Note: I gave the Frost Giants a bit more diversity than dark blue skin and red eyes, because I thought it would be a bit boring if everyone looked the same, expect for their clothes. Feel free for criticism, but please don't be mean. WARNING, Laufey is a douche in this story, I created some of the history for Frost Giants, and I get most of my information from online sites.
Farbauti went into labor on a particularly cold night. King Laufey was overjoyed, colder nights on icy Jotunheim meant good fortune. As the blizzard blew through, Laufey sat on a rigid chair, covered in white wolf fur and drank slush-like wine from his favorite crystal chalice, while he waited outside for his wife to deliver. Footsteps echoed through the hollow, dark halls. Laufey lazily turned an eye. A tall figure with spiky shoulder pads, icy blue eyes and large, rough hands approached. He recognized him as Dagr Flokison, one of his best generals. Laufey had kept him, and many of his other generals, away from the war with the Asgardians. He wanted to save the best for last.
"Dagr." Laufey smiled, with a slight slur in his voice. "Come to join me in celebration of the birth of my son?"
"With all due respect, my king." Dagr spoke lowly. "How do you know it's a son?"
"Some kings just know." Laufey smirked, then took another sip from his chalice.
"My king, Koli Tryggrson, the doctor and priest, is here to help deliver the child." Dagr said bowing.
"Hm?" Laufey grumbled, stirring his wine with an ice spike on his finger he created. "Oh, that man. Send him in." He turned away. "Not that men should be doctors anyhow."
"My king, he is the finest doctor in Jotunhiem, and a very good friend of mine. And he wasn't always a doctor, he was an offic-"
"Yes, yes." Laufey raised his hand. "Just send him in."
"Yes my king."
Dagr walked off, a bit faster than he came. Laufey chuckled, he did have that effect on most, as a king should. Laufey heard Farbauti's labored breathing and short screams. He knew his son would be here soon. He and Farbauti had already chosen a name: Loki Laufeyson. It was a strong name, it meant fire. You would think it ironic because they were Frost Giants, but the red eyes, glowing like fire, were a Royal Family trait. Laufey smiled and took the chalice and drank the rest of it.
He was a little drunk now, but nothing that a hot bath won't cure.[1] He slouched lazily back into his chair and closed his eyes.
"Um, my king?" a voice he recognized as Dagr spoke.
"What?" Laufey grumbled keeping his eyes shut.
"Shall I let Koli in the room?"
Laufey opened his eyes to see the light blue Jotun dressed in white feathers with red eyes next to Dagr. "Hm? Oh, go ahead." Laufey yawned and reclined further. "Wake me when my son is here."
"Um, as you wish." Dagr spoke.
"Well, I can tell he's going to be a good father." Koli murmured as they walked down the hall to the royal chambers where the birth was taking place.
"He's drunk Koli, give him some time. He really wants this child-this son." Dagr corrected.
"Grow some back bone, man." Koli chuckled and he hit his friend in the shoulder lightly. "Speaking of fathers, how are you and Lifa doing? I know she isn't set to have her child soon, but it's always good to know."
"Ah, my dear Lifa." Dagr said with a smile. "You know her, strong as bear, stubborn as an iceberg. Insists that she can do everything she could when she wasn't pregnant."
"That's Lifa for you. If your child is half as tough as her they'll make it far in Jotunhiem."
"They'll also drive me insane."
The two laughed heartily as the approached the doors. Dagr stood behind to look after Laufey so no one would hurt him, or so Laufey wouldn't hurt others, while Koli went inside. He slowly opened the dark, tall door, so he wouldn't startle anyone. Several female attendants and healers were scurrying about the room, getting towels or cold water.
"Oh, Lord Koli is here!" One said.
Farbauti looked up from her bed and smiled. "Oh, Lord Koli, good to see you again."
