BALDUR: (concerned) Are you alright, Father?

ODIN: (a wave of relief washes over him) Oh, my sons! I am perfectly alright, that particular guest just had an all too familiar and irritating motive during our conversation.

HODR: What did he want?

ODIN: (crosses arms) Bah, the usual request that aspiring landowners all demand. That I make them a Lord with a sizeable increase to their already abundant land ownings. (sighs) Then they attempt to offer up their oldest daughter as tribute to the arrangement.

BALDUR: (smirking) Was she at least comely?

BALDUR: We would be enjoying them more if we knew you were enjoying yourself as well. Even Hodr can see how frustrated you are.

ODIN: (placing a hand on BALDUR’S face) Ah, my sweet boy. I’ve been enjoying myself just fine. If I seem frustrated it is only that your mother has insisted that I mingle further with our attendants and some of them are not the liveliest bunch.

BALDUR: Are you certain that’s all that troubles you?

ODIN: (fake smile) Any other troubles are nothing you need concern yourself with.

BALDUR: Well...in that case, (grinning) would you like to hear a joke?

ODIN: A joke?

HODR: (sighs) One of the only things the humans were able to teach him on Midgard. It’s his new favorite thing.

(BALDUR waits eagerly)

ODIN: (relenting) Alright, let’s hear it.

BALDUR: What did the hunter ask the blind deer?

(ODIN looked puzzled by this, he thought it over for a moment)

ODIN: (stumped) I can’t say that I know...

BALDUR: Are you certain? You can’t figure it out?

ODIN: Fairly certain.

BALDUR: (giggling in anticipation) Really? You have no-eye-dea?

ODIN: (it takes him a moment then a look of amusement hits him) Oh that was awful.

BALDUR: (playfully offended) It is not! It’s quite hysterical. (laughs)

ODIN: (ceasing his singing) What have you got there, son?

HODR: A spear, Father.

ODIN: A spear? What for?

HODR: (clenches the spear firmly and stamps it down confidently) I wish to participate in the games, Father!

ODIN: (confused) You want to...? (looks at the spear and at BALDUR before laughing) Oh surely, my boy, this sort of thing is beneath you.

HODR: (shaking his head) It surely isn’t. I want to join in on the fun!

ODIN: (concerned) But this could be dangerous—

HODR: I’ll be fine, Father! Please?!

BALDUR: (nudging ODIN) Come on Father, let him join in, it’ll be fun.

ODIN: (to BALDUR) Are you so certain?

HODR: You don’t need to worry about me, I’m not some invalid!

ODIN: (stern look to HODR) I’m your father, it’s my job to worry. (pauses for a moment before his expressions softens into a smile) But very well, I shall go get my second wind while you boys rough house. (he walks out through the crowd and goes offstage)

(All the GUESTS cheer and the revelry continues)

BALDUR: (rubbing his hands together) Alright, brother, let me have it! Just follow my voice...

(HODR moves in on BALDUR and swings the spear, BALDUR dodges laughing as he moves)

BALDUR: (snarky) Oops, you missed. Try again!

(HODR gives him a mirthful smile before swinging at him again and again and again and each time BALDUR dodges and twirls around him like they having a dance)

BALDUR: (teasing) What are you, blind? I’m right over here!

HODR: (laughs) Joke all you like, it will make your words ever sweeter when I best you!