Loki, Odin and Hoenir. (part 2)

    Mimir was sat silently nearby. He had been Odin's chief advisers for many years, he was a small shy Aesir and spoke little unless directly asked. But when Odin, Loki and Hoenir told him of their journeys and the trouble they got into his solemn face would light up and he would burst into a light musical laughter.

    Many times they had tried to convince him to join them, but Mimir could not help but see everything that could go wrong in any situation. It made him a wise and cautious adviser. But it also meant he could never bring himself to get involved in their convoluted and dangerous plans. So instead he sat and listened to them make plans, worrying all the time. Then when they returned safe he would listen again, eager to hear their story.

    But on this mourning their plan making was interrupted by a sharp caw. One of Odin's raven, none but he could tell which, swooped down to his shoulder. It whispered into the All father's ear. Loki, Hoenir and Mimir all watched as Odin's forehead creased into a deep frown.

    “A witch is causing trouble in Midgard. The old woman has used some black magic to make the humans fall in love with gold, like the dwarves that carved them. They are murdering each other with no regard for honour.” Said the All father disapprovingly. Odin looked to Mimir and Hoenir for advise. “Should we intervene before the witch causes more trouble, or should we let the humans fix it themselves?”

    Mimir's face grew very still as he began to calculate all the options. Hoenir too looked thoughtful. “Leave them to it. They're a big species now, they can take care of themselves.” Said Loki causally. The trickster was keen to return to making fun plans.

Hoenir frowned. “No, we helped make them, they are our responsibility, we should punish this witch, make sure she never causes trouble again.” He decided.

    Odin nodded thoughtfully and looked to Mimir. “Who is this witch, where did she come from, how is it that she has such power? We should find out more about her.” Suggested the cautious adviser.

“we might not have time for that, think of the trouble she could be causing even now. Odin, I really think this is important, they worship us as gods. We have a duty to help them. Especially if this witch is something other than human.” Replied Hoenir earnestly. Odin nodded thoughtfully.

    “I think Hoenir may be right, what reason have we to fear some witch, who ever she is, she should be held accountable for her crimes.” Decided Odin. He looked at Loki who shrugged and said. “Fine we'll help them out.”

    So Odin sent a few of his sons to fetch the witch and she was brought before Odin. She was admonished for her crimes. The witch was publicly beaten and sent away from Asgard.

    Just a week later the war began. The Vanir were furious at their princess being treated that way. They launched a full attack on Asgard and the warriors of the Aesir responded in kind. It was a brutal and bloody war and Odin felt powerless to turn it's tide.

    For the first time Odin feared for the future of Asgard. Desperate to do something to help his people he called his friends to a meeting. “I have a plan, but this is not one you can help me with my friends. I plan to travel to the edge of Asgard to where the root of Yggdrasil meets Urdarbrunnr. There I will give my right eye for knowledge of the future.” Announced the Aesir king.

    His friends stared at him. Then Mimir began to calculate. “If you know the future it puts you in a position to always find the way to bring about the best possible out come. It probably won't bring you happiness but I believe it would make you a better king.” Said the thought full adviser, approvingly.

    Hoenir frowned at Mimir and shook his head. “I don't know, this might not give you the advantage you imagine, the norns are tricky. Even when you get what you want it never turns out the way you planned. If we can't win this war, knowing it won't help us. We must focus on fighting on, give it all our strength so that if it is possible to win we will win.” Replied Hoenir.

    Loki just sat there frowning. Odin looked to the trickster. Loki's advise had rarely made things better, but he always found a way to make things more fun and Odin valued his opinion almost as much as that of his wiser friends. Besides which Loki's skill at getting into to trouble had led to him developing a remarkable ability to get out of trouble. And the Aesir were in trouble now.

    “It could be an advantage, but do we really want to know the future? It would take all the fun out of our schemes if we always know the trouble we will get into.” Replied Loki. But he said it without his usual enthusiasm. Everyday he thought hard along side his friends and the war began to seem endless. The spark of mischief was gone from his eyes and was replaced by a deep tiredness.

