Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Shh iana.” The puppy whined for a moment before curling up on the carpet. Her paw had gotten injured recently when she was hunting, always counting on her father to fix her up. I mixed in some magic with the herbs I had just whipped up and lightly lifted her paw, applying the ointment which quickly healed her. She barked in excitement and I patted her on the head while she then went outside with the bigger pups. Her steps left a track of mud, though I was more focused on our dinner for the night.

I checked the collection of herbs. “Rosemary, Bay, Sage, hmm, no saffron though.” Some fresh air would be nice anyways, usually I brought my pups with me but they seemed to be having fun playing out there so today I decided to go foraging alone.

The path to the forest was a short one as it was basically at my doorstep, saffron was a rather pretty plant and easy to find as well. As I walked through the forest collecting Saffron and other ingredients as well, my pups started barking out with unusual malice. I used my magic to quickly transport me to them. As I arrived my three pups were barking at a little boy, he seemed lost and a bit scared as well.

“Shh pups.. Can I help you dear?” As I moved closer to the boy he backed away from me, though he seemed to try and put on a tough front I could still tell he was scared.

“Are these your wolves?” The boy was very interested and he seemed harmless to me, so I called over my pups to him.

“Mhm, this lady here is Iana, this little guy is sage and the last one here is Aren. Feel free to pet them, they won’t bite you.” Hesitantly he moved close and so did the dogs, they seemed to have taken a fast liking to him. “We don’t get many visitors, they’re excited to meet you. My name is Spencer.”

“I’m atreus.” He looked up at me for a moment, I have a soft spot for kids and he was adorable. The wolves started growling again which caused the little one to turn to where the wolves were faced.

“BOY!” A tall muscular man came from the forest and rocks, he had a red mark all down his body as well as a shoulder strap. His face was stern and it stayed that way as he stood in front of my home.

Atreus ran over to him, the tall man reprimanded him for running off alone and something else that I wasn’t able to hear.

“Hello there, you are this boy's father?” He looked at me with a gaze sharp as needles, he let out a simple yes and nothing else.

He turned to his son and told him they were leaving now.

“It’s dark, why don’t you stay for the night. My intentions are innocent, promise.” The man looked ready to refuse but the little boy dragged his father farther off and started to talk to him. My pups liked him and they don’t see people often. It’d be nice for them to have friends or fun at least.

“Very well.” The tall man walked towards me and seemed like he wanted to say something else but instead stayed quiet.

“Atreus, I can make a temporary bed for you.” I smiled and leaned to pat him on the head. “Now you, I'm not sure. If you like You can sleep on my bed.” I smiled at him, though my puppy seems to be weary of him.

“And you.” He was a man of not many words but any conversation was good conversation to me.

“I have another place to sleep, no need to worry.’

“I wasn’t’

“Of course.” I laughed at his remark for a moment before turning and calling them inside to my home, the pups followed as well. “It’s not that big but I hope you don’t mind that.” Atreus went to explore my home.

“Why are you letting us stay?” The man’s voice was less stern this time.

“My pups like your son and I suppose I’m just a bit too generous. I’m going to make dinner, sit wherever you like.” The man said nothing, just grunted and went near atreus. I got the ingredients for dinner and started cooking.

And while I did the boy stood behind me close but far. “Do you need something dear?” He got closer beside me.

“Do you need help?” He had put down the bow he had around him, he looked a bit down so I thought I'd indulge him. “If you could just set the table, plates and utensils over there.”

“Yes, sir!” He went on over to the dishes and started to set them up, and I continued cooking the meal.

As I finished up I set the food onto the plates. “I hope it’s to your liking.” We all sat down at the table and Arteries immediately dug in, his father groaned and the boy started eating more gracefully.

“Thank you.’ The man spoke in his usual manner but something about it seemed lighter in a way, he began eating as well.

It was silent at first as we ate but the little boy began asking questions about my home, my pups, and me in general. I obliged his questions the best I could now I had one of my own. For his father. “Say, I don’t know your name?”

“You don’t need to.”

“Hm, you're quite the tough guy?” I chuckled at him before taking up the dishes that were now finished and putting them on the counter. “Feel free to sleep whenever you like, If you need anything I’ll be here of course.” The man looked down for a moment.

“Kratos, that is my name.” He stood before I could speak to him and laid on my bed that was his for the night. He was amusing despite his lack of words.

“Sleep well.” I blew out the candle lights and left the boys to sleep as I walked outside to feed my pups. They seemed ready for bed as well, they ate dinner quite fast. “Night babies.” I layed with my pups, they provided enough warmth for me and I easily fell asleep with them comforting me.

