.
"There's a boat," Frigga says, after a suitably dramatic pause. Sitting at her feet, both of her sons perk up.
Thor nudges Loki, and Frigga hides a smile. Her oldest seems to be under the impression that he is not supposed to speak when she reads her tapestries. Of course, he is quick to forget this and speak anyway.
"What more, Mother?" Loki says, upon Thor's prompting. His curiosity is better restrained than his brother's, but Frigga thinks it is even greater. She has taught him the basics of weaving, and he is strong in seior. One day, he may weave tapestries of his own.
"You are on the boat, my son," she says, "And so are you, Thor."
"Are we on a quest!" Thor burbles, miming a raised sword. Thankfully, the guards still don't let him wear his practice sword around the palace, but that will come soon enough. Thor is growing up into a warrior. As his mother, Frigga feels proud, and more than a little bit worried.
"You are," she says and turns back to the picture for more details. She wonders if she should mention the beautiful maiden who lies on the floor of the boat; better not, she decides, as there is only one maiden, and the two are prone to bickering. Even as she watches the threads, Thor and Loki squabble.
Under her fingers, the tapestry is shifting to a different scene.
"Ah," Frigga makes a sound of exasperation. "Your clumsy mother has crossed her threads again. Go to, boys, isn't it time for your lunch?"
Her words are enough to send Thor hurtling towards the door, but Loki lingers. Oh, her clever little boy, he knows that Mother doesn't easily "cross of her threads."
He looks to be wondering if he should sneak a peek. "A quest, you said, Mother?"
"A quest," she says.
Loki doesn't have Thor's love for quests. She watches him shrug off his curiosity and accede to Thor's bellowing of "Loki! Lunch! Loki!'
"Thank you, Mother," Loki says. He adds, "Our thanks from both of us."
Together they turn to look at Thor, who is waiting impatiently in the outer corridor. They share a smile.
"Now run along and eat your lunch, Loki," she says. "And no tricks."
"Mother?" He widens his eyes at her. Tricks? Who, me?
"I love you with all my heart, child," she says, "but you do need to work on looking innocent."
Loki gives her a small, rapier-like smile. "I'll get better, Mother," he promises.
"Just what has me worried!"
Chuckling, Frigga reaches out to ruffle his hair.
Loki ducks her hand and gives her a short bow, and then he's speeding out of the room towards Thor. But at her doorway he pauses, as if stricken by a thought. "Love you too, Mother," he says hastily.
"I know, Loki dear."
She watches him run off. Only as his footsteps fade does she glance back down at the tapestry - this won't be one for her walls.
"I know," she says, again.
