i.
FORENS, ALFHEIM
Nicole Eiriksdottir spun herself in a quick circle, swung her sword high and sliced the air with it, only to roll her ankle and lose her grip on the blade. She hit the ground and groaned as she watched her sword fly over the surface of the cliff that she was training on, settling in the dust by her nearby horse's feet.
"Damn," she mumbled.
Nicole sat down and took advantage of the moment to catch her breath, her frown disappearing as she gazed over her beloved kingdom of Alfheim.
Tall fir trees covered the land from east to west, the bright green fields peppered with crystal blue lakes and ponds. The sun shone brightly on the horizon, and Nicole could see the chimney stacks and rooftops in Alfheim's capital city of Forens.
This peaceful moment was interrupted when she suddenly felt cold, hard metal against her neck
She stifled a gasp, and, fast as lightning, drew a small dagger from her hip and leaped to her feet. Turning fast with her blade out in front of her, Nicole's eyes went wide for a moment before she let out a sigh of relief.
Standing in front of her was not an attacker, but her older brother and the king of Alfheim, Vidarr Eirikson.
"Vidarr, for Frey's sake!" Nicole exclaimed, laughing breathily.
"That is, by far, the best reaction I've seen from you in a long time," Vidarr managed through his laughter, which Nicole was pleased to see even if it was at her expense. Even still, Vidarr coughed a bit, quickly regaining his composure. "I noticed you were struggling a bit with that one."
Nicole scoffed and shook her head as she walked across the cliff to retrieve her sword. "Me? Struggling? Never."
Vidarr rolled his eyes. "Well, if that means you don't wish for me to assist you, then I shall be on my way."
"No, a demonstration could be helpful," Nicole admitted, jogging back over to her brother.
"I thought so," Vidarr replied with a wink. "Now, when I walked over, I observed that you are not making your spins tight enough, which is why you rolled your ankle. The key is to keep your feet together and to spin tight and fast."
Nicole nodded. "Feet together. Quick, tight spin. Noted," she remarked as she got into position to attempt the move.
"Finally! Frey knows it took you a million tries, but you've done it!" Vidarr exclaimed when he witnessed his younger sister finally perfect the move he had been demonstrating for an hour.
Nicole smiled wide as she wiped beads of sweat from her forehead. "See? I told you I could do it."
"I never doubted you for a moment, sister."
"That's what they all say," Nicole replied as she slipped her sword back into its sheath and walking towards her horse. Then, her knee was forced to the ground. Turning, she saw a smirk plastered on her brother's face.
"You're not just going to perfect a move like that and not put it into practice, are you?" Vidarr inquired.
"What a preposterous idea," Nicole said. "Of course not!" With that, she grabbed her sword and swung it randomly behind her, forcing Vidarr to release his hold on her knee and jump backwards.
Immediately, Nicole jumped to her feet and rushed at Vidarr with her sword raised and a battle cry escaping her lips. Vidarr brandished his own blade, raising it just in time to block his sister's attack, as she was quick to utilize her newfound skill. The sound of clashing metal echoed off the edges of the cliff, only to be interrupted when Vidarr popped his elbow up into Nicole's face. When her sword hit the floor, Vidarr swept her legs out from under her and quickly pinned her.
"I think you broke my nose," Nicole groaned, holding her hand over her face. Just as she had hoped, she felt Vidarr begin to lessen the hold that he had on her.
"Nicole, are you-oof!" Vidarr grimaced and rolled off of Nicole in serious discomfort after his sister kneed him between his legs.
Proud of her efforts, Nicole sat on her brother's chest. "Sorry, but a warrior must do what must be done in order to defeat their enemies," she said.
"Don't quote me when you've beaten me," Vidarr growled.
Nicole laughed, getting to her feet and helping her brother up. "Shall we head home?" she queried, walking a few feet to where her horse was tied up.
"Although the saddle won't make my injury any more comfortable, I would like to get back, yes," Vidarr replied, limping over to his own horse and stepping onto the stirrup before swinging his leg over its back.
"I'm still not sorry about that."
