As promised, Part 2! And, as you know, sorry for the grammar mistakes!
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" Loki screamed as though he was an excited child. "Come on, beloved! Wake up!" He shook her resting body merciless as she snugged further and further into the covers, pulling them up over her head.
"No, Loki," she moaned. "No. Five more minutes." Despite her desire to sleep, she still couldn't fight off the smile.
"We don't have five minutes, beloved," he called as he climbed on top of her and straddled her hip. "You need to get up now! Now! Right now! We need to get ready! We need to go!"
"Not yet," she yawned, and Loki's playful patience had worn out.
He climbed off her bed, gripping the blankets in his hand, tugging on it harshly, throwing it to the floor. Sigyn flinched at the sudden gust of cold air rushing over her. The great sweep of feeling bare aside from her silk nightgown and the silver chain she wore around her neck was uncomfortably frightening for a second.
"Get your clothes on! Get ready!" Loki pried, annoying her greatly.
"Loki, I love you, but damn you," she groaned, smothering her face into the pillow as to hide the light from her eyes and to hide her smile from Loki's overly explosive ego.
"It would be rude to show up late," he said, climbing onto her once more, pressing his hands into her back and tickling her.
"Loki, no," she demanded, but he refused to listen.
"Get up, Sig. Get up." He tickled her mercilessly, making her laugh and twist as he did so.
"Loki! Stop!" she laughed wildly. "Please, stop!" she cried, tears streaming from her face because of her undeniable laughter.
He leaned forward, slowing down his slithering fingers, bringing his lips to her neck and kissing it softly.
"Will you rise, then?" he muttered into her soft skin.
She smiled sweetly, enjoying the feeling of those tender kisses on her fragile figure, all the open scars sewn and all the bruises gone. Loki had given her more than treatment, he had given her a cure.
"Yes," she answered softly, eyes still closed and head still heavy on the pillow.
"Yes?" he repeated, making her giggle.
"Yes," she laughed and he crawled off of her, landing gracefully onto his feet.
She sat up in the bed, stretching her arms and back as her messy brown hair fell before her closed eyes. Unable to see, she giggled and felt a force push back her hair. Loki was in her sights next, smiling lovingly at her, gazing into her golden eyes.
"Oh," he nearly wept, "there they are. The most beautiful set of eyes in all the Nine."
She blushed at his compliment, looking down, covering her eyes with her long, thick lashes, making Loki lament.
"Oh no," he whispered and she giggled. "Where did they go?"
She flickered her eyes back to him, connecting tightly and strongly at the chemistry between the two of them.
"Ah, yes. They have returned," he praised and kissed her softly on the lips. "I never want to see them fade again," he spoke onto her pale, pink skin.
"You never will," she muttered back.
One more small kiss before Loki allowed her to get out of bed and make way towards her washroom.
"I drew a bath for you," he said as she grabbed her robe. "Should still be warm."
"Thank you, my love," she replied, placing a gentle hand on his cheek briefly and entering the washroom. She stopped in the doorway, looking back to Loki as she was about to step inside. "You can come in, you know," she offered to him. "I think all sense of shyness before you has fallen within me."
Loki smiled shyly, looking down briefly before he shook his head.
"I thought you may want a break from me," he suggested with a shrug of his shoulders.
Sigyn rolled her eyes playfully.
"What makes you think I would be bored of you?" she questioned. "People never get bored of the ones they love."
Loki snickered. "Try telling that to everyone who has not shown fidelity," he suggested, to wish Sigyn sighed.
"I need to work on being a better goddess," she muttered, turning her gaze to the floor in shame of herself, and disapproval on her failures to show everyone the way to be faithful.
"You are a wonderful goddess, beloved," Loki said, walking towards her and cupping her chin in his hand. "People just refuse to listen, and that is not your fault. You just keep doing what you are doing and I am sure, more people will begin to follow you."
She smiled sadly, but listened to her lover's words with caution and an open heart.
"You are always their to keep me going," she sighed, touching his hand softly with her delicate fingers.
