25
Once Upon A Time
Have you ever noticed how parents can go from the most wonderful people in the world to totally embarrassing you in three seconds? ~ Loki
After the Avengers had returned home to the mansion, Frigga, Balder, Odin, and Loki relaxed in the den while the children either returned to playing Asgardian Quest 2 or played with some of their other Easter presents. Serena was doing some of her Sudoku puzzles, Nate was working on one of his brain teasers, and Belle approached Frigga carrying her green journal which contained the chronicle of the Laufeyson family. "Bestemor, would you like to read this? It's my chronicle of our family."
Frigga's eyes widened, for she knew exactly what a Lorekeeper Chronicle was. "Are you sure, Belle?"
Belle nodded. "Yes, this way you can see exactly how we all came to be Dad's children."
"Thank you, child. I shall enjoy this immensely," her grandmother said, then opened the chronicle and began to read.
Loki smiled. There was no greater complement than a Lorekeeper allowing you to read her chronicle.
He picked up his tablet and began to read his neglected book, but he was also listening to the conversations going on around him.
Balder and Vince were discussing different types of Asgardian creatures and what they looked like and where they were found.
While Odin was seated between Max and Aleta and the two tots were asking him to tell them a story.
"What kind of story?"
"A funny story!" Max said immediately.
"That's real and not made up," Aleta specified. Then she added, "I wanna hear a story about Asgard."
"Well . . . I know of two stories which you might enjoy-all of them are true, both of them have funny pranks in them and they are all about Asgard." Odin said, his good eye twinkling. "They are also, incidentally, about your father and uncles when they were boys."
Loki almost dropped his tablet. Oh no, Father! Surely you've got to be kidding! One of the reasons I rarely speak about my childhood is because I don't want to give those two scamps ideas!
But it was too late to protest, and if he did so, the children would be even more persistent about hearing whatever story Odin was going to tell. He recalled a saying he'd read on social media-once you have kids, your parents live to embarrass you by telling their grandkids everything crazy or naughty you ever did. He buried his face in the tablet, the tips of his ears turning bright red.
"Really? Cool!" Max cried excitedly.
Aleta poked him. "Shhh! This is storytime, you gotta be quiet!"
"I don't have to listen to you, Aleta," Max returned.
"Ahem! Are you ready to hear the story?" their grandfather queried.
Both children hushed immediately.
Odin began. "Once upon a time in Asgard . . ."
Fingernail Stew
The winter Loki was five was one of the longest in any Asgardian's memory. It seemed that spring would never come and the whole realm was beset with snow storms, ice storms, and other wintery weather. The sun peeked its head out of the clouds for brief moments before ducking back to hide. Everyone was sick of the endless cold, snow, and ice. People began to complain to the All-Father that the Jotuns had brought the Fimbul Winter early, and could he please do something about it.
Loki was the only one who didn't complain, because he loved the snow. He didn't get cold and need to go inside to warm up like his older brothers Balder and Thor did. Instead he could stay outside playing in the courtyard and the garden until one of the servants or Frigga called him inside. Loki loved making snow sculptures from the frosty mounds that were heaped in the corners of the garden or by the pillars in the courtyard. He made all different kinds of things—sometimes he made people and sometimes animals—like horses, wolves, ravens, and cats. He used sticks to draw faces on his creations, and borrowed clothes from the rag bin to put on the people sculptures.
Frigga and Odin thought they were wonderful, but Thor thought they were silly, and told his brother he was crazy spending so much time outside making sculptures that would melt as soon as the weather grew warm. But Loki didn't care.
Besides making sculptures, Loki liked to slide down the big hill behind the palace on his green sled. All his brothers had sleds, Thor had a red one, Balder a blue one, but Loki added gold flames to his green sled and used it every chance he got. When Thor and Balder were sparring in the arena inside, Loki was sledding down the hill, learning how to make the sled fly over the snow.
Sometimes other children would join him, the sons and daughters of servants or occasionally the young nobles being tutored at the palace. But the noble sons often got angry because none of them could beat Loki down the hill. Even though Loki was younger than they were, they still couldn't win a race against him.
This made several of the bigger boys jealous, because they thought Loki was cheating. He had to be, they reasoned, because no puny little five-year-old could beat their big ten-year-old selves. So they decided to get revenge.
Late one night after supper in the hall, three of the big boys snuck out to the small shed where Loki, Thor, and Balder stored their sleds. The shed was locked, but the boys brought an iron bar to pry the lock off and once they got inside they loosened the rivets on Loki's sled so when he slid down the hill the runners would come off and he would lose any race they challenged him to.
The next day it was extra cold and perfect weather for sledding. Loki got up early and ate breakfast, hurrying through his bowl of porridge with raisins, honey, and cream. He put on his favorite winter coat of evergreen and his fur hat and gloves. He had sheepskin boots with fur on the top that matched his hat.
"Where are you going so early, little brother?" Thor asked, yawning from his bed.
"Sledding."
"Again? Don't you ever get sick of it?"
"No. Do you get sick of fencing?"
"Don't be silly! Of course not."
"I like sliding," Loki replied.
"You're going to turn into a Jotun if you don't quit spending so much time in the snow," Thor teased.
Loki glared at him. "I am not!"
Then he ran out of the nursery and through the passageway into the courtyard. He rushed over to the shed and pulled his green sled out and dragged it to the top of the hill.
Several of the bigger boys were already at the top, whispering and laughing.
"C'mon, snow prince!" they teased. "Let's see what you've got!"
"Snow prince?" sneered Rolf. "More like snow midget!"
"I'm not a midget!" Loki cried.
"You're so small a giant would use you for a fingernail pick!" another boy laughed.
Their words hurt Loki, who was ashamed of being small, and he shouted, "At least I'm not so big that my sled breaks when I sit on it!"
"Take it back, teeny weeny baby!" yelled Rolf.
"Make me, ox-butt!"
"I challenge you to slide down the hill!" Rolf brayed, a nasty gleam in his eye. "First one to the bottom wins."
The boys got on their sleds and prepared to slide down. Just as they pushed off, the alarm bells sounded.
The bells only rang if there was sightings of Jotuns, and whenever they were heard, it meant danger and everyone needed to come inside, because the frost giants were coming. All the Aesir children knew that Jotuns ate children for breakfast.
Loki heard the bells just as his sled started to wobble and he tried to stop so he could get off, but the sled was unmanageable. It continued to coast until the rivets fell out and the sled crashed halfway down the hill, with the runners going one way and Loki on the wooden seat going the other way.
"Bye bye, midget!" hooted Rolf as he watched the crash.
Then he stopped his sled and ran off back to the palace with his friends, leaving poor Loki alone.
Luckily when his sled crashed, Loki wasn't badly hurt, just bruised and breathless. He was more upset his sled had broken than the fact that he'd been abandoned by Rolf and his friends. For a few minutes he sat in the snow and cried. Then he heard the bells again, and got up to run down the hill to the palace.
Little did he know the Jotuns were closer than he thought, and when he moved, one spotted him against the snowy hillside. The Jotun smiled and licked his lips, then went to grab the little boy.
Loki heard the ground shake as though it was an avalanche and he screamed and started to run, but it was too late.