    Odin knew the toll this war was taking, on all his friends and all his people. Mimir had hardly slept since war began, his nervous nature sent into overdrive by all the terrible things he imagined might happen. And although he fought hard with out complaint Hoenir's blond-brown hair was beginning to turn grey in places, just as Odin's was.

    “I must do this. It is my duty.” Decided Odin. And with that he left his worried friends and for the first time in years began a journey alone.

    Loki soon grew bored and restless while Odin was gone, but he had little time to think on it as the war continued. Still it was a great relief when Loki heard Odin was returning. He and Hoenir hurried to Odin’s great hall, keen to see their friend again. Mimir was already waiting in the hall when they arrived. He looked even more solemn and worried than usual and when they approached Mimir gave them a sad look.

    Sat on his throne was Odin, but not as they knew him. All the confidence and joy was gone from the All father's face. And for the first time he looked old. There was a scrap of cloth tied over the hollow where his right eye had been. His left stared into the distance. There was an empty glassy look to it.

    “Odin?” Said Loki, struggling to believe this haggard old man was the brother he had known so long. Odin's one eye focused on Loki. There was a look of horror in Odin's eye and he looked at his young friend as if he were a stranger. A chill ran through Loki as his brother gave him such an unfriendly look.

    “Odin what did you see?” Asked Hoenir gently, stepping between Loki and Odin as if to protect his young friend from Odin's glare. “It's terrible, I have to find a way to stop it. Tell me there is another way to acquire knowledge. I need more wisdom.” Muttered Odin in a distant and urgent voice, as he focused on Hoenir's concerned face.

    Hoenir glanced at Mimir who was fidgeting with nervous fear. Then he looked at Loki, who was too stunned to hide how Odin's harsh glare had hurt him. “I know of one way, but it is dangerous and only for the desperate.” Replied Hoenir, struggling to remain calm as it seemed all his friends were falling apart around him.

    Odin lurched forward and grabbed Hoenir's shoulders in a painful grip. “Tell me.” He demanded looking Hoenir in the eyes. Loki gave the deranged Odin a fearful look from behind Hoenir's back. “Well you could hang from the tree Yggdrasil. It's a spell or a sacrifice of sorts. You have to impale yourself on a spear against the tree and remain there nine days and nights. But Odin it's too dangerous. We need you here the war is getting worse, the Vanir have nearly broken through the wall. We need our leader.” Answered Hoenir quickly.

    Odin ignored him and half ran for the door, desperate to reach the tree and gain the knowledge to avoid the future he had seen. Hoenir watched him go a concerned look on his face. He wanted to follow his friend and stop him, but he knew he could not convince his friend. And it was his duty to stay and help the war effort.

    Loki punched Hoenir's arm, hard. “What did you tell him that for? Didn't you see him, he gone mad, he needs help. Hanging from the tree will kill him, especially in that condition. I don't care what he saw, we have to keep him alive.” Insisted Loki. He went to run after Odin but Hoenir grabbed his arm. “He has to do this, he needs it. Odin is strong he will survive. We have a duty to our people, we must stay and fight the war.” Reasoned Hoenir softly.

    Loki looked as if he might punch him again. “What about our duty to our friend, our brother!” Yelled the miserable trickster. He pulled his arm from Hoenir's grip. “I'm going to Odin. If I can't stop him hanging I can at least keep him alive, he'll need food and water. And I will bring it to him. Sod the war and sod the Aesir. He's my brother. And my duty and loyalty is to my brother above all else.” Declared Loki.

    He turned to leave, then paused looked back at Hoenir and added. “If he dies on that tree, it's your fault.” Spat the furious Jotun. Hoenir hung his head.

“I know.” He whispered, sadly. Loki's face softened.

“Look after yourself brother, you had better be safe when I return.” Said Loki, in a fearful voice. Then a ghost of his old smile flashed across the trickster face. “After all I owe you more than one punch for this.” Hoenir gave him a week smile and watch Loki charge off after Odin, hating himself for not joining the trickster. But Hoenir knew his duty, and someone had to protect Mimir.

