Slay woke the next day to the door squeaking open. It was two handmaids bringing hot water and fresh linens.
"My laaadeee," one of the women sang, "your water will get cold and your new friend Volstagg has almost eaten all the breakfast in the dining hall!"
"I suppose it would be a good idea to socialize today," Slay said with a stretch as the maid unceremoniously yanked off the blanket. Slay laughed and asked, "What is your name?"
"I am called Bodil, my lady, and this one," she nodded toward the younger girl, "is called Noma."
"It is an honor to meet you Lady Slay," Noma lowered her head.
"Likewise, Noma," Slay said as she removed her sleeping shift and splashed warm water on her face. "Noma, I will require assistance with my hair, do you know anyone exceptionally good at braiding?"
"Yes, my lady, my sister and I can braid your hair anyway you like!"
"Lovely, please go get your sister; we'll need her today," she said as she shook her long blond hair loose to be washed. Noma's eyes went as big as saucers as she saw Slay's hair tumble down her pale back. Slay looked to Bodil, "unless they have other duties this morning."
Bodil shook the old sheets and said, "Noma's new duty is you, my lady," she turned her head to Noma, "go on girl, fetch your sister."
Slay bent and dunked her hair into the large wash bowl as Noma raced off. She was in such a hurry she forgot to close the door. As it happens, her room was in a busy hallway. Just as the door swung open, none other than the two princes, Thor and Loki, were walking to breakfast together.
Loki's eyes were already fixed on Slay's door as he and his brother were walking to the dining hall. It was as if the fates were in love with him lately. A careless servant girl burst out of the room and didn't think to shut the door on her way out. Loki's heart could have stopped.
There was a flash of pale wet skin and her hair was steaming. Her side was turned to him. He spied the naked curve where he had supported her when she fell last night. Following her waist was her hip bone then her round rump. Her arms and hands rushed to hide her nakedness. He looked up to see her forearm barely cover her breasts.
Loki watched a panic rise in her as an older maid ran over with a sheet to cover her. That's when their eyes met. Her gray-blue eyes grew huge as the fire in her cheeks spread to the rest of her face.
"BY VALHALLA," Thor yelled.
"WILL SOMEONE PLEASE CLOSE THAT DAMNED DOOR," Bodil screamed.
"Sorry...Lady Slay..miss," Thor said as he shielded his eyes and slammed the door shut.
The light traffic in the hall way was at a standstill, making eyes at each other as if to say 'Did that really just happen?' Thor looked at Loki and put his hands on his hips and gave him a disapproving look.
"What? You were looking too!"
"At least I covered my eyes when I realized what I was looking at! And I shut the door for her! What were you doing just standing there gawking like an idiot?" They continued down the hall.
"I thought I would give you a break from being the idiot, dear brother," he said, failing to hide his smile.
"You dirty man," Thor said as he gave Loki a punch in the arm, nearly sending him across the hall. Loki only responded with laugh and his best grin. "You'll be smiling all day now, it will be strange."
Slay could have died. "OH MY GODS!" She will punch Loki when she saw him next. "OH MY GODS!"
"Now my lady," Bodil chuckled, "worlds have not ended because a lady was seen naked. It does seem odd that both princes saw you at the same time, though." She was fighting back a laugh.
"Ohhhgods," Slay moaned. She felt Loki's eyes affix themselves to her. He had to have seen everything. When they looked at each other her head could have exploded. She saw his brow furrow and mouth fall slightly ajar. She will definitely punch him when she saw him next. "Oh how will I even face him now? I am about to eat in the same room as him!"
"Well it is a rather large room, my lady."
Slay sighed as she scrubbed her scalp with soap. "I will have to thank Thor for shutting the door, though. Right after I slap Loki."
"You are a braver woman than I, my lady! To slap the prince, especially Prince Loki."
"I'm sure Queen Frigga will give me permission. Especially if I make it official... judge him for peeping."
"Oh go easy on the poor boy, it was innocent. Just by happenstance."
"Well maybe I'll just wave my finger in his face and tell him not to ever look at me again." The two laughed as Slay rung out her hair and dried herself off. Bodil was lacing up her dress as two servant girls walked in and began brushing and braiding her hair.
Of course word spread quickly. So quickly, the story had made it to Hogun's ears before the two brothers had a chance to sit down and break their fast. The only words that reached Hogun's ears were Loki, Slay, and naked. Hogun met Loki at the table and he stopped inches away from Loki's face. He stood as tall as he could and balled his fists. He looked like he could breath fire.
