The war between the Aesir and Vanir came and went, and it had been many years that Njord came to live among the Aesir in Asgard, only returning to Vanaheim periodically on appropriate holytides. While never forgetting that He was a hostage, Njord became fond of the Aesir, and came to see being hostaged as a business arrangement to keep frith between the tribes rather than an act of hostility. Thor became a personal favorite of Njord, as Thor liked to go to the seaside to cool down on hot summer days, and had a jolly sense of humor that was infectious. It was easy for Njord to get momentarily lost in melancholy, and the Thunderer's jokes, laughter, and general good nature were a welcome respite from times when Njord would look at His life and feel too bound by duty. Njord was of course too responsible to forsake these duties and disappoint His people, and He would get Himself out of these thoughts by watching the tides of the sea ebb and flow, remembering the greater scope of things along the threads of Wyrd... His purpose as a sacral king.

One of Njord's deepest regrets, that few ever realized, was lack of a steady mate. He and His twin sister, Nerthus, had an obligation by the holy customs of Vanaheim to lay together once a year, and They had begotten two beautiful golden children, the Lord and Lady of Vanaheim. Njord had plenty of other lovers, and several daughters to prove that He rarely lacked for amusement. But as He spent more time in Asgard, He felt himself getting disconnected from the Vanir folk, but not so Aesic that He was able to approach the Aesir women without great hesitancy.

Njord wanted love; Nerthus was His duty-wife, there was no affection between them, less passion. He had rolls in the hay that were fun... but none that stayed long enough to capture his heart. As Njord saw His daughter weep for Oðr and travel the Nine Worlds seeking him, and saw His son give up the best sword in the Nine Worlds for a Jotun bride, Njord's heart grew heavy, longing for that kind of love in His own life.

One morning, as Njord did His regular routine of walking along the sands of Noatun and singing to the sea, Hermod jogged past Him, yelling, "Mandatory council at Gladsheim! Everyone has to be there!" and then was gone in the blink of an eye. Njord shook His head, chuckling, Those damn Aesir don't know how to slow down and just be. But He knew whatever Odin wanted, was most likely important, or at least important enough that the Old Man would make life interesting if He didn't show. So, Njord packed a bag of items He would need for the day, including his oath ring, and made the journey through The Great Forest to Gladsheim. The Great Forest spanned both Asgard and Vanaheim, and when Njord passed through, His thoughts turned to His cousin and blood-sworn oath-brother, Ullr, who had free reign of The Great Forest and seemed to be very much exempt from the Law of Asgard even when in Aesir territory. Ullr was the Wild Vane, accountable to no one, but wielding such great power that no one could just take that authority. Ullr was a capable magician, and the Great Forest and all the wild places of the Nine Worlds listened to Him. As Njord walked through the Great Forest, he was acutely aware that Ullr had put a protection spell on the area to give him safe passage back and forth, but still grumbled -- perhaps ungratefully -- that Ullr would not have to be at Gladsheim, because Ullr did not ever have to be anywhere. Ullr was very much His own God.

At Gladsheim, Odin was pacing back and forth on the bearskin rug, Geri and Freki looking more wound up than usual, ready to pounce. The other Gods had assembled, with weapons in place -- Njord winced when He saw Frey with that damn antler again. But it wasn't the Ragnarok; there was a woman sitting at the head of the table, where Odin usually sat, with a cool, frosty glare. A Jotun woman, clearly, from the build and cold demeanor.

A very gorgeous Jotun woman.

His eyes briefly met the Jotynja's, and then looked away, quickly; it was very rare indeed that any Jotun was allowed inside Gladsheim, so this had to be very important business. But then Njord felt compelled to look at the Jotynja again... and again.

She was clad in furs, which although it was an Asgard winter, was still not cold enough to be dressed so heavily. Her raven-colored hair was loose, and hung around her shoulders in a wild mane. Her skin was pale as ice, her cheekbones were chiseled as the rest of her face, including a very firm chin. The fullness of her lips betrayed her femininity, otherwise she was as muscular as any Aesir man with the exception of perhaps Thor, and the bloody spear at her side proved she knew how to use those muscles.

