Lezard's Triumph

His first inkling that someone waited for him on the other side of the throne room doors, was the murmur of voices. Lezard couldn't make out what they were saying, the ancient and weathered down stone being too thick to properly convey the words to him. He felt the first stirrings of curiosity, wondering who awaited him on the other side of the stone.

Not one for idle speculation, Lezard thrust out his right hand, and with a flex of his wrist, he bid the doors open. They creaked and they groaned, slowly sliding inwards, the space between them growing wider. The voices fell silent, the sound of clothing rustling, as together as one the speakers turned to peer curiously at Lezard. It was a small gathering of Gods, the room not nearly as packed as it had been the night of his introduction to the Aesir.

It was a sea of faces, vaguely familiar to him, for the most part Lezard not remembering which God was what. It made Lezard long for Lenneth to be at his side, needing her presence, and more importantly, her advice, to be whispered into his ear. But he schooled his expression to be cold indifference, nodding at the throng of Gods and Goddesses.

It was as though they had been waiting for his acknowledgment, for they descended upon him, surrounding Lezard with their bodies. He found himself being ushered deeper into the throne room, the doors slamming shut behind him. Lezard didn't panic, calmly remembering they had all sworn oaths to him on the tip of Gungnir's point, knowing the lance would have done away with any who wished him harm. No, this was an ambush of a different kind, one centered on the politics of court rather than violence.

Voices were talking, petitions being shoved in his face, expressions urgent as they yammered at him. It was hard to distinguish one voice from another, the words all jumbling together, Gods and Goddesses talking over each other, each believing their business to be more important than any other's. Lezard glanced at the papers before him, eyes curious as he read the fine script. But before he could read more than a few words, the paper was snatched away only to be replaced by another.

Finally he had enough, and he threw up his hands, voices falling quiet at his shout. "Enough!!" He glared, and they stared back at him, surprised. "Enough..." repeated Lezard more softly. "Now...one at a time please...Just what is the matter?"

The Aesir looked at each other, mouths opening and closing in hesitation. A female voice spoke up, boldly asking, "What do you intend to do about the fallen Gods' duties?"

Lezard's eyes sought out the one who had spoken, seeing the crowd part to reveal a raven haired Goddess. His mind clicked into remembrance, a name coming to him and he smiled. "Ah Vor...Goddess of wisdom." She nodded, pleased that he remembered her. "I fear I do not understand your question. Care to elaborate?"

Vor arched an eyebrow at him, giving the impression that she was displeased with him. "Are you to tell me, you needlessly allowed Gods and Goddesses to die, without thinking of the consequences? Of not realizing the void their absence would cause?"

"Ah..." Lezard's mind raced, trying to think at what she was getting at. "Are you speaking of their titles?" He almost let the relief show when she nodded, giving a graceful shrug of his shoulders. "Do you mean to tell me that it is more than just a name...that these Gods really do oversee the areas in which they were bequeathed a title to?"

"Yes." Vor said. "So you do realize what you have done." A frown then. "I'm not sure if that makes you crafty or a fool."

"Careful my lady..." Lezard said warningly. "You come perilously close to insulting your king."

"I meant no disrespect." But the Goddess of Wisdom's voice implied otherwise. "I merely mean to rouse you into doing something about this situation!"

"Please..." spoke up a man, his long hair snow white, his skin as pale as Lenneth's. "I cannot keep up this schedule for much longer!"

"Ah...Mani...the God of the Moon..." identified Lezard, looking at the exhausted God. "Whatever is the matter?"

"His problem is most dire..." Vor was quick to explain. "Sol was one of the Goddesses who was...indisposed of. Mani has had to over see the sun rising, as well as guiding the moon to come out at night."

"So...I just assign this task to someone else." Lezard said slowly, his words causing excited chatter to break out among the gathered Aesir.