Queen Farbauti was a pretty woman, long blue hair, white eyes and dark blue skin. She was a kind woman, a gentle ruler but very quiet. She laid on the bed, holding her round stomach as Koli walked next to her.
"How are you feeling my queen?" Koli asked bending down at her side.
"Excellent, if you don't count the pain I'm going through." She frowned a bit looking at her stomach. "But, it will be worth it in the end. I know it. My mother said that's how she felt after I was born."
"You're correct my queen," Koli bent down and examined her body, looking for any distress. "That is the feeling a mother feels after having her child, the feeling of the love for a child, and the child loving you back."
Koli put his hand down on her stomach, it glowed blue for a couple seconds. "My queen, you are all set to have your child. In an hour or two you'll be ready to deliver."
She smiled and gently rubbed her stomach. "Little one, I can't wait to see you." She whispered sweetly, she looked back at Koli. "Can you tell my husband?"
"Of course my lady."
Koli walked out of the room and shut the door behind him. As he walked further along he spotted Dagr watching Laufey sleep.
"Dagr." Koli whispered, not wanting to awaken Laufey.
"Any news?" Dagr whispered back.
"Good news, Queen Farbauti should have her child soon, there are no complications with her birth as of yet."
"That's very good news." Dagr smiled and nodded. "If only Laufey knew."
As they both turned to the slumbering king, he snorted. Koli felt a smile creep upon his face.
"Well, I hope the new 'prince' doesn't share the same hobbies as his father."
Laufey snorted louder.
"...I think I'll go tell heralds of the Queen's state."
"That is a good plan."
Koli swiftly made his way down jagged steps into the Hall of Kings. It was one of the grandest rooms in all of the Crystal Palace. On the walls were grand carvings of past Kings and Queens of Jotunheim, the ones that had the blood of the Royal Family were holding the Casket of Ancient Winters, a godly object since it was created from a fallen comet that made the ice on Jotunheim strong and healthy.[2] But Koli frowned at the thought. Recently, Laufey had been taking it from its' tower, the place where it keeps Jotunheim's ice from falling apart, and using it in battle. It was a sacred object, and Koli felt it should be kept where it has always been.
When he entered the hall he was greeted by several of Leaders from nearby towns, that had received news of Farbauti's labor, high ranking servants and Heralds ready to bring the news throughout Jotunheim.
"Lord Koli!"
A young herald with light blue skin and bright eyes approached him. "What news do you bring of Queen Farbauti?"
Other heralds gathered around him, fidgety as stags at the racing lines, scrolls and Arctic Feathers in their hands, ready to write the news.
"All is well with Queen Farbauti, she is a healthy woman and she had no injuries during her pregnancy, I believe she should give birth very soon."
He watched as the heralds frantically scribbled his words down in runes on their papers, he even spotted the old record keeper, and the prince's (or princess's) future tutor, Njal, a tall, thin, dark Jotun, writing notes of his own. Koli smiled at the older man, he in turn smiled back.
"Master Njal." Koli grinned. "More for your records?"
"Why of course." He replied, sticking out his chest in pride. "Why, there hasn't been a royal birth during a war for a great deal of time. For all we know, this child could play a part."
"In the war?" Koli chuckled. "How?"
Njal smiled back at Koli. "History has odd instances, Lord Koli, we never know when they may be, only that they must never be forgotten, for they may start a chain of events that could change the Nine Realms forever." Koli looked at him with wide eyes and a slanted mouth. "Or perhaps it is just the rambling of an old man." Njal laughed heartily. "Carry on, Koli, may the cold keep you well."
"As to you, my friend." Koli nodded.
"Blood! The Queen's bed is soaked with it! But there is no child!" A voice cried.[3]
Dagr watched Laufey with boredom. The King sat there, snoring, muttering something once in awhile, and drooling. The drooling would be more unpleasant, than funny if it did not freeze and hang off the side of Laufey's mouth in perfect pin-pricks of ice. Dagr wished he could make a carving, if Laufey could not reprimand him for it and show his wife, but he would just tell it to her in words anyway.
