Training Loki was a simple task; he was very willing to learn, and more than capable with a sword and shield. It did not take Maebh long to realise however, that his greatest strength was with close range weapons such as an axe or dagger. He was swift and did not have the excessive bulk that many other of the Asgardian warriors had to slow him down, but it still made her uncomfortable to think of Loki being too close to any potential enemies. Between them, it did not take long for them to devise a way to use Loki's strengths to counter Midgardian tactics.
He also excelled in learning the Midgardian language, Maebh had given him the basics, before insisting that every time they spoke when Nafi was asleep or not present, they did so in that tongue. Loki realised very quickly just how hard it had been for Maebh when she first arrived to Asgard with no understanding of the words spoken to her, and the complexity of learning a language so different to the one she knew. The words never seemed to be in anyway similar and more than once he was left merely staring at his wife when she had spoken to him due to a lack of comprehension, and she never once offered a transition for what was said.
At the same time Loki taught Maebh the battle techniques and formations used by Asgardian warriors, and how they worked together to shield the group. Maebh seldom had to be shown something twice, and never shied away from asking a question.
All of the training was done to fit around the farm, the housework and raising Nafi, and that his studies and training were always completed and to an acceptable standard. It was not uncommon for the couple to crash to bed after midnight, and on many an occasion, find themselves too exhausted for anything other than Loki wrapping his arms around Maebh as they drifted off to sleep.
The mead had the desired effect with regards the virility as far as Loki could see, but by careful planning, Maebh ensured to prevent the risk of her bearing child. Though she knew of Loki's concerns, she was still not willing to risk him completing within her. She worried that were she to conceive, with the departure for Midgard in the very near future, she could be to her old lands as the symptoms became apparent, effectively leaving her and their child at risk. Instead Maebh forced herself to overcome her shyness and find other ways to allow Loki to finish.
Nafi watched many of the adults sparring lessons, and often tried to mimic their training, aided by both teaching them everything they knew that would assist him. Though it would be thodin that would be king, Nafi would be required to assist his cousin in many matters of politics. Odin would be less than receptive to the idea, but as it would be at least a few decades before the boys reign, his opinion would matter little. And Thor agreed that being raised by his brother and Maebh meant more than simply the child's bloodline.
Thor often arrived too for a few hours every couple of days to prepare and to relay messages and queries between Maebh and his father's counsel. He was not as fast or as keen a learner as Loki when it came to the Midgardian dialect, though he argued that there would be time enough on the journey there to finish learning it. His ability regarding combat skills however were equal, if not superior to Loki's. At first it was difficult to think of how Thor could use his hammer against Midgardian tactics, but soon enough, with some effort, the three of them figured out ways to work it to suit the future king's style.
An official date was set for their departure and it was arranged that Nafi would be cared for by Frigga and Sif. Much to Odin's more than obvious disappointment, Maebh did not seem to be with child and was more than adamant that she would travel with the others. She requested that all the warriors be made meet twice a week to train. Not many were pleased to be trained by a woman, least of all the dirty little thrall that turned out to be a crowned princess, married to the second prince, meaning that she and Loki would be nigh on as wealthy as Thor and Sif if the raid went well.
It was Rollo that made the fatal error of mocking Maebh on the first evening. Loki and Thor merely looked at one another before stepping back, an action that struck fear into all there. Maebh called Rollo forward and requested that Thor give her a shield, which he did so obligingly.
"If you land one single strike on me before I defeat you, I will go home right now and concern myself with matters of childbearing and leave this raiding business to you boys." She smiled; she then got into a defensive stance as the warrior looked to her husband. Loki smiled menacingly and held his hand out, palm upward, towards his wife, indicating his consent for his wife's actions. "Whenever you are ready." Maebh called his attention back to her.
Rollo stepped forward apprehensively, the rest of the group, including Heimdall, who was there to oversee everything and report back to Odin, looked between, Maebh, Thor and Loki, all of whom were smiling far too smugly for their liking. As soon as Rollo went to attack, Maebh sidestepped and struck him in the back of the leg, forcing Rollo to his knees.
"I might add, everything I will do shall be standard to Midgardian techniques, and had I been in possession of a blade, your throat would be slit and you would be lying on the ground with your blood seeping out." She snarled at the startled Rollo. "Try again." She said coldly. He rose and tried to strike while she was not paying attention; however, Maebh had purposely made herself seem vulnerable and anticipated the move. She countered by raising the shield to block the attack without so much as a glace at Rollo or his weapon, her back still to him. She swung around, kicked the training sword from his hand and struck him across the side of the head with the shield, dazing him, before tripping him up once more, bringing the shield down swiftly, stopping just short of his throat. Rollo raised his hands in defeat.
Maebh turned to the group, all awestruck at her speed and efficiency. "The truth is, though you are very capable fighters at your style of fighting, you are woefully unprepared for what Midgard warriors use as theirs, you need my knowledge if you are to return to your families. I am what stands between you and certain death. The fact you are apprehensive to even consider being taught by a woman will seem menial as you lie in the dirt bleeding to death with your stomach eviscerated and you innards looking you in the face. It will be your pride that will have killed you, and that alone." The image she gave the men made most of them shudder. Loki and Thor just watched as more and more of them gave the princess their respect and upmost attention.
"But what is in it for you? We hear that the part of Midgard we are to attack is you own territory, why would you even have suggested to the king to attack there?" One gruff older man asked suspiciously. "Why train us against your own people?"
"Maebh is of our land, she is Loki's wife, and as such is of Asgard. Her allegiance is to our father, your king, a fact he is in certainty of. If you question his judgement in instilling his trust upon her, then by all means query him and see how long you keep your tongue Kollr." Thor growled stepping forward. "And you will address my brother's wife with her title, lest you forget she is a princess in two realms and you a mere fisherman."
Kollr winced at Thor's threatening tone. "My apologies to your highnesses, I speak out of concern as I have no doubt you understand, and as such, forgot my manners."
"I am sure you can understand that I do not wish to be made a widow so soon after being made a wife. I actually take pleasure in my husbands company." Maebh responded nonchalantly. "As regards why my own lands, that matter has been discussed at great lengths with the king. But I can tell you a main reason for such is I want the new king of Ulaidh's head, and to obtain such, I need your pathetic pelt alive long enough to reach him. Wide eyes met her statement. Loki chuckled at his wife, knowing she was more than capable of slicing words that could cut deep. "I you want to be foolish with your life and ask questions, do so after we decimate his forces, that way if you die, it will only concern the rest of us in what to say to your family and what treasures will have to be shared." There was an immediate rise in attention. "Now that I can see that you are all listening carefully, I can tell you that as of my last knowing, not long before I was brought to Asgard, Ulaidh was still very wealthy, and when we arrive, the harvest shall be completed, meaning food shall be abundant and we shall feed well for our time there and our journey home afterwards. There is also plenty of valuable items there which are easily plundered should you have the correct training, so perhaps you may wish to pay attention to my teachings now?" She asked.
There were no more objections.