Chapter 1: Son of Loki and Grandson of Odin

The sun rose and Kenneth walked out of his house. Walking towards the stables every day had become something that he could do without even thinking. He began his daily routine with feeding the horses and fetching fresh water from the well. He brought a bucket to the front door of the house and left it there. Then he walked to the stables to wash the only two horses in the stables with two more buckets of water. After washing the horses, Kenneth walked back to the house and saw the farmer, whom this land belonged to, walking out of the door. “Hello sir.” Kenneth said after bowing. He then picked up the bucket and walked into the house. He then left the bucket in the kitchen and went into the cellar. Once there Kenneth brought a sack of potatoes up to the kitchen and started peeling them. Then a servant named James came down and said: “Thank you Kenneth for your work. But with 14 years of age you should be outside playing with other children.” “I appreciate your thoughtfulness James. But I have to finish my tasks first or the farmer will be angry.” “Indeed he will,” James said whilst sighing. The farmer employed many people and he was very successful but he didn’t care for his employees, the only thing he cared about was the profit. Kenneth didn’t hate that, in fact he liked it because that meant that the farmer wouldn’t care for his secrets and so on. Kenneth had many secrets but he wished to keep them secret. Kenneth knew many things, secrets of others and secrets of supernatural things. Yes, supernatural things. Kenneth was a Demigod. He was the son of the god named Loki. He was the son of Loki and a mortal woman and he was ashamed. He knew though that the blood of Loki ran through his veins because he loved mischief and tricks. Kenneth knew that he was related to Fenrir, Hel and Jormungandr but hated that. He hated his father and never knew his mother. He grew up with his father and knew all of the tricks and frauds which were written in the book. Kenneth worked on his tasks and thought of the different tricks he had been forced to remember. Although he hated his father, he loved tricking people and he also thought that one day the tricks and frauds he learned by heart would be needed. He finished all of his tasks and walked out towards the nearby forest. In the forest, he walked deep into the trees undergrowth and found what he was looking for; it was a man standing there with two crows on his shoulders.  “Hello Grandfather,” Kenneth said. The man turned around. He had an eye patch on one eye and a long beard. “Ah, Kenneth, so you have received my message?” “I have, but why would Lady Freya agree to such a marriage?” “It confuses me as well. But more surprising is that she actually asked for this marriage.” “Wait, what?” “Kenneth, women are the most confusing things I have ever known.” Kenneth looked at his Grandfather and then asked: “So I’m supposed to go back to Asgard?” “Yes Kenneth, you will have to go back. Loki and Freya wish to see you.” Kenneth sighed and then bowed: “Thank you for telling me grandfather.” Kenneth’s grandfather smiled and then said: “I’ll see you in Asgard my grandson.” Kenneth’s grandfather walked deeper into the forest followed by two wolves and was soon out of Kenneth’s view. Kenneth looked to the sky and then walked back out of the forest. He walked up the hill to the farmhouse and packed his things. He had a knapsack full of his things and was starting to walk out of the house when he crossed paths with James. James saw his knapsack and asked: “Are you leaving?” “Yes, I am.” “Did the farmer send you away?” “No, I chose to leave.” James looked surprised. He had never heard anyone leave this place on their own choice. Even though the farmer didn’t care about anything but profit, everyone stayed because the pay was very good. Kenneth left the house and walked into the forest. Deep inside the forest, where all the green grass turned dark green and the scent of civilization turned into scent of leaves and grass, where sunlight didn’t reach the ground, Kenneth found what he was looking for, Yggdrasil, the world tree. Yggdrasil was the tree that connected the nine worlds together. These nine worlds were: Asgard, home of the gods, Vanaheim, home of the Vanir, Alfheim, home of the Elves, Midgard, home of the humans, Valhalla, home of the dead warriors, Jotunheim, home of the Giants, Svartalfheim, home of the Dark Elves, Nidavellir, home of the Dwarves, Niflheim, home of the dead and finally Muspelheim, home of the Fire Giants and Demons. Kenneth had fled to Midgard after having endured his hateful father for ten years. In Midgard he had suppressed his godly powers and so was out of practice in using them. Godly powers were needed to get back to Asgard and so Kenneth stood in front of Yggdrasil for a little bit. Kenneth then put on his mask and