"But do you like living this way?" I couldn’t believe the question had slipped out of my mouth so easily. Shocked, I waited for the reprimand.
But it never came.
"I will admit it is not the best way to survive through the ages, but I am still alive, and I am able to provide the Aesir with as much information as I can to help win the war over the Vanir. I am happy."
"Do you know that Loki is very busy trying to win the war for the Vanir?"
"Yes," came the short, enigmatic answer.
I took a breath and tried again. "Can you help me? Please? The prophecy was about me. Don't I have a right to know what it is?"
"Well, I do believe you have a very strong argument, Brynhildr." Mimir nodded. "Very well then, Valkyrie Brynhildr. You have a very important role to play in the events leading up to Ragnarok. The choices you make and the tasks you perform could tip the scales in Odin's favor. Or perhaps it will do nothing to change anything."
"That's cryptic." There went my mouth again. I bit my lip, admonishing myself silently.
"I understand your frustration, Brynhildr. It is the same feeling Odin gets when I speak my prophecies," Mimir said, laughing loudly, the sound echoing around the small room. "I speak of what I see. But what I see is not set in stone. Each person is responsible for their own choices and sometimes that person will not stray from the path of the prophecy no matter how much they want to. No matter how much they try. All the choices they make along their path will guide them to their destiny. You may yet change your own destiny, Brynhildr."
"So what is this prophecy then?"
"I have seen you hurt, badly hurt. You will make a great sacrifice but you may be betrayed either by your own actions or by that of someone close to you. The destruction in your life may spill over to the people close to you so you will need to be aware and take care. And the choices you make will affect who wins Ragnarok—the Aesir or the Vanir." Yeah, I thought, hurt; wings destroyed, check. Betrayed by Mika, check. Bring about Odin’s destruction, not check. Does he not have anything good to say? "Odin can do what he wants to assist you, but in the end, you control your destiny. The choices you make will also affect whether Odin survives or not. "
My blood ran cold the moment Mimir mentioned Odin's death. Was I actually going to have a hand in his destruction? The nightmare just seemed to keep getting worse and worse. I stayed silent, unsure of what to say. Mimir seemed to understand and filled the silence. "There is one way for you to find out a little more about your future, if you so wish."
"Please, I'll do anything to find out more. I have to know. Especially if Odin's fate hangs in the balance."
"Have you heard of the Norns?" asked Mimir, his green eyes trained on my face. I bet he could see exactly how I felt and yet he remained implacable.
I shook my head. "Nope."
"They are the Fates. And they are perhaps your only recourse if you wish to avoid being the reason for Odin's destruction."
"Okay, where do I find these Norns, then?"
"The Norns live at the roots of the great Yggdrasil, deep within Jotunnheim, the land of the frost giants." Now my heart hung, dead in my chest
Great. I have to infiltrate enemy territory so I can save Odin, not to mention myself? This just keeps getting better and better.
"So how do I get there?"
"The Bifrost will take you to Jotunnheim. But once you arrive, you will have to travel on foot through the Vigrid Plains until you reach The Great Tree. The Norns live beneath its roots."
"Okay."
"And, Brynhildr. Could I ask you for something in return?"
"Of course. You've helped me so much." As I said the words, I wondered if I would’ve been better off not knowing any of this. Me and my stupid curiosity. "What can I do to repay you?"
"Beneath the roots of Yggdrasil is the Well of Mim. Could you bring me a goblet of the water from that well?"
"I will do as you ask." I nodded and smiled. A little water was a small price to pay for him breaking all his rules and telling me the prophecy.
"Thank you, Brynhildr." Mimir nodded, then closed his eyes and seemed to be settling in.
"Er . . . do you still want your Mead? I can send for it if you like," I offered, remembering the guards outside.
"No. Thank you, Brynhildr. I am sure there is somewhere you need to be soon enough." A shiver ran up my spine. Was he being prophetic again? I did need to see Odin though. Maybe that was it?
As much as my visit to Mimir had been enlightening, a part of me wished I'd just let well enough alone.
Sometimes knowing your future just messes with your head.