"It's not just Sol's duties that need seeing to." Another Goddess was speaking, causing everyone to nod their agreement. "We are all...eager to get the prime assignments, while turning up our noses at the less...interesting duties."

"So you need me to mediate." Lezard said, wondering if it could be so simple as breaking up a few fights over Godly government.

"We need you to decide, yes." agreed Vor.

"All right." Lezard smiled. "I'll do it." The reactions were immediate, papers being brought out, voices resuming their urgent chatter as each Aesir tried to appeal to Lezard for the jobs they wanted most. Lezard frowned, brow furrowed as he listened, trying not to be overwhelmed by the requests. It seemed everyone wanted to add to their power, knowing some titles were primed with worshippers. There were temples to be claimed, even whole cities that devoted themselves near exclusively to one God.

Some of the Aesir, like Vor and Eir, weren't interested in getting more responsibility added to their duties. Finding wisdom and healing to be time consuming jobs, while the boy God Ull was most eager for a chance at obtaining some real power, not content to be the God of the hunt and of skill any longer. It was balancing act, Lezard having to try to decide who was best suited to take on these new tasks. He collected the papers from the Aesir, promising to look them before making any final decisions.

The Gods were clearly disappointed by this delay, but they graciously bowed their heads, nodding to Lezard. Some then left the throne room, others remaining behind, having other concerns they wanted to bring up. Lezard was surprised to learn that the Gods actually tended to the prayers of the mortals, granting miracles to those pure of heart. In the chaos that had ensued with Gungnir's removal from Asgard, such blessings had been abandoned, and now miracles were needed more than ever.

With the prayers came pages and pages of paperwork, the Goddess of Wisdom piling them onto his lap. Lezard stared at the top of one such stack, half listening as Gods complained about petty things. It seemed half the Aesir were at war with the other half, and over minor things that didn't merit the blood thirsty violence they brought in response to such affronts.

Lezard stifled his sigh, listening as Dagr, God of Daytime launched insults at Mani, clearly upset over the Moon God stepping into his territory when he took over the reigns of Sol's sun chariot. The two Gods angrily bickered, their shouting growing louder and louder, Lezard trying not to laugh as he listened to the two males squabble like children. It was only under the watchful eye of Vor that he spoke up, demanding a ceasefire to the argument.

"All right Dagr...if you think you can do better than Mani, than have at it." Lezard smirked, seeing the stunned look on the Daytime God's face. "Mani, you will hand over the chariot to Dagr. Let him guide the sun across the sky tomorrow morning."

Mani actually smiled, glad to be relieved of his unasked for duty. "As you wish my Lord." He bowed smartly, eyes glancing at Dagr. He was not happy about the task, his face blanching as he thought about the wolf, Skoll, who often chased after the sun, wanting to devour it and it's guide.

"Problem?" asked Lezard, Dagr quick to shake his head no.

"No my Lord. It's just...this honor...it is too great for one such as me..." Dagr was clearly trying to wiggle out of the responsibility.

Lezard narrowed his eyes at him. "Do you dare question my ruling?"

"No sire!" Dagr protested, the words blurring together as one.

"Good..." Lezard leaned back in his throne, lazily waving at the God. "You are dismissed."

He turned, but not before Lezard saw his displeased look, the God's tread heavy as he vacated the space before the dais' steps. He was quickly replaced by Gefjun, the Goddess upset that a great number of maiden's souls had slipped her grasp during the days that followed Odin's death. Her plea was that of a meeting with Hel, to bargain for the virgin's souls. Seeing no harm in that, Lezard agreed to her request, being rewarded with a dazzling smile.

Other Aesir stepped forth, some problems quick to be solved, others taking the better part of an hour to mediate. Some were interesting, some were dull, and all of them demanded Lezard's attention. Slowly but surely he got the hang of what was asked of him, his keen mind racing as he sought to come up with answers that would satisfy his subjects. There was a bit of magic in the throne room, the kind that made it seem like the problems would never end, never stop. One after another they came, eager to seek out his consul, word getting out. Court was in session and it was a grand sight to see.