The Jotun grabbed him like a cat grabs a mouse, picking him up by the collar.
"What have we here?" the Jotun bellowed. Loki nearly went deaf.
"Let me go!" Loki squeaked. "I am Loki Prince of Asgard! If you hurt me my father will kill you!"
The Jotun laughed. "Then we shall take you home and hold you for ransom, little prince!"
Loki struggled, but was unable to get free and the frost giant tucked him in his large smelly pocket and stomped off, smashing the hill flat and knocking down several trees and buildings as he did so.
Loki nearly smothered inside the giant's smelly woolen pocket and he was scared and wanted his father or anyone to rescue him. Only no one even knew he was missing.
Meanwhile, everyone in the palace was going into the catacombs beneath the main floor to hide until the guards and warriors fought off the Jotuns. Frigga went looking for her sons and soon found Thor and Balder. "Are you all right?" she asked the boys.
"We're fine, Mother, but we want to go help fight the Jotuns!' complained Thor.
"Not yet, son. You're too young," his mother said.
"I'm big enough!" Thor insisted, but Frigga realized one son was missing.
"Loki! Where's Loki?" she cried, looking around. "Thor, Balder have you seen your brother?"
Balder shook his head. "Last time I saw him he was going outside."
"He was going sledding again, Mother," Thor answered.
Frigga was horrified. "If he was outside . . ." she began asking everyone she saw if they had seen Loki, but no one had, and he was nowhere to be found. Frantic, she contacted Odin through her magic pendant and told him that Loki was missing and could be lost or kidnapped by Jotuns.
Odin promised to find him and went to Hlidskjalf, his magic throne that enabled him to see anything in all the Nine. He sat in it and used it to see where Loki was.
He saw a large Jotun in a blue tunic and leggings walking along the border of Asgard and Jotunheim, with a huge club over one shoulder and a long knife in his belt. Peeking out from his trouser pocket was a tiny dark head.
"My son!" Odin roared angrily.
As he watched the Jotun was joined by two others and they spoke together for a few moments in their guttural tongue.
Loki felt sick from being stuck in the Jotun's pocket and also from hearing what the giants planned to do with him. He had the gift of tongues and could understand any spoken language and speak it as well.
"What shall we do with the little morsel, Thurid?" demanded one Jotun.
"I say we bake him in a pie!" cried the third one, eyeing the child hungrily.
"No!" roared the one who had captured the little boy. "He's barely a mouthful. We'd waste the pie crust. I say we hold him for ransom and see how much the Aesir will pay to have him back."
"A puny little thing like him? They'd not pay a copper piece for him. I say we roast him over the fire!"
"He says he's the prince of Asgard!" Hrongar said.
"That puny thing, a prince? He's lying!" Thurid sneered.
"I say we eat him in a sandwich!" said Orm, the third Jotun.
Loki was scared to death. But he knew he couldn't let the Jotuns see how scared he was, or else they would eat him because he was weak. He also hoped that someone had noticed he was missing and come for him. But that didn't seem likely, so he knew he had to do something to help himself.
So he decided to play a trick on the Jotuns.
"I don't taste very good," he spoke up, sniffling a little. "I'm all bones and muscle. If you want me to taste good you're gonna have to cook me in a stew."
Thurid snorted. "A stew? What kind of stew?"
"You don't know how to make stew," sneered Hrongar.
"Last time you tried boiling an old boot it tasted nasty!" Orm cried.
"I do," Loki spoke up. "I can tell you how."
"Why would you do that?" asked Orm. "We're going to eat you!"
"Um . . .well . . . I'd rather be eaten in a good stew than something gross," Loki answered.
Please, please someone help me! He thought.
"Then tell us what to do," the Jotun said.
"First you start a fire and boil some water," Loki told them.
The Jotuns made camp inside the forest and did what he said.
Loki trembled when he saw the pot of water. But he bravely said, "Then you need to cut your fingernails and add them to the broth. Cause everyone knows fingernails make good stew."
One of the Jotuns took out a small knife and began cutting his fingernails.
"Now what?"
"Then you need some hair from a rabbit, and scales from a salmon."
"What? Where are we gonna find that?" cried Orm.
"Go out and look," ordered Hrongar.
His brothers grumbled and stomped away, leaving Hrongar and Loki alone.
"You need some little rocks," Loki told the Jotun. "And some moss. Blue moss."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. If you don't have that, the soup won't taste good."
Hrongar sighed, then he rose and stomped over to find some rocks and moss.
As the Jotun bent over to gather some rocks and moss, Loki climbed down from the pocket using a loose thread.
But the thread didn't reach the ground, so Loki used the seam of the Jotun's pants and climbed the rest of the way down.
As soon as he touched the ground he took off running.
"Come back here you little rat!" roared Hrongar and he went to run after Loki.
Loki kept running, nearly falling as Hrongar thudded after him, making the ground shake.
But then there was a flash of light and a one-eyed man with a staff appeared before Hrongar.
"You took my son, Jotun! And tried to kill him!" screamed Odin. "And now you shall pay!"
Then he blasted the frost giant with a huge column of fire that burned the nasty Jotun right up.
And when his companions returned to see what was happening, Odin killed them too.
Then he went and hugged Loki and carried him home, where his mother and brothers waited, safe and sound at last, saved by a clever trick and a father's wrath.
Max and Aleta cheered. Then Max said, "But Bestefar, what happened with those mean boys? Did they get in trouble for breaking Dad's sled?"
"And they left him alone to get eaten!" Aleta snapped angrily. "They oughta be spanked and put in jail!"
Odin chuckled. "Indeed, little spitfire! And basically that's what happened. Those wicked cowardly boys were given switchings and sent from court along with their parents, and Loki got a new sled and Seven League boots so he could run away to safety if he was ever outside when the alarm bells rang again."
"Dad has a sled that we can ride on with him," Aleta told Odin. "It's really fast!"
"We beat Uncle Tony with it last time we raced," Max stated.
"I just bet you did, imp," Odin tweaked Max's nose.
Behind his tablet, Loki smiled. He rarely thought about that incident, but that had been the catalyst that caused him to hate his father's people.
"Can we hear another story?" begged his granddaughter.
"Very well. This is the story of a time when your Uncle Thor's goats got into the hall during a feast and caused a lot of trouble . . ."
Goat Buffet
Thor and Loki were eight when Thor received two goats and a chariot for his birthday. Loki was given a spellbook of basic enchantments which he studied with his mother Frigga. While Loki was learning magic, Thor was learning how to care for Tanngrisnr and Tanngnjostr and drive his chariot. Though Loki loved his magic, he often wished for a familiar. He thought about asking for one next year, but meanwhile he was learning all sorts of spells.
That year was also the year when the Svartalfheim ambassador, a Dark Elf named Krull, came to Asgard to open diplomatic relations between the two realms. He brought with him his son, Adabiel, who was two years older than Odin's sons. Adabiel was an arrogant coldhearted boy who was too handsome and too spoiled for his own good. He thought all Asgardians were beneath him, including the two brothers.
Like all Dark Elves. Adabiel had midnight hair and pale skin, large pointed ears and eyes that looked innocent but concealed a heart darker than night's shadow. He was ten but considered himself more adult than child, and above the rules of Asgardian laws and common courtesy.