    The nine days passed slowly. It hurt Loki more than he would ever admit seeing his brother in such pain. But he stood by Odin's side and kept his friend alive. Even with Loki's help Odin was driven to the edge of death, and when he came back he pulled the spear from his side with his last ounce of strength.

    He clapped Loki gently on the shoulder, a faintly defeated look in his one eye. “Come on brother we need to get home.” He gasped. So Loki carried his Brother home, thanks to his shoes it did not take long and soon Odin was sat on his throne once again.

    He sat slouched in the chair, barley able to hold his head up. Hoenir came running in. There was a long cut down one arm that was still bleeding as he approached. Mimir followed soon after. He was in bad shape, trembling like a leaf.

    Hoenir looked at Odin carefully then approached Loki and gave him a slightly awkward one armed hug. “How goes the war?” Asked Loki. “Badly. They've nearly breached the wall, they're going to bring it down in a few days.” Replied Hoenir in a tired voice. He looked to the All father. “We could really use some wise leadership right now."

    “There is something else we must do first.” Muttered the All father weakly. Hoenir frowned.

“Seriously, what is more urgent than the immanent fall of Asgard?” Demanded Hoenir, frustratedly. Odin was avoiding looking Loki in the eye. “We have to stop them, they're going to destroy so many things.” He muttered.

“Who?” Asked Loki and Hoenir together. Odin looked at the ground awkwardly.

    “I'm sorry, Loki. It's your children.” He whispered. Finally the All father looked his friend in the eye. And when he did Odin knew he couldn't do it. He knew he couldn't kill Loki's children. But he knew the damage they would cause, he had to at least send them away for a time.

    “Loki, I won't hurt them, I swear it to you brother I won't ever allow them to be killed. But they can not be left in Jotunheim.” Odin told the stunned trickster. “My children?” Repeated Loki, confused.

“They are old enough to leave home now. It won't be too hard on them. I'll cast Jormungandr into the sea where he can grow huge and rule the underwater world. Hel I will give a hall in Niffleheim and let her rule the dead always in the darkness. Fenrir will be taken to the forest on the edge of Asgard, for now.” Suggested Odin. His eyes begged Loki to agree.

    Loki just stood there too confused to respond. Hoenir stared between them. “Is this really more urgent than the war?” He asked. Odin nodded slowly, still weak from his ordeal. Mimir just watched, fidgeting with fear.

    Loki closed his eyes and took a moment to take in this news. “You understand that you are asking me to give up my family? Angrboda will never talk to me again. I know I don't spend that much time with them but that doesn't mean I care that little about them.” Said Loki in a slightly stiff voice. Odin looked him square in the eye.

    “You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't essential. Please Brother, we are your family too.” He responded in a fragile tone. Loki looked at his brother. The war had taken it's toll on him, before the thought of losing his children would have been unthinkable. But the war had made Loki desperate to hold on to the things most important to him. Although he cared for his children, Odin was the one who had given him a home and a new life and Loki valued their friendship above all else.

    “For the sake of our friendship I will let you take my family.” Replied the Jotun solemnly. Odin relaxed just a little.

“Thank you, my friend.”

    And so Odin sent out the word and several Aesir were dragged from the front line to carry out the essential task. As soon as the task was finished and Odin recovered he began peace talks. The Vanir had broken the wall while Odin focused on removing the threat of Loki's children and this made their position even more precarious. Hoenir sat in on the talks along with Mimir. But Loki insisted on helping fight, the thought of endless talks bored him.

    It was just a few days later that the fighting stopped and Loki was called to Odin's hall. “Brother, there is something I have to tell you.” Began the All father in a grave voice. Loki frowned and looked from Mimir to Hoenir. Neither could look him in the eye. “What is going on?” He asked, suddenly afraid. He began to wonder if there was anything the war could still take from him.

    “We have managed to reach an agreement with the Vanir. But it is based on an exchange of hostages. We will get Frey, Freyja and Njord. They demand to have Mimir and Hoenir. They are to go live in Vanaheim.” Replied Odin. Loki stared between the three of them in disbelief.

    “Seriously? You took one family from me now your taking another. Why?” He demanded.

