The victory feast brings many surprises.
Suggested music: Music for the Royal Fireworks, G.F. Handel.
Sóldís had arrived early to help me dress for the victory feast. "Almost done, my lady."
I felt her making adjustments to the braids, pinning then securely into some fabulously complicated arrangement.
"And—there!" I felt the jeweled comb slide into place.
I turned and looked in the mirror. Perfect, as always. Sóldís had a special talent.
"Thank you, Sóldís! I will fit in well with the Queen's ladies tonight."
I hoped to be seated with Lady Helen again, even if it meant sitting with Lady Johanna. I wanted to hear more about Berthe and Siegfried. Now that the truth had come to light, and Frigga had announced their marriage, I hoped that they were both happy and content.
"You are the loveliest of them all, Lady Sia!"
"Thank you, Sóldís! Your skill makes me shine."
A knock on the door, and Sóldís went off to answer.
It was far too early for Thor to be here to escort me to the hall.
I heard voices in the other room, and walked in to see who the visitor was.
"Lady Helen! How lovely to see you!"
"Lady Sia, it is a pleasure to see you." To my surprise, she curtsied.
I returned the curtsey, trying to control my curiosity.
"I have something for you. The Queen wishes you to wear it tonight."
Helen held out a velvet box.
I took a deep breath, and took the box.
"Thank you, Lady Helen. Her Majesty is kind to think of me."
I opened the box. A flash of jewels came from inside.
I removed the lid, and saw the source of the flash.
A platinum circlet, set with sapphires and emeralds.
I couldn't breathe.
A. Circlet. From. Frigga.
Oh.
Oh.
OH.
"Lady Sia, are you well?" Sóldís' voice broke through my confused thoughts.
"Yes, Sóldís. Quite well."
I looked at Helen. Surely she knew what was in the box. Did she know why?
"Lady Helen, I am honored and amazed at Her Majesty's kindness."
I looked back at the circlet.
I am to wear this tonight.
"Sóldís, we will need to fix my hair for this."
I held up the circlet. The gems sparkled and flashed.
Sóldís stared.
"Her Majesty thinks highly of you, Lady Sia." Helen's smile was polite, and a bit amused.
"I—yes. I am flattered." I really did not know what to think.
"I will leave you and Sóldís to redo your coiffure. I look forward to the pleasure of your company this evening, Lady Sia."
"Thank you, Lady Helen! I, too, look forward to time with you. And please—give the Queen my thanks for these extraordinary jewels."
Helen curtsied, and left the room.
I looked at the circlet, and at Sóldís.
"My Lady. The Queen surely favors you." Sóldís looked at me with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
"Yes, Sóldís. So it seems."
I looked at the circlet, shimmering in the velvet box.
"Sóldís, please fix my hair."
I sat down on the dressing chair, facing the mirror this time, holding the velvet box with the circlet on my lap.
Sóldís removed the jeweled comb, and unpinned some of the braids. A few deft moves, and the braids were repositioned and pinned.
Looking into the mirror, I removed the circlet from the box.
I placed the circlet on my head.
Sóldís adjusted it so it sat evenly in back as well as front.
Silently, we both stared into the mirror.
"Lady Sia. You look like a Queen."
"Thank you, Sóldís. I must say, I feel like one. This is truly amazing."
"The Prince will be pleased." She smiled tautly.
Before I had time to reply, there came another knock on the door, and Sóldís left the room to answer.
Surely she knows. She was not referring to Thor, not in that tone of voice.
I heard Sóldís welcome Thor into the outer chamber.
I rose, took another look in the mirror, and joined them.
Thor stared.
I reverenced. "Prince Thor."
He bowed. "Lady Sia."
"Your mother sent this for me to wear tonight. I am honored by her kindness."
"Sia. You are stunning. You look like a Queen." Thor continued to stare.
"Thank you, Thor. I shall do my best to be one this evening."
Thor held out his arm, and I gently laid mine atop his.
"Thank you, Sóldís, for your good care. Please, take the evening and enjoy the feast with your kin."
Sóldís curtsied. "Thank you, my lady. I shall."
