The war had been tedious and long fought, but in the end, the Light Elves were victorious. Asgard was battling with the Jotnar, that battle taking place on both Midgard and Jotunheim, but on defeating Laufey and his armies, Odin set his sights on Alfheim's woes and assisted them in their struggle. King Sika took no time getting back to his family after two years away. Within a month, his wife was with child and he was more than happy to put the war behind him.

But the war was not the issue as far as the King was concerned. Within a few months of his return, there was a scandal in his palace. A newborn baby was brought to him, a girl. Her mother had died in her birth and when the healers went in search of her father, they realised that her markings were those of royal lineage. When she was brought to the king and he enquired after her mother, it was revealed that in the time that he was in the war, one of the healers that had tended to the wounded warmed his bed on a cold and less than honourable night. He had been racked by the guilt of it before for his actions, but now there was living proof of it, he felt all the worst. Lydia, his wife was distraught that he had not told her, but she understood that war made good people do odd things, and the little girl was only a few months older than her own little girl growing within her. She felt a love for the child, motherless and in need of tending to, but Sika felt nothing but guilt and insisted she be raised away from the court, in the forests near the palace.

It is there she was raised, having her mother's passion for helping others. She went to the palace on occasion, Lydia insisting she needed to know she was not completely alone and that she had siblings, but Sika remained aloof, still feeling sick with himself for his actions, though his wife forgave them. That is how Clodagh came to know how she came to be, she felt guilty that she had caused hurt between her father and his wife, a woman that never showed her anything but love and kindness, she also knew that behind it all, her own brothers and sister should hate her, but they never did. Her brothers, all older seemed to just accept her existence and felt as protective of her as they did their other sister, and her sister, Amelia adored her.

She visited the palace on occasion and was given a good education and living accommodation and never asked for anything. People knew of her, but as she was so quiet and out of the way, no one tended to make much mention of her.

When Frigga came to Alfheim in search of potential partners for her sons, her first point of call was the Alfheim palace for Amelia. There were a few high born women in Alfheim that were of enough sanding for the Aesir princes, so Frigga ensured they were all invited to Asgard to be allowed their chance to be courted by them.

'What about Clodagh?' Amelia asked innocently as she spoke with the Allmother on her arrival. Frigga frowned and questioned the young woman on who was this "Clodagh". 'My sister.' again, Frigga was left perplexed, having known Lydia to have only ever birthed a single daughter and three sons. It was then the young princess told the Aesir queen of her illegitimate sister.

Frigga went to Lydia and Sika about her. Lydia smiled, seeing the confusion on Frigga's face when she broached the matter with her. 'She is a result of the trying nature of war, Sika...he does not like to dwell on it, but his actions in camp was the reason for her being.'

'Lydia, you never…'

'What good would come of it all, Frigga? My children would be from a broken home or poor little Clodagh would have been left with nothing. When they brought her to the palace, she was so scared, so alone.' Lydia explained. 'I could not let her think she was not worthy of love.'

'Where can I find her?'

'She lives in the forests. I will have a carriage readied for you.'

Frigga was unsure what she would find when she went to the forests but what she was expecting and what she got were entirely different things.

She was met by a young woman of notable beauty, not in her external features alone, but her nature. When she came to the dwelling, the first thing she noted was the pleasant sound of laughter that was soon followed by a woman calling after something.

'You are a terrible tease Jemima.' the voice declared. 'What good is a duck meant for eggs when she hides them all. Honestly Betty, what will we do with her?' there was no response. Frigga walked around the side of the dwelling and watched as a fox sat on a stool watching a girl with dark hair and skin that was somewhat darker than the Alfheim royal family's yet she seemed so alike to them that it was clear that she was Sika's other daughter. 'Rua, I need that stool, how else can I get this done.' She scoffed, playfully shooing the fox. It was then she noticed the woman in front of her, 'Oh, hello, can I help you?'

'I am looking for a young woman by the name of Clodagh.'

'That's me.'

'May I speak with you for a moment?' She nodded. 'You don't know who I am, do you?'

'I think I do, but I am hoping you're not her because if you are, I should probably have bowed by now.' Clodagh seemed to be almost wincing.