Her eyes were the most intriguing thing about her; a very pale blue, and unwavering. She didn't blink much, and her senses seemed to be honed enough that every time he looked at her, she was looking right back at him. And when he had let his eyes wander to her enough times, he saw a small smile lurk at the corners of her mouth, as if she found it vaguely amusing.

Odin nipped the staring contest in the bud with a sharp intake of air; everyone looked at the Allfather. "We are here because Skadhi Thjazidottir of Jotunheim has demanded weregild for the slaying of her father, Thjazi, by the Aesir. She is worthy, and as part of her weregild demands to take one of us as a husband." Odin smirked. "While I wouldn't mind stepping up to... the challenge... I think she should have a fair shot at the best the Aesir have to offer. Let's let Wyrd decide." Then Odin winked at Frigga, who looked less-than-thrilled that Odin was flirting with yet another woman, and Frigga pulled out a long strip of blue cloth.

"This is a blindfold," Frigga said to Skadhi. "If you want to claim your weregild, put this on, and feel the feet of the men here. The feet most attractive to you, that will be your husband."

Skadhi grunted. "You expect me to wear that?" She swore in the Jotun tongue.

"Be thankful that we did not just kill you or take you prisoner," Frigga hissed.

"You would not have been ABLE to kill me or take me prisoner!" Skadhi roared. "You were not prepared for the likes of me, and you underestimated my capabilities. I breached your wall and would have killed your overlord here --" Skadhi sneered at Odin -- "but I was ready to negotiate, and do the honorable thing. You had better be lucky you were dealing with me and not some other Jotun." Skadhi grunted again. "See this, housewife, I will take your handsome son... maybe put a little life into your bloodline, no?" And Skadhi leered at Baldur, who smiled politely and turned beet red.

Then Skadhi pointed at Frey. "You are married to my cousin and I'll not take that from her. Step aside."

Frey hustled out of the way, looking slightly embarrassed... or perhaps relieved. The other Aesir men stepped forward; Njord hesitated for a moment until Odin pushed Him into the circle. "You're not exempt," Odin snorted.

And then Njord saw the waves rolling back and forth in his mind's eye, saw the threads in those waters, leading to the Waters of Life, the Well of Wyrd itself. He saw the cold fire within Skadhi, more passion than He had ever seen in a woman before. He wanted that passion, to make Him alive again. He wanted this woman, to appreciate her for the passionate, erotic being she was, to ravish her and be consumed by her cold fire. He wanted Skadhi, and felt a small twinge of guilt as His lust moved down the threads and into Skadhi's blindfold.

Njord removed His sandals, which He had worn only to travel; Njord made a habit of going barefoot when at Noatun because nothing felt so good as the sand between his toes and the salt water on his feet. Njord couldn't help but look at the other Aesir men's feet, including Baldur, who for someone so handsome had an overgrowth of blonde hair on His toes. Njord swallowed a chuckle as He watched Skadhi put on the blindfold and step forward.

She felt each Aesir man's feet, pausing afterwards to take the sensations in. She started with Thor, and then visibly grimaced as she ran her hands through Baldur's toe hair. Njord was last, and as His feet were subjected to Skadhi's caresses... the way her hands moved over His feet, around His toes, up his ankles and back down... He felt Himself growing erect, knowing that if her touch on His feet was that sensual, she would have a way of making His life very pleasurable.

"This one," Skadhi said, without hesitation. "His feet are very smooth, clearly He must be handsome."

Frigga removed Skadhi's blindfold, smirking (probably relieved that it wasn't Baldur). Skadhi looked up, and saw she was handling Njord's feet.

Njord thought about saying hello, found Himself unable to speak, and smiled instead. And prepared to be punched in the face, but Skadhi's face softened, and she smiled back at Him.

