Freya laughed softly. "Havi is visiting. He needs to discuss some matters with Alruna."
Havi was indeed leading the queen of the elves away, his long black and silver braid over one broad shoulder. Whoever thought Havi looked like Gandalf would be in for a rude surprise. He was a war god, too, and was built like one. All the stories of him seducing giantesses and fair maidens suddenly made a lot more sense. Linnea wisely didn't mention how Freya's eyes followed the king of the gods either.
"Why am I suddenly worried?" she asked instead.
Freya grinned. "It's because your intuition is strong and you are smart. Tell me, do you still dream of Fenris Lokisson?"
Linnea choked on her mead. "How... How did you know that?"
"Call it a wild guess." Freya's expression went serious, and a whisper of fear danced up Linnea's spine. "Does he still sleep?"
"Yes...but it's not like anyone has gone back down there to check. I mean, I dream of him, and he's still asleep in them," Linnea babbled.
"What do you do in these dreams?" the goddess asked.
Linnea's cheeks went hot. "I...sing to him. I know we disturbed him, and I feel awful about that. So I sing him lullabies."
Freya smiled. "You sing lullabies to the wolf who will eat the world?"
"You asked," Linnea huffed. "And he hasn't eaten the world yet. It's just a dumb title that men came up with. All he's done is be captured and locked up so far."
"So far," Freya reiterated. "He is more important than you could possibly know, Linnea. He needs to sleep for at least another year. There are things coming into play that we have been waiting for centuries to come about."
"Wait, but we stopped Ragnarök. Didn't we?"
"No, you only postponed it." Freya took Linnea's hand, and hot golden power thrummed through her palm. "Listen to me carefully now. You must keep singing to Fenris. He cannot wake yet. The time is coming, and soon, but if he wakes too early or too late, all will be lost."
Linnea frowned. "Youwanthim to wake up in a year? What is this about? He's meant to destroy the world, isn't he?"
"Not exactly. Though, it is a story that has been told. Just like it's been told that Loki will be the doom of us all. They are just stories. The truth is far more complicated, and I can't tell you what it is." Freya squeezed Linnea's hand. "You have a part to play in all this, my völva. You comfort Fenris. Keep him asleep for now, and all will work out as it should."
"Can you promise me that?" Linnea asked.
Freya stared into the fire. "No. Such things only the Norns could tell you. This is bigger than all of us, and it will decide all our wyrds."
"But I'm no one. I don't even know if my dreams are real. I can't turn into a wolf form. I can't be responsible for Fenris!" Linnea argued, her heartbeat thrumming in her ears.
"Your dreams are real. You can turn into a wolf, and you are Fenris's guardian. This is your wyrd, Linnea. It is time for you to stop hiding and face it," Freya said. She let go of Linnea's hand and stood. "This is who you are, child. No more hiding. Learn your magic. Trust your heart. Protect the Great Wolf." Freyaleaned down and kissed her on the forehead. "You have more power than you know."
"I'm scared," Linnea whispered.
Freya laughed. "It's because you are smart. Happy Midsummer, little völva. Let's make it a happy one for everyone, shall we?"
With a mischievous smile, Freya sketched her rune, Fehu, over the basket of charms. Golden magic sizzled in the air, and with a parting wink, Freya was gone.
"Linnea!" Ciara put a hand on her shoulder, and she started. "Woah, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. You have been staring into the fire, unfocused for the last ten minutes. Thought I better check on you."
"Shit." Linnea rubbed her eyes and turned to her brother's mate. She liked the Wolf Slayer and her blunt way. She was a part of the pack and wasn't, just like Linnea. Even if she hadn’t been her sister-in-law, Linnea would have liked Ciara. She was no-nonsense, pragmatic, and kept Tor following her around like a moon-eyed pup.
Ciara sat down beside her. "So what are you doing hiding out over here? What are these?" She picked up one of the red flannel bags from the basket and sniffed it.
"It's a Midsummer tradition. If you put it under your pillow, you will dream of your true love," Linnea replied.
"She already knows who her true love is," Tor grumbled and set two freshly filled beer steins down on the table.
"Oh, does she?" Ciara said sweetly.
Tor's eyes narrowed. "Keep it up, rabbit, and I'll be chasing you down in the woods tonight."
