The Maid (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 2

"What kind of job?" I asked, still overcome by shock. "You will be a maid." Father replied. "I'm glad I can finally help out, but I hope the people I work for are nice." I said. "I'd like to hope so. It's the royal family after all." Father told me. My jaw dropped again. "The royal family? My boss will be the Allfather?" He nodded. "Oh my...I can't believe it." I said, leaning on a chair for support. "But how did you get an interview?" "I spoke with some guards who were outside the castle when I walked past." He replied. "They were kind enough to hear my story, then went in and told Odin about it. He granted me an interview." "That's incredible." Mother gasped. "I hope you're not too mad at me." Father said to me.  "No, of course not. I'm half excited, half terrified." I told him. "When will I start?" I asked. "Tomorrow." "TOMORROW! I have to pack my things, get a decent night's rest..." I started panicking. "Dear, relax." Mother told me, rubbing my back. "Eat your dinner, then you can pack your things, and go to bed. Don't get too stressed about it." I sighed heavily. "I'll try."
I did everything exactly as mother had said. I had very few belongings to pack into a wore out bag, then I went to bed. I laid there for a while, my thoughts spinning. I was going to live in the castle, and be a maid for the head of Asgard, Odin. Would he like me? Would he treat me kindly? How about the other residents of the castle, such as Frigga, Thor, and the Warriors Three? I was still worrying over these things as I finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, another sunny day, I got up and changed into a decent dress to hopefully impress Odin. I stood in my room and gazed at everything one last time before leaving and saying goodbye to my parents. "I'll miss you both so much." I said, hugging father, then mother. "We'll miss you too Elspeth. Be sure to write so we know how you are." Mother said tearfully. "Best wishes!" Father called as I left my childhood home, closing the door behind me. It took me about 45 minutes to reach the castle, and my heart was pounding the whole way. I'd never faced any member of the royal family before, and I wanted to make the best impression possible. Once I reached the gates, two guards stopped me. "What's your business here?" One of them asked roughly. "I'm here for my job as a maid." I replied timidly, showing him the pass card Father had given me last night. "You may pass." He said, handing me my card as I walked through the huge gates. I looked around at all the beautiful scenery, such as the gardens and the castle's structure itself. I pushed open the giant doors, and was immediately taken aback. Almost everything was made of gold, and it was shiny and well-kept. What on earth did Odin need a maid for if the castle was already pristine? There were long hallways leading everywhere, and I had no idea which one to take. I was already becoming overwhelmed as a woman in battle armor approached me. "Who are you?" She asked, pointing a sword at me. "I'm here for my job as maid." I replied, showing her my card, and feeling very uncomfortable with a sword to my throat. "I see. Follow me, I'll take you to Odin." She said, putting her sword away and giving me my card. We headed down one of the hallways, until we came to a set of huge golden doors. "This is the throne room. He's in there." She told me. "Thank you." I said. She walked off as I sighed deeply, then opening the great doors and stepping inside the throne room. I looked ahead to see the mighty Odin sitting on his golden throne, staring down at me. "You must be the maid I hired yesterday." He said. "Yes, Allfather. I'm Elspeth Montgomery." I told him, curtseying. "Come closer." He commanded. I obeyed, and went to the foot of his great throne. "You don't look like much." He said, frowning. "That's true my king, but I'm capable of lots of things. I can cook, clean, and I'm very loyal." I told him. Odin sighed. "I suppose you may stay, since I've already had your living quarters set up for you." He slammed his cane on the floor, summoning a guard watching the door. "Take Elspeth to her quarters to unpack her things." The guard nodded, then led me towards the door. "Elspeth, once you've unpacked, you can find the supply room and collect the things you need. You'll be cleaning the prison today." Odin told me. My eyes widened, but I said nothing against it. "Yes my king. I shall not disappoint you." I said, curtseying again before leaving the throne room with the guard.
I couldn't believe I was being sent to the prison, on my first day! I'd never been around convicts and dangerous people like that my entire life! I hoped they wouldn't harass me, as I'd be frightened enough as it was.