“Charlotte, no!”

My cry did nothing to stop my friend from throwing herself into Davin’s arms.  The frost giant looked started to see her bolting across the snow toward him, then he grinned and opened his arms, and she threw herself into them.  I wanted to feel relieved when he gave her a fierce hug, but could he be pretending?

Surtr grunted in annoyance and thrust his sword forward, “What’s all this about?”

Davin had to gently extract himself from Charlotte. I noticed he continued to hold her hand after though, stepping forward so that he was halfway between the two armies, “We’ve come to help.”

Surtr lowered his sword, his shoulders relaxed and he said gruffly, “well, thank the gods for that. Didn’t want to fight a bunch of bloody wolves.”

The wolves were an ever shifting presence behind the small group of frost giants behind Davin. The biggest one moved forward gracefully, standing right next to Davin, his coal black coat contrasting starkly against the snow. I stiffened. It had to be Fenrir. The wolf opened his mouth and spoke in a deep  gravelly voice that sent a shiver down my spine, “We have come to alley ourselves with you, sons of Muspellheim.” He stalked forward, heading directly for me. My feet were rooted in the snow, his dark eyes weighed me down, pinned me to the spot, “Hello again, ice princess.”

Was he mocking me? Cold anger flooded into my chest, emboldening me, allowing me to take a step forward. My voice came out unexpectedly steady, cold even, “Fenrir, surely you don’t intend to sit on me this time?”

The wolf snorted, the equivalent of laughter, “No, daughter of Niflheim. Not this time. We are merely here to help.” He stepped closer, and I noted that Fenrir’s head nearly came up to my shoulder, he was massive. The wolf probably weighed twice as much as me, maybe more. I swallowed and straightened my shoulders.

“Why?”

“Because we hope when you are Queen, you will remember,” Fenrir said gravely, “we are tired of being hunted and used, ice princess.”

I paused. They were here to extract a promise from me, gambling on the fact that I would win and become Queen, “If we win,” I said slowly, “and I become Queen, I promise you, there will be no more hunting of wolves.”

Fenrir stared at me for one long moment, black eyes weighing my words, measuring my worth. It was obvious what was going on in his head. Could he trust me? At last he backed away, “Very good.”

One of the frost jotun stepped forward, a woman cloaked in light blue, her silvery hair woven into a long thick braid. I recognized the brilliant blue eyes and faintly lined features. Kiera, the witch woman, “Will you invite us inside, King Surtr? We have much to tell you.”

Surtr looked startled, then his cheeks flushed, “Ah, yes, yes. Forgive me. Still getting over the shock of…” he gestured at the wolves and then shook his head, turning, he beckoned over his shoulder for them to follow him back into the courtyard, “come on, then.”

Kiera caught my eye and smiled slightly. I tried to smile back, a little spooked by how knowing her eyes were. We all turned and followed Surtr. Charlotte clung to Davin the entire way, babbling excitedly.

The wolves stayed outside in the courtyard, settling into the soft snow and curling up beside one another, their thick black coats keeping the cold at bay. Fenrir was the only one that followed us inside, and his sharp nails clicked on the stone floors. We poured into the great hall, taking forever to trickle in, there were so many of us. The newcomers crowded around the fire, and Surtr bellowed at the servants to bring hot food and spiced wine for them.

“What news,” the king leaned forward in his chair, “what news of the ice Queen?”

Davin looked grave, “I stayed with her as long as I could, pretending to be a loyal soldier. But I had to come warn you. She moves at dawn tomorrow.”

Surtr cursed, and the jotun within ear shot cried out in alarm, or began talking loudly to their neighbors. The noise rose in a jagged symphony, everyone shouting in alarm, or yelling at one another. Surtr crashed his fists down on the table beside him, bellowing for silence so loudly that his face turned red. The clamor dropped off so fast that it left a ringing silence in its wake.

“Why are you all wailing like babes?” The king demanded, “Have you not noticed we’ve been getting’ ready for this for days now? We’ll give that frostie bitch a fight if she wants one!”

                The fire jotun whooped and stamped their feet.

                “Now go,” the king growled, “go sharpen your swords, stock your quivers. Make sure you have enough pointy objects for tomorrow. We ride before dawn!” He turned abruptly, motioning to his tactician, who was standing patiently at his right side, “collect everyone we need and meet me in the back.”

                I watched Surtr disappear into the room just beyond the fireplace, then Angela placed a hand on my shoulder, jerking me out of my daze. She nodded towards where the king had just gone. Obviously I was meant to follow.

