letting it fall down to the middle of my back, then a loud banging on my door started, I gave a deep sigh and began to chew on the inside of my cheek, "Come in, Thor!" I called out and had Thor walk in slowly, almost like he did not wish to be here. "Arahaelel, are you alright?" He asked, as softly as he could, "My condition is quite alright, how are you?" I responded to him, "It has come to my attention, you and I are not as close as I would like us to be." He was confused I could, the words from him must be coming from mother. You can always tell when Thor is confused, he talks softly with me, usually he's quite loud. "Mothers words?" I questioned and he gave a sharp nod, Thor sat down next to me, as he did he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Do you remember when you were a child, we used to climb the palace as far up as we could get. Mother was always upset that I let you get that far. Then, you climbed up alone and when we went searching for you, no one thought to check there. Until you jumped, we watched you fall, until you started to fly. In that moment, my dearest little sister, I knew you would be powerful, unstoppable, a true hero." Thor sucked in his breath and looked me in the eyes, "Mother says that is when we grew apart." We sat in silence for awhile, each second was like it was before that day. "I leave on Odin's day, we have one more night and an extra day, to climb to the top of this palace." I said with a chuckle, he laughed along with me, his deep laugh most likely echoing through the kingdom. "If you die on this quest, I will resurrect you somehow and kill you myself." Thor mumbled, "What a lovely thing to say."
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I pulled on my armor for today and took my arrows while also grabbing one of my long bows, two of my recurve bows, and two of my crossbows, Loki and I had planned to train after breakfast. Carrying my weapons out, two at a time, as I carried my crossbow out and right as I placed it on the table, "True warriors do not put their weapons on our eating table." My mothers voice came out of no where, "Right on time, mother. If you must know, I am not a true warrior. I am the Princess of Asgard." I smirked as she rolled her eyes at my behavior, "Princesses do not have weapons." "Goddesses have weapons." Was my quick reply, "Goddesses have manners." Her voice snapped through the air, "Not all of them." I responded as I began to literally dig into the food. "I raised an animal." I heard mother sigh, "We wouldn't have it any other way." Loki told her and slid into the chair next to me, I grabbed a fist full of meat as Thor joined us. "Don't eat everything, I just got here!" His voice rang out as he proceeded to steal meat from my plate, "I will stab you if you do that again." I threatened, but he shook it off. "Animals." Mother muttered again, Thor and I ate like animals, unless we were around company, then we ate like civilized gods! Who actually had manners. Loki stared at us as we tore into the food, "Animals." He muttered and I turned to look at him, my face stuffed with bread, "Despicable." I attempted to say, but I do not think my message got across, bread crumbs spit out of my mouth and hit him, "I apologize." I said to him, Loki wiped his face free of the soggy bread crumbs and began to eat his food. We ate in silence the rest of the morning, Father joined us along the line, then Loki and I took off to our training area. I threw him one of my crossbows and a few arrows, side by side we lined up with the targets at least fifty feet away. Each moment with my brother was like a moment of my childhood, he was the one who taught me archery, with a crossbow, I taught him to handle a Long bow and Recurve bow. I took in a deep breath as I released my arrow, hitting the target a little left of the bulls eye. "A little far off don't you think, little sister?" He teased and I was suddenly swept into a flashback.
"Try to hit the target next time." Loki sighed, my heart sunk, what seemed like the fiftieth arrow that had missed the target in each practice. "Don't give up, you'll learn soon." He squeezed my shoulder before leaving our practice area, I slipped onto the ground and held the crossbow in my hands. Weapons were never my specialty, no matter how hard my brothers and father pushed me, no weapon seemed right in my hands. I don't understand, my brothers were almost naturals with being what we are. Loki with magic and Thor with almost everything else, my only skill is the ability to climb to the highest point on the palace. Taking my scarf, I fastened the crossbow to my waist before jumping to my feet, my shoes clicked against the ground as I broke into a sprint through the palace. I ran up the stairwells and through each floor, right up to one of the windows. I flipped the latch and pushed it open, I crawled through the window and leapt on to the ledge above, the wind blew harder up here, if you slipped you fell to your death. But, I would never climb anywhere else. I climbed up, I learned how to not slip as I got farther up, I memorized the side I always climbed up. When I got to the top, I pulled the scarf loose and let it fall from the palace, from where I was standing I had the perfect view of where we practiced. I held the crossbow in my hands, sucking in my breath, I released the arrow. The arrow whistled as it shot threw the air, then it went silent as it got closer to the ground, when it got far enough to the ground, that's when I jumped. The air pushed on me as I fell down, then tapping in to my power, I pulled up! I flew through air and I felt free, I could see most of Asgard as I flew higher, the air was fresh, I could have stayed there in the sky, forever. Circling back I landed in the training area, there stood my father and two brothers, all staring at one of the targets. They separated as they heard me land, each one of them holding a proud look on their face. "Excellent shot." Father told me as he walked passed me, "Excellent shot indeed."
The sound of an arrow hitting the target shook me out of my flashback, "Day dreaming?" Loki asked me, "I do not day dream, I have flash backs and prophecies." I answered him in a monotone voice, "Which one was it?" He asked, "Flash back."
