"Your daughter, she's..." Koli paused, handing the tiny, light blue baby with light blue hair into Lifa's large blue arms.

"Beautiful." Lifa spoke, taking her daughter into her arms. "Oh Dagr, come and see how lovely she is. She has your skin, and my hair."

Dagr walked beside his wife and bent down to look at his tiny daughter. Dagr smiled, and gently stroked the side of her cheek.

"My sweet daughter, my little Glut. Thank you, Koli," Dagr said as he kissed Glut's forehead. "She's perfect."

Koli felt envy. Not for himself, but for Loki and Farbauti. Weeks had past. The month was almost over. Koli had found a nurse, Kelda of the Temple who took care of war orphans with nurses along with their own children. He knew the prince would be safe, but he was more worried for Farbauti. Laufey has ignored her and Loki, and would give Koli a glare as sharp as a blade whenever he stopped by to see them. He would've stopped coming by, if not for Farbauti.
Farbauti loved Loki dearly. She would kiss his little hands and face, hold him close to her heart and sung him a lullaby every night. Koli watched them both with joy, but he it didn't last. Koli knew that Laufey would never accept his son. Koli had to take Loki. Just the thought of it made Koli clench his fists and grind his teeth. He hated Laufey. Everything was his fault. He was the one that brought the war. He was the one that made Jotunheim weak by taking the Casket of Ancient Winters. And he was the reason why Farbauti suffered.

"Dagr," Koli spoke. "I wish to speak with you alone."

Dagr stood up. "Of course, friend."

The two walked out of the bedroom to the empty seating room. Dagr took a bottle of iced wine and poured two goblets of the blue liquid for the two of them. Koli didn't drink much, but he took it anyway.

"Is it something about my daughter?" Dagr asked as he sat down on his bear-fur covered chair.

"No." Koli said sitting down in a dark chair. "I want to ask your opinion of something that has been on my mind."

Dagr took a sip of wine. "Which is?"

Koli cleared his throat, and listened if anyone was nearby. "How do you really feel about Laufey?"

Dagr said nothing, buy took a long sip from his goblet. When he finished he put it aside and poured it to the brim again. He went forward, sighing loudly as he rubbed his face.

"Don't lie to me Dagr." Koli said with a firm voice. "You, like any other one of our brethren, should be upset one way or another."

Dagr grumbled lowly. "Even if I am, Koli, I have a sworn duty to protect the Royal Family and Jotunheim. "

"Are Loki and Farbauti not of the Royal Family?" Koli asked, a little louder. "And is keeping Jotunhiem from falling apart not protecting it?"

"And what are you hinting at-" Dagr stood up and walked over to him. "Friend?"

"There have been confessions in the temple. The desires of the people." Koli spoke. "Dagr, some speak of King Laufey's... Unfavorable decisions."

"Koli, you do not speak of a rebellion, do you?"

Koli held the goblet to his lips and took a mouthful and swallowed. "No. But I want you, and the other high ranking generals, to try and talk some sense into him."

"Even if we did, Koli, Laufey would accuse us of treason." Dagr growled lowly. "And have us executed." He then sighed, and finished his wine. "I wish I could, Koli. I love my daughter, even if she is a runt, and I feel pity and sympathy for Loki. But I need to protect my family. I am truly sorry."

The two stayed quiet for awhile. Dagr looked down at his hollow cup as the last drops of wine began to freeze. Koli sighed, he looked down and swept his hand across his ragged head. Koli stood up, and bowed.

"I'm sorry." He said quietly. "I should have been more sensitive." He straightened his back." I shall take my leave."

Koli simply put down his goblet, and left the room.

Koli rode through Mirror Valley on his White Stag, Bjartr. The valley was called so because it was between two glaciers so smooth and shiny, Koli could see himself two-thousand times over on both sides. It was the shortest way to the Crystal Palace. He would pass other riders, trade caravans and guards, but he talked to none. It was hard to tell time in Jotunhiem if you jut looked up at the sky, but if you held a chunk of ice up and see how much light it reflected you could tell. When Koli held one up, it barely reflected, it was getting late.
Farbauti, who managed to strike a deal with Laufey, had instructed the servants to keep a room for Koli whenever he came. Koli rode up to the icicle-like gates. Looking up, the tallest tower, the Comet's Pillar, was lit with the blue light of the Casket of Ancient Winters.

"Who approaches?" A voice from the guard tower boomed.

"Koli Tryggrson!"

"Your business?"

"I am here to see Queen Farbauti!"