Vidarr rolled his eyes as he turned his horse around and ushered it into a trot, his sister soon following suit.
"So, how goes kingly life?" Nicole queried as the pair rode back to the palace.
"Kingly life is fine, thank you. Although, managing my own family and my three crazy sisters is almost as challenging as managing an entire kingdom," Vidarr replied.
"We're not that difficult!"
"Sister dear, I fret over you the most."
Nicole scoffed a bit before choosing a new topic to converse about. "Any diplomatic missions that you shall soon embark upon?"
"No diplomatic missions, but I am hosting a masquerade ball in two days time."
Nicole laughed. "Oh, brother, you are quite amusing. A masquerade-" she started, only to look at Vidarr and find a telling smile on his face. A gasp escaped her lips and she yanked on her horse's reins, making it stop abruptly. "Vidarr, are you serious?"
"When am I not?" Vidarr replied, his horse steadily continuing towards the Alven royal palace.
Immediately after this confirmation, Nicole let out a squeal and ushered her horse into a gallop in order to catch up with her brother. "Vidarr, that's absolutely fantastic! Oh, people will be thrilled! We haven't had a masquerade since Father-"
"I know, Nicole," Vidarr said, his tone solemn and his gaze downcast.
Nicole's face fell, the sadness of her statement creeping up on her. "Vidarr, I'm sorry, I should not have said anything."
"It's alright," Vidarr replied, shooting his sister a sad smile. "I...I figured the time was right. The people have had their time to grieve, as our family has. I decided that I could no longer allow my kingdom to be deprived of such a cherished event simply because I do not know how to manage my own grief."
"Vidarr, you know the people would have understood if you continued to postpone. They only wish for the best for their king," Nicole said gently.
"Oh, I know that. I am truly blessed to have such delightful, understanding people to rule over. Even still, I can take some blame for keeping this tradition from them."
Nicole bit the inside of her cheek. She hated to agree, but Vidarr had been the one to withhold the balls from the people. So, to move on, she quickly devised a new, lighter question to discuss. "So, do you have any potential costumes?"
To her delight, Nicole saw her brother's face brighten a bit. "I was thinking of a lion and I believe Frea was thinking of going as a deer. The children's costumes will be quite simple. What about yourself?" Vidarr asked as the pair reached their horses' pens within the palace stables.
"I'm not quite sure, so I'll have to go scan my selection. I'm sure that Hanne will help me," Nicole replied as she dismounted her horse and exited its pen before closing the gate.
ALVEN ROYAL PALACE
"Vidarr!"
Turning at the sound of his name, the Alven king smiled wide when he caught sight of his wife, Queen Frea Sifsdottir, walking over to him from down one of the many winding hallways in the palace.
"Hello, dearest," Vidarr said, greeting his wife with a kiss when she reached him. "How are you?"
"I am very well," Frea replied as she gave Nicole a quick hug. "Although I cannot say the same for your daughter. Idunn has been calling for her papa since supper. You know she's ill, Vidarr."
"Does that mean..."
"Yes, dear, it may mean that you will have to sleep in Idunn's bed for a few hours tonight."
Vidarr sighed, clearly preferring to be in his own bed than in a toddler bed for several hours, but eventually nodded. "Of course. Anything for my little girl. I trust our son is well?"
"That he is."
"Alright, I understand that you are concerned for Idunn, as am I," Nicole interrupted, drawing Vidarr and Frea's attention to her. "She is my niece. Even still, I must eat something before I die. Shall we?"
Frea giggled, giving her husband's shoulder a quick pat. "Well, Vidarr, get used to the idea that you are never going to be an uncle, for it seems that Nicole is planning on marrying food."
"Well, at least she'll be married," Vidarr replied, wrapping his arm around his wife's waist as they started to walk back down the hallway.
"So I have your blessing on my marriage to food?" Nicole inquired, chasing after her brother and sister-in-law.
"If I must give it to you."
"Perfect! If you'll excuse me, then, I am going to host a private wedding ceremony in my quarters. Good night," Nicole declared, starting to walk towards the kitchen to retrieve food to take back to her room.