Adabiel thought he could do whatever he wished, and started off his stay in Asgard by throwing a pitcher of water at one of the maids because she was too slow in fetching his cloak. The pitcher hit the young woman in the face, making her nose bleed and splattering her uniform with water.
"Next time hurry up when I tell you, you worthless sow!" the boy snapped.
The poor girl was sobbing and just managed to give the brat a curtsy before she left the room, her nose dripping blood all down the hallway.
"Kara, what happened to you?" Loki asked, he was coming out of his mother's sitting room where he had been practicing some magical runes.
"Nothing, milord," she sniffled. "It was an accident."
"No! Your gown is wet as well as covered with blood! Please, tell me what happened!"
"Please, milord. . . I was just clumsy . . ." Kara whimpered. "I . . . banged into a wall and hurt my nose. Next time I'll watch where I'm going, Prince Loki." Tears tracked down her cheeks.
"Here. Let me heal you," Loki said in a soft voice.
Kara was the head cook's daughter, a pretty little maid with flaxen hair and brown eyes.
He had only learned healing spells as he gently placed his hand over Kara's nose and closed his eyes. He felt the bones mending as he made sure she felt no pain then moved his hand back and smiled. "There. That's much better," he said and Kara lightly touched her nose.
"Thank you, milord," she said with a curtsy and walked by him.
Loki gazed after her, troubled. There was something not right about her explanation. And he wondered why she was afraid, when she never had been before.
He looked down at the blood droplets as he followed them back up the hallway and found they were getting wider the further he went down the hallway.
Like a hound following a trail, Loki followed the blood all the way back to Adabiel's door.
"Adabiel!"Loki bellowed while banging his fist against the door and curbed his anger when Adabiel opened the door.
The older boy looked down at him like he was spit beneath his boots. "What do you want, little Loki?" he sneered.
"There seems to be blood in front of your door. I was worried something had happened to you," Loki said and the older boy glared at him.
"Well, as you can see, I am fine."
"Then why is there blood in front of your door?" Loki queried, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I have no idea. Go fetch a servant and have them clean it up. Better yet. You do it."
Loki stiffened. "I'm not your lackey, Adabiel. You're a guest in my home. Now why don't you act like it?"
"Are you threatening me?"
"No! I am merely stating a fact. Guests should treat their host's home like it was their own. Do you allow guests to act like you're acting?"
"I don't need to answer to you, little Aesir witch brat! I am a Prince of the Blood of Arcadia." Adabiel declared haughtily. "And I don't need lectures from midgets with attitudes! Go play with your potions kit, Loki!"
Adabiel slammed the door while Loki glared at the door then looked down at the blood. He hadn't tried blood magic yet, but he did know blood can tell a person things.
He knew that sometimes an Asgardian constable used blood magic to tell if a crime had been committed and whose blood had been shed.
Nodding, he waved his hand when a small glass vial appeared and he leaned down, scooping some of the blood into it. He carefully capped the glass vial then headed down the hallway and went out of the castle. It didn't take him long to arrive at the constabulary. When he walked inside one of the constables was startled when he saw him. "My prince, what are you doing here?!" he asked.
"I need to request a favor, Constable Sigurd," Loki said. "I need you to test this blood and tell me who it belongs to." He held out the glass vial.
"Are you in any kind of trouble, milord?"
Loki shook his head. "No, not this time. But a friend might be."
Sigurd looked at the blood when he cupped the glass vial in his hand and nodded. "Follow me," he said and they went into the back room.
At the center of the room was a large table with wooden bowls, glass vials and tubing, small oil burners and leather bound books. Torches were sitting in iron holders as the flames caused long shadows on the walls and a soft breeze came from the slightly open windows.
Several men and women wearing gray uniforms were working at the table, testing various substances. "Gretta," Sigurd called softly. "Are you busy?"
Loki saw Gretta was tall with long black hair tied back with a gold cord and her eyes were the color of moss.
"No, I'm not busy," she said then made a small bow after seeing Loki standing there. "Your Highness."
Loki nodded back politely. "Hello, miss."
"How may I serve you?"
"A friend of mine might have been attacked. I need you to examine this blood and find out who attacked them."
Gretta looked alarmed. "And your friend could not identify the attacker, Your Highness?"
"They could have, but were too frightened to tell me."
"Why were they afraid?"
"That is what I want to find out."
"May I inquire who this friend is?"
"It is Kara. She is one of my father's most loyal servants. It would take a lot to frighten her, so seeing her in tears..."
"She was crying?"
"Yes," he said with a nod and she took the vial in her hand.
"Gretta is one of our best sanguinists-that's a blood diviner," Sigurd explained.
Gretta walked to the table when she reached for a small round glass dish and dripped some of the blood into the dish.
"Blood shall tell the tale that is true," murmured Sigurd.
Loki went to stand next to Gretta when she reached for one of the small glass bottles and uncorked the top. She dripped some amber liquid on the blood when the blood started bubbling and she glanced at Loki.
"What's happening?" he asked curiously.
"Watch and see!" she said with a grin when a blue smoke rose from the blood and formed into two figures. The first figure looked male, but not Aesir and the other was female. The figures became clearer when he looked at the female and was stunned to see it was Kara.
"By the Norns," he whispered as he looked at the fear on her face then turned to look at the male figure.
"Adabiel!" he hissed angrily.
"You know this person?" she asked.
"I wish I didn't. He's the Dark Elf ambassador's son. A prince of his people."
"He seems to be threatening her," Gretta said as she looked at Adabiel.
"Can you find out more?" Loki asked and Gretta nodded. She placed a few more drops of blood in another dish then some of the amber liquid. They watched the blue smoke swirl until they saw Adabiel smash the pitcher into Kara's face and Loki's eyes widened in anger.
"That miserable coward!" Loki growled. "How dare he mistreat her?"
"Calm yourself, milord," Sigurd said.
"How can I be calm!? He attacked one of my father's servants!"
"But it will be your word against his if you tell your father about the attack. And the girl may not want to accuse him."
"She might if you two will come and show Father what you found out."
"We will tell him, but you need to convince her to tell her side of the story," Gretta said.
"Then let us go to the castle," Loki said while Gretta and Sigurd picked up the glass with the blood in it and they left the room.
Loki was angry all over again when he remembered the way Kara had looked all bloody and scared—and making up tales to him, she who had grown up beside him and gotten into mischief with him.
"You will come with me to talk with Kara then we will speak with Father," he said as they went in the castle when he saw Kara going up the stairs and called to her.
"Do you need me for something, milord?" Kara said while going back down the stairs then saw Sigurd and Gretta. She knew they were constables and slowly backed away, Had Adabiel accused her of something? Were they here to arrest her for not doing her duty?
"Kara? What is the matter?" Loki asked as tears dribbled down her cheeks.
"Please, Prince Loki, don't let them take me," she said and he gave her a confused look.
"They are not here for you," he said, walking closer and looking into her eyes. "They are here to help you."
"Help me?"
"Yes. I didn't believe you walked into a wall and followed the blood back to the source."
"You did?"
"Yes, and when I confronted your attacker..."
"No! Please! It was my fault! I was too slow and he had all right to punish me!"