Chapter Text

There was barking as I woke up, playful and excited sounds, a lovely sound to wake up to. Kratos was there as well as his son who was playing with the pups except for Iana as I was laying with her.

“Good morning you two.” Iana went over to Kratos as I stood up, she circled around him to examine him further I assumed. He looked down at her and petted her, I smiled at the sight. “I assume you two are on a journey, may I know where?”

“Yo-”

“We’re on a journey to spread mother’s ashes on the highest peak in all the realms.” Atreus came from the pups to stand by his father.

“Boy.”

“Sorry..” Atreus looked at the ground, pouting.

“Well I'm sorry for your loss, I wish you luck on your journey then. Stay as long as you like, I will likely be here if you need something again.” I gave a smile to the boys, patting Atreus on the head. Of course Kratos said nothing in response to me.

“Father, when will we go?” The little boy held on to the strap of his bow, and seemed a bit anxious.

“The sun has risen, we leave now.”

“Aww.” Atreus went over to the pups and gave them goodbyes, then to me. “I hope we see you again!”

“I hope so too.” He was slightly pouting which was adorable though I do wish him and his father would say long but no matter.

They began leaving, my pups whined as they did. Once fully gone I went back into my home to make breakfast for my pups, a thought popped into my head as I did so. Everyday seemed to be the same routine, cook, read,play,bathe,cook and repeat. The few visitors I got only stayed for less than 48 hours but I had nothing to find or anywhere to go, simple life was most normal to me. For the better, perhaps, I finished cooking up meals for me and my pups. I rang the bell to call them to eat.

My pup Aren walked with me to the small pond where I bathed, the water always stayed clean thanks to a spell I casted years ago when I had moved in. I set my clothes beside a rock and settled in the pond, Aren laying by the pond while I bathed.

“What do you think Aren? Do we need more excitement?” The pup let out a small howl in response. “I know.. Our life is easy and simple but repetitive.” Aren whined at my statement, he seemed to enjoy our life. Not that I didn’t but I would like to experience the adventure and excitement like in my younger years. “Perhaps you're right, Aren.” I finished up my bath and went on to my cabin.

After picking out a book to read I sat on my bed, the warmth of the tall man who left earlier still lingering. The warmth of another person was a sensation I did not experience often, a lack of friends and family besides my pets being the reason. I stepped outside my home once more.

“Come Sage.” The pup excitedly pranced over to me. “Let’s go on a walk today hm?” The pup barked in excitement and ran in front of me, clearly ready to go. I chuckled for a moment and walked on the forest path.

We walked farther than the usual route, the leaves were red instead of the orange that surrounded my home. It was a pretty color, the leaves coated the path as we walked. We walked until the path had led to an animal, a turtle looking one it seemed. Sage ran towards the animal and barked in excitement, I quickly followed behind him and noticed the home inside of the animal as I got closer. For a moment I contemplated turning back to my home but Sage had run to the home’s door, looking back at me expectantly.

“All right..” I walked to the door and knocked, after a moment there was still no answer. “Appears no one is here sage, let’s return okay?” He whined and walked back over beside me, I gave him a pat and walked back to the path.

This time I made sure to collect more herbs and the fruit that was hanging from the trees. When we made it home there were more of those harmful creatures there, an unusual amount at that. It was fairly peaceful around my home usually, Sage went to attack the creatures, which fell to him rather easily.

“Something is different here now.. Let’s be on guard for now.? Sage nodded in agreement before getting pounced on by his sibling, they were an energetic bunch for sure. A wet bunch as well. “Aren, Iana, did you guys go to the pond?” They let out small barks before shaking to get the water off of their fur.

Me and the pups laid down for bed.

It had been a bit since I had first encountered those travelers. My pups seemed to miss them. Me and Iana were on a walk now, in the same direction as when I was with Sage and I ran into the house again from last time. I decided to knock again just to see and this time I got a response. A woman with long dark hair and pale skin opened the door.

“Oh, hello?” The woman had suspicion in her eyes but had a nice and gentle voice despite that.

“Hell, I was just on a walk and happened to notice your home. I live in this forest as well, where the leaves are orange not red.” Despite my anxiety about meeting this stranger she was rather nice.

“Strange how we have not met before, no matter what. I am still glad to meet someone new. You’re an elf?” She was curious and rather confused at that which was understandable.

“Oh, yes I am. I am neither light or dark, but I am an elf. I’m afraid I don’t understand it myself.” The woman nodded in understanding and invited me to her home which I reluctantly agreed to go in.

“Neither dark nor light, rather strange but in my years there have been many mysteries unsolved. This is just another one. It has been a long time since I've had a casual conversation, stay or go if you wish.” Her suspicious look was still there but her voice was still genuine as she spoke.

