"And a night," said Gerard. "Hela, I told you many times during that summer how things were, that I would have to leave and probably never return. I am only here now, because the circumstances are very special. Do not forget when Odin made Asgard he did so purposely so other spirits could not enter. If that had not been so, I would have visited you, but my people do not enter the lands of others without permission unless it is a dire emergency. You have seen why I am here. Do you denly me that that I need? If you forbid me passage into your land, then I must leave. That which I am here to do will be finished."
"You know I cannot deny you," Hela said. "I can deny you nothing! If you must pass through my land, do so!"
"Good!" said Gerard, "Now that that is finished, tell me, how is it you became the Goddess of Death?"
Hela laughed. "You're responsible!" she said. "All those things you taught me made me sorry for the poor suffering souls that did evil. So when we came here I gathered some of Odin's Valkyries and some of his brave warriors, and went north, into the darker regions to take care of them. Somehow man became aware that I was doing this and began to call me the Goddess Of The Dead."
Hela knealt down by Gerard's knee, laying her head on his leg. If I took on life, Gerard," she said, "like you do, would you love me again?"
"By the time you were old enough," said Gerard, "I would be an old man! Besides, the one who is so often my companion in life awaits me, even now!"
"But you're allowed three," Hela said.
Gerard laughed. "Not in the land where I now live," he said. "They get very upset if you have more than one wife! They call it a crime...bigamy."
"Barbaric idiots!" said Hela. "I may come anyway, just to make your life interesting!"
"That most certainly would!" said Gerard, "But now, tell me of this son I never knew. What was he like?"
"I can't make images like you," Hela said, "So I will have to tell you in words."
And the day passed there in the garden. When evening came they joined in the feasting in the great Hall, then went up to Odin's Hall where Gerard entertained with stories about the battles his people had fought, which kept even The Aesir spellbound. Finally they went off to their beds. In the morning Odin had promised three good horses and provisions would be ready. He knew he could not delay Gerard's departure any longer.
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