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Cold compress in hand, Freya approached the bed, seeing Lenneth's eyes were closed. The Goddess appeared to be sleeping, her breathing light and even, her chest rising and falling steadily. Her hands were folded across her belly, skin looking pale next to the dark material of her gown. But then, the Goddess always looked pale, her skin seeming to unable to hold the color the sun itself sought to grace her with. It made it difficult to tell by her coloring if she was ill, Freya frowning as she gazed at Lenneth's face.

Just a hint of dark circles under her eyes, not enough to detract from her beauty. But it worried Freya, as did the fact that Lenneth had been ill, almost violently so. After her sister Frei had left, Lenneth gave in to the urges to vomit, coughing up the remains of her breakfast. It had startled Freya, even more than the fact that Lenneth had dined on mortal food, for since when could one of divine origins get sick? This illness of hers was troubling, Freya fretting over the potential causes of it.

Lenneth's eyes fluttered open at the feel of the cold compress on her brow, her blue eyes lacking their usual shine. She smiled up at Freya, her hand reaching towards the wet towel. "I really wish you wouldn't fuss as much."

"And I wish you would let me summon Eir!" Freya retorted, hands on her hips. She remembered herself at the last moment, schooling her expression to be neutral. "Please my lady...you need a healer."

"I'm not dying Freya." Lenneth laughed, a jovial sound as she removed the compress from her forehead. "Something I ate merely disagreed with me." Freya's lips pursed together in disapproval, green eyes worried, making Lenneth sighed. "Oh don't give me that look. I'll be fine."

"I hope so..." Freya said softly, fighting back a shiver. She didn't like that this had happened on her watch. the blonde clearly worried over the potential repercussions Lenneth's illness could have with Lezard. "I hope so..." repeated Freya, even as Lenneth sat up, wincing slightly. That look was back on the Goddess' face, the one that said she might be ill at any moment. "Do you need the bucket?"

"No no..." Lenneth assured her, holding a hand to her face. "I just felt dizzy for a moment. It'll pass." She sat without moving, staring down at her lap, fingers nervously plucking at imagined loose threads on her skirt.

"Perhaps you should lie back down." suggested Freya, hands reaching to touch her shoulder. Lenneth slowly nodded, allowing Freya to ease her back against the pillows.

"It's the weirdest thing." She murmured.

"Pardon?"

"Being sick..." clarified Lenneth. "It's unpleasant and I don't like it." She sighed, a heavy exhalation of breath, blue eyes turning to gaze up at Freya. "Have you ever been sick Freya?"

"No...not ever." Freya said, the troubling realization that she was mortal now and with that, all that entailed coming to her. "Not yet at least."

"Hmmm..." Again she sighed, her eyes closing as though Lenneth couldn't stand the bright lights of the room.

"Perhaps you should sleep." suggested Freya. "It might make you feel better."

"Yes." A smile curved Lenneth's lips, her eyes remaining close. "Very sound advice indeed." There came a pause for so long, Freya thought the Goddess had indeed dozed off, and then she was speaking. "Will you stay with me Freya? Just for a while longer?"

"Yes of course." The former Goddess assured her. "I'll be right here should you need me."

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Dallas leaned back in his chair, watching as Arngrim counted out the coins in his satchel. The warrior was grinning, eyes looking a tad greedy as he divided the gold coins into two piles of money. Both piles held a generous amount of oth, the gold gleaming in the dim light of the tavern, the jingle jangle of coins clinking together being enough to draw attention to the table.

Dallas shifted, uncomfortable with the way people stared hungrily at the money, the mage more than a bit surprised that Arngrim was being careless enough to flash so much gold around in the open. But then, he wasn't thinking clearly, having drank down several cups of rum, the brown liquor surely impairing the warrior's judgment.