“It would be lovely to have a conversation with you.” The woman smiled and prepared some tea for me and herself, Sage was sitting outside, exploring around I’m sure.

“I hope you don't mind the taste, it’s not a taste everyone is accustomed to.” The woman sat down in front of me after she placed the cups down

“I’m sure it tastes wonderful, I’m just curious since I've never seen you before. How long have you been living in this forest?”

“Much time has passed, I'm afraid I haven’t kept count.”

“Ah well I have lived in the forest for 18 years, perhaps we've never met because I kept to my home.” I drank the tea she had prepared, indeed a new taste but one that I enjoyed. A sweet and flowery taste.

“I as well, it seems it’s to your liking then?” She drank her tea as well, in return I nodded my head to her question.

Time went on as we spoke of our lives and the things we enjoyed, I gave the woman my name and she hers, Freya was her name. The previous wife of Odin. My life was less interesting but she still found interest in the things I would say, we surely had become quick friends or at least something similar. As the day went on it turned into night and I told the woman I had to go, in turn she said I was welcome any time. Tomorrow I planned to visit once more but now I headed home with Sage, resting as soon as we arrived.

Chapter Text

It was the next day and this time I brought all of my pups to Freya's house, she gladly invited me in and gave my three pups some treats as well. We sat down to talk just when the travelers from days ago came inside her cabin. Freya stood up as Kratos pulled a decapitated head off his belt asking her to bring it to life. I decided to speak to the child, he shouldn’t see such things after all.

“Hello dear, come here.” I called a little Tre over and he walked on over as the other two spoke together.

“It’s you! I’m glad I got to see you again!” He was enthusiastic as ever, before I could say anything that head Kratos brought to life spoke.

Freya seemed to know him as she spit in his face, they spoke for a moment and that’s when Kratos realized she was a god and got angry at her for not telling him that information.

“We are leaving, boy.” He turned and stormed off toward the door, Atreus stayed by me for a moment.

“C-can I talk to him?” His father turned and looked at me, more skeptical than last time as well.

“Are you a god as well?”

“No, I am not.” He continued to look at me. “I understand your skepticism but I am no god.”

“Hurry boy.”

Atreus smiled and dragged me outside the witch’s cabin. “I didn’t know you knew the witch!” He was very energetic.

“I just met her some days ago, have you had a fun adventure?” I leaned down on my knee to be at his height. I was worried for the child but perhaps that was just my father instincts though the only kids I had were wolves.

“Yeah! We traveled to a high mountain and got that guy's head..” He seemed a bit weirded out by that which was understandable.

“Is that right? Have you been staying safe?” The boy nodded.

“”Let’s go boy.” Atreus pouted for a moment before giving me a hug and running along with his father, I waved as they left.

“I worry for the child.” Freya walked up beside me.

“Me as well, do you think they’ll come by again?”

“If his father doesn't mind speaking to a god.” She sighed before turning to go back inside, I followed her in.

“Perhaps I could stay at your home for a little bit? It is nice having someone to talk to. I looked away a bit anxious, maybe it was too early to ask that kind of question.

“Stay as long as you like, you’re welcome here.” She smiled gently and handed me a cup of tea.

“You are too kind Freya.”

She chuckled for a moment. “No.. it’s just nice to have a friend. It’s been too long.” We drank tea and spoke more of the tales of this land. She walked with me to my home to retrieve some items, and my pups stayed at Freya's home as we went on our short journey.

“You should read some of these books I have, it’d be a waste for me to be the only one to see them.” I handed her one of the books in my hand, one with an auburn cover.

She took it in her hand. “You really like books hm?

“I do, I've thought about writing one but I have doubts in my skills.” We finished retrieving my belongings and walked down the path together till we got back to her home.

“You have a lovely home.” Freya spoke as she sat down my belongings on the table. I noticed her own place of books in her home a few days ago.

“Do you mind if I read some of your books sometime?” I scoured her collection, many different kinds of books, some in different languages on the shelves.

“Not at all, just let me know.”

“Thank you, now shall I make us dinner?”

“A nice thought, but unnecessary.”

“Aw come on, you're letting me stay here I might as well treat you.” I did my best puppy dog eyes at her and she eventually agreed to it though insisting she help me which I agreed to.

“I hope you’re a fan of curry!” I began cooking while she passed me the ingredients I needed, she watched over me as I cooked. When I finished she sat down at the table with me.

“Thank you, I mean it.” She began eating, complimenting me on my cooking skills as she did so. Her kind words made me happy and so did he just being here.

“I am okay with sleeping with my wolves, they provide comfort so don’t worry about that.”

“Ah, they do look very warm. They’re very pretty as well.” She finished up her food and set the dishes aside.

“Good night Freya.”

“Good night