"If I can't have the youngest Aesir son, that's just as well," Skadhi said, "I've got the Vanir King." And Skadhi rose. "We shall be married tonight."




The Aesir were unaccustomed to doing weddings on such short notice; Njord didn't even know how to tell the people in Vanaheim that He was going to be taking a wife that was legal by Asgard law, and a Jotynja at that. But Skadhi was insistent, and for all of the tension between Frigga and Skadhi earlier that day, Frigga saw to it to arrange for the skalds to be present and sing, accompanied by lyre and drum and horn. Heimdall himself stayed much longer than He usually did away from his post at Bifrost, and played a horn with the band, which Njord remarked was no small irony considering it was also the warning sound for Ragnarok if it should come to pass. Frigga's handmaidens prepared a lovely banquet, and Njord and Skadhi walked under Odin's spear and around Frigga's distaff as was the custom for weddings in Asgard.

The wedding itself went by in a blur; as much as Njord desired Skadhi, He felt a sudden wave of shyness, which was unusual for him. Where He was usually fluent and effective with words, they failed Him, and he was amazed to see Skadhi's vigor with dancing to the music afterwards, even outlasting Thor, who finally sat down with a mug of ale, winded and still chuckling. But finally Skadhi stopped dancing, and pulled Her new husband aside, into the corner.

"I am curious to see why the Vanir are so... famous," Skadhi purred, wrapping Her arms around Njord's waist. "Perhaps we should retire?"

Njord could only nod, and said a brief goodbye to Frigga, who waved frantically, and Odin, who winked knowingly, and then to Frey and Freya, who giggled as Njord put Skadhi in the wain loaned Them for their wedding, and drove the horses into the Great Forest, headed for Noatun.

In the stillness of the Great Forest, feeling the hush of a large ward around them, Skadhi turned Njord's face towards Her.

"The strength of your words is known even in Jotunheim," She said, "but words fail you now. Are you displeased to have me?"

And Njord took a deep breath, knowing He had to find that calm place within him, to speak. He watched the waves rise and fall, flowing back and forth, in His mind's eye, the threads running through to the Waters of Wyrd, and He spoke: "I am not displeased, milady. I am more pleased than you will ever know." Njord smiled at His bride, and caressed Her chiseled cheekbone, feeling it soften with a smile in return. "You are very beautiful... but also very strong, and wild. I... need that." Njord sighed.

"You have had nobody to love," Skadhi said, knowingly.

Njord nodded, briefly, and said, "I have my sister-wife in Vanaheim, who I lay with as the custom. But it's only a custom. I have had others. None for long. I have many responsibilities, to the Aesir and Vanir both. I am the peace-weaver... so it is perhaps not surprising that Wyrd gave me to a Jotunwife. There should be more frith, less wars... less death. Because looking at you, I don't know how anyone could just hate and fear your kind. You're too wild and beautiful."

And Skadhi laughed, and said, "I don't know whether to kiss you or punch you!"

"Maybe both," Njord said with a wink. "I meant no insult. You are certainly not weak, and inspire a certain... awe."

And Skadhi wrapped Her arms around Njord and said, "I have my people in Midgard, and I take care of them. I have a place of great respect in Jotunheim, and am considered a leader there in my own right. But I know what you say about responsibility. I have taken no husband, because I have had no time. Too many things to do, and too many weak men who would just latch onto me to elevate themselves. It is a sad day when I say some of my kind are weak-willed. You are a ruler, however... and maybe we shall rule together. If you can prove it." Skadhi winked, just as the wain pulled into Noatun.

Njord pondered how to carry His bride across the threshold as he stepped out of the wain; He was a strong and hale man, full of the Vanic vitality... but Skadhi was a large woman. Before He could resolve His conflict over proper custom, Skadhi took His hand and led Him to the door of Noatun. She wrapped Her arms around his waist again and leaned forward; Their lips met and Njord felt a warmth within His chest as well as His loins. "Welcome home," Njord whispered, and took Her inside.