"And Sóldís—take the whole night. I am well attended this evening."
Sóldís looked surprised. "As you wish, my lady. I will be by in the morning."
"Thank you, Sóldís."
"Goodnight, my lady."
Walking next to Thor, I felt as though I were floating.
Frigga had sent me a jeweled circlet. To wear at the victory banquet. In front of everyone.
The colors certainly were not a coincidence.
Loki was waiting in the hallway just outside the feast hall. I could see him catch his breath, and was pleased to have that effect on him. I noticed he was wearing the twin to my circlet, rather than the gold and emerald circlet he had worn at the harvest feast.
"Brother! Sia!" He bowed. "Come this way."
Thor and I looked at each other, and followed Loki to the back passageway, where the royals enter the hall.
The chamberlain smiled as we approached. "Splendid! Right on time. This way, please."
"Thor, I believe I am to sit with Frigga's ladies again tonight."
"Oh, no, Lady Sia. You are to sit at the head table." The chamberlain smiled. "The Queen's wishes."
"Well, then, of course." I was shaking inside.
"Wait here, please. The King and Queen will be along presently."
We could hear the crowd, already seated and chattering, the clink of goblets as wine was poured.
"Prince Thor, could I see you for just a moment?" The chamberlain pulled Thor outside the vestibule where we waited, leaving me alone with Loki.
"Sia, my love. You are the most beautiful woman in all the realms." Loki kissed me, sweet and long.
"Loki, what is going on? Frigga sent this circlet. And now I am sitting at the head table?"
Loki smiled. "Frigga is pleased with your work, and wishes the court to know."
"Is that all, Loki?" Looking into his eyes, I felt myself melting.
"As far as the court knows, my love, yes." Loki kissed me again. "Frigga, of course, knows more."
"You will be seated next to Thor, as his guest, and I will be on your other side."
"This is going to be a long night, Loki."
Loki kissed me again. "In many ways, dear Sia. In many ways."
Thor rejoined us. "In many ways?"
"Oh, just discussing with Sia our respective worlds, different in so many ways." Loki smiled at Thor.
"Sia, you will be sitting next to me tonight, and Loki will be on your other side. Is that alright?" Thor looked at me anxiously.
"That will be perfectly fine, Thor. I am honored to be seated with Asgard's princes."
The chamberlain hurried into the room. "Line up, walk out! Their Majesties are entering the hall."
Thor took my right hand, Loki my left.
I took a deep breath, and the three of us walked into the hall.
I knew my life would never be the same after tonight.
We fell in behind Odin and Frigga.
Other nobles, companions of the King and Queen, were behind us.
Sif, Fandral, Hogan, and Volstagg formed an escort at the rear of the procession.
The hall was glowing—firelight, torches, candles, reflecting he gleam of gold and silver plate, the jewels of the guests, the shimmering fabrics of their robes.
The roar of welcome as we entered the hall was deafening.
It was marvelous.
The three of us walked smoothly, evenly paced. I smiled, and glanced around, side to side. See everyone, be seen by everyone.
I turned, and saw Loki looking at me with soft eyes. I melted, and gave him a smile from my heart.
Whatever happened tomorrow, tonight was perfect.
We made a circuit of the room, then took our places at the head tables.
I looked out at the room, the sea of faces, the light.
This is the kind of thing that happens only in movies.
And yet, here I am. At Odin's and Frigga's table. Friend of Thor. Lover of Loki. Historian of Asgard.
The things they never tell you in graduate school.
"Kinsmen! Friends! Subjects all!" Odin's voice rang out to the ends of the hall. "Tonight, we celebrate our victory! Peace is restored to Vanaheim."
The crowd roared.
"We thank our soldiers, our generals, and our princes for securing our victory and increasing our glory."
The crowd roared again. The generals bowed. Thor and Loki nodded.
"A toast! To our gallant troops!"
The crowd roared, and drank.
"And now—let the feast commence!"
The crowd roared again, then resumed their seats. Servants raced out from all corners, carrying dishes and pitchers and bottles, serving the revelers with alacrity.