"You will do nothing of the sort, milady!" a feminine voice exclaimed.
Nicole halted and winced, then slowly turned on her heels to see Hanne Elinsdottir, her handmaiden and best friend, rushing down the hallway. "Hanne! Fancy seeing you here!"
Hanne rolled her eyes as she approached Nicole, Vidarr, and Frea. She briskly curtsied to the king and queen before turning to the princess. "You, milady, can eat after you have cleaned yourself up, changed your clothes, and gone to tend to your mother," she instructed.
Vidarr's brow creased. "Nicole, I thought you had been to see Mother before you went out to train."
Nicole laughed awkwardly. "Well, you know. Misunderstandings happen."
"Nicole, go get yourself cleaned up. I will come and assist you," Hanne said.
"Oh, must I? Can't a servant tend to her tonight?" Nicole asked, but quickly began to regret her words when Hanne smacked her arm and Vidarr and Frea shot her firm, disapproving glances. "Fine, I'm going!"
Nicole began to walk down the hallway towards her quarters, and Hanne turned to start after her, only to be stopped when Vidarr grabbed her wrist.
"Do make sure she tends to Mother, Hanne," he said.
"Of course, milord," Hanne replied, smiling and dipping into another curtsy. "Have a lovely evening." And with that, the maid took her leave.
Frea smiled as she watched her go before turning back to her husband. "I am exhausted. Shall we head to bed?"
Vidarr brought his wife close to his chest, wrapping his arms around her. "That we shall."
"Papa," a little voice groaned.
Turning, Vidarr and Frea saw their youngest child, Idunn, standing in the hallway with a stuffed toy in her hand.
"Okay, Papa's coming, princess," Vidarr said, looking back at Frea for a moment before giving her a kiss. "Duty calls."
~
"Good evening, Mother," Nicole, now washed and changed, said as she walked into her mother's quarters.
"Nicole. Lovely day, is it not?" Freyja Sveltsdottir queried from where she lay in her bed. Nicole nodded to acknowledge the statement, even if it was the same greeting every time she entered the room.
"How are you feeling?" Nicole asked.
"Oh, I'm alright for the most part," Freyja replied.
Not taking her mother's word as gospel, Nicole walked to her bedside and touch her lips to Freyja's forehead. She kissed her teeth as she pulled away. "That fever's come back. I will call for the healer in a moment."
"Don't bother. I will be fine."
"Mother, you are boiling and freezing at the same time. I am calling for a healer." Nicole dampened a cloth in cool water before placing it on Freyja's forehead.
"So how are you, Nicole? Any suitors?" Freyja queried.
Nicole chuckled. "Mother, you amuse me," she replied as she drew her mother's curtains closed. "You know I am not actively searching."
"Will you ever be?"
"I really don't know, Mother. Maybe in a few years. Or maybe fate will surprise me and I will find one at the masquerade in two days time." Nicole gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get to bed. I have a busy day of trying on costumes tomorrow."
"A masquerade, you say?" Freyja queried, her face lighting up slightly when she spoke. โYour father throws such delightful masquerade balls, doesnโt he? I would truly appreciate it if you asked him to come and visit me, although I know he will be quite busy.โ
Nicole sighed, her motherโs forgetfulness breaking her heart a little. โMother,โ she said as she took Freyjaโs hand in hers. โFather is dead...remember? Heโs been dead for a few years now.โ
โOh...yes, of course.โ Nicole gave her motherโs hand a squeeze when she saw tears starting to well up in her eyes. โPardon me.โ
โMother, you have no reason to apologize. Just get some rest now, alright? Iโm going to go and get ready for the masquerade.โ Nicole gave the Queen Motherโs forehead a quick kiss before she moved towards the bedroom door. โWe will be in to see you after the ball though. Donโt worry about that.โ
~
Vidarr was awake bright and early the next morning, quickly meeting with his chief advisor, Hangen Kรฅreson, to begin distributing invitations to the people of Alfheim and abroad. Although, he wasn't particularly fond of being awake that particular morning.