"Good morning Hogun." Loki's mouth curled slowly to a smile when he realized what had Hogun so upset.
"If you EVER..."
"Hogun. Loki. Is there a problem?" Odin and Frigga appeared by the table.
"Not at all, I was just walking to breakfast...being a good boy, minding my own business," Loki coolly turned his face back to Hogun, "and Hogun approached me. I think he'd like to tell me something."
Frigga knew what had happened. A servant had whispered it in her ear as she saw her sons enter the dining hall. "Boys let's take this somewhere more private," she looked to husband, "I will take care of this."
"Very well, perhaps tomorrow we can get through breakfast with out any trouble," he looked at Loki.
"I have done nothing wrong," Loki said to both his mother and Hogun, who was still inches away.
Loki, Frigga, and Hogun walked into a deserted hall. "I know what this is about, and Hogun, I expected better from you."
"My queen, I am sorry, but how do we know Loki did not plan this?"
"You would have so little faith in me?"
"Boys you are acting childish. Stop this." She looked at them both as they lowered their heads like children in trouble. "I was told that it was by sheer accident and coincidence that... you and Thor saw what you saw. The girl was simply careless.
Hogun, you have no right to be angry with Loki or Thor. I understand your past with Lady Slay and you may still feel a sort of claim or protection towards her, but you musn't act so rash."
"Yes, my queen."
"Loki, you didn't plan that door to be opened at that moment did you?"
"Of course not, mother, how could I have known?"
"We can get Slay here and she can tell if you are lying, son."
"By all means. She will only tell you she sees no lies."
Frigga looked at the two of them. She knew her dear Slay, and she knew how she can be in the love department. It's quite possible there will be more squabbles like this in the future. "I can ask you boys to not fight again, but I know that won't happen. Just... if you do find yourselves... locking horns... just think of how Slay feels."
"What are you talking about, mother?"
"Just be considerate of all feelings involved."
Loki looked to his mother and inclined his head. He hadn't even considered how he was going to attempt to befriend Lady Slay, let alone try to court her. Loki felt a strange click in his mind. He now felt the need to compete with Hogun. She hadn't been awake for more than two days and it was already a competition.
Hogun bowed his head also and left the room before Loki. Frigga was probably right, there will be more fights. At least he was ahead of the game, despite the fact that Loki had just seen Slay naked. Hogun had seen her naked dozens of times, and kissed her, and made love to her.
Hogun had a plan to keep Slay with him and away from Loki. He planned to suggest Odin to let him train Slay in defensive combat. She needed to learn to protect herself anyway so Odin is not likely to argue. She wasn't one for fighting, really, and she would be difficult to persuade to be taught combat skills. Odin will need to insist upon it. He would wait until Slay's welcome home feast though. Odin would need to be in good spirit and he would surly support Hogun and possibly even order her to learn.
At the moment, though, Hogun needed to blow off some steam. He went to the training yard for some exercise.
Slay opened the door and Loki was there. Luckily she was fully clothed. She was all laced up in a tight, green, dress made with layered silk with sleeves that cuffed at her elbow. It was a little too long, as most dresses tend to be for her, so it drug on the floor. It draped nicely over her waist and the color made her hair look like gold threads. The servant girls created an elaborate braid and she wore the length of it on her shoulder over her breast.
She made strange squeak when she saw Loki. She stood at the door way nearly paralyzed as Loki absorbed her image and searched for words. They both opened their mouths to talk and paused. Slay looked down at his shoes to hide her face.
"Lady Slay... I was wondering if you would like to break fasts together and perhaps a late morning walk."
"And we'll pretend like this morning didn't happen?"
"If you like." Loki lowered his head and stared at the hem of her dress. "I wanted to speak to you, ask you a few questions. I...I want us to be...friends?"
Slay looked at him in her special way. She definitely saw a liar's aura on him, he is the Keeper of Lies after all, but he wasn't lying. In fact when he said "friends" his aura seemed to flow and fall off of him peacefully: sincerity.
"I would like that very much, Loki," she said with a growing smile.
Loki followed the curl of her mouth to the pink in her cheek. He felt a bit of mischief rise in him as he escorted her out of her room and down the hall. "Let me say this though, Lady Slay," he looked down at her and gave her his best smile, "I can not, in all honesty, say that I am truly sorry for what happened this morning."