Thor and Loki both reached for my chair at the same time. I looked side to side, and smiled at both of them.
I seated myself, and together they slid the chair into place.
Thor gave me a puzzled look, and took his own seat.
Loki moved his chair closer to mine as he sat, still at a proper distance, but close enough that I could feel his warmth.
"Loki." I smiled at him.
"Sia." He raised his goblet, smiled, and drank.
Yes, this was going to be a long night. I was quite looking forward to it.
Lady Sif was seated to Thor's right, then Fandral, Hogan, and Volstagg.
The room was a whirl of lights, an endless procession of amazing food presented in beautiful gold and silver dishes, a constant river of freely-flowing wine, and sparkling conversation. Music and the low roar of the guests' discussions provided a helpful background noise for those parts of the conversation best left between me and Loki.
"Lady Sia, you look like one of us tonight!" Fandral's smile was genuine, even as his tone was flirtatious.
"Thank you, Fandral. You are kind to say so." I returned his smile.
"I believe Lady Sia is one of us, and somehow ended up on Midgard by accident, and has now returned to her proper home." Loki raised his glass to me. "Welcome home, Lady Sia. May you be with us, always."
Thor stared at Loki, then at me. I suspected he had just noticed the matching circlets.
Giving thanks for all of my acting experience, I raised my glass to Loki in return. "Thank you, Prince Loki. You are most kind to say so."
The others lifted their glasses to join Loki's toast. "To Lady Sia."
"Thank you, my friends." I looked around. "This is the most amazing night of my life. Thank you all for sharing your evening with me." I toasted them each in return.
Sif spoke up. "Lady Sia, Thor says you are an excellent rider. Perhaps you would join me on Friday?"
I was flattered. I knew Sif did not suffer fools gladly—or at all, really.
"I would be delighted to join you, Lady Sif. The roan mare has been a good mount, and I would enjoy riding with you."
Thor smiled. "Lady Sia, I will make sure Sigrid is ready for you on Friday."
"Thank you, Prince Thor!"
Loki chimed in. "You'd best take a cloak this time, Lady Sia." His sly smile made me laugh inside.
"I will be sure to ask Sóldís to have one ready for me."
The conversation continued pleasantly, drifting up and down the table. The hours passed in a lovely, soft haze of golden light and laughter.
Thor was staring at the table. I looked down, and realized Loki had taken my hand in his, and was holding it lightly, his fingers twined in mine.
"Brother." Thor looked at Loki.
"Yes, brother?" Loki looked Thor squarely in the eye.
Sensing the tension, Sif turned from her conversation with the men and focused on Thor.
"Lady Sia is our friend."
"Yes, Thor, she is." Loki's gaze did not waver. "And she is the woman I love."
That was not what I was expecting tonight.
Nor was Thor.
"What?" He looked at Loki incredulously, and then at me. "Sia? What?"
Loki, could we have talked about this first? Maybe this isn't the right time or place for this conversation?
Sia, my love, do you think people do not know already?
If they do, it's not because I have told them.
There's no reason not to tell them. I am proud of you, and proud to be loved by you.
As I am of you, Loki. But here? Now?
Yes, my love. I want everyone in Asgard to know.
Oh, Loki. I hope this is as good an idea as you think it is.
It is, my love. Trust me.
I trust you, Loki.
"Yes, Thor. It's true." I sounded much more calm than I felt. I was shaking inside. Loki's hand was warm and reassuring on mine.
"But Sia—" Thor stared at me. "Why? How?"
"As any two people find they love each other, Thor."
"But, Sia. It's Loki." Thor was unable to process the idea.
"Yes, Thor, I know. Loki loves me. I love Loki."
Thor shook his head. "This is quite unexpected."
"Yes, it is, Thor. But it is wonderful. We are quite happy."
Loki leaned closer, and put his arm around me.
"Thor, it's wonderful." Loki smiled warmly at Thor. "Sia is unlike anyone I've ever met. I'm a different person because of her."
"For Sia's sake, I hope that is the case, Loki." Thor looked at me with concern. "Sia. Are you sure?"