"I see it as my job now, and one I take seriously and with honor," he replied, making her blush.
She moaned slightly and blinked her eyes a few times. Slowly, her smile began to fade, but Loki was quick to pick up on it, immediately bringing it into discussion.
"What is wrong?" Loki asked, concern etched all over his face.
She dared not to look back up at him, but kept her eyes fixated on the floor. If she stole but a single glance at him, she knew she would cry.
"The God of Mischief and the Goddess of Fidelity," Sigyn said. "Could we be anymore polar opposites?"
Loki didn't say anything. He just bit his bottom lip for he knew where the conversation was going.
"Loki," Sigyn continued and built up her courage, blinking her eyes to his black ones, but fighting back the tears. "It is in your nature. In your blood. It is what you are the god of, and I would never want you to be anything less than what you are. I know you will only ever love me, so I have come to terms with it. Loki ... I do not expect you to be faithful physically, but ... emotionally, spiritually, I know you will always be faithful to me."
Loki shook his head and placed both hands on her face, holding her cheeks delicately in his palms, forcing her to look deeply into his eyes.
"Then you are going to be very surprised," he said, "when we have been married a thousand years and I have still lain with only you."
A small, salty tear fell from her eye, but Loki was quick to wipe it away before it could trail far, and brought his lips to hers.
"I can be faithful," he whispered to her. "And I will be faithful in all meanings of the word. You need not worry about that, beloved, but you must promise me something in return."
"Anything," she agreed willingly.
"Promise me that you will never listen to what I have done through another's lips. That you will only hear it from mine. That you will not believe the lies people tell you about me, and never be afraid to ask me for the truth because that is all you will ever get from me."
The God of Lies promising to only speak true?
It was strange and curious, perplexing and complicated, but Sigyn trusted him above all people because all she has gone through, all she was forced to suffer through; Loki was there. Beside her. Never making her stand alone, and if that wasn't enough to earn his trust, she had no idea what was.
"I promise," she agreed, and the two kissed once more.
"Now," Loki perked up. "Go take a bath, and I will meet you downstairs. I have a few words to discuss with your grandfather."
"What sorts of words?" she asked.
"Nothing we have not spoken of before, beloved. I can handle him, do not fret."
"It is not you I fear for," she teased.
"Oh, your grandfather and I are close," Loki jested, but parts of the statement were true. "All will be fine. Now go wash up."
With another chaste kiss, Sigyn disappeared into the washroom.
As soon as the door shut, Loki waved his hand, forming the quill and writing into the thin air.
Alright. Bring her in.
He dragged his quill through the message and sent it away as he began to move down the wooden stairs, approaching the dinning hall with confidence and excitement in every step.
Surely enough, Njord was already seated at the table, picking away at his breakfast; a plate of bacon with scrambled eggs and seaweed embedded into them. Hey, they were fish people. Vanaheim, when in perfect condition, had vast beaches and the most delectable of seafood. They couldn't go without it for very long.
"Good morning, Lord Njord," Loki bowed his head and took a seat adjacent to the Sea King who sat at the head of the table.
"Good morning, Lord Loki," he smiled purely. "May we be rid of titles, however? I do not believe they are appropriate anymore."
"Agreed," Loki cheered as one of the servant girls stifled up to him, still not use to having him lingering the Vanir castle, that she still get chills when near him.
"Good morning, my Lord," she squeaked shyly. "May I tend to you? Any breakfast for you?"
Loki remembered the girl's name, smiling sweetly at her for he knew of her little crush on him. She was a pretty little thing as well, orange red hair and deep blue eyes.
"Aye, Merida," he replied. "I shall have what the King is having, if you please."
She bowed her head, blushing and fidgeting with her fingers at her great delight in having someone like Loki remember her name.
"Aye, my Lord. I shall be right on it," she said as she shuffled away, but not before Loki showed her his thanks.
"Thank you, Merida."
She attempted to cover behind her hair and freckled face, moving towards the kitchen to hide in the smoke and smells of distraction from her nerves.