The consummation of Their marriage was like ice being added to water, melting and raising the water level, making the water cool and refreshing. Their lovemaking flowed like the water, give and take back and forth, until They were spent but feeling strangely rejuvenated. Njord reached out to hold Skadhi, but She got up, laughing, and said, "Now I want to see the food the Vanir are so famous for!"




Over the next nine days, there was a lot more lovemaking, as well as laughter, intelligent conversation, and companionable silence as they walked together; both were fond of going for long walks. However, the first full day of Skadhi's life in Noatun, Skadhi began to wince periodically, which worried Njord as He knew Jotnar were very strong and rarely ever visibly showed discomfort. On the second day, Njord saw Skadhi clutching Her stomach as if in pain; Skadhi saw Njord watching Her and waved Him away: "I'm fine," She said.

On the third day, Skadhi was clutching Her stomach and not attempting to hide it; She also was sleeping more and eating less, which alarmed Njord. Yet She insisted again She was fine when asked. And so it went until the ninth day, when Skadhi slept until the sun began to set, and woke up, clutching Her head in pain. Njord placed a cold damp cloth on her head and stroked Her hair. "Is it very bad, my love?" Njord asked, dreading the answer.

"I don't think I can stay here," Skadhi croaked.

"What do you mean?" Njord found he could not read Her, that She had for the first time since arriving at Noatun, blocked His ability to see inside Her mind. He assumed it was an automatic defense technique of a vulnerable Jotun, but still felt slightly stung.

"I have been getting sick here," Skadhi said. "The salt air... the smell of fish... the gulls crying... I am ill. I am so sorry, Njord, but I don't think I can stay here. Your home is beautiful, but it's making me sick."

"I don't want you to be ill, but I would miss you, my love," Njord said, squeezing Skadhi's hand.

"If you would come with me to my home in Jotunheim," Skadhi said, "I need to go there anyway to attend to some business. Come stay there with me awhile."

"I will do anything for you, my love," Njord said, and tried to read the threads, but found He could not. So He held Skadhi in his arms until the morrow, when They boarded the wain and set off for Jotunheim, stopping first at Gladsheim to let Odin know. Njord suspected Odin might order Him to do his hostage duty and stay behind, but found Odin sympathetic. "It's your wife," Odin said, "besides which, we need her on our side... that is most important now. Just report to me once a month for the High Council... and be my ears in Jotunheim, if you stay."

It was half a day's journey to Jotunheim at full speed, and another few hours to arrive at Thrymheim. The guards laid down their weapons when Skadhi stepped out of the wain, and the gatekeeper bowed slightly to Her. Njord had never seen a Jotun bow, and knew immediately He had a very powerful woman with Him. "This is my husband, King of the Vanes," Skadhi said. "Let none see to harm Him, or I'll kill you myself." Skadhi took Njord's hand and led Him through the gate.

What looked like a heavily walled and somewhat plain, if not crude, exterior proved to be rich with furs and items of gold and bone on the inside. It looked like the palace of a warrior lord... which Thjazi was, and which Skadhi would do in his stead. Skadhi's servants walked on either side, carrying the items she had brought to Asgard, and the bags Njord had packed of belongings for his stay in Thrymheim, at least a month's worth of clothing, some books, and personal mementos.

There was a feast already prepared, of wild boar that had been roasting on a spit all day. Mead was promptly poured into Skadhi and Njord's horns as they sat to the table, and the new Lady of Thrymheim was hailed before the feast was served. Njord found it thoughtful that boar was being served, as a favorite meat in Vanaheim. Ordinarily Njord enjoyed boar, though perhaps not as much as fish. However, the boar tasted sour to him, while He noticed everyone else was eating with relish, including Skadhi who had seemed much more animated since arriving in Jotunheim, and in Her element in the hall of Thrymheim. Njord tried to wash the sour taste out with mead, which seemed salty. Njord had to restrain Himself from spitting it out. But to be polite, He ate and drank as much as he could, knowing full well some of the Jotun eyes were upon him, watching the Lady's husband carefully. While Skadhi had promised death to any who would harm Njord, He did not want to offend anyone and bring Skadhi into possible disrepute.

