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Idunn remembered very little.
Perhaps that was a blessing in its own way for the most unpleasant sensations would take over her whenever she would begin to ask herself what she truly was before coming to reside within these chambers. Idunn’s hands would tremble and her lips would quiver as she'd become overwhelmed by this sudden flood of vulnerability. Whatever curiosity lingered within her was quickly shrugged off for such things were suited more for the humans. And she was anything but like the weak, puny humans.
Even for this, she had deferred to Jahn’s opinion of them. According to him, it was unbecoming of her to question such things, much less waste her thoughts on such lowly creatures.
So, Idunn fulfilled the role she was meant to play.
Zephiel had once told her that there was power to be found through fear, and she had believed him, for even if he had never trembled in front of her like his followers did, she could smell the terror reeking from every inch of his body. Why she was to covet power was something that hadn’t even occurred to her, but she did as she was bid to do.
Idunn was content with the arrangement for the most part, but there were times when a small voice inside of her would call out for her. Beg her to laugh. Beg her to cry. Beg her to do anything of her own will.
As if anything so cumbersome was something to be desired so strongly.
Sometimes, Idunn did listen to that little voice; she’d close her eyes and search deep in the vast abyss within her mind for the slightest breeze. Anything that could have managed to hide itself away and that they hadn’t taken away from her.
Idunn would navigate that labyrinth within her countless of times, even when she knew waiting for her was a chilly end and the darkness that she had long grown accustomed to.
Roy reminded her of Hartmut in many ways, and it wasn’t just that they had wielded the same blade.
The boy had given her that same pitiful look as Hartmut all those centuries ago, and Idunn had been expecting to be put back into her eternal slumber, if not bestowed quick death instead.
When he came to her, instead of a sword or a stave in his hands, he was trailed by two of his companions. One was a blur with how much the creature jumped here and there, and the other looked pale and as if she would wilt away into the shadows without a moment’s notice.
Were they spellcasters? Was there going to be another spell to make her more pliable? There wasn’t any need to go to such lengths especially since Idunn wasn’t intending on resisting or doing anything whatsoever; she had long accepted that choice was an illusion and her only purpose was to do as she was told.
She looked on at her visitors blankly, and her expression didn’t change as Roy gestured towards the duo.
“Idunn, I’d like you to meet Fae—”
A squeal came from the younger of the two, and a girl nearly crashed into Idunn’s lap as she ran up to her side and jumped up and down in front of her.
“I’m Fae!” The girl reached out to grab Idunn’s hand before reaching up to pat Idunn’s head, “are you my new friend?”
Idunn stiffened as she felt the tiny hand run through her hair. It was strange, though not entirely unpleasant.
“Fae, remember what I told you?” Roy said as he gently picked the girl up and stepped backwards. Idunn felt her fingers tremble and found her hand slowly moving towards the girl. She looked down at her hand as Fae muttered an apology, not quite hearing what the girl was saying to her.
Friend, the little girl had called her. It wasn’t a word Idunn had used for anyone nor had anyone called her by that title before.
Priestess? Yes.
Demon? Yes.
Friend?
Perhaps in a different time and a different world, but that was so long ago that it might have had never happened.
It was odd for her to crave company like this, and yet, as she looked down at where Fae had grasped her hand, all Idunn wanted was to ask for the girl back by her side and listen to her babbling.
“Are you alright?” came a whisper.
The frail girl had come out of the shadows and was looking directly into her eyes. There wasn’t a hint of fear within them, even if she had hours ago witnessed Idunn’s curved wings and cold eyes and the death and decay she could bring forth. Idunn could probably snap the girl in half with a mere pinch and she knew the other woman was aware of it too, and yet, those lavender eyes looked upon her without a hint of judgement.
“I’m...fine.” The words felt so awkward as they tumbled out of her mouth.
“They’re from Arcadia,” Roy explained as he gently set Fae down, “I thought they could tell you about it before you all depart.”
The boy was gone before Idunn could voice her confusion.
“You’re a dragon just like us!” Fae exclaimed as she resumed jumping up and down. “So you get to come live with us!”
“Why?” Idunn blurted.
Sophia grimaced while Fae only gave her a confused look.
“Why what?” Fae asked.
Idunn didn’t look away from Sophia. “There isn’t any need for any of this. You could have done to me what your human ancestors had done so long ago or—” Idunn glanced towards Fae and grimaced.
Sophia seemed to have understood anyways, her face now devoid of what little colour it had.
Idunn saw Sophia hesitate as she reached out to rest a hand on Idunn’s arm, eyes constantly flicking towards Idunn’s face nervously.
As Idunn looked at the pale hand blankly, she felt Sophia squeeze her arm softly. Not to reprimand or to drag her away, for Sophia’s eyes glinted with such warmth and understanding that Idunn felt something long buried inside her stir.
“We have no quarrel with you, Idunn.” Sophia murmured softly. “We want to help you.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Fae said solemnly.
“Why?” Idunn asked again as something pricked at the edge of her vision.
She had killed hundreds during her time awake and maimed countless others. These two, even if they claimed to be like her, could never be capable of her feats and atrocities, for they could smile and cry and protest while she was just a—
“It’s alright.”
Fae reached out and patted Idunn’s cheek. Something cold and wet streaked across her cheeks.
“It’s alright,” Fae said again. “Don’t cry.”
A strange, guttural sound came from Idunn’s throat instead.
“Let her cry, Fae.” Sophia said softly as she ran a hand through Idunn’s hair, and Fae moved to embrace Idunn instead.
The sensation was devastating. The sensation was exhilarating.
Through her wails, Idunn could hear Sophia’s muffled words.
“After all, who knows the last time she could cry like this."
Idunn remembered.
And let out a long sob in response.