said: “I am a god, I am a lord and I am the one who may pass into Asgard. You may not doubt me Yggdrasil for I wish to honor you. My father is Loki, the God of mischief and trickery. Will you let me pass Yggdrasil?” After a bit, a small opening was created in the tree. Now, I say small but you need to compare it to the tree itself. The tree was so big that it had its roots in the underworld and it went so high that it reached Asgard. Kenneth walked through the opening and stood in front of a huge gate. He still had his mask on and walked through the gate. He looked at the city behind the gate. It was beautiful; it had houses made out of gold and platinum. Some houses had diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires adore their walls and doors. Kenneth ignored the stares the ‘minor’ gods and elves, who came over from Alfheim, were giving him. Now the elves count as minor gods but Alfheim is located opposite of Asgard. Kenneth stood in front of a house which was made of all of the precious metals and stones known to the Dwarves and gods. Kenneth was feeling nervous but walked in. He opened the door and saw two people he had never expected to see: Hnoss and Gersemi, the two daughters of Freya herself. The two hadn’t noticed him yet so he cloaked himself in the shadows he stood. He entered the shadows and walked past them. He came out two rooms further away from them and stood in front of the door which connected the hallway hall where he was supposed to meet his Grandfather. Kenneth took in a deep breath and opened the huge stone doors in front of them. He walked into a huge hall which was adorned by pillars made out of a red stone with golden carvings. Weapons and pottery as well as paintings were on display. At the end of the hallway there were two thrones. In those two thrones sat Kenneth’s grandparents: Odin, the King of the gods and Frigg, the Queen of the gods. Kenneth walked in front of them and then kneeled. Next to Odin stood his father, Loki and next to Frigg stood Freya. Odin smiled and then asked: “How did you get past Hnoss and Gersemi?” “I did and that is all I shall say my lord,” Kenneth replied. Odin’s smile widened at that and then he stood up. He walked towards Kenneth and two wolves appeared out of nowhere. Kenneth looked at the ground but heard Odin and the wolves approach. Freya also left her place next to Frigg and walked towards Kenneth. Odin stood in front of him and said: “Stand my grandson, I wish that you look at me when I talk to you.” Kenneth stood up and looked at Odin. Loki stood behind Odin looking slightly worried and Freya was looking at Kenneth, studying him intently. Kenneth had seen Freya before but her beauty still struck him. Suddenly the door was opened and Hnoss and Gersemi stood in the hall. They were surprised as they saw Kenneth standing in front of them. Kenneth admired their beauty. They looked like their mother and had long golden hair. Their eyes were piercing blue and they were Kenneth’s age. Kenneth knew of the age fact because he had grown up seeing the two of them almost every year at least once because of the meetings Odin asked from the gods. Kenneth had always worn the mask for Loki was ashamed of his b*****d son. Although he was ashamed, he could not help but admit that Kenneth had inherited his skills and yet had some unique skills of his own. “How are you here?” Hnoss asked. Kenneth didn’t answer and then Freya said: “Did you not hear her question b*****d son of Loki?” Kenneth winced at that remark but heard his father defend him: “Leave the boy alone Freya, you know the answer and so leave it at that.” Freya stared at Loki but kept her mouth shut. The whole time Odin and Frigg had kept quiet and observed Kenneth. “Pull of your mask Kenneth, I have seen your face before and the mask is rude.” Kenneth followed the order Odin had given and pulled of his mask. Now, Kenneth was very handsome and he had white hair. His eyes were as dark as the night. He was the only human or rather human like son Loki had and although Loki was not handsome, Kenneth was very handsome and it seemed like Kenneth had inherited the looks of his mother. Kenneth held the mask in his hand and looked at Odin. Freya was shocked to see Kenneth’s face because as I said, Loki was not handsome and yet Kenneth was. Odin looked at him and then said: “Freya wishes to tell you something, but remember one thing; this is just an option, the choice is ultimately yours.” Freya had recovered from her initial shock and then said: “Well, I wish to give you the honor of marrying my daughters.” Kenneth had heard that from Odin but there was one thing he hadn’t heard. He asked: “Excuse me Lady Freya but did you say your daughters? So you wish me too marry both of your daughters?” “That is correct; this is what I wish so will you accept?” Kane was surprised of her asking him, the b*****d son of