Morgana aged 7 (part 2, trip to Valhalla)

Mummy said I’ve been a good girl recently and I deserve to see my family in Valhalla.

                Sitting on the steps that lead to the front door, I read my book as the maids load up the carriage with mine and mummy’s things. Me and mummy don’t talk about that morning and I’m not allowed to talk about Niklaus either. Instead I am to train. When not training I am to sit in my room and read books on fighting techniques. I hate the new me, I’m turning like mummy. The other day I killed the mean doggy… and I liked the rush it gave me. I’m a monster.

                “Morgana, darling, it’s time to leave” mummy calls.

I get up and walk slowly to the carriage, my book under my arm and the teddy my nana gave me in my hand. Also the necklace Niklaus got me takes pride and honour around my neck, I never take it off, it means too much to me. Mummy helps me into the carriage and I sit on the furthest side, pull my legs on the bench and hug my knees to my chest. I ache from last night’s beating. It’s my own fault. I let the book drop off my head, only wicked girls have bad posture… that’s what mummy says anyway.

                Mummy sits in the carriage next to me, “get some rest Morgan, it’s a long journey to Valhalla”.

                I nod and hug my teddy, as I swiftly fall asleep to the rhythm of the carriage.

 

I awake some hours later. I’m not sure exactly for how long I was asleep…

Mummy shook me awake. “Morgana wake up” she says as I yawn sleepily and rub my eyes, “look out the window dear… Valhalla is in our sights.”

                I sit up slowly, somehow I had awoken with my head on mummy’s lap and she didn’t care. I look out the carriage window and my eyes fill with a look of total awe and my jaw drops. Valhalla is huge! My mummy laughs at me softly, then controls herself and turns cold again. I sigh and just keep watching Valhalla from the window as we slowly get closer and closer. I slowly feel warmer inside, like this is the place I’m meant to live in… this is my home.

 

As the carriage pulls into Valhalla, my heart leaps with excitement. The streets are full of my favourite flowers; ribbons of my favourite colour hang from every house. As we near the town square, people are all around; they shout “WELCOME HOME MORGANA” and a huge banner is hanging above them saying the same thing.

               Tears of joy form in my eyes, but my mum gives me a warning look, telling me to compose myself. I do as I’m told, just as the carriage door is opened and I’m lifted out. I squeal in happiness as a huge guy carries me over to a small stage, he has long blonde hair and is laughing as he carries me. I giggle and hold onto him, he places me gently on the stage.

                “Welcome to Valhalla Morgana” he says softly, he hugs me and I tense under his touch. He looks at me worriedly, but I keep quiet. “I’m your grandfather, Thor… your mother has told me so many great things about you” he smiles “come your great grandfather Odin, is dying to meet you”.

                I smile as he takes my hand and we walk into the giant hall. Mummy follows at my side, warning me silently, not to say a word.

 

Hours have passed, my great grandfather Odin is scary, he’s like mummy

Granddaddy has prepared a HUGE ball for me though, I’m really excited!!

Mummy dressed me in my best ball gown, it was also my favourite. It showed my bruises though, but I didn’t care, I was too excited. I ran down to the ball room, the hall full of happy people, dancing and laughing.

                Great granddad and mummy aren’t here and granddaddy sits at a throne near the dance floor. I run down the stairs and bump into a young blonde boy. He looks older than me. I think he’s about 10. He smiles at me, “You must be the famous Morgana.” He says softly, his voice sounds like a chorus of angels, “I’m Troy. Would you like to dance?” I nod shyly, glad that mummy taught me how to dance. He took my hand and led me onto the dance floor and we waltzed to the angelic music that echoed throughout the hall.

                When the song finished he bowed and I curtsied, “You’re an amazing dancer” I said shyly, he smiles at me and nods.

                “It was an honour dancing with you, Morgana” and with that he walked off.

                I stood there, my heart pounding, I only ever felt like this with Nikkie. What did it mean?

I see Granddaddy walking towards me. He grabs my arm and drags me out the hall and towards my bedroom. Had I done something wrong? Was I not supposed to dance with Troy?

                He pulled me into my room and shut the door. He kneels in front of me and hugs me. “Morgana I need you to be honest with me, how did you get these bruises?”

                My eyes widen in fear, mummy warned me to say, I would be a wicked child if I told anyone about her hurting me. I look at the floor sadly and keep my mouth shut.

                He runs a finger over my bruises on my arms and I tense under his touch again. His eyes full of so many emotions: rage, disgust, sorrow and guilt. “Morgana, its ok, I won’t let whoever hurt you do it again, I’m going to protect you now” he says encouragingly.

                Still looking at the floor, I mumble “mummy did this to me… because I’m a wicked child.”

                He pulls me into an embrace and I tense under his touch, “Morgana, nothing what your mother says is true. At the end of the day, it’s YOUR choice, what you want to be… Whether that’s to be fun and adventurous or perky and intelligent. NOTHING what anyone else calls you is true, YOU decide what you are, it isn’t anyone else’s choice, it’s yours… follow your heart Morgana.” He puts his big strong hand over my heart, then hugs me again, I’ve warmed to his touch now and snuggle into him.

                My mother stands behind him, my eyes widen in fear, but I’m too drowsy to move and fall limp in Thor’s arms. He and mummy start shouting, then the darkness takes over and all goes black.

 

I wake up some time later, my head hurts and I hear the clip clop of horse hooves. My eyes widen, I’m in the carriage. I look up and see my mummy. I’m going home with her! NO NO NO!! I WANNA BE WITH GRANDDADDY!! My dress is torn and blood stains it, but I remain quiet. Knowing I’ve already been bad enough and don’t wanna make things worse… I miss Niklaus.