"Milord, dare I say you look like hell," Hangen remarked as he and Vidarr walked through the throne room and towards the palace's front gates.
"Why, thank you, Hangen. Your opinion is greatly appreciated as always," Vidarr retorted, grabbing his cloak from his advisor's arms.
"I take it you were comforting Idunn? She had been asking me if I knew of your whereabouts last night. The poor girl sounded just about ready to cough up a lung."
"I appreciate you humouring her. And yes, I was in her quarters last night. Neither of us slept, to be honest, and now I have the worst headache," Vidarr admitted. "Anyhow. Divide the invitations up between the guards. I'll take the north half of the kingdom, so invitations to the rest of the city belong to you, and the invitations to Asgard and Vanaheim will be handled by the guards. I expect you to meet me at my sister's house with her costumes as well."
Hangen nodded, flicking through the invitations in the satchel over his shoulder. "Right. Enjoy your visit with Sigyn."
"I am giving her the invitation last so I will have time to chat. I have a plan, Hangen, so you needn't fret."
"Fret? Over you? Never, milord."
~
Sigyn Eiriksdottir floated around the kitchen in her home, clearing her breakfast dishes and setting up to bake a batch of banana muffins for her friends, who would be visiting that evening. She enjoyed living alone in her own home in the capital city of Forens. Sure, being a princess and living in the royal palace had its benefits, but as a young woman, she wanted a chance to live independently. Plus, living on her own allowed her to cook for herself every night, which Sigyn was very pleased about.
As she managed to get the fire going in her wood-burning stove, she heard a knock at her door. "Every time I try to bake, someone interrupts me. I swear if this is Alena..." Sigyn mumbled under her breath as she walked to her front door. "How may I...Vidarr!" Sigyn practically crushed her older brother with the force that the hug she gave him was currently exerting. "How have you been?"
"Fine, thank you. Although I have the worst headache," Vidarr said, pulling the hood of his cloak off his head and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Poor thing. Well, come in for a moment. I'll make some tea and give your neck a massage," Sigyn said.
"You really don't have to do that."
"That's what little sisters are for, Vidarr." Sigyn grabbed Vidarr's hand and led him into her house, then grabbed his cloak and draped it over the back of one of her chairs.
"You're lucky that I just made tea for myself," Sigyn said as she poured the tea into a small cup and placed it in front of her brother. "Orange pekoe. Your favourite."
"How have you been?" Vidarr asked as he sipped the hot drink.
"Well, thank you. The jewelry business is booming, as per usual," Sigyn replied, stepping behind her older brother and starting to give his neck and shoulders a massage.
"It is only going to get busier, I can promise you that."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed, for there is going to be a masquerade tomorrow evening."
Sigyn gasped and tested up, pinching Vidarr's neck in the process.
"Sigyn, that...ow, ow!" Vidarr exclaimed. He smacked his sister's hand hard, which made her squeal and release her grip on his neck.
"You're having a masquerade?! Oh, Vidarr, that's delightful!" Sigyn exclaimed, running back in front of her brother so she could speak to him face to face. "That will be so exciting! Oh, what should I wear? I-"
"You needn't fret over outfits," Vidarr said, getting to his feet. "Hangen!"
At that, Sigyn's front door swung open and in walked Hangen, three large garment bags in his arms. "Why in the name of Frey are women's dresses so heavy?!"
"Oh, hush now, Hangen. You're doing just fine," Vidarr replied with a smirk.
Hangen rolled his eyes as he laid the garment bags on Sigyn's sofa and turned to walk out. "Milord, I am not pleased with you. Good day," he said.
"Oh, you know you love me," Vidarr called after him, chuckling when his only response was a slamming door.
Returning his focus to his sister, Vidarr found Sigyn already beginning to pull the pieces of her potential costumes out of their respective bags. "I believe I pulled an arctic fox, a parrot, and a butterfly for you," he said.
"I'll try the arctic fox first. Sit down so I can show you after. Like a fashion show!" Sigyn said, grabbing the garment bag with the fox costume in it and disappearing into her room.