"Poor girl is in love with you," Njord commented once he was sure she was out of earshot.
"Is she?" Loki teased. "I have not noticed."
The two shared in some small laughter before they calmed themselves and Loki spoke seriously, but still with a smile on his face.
"You need not worry, Njord, if that is what you fear. She is a pretty lass, indeed, but you know my heart belongs to your granddaughter," Loki assured.
"Aye, if ever a heart belonged to someone. I am impressed with how happy you have made her, and so eternally grateful. She has, however, mentioned her concerns of you physical faithfulness, has she not?" Njord asked with a raised brow and a lowered voice.
"She has, Njord. She has, but I can tell you both honestly that that will never happen. I will stay faithful in all ways. I can swear it."
"No one expects you to be faithful in that way, Loki. You are the God of Mischief and one such as you should never be anything less than what you are."
"And what I am is in love with Sigyn."
Njord showed his teeth with that sharp reply from the young man who sat before him.
"I like that silver tongue of yours and sharp wit in your head, Loki. Keep it up, and you may survive us yet," Njord said as he took in another mouthful of egg.
"I intend to last a long while, Njord, but not alone." Loki leaned in on the table, matching Njord's sea blue eyes to his coal black ones. "You know Sigyn is almost of age to be ..." he trailed off. He needed to make this perfect. "I just wanted to know ..." Loki swallowed hard. "I would like to ask in your permission to marry your granddaughter with your blessing and acceptance and dowry payment."
"Dowry payment?" Njord laughed hysterically, confusing Loki. "Oh, dear boy. Dowry payment is for arranged marriages. Not ones based on love. You need not pay for dowry because Sigyn's happiness is all the dowry I need."
Loki stood from his chair in excitement and threw his arms around the elder god's neck, hugging him tightly and throwing the King off guard.
"A bit out of character, Loki, is it not?" Njord questioned as he patted the red god's back.
"When one is this happy, nothing is out of character," Loki muttered his response into Njord's shoulder and shortly after, released him from his hold.
"I thank you, Njord," Loki said, "from the bottom of my heart."
"As I thank you," the Sea King replied and Loki retook his seat as Merida returned.
"Congratulations, my Lord," she said as she sat the plate down before Loki. And even though she held affections for the god, she was genuine in her spirits, and Loki knew that. She must be close to Sigyn.
"My thanks, Merida," Loki said. "But if you could, let us keep this a secret between us?"
"Oh, of course, my Lord. I would never wish to take away from the Lady Sigyn's excitement. She should only find out through you. Do not worry about me telling her. I shall keep it a secret."
Loki dipped his head and grinned. "I thank you very much. You and Sigyn are close, I take it."
"I am her personal handmaiden, my Lord. I was recently taken in by our good King here after my family sadly perished back home in Vanaheim," Merida explained.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry," Loki said sincerely, but Merida seemingly waved it away.
"Oh no, my Lord, please. They were in so much pain. Poverty and sick. Even prisoners to those that had invaded Vanaheim a few months ago," Merida explained.
"Vanaheim was attacked?" Loki questioned with furrowed brows and shifting eyes between the servant and the King.
"Aye," Njord spoke in lament. "Not too long ago. I have received news of it from one of the Aesir attempting to keep the remaining Vanir safe. Unfortunately, my home realm continues to fall into ruin, and I feel helpless here."
"Oh no, my King," Merida said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "No one blames you. They know you made the right choice by coming here to keep the peace between the Vanir and the Aesir. You are not spoken of with hate back home, but only praise. We admire your bravery and we only wish that others would share in it."
"What happened, Merida?" Loki asked.
"Not too long ago, Muspel troops made their way into Vanaheim, and due to our weakened defenses, we were unable to fight them off. They advanced too far, conquering too much ground that the Vanir fell and the realm was taken. We went into poverty, disease spread, and prisoners were taken. It took several moons for the Muspels to take my family as hostage. They killed my mother and father, but I managed to escape and run into the arms a few Aesir soldiers. They brought me here and my King gave me work. Gave me a home, and for that, I am truly grateful."