"Annnnnnnnnnnd..." Arngrim drawled out the word, grinning widely as he pushed a pile of money towards Dallas. "...all together, we've got nearly ten thousand in oth."

Dallas raised his eyebrows in surprise, not having expect that much money, even after they had sold the loot they had taken from the bodies on Kythena plains. It appeared they had made a killing, literally, and Dallas smiled at the play on words.

"Do you think that'll be enough?" Dallas wondered out loud, fingers caressing some of the gold. The coins seemed to whisper to him, their voice a seductive one that urged him to hoard them away, hide them from eager eyes even as they demanded he spend them all.

"What?" grunted Arngrim, the warrior scooping up handfuls of gold coins, spilling them into his satchel.

"For Crell Monferaign." clarifed Dallas. "Do you think five thousand will be enough for me to start my new life there?"

"Don't know." admitted Arngrim. "But we'll still have plenty of opportunities for you to earn some more money before we reach the holy city."

"Hmmm..." Dallas didn't know what it was, didn't know if it was the sight of all that money, or the tempting smell of Arngrim's rum, but for the first time since breaking free of the Ghoul Powder curse, he felt himself looking forward to the journey's end. Even if that end meant he would have to eventually part company with his princess and her companions. "I don't need a lot...just enough to get me settled with a business of my own."

"Heh..." Arngrim shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. "You really don't know much about the world, do you? All enterprises require money to fund them, especially if you're looking to start a shop!"

"Oh?"

"Yeah, there's the rental fee, the buying of the wares, employing people to peddle your goods." Arngrim explained. "Let's not forget about advertising and putting yourself out there!"

"It all feels so...overwhelming." Dallas admitted. "I was hoping to maybe...run a small potion business out of my home."

"Still gotta pay for the bottles somehow...not to mention letting word of mouth get out about your business." Arngrim said.

"Word will get out." It was the most confidant Arngrim had ever heard the mage sound. "When people learn there is a mage of my caliber in town...they will flock to my door step seeking my assistance."

"Yeah?" Arngrim lifted an eyebrow, surprised. "Sounds sweet." He gestured at the money. "You gonna put that away, or just leave it out to collect dust?" The coins clinked together, Dallas hastily stuffing the money into his purse. Arngrim watched as the mage tied off his purse strings, reattaching the bag to the belt on his robes.

"Keep an eye on your money while we're in Solde." Arngrim advised, taking a long hard sip of his drink. "There's pick pockets almost everywhere in this town."

"How the mighty have fallen." whispered Dallas, thinking on how safe and clean Solde used to be. But that was back when Dipan still stood, all of it's many fortunes causing the small port town to thrive in it's shadow.

"Here..." Arngrim pushed a cup towards him. "You haven't touched your drink."

"And I'm not going to!" Dallas shook his head no, looking a little green at the thought of drinking any more rum. "I've come to the conclusion that liquor and I don't get along."

"Ah, it's not that you don't get along..." grinned the beserker. "It's just that you drink too much of it too quickly. You're as skinny as a twig, and at the rate you knocked back the drinks at the wedding, it's not surprising you got sick. Come on..." He said, trying to tempt the mage into another drink. "Give it one more try."

"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not." Dallas said stiffly.

"Fine..." Arngrim shrugged. "It's your loss." He reached for the cup, tipping it's contents into his. "What? I just hate to see good rum go to waste."

It had to be the muscles, Dallas thought. All that girth, that big brawny frame, it had to soak up the contents of the rum like a sponge, and that's why the large man was able to drink without being affected by the poison.

"I wonder what the love birds are up to..." mused Arngrim, smiling as Dallas twitched, the mage desperately trying to stop the mental image from forming. "Think they've come up for air yet?"

"I wouldn't know." Dallas said, his tone icy. "And it is not our business to wonder about such things!"

"Yeah, you're right." agreed Arngrim. "But it's still amusing to think about."

"Maybe to you."