After the feast, Njord waited while business reports were read off to Skadhi, of general activity in Jotunheim, commerce, and casualties in "the conflict". During the report of "the conflict", Njord felt every eye upon Him, and again had to restrain Himself, wanting to mention that He was Vanir and not of the Aesir... not that it would matter, since being sworn to the Aesir was as good as being one of the Aesir in the clannish Jotun mind, hostages sworn to end war or no. After the reports, Skadhi sent Her men away, and She and Njord retired to the bedchamber, where They made love. Njord was happy to please His wife, but also suspected it was just as much political as it was for actual pleasure -- She wanted to show Her men this Vane was more than capable of satisfying her. Sure enough, when They finished, there was a howling through the walls of Thrymheim, high and low, male and female voices, which Skadhi smiled at. "They approve," Skadhi mused. Njord's face began to burn, and Skadhi laughed uproariously. "Surely the King of the Vanir can handle an audience!" Skadhi screamed, throwing Her head back with laughter; Njord watched Her belly shake and then finally joined in the laughter, feeling a deep sense of relief. Skadhi then lay there in His embrace for the first time after sex since They had been wed, and after awhile Njord saw that Skadhi was sleeping.

Njord rolled onto His side with the intent to sleep as well; the furs were warm enough to keep away the cold of the Jotunheim mountains, and the warmth and firmness of Skadhi was comfortable to lay next to. But He couldn't sleep, and it seemed that every small sound was much louder, including the occasional rustle of people or animals outside, a wolf's howl, an owl's hoot. Njord tried to go within, finding the calm place of the sea, and couldn't get there. He got up and stretched, did some running in place and push-ups, hoping the physical activity would wear Him down. Laying back down, He found himself more alert than before, and with a gnawing sense that something very bad was going to happen. He tried again to find that calm place and cover the fear with the water, but it would not come.

And so the dawn came, and Njord was still awake, and feeling anxious, but also irritable. The day came and went, and Skadhi seemed back to Her old energetic self; Njord was not able to rest, but felt mentally and physically tired, so as He walked with Skadhi through the wild places, he hoped the activity would wear him down and bring sleep. The night came, They made love, and Njord lay awake yet again.

By the ninth day, Njord had not slept his entire time in Thrymheim, and walking and hunting with Skadhi, participating in Her mandatory weapons training for all Thrymheim residents, and eating food that tasted bad to him, was not wearing Him down enough to sleep, just enough to feel irritable. Every sound was grating on His nerves, and it was all Njord could do to not scream and hide under a rock as the swords clanged in battle practice. He felt ashamed -- He had cut off the head of Mimir with an axe, surely He was fine with fighting if there was a need! But the unexpected animal, or servant coming up from behind to ask a question, was setting Him off into panic, and He could not find that calm space... if anything, His ability to go within and read others felt like a heavy numbness in the back of His skull.

Skadhi had not made a habit of asking Njord if He was all right, but on the ninth day, when Njord fell over, Skadhi propped Him up and said, "You are not well."

"No, I'm not," Njord croaked. Skadhi motioned to the nearest servant, who came running back a moment later with water. Skadhi helped Njord to drink, and then said, "You should go back home. I can tell the elevation and the cold are not good for you."

"I love you," Njord protested, "I will not leave you."

"And what, then, be a dead weight at my side?" Skadhi sighed. "I can't have that, either."

"Come with me to Noatun for a few days," Njord said, "then I will come back here with you. If we go back and forth, we will be able to take care of business in both worlds, but not stay so long that we get sick. And maybe I shall eventually get adjusted to the elevation and the cold here."