"Yes, Thor, I am sure. Loki has been perfectly kind and respectful."
"Sia, if you are happy, then I am happy for you." Thor did not look particularly happy as he said the words.
Sif and the Warriors Three stared in silence.
Thor raised his glass. "To your happiness. My brother Loki, and his love, Lady Sia."
The four fighters raised their glasses. "To your happiness. Loki and Sia."
Loki and I nodded. "With thanks, my friends, for your good wishes." I had no idea how I managed to form the words. My head was swimming.
Loki replied as well. "My friends, thank you! I have never been so happy in my life."
Loki raised my hand to his lips, bestowing a soft kiss on each finger.
Desire flamed up from my center, and I could sense Loki's desire answer.
"Loki." Odin's voice cut through the moment.
"Yes, Father?" Loki's voice and face were calm.
"What is going on?"
Frigga leaned close to Odin and began to whisper. I froze. Loki did not release his hold on my hand.
"I see." Odin lifted his goblet. "A toast, to our scholar, and my sons' friend."
I nodded as everyone at the head table raised their glasses.
I managed to find my voice, calm and even, somewhere inside. "Thank you, all of you, for your warm welcome and generous hospitality."
Odin, Frigga, and their companions resumed their separate conversation.
Our side of the table was silent.
Thor took a deep drink from his goblet.
Loki leaned close. "Sia, Let us go now."
"Loki, we can't leave yet. You know that."
"Yes, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to." He kissed my ear.
"Loki! We're at the head table. A little decorum, if you please." I laughed.
"I will give you decorum, my dear." He chuckled as I melted into his gaze.
Suddenly, Odin and Frigga rose.
"My subjects! Take your ease, drink your fill. A health to you all, and goodnight!" Odin provided the signal we were glad to hear.
"A health to you all, and goodnight!" Frigga's voice carried perfectly across the hall.
We all rose, and watched them exit. The doors closed behind them, we took our seats, and the revelry resumed.
Loki leaned in. "We can leave now."
"Yes." The heat of the room and the wine mixed with our desire in a heady cocktail of near-delirium.
Loki rose, and helped me from my chair.
Thor and his companions rose. Revelers at the tables closest to ours turned to see what was happening.
"Lady Sia and I shall retire for the night." The smile on Loki's face was filled with the light of a thousand stars.
"Rest well, brother. Rest well, Lady Sia." Thor was clearly uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Thor. Sweet dreams and peace to you this night." I leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Dropping my voice, I whispered. "It's fine. Truly. I'm so happy. Thank you."
Thor nodded, unconvinced.
"Goodnight, Thor. Goodnight, dear friends." Loki was beaming.
Sif and the men bowed. Loki took my hand, and we walked out of the great hall, out the royals' entrance.
The passageway was deserted, and only half-lit at this time of night.
Loki pulled me into his arms with the sweetest of kisses.
"Sia, my heart! My soul! I love you! And now everyone knows!"
"Yes, they do, Loki. I hope that is a good thing."
Loki kissed me. "It is, Sia. It is."
Loki held out his arm. "Shall we?"
I rested my arm lightly on his. "Yes, we shall."
Odin slammed the door of his study.
"What in all of the Nine Realms was that?" Odin's voice was at full volume.
"Lower your voice, please, Odin." Frigga shook her head. "What do you think it was?"
"I will not have my son making a fool of himself over some mortal girl in front of the entire court!"
"Loki did not make a fool of himself, as much as you tried to make a fool of him."
"It's bad enough that Thor has lost his senses over that Jane person! But for Loki—Loki!—to similarly fall for some mere mortal. It's embarrassing." Odin's anger pulsed in every word.
"It's not embarrassing."
"Disappointing, then!"
"Our son has found a worthy woman to love, a woman who loves and respects him. How is that disappointing?"
Odin could not believe what his wife was saying. "We have no business mixing with her kind."
Frigga looked at Odin, unmoved.
Odin's voice shook with his agitation. "Frigga, she's mortal!"
Frigga's voice was calm and firm. "No, Odin. She's not."