Njord smiled sadly and placed a hand on top of Merida's, patting it gently.
"My deepest apologies, Merida. Forgive me, but I was not told of this invasion. I had no idea it was taking place," Loki said, confused and infuriated that such a thing was kept from him when he was the Prince of Asgard.
"What are the Aesir doing about it?" Loki further questioned, to which Merida looked down.
"They were there in the beginning, but they were shortly pulled after the Muspels gained the upper hand and took over. They left," she said.
Loki took her hand in his, and holding it tightly and staring into her hazel blue eyes.
"Merida," he said, "I swear I did not know, but I will do whatever it takes to be sure your family is avenged and your home is given back to you."
"That is all one could ask for. I thank you whole heartedly, my Lord," she said in return.
"Merida," a voice called in enthusiasm.
All looked to the entrance of the hall to spot Sigyn, looking pampered and beautiful. A silken, purple gown over her body, her bouncy curls cascading down her back, her eyes glowing like some newly discovered gold shimmering in the sun, and the silver chain around her neck sparkling.
Loki sighed at the sight of her and grinned.
"How are you this morning?" Sigyn asked the servant, who quickly hid her hand behind her back and paled in fear.
"I-I-I am ... well," she stuttered in nerves. However, Sigyn only laughed and stood before the girl.
"It would not be the first time someone found the man I love to be attractive, Merida. It is quite alright. In fact, I believe it was his handsomeness that we were almost not allowed to be together," Sigyn smirked as she peeked at Loki.
"And what a shame that would be," Merida spoke true. "I really do wish the best for you two, my Lord and Lady. You belong together."
"Thank you, Merida. May I have what everyone else seems to be having?" Sigyn requested, and the servant was quick to respond.
"Oh, of course, my Lady. I shall be on my way." And as Merida turned to leave, Sigyn stopped her.
"Oh, Merida," the golden goddess called.
"Aye, my Lady?"
"I am attending a wedding today, and I am allowed to bring one guest. Seeing as Loki is already invited himself, I see it would be fit for me to ask you to accompany us to the event."
"Oh, my Lady, I am flattered," and she was, "but I do not think it would be appropriate. I mean, I am just a servant. I do not know the bride or the groom. I do not even have a dress to wear and I am sure that a wedding is no event to attend with this servant gown."
"I insist, Merida. As for not knowing the bride or the groom, they are lovely people that belong to a lovely family that I think you will find to be lovely." Both Loki and Merida shared in a chuckle at Sigyn's jests. "As for a gown, I am sure you can fit into one of mine," Sigyn said, pushing the girl to accept the invitation.
"Really, my Lady, I-"
"Merida," Sigyn cut her off, but in a dear and loving matter, "I will not take no for an answer, and I will make the request an order, if I must." She was jesting, it was clear, but Merida was taken in.
"Thank you, very much, my Lady. If that is what you wish, I shall attend as your guest," Merida complied, and did her best to subdue her excitement, but it wasn't working out well. The large grin on her face exposed her emotions, lightening up the atmosphere even more than it already was.
"And one more thing," Sigyn spoke. "We are not to use formality. You are attending as my friend. Not as my servant."
"Aye, my Lady." The girl then shuffled away into the kitchen to prepare a dish once more.
"That girl deserves the night out," Sigyn said as she stood before her grandfather. "She works so hard and lost so much." She smiled at the Sea King and brought her lips to his check.
"Morning, grandfather," she said to which the elder god smiled.
"Good morning, my darling," he said in response.
Sigyn took the seat across from Loki as footsteps came clattering into the room. As just well, Fanrir came bounding into the room with his bother wrapped around his belly and back, resting his green head atop of his brother's fluffy one.
"Good morning, boys," Loki smirked as the wolf pup made his way straight to his father.
