Odin fended off the healers with their fussing manners. His eye needed care, he knew that, but for now the bandage over it would have to do. He had more important things to care for. The baby curled in the crook of his arm and hidden under his cloak hadn’t stirred yet, but who knew when he would wake up. Odin hadn’t had much time to be home after Thor was born, before he had to leave for a war, but he did remember babies being loud. And he couldn’t risk anyone seeing the baby before he had had time to think what to do with him.
As soon as Odin was sure that the Casket was safely in the Vault, he hurried towards the Royal Chambers. It wasn’t only the infant hidden inside his cloak that drove him, also his need for seeing Frigga made him hasten his steps. It had been so long since he had seen her Queen.
Just like he had driven the healers away earlier, Odin gestured for the guards to leave his side at the doors to the private rooms. They saluted and left, and Odin stopped to take a deep breath before pushing open the doors.
“Frigga?” he called, stepping in. “My love?”