Skadhi paused, considering it. Then she said, "No. It's not something you can just get adjusted to. Either you are meant for this place or you are not. It's the land itself. I am not meant for the sea. You are not meant for the mountains."

And before Njord could stop himself, He began to weep. He had come to love Skadhi, her strength and Her beauty, but more importantly, the companionship of someone who understood what it was like to rule and have responsibilities as a ruler. Skadhi had not just stormed Asgard for weregild over her father's death, but for every Jotun life lost in the conflict between Aesir and Jotnar. She wanted the senseless wars to stop, to form an alliance with a worthy and formidable opponent, an alliance of strength. Skadhi, in Her own bloodthirsty and ruthless way, was a frith-weaver, and Njord loved Her for that. All of the mindless babble of random Vanir and Aesir mates paled in comparison to the pale Jotnar sitting before Him, warrior, hunter, and chieftain.

"I have come to love you enough that I cannot watch you die," Skadhi said, "and that will be what happens if you are here." Skadhi kissed Njord, softly, and then spoke gently: "I can come to visit you in Noatun, once a moon. While I may get sick there, it's still not as bad as how sick you are in the mountains, besides... I won't stay long."

"I want you by my side," Njord wept, and then wept more, feeling Skadhi would despise Him for weeping. But Skadhi's eyes were moist as well.

"No one has wept for me," Skadhi said. "You are a good man, and I will come to you. I would miss you as well, and I can't let you be shamed in front of your people by divorce."

"My people don't regard divorce as shameful, but the Aesir may," Njord said, with a wry smile thinking of how different the Vanir and Aesir really were, and how much more different the Aesir and Jotnar.

Skadhi rose, and pulled Njord to His feet. A wain was sent for Him within the hour, and He departed for Asgard Himself. When Njord saw the sea crashing onto the shore of Noatun, Njord felt a great weight lifted off His shoulders. He leapt out of the wain, running to meet the sea, put his toes in the blessed salt water, and become one with the tides. But He fell, and found Himself waking up on the beach the next morning, having slept for the first time in nine days.

It came to pass that once a month, Skadhi would come down from Thrymheim to see Njord for two days, and then go back, often blinded by a headache and vomiting, but still able to walk and swear at curious onlookers. They made the passionate love of a couple separated and hungry for release, and spent hours in deep discussion of business in Asgard and Jotunheim, and more hours holding each other, sharing affection. Skadhi was present at Odin's monthly High Council, where Odin would give the pair a knowing and somewhat sympathetic look, but say nothing.

For nine months, Skadhi was faithful to Her promise to come down and visit Njord, and when the first snows came to Asgard, there was no Skadhi, but a messenger who came in Her stead with apologies and some gifts from Her, and a promise to come next month. The next month came with no Skadhi, and no messenger, and the next month Njord spent the Yuletide alone, even turning away His own children in grief. He felt rejected, and very much alone, and did not want others to see Him so despondent.




When the Yuletide passed, Njord decided to leave His home, and walk along the shores of Noatun for the first time in nearly a fortnight. The sea was bitter cold, but Njord welcomed the frozen waters, and let Himself follow the frozen threads to the frozen well, to look at Skadhi and perhaps send a message that He missed Her very much.

The first thing Njord saw was a pair of humans in Midgard, male and female, making an offering of hunted bear meat to Skadhi. As they set down the meat and began to call to her, a bear tore out of the snow-covered bushes and charged. They clearly hadn't been expecting that, as bears usually hibernate for the winter; this must have been a very hungry and angry bear. The couple stabbed the bear with their spears, but it was not enough to kill, and barely enough to slow the bear down. The bear swiped at the man, and Njord then saw Skadhi arrive, angry that Her rite was being interfered with. Before She Herself could take down the bear, an arrow landed in the bear's side, and the bear fell. The couple looked to their left, as did Skadhi, who seemed irate. There was no one there, which made Skadhi narrow Her eyes with disgust. "Those were my people, and that was my kill!" Skadhi roared, and set off on Her snowshoes. Skadhi was fast, and sleek to behold, not at all clumsy. The human couple called out to Skadhi, and Skadhi yelled back, "Yes, I bless you! Eat through the winter! GoodBYE!" and that was the last of the couple as Skadhi zipped down the hill. Skadhi slowed nearing the bottom, but crashed into... a person. They were both down a moment, and then sat up.

