Everyone turned toward Njord without saying a word. Gellahan quietly pulled out a blank sheet of paper, sensing that what the god was about to reveal would be spectacular.
—---------------------------------------
A long time ago, in Asgard.
"What?! He doesn't want to banish him even after what the Norns prophesied?!"
Njord was seated at a table, drinking a strong-smelling beverage, surrounded by several companions.
"Yes, and he wants us to meet in Gladsheimr as soon as possible…" Leif complained, slouched over the same table.
They had been enjoying a good time together before the news arrived.
"Why was Loki banned again?" asked a young god draped in bear fur.
"I don't know, Oda. But Loki is a bitch. I don't know why Harbard let him come back," said the god of thunder, completely drunk.
Skadi arrived and sat down with them. "The old man must have seen something we didn't."
"Maybe," Njord muttered as he stood. "Oda, help me get Leif up. We need to go."
The four gods left Noátun and headed toward the central realm of Asgard, where their meeting place, Idavoll, stood.
They arrived first and took their seats around the massive stone table at the center, sitting side by side.
They were soon followed by the two siblings, Freyr and Freyja.
"Hey, guys!" Freyr called out as he arrived. They exchanged greetings, and he sat beside them while his sister took a seat opposite.
"So, what do you think about all this?" Freyr asked.
"Shitty nonsense," Leif grumbled, his head resting against his hand.
"I don't understand what we're doing here. In the past, the Norns' word was sacred to the old man. Now he doesn't even want to listen to them. And you?" Njord asked Freyr.
"I wasn't against it at first. Then I met him. I don't feel it," Freyr replied. "But do you think he'll listen to us? If he doesn't care about what the Norns said, why would he care about our opinion?"
"This whole meeting makes no sense. He just wants an excuse to ignore them. With all the bootlickers here, he'll have the majority. He knows perfectly well that we're the minority who will oppose him," Njord said angrily. 'But there might be someone who can reason with him…'
Another group of gods arrived as they were speaking. The immense red-haired god Tyr sat down across from the others, eyes closed and silent. To his right sat Forseti, accompanied by a bearded man with braided hair who wore a dark expression.
'Vidar doesn't look pleased…' Freyr thought.
"Oooh, looks like you're all already here!" exclaimed a man who had just entered the golden hall. "Why do you all look so gloomy?" Heimdall asked with a smile as he took a seat beside Vidar. "You know we're not going to get scolded, right?"
Almost all of Asgard's inhabitants were gathered. Only their leader and his wife were missing. They arrived about ten minutes later.
When Odin entered, he seemed surprisingly calm. He even wore a smile, just like his companion Frigg, who walked around the table greeting everyone before sitting as close as possible to Odin at the head of the table.
The bearded god inspected the table. "I see he's not here… well, we can start the—"
"I am here, Father."
Suddenly, a soft wave of warmth filled Gladsheimr. A man with long golden hair entered. He radiated something,s not literal light, but that was how each of them felt upon seeing him.
'He came…' Njord thought.
The man walked to the opposite end of the table and sat directly across from Odin, a seat that, for some of the gods present, had never been occupied before.
"Is it…?" Oda whispered to Skadi, who answered softly, "Yes."
"My son Baldr, we are all happy to see you came. Now we can begin," Odin said.
"I have summoned you all here today to gather the opinion of our community regarding an important matter. Some time ago, I decided to lift Loki's banishment from Asgard. He has spent many lifetimes wandering alone through other worlds, and I believe it is time for him to rejoin us."
'Why is he acting all kind?' Leif thought. 'Acting like he didn't make this choice just to make Baldr jealous. He's a child in an old man's body who thinks he has the upper hand on everyone here.'
"But my decision does not seem to be approved by everyone. And it appears our dear and faithful friends, the Norns, oppose it," Odin continued.
He smiled, but most of the gods could see it was the smile of a manipulator.
"So. One by one, you will give your opinion. Should we accept Loki, or not?"
He asked Frigg to speak first.
"I truly believe Loki has changed. I am in favor of his return."
Njord, Skadi, and Leif exchanged glances. All of them sensed the complete lack of sincerity in Frigg's words. They were not truly hers, but it was enough for Odin.
Tyr spoke next. "It is not my duty to choose Loki's fate. Whether he stays or leaves, I will remain here to watch him. Do as you wish."
Forseti and Vidar followed.
"Can we truly judge Loki by his past lives? I believe any man can change. I am not opposed to his return," said Forseti.
"Odin, if you believe it is the right thing to do, I will trust you," Vidar stated briefly.
Heimdall went next.
"The same for me, my king. I trust your judgment," he said with a false smile, meeting Njord's murderous glare.
'You're nothing like Vidar. You couldn't care less. You just want comfort. Idiot,' Njord thought.
Freyja spoke next. "I think the same way," she said calmly.
Odin watched them with satisfaction. Everything was going his way. No one had yet contradicted the "king" of these lands.
Then it was Njord's turn.
"I am not like the others. Maybe I am not as good as them. But I don't think this is a wise decision. I trust the Norns. They have no reason to oppose Loki without cause."
Odin's smile slightly changed. It had taken only one dissenting opinion to irritate him.
Skadi continued, "I agree with him. We have trusted them for millennia. Why should that change?"
Odin was boiling inside. How could they not all be his obedient servants after everything he did for Asgard?
It only worsened when Thor's turn came.
"Loki is a cunt. He always will be. I don't trust him, and neither should you."
The ground rumbled. Everyone knew the source was Odin. His pride had taken a blow. Thor had spoken to him like that in front of the other gods, meeting his gaze defiantly.
'Show your power all you want. You know I do not fear you,' Leif thought.
Then came Ullr and Freyr. "I do not know him, but I believe them, and I will follow their choice," the god of the hunt said.
'Well… i guess it's my turn,' Freyr thought nervously. "I personally don't like him very much. And he was banned for a reason, right?"
He avoided Odin's gaze, but eventually met it, sending chills down his spine.
"But… if you believe he has changed…"
The votes stood at five on each side. With Tyr abstaining, the final decision rested in the hands of one man.
"Very well," said Harbard.
He raised his head and fixed an intense gaze on Baldr.
"And you, what do you think?"