Chapter 2. Be Mindful of Unreasonable Expectations and Pregnancy Scares

Thor and Loki were both on the cusp of adulthood when Frigga started hearing murmurs and questions about why Thor was never seen with a maiden. Loki's dalliances were never questioned—everyone knew Loki liked his secrets. Not to mention that as of late, Loki was increasingly being labeled as ergi, something which made Frigga want to bring the whole of Asgard down in fury and frustration. She hated that stupid word.

For his part, Loki seemed to mostly take it in stride—but things were never as it seemed with Loki.

Thor, however... He was a mighty warrior. He had already been entrusted with Mjolnir despite his young age and he had proven his valor on the field of battle countless times, much to Frigga's dismay. Why would he not want to look into courtship?

Naturally, Frigga knew the reason why Thor did not show interest in maidens. His heart was already set on someone. Frigga had already instructed both Thor and Loki on what was appropriate for young men their age. And it was a good thing she had done so, because whatever Odin had told them clearly hadn't sufficed to clarify their confusion.

They were discreet, which Frigga naturally attributed to Loki since Thor was terrible at keeping secrets. Also, Thor was naturally tactile, so nobody thought it was unusual if Thor pulled his brother close or hugged him a little too tightly. Yes, maybe they were a little too old for such displays, but they'd grown up together. It wasn't like anyone could ever guess that Thor and Loki had any sort of... intimate relationship beyond that of siblings.

They had their close calls, though, and Frigga watched them like a hawk at every feast they now attended. This particular celebration didn't actually... celebrate anything, but it did mark another moment of "oh no" on Frigga's mental calendar.

A wench Frigga didn't recognize decided it was a good idea to seek Thor's attentions by plopping herself into his lap. Thor's eyes widened and he immediately tried to remove her. Loki was, naturally, right there. He didn't seem to be paying attention—he was half-turned toward Fandral—but Frigga could tell his nonchalance was completely fake. He was definitely watching.

From the distance, Frigga couldn't see what was happening. She was trying to figure out if there was a way she could step in without embarrassing Thor and possibly causing a scandal that would topple the house of Odin when Loki turned. He blinked in apparent surprise when he saw the woman on Thor's lap. His hand gently landed on her elbow.

Frigga was on her feet in seconds, leaving an illusionary double in her seat. She quickly moved through the crowd and got to her sons' table just in time to hear Loki say, "Lady, your attentions are appreciated, but I'm afraid my brother cannot assist you in what you seek."

Thor glared at Loki. "Brother..."

"I know..." Loki let out a heavy sigh. "I know you didn't want to discuss this, but it is for the best, Thor. You see, my dear lass, my brother's control of the thunder does not come without a price. It is a very difficult task, one which only a great warrior can accomplish. But his strength... Well, you understand that in the bed chambers, especially with one as lovely as yourself... Control is in short supply."

"Loki..." Thor buried his face in his hands, obviously embarrassed.

Loki's voice was barely a whisper, so low that only the wench, Thor and perhaps Fandral could hear it. Still, Frigga had no doubt that by tomorrow, the story Loki so skillfully spun would be all over the palace.

Frigga hid a smile and returned to her table. She really should have trusted Loki more. Of course Loki would manage to make Thor look good and keep Thor for himself in one fell swoop. Her little God of Mischief.

Weirdly, though, Loki's excuse proved to be somewhat prophetic, and given all their adventures, something was bound to go wrong.

In hindsight, they should have known better than to involve Loki in the matter of the wall. But truly, Asgard was often so unreasonable when it came to Loki. He was so much wiser than his age suggested, and people simply tended to... forget that he had not yet reached adulthood.

That day, Odin had Loki and Thor sit in for the Thing. They were meant to be paying attention, but Frigga was suspicious. Thor didn't look any different than the way he usually did, but if Frigga looked a little closer... Was he an illusion? What were they doing?

"Thor, Loki... What is your opinion on the matter?" Odin asked.

Again, his inquiry was not unusual. Thor blinked and stared at Odin. His face suddenly looked a little flushed. Loki was smiling slightly, and Frigga suspected that even her youngest hadn't been listening to an important matter of state.

Frigga suppressed the urge to rub her temples. As responsible and wise as Loki could be, he was still only a young man, with certain urges and far more recklessness than Frigga would have liked. Sigh. She would have to discuss the matter with him later. She didn't think it would have been possible for him to hide actual intercourse—and he wouldn't have risked it in front of the Thing—but he had been up to some mischief, of that he was certain.

"Would complying with the Frost Giant's request be so out of the question?" Loki asked. Apparently, he was not completely oblivious to what had been going on.

