I sat playing quietly in my room. Well, by that I mean drawing all over the walls with a charred stick, singing at the top of my lungs as Fenrir chewed the furniture. As a wolf, he was huge, a snarling monster to every one else, a tame companion to me and Garm. Garm, the old black dog, howled along with my improvised shouting of "Hel is pretty and prettier than you!" as I drew an angry face on the pale wall. I was soon silenced when I heard father shout.

"HELA!"

Oh dear. I knew I was in trouble when he shouted. He must have seen the mess Garm had made of his bed, rolling dirt in it earlier as I laughed, feeding the beast apples of Idunn. He was rather opposed to me feeding Garm the apples, as a child I couldn't see why he protested so much, all Asgardians ate them. I never tended to mind my dog having golden drool, some times I thought it humorous, but father thought it unacceptable.

I quickly tried to scratch my drawing from the wall, but it made no difference, the charcoal simply smudged everywhere. I was in big trouble now. Fenrir gave a growl that resembled a hoarse laugh, and flicked his tail at me as he devoured a wooden doll. I headed out of my room, head hung in shame as I prepared myself for my punishment. I crept out into the hall, staring at him as he stood staring back. His eyes drifted to the black charcoal on my hands, and a further wave of disapproval appeared in his eyes. I quickly assumed my daddy-I-love-you smile, it timidly creeping onto my face as I stood sheepishly, looking apologetic.

"Hela, what have I told you about feeding Garm apples? And also, why is there an astounding amount of dirt and pieces of said golden apples in my bed?" he said calmly, frowning. He never resorted to shouting at me, he would talk to me reasonably even as a child. Fenrir, on the other hand, was quick to be the recipient of a smack upside the head from father. I had the advantage in being a little girl, it seemed. Daddy just couldn't bear to see me cry.

"He was hungry, and doesn't like his bed any more. He likes yours." I smiled innocently, hoping my cutesie excuses would avoid there being any punishment.

"Well, I think Garm should go outside for a while, this being the case." he muttered, eyebrows raised slightly. As his daughter he knew me very well, as I was similar to him, my tricky and devilish nature only appearing at times when it was needed. Him trying to punish me was often a battle of wits. Imagine it, a centuries old god defeated by a five year old. It was embarrassing for him to endure, so our mind games were kept a secret.

"No, he likes staying here more than outside. So, no." I muttered, smiling at him, my sly side appearing quickly in order to win the battle. "He likes you, father. You're his favourite." I quickly amplified my cuteness, running forward and tugging father's sleeve affectionately. He patted the top of my head, not breaking into a smile as of yet. I was running out of cards fast and he saw no signs of letting me win.

"I think that you spend too much time with Garm, sweet. You're a little girl, you should play with dolls and draw pictures, not run around chasing your brothers and a foul dog." he said, finally breaking into a sly smile, mirroring mine. "The dog is going. That is final."

And here I pulled my final card. Tears started to drip down my cheeks, my bottom lip stuck out as I looked up at him with puppy dog eyes that would rival Garm. He merely stared, an eyebrow raised in amusement as he waited. A few seconds of silence, and then I let out a truly vicious wail, screaming as I hit his leg with my little hands. He stared still, on the verge of laughing as I stamped on his foot, and then shouted louder than I did.

"SILENCE."

And with that I stopped, and my balance swayed as I fell, sat on the floor looking up at him for a response. He picked me up and held me around the middle under one arm, whispering as he walked,

"It was a good try, dear. You're getting there. Now, do a little trickery for me and I'll let you keep Garm inside."

"Like what?" I muttered, a stormy expression on my face as I folded my arms, dark plaits swinging as he walked with me held under his arm.

"Oh, just a little fun. Play a trick on Thor and the dog stays. Agreed?"