"Hey . . . not even a guest has the right to hurt you that way. I don't care what you've done. If I had ever done something like that to any servant Father would make me go cut a switch!"
"He would?"
"Yes! Now, please, come with us and tell Father what happened."
"He won't believe me."
"Yes, he will. You are one of his most loyal servants and he would be furious if he learned from someone else that you have been harmed."
Kara chewed on a fingernail when she nodded and Loki smiled. Taking her hand, they headed for the throne room and the Einherjar guards stood at attention. "I need to speak with the All Father."
The Einherjar guard opened the door while Loki led Kara in the room and Gretta and Sigurd followed behind them. Odin sat on the throne when Huginn and Muninn alerted him he had visitors. He was surprised to see the constables as he sat up straighter and wondered what was going on.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Odin demanded then looked at Loki. "Loki, what have you done now?!"
"Nothing, Father. I'm not in trouble, I swear by the Norns."
"Then why are you with these constables?!"
"They aren't here to arrest me, Your Majesty. They're here to confirm what I'm about to tell you."
"And what is it you wish to tell me?" Odin said as he sat back and was relieved that Loki was not in trouble.
"It appears one of your guests has attacked this young girl," Gretta said, walking to stand next to Loki.
"Is this true, Kara?" Odin said and Loki lightly nudged her as he nodded for her to speak.
"Ye-yes, Sire. It is true," Kara said as she looked down at her feet. "But it was my fault."
"How so?" Odin asked.
"I was... I was not fast enough when he told me to do something."
"Not fast enough?! You are one of the most punctual servants I have."
"Father, he smashed a pitcher into her face and broke her nose!" Loki interjected. "She was bleeding all over when I saw her as I was coming back from magic lessons."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Adabiel," Loki growled and Odin frowned.
"Are you accusing a Dark Elf prince of attacking Kara?"
"We have proof, Sire," Gretta said when she and Sigurd walked to the throne and he looked at the glass in their hands. "Prince Loki was able to obtain some blood from the scene of the attack and we used blood magic to figure out what happened. If I may, I wish to show you the findings."
"Proceed," Odin said and she swirled the blood in the glass. Odin watched as the blue smoke swirled then formed into Kara and Adabiel and he saw the fear in Kara's face. Sigurd swirled the blood in the second glass when Odin saw Adabiel's attack and Odin looked at Kara.
"Is this what really happened?" Odin asked.
"Ye-yes Sire," Kara said then fell to her knees and placed her face in her hands.
"I am so sorry." Odin stood up then he walked down the stairs then knelt down and moved her hands away. She looked at him as he smiled and cupped her cheek in his hand. "There is no need for tears, my dear. I believe you," he said in a soft voice then looked at Loki before standing. "We do have a problem. Even with this evidence, Adabiel's father will never believe his son had done anything wrong."
"But Father! The blood tells the tale!" Loki objected.
"Loki, Krull wouldn't care if Adabiel beat Kara almost to death," Odin sighed. "Because the Dark Elves believe that is their right as royals to treat servants as they choose. So even though I shall speak to the ambassador about this incident, Adabiel won't be punished much if at all."
"By the Nine, Father! If Thor, or Balder, or I had ever done such you'd switch us black and blue. Can't you punish Adabiel?"
"Regrettably, no. Were I to lay hands on a guest after giving my hospitality I would start a war. But I will speak to his father and I shall get one of the older male servants, like Ragnar or Vidar to serve the prince instead."
Loki bit his lip. It wasn't fair but he understood why Odin couldn't give that brat what he deserved, Which meant he would have to get payback on his own. And unlike all the other times, Loki had a feeling that his father wouldn't be angry.
Now he just had to think of a few satisfying pranks.
He swallowed hard, then bowed to his father. "Father, may Kara serve me instead?" That was the only way he knew of to protect her.
Odin eyed the girl thoughtfully. "Will this suit you, Kara?"
She curtsied. "Yes, Sire. I would be honored to serve Prince Loki."
"Then make it so." He peered at the constables. "I shall keep this as evidence. Perhaps it may sway Krull, although I doubt it. But thank you for bringing this to my attention."
"Just doing our job, Sire," said Sigurd, then he bowed and Gretta curtsied and their audience was at an end.
As they all left the throne room, Loki whispered to Kara, "Don't worry. One way or another Adabiel will pay for hurting you."
"Oh please, milord! I don't want to get you in trouble. Not on my account," Kara begged.
Loki gave her a reckless devil-may-care smile. "It'll be all right. This time I don't think I'll get in trouble. And even if I do, it'll be worth it to wipe that smug grin off that rotten snot's face!"
Kara wrung her hands. "Oh, Loki, be careful!" Then she put a hand to her mouth in horror. "I mean milord!"
"You can call me Loki when we're alone," the green-eyed prince said. "You're my friend, and friends don't kneel to friends."
"Oh no, I couldn't! My mama would skin me raw if she knew!"
"Then we'll make sure she doesn't know," he said with a sly grin.
"It's not proper, milord," Kara stammered.
"Oh hang proper. It's not proper that Adabiel gets away with beating you either."
"It is the right of princes to chastise servants," Kara quoted.
Loki snorted. "Not this prince. I don't care what he does when he's at home. He's in Asgard now and nobody hurts my friends!"
She placed a hand on his arm. "Loki, don't. If you hurt Adabiel, the All-Father will be angry."
"Not this time, he won't. Besides, I'm not going to hurt him—just humiliate him to death. And that'll hurt more than my fist in his face."
Kara sighed. "Very well. But if you get in trouble—"
"That wouldn't be anything new. Now come on. You can dust my room or something while I plan. I'll make you look busy so we can talk."
Loki decided that he had to make the prank public, so everyone would see Adabiel get a taste of his own medicine. He knew the spiteful and wicked prince wouldn't want everyone laughing at him, and making people laugh was what Loki did best.
He sat and thought, perched on the edge of his window seat with his chin in his hand leaning on one drawn up knee while Kara busied herself with a feather duster and some lemon polish. He thought and though, his clever brain coming up with multiple plans then rejecting them. Until finally . . . "By the Nine, I've got it!"
Kara nearly dropped the pillow she was plumping on the floor. "Got what, milord?"
Loki shook a finger at her. "Loki, Kara. Remember?"
She flushed. "Aye, Loki."
"Better." He flashed a mischievous grin at her that lit his whole face. "My prank is going to be twofold. First one thing and then another. And no one will be able to say I did it. Well, they might but they won't be able to prove it."
"What is it? What is it?" Max and Aleta chorused, practically jumping up and down on their grandfather.
Odin held a finger to his lips. "Shhh! Miss Mandy is sleeping," he indicated where the elderly lady had fallen asleep in Loki's recliner, with Mystic on her lap.
"Okay, we'll be quiet," the two imps whispered. "What did Daddy do?"
"Maybe he made that nasty prince's pants fall down so everybody saw his underwear?" Max suggested.
Odin's lips quivered.
"That's not good enough," Aleta disagreed. "What about fart powder in his milk? Then everybody would run outta the room."
Odin covered his hand with his mouth, his shoulders shaking with mirth.
You see, Father? They don't need any encouragement! Loki thought, hiding his own snickering behind his tablet.