"Oh, no," Merida called from the archway of the kitchen to the dinning hall. "My apologies, my Lord. I tried to keep them in the other room. They have already been fed and I thought you may desire a peaceful breakfast, in no disrespect. They are lovey and so sweet."
Loki merely snickered as he scratched behind his son's fluffy ear and stroked his other's green head between his eyes.
"That is quite alright, Merida. They will be no trouble," Loki assured. And so the girl returned to the kitchen.
Loki looked up to Njord, who was grinning at the two monsters before him, being tenderly massaged by their father.
"I hope they have not been too much trouble, Njord. But I did not trust leaving them in my chambers," Loki explained.
"They have been no trouble at all, Loki, and have been great company. Fanrir is very wise and his brother is beautiful. You should be very proud of them both," Njord implied, and to that, Loki nodded in pride.
"I am proud of them. They are nothing short of extraordinary."
"Indeed not."
In that moment, a much older Vanir man entered the hall and bowed before them all. "My Lord, you have visitors. The Lord Loki's servant and a few of his friends," he said to which Loki and Njord shared a smirk while Sigyn was left in the dark.
"Send them in," Njord ordered, to which the man bowed once more and left to tend to the door.
"Sit, Fanrir," Loki ordered his son, to which the wolf pup obeyed and the snake wrapped tightly around his brother, lovingly, but not too intense as to stop breathing or circulation.
"What is it?" Sigyn asked, knowing something was up. "Who is with him?"
Loki and Njord kept it tightlipped, leaving Sigyn guessing and turning in her chair to see Fandrid, all spiffy in a golden and black attire. A bright, golden tunic, comparable to Sigyn's eyes with a pair of midnight black breeches the color of Fanrir's fur. A matching cape flowed behind him, and his boots extended up to his knees. Golden and black belts buckled across his chest and torso, and no symbol of Odin or Loki was present. He even had a sword strapped to his hip.
But it was understandable why he was dressed like that. His brother was getting married that day, and it was a formal event, no matter how poor the family was. However, the peculiar thing was the two standing behind him, looking to Loki with a glisten of nostalgia in their eyes.
A woman, not much older than Sigyn, stood to Fandrid's right, and she was a beautiful creature. Her hair was a fire color; a red base with orange highlights, making it seem lively and flickering in the sunlight, and yet it was straight, almost like a pin. Her skin was immensely tan, copper even, and her eyes were a deep green color, the same as Loki's snake son's scales. Her nose was slightly pointed, but no less petite, and her cheekbones were well defined as her lips were pouted. No doubt she was beautiful in ever meaning of the word, as she was tiny and wore a silken orange gown.
The man beside her, off to Fandrid's left, was strikingly similar to Loki. There were only a few differences. This man's hair was jet black, the color of Loki's eyes. His skin was just as dark as the female's and his eyes were so one-of-a-kind; a black base, but slight flickers of orange, almost like embers were dancing within them. They were really quite extraordinary. He was also dressed in oranges and ember colors, boots up to his knee and sword on his hip. He was immensely handsome, and strikingly attractive, but not as so as Loki. More in a fiery, natural way was this man appealing. If fire had a face, he was it.
"Good morning Sigyn, Loki, my Lord," Fandrid bowed to Njord.
"Hello, Fandrid," Sigyn perked. "You look amazing."
"As do you, as always, Sigyn," Fandrid spoke in response, making the golden goddess bat her eyes.
"Sigyn," Loki spoke up. "I would like you to meet my two good friends." Loki stood up and got beside the young man, who had to be the same age as Loki, and the two could be mistaken for brothers.
"This here," Loki said as he patted the male's shoulder, "is my good friend, Logi."
Sigyn's jaw dropped.
"And this here," Loki continued as he walked around to the woman, placing a hand on her shoulder as well. "This is my good friend, and my ex, Glut."
Oh gosh. This was much.
"A pleasure to finally meet you, Sigyn," Glut spoke with a heavy accent. "I have only heard great things about you. When Loki and I last spoke, he would not stop speaking of your beauty and I can see, he has not lied as he usually does."
