The Einherjar soldier reveals himself to be Loki, the God of Mischief. He chuckles as he walks to Valla, smiling mischievously. His body emitted a faint glow as it slowly warped itself from a soldier to a prince.
"You never get fooled by that, sister. I'm actually surprised the queen fell for it. What gave me away?"
He stops in front of his sister, waiting for her answer.
Valla speaks, "Do not be so certain that she did not know. After all, your tricks came from her." She walks back to the window and leans over it. Loki slowly follows and stands next to her, joining her in watching the realm eternal. His sister was right. Loki remembers the small memories of his youth when he first grasped the basics of magic under the tutelage of the queen. He may deny it, but Valla knows Loki loves their mother deeply.
"And to answer your question-", Valla looks at him, "-it is common for the soldiers to greet everyone in the room before they proceed with fulfilling their orders." Loki laughs softly and turns to Valla.
"You are the first Einherjar to not greet me when it is nearly impossible to ignore the fact that I am the only one with the queen at the time."
"What if they just didn't recognize you? If they thought you were someone else? Or if they didn't expect to see you?"
"The soldier went to my chambers, brother. If he expects to see anyone here, it would have to be me."
"Oh sister.", says Loki, leaning closer to Valla to play with her braid. "It's very rare for someone to outwit me."
He whispers to her ear, " Why are you so good at it?"
Valla whispers back; mimicking him, "Why are you even here?" Loki sighs and takes a few steps back.
"I wished to see you and talk to you Valla.", he says as he walks to the sofa and comfortably sits on it.
Valla remembers her mother's request. She sits beside her brother and Loki faces her.
"Why was Mother here? What did you talk about?", he asks.
"Mother was... visiting me. Like what you are doing now, brother.", replies Valla, thinking about how to insert Thor's coronation. Loki seemed skeptic but he listened on.
"She wanted to know if I was ready for Thor's coronation.", she added.
Loki exhales sharply and looks away from his sister. "She's asking you to talk to me again, isn't she?"
Valla's silence was a good enough answer for her brother. Loki chuckled.
"You know, sister. I'm starting to think that you don't talk to me of your own will."
"That is not true.", Valla retorted.
Loki faces her sharply and replies, slowly raising his voice, "Really now? I believe she's also told you to defend yourself in situations where I get skeptic. You probably have a response ready to EVERYTHING I SA-"
"Loki!", the lady said firmly. Loki falls silent. She did not look amused.
"She's cares for you in ways and lengths you do not know. You must not speak of her that way, brother."
Her brother remained silent. Valla continues, "And I speak to you of my own accord. Everything I have said to you is of my own will."
Loki still remains silent. "You will attend the coronation, yes? You have to be there."
Loki nods in agreement. "How does the queen want me to behave this time?", he asks, lacking enthusiasm.
Valla sighs and holds his hand in between her palms, like Frigga did. Loki was caught off guard and pulled his hand a little as a reflex but he soon obliged. Valla strokes his hand as she speaks.
"Please don't do anything you would regret.", Valla says softly, so as to make sure he hears every word clearly. Then silence fills the room. After a few moments, an Einherjar soldier knocks on her door. Valla gets up to open the door and face the soldier.
He greets both of them and proceeds to speak of his intentions, "The coronation will begin shortly. The king has sent me to escort both of you to the throne room."
Valla thanks the soldier and nods at Loki. Loki gets up and walks to the two. Valla closes her door and walks to the throne room with Loki and the Einherjar escort who is this time, very much real.
