Chapter 54.

Loki arrived at the Castle and dismounted his horse, the snow still fell and he looked around for one person in particular. He was not angry when he did not see her waiting, the cold being an issue and he walked toward the gates. He hurried, walking toward the Hall and heard the laughter drift toward him from the Yule celebration. He walked faster, hoping she was there and saw a woman in a long emerald velvet and gold gown among the guests, the outer sleeves pulled back to her elbows and the fabric hanging to her waist. The tighter, inner sleeves were embroidered in gold, and made of silk that shimmered with the light as she moved. Her brown hair was swept up in a soft twist, and she wore a tiara of Gold and emeralds. He stopped, staring in awe of Floria, admiring the regal creature she had become in his absence.

She smiled and nodded at the Ambassadors from Vanenheim, her laughter and manners shining examples of how the future Queen of the Realm should act. She turned, and accepted a small gift from the Alfar Ambassador and he nearly missed his announcement of his arrival in his admiration and collected himself.

He stood in the Hall, the Paige announcing him and everyone stopped. Floria standing and smiling at him as he took the scroll with the treaty on it to Odin, he half expected her to run toward his arms and she disappointed him again. Her only response was to smile and curtsy as he walked by, her hands folding as she lowered her eyes in respect. Sari took the small box from her and it left her hands free to stand patiently as she waited for his attentions.

She watched him, he passing her and walking toward King Odin and he presented the treaty to him. She smiling and watched the old man read the page in front of him, and he grinned in pleasure at the words on it. She felt nervous suddenly, wondering if telling him that day would be the right thing to do but she could hardly hide it much longer. She twisted her fingers and tugged at her high collar, fidgeting a bit and felt the baby move in her belly. Loki turned back, Odin congratulating him on his work and she walked toward him. Embracing him and being careful for her growing secret so he wpuld not notice it. She kissed him, looking up into his eyes and smiled.

"You have a radiance to you I have never seen before. I wonder what gave it to you." Loki said and she smiled at him. Her hands closed over his and she laughed at his words, her lips kissing his hand.

"Seeing you again gave it to me. I knew your efforts would be a success to celebrate." She replied and he kissed her cheek. Her heart pounded as Frigga stepped forward and clapped her hands for attention, her hands shaking and she joined the Queen. Loki looked at her in confusion, and she blushed at the attention of the hall.

"Princess Floria has a gift for her Husband and would like all of you to witness her presenting it to him." Frigga announced and Floria stood still, Loki grinning at the game she seemed to be playing.

"You have no pouch or box, where could it be?" He asked and walked around her. She blushed, clearing her throat and smiling sweetly to hide her nervousness.

"I have it hidden on my person, you must be clever and find it." She said and blushed, Loki walked around her and took her wrist. He slipped two of his fingers up her sleeve and then the other one. She shook her head, smiling as he stepped back and thought.

"May I have a hint?" He asked and she shook her head, he walked around behind her, peering under the hem of her skirt and leaned close to her ear. "I will find it."

"I hope you do soon My Love." She returned, standing still. He slipped a finger into her collar and a few people gave hoots at his search, he backed away then and thought long about where to look next. His face fell, and he laughed as she did and walked toward her.

"Nightengale, I beg you to tell..." He said and stopped, placing a hand on her waist and sliding his hand around to her growing belly. She put her hand over his, his face going slack in shock. His heart skipped a beat and he looked into her eyes, her smile bright and filled with honest happiness. The guests gasped, an excited murmur filling the Hall at her announcement and she looked into his eyes.

"You have found it, I congratulate you and pray you are as happy as I am." She said and he lowered himself to his knees in front of her. He pressed his cheek to the swell, his hands holding her in place at her middle and he closed his eyes.

"How long?" He asked, his voice thick and she let her fingers smooth his hair. He gasped, blinking back tears and the guests murmured at his actions.