"Ahem! Shall I go on?"
"Yes!" Both children cried.
"Then hush and listen."
They grew still as mice when a cat stalks, their eyes wide.
"Well, first I'm going to need to get my brother Thor to help," Loki told Kara. "The first part needs him to let me use something of his. And for the second part I'm going to need a bowl of whatever soup is being served tonight for dinner."
"I can get the soup, Loki. My mama will give it to me." Kara promised.
"Good. I was hoping you'd say that. And can you get some chocolate cookies too?"
She giggled. "Of course. Mama always gives me cookies. She'll give me extra if I tell her they're for you. And some milk."
He grinned in delight. "Thanks, Kara. Be prepared to see Adabiel become the laughingstock of the entire court tonight!"
"I can't wait."
"Meet you back here in half-an-hour," Loki said, then he went off to find Thor, who was probably either sparring with Balder or feeding his goats.
Kara went down to the kitchens to get the soup, cookies, and milk.
On the way to the practice fields, Loki passed by Adabiel again. The Dark Elf scion was smirking at something one of the noble sons who hung around court hoping to get the ear of the king said.
"I say the most beautiful woman in the Nine is our queen Frigga," the courtier proclaimed.
Adabiel sneered. "She is ugly as a dried up old hag compared to our Svartalfheim maidens. They are as beautiful as the Vanir Freya!"
Loki went hot with rage. How dare that skulking coward say that about his mother? He quickly amended his original plan to include something even more humiliating.
The courtier looked alarmed. "Milord, I'd not say such things too loudly around here. The queen is most beloved."
"Who cares? Everyone knows you Aesir can't hold a candle to us Alfheim when it comes to sheer attractiveness. And the queen is like a dowdy old woman compared to any of my cousins or my baby sister."
You're gonna be crying like your baby sister when I'm through with you, Adabiel! Loki vowed. Hide and watch!
Again the fawning courtier hushed the arrogant prince and they continued on their way, never noticing Loki in the shadows.
Loki found Thor down at the goat pen, feeding his goats. Tanngrisnr was a snowy white goat and his brother Tanngnjostr was brown and white. Both were shoving Thor playfully as his brother went to feed them. Loki took some carrots from the bucket outside the pen and climbed over the fence.
He gave an odd kind of whistle and the two goats quit trying to butt Thor and came over to him, bleating for the carrots in his hand. He stroked their soft coats and said, "Hey, boys. Want to help me prank an idiot?"
His hands finger combed their fur and removed several hairs. He would need it for the potion he would make later.
"Loki, how did you get them to do that?" Thor wanted to know. "They have no manners, brother. They keep trying to knock me down."
Loki shrugged. "I like animals. I'm a shifter so they like me."
"Can you teach me? They're fun but I'm tired of getting stepped on. And my bottom hurts," Thor admitted.
"All right. I'll help you train them . . . but you have to help me too," Loki bargained.
"With what?"
"With the prank I'm going to pull on His High and Mighty Elfness Adabiel."
Thor's mouth hung open. "Loki! He's a guest. Father will whale the hide off you."
"No, he won't. He sort of gave me permission. Because of what happened with Kara. And he doesn't even know about how that pondslime insulted Mother!"
"What did he say about Mother?" Thor's fists clenched.
"He called her an ugly hag. Said even his baby sister was prettier. And he broke Kara's nose by smashing a pitcher of water in her face," Loki reported.
Thor's cerulean eyes blazed. "He did? Then he deserves whatever we do to him. Tell me what you want me to do."
"I need to borrow Tanngrisnr and Tanngnjostr . . ."
Loki returned to his room after telling Thor of the plan to find Kara had finished cleaning and was dozing on the window seat. A bowl of soup and a tray of cookies and milk was on his small reading table. Loki gently shook her shoulder.
"Hey, sleepyhead, wake up! I'm back!" he sang in her ear.
Kara started awake. "Oh! Forgive me, milord!"
"Only if you call me Loki," he reminded.
"Loki, I'm sorry. I was just so tired and it was so peaceful . . ."
"I don't blame you for taking a nap. You've been awake since dawn, right?"
She nodded. "I got you your soup and the cookies and milk."
"Good. Let's eat, then I'll explain why I wanted the soup."
They ate all the cookies and milk, then Loki told Kara what he was going to do with the soup. "I'm going to put pepper in it, lots of it. To disguise these," he showed her a handful of wriggly worms.
"Ugh! Loki, that's disgusting!"
"I know. And it'll be even more disgusting when he eats it," the mischievous prince laughed. "I'm going to disguise it with a seeming so at first he thinks he's eating noodles."
"That's really funny!" she smiled at him.
"That's for hitting you. But wait till you see what else happens."
He took the bowl of soup and put it on the side of the table. He would pay one of the hall servers to make sure this bowl was given to Adabiel. He knew the servants hated their haughty guest and would be happy to do him a favor.
Then he removed a few vials from his leather satchel and his small cauldron and set it on the little charcoal brazier. He added some water and then a few drops of some oil and the goat hairs he'd obtained from Tanngnjostr and Tanngrisnr. He added something clear and viscous from another vial, then stirred it all together and let it steep.
Kara watched in awe. "What are you brewing, Loki?"
"Something that's going to make that jackass irresistible . . . to goats!"
The girl's eyes went wide. "What are you going to do with it?"
"Sprinkle it on his clothes."
"But won't he notice?"
"No. Because it's odorless and it's clear. Well, it's odorless if you're not a goat."
"Then what?"
"Just wait and see! I promise it'll be something you'll never forget!"
Loki turned himself into a raven and flew into Adabiel's room through the open window with the vial of Eu De Goat in his feet. As he suspected, the Dark Elf had servants lay out his clothes for that night's banquet on his bed. Loki worked the stopper free with his beak and then shifted back into his human shape and sprinkled Adabiel's clothing liberally with the potion, making sure he put most of it on the elf's pants. Then he changed back and flew out the window with no one the wiser.
At the banquet that night, Adabiel and Krull were seated at the same table as Odin and his family, the highest spot on the dais. The ambassador and his son were at the left hand of Odin, while Frigga was at his right. Balder was next to Krull. Loki was seated next to Frigga and Thor next to Loki.
Everyone greeted each other and Odin clapped his hands and the food was brought in. The high table ate first and was given the first choice of small plates of smoked fish, bread, and pickled beets. Loki ate his smoked salmon slowly, thinking Adabiel wouldn't be sneering soon at him from across the salt cellar.
The soup course was served and the high table was given soup from fine silver bowls. Loki slowly sipped his and watched his nemesis over the rim of his bowl. It was vegetable beef noodle soup and was very good.
Loki glanced over at Adabiel as the elf berated one of the servants, who bowed in fear as he backed away. Loki chewed angrily then swallowed as he watched the elf eat and saw he chewed with his mouth open.
"Ew!" Aleta said.
"That's gross!" Max said and Odin nodded.
Loki watched when Adabiel looked at the soup while the servant placed the bowl in front of him and Adabiel looked at the large noodles swirling in the broth. "This smells delicious," Adabiel said when he lifted his spoon and scooped a large amount of the soup onto the spoon.
