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Her eyes fell to his torso and her heart skipped a beat.There was no doubt in her mind that there was at least a set of six-pack abs under the pearl snap buttons trailing down the center showcasing the sliding taper to his slim hips that created the distinct "V" shape of the swimmers she’d watched during Olympics.

As she reveled in the memory of her Mate, Hel continued to sing.The melody grew more repetitive and rhythmic.There was the faintest bright note, a bit of cheer dancing along the simple, minor key harmony.It was new, fresh, life-affirming.It filled her heart and soul with the zest for life she was certain Hopper possessed.It was something they had in common.Just like the unwillingness to relent even in the face of certain danger that flowed through the veins of the Vikings she revered.Those were men, women, and children who simply didn’t know how to lose.They didn’t give up.They persevered.They made something of themselves.

“They weren’t afraid of rejection or failure.They powered through every situation with a single-minded focus that allowed them to shake off their defeats–to learn from them–and concentrate on the success they simplyknewwas to come.”

Slowly nodding, feeling a spark, the Light and Magic of the Mating Bond she shared with Hopper growing, shining, beaming, she added, “They became legend.They make me and so many others proud to be from the Northern Lands.They had Hope.Hope that comes from the man who holds my heart and soul in the palm of his hand.He was there for them.Never let them down.Carried them through the hardships and rejoiced in their victories.”

Another series of steps, more visions of the past, and Hel was struck with a realization that until that very moment had escaped her.“Those amazing Northmen expected a positive outcome, even when it wasn’t guaranteed.Their unwillingness to relent, to believe that they would survive and thrive was woven into the fiber of their existence.”Stopping and holding perfectly still, she whispered with a reverence that made her heart skip a beat.“It was given to them by Hopper.Damn, that man is… is… He is simply remarkable.”

“And you come from those people, that land.Yes, Loki and Angrboda are your parents, but you know Odin pulled from the Enchantment of the Northlands when the Universe asked for his input into your existence.The All Father knew how great you were before you were a reality.He understood what The Powers That Be had planned.Now, all you have to do is get your blasted shit together and tell Hopper that you are already in love with him.That you have been in love with him since you first laid eyes on him on the Isle of Dreki all those years ago.And that you admire and respect him more than you ever knew possible.”

Ignoring Carys for the umpteenth time, Hel shook her head sharply and poured all she was into the song that became an uplifting anthem to her at a very young age.

Captivated by the words and melody, she could hear the scuff of the pads of the maiden’s fingers, calloused from long hours of back-breaking work strumming the strings of the lyre as if she was sitting beside the goddess.She could feel the breathy, earthen harmony of the wooden flute played by the lass’s brother from his imaginary place on her other side.

These were her people.It was her history.

Letting her eyes slide shut, the sense of an ancient, Mystical Power more fierce than Odin, more intelligent than the All Father’s middle brother, Vili, and more wise and giving than the youngest of the three, Ve–it was the Power and Strength of the Great Giant, Ymir, the first Being to exist.No, Ymir wasn’t ‘alive’ before Chaos, because well, Chaos was the Primordial Void, the All-Encompassing Emptiness that existed before the Creation of the universe.Chaos had breathed the Great Giant into existence, and because of that and what Ymir sacrificed, his very life’s essence was in every grain of sand, every blade of grass, every gentle touch of the wind, and every drop of rain ever created in thehumanworld.

Because of his great sacrifice and hope for those fragile life forms known as mankind, Chaos also granted the Great Giant’s one, final wish and breathed into existence the Original Dragon, Fafnir.Wrongly portrayed throughout history, a common theme that literally drove Hel nuts, Fafnir was formed from the elemental fire and ice that flowed within Ymir’s veins.

Absolutely massive and incredibly imposing, Fafnir, the Norse god of the Dragons, had scales so resilient no weapon could penetrate them and those he’d shed when first taking flight mixed with the primordial ooze of creation and formed the Black Iron used to forge the weapons of the Norse Pantheon.Wings covered with not only those same impenetrable scales but also the granite of Helheim, they spanned an untold two-hundred-and-fifty feet, two and a half times larger than any other who would come after and when he pushed them backward and thrust them forward, the resulting gust was the cross breeze to the giant Eagle sitting at the edge of the world.

His eyes glowed the purest of white with gray elliptical pupils that quite literally saw into the heart and soul of all who stood before him.Although he never judged, he was known to give counsel to those wise enough to ask for it.

The length and width of his claws and teeth struck fear in those who dared get close enough for inspection, and his breath was said to be lethal, but Hel never bought that.She knew it was the mixture of primordial fire and ice Fafnir could expel that was deadly.She had also been told by the Dragon himself that he controlled what came out of his mouth and anyone who said any different could dare to contradict him to his face.

It was Fafnir who had explained to her that Ymir was simply everything and everywhere.She’d gladly complied when the massive Dragon had asked that she sing to him, after which he’d graced her with a slight smile upon his snout as he said,“Dear Hel, do you know that the soulful song you have graced me with was born from the spirit, heart, and literal marrow of Norðrlond, the Northern Lands that we both call home?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And do you know, Child, that only we can appreciate, can iterate, canbring to lifethe true meaning and feeling?Do you understand that that one song, the words of which only truly make sense in the language of the Ancient Northmen will not only speak to your soul, but for it?”

“Yes, dear Fafnir, I do, and I thank you for all you’ve given to each of us.”

With the memory of his brilliant white eyes looking deeply into hers, Hel once again sang in the Norse language of old:

“Þat mælti mín móðir, at mér skyldi kaupa

fley ok fagrar árar, fara á brott með víkingum

standa upp í stafni, stýra dýrum knerri

halda svá til hafnar…”

Then it happened.Her friends finally reached the front door.Reliving the past would have to wait.

Liv knocked with the force of the Ancient Warrior she was.Then she rang the bell.Then she knocked again, and Hel stopped mid-stanza.Sighing with such emotion that she felt it from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, the goddess grumbled, “Someday, I will be able to finish that song in one sitting.I was really into the new feel and rhythm.Sadly, that day is not today.”

“I can throw some Magic at the door and help you make a run for it,”Carys offered.“At the very least, I can mute that racket and kill that horrific doorbell.You know I hate that blasted thing with a fiery passion.I will never understand why the little Feydragon Em and her Mate, Nostradamus thought it was a fitting gift.You’re the goddess who possesses the Eye of Metis for heaven’s sake.Nevertheless, my offer stands.Let Liv and Dade stand out there until the first cold wind blows across Helheim.”

“I think the humans say something about a snowball having a chance in Hell, and we both know The Morningstar will never let that happen.”

“I was taking poetic license with the saying,”Carys snorted.“And you are right.Old Luci keeps everything scorching in his Realm.”

“Old Luci?”Hel snickered.“Does he know you call him that.”

“But of course,”Carys immediately replied.“Have said it to his face.Although that was a very long time ago.Before we were joined.But I will do it again if given the chance.”Stopping to add a pointed stare for inflection, the Dragoness added,“Now, about your visitors…”