Long Lost Love Ch.1
Nine Years Later
The handmaidens helped Freya, now fifteen, into her dress of deep red and dark gray. Once she was dressed she shooed the maids away, politely. Sitting herself in front of her vanity she went to fussing with her hair. She was having a private lunch with her parents and brothers to discuss her birthday and coronation. She was turning sixteen, signifying womanhood, and she was to be officially crowned princess. To say the least, she dreaded it.
Her brothers loved the celebrations in their honor, Thor especially and Loki didn't necessarily protest it. Freya liked parties, sure, but she didn't like them being about her. Not many actually new of her significance to the Royal family, though they knew her name. Only the nobles really knew who she was.
When Freya decided that she looked well enough to be in her father's presence she left her room. Thor and Loki were already waiting in the hall for her. Loki two years older and Thor three, and in another year he would be coronated as king.
"Good afternoon, brothers." Freya said, taking the arm Thor offered her as they turned down the hall to make the journey to the dining hall.
"To you as well, sister. Are you nervous?" Freya rolled her eyes at his silly question. She could feel Loki do the same behind them.
"Why would I be nervous? It is only our parents." She turned to find Loki but he stayed steadily in her blind spot. "Don't you agree Loki?" Freya reached her hand out behind herself, she needed to know that Loki was there. When she felt his palm land in her's she relaxed.
"Of course, Freya. How could you be scared of the All Father?" The sarcasm in his tone only served to annoy Thor, but Freya smiled at their usual bickering that she'd happily admit she's started on the occasion.
She left them to bicker as she fell into her thoughts. She wasn't nervous as much as she was worried. So many things would change. Needing to gain the people's support was one thing, not just the courtier's but the villagers outside the palace as well. Along with the official title would come the suitors, most of them insincere. Only wanting to marry her for her high status. Freya glanced quickly to Loki. No. She decided. She wouldn't marry, not yet, even if Odin forced her too.
Lunch was painfully formal. There were pleasant greetings followed by idle chatter between bites of food. Thor talked the most to Frigga and Odin while Freya and Loki simple ate their meal, waiting for the inevitable conversation to come. It was moments and situations like this that she wished she was sitting next to Loki instead of across from him.
"Freya? Darling, are you listening?" Freya shook her thoughts away, and looked to her mother
"I'm sorry mother. I wasn't. What was it you asked?" Frigga smiled at her daughter, and spared a glance to Loki. They had been looking at each other frequently without saying a word. She thought, for a moment, that they were communicating telepathically, but neither of them seemed to be paying enough attention to anything to be focused on mental communication.
"I was wondering if we should discuss your birthday." Freya looked down at her lap quickly before looking up with a forced smile on her face.
"Of course, mother." Freya responded compliantly. Loki stood then, startling everyone at the table.
"Please excuse me." Was all he said before abruptly leaving the dining hall. Freya wanted to call after him, she needed him there for this conversation. She needed her best friend. Frigga saw the worried look on her daughter's face as Loki left. She knew how uncomfortable this all was for Freya and she needed all the support she could get. Loki must have known this, especially with how close the two siblings were. Frigga shook her head nonchalantly.
"Alright then. First things first."
After a long and rather stressing day, Freya was preparing for bed with the help of her maid, Henna. Freya wasn't just physically drained, she was emotionally drained as well and apparently Henna could tell.
"Long day, M' Lady?" Henna asked as she pulled the covers down on the bed. Freya was standing in front of the fire place, wrapped in her dressing gown. Her scarlet hair was braided down her back
"Is it that obvious?" Freya turned and Henna came to stand before her.
"I have been serving you for years, M' Lady. I'd be blind if I couldn't tell by now." Freya nodded before turning back to the fire place. "Will that be all?"
"Yes, Henna, that's all. Thank you."
"Goodnight M' Lady." Henna left for the door. Freya wasn't watching, only listening for the sound of the door closing. "Prince Loki!" Henna exclaimed, which made Freya whirl around. He was standing in the doorway, hands behind his back. Henna looked to Freya for what to do.
"It's alright, Henna. Let him in and you may go." Henna nodded sharply, and scurried from the room. "You should be more careful Loki. Someone might start a rumor."
"Henna is too loyal for that." He had closed the door and come to stand beside Freya. He slipped his hand in her's, the other still held behind his back. "I do apologize for leaving you to fend for yourself in there, but I had an important errand to run."
"It is alright. I understand you wouldn't have left unless you needed to. Of course it was rather amusing when Thor attempted to support me." Loki chuckled and tugged on her hand to pull her to sit on the settee behind them. They sat hand in hand, watching the fire flicker and crackle. "What errand did you need to run?" Freya asked after a few minutes, she watched him think about how to respond. The glow of the fire placed shadows in the contours of his cheeks, highlighting his lovely features.
"A birthday present." Loki's response surprised Freya. They have had the 'no gifts' conversation before, neither of them payed it any heed, but they continued to discuss it anyway.
"Loki, you needn't…"
"Are we seriously going to have this discussion again? I know, but I have anyway. Besides, this is a special birthday, even Thor is giving you a gift this year."
"Fine. I won't be happy about it though."
"Yes you will."
They talked about anything and everything for an hour or so after. The presence of the other all they needed to lift their spirits. Freya had fallen asleep with her head on Loki's shoulder. Loki decided it was time he took his leave, so picking Freya up he carried her to her bed and tucked the blankets around her. Leaning down he kissed her cheek and stood to leave. It would be a long few days to follow.