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My training session with Loki lasted right up till the moment before darkness fell and the celebration began, Loki and I made our way back to my bed chambers, placing each arrow and bow in their rightful place. I looked to my brother as he stared around my room, in what I assumed was sadness, "I am never more lonely, than when you go on your little quests." Loki muttered, a sword hung on my wall, the handle engraved with the sign of the Nine Worlds, Loki walked to it and took it from the wall. "I remember when you brought this back, you didn't let go of it. When you finally did you stared at it for hours." Loki sighed, he spun the blade in his hand before putting it back. With another heavy sigh, Loki bid me farewell. When he closed the door behind him, I quickly threw my wardrobe open, the silver dress I had chosen the night before was hanging there, I gently put the beautiful dress on. My hair was done quickly, I pulled the heels I tried never to wear out of the bottom of my wardrobe, the bastards hurt much more then getting clobbered by a Fire Giant, in Muspelheim. You can always wake a sleeping giant with one wrong step. I had little armor on, but kept my right arm shielded. Strapping on my sword, I began to walk down to Thor's bedchambers, where he waited outside for my arrival, "Little sister!" His voice echoed out, "Brother." I greeted softly with a laugh, "You look quite..." Thor trailed off, but his warm smile made me return a smile. We locked arms and walked to where the celebration was taking place, Thor and I had little conversation until we arrived there, and there I was warmly greeted by Sif, "Is it true? Are you actually the Guardian of Magic?" She asked quickly, Sif's eyes held worry, but I shook the thought of her being worried for me off. Sif had always stood by my side, throughout anything I have ever done, each extreme act of recklessness. She never worried, she would smirk and laugh along with me, "Of course it's true. do not worry about me, Sif. I have never seen this emotion when it comes to you." I laughed slightly, but Sif's face stayed cold, we walked through the celebration and I waved to a few of the warriors I had trained with. "I am the Goddess of War, Protection and Travel. The Allfather blessed me with the task of guarding this world of magic. I learned not to go against him." The warrior shook her head, but said noting more on the subject. We sat beside each other, then the celebration got louder! Sif handed me a glass of Asgardian Mead and a slice of bread, as I looked around the room, everyone was either taking out their weapons, bragging about their accomplishments, not being very responsible, then in the very corner of the room, was Loki. Who was scanning the room with an obviously judgmental look in his eyes. He and I locked eyes. his glare intensified and I could practically hear him mumbling about how each person was a Mewling Quim, he only was there for me. Loki would eventually go his own way, complaining about how we celebrated as he went. Thor was with the Warriors Three, although I hold them in the highest respect, they tend to fall behind on their quests.
Each voice in the room grew louder with each passing second, the two that rose above seemed to be mine and Sif's. Sif and I carried on our own conversation, every so often getting louder as the celebration got much more...dangerous? Weapons were flying through the air, not one of us cared if someone was injured. As the night carried on, they all said a farewell to me, with a smile I waved them off, saying I'd only be gone for a second, I'd be back to keep them in line. I heard the familiar roar of Thor's voice, "Silence!" His voice echoed out and everyone went deadly silent, "Tonight, on the night of Tyr's day! We are here in the honor of my dearest sister, Arahaelel!" Thor dragged me from where I was standing and pulled me up to him, "Brother! There is no need to honor me, I am one of many warriors on my own quest. The real reason we are here tonight is just to celebrate in this time, no wars! Which is actually not quite great for me..." I trailed off as everyone gave a deep and loud laugh, "Tonight is a celebration of all that is great, all that is worth celebrating!" I cheered on as my voice echoed through and with that I finished my Mead in practically a gulp and went back to Sif.
I took a deep breath as I began to climb up the side of the palace, the celebration was still on going, but I get tired of the same thing after awhile, I had gotten half way up when I heard someone following me. Grabbing a ledge, I held my grip and swung around to see who it was. And there, climbing up half way behind me was Thor, "What in the Allfather's name do you think you are doing?" I called down to him and Thor shook his golden locks around before responding, "If you haven't noticed, I have not done this in quite a long time! I'm trying to concentrate!" I shook my head in response and started to climb up again. The view at night was breathtaking, I sat down and let my legs dangle off of the top, I heard Thor finally reach the top, he cleared his throat and took a seat beside me. "Are you prepared to be the guardian of a world?" He asked me, as softly as he could, "Not even slightly." I responded, his arm wrapped around me and pulled me closer to him, "You will be a fine guardian." Thor told me, "Of course I will."
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The celebration raged on, soon Thor and I returned there, when the celebration had actually ended, Sif stayed with me, like she used to when we were children. Sun peaked through the drapes waking me from my slumber, the warrior girl slept at the foot of the bed with a content smile on her face, "Good morning, your majesty." My handmaiden greeted, "Are you ready to leave for your journey?" She asked me and tore open the drapes, "Why so eager for me to leave, Vreya?" I asked her with a small chuckle. Vreya's face instantly began to blush, matching the color of her hair, "N-no it's not that!" She exclaimed, entirely flustered, Vreya, besides being my hand maiden was a close friend of mine. "Quiet." Sif's voice rose to our ears, in a whisper, "I must be leaving, Sif. Today is Odin's day." Sif jumped up, "No, I will not let you go, it's too dangerous!" She cried out at me. I jumped back in surprise, Sif had always been quite supportive of each quest I went one, "It's a world with magic, I will be fine." She sat down with a worried look on her face, it was the look I had normally gotten from my mother. Until the time came when I was to leave, Sif continued not to say a word, I pulled on my armor, my golden scale like arm braces and the ring I had gotten from an old friend of mine. The golden ring had been given to me when I had gone to Midgard, quite a long time ago, a young boy by the name of Credence Barebone, I still wish I could reverse what happened to him. Continuing not to say a word, Sif pushed me down next to her and put a crown of golden twigs and broken branches from the garden on my head, with the smallest smile and a head nod, I could practically read her mind, "Thank you, Sif." I told her, "I hope you don't die." Was what she said in response, it went back to silence, until Vreya informed us the allfather was summoning us to the throne room.
Father and mother stood side by side, "You called?" I spoke softly, mother walked to me with a smile on her face, "It is time, Arahaelel." Her voice cracked, "The world of magic is ready for your arrival." Heimdall said to me, "I am ready to defend it."