“Loki, this is what we have to do for the good of all Asgard. After all it was my suggestion to punish the witch, this war is my fault.” Said Hoenir in a reasonable tone. “It is not so bad as you think, Brother. We won't live in Asgard with you but we can still journey together, we are still Brothers.” Explained the sensible god. Loki considered this.

    “I don't care about Asgard, I care about our friendship. Why can't we just leave this place, go travelling and never return. Let someone else sacrifice their friends and family for the sake of this kingdom.” Suggested Loki defiantly.

    Hoenir shook his head a little sadly. “We have a duty to this land Brother, I hope both of you remember that. I'll see you again soon.” Said Hoenir giving both Loki and Odin a quick hug. Mimir shuffled forward and awkwardly and shook Loki's hand. Loki gave him a quick one armed hug and Odin did likewise. “Look after Mimir for us Brother.” Said the Aesir king as he gathered together his all friends in a quick hug.

    It was quieter without them. But Odin sent messages to his two friends daily and Loki would always add to the reply. Once Hoenir had settled they began by message to plan their next journey together. It seemed the Vanir were keen to have Hoenir and Mimir as advisers. But the soon grew tired of Mimir's stammers and constant fears.

    Worried they might decide he was worthless Hoenir told Loki and Odin of how he had lied to them and convinced them he could not give advise without Mimir around. Odin smiled when he read that message. He was glad to hear Hoenir followed his advise, although he knew Hoenir would have protected Mimir regardless of his suggestions.

    A week passed and they heard no more news from Hoenir. Loki and Odin began to grow worried. They wondered what could have befallen their friend.

    Another week passed before it arrived. The moment the stained package was delivered to Odin he knew what had happened. Mimir's severed head came with a message. It told of the anger of the Vanir at being given such faulty hostages. It also said that Hoenir had been locked away and would never be allowed to see the light again.

 

  Odin cast the most powerful runes he could desperate to restore his friend to life. But the runes failed. They allowed the head to speak, and even advise as Mimir once had. But it advised in a hollow voice. Odin would never have believed he could miss Mimir's stammer so.

    Odin called Loki to his hall once again. The moment Loki entered the Hall he knew something was vary wrong. The joy was gone from Odin’s eyes. He looked more miserable than Loki had ever seen him, but also he looked resolute.

    Loki walked towards him, worried. And then he stopped dead. He had seen the head, placed carefully on a marble plinth. Loki fell to his knees. He stared blindly at the floor. All he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears and his throat ached with sorrow. Finally Loki found his voice again as the shock of what he had seen finally receded.

    “Hoenir?” He asked in a gasp.

“He is alive. But he is imprisoned. We won't see him again.” Said Odin in a faintly robotic voice. “This is my fault. I failed as a king. I was absent too much and I placed my happiness above the well being of my people. From now on I will be the All father above all else.

    When I journey it will only as a part of my duty. We can not journey together any more.” Loki stood up and stared at his friend, suddenly fuelled by rage.

    “So I'm losing you as well, once again I lose everything.” Muttered Loki, suddenly fuming. “Let me guess, its because of duty again. Tell me, oh All father with all your wisdom, why does duty mean I lose everything?” Demanded Loki his voice growing louder with each word. Odin's empty eyes looked at him. “I am sorry, Loki. I can not spend time with my friends and an effective king.”

“You're not wise at all. You are a fool, Odin. You think it's better to be a king than a man. Fine give up ever having fun again. I bet you'll have a really great life.” Yelled Loki. He turned to leave.

    “I am still your Brother, but there are things I have to do. I have a duty, just as Hoenir said. I can't let anyone else get hurt. We live a fun and carefree life forever. We all have to grow up someday and except our duties.”

“Oh so you think you are doing this for them?” Replied Loki, scathingly.

    “Hoenir and Mimir wouldn't have wanted you to give up your whole life. Sod growing up, sod duty and sod being the king. Like that's more important than being a person. My blood brother is Odin, and you aren't him any more. You're nothing, you've just given up your whole personality." Said the trickster sadly.

    "Enjoy being the All father, I hope it proves worth it.” Spat the Jotun. Loki left the hall and walked away, once again alone in the world.