'Yes, I am Frigga, Queen of Asgard.' Frigga smiled.

'Hi, sorry.'

'You are quite alright, Dear, in fact, I can honestly say this is the loveliest meeting I have had in a considerable time.'

'Wow, you must meet some horrible pigs.' There was an indignant grunt from behind them. 'Not you, Pua.' She turned to the Allmother again. 'Sorry, he is too smart for his own good.'

Frigga could only chuckle. 'It's fine. Do you keep these animals for any reason?'

'They all got abandoned, I felt sorry for them.' She explained.

'Is that how you feel?' Frigga asked, that caused her to look at the foreign queen. 'Lydia told me about you, everything about you.' Clodagh looked at her hands. 'You feel ashamed, why?'

'Look what I am.'

'A young woman with a caring heart?'

'A bastard, a...I am the reason that many people talk, I am the result of….'

'Do you really call yourself such a name?' Frigga looked at her in shock.

'It is the meaning of it, isn't it, I am that.' She stated sadly.

Frigga looked at the kind-hearted young woman in front of her, who, even with people trying to show her love, had thought herself unworthy. 'Do you know what I am here?' Clodagh shook her head. 'My sons, Thor and Loki are to have the royal women of the realms join us at the palace to see if any of them are suited to my sons.'

'So why are you here?'

'You are one of them.'

'I'm not…I can't...I'm a...'

'Do not say that word in front of me. I do not want to hear such a word. You are so much more than you think you are.' Frigga stated firmly. 'By blood, you are royal and as such, you are asked to attend.'

'I am not royal though, my father may be, but I am not.'

'Your blood is royal, that is the prerequisite, we leave tomorrow at six am. Do you need a wake-up call?'

'I like to get up with the sun and make the most of my day.' She smiled.

'What time is the sun up?'

'Five.'

'Then I will have someone here for you not long after.'

'Is it wise to force young women to meet the princes of the realm without them being readied?'

'I do not like lying to my sons, if these girls are so annoyed by meeting them like this, I rather they know about it in advance.' Frigga winked.

'Why are you telling me this?'

'Because you do not use makeup, do you?' Clodagh shook her head. 'Do you know how?'

'Amelia tried to show me once, but I am a lost cause.'

Frigga gave her a small smile but said no more on it, her thoughts flitting around her head at her meeting the young woman. 'I will see you tomorrow.'

'What about my animals?'

'They will be tended to in your absence.' Frigga promised. 'But bring one if it is a domestic pet if you like.'

'Rua is the closest to domestic, he's better than the cat anyway.'

Rua is….' Frigga looked around and was met by a grinning fox. 'I have never seen one alive so close, they are lovely creatures.' Rua began to pose, causing the Allmother to laugh. 'Norns you are an incredible creature.'

'I'll be fine without them, I will be back soon enough.'

'I am going back to the palace now, do you wish to come with me and save you some travel in the morning?'

'No thank you, I must ready things here.'

Frigga looked sadly at the girl but said no more, taking her leave and going back to the Light Elf palace.

'You seemed troubled, Allmother.' Lydia looked at her friend.

'I met with Clodagh today.' The Allmother admitted. 'By blood, she is included in this little roundup.'

'And?'

'She is not what I expected.'

'Her mother was a Healer, I am told.'

'That I would believe.' Frigga nodded. 'She sees herself as lowly.'

'I think so, yes.'

'Her mother?'

'Died birthing her, she never told anyone who her father was, it was only after the doctor noticed her birthmarks...'

'Sika was implicated.' Frigga answered.

'It is hardly an implication when it is the truth, she carries his mark, she has the one closest his out of all the children and she is the image of his mother.'

'How do you not hate her?'

'How can I, she never asked to exist, Frigga, she is the innocent party in this.'

'And you?'

'I was a grown woman then, I am no fool, wars make people do things they regret. He wanted to tell me from the moment he came back, but how do you say such things? He fears to show her love is to somehow insult me. He watches her from afar, wanting to, but he cannot, even when he sees me and our children do it. It tortures him.'

'He is not the party I pity.' Frigga growled. 'But this is not my marriage, I can have my opinions, it does not make them valid in this situation.'

'She is not trained as a princess.'

'No, but those things can be learned should they be required.'