371

Under the Thunder Tree

"Of course, no one really properly considered something as significant as becoming a parent," Forseti remarked.

Hela asked, "When did this idea first occur to you?"

"For me, it was when I met you," Forseti smiled.

Hela chuckled, "If I had known your thoughts then, I would have definitely given you a hard lesson."

Forseti leaned against the Thunder Tree, pondered for a moment, and then replied, "Actually, I started thinking about it when I was very young."

"I was disciplined by my adoptive uncle for being naughty, which left me feeling angry and confused. That's when I first began contemplating parenthood and how I would raise a child differently," Forseti explained. "But my uncle once told me he had similar thoughts when he was young."

Hela laid her head on his chest and smiled, "So, have your views changed now?"

Forseti replied confidently, "No, I still believe I would be a better parent than my uncle."

Hela softly remarked, "I believe that too."

Just as Forseti was about to say something more, Hela suddenly suggested, "Maybe we should try."

Forseti was taken aback.

Before he could react, Hela's passionate lips met his.

"Well..." Just like their first kiss, Forseti was once again enchanted by Hela's allure.

In their haste, they tumbled to the ground beside the Thunder Tree.

"Your Highness, do you truly wish to proceed?" Forseti quickly regained his composure, adjusted their position, and inquired.

"Don't you?" Hela queried.

Forseti fell silent for a moment, then replied, "Traditionally, paladins are trained in various skills including riding, but I have never practiced this one."

"Riding?" Hela inquired.

"That's right—" Forseti stood up and took charge.

Hela gasped, her face flushing.

And so, beneath the Thunder Tree, the storm raged throughout the night, no further words needed...

...

Several days later, early in the morning.

The sun peeked through the curtains, illuminating Forseti and Hela snuggled together in bed, whispering softly to each other.

Young hearts are always brimming with enthusiasm and drive for new experiences. Thankfully, the physiology of the Aesir is extraordinarily resilient, capable of enduring various trials. Thus, Forseti has also practiced many feats he never imagined in his former life.

However, with strength comes sacrifice, and the more formidable the being, the more challenging it is to conceive.

Consider Odin, who in millennia, sired only two children—Hela and Thor. Most Aesir, with lifespans spanning thousands of years, have at most two or three offspring.

Thus, despite Forseti and Hela's fervent efforts, the prospect of parenthood remains elusive.

They rose, prepared breakfast together, and savored the serenity of the morning after the storm in their hearts.

While eating, Forseti held the partially sanctified Snow Pearl in hand, continuously infusing it with holy light.

Suddenly, a brilliant golden radiance flashed, then the light within the Snow Pearl subsided.

Naturally, this signaled the completion of sanctification. Henceforth, the Snow Pearl had absorbed all the holy light, transforming into a righteous orb.

"Sanctification complete?" Hela inquired casually.

Forseti nodded, "Yes, it appears I must visit Nidavellir."

The two bid farewell with a kiss, and Forseti gathered his belongings and headed for the Rainbow Bridge.

"Forseti, you seem somewhat fatigued," Heimdall observed before activating the Rainbow Bridge.

"Do I?" Forseti shrugged.

Hermond inquired, "Where are you headed?"

"Transport me to Nidavellir. I have a task to accomplish there," Forseti stated.

The Rainbow Bridge shimmered, a rainbow-hued beam flashed, and Forseti was transported to one of the Nine Realms—the realm of the dwarves, Nidavellir.

"Welcome, esteemed sun god Forseti," greeted the dwarf guard.

"I seek an audience with Prince Eitri," Forseti announced.

While Asgard held suzerainty over Nidavellir, the dwarf king's stature demanded respect even from Odin. Furthermore, Eitri, advanced in age and mobility, Forseti preferred not to burden.

"Very well, please wait," the guard acknowledged before relaying the message.

Shortly after, Prince Eitri approached with a welcoming smile, "Welcome to Nidavellir, Forseti."

"It's been a while, Your Highness Eitri," Forseti greeted in return.

"I presume you've come for weapon forging?" Eitri ventured.

Nine out of ten visitors to Nidavellir sought the same, an easy guess.

Forseti smiled, "Indeed. Care to guess the material I have in mind for this weapon?"

"Immortal steel ( Adamantine)?" Eitri hazarded.

"Not quite."

"Uru?"

"Guess again."

Eitri pondered, "Scarborough Iron? A flame metal from Muspelheim, ideal for your needs."

Scarborough Iron.

Eitri's mention sparked Forseti's memory of this metal. As Eitri noted, Scarborough Iron, a potent flame metal native to Muspelheim, suited him perfectly.

Details to follow...

Forseti cut short any further suspense, "Let's not delay. Here's what I have in mind."

Eitri initially appeared puzzled but upon closer inspection of the vibrating gold ore, his expression shifted to one of astonishment and reverence, "What is this?"

"Vibranium ore," Forseti clarified, "A formidable metal, rivaling Uru. I intend to forge both a sword and a suit of armor with it."

"How much ore do you possess?" Eitri inquired.

Forseti remained silent, instead opening the holy deed and pouring forth a mound of ore—roughly a ton.

Gazing at the heap of vibranium ore, Eitri's eyes widened before turning to Forseti, "According to protocol, Nidavellir charges one-tenth for smelting vibranium..."

"One-fifty," Forseti interjected firmly.

While typically averse to haggling over fees, dwarves traditionally took a cut of various precious resources. Yet, Forseti found the notion of one-tenth too excessive, given vibranium's scarcity.

Eitri objected, "Uru warrants one-tenth."

Forseti countered, "You've mined uru. However, these vibranium ores are mine, and one-tenth is plainly unjust."

"Yet one-fifth is insufficient!" Eitri protested, "One-tenth is already a reduced rate for Asgard. One-fifty borders on charity."