Chapter 38
Crystal, Freckles, and Shorty sat at the head table in a Great Hall, even larger than the one at Camp Gladsheim. The room was full of Viking warriors, men and women, eating, drinking, singing and banging on the tables. An ox was roasting above the flames of the fire pit filling the air with a wonderful spicy smell.
Odin and Freyja entered through the main door. They were majestic before, but now they radiated power. Freyja was so beautiful that it was difficult to look directly at her.
Someone else was with them, but it was impossible to make out who it was. The three of them slowly made their way through the hall, stopping at different tables and exchanging a word or two. Then, when the trio reached the light of the fire pit, Crystal saw that it was her mother who was with them.
“Welcome to the world known as Asgard,” said Odin. “You are now in the great hall Valhalla, surrounded by the mightiest warriors in all of history.”
“This is a pretty good army,” said Shorty. “Why didn’t we have them helping us today?”
“They are the reinforcements who will be called in when the Shield Maidens are defeated,” said Odin. “Twice the Kraken has been destroyed before it reached full strength, but the Giants will eventually succeed and then we will need every one of these brave souls.”
“What are we doing here?” asked Crystal. “How did we get here?”
“When a warrior dies,” explained Freyja, “the Valkyries and I collect their souls. The bravest are brought here to live with Odin in Valhalla.”
“Does this mean we’re dead?” asked Freckles.
“Well, only mostly dead,” replied Freyja. “There is still a part of you on earth, and that’s what we need to talk to you about. Through your courageous actions, you have earned a place here. You need to decide if you wish to remain with us or go back to Earth.”
“What about Blondie and the other girls?” demanded Shorty.
“Oh, don’t worry about them,” said Freyja. “Saving the world definitely reserved a place here for all of the Shield Maidens. When the time comes for them to cross over, they will remember the great battle they participated in and know why we saved a place for them.”
Crystal turned to face her mother and asked, “What the heck are you doing here, anyway?”
“Oh, don’t worry about me, dear,” said Rayna. “I come and go where I’m needed. We’ll still see each other, no matter if you remain here or go back to Earth. We can talk about me later. Right now, you need to decide what is right for you.”
Freckles looked worried. “Is it an insult to the Gods if we want to go back? I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
“No, not at all,” said Odin.
Freyja smiled at Freckles and stroked her hair. “You will do great things if you return to earth, little one. But it is fine if you wish to stay here.”
“Are our spots here guaranteed, or could we lose them?” asked Crystal.
Odin shook his head. “No, you’ll always have a place here. You’ve shown us what is in your heart. That won’t change if you go back.”
Freyja gave the three girls a warm, beautiful smile. “I know we haven’t given you much time to think about it, but you must decide right now.”
“Mighty Odin,” said Shorty as she quickly stood up. “I have decided. All my life I have dreamed of going to Valhalla and living with you and Freyja and Thor. Thor is going to be here too, right?”
When Odin nodded, Shorty continued. “I’m not sure I’m worthy, but if you say I am then it must be so. I can think of no greater honor than remaining here with you. I will never leave your service.”
Crystal took a deep breath and stood up. She had no idea what was going on with her mother, but it didn’t really matter. Crystal was the author of her own story now and she had to choose for herself. “I have decided, too. I appreciate all you’ve taught me, and how much I grew in just one week at camp,” she said to Odin. “But if you don’t mind, there are still some things I want to do back home.”
Turning to Freyja, Crystal said with a smile and a wink, “You know, there’s like this amazing sale on pre-ripped stone washed jeans at the mall; I can’t miss that! Oh, and I hear there’s going to be a Gilligan’s Island rerun marathon.”
And finally, turning to her mother Crystal said, “And there is a certain older brother I want to get to know again.”
Crystal blinked, but her eyes remained closed. She felt like the wind, blowing through the trees. Then she was a river, flowing over a waterfall. She was floating in a warm, relaxing hot tub. She was cuddled up in bed with her favorite blanket. She felt so tired that she just wanted to sleep.