The guard went into the tower for a few minutes before emerging again. "Come in!"

The gates lowered into the ground, allowing Koli to gallop through. He tied Bjartr to the stable filled with Frost Hay and icicles to lick, then walked into the Hall of Kings. Servants scurried around the place, combing furs with fish combs and sweeping up broken ice and snow. Not many cared that Koli was there, but some servants looked at him with a shine of fear. They were the ones that knew of the prince, and Koli's resistance against Laufey. No one wanted to be associated with the prince or Koli. It meant disobedience. Disobedience meant prison, or worse, being sent to the front lines of the battle that Jotunhiem was loosing. The only reason Koli was still on Jotunheim was because of his friendship to Dagr.
He walked up the jagged stairs, all the way to the top of the Palace where most of the storage was. At the end of the hall was a door with metal bolts and thick ice, a great place to hide something. Or someone. Koli knocked on the door three times, then paused for a couple seconds, then knocked five times.

"Come in Koli." Farbauti spoke.

Koli opened the door into the nursery. It was a small, simple room. Nothing like the grand room Koli had seen that was made for Loki originally. It had a small crib, a chair covered in fur, a small toy chest and a makeshift closet filled with small clothes. Farbauti sat on the chair, cradling Loki in white fox fur. He cooed gently, and raised his small arms to grasp his mother's long fingers. Koli smiled warmly at them. It always made him happy to see Farbauti with Loki.

He bowed. "My Queen, my Prince."

"Oh stop it Koli." Farbauti chuckled. "You should not bow to us. You have been a great help."

"Not to be rude, my Queen, you both deserve it." Koli said as got up.

"Loki, look, it's Koli."

Loki turned his head, cooed and smiled. Loki had familiarized himself with Koli's voice and face as a friend, which made Koli happy. But unfortunately and fortunately it would make the transition between living with Farbauti and living with Koli easier. Koli smiled and knelt down next to Loki an gently stroked his face with two of his fingers. Loki responded by wrapping his tiny fingers around his large ones.

"Loki's always happy to see you." Farbauti spoke with a smile.

"If only his father was like him." Koli stated.

Farbauti stopped smiling and looked down at her son. "The month is almost over."

"I know." Koli said in a hushed tone. "I... I found a nurse."

Farbauti said nothing, but held Loki closer. She stood up and walked towards the small window that overlooked the glaciers.

"Koli, can you promise me something?"

"Anything, my Queen."

Loki cooed and Farbauti looked at him. "If he has to go... Tell him, his mother will find him, and that we will be together one day."

Koli walked up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. "And I am sure you will."

Farbauti looked at him with soft eyes. "I cannot thank you enough, Koli. All you have been is kind and caring towards us."

"I would gladly give my life for you and Loki." Koli spoke, looking into her eyes.

The two became quiet. The only noise in the room was Loki's coos and babbles. Koli sighed heavily, still looking at Farbauti. Then looked to the door.

"It's getting late, I'll got to my room and see you tomorrow." He said.

"Of course. Thank you Koli." Farbauti nodded, speaking a bit quickly.

Koli walked out of the room ad carefully shut the door behind him.

Koli laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He didn't feel like sleeping. He had a whirlwind of emotions twisted up inside of him. The pressure that Laufey put on him, the trust Farbauti placed in him, the fear of failing. Of Laufey winning. Of Farbauti sobbing, broken on the ground, holding a tiny lifeless-

"No Koli!" His mind shouted. "It will not happen. Not while you live."

"Not while I live. He will not die." Koli repeated aloud.

"Trying to boost your own morale? How pathetic." A voice chuckled.

Koli sat up, Laufey's telltale red eyes and menacing smile greeted him in the doorway.

"What in the Nine Realms do you want?" Koli asked sharply.

"In case you've forgotten who you are speaking to, Koli, I am the King and I can end your worthless life in an instant." Laufey threatened in a growl.

Koli swore inwardly. "What is your desire..." He gritted his teeth. "My King?"

"You are to take the runt to the Temple." Laufey grinned. "Tonight."

Koli leaped off the bed, stood up and materialized a large blade on his arm. "I thought we had an agreement!"

"Oh, but we do, Koli." Laufey crossed his arms behind his back and walked slowly toward him. "I agreed to give you one month to find a nurse for the runt. Which you fulfilled."

Koli narrowed his eyes. "You had someone listen in on Loki's room."

"His name is not Loki!" Laufey snapped. "That boy is dead."

"Only in your eyes!"