"Perhaps I can get one of the icicles and show her..." Dagr reached for the longest, closest ones and managed to get a hold of it.
"Blood! The Queen's bed is soaked with it! But there is no child!"
Laufey turned in the blink of an eye, effectively breaking off the icicle Dagr was holding, and looked towards the royal chambers. A servant girl was running down the hall in a free sprint, right for Dagr and Laufey.
"Farbauti? My son?" Laufey spoke hastily and harshly, no trace of drunkenness in his voice. "What's wrong girl?"
"Within a moment, Farbauti was fine, then she screamed and blood split from her. But we see no child!"
Laufey turned to Dagr, who had put the icicle in his pocket. "Where is that doctor friend of yours?"
"My King, he went to call the heralds and tell them of Queen Farbauti's condition, it was perfect not less than an hour ago!" Dagr said, strain in his voice.
"Get him!" Laufey commanded with a howl. "Get him now!"
"Yes my King!" Dagr shouted back.
He quickly ran down the hall to the top of the stairs, to see Koli himself sprinting up.
"Dagr!" Koli panted. "What has happened?"
"The Queen has begun to bleed heavily, but the servants can't see a baby's head!"
Koli's face warped downward in peril. "I must go in there!" He shouted.
Running as fast as he could, Koli nearly slid down the hall and into the room. Dagr, Laufey and the servant ran after him, halting at the door. They could hear Farbauti's labored breathes and screams.
"My child!" She cried out, followed by a loud thud. "Where is my child?"
"Farbauti be still please! I can help you and your child! Trust me!" Koli pleaded.
"I do not care what becomes of me, save my son. Save my Loki!"
The servant girl clenched her fists together as tears began to form on her face, Dagr knelt down to comfort the girl, soothing her with soft words. But Laufey stood still as an iceberg. He had his arms crossed, and legs wide apart, and a firm, harsh stare. Dagr looked at him, and feared not just for Farbauti and the child's lives' but for Koli's life he he could not save them.
"Push, my Queen. Now!" Koli instructed.
Farbauti screamed, it didn't sound like a regular scream of pain. It sounded as if she was stabbed with a knife.
"Again! Push!"
She resounded with the same scream, only shorter.
"One last time, I promise!"
"Please little one-" She shouted, then shrieked.
When she stopped, there was only silence. Everything in Jotunheim laid still for that moment. Nothing stirred, Dagr heard no rustling, no movement, no breathing. Only the ghostly howl of the blizzard, that echoed faintly in the hall before dying at the footsteps.
Then there came a cry. The sweetest sound in the night as it cried again. A baby's cry, a sign of life. Dagr finally breathed, the servant girl squeaked and hugged him shortly after. Even Laufey had let his firm stance crumble as released his shoulders and stretched his legs. Cries and exclamations came within the room. The door opened and it was an elder healer. She had a paled look upon her aged face and looked at Laufey.
"Milord, there is something you must know before you enter." She said in a low, gruff voice.
"Where is my son?" Laufey demanded. "Let me see my son!"
"My lord, your son-" The old woman spoke.
"Don't let him in yet!" Koli shouted.
Laufey huffed as he commanded the healer to stand aside, Dagr followed. He marched towards Koli who stood before Farbauti, obstructing the view of her arms. Laufey grabbed Koli by his feather vest, turned him around and threw him back forcefully, but Dagr caught him before he could fall.
"Who are you to tell me not to see my son, peasant!"
"Laufey, I-"
"Begone with you, you may have saved my wife and son, but you have no authority whatsoever over me!" Laufey shouted.
"Laufey!" Farbauti shouted weakly from the bed.
He turned to her. Farbauti was leaned back against the headboard, concealing a bundle wrapped in fur in her arms. Laufey smiled at her and slowly walked toward her. Kneeling down beside the bed, he looked at the bundle.