The person, a bearded and rugged-looking swarthy man clad in a mishmash of leather and furs, happened to be armed with a bow.

"Huntress of Jotunheim, I presume," the gravelly voice said, and Njord knew immediately that it was Ullr, His wild blood-brother. You foolish thing, chided him silently, you really 't interfere with this. You may be a hunter, but Skadhi will eat you for breakfast.

Skadhi responded by punching Ullr in the face, so that He dropped back down. Ullr was down for another few moments, then sat up, His nose bleeding over a smirk.

"That was my kill," Skadhi said. "That was my domain. You do not do that."

"I was trying to be helpful," Ullr said.

"You? Help me?" Skadhi snorted. "And you are..."

"I'm Ullr of Vanaheim," Ullr said. "Some of this, and some of these folk, are mine. I'd thank you to remember that."

"Oh, really." Skadhi rose, and looked ready to kick Ullr in the face. "You think I'm afraid of a Vane?"

A wolf showed up behind Ullr, and growled. Njord saw the wolf's eyes turn red, and Ullr's smirk broadened into a smile. Skadhi tensed, deciding, and then put down Her spear and laughed. Her belly shook, and She helped Ullr up. "Well met," She said, and then kicked Him in the shin. "Bastard."

The wolf ran away, and then Njord felt Himself pushed back, sharply, and came back to Noatun laying in the shore with water going into His nose and mouth, the salt stinging His eyes. Njord coughed and spluttered, and felt a touch of the panic from his brief stay in Thrymheim. And when He could finally breathe, He turned around to head for home and saw Odin there.

"Your wife," Odin said. "Where is She?"

Njord was about to reply, but Odin replied for Him. "Your wife is in Jotunheim," Odin said. "You need to go deal with this. If She is going to have a place on my High Council, and a voice for Jotunheim, She needs to decide what She's going to do. She can't miss meetings and expect to hold her position. Whatever is going on with your marriage is a different story and not really my concern, but that was not the agreement." Njord began to splutter again, and Odin whacked Him on the back, hard. Njord breathed again, and Odin nodded. "I'll see you later," Odin said, and walked away, not looking back.

Njord was loath to go to Thrymheim, not only because He did not want to be sick again, but He feared being rejected by the woman He had come to fall in love with. And yet, Njord could not break the sacred oath formed between the Aesir and the Vanir, and have war break out in Vanaheim once again. He sighed, and had His footman send for a wain. When the wain arrived, Njord was packed with only what He needed to survive, and took the journey to Jotunheim. As soon as He was into Jotunheim, Njord felt the anxiety build, and in the mountains, He found it hard to breathe, and the same numb sensation in his skull that would not let Him See or Know Calm. He arrived at the gate of Thrymheim and could barely get out of the wain, He was shaking so badly, and when He was able to climb out, He fell down and no one would help him up; it was as if the servants forgot him.

And Njord felt a surge of anger, the deadly righteous anger that had cost Mimir his head. Njord sensed Ullr in the vicinity, and whatever was going on wasn't good, whether it was Skadhi harming Ullr, or Ullr harming Skadhi. Using the Vanic ability of seiðr, Njord went from the ground to standing at the gate, holding His axe to the gatekeeper's throat. "Tell Skadhi Her husband has arrived," Njord said. The gatekeeper motioned for the servants on the inside to fetch Skadhi, and within moments Skadhi arrived at the gate and had Njord come through.




"I didn't expect you here," Skadhi said.

"Are you unharmed?" Njord threw His arms around Skadhi, embracing Her. "You have not come for months, and I needed to see you."

