Since finding out that Leiyah was pregnant and taking the prescribed potions, she was feeling much better. Mechel had been overjoyed and had started teaching her safe ways to let go of magic. Now it was 10 days away from their one year wedding anniversary and Arvid wanted to host a huge party. At this event the news would be proclaimed as well. Loki was still smiling, he couldn't stop. He hoped their child would look like her. He was helping everyone who needed help and helping repair things in the town. After two days they had returned to their nightly activities with more vigor than before. Leiyah had also started looking into books about parenting and pregnancies and had found so many different ones that she had bought them all, via carrier of course as the pregnancy was still a secret. Loki was currently sitting behind Leiyah on the bed, massaging her shoulders and neck. "Does this feel good?"
She moaned at a particularly tight spot on her right shoulder, "Yes."
He whispered into her ear, "I love it when you moan like that."
She laughed, "I know you do, that is why I am pregnant right now."
A sigh and warm hands on her stomach, "I love it when you say that. You are pregnant. You will have our child." She put her hands on his and sent out a few sparks. "I wonder what it will be."
"What are you hoping for, my beautiful wife."
"I don't care, as long as it is healthy. Either way I will be happy. As long as it gets your beautiful hair, and your eyes, and your smile."
Loki kissed her neck, "Well I want a girl, and I want her to look just like you."
"Why a girl?"
"Because then she will truly be ours."
She understood, "If it's a girl she can't be heir to the throne of Asgard. And Odin will not meddle into her upbringing."
"Exactly. Of course I want it to be healthy and happy, but if it's a boy, he will be taken from us. Raised to believe he will be king, until the day Thor has a son. I don't want him to feel like I did, believing you can be king when in reality you never had a chance. Of course, I, one day, want a son. Nothing would make me happier than to have so many children with you, but this, our first time, I want to do it our way. I want this child to grow up carefree. To just live and be happy."
"She could still be heir to Vanaheim."
"I have a feeling you were brought up differently."
"Perhaps. Well if it is a girl, I still want her to have your hair and eyes."
"I prefer your eyes, and your hair, your lips, your smile."
She laughed and hugged his arms tighter, "I am sorry for your childhood. And I will do everything in my power to raise our child the way we want it."
"Mhhh. I am sure you will. I know I married a strong woman. I think we timed this perfectly, married a year, a child on the way, many more to come."
Another laugh, "How many are we talking?"
"As many as we can."
"You will make me into a breeding mare." She laughed.
"Never. If ever you don't want to anymore, tell me. I will continue to ravage your body, but a contraceptive potion is easy."
"What if I only want this one?"
"Then I will have one child."
She kissed him, "I will want more. No worries."
Loki hummed against her again and conjured an illusion, 5 children around them, all girls. "Loki! I am sure we will have at least one son." One girl turned into a boy. Two girls were the youngest, one maybe around 10, the other 16. Their oldest daughter 30. Leiyah smiled. "I want this with you. But I hate uneven numbers." Another flick, and Leiyah looked down at herself, heavily pregnant. "You think after 5 pregnancies you will still desire me?"
"Oh yes. Every single one only proves how much I love you."
She hummed against his mouth, "No concubines?"
"Never. No illegitimate children. Only ours."
She laughed, she never doubted him. The illusion ended when someone knocked at the door. It was a boy who worked at the castle, "Excuse me your Highnesses, I have a letter for you." Loki extended his arm, motioning for the boy to come forward. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, have a wonderful day."
"You too." Leiyah smiled at the boy, who blushed and left. "He likes you. Can't fault him. You are beautiful."
She swatted his hand, "Who is the letter from?"
"Thor."
"Oh?"
" 'Dearest brother and sister, I hope you are doing well and everything is going smoothly. Mother and I miss you terribly. Heimdall has told me that father is growing agitated, not hearing from you and as you are both cloaked Heimdall can't see you. I hope you write soon, for if not, I fear father will wish your immediate return. Happy wedding anniversary. Wishing you the best. Thor.' Well, it had to end one day."
"Who says it does? Write Odin, or at least your mother. Let her know of our trips to the town and all the food we have been eating."
"No mention of the baby?"
"That seems like a definite reason for us to be sent back home."
Loki closed the letter and asked, "Can Heimdall see into Vanaheim?"
"Barely, he can see people, not the city itself or what we are doing properly. We might need to let him see us once. We could go on a picnic. I could cloak the baby."
"Good idea. I will write to mother, so Odin can stop being worried." Loki stood, pressed a kiss to Leiyah's head and one to her stomach and sat at the desk to write.
"How are you feeling, my starlight?" Kaylina was watching her daughter, every tiny move she made, every breath she took, every time a hand came close to her stomach. Leiyah had noticed this of course, her father did it as well.
"Very good, mama. Please don't worry. Many women before me have had children."