                It took a few minutes, but eventually we were all there, seated in various sagging arm chairs and couches around the fire.  Angela swept several empty ale mugs off the battered coffee table with one arm, scrubbing the drops of ale off with her sleeve. Then she placed an old yellowed map on the table. I couldn’t help smiling. When I thought about hashing over battle tactics, I thought of solemn council meetings in straight-backed antique chairs, circling a neat table full of maps. Not a bunch of jotun crouching on saggy arm chairs staring at a faded looking map on a sticky coffee table.

                I looked around at my companions, but no one else seemed at all effected. Erik sat across from Surtr, leaning his chin in one hand, staring intently down at the map. Loki was on the left side of his father, perched carelessly on the side of the king’s arm chair. He didn’t look like someone about to plan out battle strategy. He almost looked bored, like the whole thing was trivial. I blushed slightly when he caught me looking and gave me a cheeky wink.

                Kiera, the witch woman, had her back to us. She was standing with her hands clasped behind her, staring into the fire. I wondered what she was seeing. Davin was there as well. They had been unable to separate him from Charlotte, so she was sitting next to him, staring up at him with starry eyes.  

                It was Angela who started the meeting. She leaned forward, clearing her throat, “tomorrow then…” was all she said.

                “At dawn,” Davin added, “she plans to attack at dawn. I don’t think she’ll figure out that I’m missing before then, so she’ll think her plan is still secret. What is one soldier to her?”

                “She is foolish then,” Angela grunted, “one soldier can bring down an army with the right information.”

                “What of the others,” Surtr gestured at Kiera, who turned from the fire to look at him, “you brought at least ten others. She won’t notice?”

                “We stopped being her people a long time ago,” Kiera said softly.

                “They weren’t at the palace,” Davin explained, “I stopped at the safe house to get them. The Queen doesn’t even know they exist.”

                “No doubt she hopes I’m long dead,” Kiera said.  Her voice was clear and strong, but her eyes were so far away it was like she was hardly there.  What could she be thinking about? I remembered her odd words to me back at the safe house. If they had even been directed at me…

                She will divide us and unite us…shed blood and claim victory.

Those words had stuck in my head, a strange memory. What had she meant when she’d said that? Had it been some kind of prophecy? Witches did that, didn’t they?

“We should stop them at the pass,” Angela stabbed at the map with her finger, indicating the point of attack, “they can only come through a trickle at a time. Since they have so many more soldiers then us, it’s crucial that we take that advantage. We have to be there first, waiting.”

                “And we will be,” Surtr said sharply, “we leave before first light. We’ll march through the dark wee hours of the morning and get there before they do.”

“So, we’ve decided,” Angela said, “the princess will lead her people as a sort of separate army attached to ours,” she eyed me pointedly, “and go straight for the Queen. When you take Eira down, that may end the fight. They may not continue without her. Then you lay claim to the crown. You have to look like you mean it, do you understand?”

I stammered under her fierce blue eyes, “I…yes, I think so.”

“No,” she snapped, making me jump, “that’s the opposite of what I mean. You have to mean it. Will you take the crown?”

I took a deep breath and made my voice steady, “Yes. I will.”

“Better,” she said, leaning back in her chair again, “a little better.”

I let out a breath, “How do I lead? I don’t even own chainmail…”

Loki looked pointedly at Erik, who sat up and spoke for the first time, “is this finished? We march before dawn? I doubt any of us will be sleeping tonight anyhow. We have to get the princess ready.”

“We’re done,” Surtr stood up, hand on his broadsword sheath. He swept a stern gaze around at everyone, “go make sure everyone is preparing. We march in little less than five hours. You’re right. There is no time for sleep.”

Loki hurried over to me, “come on, follow us.”

The boys both turned and headed for the door, and I shot Charlotte a look over my shoulder. She was too busy staring dreamily at Davin to notice I was leaving. I sighed and followed Erik and Loki, wondering what they were planning.

They led me to the forge, a huge room filled with the sound of hammering metal. It smelled like smoke and the metallic scent of smoldering iron. The fire blacksmith, a massive, broad shouldered man with a clean cut face and shaggy brown hair was hammering away violently on his anvil, obviously putting the finishing touches on a short blade.

He was complaining to his partner, the heavyset frost blacksmith from back at the rebel camp, Jarll.

“…can’t make a sword in five hours,” he was saying, “crap time brings a crap product…” he trailed off as we came in, his eyes lighting up as they came to rest on me. The blacksmith gave a little dip of his head and said in a delighted voice, “Hullo, princess.” He looked sideways at Loki and grinned, “come to get her stuff, have you?”

“My stuff?”  I watched the blacksmith turn and make his way through the cluttered room. Jarll grinned and waved at me, and I smiled back. He said, “How are you, princess? Enjoying the fire kingdom? They’ve got decent food here, no?”

I agreed that they had, my eyes fixed on the fire blacksmith as he rummaged in one of the cupboards at the back of the shop. He came out with a medium sized wooden chest, clearing off one of the tables nearby with a careless sweep of his arm, sending metal arrow heads clattering to the floor.