"Worry not, my wife." He whispered sweetly. "Nothing shall keep me from you and our son. Our Loki."
He lifted the fur from the baby's face. With a shouted he fell back, scooting away with a fierce face. Standing up, he snarled.
"You!" He seethed, pointing at Farbauti. "What have you brought me?"
"Laufey, he is your son! He's the prince!" Koli shouted, stomping towards him.
"I see not a Prince!" He growled at Koli, then turned to Farbauti. "I see a disgrace!"
Dagr looked at the pair, then Farbauti and her son. In her arms was a small Jotun, blue skin, angular markings, traces of black hair; a runt.[4]
"My Lord, runtism is nothing but a size-difference, I have seen and met many with runt children, they are healthy, intelligent children! There is nothing to be ashamed of!"
Laufey would not listen, he grabbed Koli once again then lifted him up. "Runtism is carried by blood, Farbauti has cursed my line-"
"It's a defect! It can happen to anyone, even with no history of runts in the family like you and Farbauti. And it can be gone in a generation of two." Koli said to him, his face stern as a bear.
Laufey only looked at him with a stone face, and tightened his grip around Koli's neck. "When can Farbauti bear me another son that is worthy of my time?"
"Never!"
Laufey pressed his fingers as hard as he could against Koli's throat. "What?!"
"Giving birth, her womb was punctured, she can never have another child."
Laufey dropped Koli to the ground, who just got up with no sign of pain. Laufey stayed still for a moment, then turned to Dagr.
"Go to the heralds, Dagr, tell them that the prince was perfect, blue skin, deep marks, glowing red eyes, but he was born dead."
"But," Dagr hesitated. "My King-"
"Go... Now." Laufey commanded.
"Yes, my King." Dagr left swiftly without another word.
Laufey turned his attention to the healers and servants. "None shall know of this, lest' they wish for a beheading." They said nothing, but nodded. He looked at Koli. "Take the runt with you, to temple in the town."
Farbauti looked at him with a broken expression. "No!" She cried, hugging Loki to her chest.
Laufey hissed. "You listen to me, woman!" He ran up to her and snatched Loki out of her arms, holding him by his little arm.
The infant began to cry in the absence of his mother, Koli fell before Laufey to his hands and knees. "Please, my lord. Do not separate these two!"
"I already said." Laufey stepped on Koli's hands. "You have no control over me!"
Koli gasped out in pain. "Please," He said again. "Let me find a nurse for Loki, I'll do what you ask, I'll keep him at my temple, bring him up as my own and you will never see him again I just need time."
Laufey raised an eyebrow and bent down to look at Koli. "Truly?"
"I swear on my life."
He groaned lowly, which could barely be heard under Loki's sobs. "Very well. You have one month to find a nurse." Laufey dropped Loki on the bed, but he was quickly caught by Farbauti. "Then I will never see you both, ever again."
"Yes, my lord."
Laufey cracked his shoulders, then began to stomp out of the room. "Now, if you excuse me, I have more important duties to attend to."
After he left the room, Koli rushed to Farbauti's side. She was carefully cradling the baby, crying streams of tears. Loki's cries began to get quieter, and began to hush in the arms of his mother. Koli noticed he was cut on the top of his head and bleeding, so he healed it.
"Worry not my Queen." Koli spoke in soft voice. "Laufey's just in shock, he'll come around, I know he will."
"For my sake, and that of my son's I hope you speak the truth." She whispered back.
Loki's eyes soon began to crack open, revealing glowing red orbs within. Farbauti, still tearing, kissed his forehead and gently rocked him.
"My perfect little one, my child, my Loki."
[1] I'm assuming that the temperatures of Jotuns and humans are sort of "switched" so a "cold bath" in our terms, is a "hot bath" in theirs.
[2] I made this part up, sorry
[3] No experience in medical field, don't know if this can happen
[4] In my mind, only runts, both male and female, and female Jotuns have hair.