Brother's Keeper

This flash piece is a rough draft of a scene from the prequel novel of The Prophecies of Ragnarok, a Norse mythology based new adult series I'm currently writing with Meri Benson. It may or may not end up in the final version of the novel. This was also written in response to 8Letters' #31Letters challenge, an invitation to write every day for the whole month of January.

Here are the shorts we've written so far for the prequel, in chronological order:

• Birthright
• Ice Queen
• Brother's Keeper (this story)
• Final Hour
• Resistance and Steps
• Forsaken
• Goodbye, Good Friend
• Inheritance
• A Winter's Bargain
• Death Finds All
• Homecoming
• Reconnection
• The Hour of the Wolf

Hotel Fen, the first published book of the series, follows after this point.

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In Norse mythology, Hel is said to preside over an underworld realm where she receives a portion of the dead. She is referred to as a daughter of Loki, and is described as having been appointed by the god Odin as ruler of a realm of the same name, located in Niflheim. Her appearance is described as half blue and half flesh-colored, and further as having a gloomy, downcast appearance.

Hodr is the blind son of Odin and Frigg, who is tricked and guided by Loki into shooting a mistletoe arrow which was to slay the otherwise invulnerable Baldr, his twin brother.

(Wikipedia)

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Baldr stood by his bedroom window and watched his twin speed through the grounds towards Yggdrasil, the Tree of Worlds a looming shadow on the horizon.

He heard the door open and heavy footfalls echo behind him, but he did not turn. His father appeared beside him soon enough, his eyes likewise trained on his brother's departing figure. "So he decided to go after all."

He wanted to ask if it was a good idea, but he knew better than to question his father's wisdom. He'd come to learn that the easiest way to earn Odin's favor was not to ask questions, and he was certainly keen on keeping his place in the ranks. He had more than enough half-brothers eagerly waiting for him to lose his footing so they could take his place.

Instead he asked, "What if he falls for it again? She's always had him wrapped around her finger."

Odin studied him at length. "You do not believe he can handle it? You think your brother weak?"

Baldr scowled. He picked up the petal he'd laid on the window sill earlier and held it out for his father to see. The sunlight streaming through the glass made it sparkle like it was covered in crystals or frost. "She sent him this. With a note, I presume. I didn't hear anyone else come in or him leave the room during the night." His face was tight with concern. "She is dangerous, Father. And he is too besotted with her to realize it."

"Is he, still?"

"He is, still." He knew his brother well, and he was worried about him. "Let me bring him back, Father. We can still save him."

To his surprise, his father threw his head back and laughed. "What little faith you have in your brother!" The statement grated on Baldr's nerves — because Odin made it sound like he didn't think the same.

Odin patted him on the shoulder encouragingly. "Worry not, son. No harm will come to your brother. But we have to let him do this. He has to see for himself that she cannot be trusted. He will only continue to blame and resent us otherwise." He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "That boy always did need to learn things the hard way."

But Baldr refused to let the matter go. Despite what everyone whispered behind their backs, he cared about his brother. He never saw Hodr as a threat, despite the fact that he was next in line to him for the throne. His brother had no real ambition for anything, let alone to rule. Loki's daughter, however...

"And if she betrays you?"

"I would hope Hodr would have the sense to turn her in himself. If not..." Odin smiled, and it chilled Baldr to the bone. "We'll just have to save him, won't we?"