"Loki, he asked for the sun, moon and stars," Odin said. Frigga suspected Loki hadn't heard that tidbit.

"Well, yes, but what if we gave him an unreasonable deadline? If he doesn't complete the quest in time, we would not be forced to pay."

"Hmm..." Tyr mused. "That could work."

"It would be dishonest," Forseti argued, "but we could compensate him with something more reasonable further along the line."

Frigga would have argued that there was no real point to recruit the Jotun Svadilfari to begin with. Asgard had capable workers, and they could bring in dwarves if it was needed.

Svadilfari's assistance was not strictly necessary. But for whatever reason—Frigga suspected that Odin was trying to somehow mend the rift between Asgard and Jotunheim—Odin insisted on it, so, it was agreed upon that they would go through with Loki's plan. What they did not realize at the time was that Svadilfari was a powerful mage and a shape-shifter. The deadline he was given was more than enough to finish the wall.

When the work was almost complete, the Thing assembled again in a panic. Obviously, they could not give Svadilfari the sun, the moon and the stars, so new negotiations were needed.

Whoever went to discuss the matter was an idiot, because the next thing Frigga knew, Odin was telling Loki, "He asked for you. He wishes to be... your paramour."

Loki's face went studiously blank. Thor was on his feet in moments. "He dares! He will die for this transgression."

Thor's eyes filled with the might of thunder. Mjolnir crackled with power. Outside, dark clouds were already gathering.

Loki took hold of Thor's wrist. "I take it you agreed on the terms."

Forseti threw his hands up—and of course it had been him. "I had no choice. Besides, it was your plan to begin with."

It had been a plan the Thing had agreed to. Frigga was ready to protest, to jump to her son's defense. Loki spoke first. "Tell me what it was that he said exactly."

Forseti looked uncomfortable. "He said that... He had heard of your great magic. And he wishes to have you as his own."

Lightning lit up the skies. Loki's hold on Thor tightened. "He is a shape-shifter, you said. He has used his skill in transforming into a horse to assist him in his work."

Forseti was obviously confused. "Yes."

Loki nodded, as if he'd just come to a decision. "I will deal with this. Thor, with me."

Thor and Loki left, and later, a new deal was struck. Loki went to Svadilfari himself. He explained that he was not comfortable with yielding while in his normal form, but he was intrigued by Svadilfari's shape-shifting, and he was willing to come to Svadilfari as a mare.

Svadilfari was thrilled. Asgard was horrified. The clouds above the palace were perpetually dark.

On the day Svadilfari finished the wall, Thor joined them. A beautiful black mare trotted by his side. Her eyes were green—Loki's green.

Svadilfari gave her a lustful look. "My prize. I will enjoy myself very much."

He shifted into his horse shape, a massive steed bigger than any horse Frigga had ever seen. The mare took off, and Svadilfari ran after her. They disappeared together into the forest.

Nobody knew what to say. Odin looked pale. His hold on Gungnir was very tight. He had obviously expected Loki to come up with some sort of trick at the last moment.

Thor launched himself into the air, his hammer lighting up with the power of lightning. Frigga watched him go.

She wondered how no one realized that Thor would have let Asgard fall before he'd allowed his brother to sell himself in that manner.

The mare returned a long while later. She was heavy with child—Svadilfari's child—and she was obviously having trouble. The foal couldn't be very old, but he was already quite massive.

Frigga led the mare into the stables. As soon as they were behind closed doors, the illusion cloaking Loki faded—and another black mare popped up next to the pregnant one.

Loki turned back to his usual self. He was grinning, wide and bright. Frigga rolled her eyes at his antics. "Loki, this was too much, even for you."

"To be fair, Mother, I only told him I would come to him as a mare—which I did. It was not my fault that he mistook my construct of magic for me."

Despite herself, Frigga couldn't help but burst into laughter. "You are too clever by far, my little Silver Tongue." She sobered and cupped his smooth cheek. So young still. "What if it had not worked?"

"We were going to go with Thor's plan." Loki shrugged. "You know as well as I do, Mother, that Thor would have never let Svadilfari have me."

"Still, everyone thinks that you did go with the Jotun, and they have seen the pregnant mare arrive."

Loki waved a hand dismissively. "Yes, well, I admit I made the construct a little too good. But I will dissipate her once the foal is born. And if they think the foal is mine... Well, what does it matter? Someone will have to raise it since his actual mother will be gone. And I think..." Loki's smile was soft. "He will make a fine steed. A steed worthy of a king."

And so it was that everyone—except Frigga, Thor, Odin and quite possibly Heimdall—continued to believe in Loki's lie, and Sleipnir became Lokison.