"It really bugs you, doesn't it?" Arngrim asked, watching as Dallas shook his head no, trying to deny it. "Don't worry...I know just the cure for heart ache...and it doesn't even involve rum!"

"Oh? I'm almost afraid to ask." Dallas said, but his eyes showed interest in this cure.

"It's simple." Arngrim set down his cup, leaning back in his chair, a pleased grin on his face. "We just need to get you laid." Dallas coughed, seeming to choke on air. He pounded a fist against his chest, sure his face was red. "Wow, are you all right?" Arngrim asked, concerned.

"I'm fine..." gasped Dallas. "I just...misheard you is all."

"I don't think you did." grinned Arngrim. "I'm talking about getting you a woman."

Dallas shook his head, taken aback by the warrior's words. "No...really...I'm fine...there is no need..."

"Sure there is." Arngrim said. "I know there's a brothel in town. A good roll in the hay would do your mood wonders."

"Arngrim please! There's no way I'm visiting a...a..." He lowered his voice. "A den of sin with you." Arngrim tossed back his head, loud, raucous laughter erupting from deep within his chest.

"After all your crimes against nature and the Gods, don't tell me you're worried about what getting a little action will do for you!" exclaimed the warrior, in between laughs.

"I...I just don't want to, is all!" Dallas retorted. "You can't expect a man of my standing to...to..." He shook his head, lips firmly set together. "No...absolutely not! I forbid it!"

"What do you forbid?" Alicia's sweet voice rang out, causing Dallas to freeze and Angrim to smirk. "Dallas?" He turned, trying to keep the embarrassment off his face, seeing the princess staring at him, her expression happy, her eyes curious. Rufus stood next to her, an arm slung across her shoulders, wearing a huge grin that rivaled Arngrim's.

"Er..." Dallas stared, inwardly cursing their timing, his mind racing trying to think of a suitable answer he could give the princess. "It's nothing, really..."

"It didn't sound like nothing." Rufus pointed out, and Dallas narrowed his eyes, fighting a glare as he looked at the smiling half elf.

"If you don't want to tell me that's fine." Alicia said, sounding sad that he would keep secrets from her.

"It's not that Alicia..." Dallas said, not being able to bear the look of sorrow in her eyes. "It's just..."

"Just he couldn't stand to hear another one of my jokes." Arngrim said smoothly, smiling at the newlyweds. "Have a seat, it's good to see you two."

"It's good to be seen." Alicia said, sitting down next to Dallas.

"I'm surprised you came out." Arngrim said, watching as Rufus waved at the bar maid. She nodded her head, gesturing that she'd be with them in one minute. "Didn't think we'd see you two until at least sometime tomorrow!"

"Believe me, we hadn't counted on coming out today either." Rufus said, even as Alicia shyly ducked her head, blushing. "It's just we got hungry for something other than each other."

"Rufus!"

"What?" He looked at his blushing wife, who shook her head no. "It's the truth!"

"You didn't have to say it like that!" She squeaked out, and he grinned, not at all sorry. Dallas sighed, watching them interact out the corner of his eye. He suddenly wished he had taken the time to eat something before the newlyweds' arrival. Watching them talk and hold hands, it did something to him, made all traces of his appetite fade away. Dallas stifled a sigh, realizing it was going to be a long night, and this time he had no rum to get him through this latest hardship.

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"Mmmm..." A moan was on her lips, Frei turning onto her side. She frowned in her sleep, feeling the hardness underneath her, finding her head rested on no pillow. Her eyelids fluttered, another moan escaping her as she awakened further. Cold marble was what she saw when her eyes focused on the sight before her face, the young Goddess finding the floor had been her bed.

"What...what happened?" Frei whispered, licking her dry lips. She slowly sat up, glancing around in confusion. She was in a room, and it wasn't her own, a vacant, empty room with the barest of furniture to decorate it. She frowned wondering how she had gotten here, her head shaking as she tried to gather her thoughts. But try as she might, Frei simply could not remember the details that led to her waking up in this room.