"I know, but not my daughters. Yet. And I will worry about you. Do you feel any different from two weeks ago?"
"No cramping anymore, no dizziness, no pain. Some nausea at times but I guess that is normal. And my magic is under control."
"I wish I could be with you the whole way."
Leiyah's eyes turned sad, looking down. "Me too. But the more I progress the more we will need to return to Asgard. Odin will wish it."
"I know. I wish things were different. But I know you will be great." Her mother hugged her, marveling at the strong woman she had become. She was so proud of her, having kept dignity and grace and a strength few had, over the last months. Her grandmother entered, smiling at them. "You must return to Vanaheim once the child is born. It needs a proper celebration. Not the ones Asgard sees fit."
A chuckle, "I will grandmamma. I promise."
"You must also think about whether you and your husband wish to remain in the castle in Asgard or find a place of your own."
"I don't know if the Allfather would allow us to leave."
"He needs to stop ordering you around."
Leiyah smirked at her grandmother, at the fire she still had in her. She wished to be just like her when she got older. "And also, don't let them talk you into not raising a son with magic. I know Asgard's views on that. Any child of yours will be a powerful seidr wielder. And I won't allow any disrespect on that side."
"I promise, no child of mine will be disrespected because of their magic."
Kaylina asked, "Does Loki wish for a son? An heir to Asgard?"
"No, he wants a daughter. To spoil her."
"Daughters are easier to raise. I raised a son and a daughter and would take a daughter any day again."
"Thank you, mother. I appreciate the sentiment." Arvid entered with Loki and kissed his mother on the cheek.
"You know what I mean. Your sister was a lot calmer and practically raised herself."
Loki chuckled and put a protective arm around Leiyah, "How are you feeling?"
She rolled her eyes, "I wish everyone would stop asking me that every 10 minutes. I promise I will tell you all if I do not feel fine. But I am fine. No discomfort, no cramps, just a normal day. The baby is too small for it to be a burden yet."
"I just want to make sure."
"I know and I appreciate it, but please, everyone, stop treating me like a porcelain doll."
Regiana nodded, "Rightfully so. Women are strong. We are the backbone of every family, without our strength, it would fall apart."
"Has your mother answered yet?"
"Yes, this morning after you left. She writes to bring her some more herbs and liquids. And she wishes us well and will delay our return for as long as she can."
"Your mother is a gift."
"She is." Leiyah looked out, to a distant cottage on the edge of the realm. "I wish we had more time, so you could meet Freya. She could teach you so much."
"Next time, my darling."
At night Loki was looking out into the night. Leiyah had fallen asleep instantly, tired from the magic teaching and the walk around the town. But Loki could not sleep. He looked over the gardens, watched some of the distant lights from the edge of the town, watched the lights on the side of the castle, a few people in the windows. He thanked the Heavens for their miracle, for their child, for his wife. He worried for them, already. He sent another silent prayer that it please be a girl. He did not want their child in Odin's clutches. And Odin would not care too much for a daughter. He wished Thor would finally find a wife, have children, or even ascend to the throne. He knew it was a horrible thing to wish for, but he found a new purpose, a new reason to live. And he wished to protect that. He'd do anything to protect it. This perfect little world he had found. He saw two people walking along the private garden; Vidal and Marielle. They kept asking if they needed anything, if they needed to work, but Leiyah had assured them that while they were here, they would rarely need them and to enjoy their time here. Calia had gone so far as to travel to her father's house, she would return tomorrow. None of them knew of the pregnancy. Loki looked over to where his wife slept, she hogged the bed when he wasn't in it. And her mouth was always slightly open. She was adorable. He wanted to stay. Knew this place was safer for her. Also, he felt accepted, useful, important. His ideas received praise and many were used. His magic was marveled at. His wit was respected. A small sigh from Leiyah, she had turned on her side now, having tugged more of the blanket to her. Soon she'd be two months. After three, they would have to return to Asgard sooner rather than later. A month, maybe two seemed like a long time, but for them it was a mere blink of the eye. Another sigh; Loki moved to the bed and climbed in, tugging at the blanket. She sighed and moved closer to him. Holding her close he whispered, "I will protect you with everything I have. Always."
The next day, Loki had asked their three friends to have tea with them. Leiyah was having an animated conversation about Calia's sister's new husband. Apparently, it was the third one and she still wasn't entirely happy. Loki started, "I asked you here because we have news and I thought it'd be wise to tell you all first, so we can prepare properly." He had asked Leiyah her opinion on that, she had agreed. With an upcoming return to Asgard they would need to figure everything out as soon as possible.
Calia looked concerned, "Is everything alright?"
Loki motioned for Leiyah to tell the news. "We are expecting our first child." All eyes widened and then cheering broke out. Yells of congratulations and happiness and joy were all there. "How wonderful. Yes, you are right, we must prepare properly for this."