"I am probably the worst person to be asking about fashion choices," Vidarr pointed out.
"Hush and sit down!" Sigyn demanded from behind her closed door.
Vidarr threw his hands up in the air in surrender and sat on his sister's sofa to wait for the fashion show to start.
As Vidarr sat on the sofa waiting, he felt something brush up against his leg. Looking down, he saw Sigyn's pet cat, Kora, staring up at him with her blue eyes. Vidarr sighed, picking up the cat and holding her in front of his face.
"At least you understand me. Is your mother always this slow?" he asked the cat, receiving a soft purr in response. "Well, I'm glad you agree."
"I heard that!" Sigyn called as she walked out of her bedroom in full costume. She wore a white tulle ball gown that had sleeves which left her shoulders exposed. White fur flecked with gray covered the back of the dress and cascaded into a train, bringing the fox's tail to life. A fur shawl graved her shoulders, and a white fox mask covered her entire face.
"Sigyn, the dress is falling off of you, for Frey's sake," Vidarr remarked, standing and putting the cat on the floor before walking over to his sister. "Let me do up the corset."
Sigyn scoffed. "I doubt you know how to lace up a corset properly," she remarked.
Vidarr's fingers moved quickly over the laces over the corset of the dress, then took a step back. "Well, stop holding the dress and we shall see."
Slowly, Sigyn released her hold on the dress and was pleasantly surprised to find that the gown now sat comfortably on her body. "I retract my prior statement."
Vidarr stepped back for a moment, looking over the costume. "It isn't my favourite. Maybe try on the parrot?"
"Are you telling me you went to the trouble of lacing up my corset just so you could tell me that you didn't like the outfit?"
"That I did. Go change."
Sigyn rolled her eyes but grabbed the garment bag holding the parrot costume and walked back into her room, only to walk back out and have the ruby red gown share the same negative opinion as the last.
"Let's hope that I like this butterfly costume because we are going to have a problem if I do not," Sigyn remarked as she grabbed the final garment bag and stepped into her bedroom.
Vidarr ran his hands through his hair out of frustration. "I do hope we both like this one. I was hoping to get home relatively soon."
"Sigyn!!"
Vidarr jumped at the sudden exclamation of his sister's name. He turned his head just in time to see Alena Edvinsdottir, Sigyn's best friend (and bad influence, in his opinion) burst through the front door, quickly being followed by her husband, Virhan Patil.
"Sigyn, where- Oh." Alena stopped in the middle of Sigyn's living room when she saw the Alven king sitting on her best friend's sofa. "Vidarr."
"Hey, my V-Bro!" Virhan said happily as he joined his wife after closing Sigyn's front door.
Vidarr raised an eyebrow at the remark, then curtly nodded at the couple. "Mrs. Edvinsdottir. Mister Patil."
At that moment, Sigyn walked out of her room in her costume, sparing the trio an awkward conversation. "Oh! Hello, Alena! Virhan!"
"Sigyn, you look beautiful!" Alena squealed.
Sigyn smiled wide as she turned in a circle to display her costume. She wore a white, floor-length gown with a low-cut back, but this was covered by a pair of flappable white wings. A purple and gold mask covered her face with a large gold butterfly wing brandishing the right side of the mask. White lace gloves with no fingers covered her hands, and her feet wore a pair of sandals with leather straps covered in purple flowers winding up her leg, ending just below the knee.
"Vidarr, what do you think?" Sigyn asked, flapping her wings as she looked to her brother for his opinion.
"You're asking him for fashion advice?" Alena teased, clearly skeptical about Vidarr's opinions on fashion.
Vidarr ignored the young woman's remark and smiled wide at his younger sister. "You look beautiful, Sigyn. That's the one."
Sigyn clapped her hands excitedly and hugged her brother before turning to Alena and Virhan. "So, what are you two doing tomorrow night? You shall have to make plans for I will be at a masquerade."