Loki, to marry both of her daughters. “I do not wish to anger you Lady Freya but would you tell me the reason?” Freya looked at Kenneth and said calmly: “I wish you to marry them because of a reason which Lord Odin knows.” She walked out of the hall and her daughters followed. Kenneth looked at the doors closing and then turned to Odin: “What did she mean?” Odin said nothing but then Kenneth’s grandmother talked to him: “Kenneth, Hnoss and Gersemi are your age and as gods they are allowed to marry. The Dark Elves and Dwarves wish to marry them. Freya is able to decline the offer of the Dark Elves without reason but she cannot decline the offer, or rather request of the dwarves because of the favor she promised them when she received Brinsgamen from them. She cannot make Hnoss and Gersemi marry though if they were ‘forced’ to marry the son of Loki.” Kenneth looked at her with his mouth agape. He was surprised that Freya had gone such long ways just to get Brinsgamen. Loki walked towards him and then said: “This is your only way to make me proud my son. Will you try it?” Kenneth turned to him and replied: “I will do it, but not for you, I’ll do it for Hnoss and Gersemi.” Kenneth left the hall and once outside he let out the breath he had been holding in. He was shaking like crazy but he put on his mask and walked out of the house. He walked past the houses towards a garden full of trees with golden apples on them and brushes with flaming leaves. Kenneth walked through the garden to a house made out of black stone. He sighed but passed the house. He stood in front of a cave and walked in. In the cave there was a huge wolf which was chained to the wall with a rope which looked weaker than it actually was. Kenneth walked towards the wolf and stopped in front of it. “Hello, brother,” Kenneth said. “Ah, when did you come back Kenneth?” “Just a bit ago, but I came here to ask you something.” “Which is?” Kane was about to ask his question but then Tyr came in. He saw Kenneth standing in front of the wolf and then smiled: “Well Fenrir, your brother is here. Do you wish to feed Fenrir Kenneth?” “Nah, I was about to leave anyway, goodbye brother, Lord Tyr.” Kenneth walked away and then walked back to the house made out of pitch black stone. Kenneth walked into the house and saw his stepmother: Sigyn. He walked past her one floor up and into his room. His room was just the way it was when he left. He threw his knapsack on the bed and then pulled of his mask. He put his mask on his desk and then sat down on a chair. He sighed and then walked to the closet. He found what he was searching for, a simple tunic and a simple pair of pants. He changed into those and threw his formal clothing which he had on to meet the gods. He went downstairs and then walked out of the house. His stepmother ignored him and he did that as well. He knew that she hated him. He was hated by almost everyone in his family. Only Fenrir talked to him and Loki was ashamed of him. He had met Jormungandr and Hel once. They ignored him because he seemed powerless. Kenneth didn’t care but Fenrir had always been there for him. Fenrir wasn’t as nice as a mother would be but he was nice in his own way. Kenneth walked back into the park with his mask off and sat down, leaning to a tree. He felt something moving towards him and made sure that he could react. He closed his eyes and opened his other senses. He felt the wind shift and an arm was shot out towards him. Kenneth caught the hand and he felt blood trickle down his cheek. He opened his eyes and saw Hnoss. He stared into her eyes and then let her wrist go. He closed his eyes again and asked: “Is it worth it? Is the blood of a b*****d son worth the feeling you get in your heart when you killed someone?” Hnoss started to cry and then said: “No, but I will kill you and then myself. At least then I will not shame my sister Gersemi by letting her have to marry you.” Kenneth sighed and opened his eyes again. He stood up and looked Hnoss in the eye. “You can’t do it. You know how to kill someone but you can’t kill someone. You know that if you kill someone you will feel guilty all your life so you wish to end your life. If I kill myself you will still end your life thinking that it was your fault. Let me tell you something, I will accept this marriage for my own reasons. After the ceremony I will mysteriously disappear and you both will not be bound by marriage,” he said. He walked away and left Hnoss under the tree, crying.

The marriage ceremony was there and Kenneth stood next to Hnoss and Gersemi. He spoke his vows like them and then he walked away from the crowd which surrounded Hnoss and Gersemi. Kenneth walked towards Yggdrasil and then said: “Yggdrasil, send me wherever you wish, I have lived my life and so wish to live a life you choose for me.” Yggdrasil opened a small hole and Kenneth walked into it, disappearing.