Laufey rammed into Koli's stomach. Koli lurched back, breathless. Laufey pinned him to the wall, the sharp, cold tip of his blade grazed his neck.

"Listen you lowlife peasant." Laufey hissed in his face. "Either you take the runt away tonight, or I shall take him away forever."

Koli withdrew the blade on his arm back into his skin. "Yes... My king."

Laufey smiled and dropped Koli on the ground. "Now, on your way."

Koli stood up, dusted off some snow and picked up his belongings. He looked at Laufey again. His smile was like a sideways gash in the ice, his eyes glowed and flickered with pride. Koli turned his back on the king and walked out of the room. Walking down the hall, dimly lit by blue glowing sconces and lanterns, Koli cursed the King.

"He can go off the war and die for all I care." Koli whispered between pants.

Koli ascended the stairs quickly. He finally reached the top and walked across to the end of the hall. He knocked three times, paused.

"Koli, come in. I know."

Koli took a deep sigh and walked into the room. Farbauti sat on the chair with a blank expression, looking down at her child.

"Then you already know." Koli spoke softly. "It's time."

She continued to look down as Loki cooed. "My son is such a quiet baby, but when he cries he's so sorrowful."

"My Queen?"

"I know Koli, Laufey came in shortly after you left. I've... prepared." She pointed to a fur sack. "I put Loki's favorite toys, clothes and blankets in there." Koli nodded and picked it up. "He especially likes white fox fur."

"I'll make sure he gets it. "

"I already nursed him." She whispered. "I... I'm glad I got to be close to him one last time."

"It won't be the last time." Koli walked up to her and put his hand over hers. "We'll find a way."

She sighed softly. "I hope we do." She gently rocked Loki, who still cooed quietly. "I still can't believe that he has to go."

Koli felt his heart pound. Every part of his body down to the last drop of blood did not want to take Loki away from his mother. He often thought of convincing Farbauti to flee with Loki, but he knew that the king had a collection of hunting animals: a pack of wolves with excellent tracking abilities, the fastest racing stag in Jotunhiem and a merciless bear merely for war. He would not risk the lives of Farbauti and Loki.

"Please Farbauti, take all the time you need."

"Thank you Koli." She said quietly. "I'll sing him to sleep, I don't want him to see..."

Koli didn't know how to react. He just looked at Farbauti and Loki as she hummed a soft, slow tune.

"Hush little one, please don't you cry,
may no more tears, fall from your eye.

The moon is out shining now,
the owls are out dining now.

Please go to sleep,
no longer weep.

The crystal bells, hear them ring,
with the song that I sing.

So you may get rest,
it is for the best.

Little one always know,
how much I love you so..."

She stopped, Loki was already dozing off. She looked into his beautiful crimson eyes as they flashed at her one last time before they shut. Tears fell from her eyes. Koli and Farbauti knew, the might be that she saw those eyes. Her lips trembled ad grudgingly parted as she struggled to finish the song.

"And when the night is done,
I'll see you little one."

She stayed quiet as she laid Loki in a small, wooden cot and covered him with a white fox fur. She bent down and kissed him on his little lips and gently stroked his tiny knuckles. He could barely hear the whisper that rolled off her lips.

"You are beautiful you are perfect. No matter where you are, what you do or who you become, I will always love you, my Little Loki."

She stood up slowly, as if her joints were weighed down upon. Farbauti turned to look out the window, staring to the glaciers as she did before. Koli said nothing, but approached the wooden cot where Loki slept.

"Take him, Koli. Before Laufey comes and does it himself." Her voice was low, thick with sorrow, but clear. She was holding back her tears with all her might.

"I promise, I'll look after Loki as if he were my own." Koli vowed, he meant it with every fiber of his being.

"Thank you Koli. For everything."

Koli picked up the cot, slowly and carefully with both arms. He looked at Farbauti, who still stared outside, not even turning her neck. She did not want to watch him leave. Quietly, so not to wake Loki, Koli slowly opened the door and shut it behind him. The hall was empty, no one else would bid the little Prince goodbye. Koli slowly walked down the hall and descended the stairs with great care. Then he heard it. A loud, yet muffled cry. It was of sorrow, and despair. He knew it was Farbauti.
Koli could do nothing. But he realized, looking at Loki's peaceful face and hearing Farbauti's heart retching wail, that Jotunheim would be doomed. Laufey was mad with power and desperate, Farbauti was broken and weakened, and there was no king to lead Jotunheim in the future. He had to do something. He just didn't know what.