"I saw Lezard..." She said out loud, speaking slowly as she grimaced. "He gave me permission to visit with Lenneth and Freya..." Pain laced through her head, and her nostrils flared, recalling a sickly sweet smell. "Freya!" She exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. "I..." A thought drifted tantalizing close, a memory just out of reach of her recalling it fully.

She gave a shrug of her shoulders, and walked unsteadily to the door. The door opened at her touch, allowing her to exit the room. She didn't even pause to adjust her helmet, or smooth down her skirt, the young Goddess eager to be out of this room. She desperately wanted to see her sister, and now was as good a time as any to visit with her.

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Night was drawing near when Lezard called all court proceedings to a halt. The Gods raised their voices in protest, eager to continue on well into morning with their cases, but Lezard shook his head no. "It has been a long day." Lezard said, gazing down at his people. "And there is much for me to take in." He gestured at the pile of paper work that sat to the side of his throne. Pages upon pages were stacked up high, the towers of paper looking perilously close to toppling over.

"But my Lord..." protested a Goddess, her name escaping him for the moment. "There is still so much to do!!"

"If it's waited this long, it can wait another day." Lezard told her, already rising to stand. The Gods grumbled quietly to themselves, watching as their ruler grazed his fingers against Gungnir's surface. All day long, the sacred lance had been by his throne, Lezard caressing it's cold metal as he listened to their pleas. Touching Gungnir seemed to soothe their Lord, kept him from erupting into fits of anger as his patience was tested.

"One moment Lord Lezard..." Vor was approaching him, holding her skirts in one hand as she walked up the dais' staircase.

"What is it now Vor?" Lezard stifled back a sigh, feeling annoyance at the Goddess' approach. He wanted this day to end, eager to return to Lenneth's side.

"Take this with you..." She had a thick leather ledger in her hand, the book overstuffed with papers.

"What is it?" He asked, taking the book from her hands.

"I've taken the liberty of gathering up all the pertinent information regarding the new assignments." She smiled, pleased with herself. "I thought it would help you in your decision making for tomorrow."

"Thank you Vor." Lezard tucked the ledger under his right arm, inwardly stifling back a groan. He was not looking forward to reading through all that paperwork, wanting nothing more than to relax with Lenneth. "I will be sure to make use of this."

"See that you do." The Goddess of Wisdom said, folding her arms over her chest. "This current state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue for much longer."

"I agree." Lezard said, fighting back a flash of annoyance. Perhaps he would make a rule, stating that court business could only take place during the day, and never would he bring home paperwork to intrude on his nights with Lenneth. "Something simply must be done to see that the God's affairs are run a little smoother..."

And without so much blasted paperwork! Lezard sighed to himself.

"Now if that is all...?" It was more a command than a question, Lezard almost daring the Goddess to find something else to delay him with. But Vor merely smiled, and shook her head no, much to Lezard's relief. "Good...Then I take my leave of you." He touched Gungnir once more, sending the lance away back into the space where he kept the rest of his treasures.

The gathered Aesir bowed and curtsied to him, voices murmuring as they bid their Lord goodnight. Lezard waved at them, an off handed gesture though his mind was already far from them, ether swirling around his body as he prepared to teleport. Gold sparkles touched his clothing, his body tensing up as he made the jump from throne room to bed room. He heard the accompaniment of bells, the sound ringing out to announce his arrival.

"Lenneth?" He was surprised to find her lying in bed, Freya seated close by, just watching the sleeping Goddess.

"Lezard..." She opened her eyes, and it was not quite a smile she offered him. "You're back." Lenneth turned her head to glance at Freya. "You may go now Freya."

"Are you sure?" The blonde whispered, her eyes on Lezard worriedly.

Before Lenneth could answer, Lezard was speaking. "You heard Lenneth." His voice was harsh, his hand gesturing at the door, which flew open at his command. "Get out."