Skadhi gently returned Njord's embrace, and brought Him into Thrymheim, where He was immediately fed and given drink. Njord noticed that unlike last time, the food and mead tasted good. Skadhi watched Njord eat, saying nothing. When Njord was finished, He said, "Odin is not happy."

Skadhi looked away.

"Odin is going to remove you from the High Council if you don't start coming back," Njord said, reaching out to squeeze Skadhi's shoulder. Skadhi looked at Njord, and looked down.

"I couldn't bear to see you and not be able to be with you," Skadhi said. "I had to stay away."

"It hurts both of us," Njord said, "but it hurts us more if you don't come. I want Jotunheim to have a voice. You've worked so hard..."

Skadhi nodded, and did not speak. She finally drank some of the mead put out for Her, and met Njord's eyes. "I will come back with you," Skadhi said, "and I will resume my monthly visits. But you must know this, before I come."

Njord felt the anxiety grow, a tightness in his chest, and was now gasping for breath. He usually radiated calm, and was ashamed to be in this state, but He could not deny the doom he felt.

"I got lonely for you," Skadhi said. "I had, before you, been perfectly fine with keeping to myself... being with myself, doing what I wanted to do, alone. I didn't need anyone. You made me need... someone. And I have someone who can tolerate the mountains... he lives in the wild places." Skadhi closed her eyes. "His name is --"

"Ullr," Njord finished the sentence. "He is my cousin, but blood-sworn to me as a brother."

Skadhi opened her eyes, and her mouth formed a small "o".

"I saw in the threads," Njord said. Njord's thoughts turned to Ullr, whose home in Ydalir would make Him well-equipped to visit the mountains and Thrymheim; His weapon skills and strength of fighting hand-to-hand were the equivalent of Skadhi's men if not greater. "I can see why you would find him... worthy."

"He is not you," Skadhi said. "But He reminds me of you. And now of course I know why."

Njord nodded. "It is not our way to be jealous, especially because He can be there for you when... I can't." But Njord's heart still ached, wanting to spend life with His mate, and knowing the reality that it would never be. "Ullr taught Frey to hunt," Njord said, then, trying to find the good of His blood-brother and not feel wrath.

"That would be where He gets the antler from," Skadhi said, with a small smile. "We do like to hunt together." Skadhi pressed Njord's hands into Hers. "You're not angry?"

"No," Njord finally admitted, though He felt something like a heavy weight on His shoulders and a gnawing feeling in His stomach. "I love you, and I want you to be happy."

Skadhi embraced Njord warmly then, and when She had donned enough furs for the blizzard raging outside, She and Njord got in the wain and headed to Asgard.

Skadhi stayed with Njord for two days, attended the High Council, and Odin smiled at Njord afterwards, winking His eye.




And so it is that Skadhi and Njord live apart, but Skadhi comes to see Him, speak for Jotunheim in the High Council, and then return to Thrymheim where Ullr is Her companion, that is, when Ullr is not roaming the wilds. Ullr liked Skadhi well enough, but never asked Her to divorce Njord, not only because it would be the end of the blood-oath and stir strife among their people, but because He preferred not being attached, and being able to come and go as He pleased. He also, at heart, thought He was doing Njord a favor.

And Njord grieved, missing the one woman who had managed to inspire love and passion within Him, but never found it in Himself to be angry with Ullr, or Skadhi. He had a duty to perform, and so He would spend hours each day at the sea, reading the threads from the calm place within. He knew that all Wyrd worked itself out in the end, even if He thought it not entirely to his liking, it was the way it had to be. Njord held onto His memories of Skadhi and strove to support Her voice in Jotunheim, to speak favorably of the Jotnar even when it was an unpopular opinion: He had seen too much good in their race to watch it be destroyed. It is said that if the Ragnarok should come to pass, Njord will not fight but return permanently to the Vanes, perhaps in protest for His love.