Thor nudged Loki and Loki winked at him. The two brothers barely concealed their smirks of glee. Balder saw and raised an eyebrow, concealing a grin. He didn't know what they had done but he was aware they had done something to their supercilious guest.
Adabiel swallowed a spoonful of soup and then began coughing. He grabbed his goblet of mead and chugged it down.
"Oh dear," Frigga said softly. "Too much pepper, Your Highness?"
"No, Your Majesty, I'm fine," Adabiel lied, his eyes streaming tears.
"Are you crying?" Thor asked softly.
"No! It's the pepper!" Adabiel snapped, and wiped his eyes with his napkin. He was red faced.
"Maybe we ought to get you a new bowl?" suggested Frigga.
"No. I like hot things," Adabiel said, not wanting to seem like a baby. He then began to eat some more soup . . . sucking down the noodles.
Loki ate some more of his own, waiting until Adabiel had a particularly long noodle hanging from his mouth before he released the seeming, but only so Adabiel could see it. Everyone else at the table except Loki would see noodles.
The Dark Elf's mouth bulged as he glanced down at his bowl. Then he saw the wriggling fat gray worms all in his soup . . . as well as the one long one still in his mouth!
"AHHHH!" he shrieked and spit the worm out.
"By the Nine! What has happened?" Frigga cried.
"Worms! There's worms in my soup!" Adabiel spat, now looking green. "And I ate them!"
"What worms?" Krull demanded. "Boy, quit shrieking like a girl and act your age! The soup is perfectly fine."
"But . . . but Father! There really are worms!" Adabiel whined.
Balder chuckled. "Maybe you're dreaming?"
"I assure you, young prince, that none of my cooks would ever put worms in your soup," Odin informed him.
Adabiel whimpered. "But they're right there! How come you can't see them?"
"Stop it! You're embarrassing me!" his father hissed.
Thor and Loki were giggling behind their napkins, and every diner in the hall was staring at the high table, some puzzled and some laughing.
"Was this your doing?" Balder whispered to Loki. Loki wasn't sure if he should let his older brother in on the prank out of fear he would tell Odin, but he nodded his head and Balder smiled. "Well done."
"You mustn't tell Father," Thor whispered.
"Why would I do that? He deserves it," Balder said with a glare toward Adabiel.
The Dark Elf scion was glaring at the servants, who were also laughing and smirking behind their hands. They didn't know what was really going on but they were glad to see the nasty prince so upset. "You!" he called one of the male servers. "Take this away! It's not fit for pigs to eat!"
Frigga gasped, insulted. "I beg your pardon?!"
Krull gave his son a furious glare. "Forgive my son, Queen Frigga. He didn't mean what he said. He's just excitable." He elbowed Adabiel and hissed in elvish, "You little idiot, stop making a scene! Just shut up and eat whatever is there!"
Adabiel sulked and muttered, "Forgive me, milady, I was mistaken." He looked like he had swallowed a lemon.
Loki barely concealed a smile, thinking it high time the elf got the rough edge of someone's tongue. But the best was yet to come.
The fruit and dessert course was brought in, and everyone exclaimed over the large sculpture of flavored ice shaped like a warrior riding a horse. It was surrounded by small chocolate cakes and tiny lingonberry tarts.
"Ooooo!" the kids said and Odin smiled.
The servants went about serving the tarts and the cakes as Loki looked at the swirls of chocolate mousse on his cake and Thor was practically drooling.
"Wipe your chin." Loki whispered and Thor used the napkin to wipe the drool away.
"Are you gonna do it now?" his brother hissed in his ear.
"Just waiting for the perfect moment," Loki said with a small smirk.
He began to eat his dessert, enjoying the treat immensely.
Adabiel poked at the tart sitting on the plate in front of him and Krull sighed, rolling his eyes. "Stop playing and eat it," he growled and his son nodded.
Balder sucked ice off his spoon and said, "This ice is fabulous, Mother. I must compliment Grisel on her artistry."
"I will tell her you're enjoying it," Frigga said. Loki and Thor also enjoyed the ice and Loki noticed Grisel had added some cherry sauce to his.
Adabiel cautiously ate his ice as he noticed the others staring at him and he fought the urge to tell them to leave him alone.
Loki waited until Odin had finished before he made a discreet gesture under the table.
Odin stood up and announced, "And now for our honored guests we have some entertainment!"
Oh, it is going to be entertaining, alright," Loki thought with a small grin and gave Thor and Balder a wink.
The doors to the hall were thrown open and a troupe of dancers came in with cymbals and bells. As they processed into the hall, there came a strange noise, as of goats baaing.
""By My Good Eye, what is all that racket?!" Odin demanded.
Then Tanngnjostr and Tanngrisnr and another smaller black goat trotted down the banquet hall.
Some of the guests were startled, but others just thought it was part of the entertainment and laughed.
The goats raced over the benches and inbetween the diners, their slit pupiled eyes focused upon something at the far end of the hall.
"Thor! What are your goats doing out of their pens?!" Odin demanded. "I have no idea, Father. I thought I had closed the gate," Thor said.
Loki grabbed a tart off a platter and waved it at the goats. "C'mere, Tanngnjostr and Tanngrisnr!" He was really directing them towards Adabiel.
The goats, anticipating a snack, headed toward Loki when they smelt something even better and headed for Adabiel.
"No! Stay away!" Adabiel screamed when Tanngnjostr slid under the table and Adabiel screamed.
Tanngrisnr jumped on the table and raced right at the Dark Elf. "Mhhaamaaa!"
"Thor! Control your goats!" Odin shouted. "Yes, Father!" Thor said and leaped over the table, running toward the goats.
"Let us help, Brother!" Balder said and he and Loki went to help Thor.
And the little black goat jumped right over it and landed on Adabiel's leg. 'Mnnyaaah!" he cried in bliss and began jumping up and down.
"Get off of me!" Adabiel shouted.
He began running about with the goat jerking against his leg.
People were pointing and hysterically laughing.
"Help!" he screamed while Thor, Loki and Balder tried to catch him and the little goat bleated, but didn't let go of his leg.
A larger goat, the little goat's mother, replied to her child's call when it scraped its hoof on the floor and charged at Adabiel.
Tanngrisnr bleated and head butted Adabiel right in the behind, sending the boy and the little goat flying towards the angry nanny goat.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Adabiel shouted then landed on the nanny goat's back and the little goat let go. The nanny goat snorted and walked in a circle when she raised her back legs and bucked him off of her back.
Several of the warriors were howling with laughter, nearly prostrate on the floor.
The servants had placed the trays on the tables as they leaned against the walls and covered their mouths, laughing as tears rolled down their cheeks.
Even the musicians had placed their instruments on the floor and were holding onto each other while laughing.
Thor was holding onto Tanngnjoster's collar and laughing, leaning on the goat.
Loki and Balder had finally caught Tanngrisnr as they laughed and Loki patted the goat's head. "Good boy," Loki whispered, watching Adabiel turning in circles while glaring at them.
Adabiel landed right on top of the table where the remainder of the ice was and smacked headfirst into the melting sculpture.
Then Tanngrisnr jumped up and tore a huge hole right out of the seat of the elf's pants.
"Mmnnyaahhh!"