Chapter 13
On entering Odin’s hall, it became clear that I wouldn’t get an audience with Odin any time soon. The hall bustled with conversation while a large contingent of the highest-ranking Ulfr in Fen’s army filled the hall, waiting before the dais. Odin remained deep in conversation with another god I'd never seen before.
Thor came up beside me and grunted. "Vidarr. What is he doing here?"
"Who is Vidarr?" I asked, feeling the weight and breadth of my ignorance again.
"Vidarr is my brother, god of Vengeance. And until recently, he has also been the god of Silence. But now he speaks." Thor's forehead twisted into a frown as he watched his brother and father on the dais. I expected him to join them but he remained rooted to the spot.
A rustle of movement drew my gaze back to the gathering in front of Odin. An Ulfr I recognized as being one of Fen’s right-hand men stepped forward and fell to one knee. He placed a fist to his breast and waited with his head bowed for the All-Father to speak.
"Rise, Ulfr Ivarr. What is it you wish to discuss this day?" asked Odin, his eyes roaming the now-crowded hall.
"I apologize for the sudden request for an audience, my lord. It is just that we are desperate for your word." Ivarr rose to his feet.
"It is no bother, Ivarr. What can I help you with?"
"The army would like to re-pledge our loyalty to you, my lord, and to all of Asgard." The gathered Ulfr stood silent behind Ivarr and I could feel the tension in their bodies as they awaited Odin's response. I snuck a glance at Thor beside me. I should probably leave but from the state of things, it was too late for me to sneak away. "We do understand that of late, things have not been at its best. But what has happened has been dealt with, the traitor has been punished. Therefore the army is seeking your approval, my lord."
"But, Ivarr, your loyalty should be, now and always, for your general, Fenrir." Odin spoke kindly, as if to a child and a spurt of alarm ran through me. Was he actually going to deny this entire gathering their pledge to him?
"I assure you, my lord, that our loyalty to Fenrir has remained unchanged. It is with his blessing that we seek to pledge our loyalty to you."
"So why has he not joined you today?" asked Odin, his voice moving up a notch to slight annoyance.
"I am here, my lord." Fen's voice rose from the back of the room. "I apologize for being late. I did think that Ivarr would manage on his own, though."
"I understand, Fenrir. I needed to be sure you were aware of the actions of your Ulfr."
"Thank you, my lord. I am aware and I fully support them in their pledge. In fact I re-pledge my loyalty, support, and my life to you, again." Fen knelt before Odin, head bowed, waiting.
"Very well, Fenrir. I have given you time to heal, and if you are certain, I see no reason to deny you."
The God Vidarr leaned in and spoke to Odin. "But, Father, I think it would be unwise."
"Why is that, my son?" Odin looked at the younger god, an expression of calm curiosity on his face. Fen rose to his feet giving Vidarr a strange look before motioning for his contingent to leave. As they filed out of the hall Vidarr continued, uncaring who heard him challenge his father. "Because he is the one meant to slay you, Father. I do not understand why you allow him so close to you."
"Fenrir has been loyal for many centuries, Vidarr. He has proven his pledge to me."
"But, Father, one’s destiny is seldom avoided. And Fenrir is destined to kill you. How can you be comfortable with that?"
"As you are destined to kill Fenrir, my son. One’s destiny can be changed with the choices one makes. Do not believe that what is foretold is unchangeable." Odin's spoke directly to his son but his voice travelled throughout the hall. I felt his words cut deep, coming so recently from Mimir.
Thor seemed to have forgotten I was still there and he left my side to join Fen as he exited the hall. Seemed nobody wanted to be around while Odin and Vidarr spoke.
I didn't think I'd get much chance to speak to Odin now, so I decided to leave. But Odin’s voice rang out, halting me in my tracks. "Valkyrie Brynhildr, do you wish to speak with me?"
I nodded warily, glancing at the scowling Vidarr whose face was red and tight.
"Stay, please," said the All-Father.
Despite the glowering Vidarr, I approached the dais.
To face Odin’s wrath for disobedience.
Chapter 14
I looked up to see a sheepish-looking Odin now in the form of the old, grey-bearded man with the large, black floppy hat. Vidarr had disappeared. "Are you still offended, Bryn?"