It wasn't an easy thing, explaining why Idun had felt so compelled to seek Thor out. She cared for him, as she cared for all of Bragi's family, but they were not close, not by any standard. Thor was one for adventures, and Idun could only venture so far from her orchard for so long before she returned home. They were very different.
But he was hurting. It didn't matter how close they were, Idun hated that he was in pain. Perhaps that was the simplest explanation, the clearest. Someone she cared for, someone she loved unconditionally, was hurting. Even without close bonds, that was enough reason for Idun to damn the cold, damn the distance, and at least try.
She had no false hope coming into this situation. When she decided to find Thor, Idun never once told herself that her mere presence would be enough to soothe his aching heart. She wasn't unrealistic. All she could offer was company, and though it was a small thing, she intended to extend that gift all the same. Bragi's family was her family. Thor was her family. She'd be there for him and that was that. It was decided. Idun gingerly shook out her cloak before hanging it on the door, trying to keep the mess to a minimum.
Aching hearts or no, Idun wasn't about to make a puddle.
She watched Thor for a moment, watched the way that he seemed temporarily lost before he found the task of building a fire. The sight made her sigh quietly. Had he been sitting here alone for long, without a single ember warming his hearth? It seemed fitting, if she really thought on it. What better way to reflect his internal misery than through miserable surroundings. Still, it sent a sharp pang of sadness through her. How could a wife do this to their husband?
This was why Idun had fought the idea of marriage for so long. This betrayal, this heartbreak.
"You," she replied, once his question snapped her from her thoughts. It was only then that she saw the chair he'd pulled over for her, though the observation was overshadowed by the tone of his voice. Oh, he had no desire to entertain company. That much was clear.
"I heard."
Idun winced at the words, though she was the one to speak them. She hadn't meant for them to be so jagged, so very harsh. She hesitantly approached the fire, taking the chair he'd pulled over for her, and then Idun busied herself with the task of removing some snow-covered layers. The gloves first. Ten fingers of distraction before she needed to find some new way to avoid looking at Thor.
"I wanted to see if you were alright. If there was anything you needed. Anything at all."