The Verdant Prince

Chapter 2: The Ass of Asgard

The other fourteen victors and I were lead out of the bright sun and into the cool corridors of the golden dining hall. In the middle was a very long stone table with chairs lined on every side, imprinted with colorful gems and lined with silver and golden.

Already my wounds had been healing because of my Asgardian blood. We healed quickly and aged slowly. I felt my ribs ache and burn as they sealed together again. My bruised jaw the first thing to return to normal.

On the cold stone table giant roasted boars, baskets of fruit, trays of pastries and bread lined the center of the of it. Many of the children licked their lips hungrily, their eyes eating it all up.

"Please, eat up, children because tomorrow you will no longer be labeled children. Girls will become Ladies, boys will become men and Sirs. After you finish your meal, please select a servant who will aid you throughout your training. Your servant will dress you, bathe you, and inform you of events and lessons. He or she will show you to your rooms when you are ready. Enjoy, children." Queen Frigga spoke clear but every word seemed as light as air. She gracefully took her seat beside her husband, tucking her cloak beneath her. Prince Thor and Prince Loki nodded their heads in respect and sat on either side of each other. I couldn't help but glance up the the Princes. No one had announced they were going to be training with us. I looked around counting twelve other kids not including me. I sighed tiredly as a four kids ran to sit by Thor visiting with him as if they all knew each other well. Their clothing was simple but made well, their small weapons glinting in the fire light. They were friends of the royal family, I decided.

The next section of kids pushed and fought for seats close to the King and Queen to prove themselves of something though the chairs had a large gap in between the apprentices and the Royal Family. I took the chance to glance to Prince Loki's place. No one visited with him other than Queen Frigga, a soft calming expression on her face. Suddenly, Loki's head began to turn and I snapped my eyes down to my feet and began walking to the table.

The second half of us calmly took whatever seat was available.

It felt so wrong to sit down and eat like Royalty when my family only had two beds and enough food for two meager meals a day.

I sighed softly, giving in as I knew I needed the energy.

"Pass the rolls?" A boy asked next to me flicking his wrist but not meeting my eyes as he licked his fingers.

"Here," I said passing the basket full of rolls to him. He grinned mischievously as he stuffed a few rolls in his pockets, his vivid hazel eyes glimmering with greed.

"Thanks, my name is Afmund," the boy said, stuffing his face full of rolls.

"Afmund?" I asked unsure if I heard it right. He shook his head quickly, his floppy brown hair flinging around.

"Asmund," He said swallowing and sticking out his hand. "And you're Y/N? The one who took out the giant." He grinned as I nodded looking down fumbling with my fingers. "Choked by thighs?"

"Yup that's me.." I said- I really didn't want to be known as the Y/N the Giant Slayer.. Or Iron Thighs for that matter.

The rest of the meal was mostly uneventful minus the fact Asmund seemed to love the sound of his own voice, talking forever. I couldn't help but smile more than once because he was utterly clumsy as he knocked his cup over spilling wine amongst the food. He continued to tell me how he works with magic and runes not weapons; which tested my ability to not burst out laughing.

One by one the apprentices stood up, bowed the royal family, and turned to pick their servants. I really didn't want a servant. The thought of someone doing nearly everything for me at my every whim was unnerving. I bid my farewell to Asmund and turned on my heel to the small line of servants. Many of them were very young women, maybe a year or so older than me. They all wore them same beige colored dress, golden bracelets and small golden necklaces. Very simple but known to be royal servants.