"Four months. I discovered it to be true the day after you left." She said and he laughed, turning his face to kiss the bump and he stood. He kissed Floria, holding her cheeks and she smiled at him with wide eyes.

"I am very happy, and honored that you carry my child. I came home to spoil you, and now I find you indulging my greatest pride." He said and she laughed softly. The audience cheered, all of the guests offering words of congratulations and she blushed as her Mother and Father walked to her.

"I am very disappointed in you Daughter." Hogun said and Velora elbowed him on the ribs. "She deceived us Dear Wife, making us believe that she had no condition that she was hiding."

"I wanted Loki to know before anyone else, he is the father after all." Floria said and he held her close her, taking her hand and laughing a bit. He walked her out of the Hall, looking down at her and saw her rest a hand on her stomach.

"Perhaps you should rest, and let me spoil you now with my gifts. I have brought you many wonderful things, and cannot wait to give them to you." Loki said, walking with her and smiling.

"Are you truly pleased?" She asked and he stopped her, lifting her chin and kissing her.

"I truly am Dear Nightengale." He said and smiled. "This is a suprise I find myself truly greatful for."

She took both of his hands, pressing them to her swell and smiled at him. He felt a fluttering movement under his fingers and looked at her, shock on his face and his eyes filling with tears. He looked down at his fingers in mute shock, wonder on his mind at the miracle inside her being worked. A slow, broad smile crossed his face and his eyes met hers.

"Is that the child?" He asked and she nodded, her eyes shining. He lifted her off her feet, making her yelp in suprise and she held onto him.

"What are you doing?" She asked in amusment and giggled.

"You shall not walk again, your body is too precious right now." He said before she could protest and she kicked her feet a bit. He walked, carrying her to their chambers and lay her on the bed.

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"I am so proud to call myself your Wife." Floria said, Loki looking up from his book at the top of her head. He snaked an arm around her, her hands over her belly and he raised an eyebrow at her. She had set her book in her lap and was watching the snow fall out the window as the sun set, her eyes following the feather like flakes as they fell.

"What makes you say this?" He asked her and she smiled. Her cheek never left his chest, and the emerald folds of her gown shifted with each breath she took.

"Should I have a reason not to be proud of what you accomplished?" She asked him and he laughed. She watched the snow again, her eyes serene and shining.

"I suppose not, unless you have a stronger skin than mine to bear the weight of my past sins." He said and she pushed off the bed and looked at him. She held her belly, her hand on the swell and he sat up. His hands covered hers and he felt another slight movement, the child in her strong.

"Are you well? Is there something wrong?" He asked her and she shook her head, she looked at him and he sighed in relief.

"I am well, it just pains me to see you be so harsh to yourself. Please stop judging yourself by your sins, not when you have done so much good." She said and stopped him before her could protest. "Look at me, do you not see how you have elevated me and expanded my mind, then given me such wonderful things? All see how you have changed, I only beg you to see it as well. Look at yourself with better eyes."

"You are kinder than others, I should live only for your opinion." He said and moved his hands to open her gown. She squirmed, trying to back from him and he stopped her. Her hands moved his away, a nervousness filling her eyes.

"I fear you will not like my body." She said and he stopped her with a kiss, his fingers working the lacings.

"Let me judge, I want to see. I want to touch the body that carries our child so safely, to see how wonderous you have become." He said and she blushed, his fingers unlacing the gown and letting it fall around her waist. He caressed the swelling of her belly, admiring it and pressing his lips to it.

"My child," He said to the small bump. "Be kind to this woman in n, for she has dreamed of you for so long."

"Am I still pretty?" She asked, the wrappings around her breasts tempting him as he looked at her face and he kissed her. She blushed, his hands smoothing over her and he ran his fingers through her hair.

"No." He said and held her face. "You are beautiful beyond words."

He kissed her slowly, slipping the gown off her body and laying her back. His hands making her sing in joy, and his body joining hers in peace.