“There you are,” he backed away from the box, gesturing that I should be the one to open it. He looked pretty pleased with himself. Loki and Erik were both staring at me expectantly. I reached out for the clasp at the front of the wooden box, hands shaking slightly. It was strange to have four men staring at me expectantly; they all looked excited about something. The wooden box opened with a soft creek, revealing what looked like a pile of shiny silver rings.

“What…”

“Pick it up,” Loki said.

I reached in carefully, grasping a handful of the rings, which were all connected to one another. When I drew the rings out they unfolded with a musical tinkle of metal. It was a chainmail shirt. Surprisingly light in my hands, and far brighter than normal chainmail, it looked like white gold.

“What is it made of?” I said in wonder, and the fire blacksmith chuckled.

“Sorry,” he said, “that’s a Muspellhiem secret. The king would have my head. But I guarantee it will turn any blade, and you won’t even know you’re wearing it.” He came forward and took the chainmail from my hands. I felt a little disappointed. The metal rings had felt so cool and smooth in my hands, like liquid silver. I wanted to try it on, but he was nodding at the box,

“Look again.”

There was more? I leaned forward and peered inside, seeing a smooth round dome of silver. I reached in and grasped it carefully, unsure of what it could be. Even after I pulled it out it took me a second, and then I turned it slightly and gasped. It was a helmet, no…it was a crown. It somehow managed to be both. It was made of the same metal the chainmail was, and the orange light from the forge glittered on the surface as I turned it this way and that, admiring the smooth lines and curves. The front curled down elegantly, obviously meant to frame the face and protect the side of the neck and chin. The sides curled upwards as well, ending in elegant points, and the middle piece formed the focal part of the crown, arching up slightly higher than the sides. It was decorated with a single blue gem that sparkled in the fire light, turning from a deep smoky navy to a light sparkling shimmer, like clear spring water. When I looked back up at the men I realized my mouth was still hanging open. The blacksmiths both looked very pleased at my reaction.

“Do you like it?” Loki said eagerly, “Erik and I had them made. Jarll and Berg helped draw out the plans.”

“They’re amazing,” I breathed, “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

The two blacksmiths exchanged smug looks, and Loki and Erik both looked extremely pleased with themselves.

“Try it on,” Erik urged me, “let’s see how the helmet fits. You and that girl Becca are about the same size, so we had her for a model, but we need to be sure.”

I slid the helmet carefully over my hair, and it settled into place, the guards fitting around my chin snuggly. It was a very strange sensation, but luckily there was nothing blocking my vision. Thankfully it was really light, because there was no way I would have been able to stay on a horse if it weighed as much as it looked like it did.

When I turned to the men they were all staring in awe.

“You look….like…” Berg couldn’t seem to get any further words out.

“Damn fierce,” Jarll said helpfully.

I smiled and turned to Erik. To my surprise he was leaning against the wall, head bowed.

“Erik?” I hurried over to him, concerned. When he looked up at me his face was white.

“I’m sorry,” he gasped, “I should have known…you look so much like her. The last time…”

He didn’t have to finish.  I knew what he meant. I said softly, “the last time you saw her?”

He nodded, shutting his eyes tightly. Suddenly the helmet felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. I pulled it off and tucked it under my arm, catching Erik’s arm as he turned away, “Are you going to be okay? I mean, tomorrow…”

Erik took a deep breath and nodded, “I’ll be fine. Thank you, I’m alright.” Suddenly he looked down at me and reached out, his hand cupping my cheek gently, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to spoil this. You look amazing, like a warrior. An incredibly beautiful warrior. I’ll see you in the morning.”

My face was glowing as he turned away. The two blacksmiths had apparently suddenly remembered they were busy, they were rooting around in cupboards and sorting through arrow heads. Loki had his arms folded over his chest and he was staring intently at the floor, his dark brows drawn together.  He looked up only after Erik’s footsteps faded away down the corridor.

“Do you like it though?” He said.

“I love it. It’s amazing,” I turned to the two blacksmiths, “thank you. You did a wonderful job. I’ll be proud to wear these tomorrow.”

Jarll ducked his head and acknowledged the compliment with a wave of one hand, and Berg gave me a cheerful grin and said he’d see me soon.

Loki took the chainmail from him and thanked him, turning and catching my arm, “don’t go to your rooms. Come with me.”

“We only have five hours at the most, until we…” I couldn’t say it. Couldn’t form the words.

He nodded, eyes serious, studying my face, “I know. Spend it with me. We won’t talk about battle, we won’t talk about any of that. We’ll just…be together.”

I looked down at the shiny silver helmet in my arms, then back up at his face. His soft brown eyes locked with mine. There was no way I could say no.