"AHHHHHHHH!" Adabiel shouted and everyone pointed at the bright pink underpants he was wearing.
"He's wearing female underpants!" Thor shouted, collapsing to the floor as he laughed.
Loki cracked up, leaning against the table. This was even better than he had planned.
Adabiel scooted off the table as he tried to hide his shame when he looked at Loki and frowned. "You! You did this!" Adabiel shouted as he pointed a finger at him. "I should have known! Guards! Arrest him!"
Balder stepped in front of his brother. "You have no authority here, you little pipsqueak! How dare you accuse Loki of doing anything when everyone can see he was right here the whole time?"
"He is a trickster! They can't be trusted!" he shouted and looked at the guards. "Don't just stand there! Arrest him!"
"Beg pardon, milord, but that's not the way things are done here," drawled Ralf. "We only take orders from the royal family, not guests."
"Even royal guests," added Tanni, a tall guard with brown hair.
"Adabiel, stop this nonsense at once!" Krull shouted as he stood up then looked at Odin. "I do apologize."
"I also for my son's unruly goats," Odin sighed. "Thor, go and put them back in their pen."
Yes, Father," Thor said and he, Balder and Loki went about herding the goats then led them out of the room. Thor gave Loki a smile as they headed outside toward the goat pens and led the goats inside.
Back in the hall, a furious and humiliated Adabiel was having a royal tantrum, demanding Loki be punished for what he had done.
"Adabiel, stop acting like a child!" Krull shouted.
"No! I demand that freak be locked away!" Adabiel shouted and Odin's eye widened.
"What did you just call my son?!" Odin asked.
"Apologize at once!" Krull said as Kara poured some wine into his glass and he gave her a small nod.
"You! You are in on this, aren't you?!" Adabiel shouted, pointing at her and Krull frowned.
"Now what are you talking about?"
"She is the one who put those worms in my soup!" he shouted and Krull sighed.
"There were no worms in the soup!"
"They were all in on it!" he shouted. "Don't you see, Father?"
"All I see is my son embarrassing me!"
"And what reason would we have to harm you?" Frigga asked.
"Have you done something?" Odin asked.
"No!" Adabiel said and the room became silent when the doors opened and Heimdall walked in the room. Everyone was shocked to see the Gate Keeper away from his post and his dark eyes locked onto the elf. "Heimdall, what brings you here?" Odin asked and Heimdall made a deep bow.
Thor, Loki, and Balder re-entered the hall just as they saw Heimdall come in.
"Of course," Loki whispered. "I should have gone to him. He would have seen what happened."
Don't blame yourself, Brother. It looks like someone is about to get what's coming to him," Thor said, patting his brother's shoulder.
I am sorry for not coming sooner, Sire," Heimdall said as he glanced at Adabiel.
"No need for apologies," Odin said. "What news have you brought me?"
"It appears the young Dark Elf has abused one of your loyal servants," he said, looking at Kara. "Isn't that right, Girl?"
"Y-yes," Kara said and Adabiel glared at her.
Krull stared at her. "She seems fine. When did this occur?"
"It was last night. Prince Loki had found her shortly after the attack and healed her."
"See! I told you it was the freak! He is trying to frame me!" Adabiel shouted.
"Do you have any proof?" Krull asked.
"Yes, we do," Odin said and clapped his hands. A servant brought the glasses with the blood in them and Gretta walked to the throne.
"Who is this?"
"This is Gretta. She is one of my constables," Odin said and he handed her the first glass.
"What is she going to do?"
"I am going to use blood magic," she said and waved her hand over the blood. The blue smoke rose from the blood when the smoke formed into Adabiel and Kara and she explained that it looked like he was shouting at Kara.
"Were you shouting at her?" Krull asked.
"No!" Adabiel said and his father looked at Kara.
"Why was he shouting at you?"
"I... I had been too slow with something he asked me to do," she said and lowered her head.
"I see," Krull said then looked at Gretta. "Is there more?"
"Yes, Sire," Gretta said as she picked up the second glass and waved her hand over the blood. The blue smoke rose up as the others saw the figure of Adabiel smashed the pitcher into the figure of Kara's face and some of the women gasped.
"No! That isn't what happened! It's a trick! Loki is framing me!" Adabiel shouted.
Frigga spoke up. "Now that is a bald-faced lie, young man! Loki was with me all morning having lessons. And Kara would have been in to clean your rooms while he was in my quarters."
"Shut up, you old cow!" Adabiel shouted and the room became dead silent.
"Uh-oh!" Max said.
"He is in trouble!" Aleta said.
"Yes, he was," Loki said and Odin nodded.
"Serious trouble," the small Seer declared. "Nobody calls MY Bestemor a cow!"
"No, they do not," Frigga said with slightly smug look and Thor laughed.
"What happened next?" Max asked.
"Did he get his butt smacked?!" Aleta asked.
"Scamps, let your grandfather finish," Loki gently reprimanded.
"Sorry," they said and Odin smiled.
"WHAT did you just call my wife?" Odin demanded, his voice crackling with anger.
"I called her an old cow! Look at her! My little sister is better looking than her!" Adabiel said and Thor, Balder and Loki stormed toward him.
"No one says that about our mother and gets away with it!" Thor bellowed.
"What are you going to do? You cannot raise a hand to me! It will cause a war!"
"Then apologize to our mother and admit to your crime," Loki said. "If I had said such things to her, it would break my mother's heart and I would be punished for hurting a servant."
"Never!"
"Then you are no prince. A true prince would never intentionally harm anyone unless in battle and respects the people who serve them."
"They also respect their parents," Balder added.
Several of those watching applauded.
Adabiel looked at the brothers, at Frigga and Odin then at his father and frowned. He had never been spoken to in such a manner, but he also knew his reputation was on the line.
"Come here," he said while pointing to Kara and she slowly walked to him. He saw the fear in her eyes, just like all the servants at home, and he felt a knot in his chest. He stood straighter when he lowered his head slightly and reached out his hand. She took his hand as he looked at her and sighed. "I wish to apologize. I had no right in harming you,"
"Do you mean that, Sire?" she asked.
"Yes," he said with a nod.
"Then I accept your apology," she said with a small smile.
Adabiel looked at Frigga when he walked to her and placed his hands in front of him. "Queen Frigga, I... I wish to apologize for my harsh words," he said.
"I am glad you want to apologize, but those words were very hurtful," she said and he nodded.
"Again, I apologize."
"If you truly mean your words, there is someone else you need to apologize to," she said and pointed toward Loki. Nodding, he walked to Loki as Loki crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him.
"I'm sorry," Adabiel said in a soft voice and Loki blinked his eyes a few times.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that," Loki said.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted."
"He called you a freak," Young Sif said and Loki's eyes widened.
"Oh really?!" Loki asked and Thor and Balder appeared behind their brother.
"I really am sorry!" Adabiel said and Loki swore he was nearly in tears.
"Did he really mean it?" Max interrupted. "Or was he just saying that?"
"Daddy would know," Aleta pointed out. "He always does."
Loki frowned. The elf prince seemed sincere. And yet . . . and yet Loki knew plenty of bullies and he knew that such people didn't suddenly change their behavior or personality in mere moments.
