to join them.
"Er . . . I think they want you, Bryn," said Aimee, a little hesitant to take the next step.
"Well, you're with me, so you stay with me. I'm weak. What if I fall flat on my face?"
Aimee looked past me at Joshua and Suri, then snorted. She surreptitiously slipped her fingers around my arm. "There, I'm holding you up. Now what?"
"Now, we all get to meet the new guy," I said with a faded grin.
We headed to Frigga and the moment we reached her she grabbed the new guy by the arm and pulled him forward.
"Freyr, I want you to meet Brynhildr." Frigga flicked her fingers at me. "Bryn, this is Freyr, brother to the goddess Freya. And owner of the remarkable ship he now keeps in his pocket."
Frigga winked as the god Freyr smiled at me then bowed his head. My eyes widened at the sight of a god bowing before me and I was completely at a loss for words.
When he straightened he said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Brynhildr. My sister has told me much about you and I am only regretful that we have not met before this tragic day. Frigga has informed me of how important the einherjar Aidan was to you and your friends." The god's eyes were a deep black and his expression was open and friendly. I could sense no negativity, nothing beneath the surface that would imply that his allegiances were questionable.
It was my turn to bow and I did so. "I'm pleased to meet you, Lord Freyr." I didn't have much else to say considering I'd only heard about this god in passing.
Frigga went on to introduce both Joshua, Aimee and Suri in turn, which I thought was very kind of her.
Then Frigga cleared her throat. "Freyr, have you had any luck in finding your sword?" asked Frigga as she turned the god in the direction of the path to the palace, she glanced over her shoulder and motioned for us to follow. Fen walked close by so I figured I might as well head back with them and get the opportunity to speak to Fen too.
Freyr grunted, clearly unhappy. "It does seem to be a hopeless task. I have been searching for centuries now. I think I may as well give up the hunt considering Ragnarok is already upon us."
Frigga met my eyes over her shoulder. Her expression became sad for a moment then she said, "Without the protection of his sword Freyr, he is destined to die at Ragnarok."
Her words fell upon me, a battalion of tiny swords all aimed at my heart. Another god who will die in this stupid battle.
I couldn't find anything to say, but then Fen spoke. "Perhaps we should step up our efforts and search for the sword." The first thing I wanted to say was we had enough to do without going on a hunt for a sword, but it would mean one god's life saved which was enough for me, so I nodded. And then Dr Lee's words returned to my fuzzy brain, reminding me of what he'd mentioned about Loki and his hunt for a particular weapon. Could it be Freyr's sword after all?
"You'd have to get a plan together but unfortunately I won't be able to join you. I'm heading straight back to my bed." I gave Joshua's arm a squeeze and then sent Fen a meaningful look.
Fen nodded as Freyr asked, "Are you ill, Brynhildr?"
"I'm afraid I am. Much too ill to be of any use to anyone."
Freyr frowned. "That is a great pity, Brynhildr. I had heard for a long time now what an asset you have been to Odin and to Asgard."
"Thank you, my Lord. I believe it is best not to have me around taking the focus off the mission and onto my illness. As much as I hate the idea, I have to remove myself from the missions."
Freyr nodded sadly then Frigga rose on her toes to whisper something in his ear. He smiled and then walked off with Frigga toward the palace. Before she left she gave Thor and Fen a pointed look, clearly urging them to talk to me.
Once they were out of sight, Fen and Thor closed in on our group.
Before they could speak I said, "We need that sword. I recall something special about it though I'm a little fuzzy on the details."
Thor nodded as a little frown played on his forehead. "Yes, we spoke