Freya bit back a scowl, rising to stand. She almost let out an angry retort, but felt Lenneth's hand touch her arm. "Do not worry..." Lenneth said when Freya turned surprised eyes at the Goddess. "I'll be fine. I just need to rest..."

"Yes...you do." Freya agreed, wondering if it was possible with Lezard in the room. Lenneth smiled at her, withdrawing her hand and Freya moved. She strode past Lezard, keeping her eyes level with his, refusing to be cowed by the new God. Lezard turned to watch her progress, gesturing with his fingers for the door to close shut the moment Freya stepped over the threshold. His expression immediately softened once the yellow haired woman was gone, Lezard turning kind eyes towards the bed.

"What was that about rest?" Lezard asked casually, moving towards a writing desk. He set down the ledger on the lacquered surface, a stray promise to himself to look at it's contents later. "And why would Freya be worried?"

She was quiet, not answering him right away. "Lenneth?" Lezard asked, his hands going to the ties of his cape. Nimble fingers undid the clasps, Lezard laying the velvet cloak across the top of the desk.

"It's nothing." She said at last, a sigh escaping her lips.

"It didn't sound like nothing." pointed out Lezard, walking towards the bed.

"I just..." Lenneth hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I don't want you to worry all right..."

"Your words are hardly encouraging me not to." He pointed out, trying out a smile on her. "Please...tell me what's wrong."

"I...I was sick." admitted Lenneth, moving to sit up.

"Sick...sick how?" demanded Lezard, practically flying to her side, concern blazing intensely in his eyes. He looked over Lenneth, not failing to notice how her skin seemed even paler than usual, seeing the dark circles under her eyes, and how tired she looked.

"It was just a little vomiting and some dizziness." Lenneth said, even as Lezard's hands reached for her, touching her face. "It's nothing. Really." She added, frowning as he began patting her cheeks. "What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if you have a fever." He was relieved to find her skin was cool to the touch, not a hint of the warmth of fever to it.

"Lezard...I'm fine..." Lenneth pulled back from his hands, shaking her head. "I haven't been ill for hours, and the dizziness has passed. I just need to rest. To get my bearings back."

"Are you sure?" He touched her hair, stroking it softly, still staring at her face looking for signs of her illness.

"Yes!" She sounded exasperated, her eyes softening slightly at the wounded look he gave her. "I'm sorry...it's just I've had to put up with Freya fretting all day. I've had more than enough overreactions to whatever this is."

"But Gods don't get sick..." He reminded her. "Of course we would be worried."

"And I'm telling you it's nothing." Lenneth said insistently. "Now...tell me about your day." Lezard smiled, but allowed her to change the subject. He talked and he talked, telling Lenneth all that had happened, the Goddess listening intently to his words. "I can help you, you know..." She offered with a shy smile.

"I'd like that." Lezard grinned back at her. It was the closest he'd come to admitting he felt overwhelmed by the duties his new position as ruler of the Aesir had saddled him with. "But for now, you should rest."

"It was my body that was ill, not my mind!" Lenneth protested with a laugh. "Please...let me see what you have brought."

"All right Lenneth..." agreed Lezard, rising from the bed. He went to retrieve the ledger from the table, handing it over to Lenneth. She eagerly opened the book, shuffling through the pages, eyes intent on the words written on the paper. Lezard sat down on the edge of the bed, just watching as she read. But his expression was concerned, his mind racing as he tried to think just what could be the cause of her getting sick.

It couldn't be the time paradox, could it? He privately mused to himself. I've taken all the needed steps to ensure it would not catch up with us. But if not that, than what?! He simply didn't have a clue, and that worried him. Lezard didn't like not knowing, not being in control of all things that could affect him and Lenneth. He tried to reassure himself that it would be all right, but as he gazed on Lenneth's face, the doubts began to eat away at his confidence.