"You're a slick talker, Adabiel. But I know that what you say isn't what you mean. Or else you wouldn't have taken this long to say you were sorry. You're only sorry you were found out," Loki said coldly.
Adabiel glared at Loki. He knew his ruse was over. His pride and reputation was in tatters.
"Well, it was worth a try," he said with a sly grin.
"Why you lying little-!" Thor looked like he was going to punch the elf in the nose.
Balder grabbed him. "You can't, little brother!"
"He's right," Loki said.
"And that is why I will get away with all this," Adabiel said, but didn't see Krull coming up behind him.
"None of you can harm me or it means war."
"They may not be able to do anything, but I can!" Krull said and Adabiel turned to look at his father.
The boy laughed mockingly. "You, Father? You promised Mother on her deathbed you would raise me as she wanted."
"Yes, I did, but I now see the error of that promise."
"Error?"
"Yes, I wanted a son I could be proud of. A son who treats people with respect. A son who would mean his words and acknowledges his misdeeds."
"I am a Prince of the Blood! Like my mother before me," Adabiel declared arrogantly. "And I apologize to no one! Not even you, Father, for you only hold your rank because you married into the royal family."
Krull had had enough. He looked at his son and remembered how his father treated him when he had misbehaved. One time, he had taken Krull over his knees during a formal dinner and spanked him. His howls echoed around room as the guests laughed then his father had placed him on his feet and seemed to be trying hard not to cry. He told Krull he hated humiliating him in such a manner and he had apologized to everyone. Would the same happen if he humiliated Adabiel?
You have let him get away with behaving this way, he thought. And now you must correct it. Jacinda, you were wrong. Our son has become a spoilt bully, not a prince worthy of our house.
"Well, Father, what are you going to do?!"
"Something I should have years ago when you told me you could do whatever you wished because you were royal and I wasn't." Krull said, his dark eyes snapping. "Royal or not, boy, I'm still your father and I have had it with your defiance and your disrespect to me and to Odin and his family!"
With a speed of a serpent, Krull grabbed hold of his son and Loki waved his hand, making a chair appear behind Krull. Nodding, Krull sat down and pulled his son onto his lap. "Release me, you cur!" Adabiel shouted.
Odin snapped his fingers and a hazel switch appeared in his hand. He gave it to Krull.
"Thank you," Krull said and Adabiel's eyes widened.
"You wouldn't dare!" Adabiel shouted.
"Stop mewling like an infant and take your punishment like a man," Krull said and raised the switch.
"Let me go, Father! You have no right!"
"I have every right!" Krull said and slammed the switch against Adabiel's bottom.
Adabiel's howling filled the room and some of the guests started snickering.
"Silence!" Odin said with a raised hand and the room became silent.
Except for the boy sobbing and kicking over his father's knee.
Krull used the switch nine more times then dropped the switch onto the floor and his hand was shaking. Not from anger, but from the pain of having to harm his son.
He let his son stand up on shaking legs as Adabiel glared at him and wiped the tears away with the back of his hand.
"Now apologize," Krull ordered. "And this time you had better mean it."
"And if I refuse?!" Adabiel asked with a defying look.
Krull picked up the switch again. "You want five more?"
"N-n-n-n-no!" he said with a shake of his head and Thor smiled, nudging Loki.
"Then apologize!" Krull said and Adabiel looked at Kara.
"I am truly sorry," he said and she nodded. He then turned and looked at Frigga.
"Yes?" Frigga asked and he made a little cough.
"I am truly sorry for the things I have said. Please forgive me."
"I forgive you. Now apologize to Loki."
Gritting his teeth, the elf prince did so.
Loki nodded in acceptance, but he sensed he had made an enemy that day, one that might one day try and do him serious harm. But it had been worth it.
"Did he go home? Did you ever see him again?" Aleta wanted to know.
"I hope not!" Max said. "I feel bad for his sister, having to live with a mean brother like that."
Loki laughed. "You know, imp, so did I."
"To answer your question, yes he did go home. His father sent him home with an escort the day after that dinner," Odin replied. "And after that Krull came alone to visit us on his ambassadorial trips."
"Thank the Norns!" Frigga said fervently.
"Hey, Bestefar," Max said suddenly. "Can we come to Asgard when it's summer?"
"Yeah I wanna see it and live in the castle like a real princess," Aleta said eagerly. "Only not a nasty one like Adabiel."
"That would be lovely!" Frigga cried.
"Yes, I would like that very much," Odin smiled. "When can you come?"
"Uh . . . summer vacation is in a few months," Loki said. "As soon as the kids are out of school we'll pack and come over Bifrost and stay for a month or two."
"Yay!" Max and Aleta cheered.
"Okay, scamps, I think it's time for bed," Loki announced.
"Awww!" they groaned.
"Hey, none of that," he said quietly. "Tell your grandfather thank you for the stories."
Both Max and Aleta gave Odin a hug and kiss, thanking him prettily.
Then Loki picked up Aleta in one arm and would have picked up Max too, but Frigga did so, saying, "Do you mind if I help, Loki?"
Her son smiled at her. "Your help is always welcome, Mother."
As she climbed the stairs holding her grandson, the Queen of Asgard couldn't help but think that if she closed her eyes she could imagine she held Loki in her arms. Max leaned his head on her shoulder and yawned. "Sleepy."
"You've had a long day, alskling," his grandma murmured, stroking the fine ebony hair that was so like her son's.
She carried the little boy into his room, and gently lay him down in bed. Max yawned and asked, "Sing to me?"
So Frigga sang the same lullaby she used to sing to her sons, and Max smiled and fell asleep.
She gently stroked his cheek, then went across the hall to find her son rocking his little spark in the rocking chair and singing the same lullaby in his skin-stroking velvet voice. Frigga leaned in the doorframe and watched, thinking what a beautiful picture this was of Loki and his baby girl.
Loki waited until Aleta was fast asleep before putting her into bed. He kissed her forehead then turned and saw Frigga.
"Is Max asleep?"
"Oh yes. I sang to him and he fell asleep right away."
Her son laughed softly. "I used to also." He went to kiss his youngest son good night.
Frigga followed then stood looking down at the sleeping child and muttered, "Loki, he looks so much like you. Are you sure he's not . . .?"
"It's impossible to know, Mother. Max's mom was . . . she was a lady of the night. And she didn't know who fathered him."
"Is she alive?"
"No. She died and it's a good thing because she hurt him terribly. She used drugs and when she did she beat him and locked him in closets. When he first came here he was like a shadow, afraid of every loud noise or sudden movement, he wouldn't even let me touch him. It took me months to get him to stop hiding under the bed."
"Poor baby!"
"Yes and he wasn't the only one. All of these kids were abused and abandoned. Until they came to live with me."
"You fixed all the broken pieces."
"As best I could. And that's why I don't care who fathered Max. He's my son. Nobody's son but mine," Loki said firmly.
Frigga hugged him. "No one would ever doubt that, Loki. I'm proud of you, son."
"Thank you, Mother." Loki murmured. "Shall we go down and have some tea?"
"Lead the way, my son," she laughed, and followed him back down the stairs.
A/N: Adabiel is the Angel of Chaos and Destruction-that's not a coincidence that character bears that name, also thanks again ninewood!