Leiyah added, "This, Marielle, is where I must ask something of you. Your mother is the best birthing nurse I know. Do you think she could send someone with us as well? We are getting one from the healers here, but I would feel better if we had someone else with us as well."
"Yes, of course. I will ask her later."
"Next, we will announce this in a week at the festivities. And then it is only a matter of time before we must return to Asgard. You know you can always choose to stay here-" Her words were cut short by three denials, all stating they would return with the couple.
"You truly are great friends."
"We know. How far along are you?"
"7 weeks. Maybe after 3 months we must return. Once I start showing." 3 nods.
Loki added, "We might also need to add another guard, perhaps one from Asgard this time, even though I am uncertain about that. And we need to remodel rooms. But your safety comes first."
"Yes, dear husband." Leiyah rolled her eyes at him but appreciated the sentiment.
"These news could mean an abrupt voyage, doesn't it?" Marielle asked.
"It could."
Another nod. Nobody wished to leave, especially not fast, all needing a big goodbye. But if the Allfather commanded it, they might not have a choice. Calia smiled at Leiyah again, she had always loved children. "I am so happy for you. I know it was a fear you had."
"Yes. But it worked out perfectly."
The feast was in full swing. Kaylina and Arvid were dancing, Serelle sitting next to her sister and talking about nonsense. Loki was with their friends and other nobles. It was a merry gathering. The atmosphere was different from Asgard's feasts. Usually Loki would sit beside his wife and talk with her or their friends, but here Loki was accepted, was welcome. Arvid had invited some special magic wielders and had immediately introduced them to Loki. Arvid may not say it but he always wanted a son, and to now also have a grandchild on the way, Arvid was overjoyed. Kaylina had also never seen her husband so content and relaxed. The prince with the black hair and green- blue eyes was happy with his conversation, having arranged a few meetings in the upcoming weeks with magically gifted men and women. Many times though he would look up to the sofas where his wife was sitting, laughing and sharing stories with her sister and grandmother now too. She had a casual hand on her stomach, as if expecting to feel something at any moment. He knew it was too soon but he couldn't wait.
"I heard you are quite the trickster when you wish to be." A lady close to him asked.
"Yes, I do enjoy them."
"Stories of your pranks on your brother have reached even us."
"My brother is easily fooled and tricked. What other stories have you heard of me?"
"Many, my prince. Your legacy proceeds you, but from what I have seen, I can tell that the stories might have been exaggerated."
"I assure you, many of the horrible stories you have heard of me are true."
"But those are in the past. We believe not to judge others by past mistakes, but to view them for ourselves. Take stories of the Allfather. Beloved and marveled at by many, yet he kept you and the princess confined."
Loki had been paying closer attention to the people's view on Odin, and it was a topic he would need to discuss sooner or later with Thor, as heir. Unhappiness with a ruler can lead to revolutions or worse; war. Arvid clapped him on the shoulder, "Excuse us, I think it is time." He went to Leiyah and took her hand and stood beside Arvid who cleared his throat and everyone quieted. "Hello again, today is a special day for our princess Leiyah and prince Loki. Today is their one- year wedding anniversary!" Cheers erupted from the crowds with loud hollers. The couple grinned and Loki pulled her tighter, kissing the top of her head which resulted in more cheers.
Arvid continued, "Now when I first brought my daughter to Asgard with me, I did not know she had been spending time with Loki, nor did I see their feelings over the course of the next year. I know I made mistakes, and I might not have been the father either of you had deserved at that time, but I do hope I can make up for that now. I think I can speak for all of Vanaheim, that you two show each other love in many subtle ways, you two truly are a match made by the Heavens. I could not be prouder, and I think I can speak for my wife as well, that watching you two, seeing your plans and your ideas for a future, is truly inspirational. I wish you all the best in your many decades still to come." More cheers and love was coming from the crowds.
"But there is one more thing. Something I am even prouder to talk about. Because this is not only important for Vanaheim, but also for me as a father. Because, this lovely couple here, is expecting their first child." The room went crazy, trumpets sounding, fireworks, streamers flying everywhere. Loki and Leiyah walked down into the crowd and accepted well- wishes and prayers. Loki kept a hand on Leiyah's waist, ready to pull her aside if it needed to come to that. He looked into the eyes of the people and accepted their words with a smile.
"Everything you hoped for?"
Leiyah smiled up at her husband, the way his eyes shone, and she melted at the look in his eyes. He looked at her like she was the world. "Yes. I am very happy. And I can't wait to give you my second present later."
He kissed her slowly, not worrying what people would say. "Thanks again for the ancient spell books."
"You are very welcome. And thank you for the beautiful dress."
"It was more for me anyway. I love seeing it on you."
"I think you will love what I have underneath it even more."
"Do tell."
She smirked and kissed him again, whispering against his mouth, "Nothing."