"So will we!" Alena cried, pulling out two invitations from her pants' pocket. "Queen Katja is going to be there, and I am going to meet her and impress her. Oh, speaking of that, I have to go ask Frea if I can borrow one of her dresses. Bye!" And with that, the young woman took off for the palace.
Vidarr shook his head before standing and giving Sigyn a quick kiss, then shaking Virhan's hand. "Thank you for the massage, tea, and fashion show, Sigyn, but if you don't mind, I must be off. Lots of preparations for tomorrow," he said.
"Of course! I'll see you tomorrow eve!" Sigyn called as her brother walked out of her home, then turning to Virhan. "You should go pick an outfit as well. Do you have one?"
Virhan smirked. "Oh, yeah. I have a plan. Don't you worry, Sigyn," he said with a wink, walking out of Sigyn's home and back to his own, where he would open a trapdoor, climb down a ladder, and slip into the underground networks beneath his city.
VANIR ROYAL PALACE, GIERSA, VANAHEIM
"At least you will not have to make a big first impression, milady. You have met Lord Vidarr before, after all," Sashir, the handmaiden to Queen Katja Ingesdottir of Vanaheim, remarked.
Katja smiled behind the white veil that masked her face. "You raise a good point, Sashir. Even still, I do wish to wear quite the outfit. That is the point of a masquerade, after all."
"That is fair, milady."
Katja scanned the closet racks in front of her, examining each and every outfit until she finally caught sight of a fiery orange and red gown. "That's it."
"The phoenix costume. A delightful choice, milady. I am sure that the Alven people will be very impressed," Sashir said as she grabbed the dress and laid it down gently on the Queen's bed.
Katja nodded. "I should hope so. Sashir, please go fetch my red and gold mask, along with my gold veil for my mouth and chin. Oh, and tell Kristoff to come to see me for a moment."
Sashir curtsied to the Queen and took her leave. Katja was only alone for a moment, as her personal guard, Kristoff Espenson, soon entered the room.
"Sashir informed me that you requested my company. How may I be of assistance to you, Your Majesty?" Kristoff asked.
"Kristoff, you shall be accompanying Sashir and me early tomorrow morning on our journey to Alfheim. I will have Sashir select a costume for you to wear," Katja explained.
Kristoff's brow creased. "Your Majesty, may I ask what part this costume of mine will play in our upcoming journey?"
"Oh, the costume will be necessary, Kristoff. We have a masquerade to attend."
TORMOD MOUNTAIN RANGES, ALFHEIM
Karoline Oskarsdottir examined her costume in the mirror in her personal chambers. She had themed it after a raven, as the feathered mask across her eyes and nose so obviously explained. Her dress was a revealing black lace gown with a long train, the entire ensemble flaunting her arms, legs, chest and curves. Black lace heeled knee-high boots covered her legs, and black lace elbow-length gloves clothed her arms.
At the sound of a knock at her door, Karoline sauntered over and opened it, pulling her mask off and looking into the eyes of Julai, her right-hand man.
"What do you think, Julai?" Karoline queried, stepping back and spinning in a circle so Julai could admire each and every part of her costume.
"You look very good, my lady. I came to ask about any potential battle formations that you had begun to formulate for our upcoming attack on the Vanir palace," Julai stated, keeping his eyes fixed on Karoline's eyes instead of on her revealing style of dress.
Karoline laughed, walking close to Julai and resting her hand on his chest. "Now, now, General. We can fret over battle plans later," she said, looking up at him, but Julai took a step back, holding his hands behind him.
"My lady, I do believe it to be quite essential that we discuss a plan as serious as this."
Karoline, now fuming that her advances had been brushed off so briskly, turned her back on Julai and started to remove her lace gloves.
"Well, my plans had been to have you accompany me to the masquerade ball that Lord Vidarr is hosting in Forens, which my mother would also be attending, but a factor just occurred to me and I realize that it would be best for me to attend on my own," she explained.
Julai frowned. "And may I ask what that factor might me, my lady?"
Karoline laid her gloves on her bed before turning to face Julai, a wicked smirk on her face. "Well, we wouldn't want your baby sister to discover you, now would we?"