"Nice. Thank you, Glut," Loki said with a roll of his eyes.
"I only speak true, Loki," Glut countered. "But in any case, I can see Sigyn is very special."
"She is." Loki looked to his love and told her just how special she was with the look in his eyes.
"Remember our wedding day, darling?" Logi spoke up, caring the same heavy accent that Glut did. "Loki could not cease in his chatter of this beautiful woman, and just how much he wanted to be with her." He made his way towards Sigyn, whose cheeks had become a deep red from all the compliments she was receiving. "I can see now as to why that is," he concluded as he took Sigyn's hand in his and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. "A pleasure to finally meet you in person, dear Sigyn."
"Oh, no, the pleasure is all mine. Please, sit and relax. We will be leaving shortly," Sigyn offered to which the three visitors complied.
"Grandfather," Sigyn said as she turned her attention to him, "you knew of their coming here?"
The elder god smirked in a teasing manner, as Loki usually did, and Sigyn caught on to the conspiracy.
"Loki mentioned how you wished to meet them, and so asked if it would be alright you met them here. As for me, I met these two last night, whilst you were asleep," Njord explained.
"Loki," Sigyn said, now facing him. "I told you I wished to meet Glut two moons ago. How quickly did you step on the task?"
Loki shrugged with a smile. "Can I be blamed for my efforts?" he questioned. "I want to make you happy, and this was the way to make you happy, so I got right on it."
"You cannot blame him entirely, Sigyn," Glut jumped in as Merida set a plate down before her. "We desired to meet you just as deeply and eagerly."
"Can I get you anything, my Lords and Ladies?" Merida questioned to which Glut replied; "No, thank you, dear girl. My husband and I ate before we arrived." Merida bowed her head and returned to her post.
"I wanted to ask you so many questions," Sigyn stated, no longer hungry. "It is just, now, they all have escapen me."
"Do not fret, Sigyn," Logi said. "I am sure they will return as the day progresses. Speaking of which, we must be leaving soon. Alvis and Jarl have requested our help in just adding a few finishing touches."
"Of course," Sigyn said, pushing her plate away.
"Oh, dear," Logi said, "that does not mean you have to forget breakfast. Please, sit and eat."
"Oh, no. I am far from hungry now. Surprises make me that way. And, besides, Merida has to be given a dress," Sigyn stated.
"Oh, the beautiful girl who was just in here?" Glut perked, clear that she was still young in that moment.
"Yes. I invited her as my guest. She is very sweet."
"She seems so. Oh, may I please help you in pampering her? I love doing such things." Yup. Glut was still young and still into dressing up other girls like they were dolls and sharing in gossip.
"Of course. Yes, that would be great. Come," Sigyn answered, truly aesthetic to get to know the woman more and converse with her as if they had known each other for years and years when they had just met.
The two girls scurried off to fetch Merida and doll her up like they were five again, and they even walked arm in arm, making both Loki and Logi smile in delight.
"I am very happy for you, Master," Logi muttered to his savior. "She really is something else."
"Indeed," Loki agreed with a fluttering heart.
"Before we get going," Fandrid interrupted, "I will be outside having a morning smoke. Care to join me, Logi?"
"Of course."
The two men left the table, leaving Njord and Loki to share in the silence and, for the first time, merriment in that hall.
"I will do what I can about your home realm, Njord," Loki said. "I promise."
The Sea King bowed his head and stared at Loki as though he was his own flesh and blood.
"Thank you, Loki," he grumbled in his raspy morning voice. "Thank you, for everything. And you should know, from this day on, I will always be on your side."
Loki smiled and looked down at his children, gifted by their presence and Njord's words.
"You have no idea," Loki whispered as he shifted his sights back to Njord, "how much that means to me."
And it was the truth.
Sorry it's a bit short, but much happens in chapter 2, which will be up next week. Thank you guys for coming back and I hope you enjoy the story just as much as you did before. As always, any questions, comments, concerns or what have you, feel free to message me or leave it in a review. Thanks again guys!