A/N: Fluff Time!
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Agnarr awoke again with his morning ritual. This time the sun was no longer just lingering above the fjord but instead doing cartwheels around the entire city, dipping low but never sinking below the horizon as it tempted the blackness of the North Sea with its warmth. He rose from his bed, oddly cooler without the warmth of Iduna in it, stretching lazily as he broke through to the balcony, the wind whipping his hair in odd directions as it swirled and careered around him. He breathed in the salty air, looking at the golden sun in the clear blue sky, below him he heard the ringing of bells and the soft footfall of feet on the many roads and alleyways. Forest green and mauve banners were draped across each lantern post, flapping in the gentle wind much like Agnarr's hair, so the city burst with colour near each house.
I'm getting married today
Agnarr's face broke into a deep smile that heated his entire body up, the chill of the wind disappearing into the strong sense of love he felt wash over him. He closed his eyes, breathing in the wind once more as he thought of Iduna, her dark chocolate hair and brilliant blue eyes shining brightly in his memory. The way her face twisted when she ate a lemon or the way her lips turned into a slight smirk when he recited one of her favourite poems. The way her eyes seemed to ignite the first time she had tried chocolate or the way her body felt pressed up next to his on the roof of the castle underneath a canvas of stars. His smile grew and the warmth intensified, all thoughts of the haunting nightmares and sweat drenching memories that had plagued him from the night before lost into her memory, into the warmth she brought with her both in person and in spirit.
XXX
"Stay still dear! It won't get on any easier!" Gerda half shouted at Iduna who was perched precariously on a stool, Gerda's nimble fingers tightening a lace corset that choked around her back.
"I can't stay still if I can't breathe!" Iduna said exasperated and already exhausted from the strain of forcing the unruly garment onto her. She let out a pained wheeze as the final knot was tied at the back and Gerda stepped back, admiring her work.
"All done, that wasn't too painful was it?" Gerda huffed out and tucked a loose blond lock behind her ear.
"I think your description of pain may be slightly off" Iduna tried to breath but only succeeded in straining her chest.
"Now for you proper garments" Gerda said, holding up a brilliant white dress. Lace lined the hem of the skirt, intricate patterns twisting and twining along it. Repeating diamond rosemaling coursed up and down the intricate patterns of the dress, trailing the collar and shoulders in undercrossing patterns. Along the shoulders were stars, embraided in a silver thread that glistened in the early morning sunlight. Iduna's breath hitched as she traced her fingers over the stars making some of her favourite constellations.
"It was Agnarr's idea" Gerda said, smiling at the awestruck girl. "He was persistent on the accuracy of the constellations, otherwise you would've never forgiven him" Iduna laughed through her tears, smiling at the image of Agnarr in her mind.
"Do you have any funny stories about Agnarr Gerda?" she asked, throwing the dress carefully over her head.
"Only one, that boy is obsessed with birds you know. One time there were a pair of swallows nesting under the gutter of the roof. It was hard to see from the ground, so our intrepid king decided the best way to approach the nest was to climb on the roof and stick his head over the gutter to get a up close and personal look at the nest. The plan worked, just too well, see when he stuck his head out from over the gutter, the mother bird didn't like the invasion of privacy and flew straight into is face, causing him to slip and fall of the roof." Iduna bent over laughing at the idea of Agnarr being attacked by an angry swallow.
"What happened to him?" Iduna got out between heaves.
"He landed in a hay pile fortunately, and only sprained his ankle" Gerda laughed lightly too at this, her usually tightly drawn lips breaking into a bright smile. "I don't think he picked up his binoculars for a month afterwards" Gerda gestured wildly with her hands, a glint catching Iduna's eyes, her hand passing through a single ray of sunlight.
"What's that on your hand?" Iduna asked, smile growing with her lips. Gerda held up her right hand and inspected it, showing off her too barren hand to Iduna.
"Nothing, I think you're imagining things your majesty" Gerda quickly said. Too quickly Iduna thought to herself.
"What about your left hand" Iduna's smile turned into a smirk as she folded her arms together. Gerda reluctantly removed her hand from behind her back and showed Iduna a silver ring on her ring finger, fighting a losing smile against the smile encroaching across her features.
"Oh my God! Gerda! You never told me you were seeing someone!" Iduna clasped her hands to her mouth, eyes sparkling brightly with happiness.
"That's because your majesty, you never asked" The older blond said enigmatically, eyes glowing with pride.
"Who is he?" Iduna stepped off the perch and sat at the foot of Gerda, clasping her hands tightly, her eyes begging for more.
"Kai" she said simply and Iduna exploded with squeals of happiness.
"Yes! Agnarr owes me a Kroner!" she exclaimed, jumping up from the ground and hand fiving a confused Gerda.
"You bet on me?" Gerda asked with fake indignation.
"Well not bet, more like light investment" Iduna said, tossing the words around in her head. "I'm happy for you Gerda, I really am. Thank you for all the help, the lessons on court life and the help with the council have meant the world to me. You're a good friend" Iduna hugged Gerda tightly.
"Thank you, your majesty, but come now let's not get melancholy over what we have done for each other. You're getting married, not drowning on a ship, it's time to be happy!" Gerda smiled warmly and held Iduna's hand, a sharp knock on the door signalled the beginning of the ceremony.
XXX
Agnarr bounced his leg in place, the juddering movement providing a degree of release in the tense atmosphere of the Cathedral. He remembered the place immaculately from the countless Sunday mornings he had spent in here, the delicate wooden beams arching high above them as though to reach out and bring a tiny piece of heaven back down with it. White bouquets of flowers graced every open ledge in the church, the wooden Altar covered in ribbons from foot to head. He fiddled with his uniform once more, the pristinely ironed (Which took him five hours for the tunic alone yesterday) fabric fell in perfect order around him. His three medals shone brightly in the light cathedral, their crimson and green ribbons standing out against the black felt of his tunic. He fiddled with the crimson and gold rosemaling gracing his cuffs and shoulders, before sweeping an imaginary hair away from the golden Epaulettes marked with crowns and swords. The organ roared into life and Agnarr jumped violently, immediately facing forward to the altar and smoothing over his pristine hair for the fifth time that morning. He heard the light footfalls of the bride and her entourage gliding up the aisle, his brow becoming damp with the tense sweat that he fought with to control. When he felt her presence next to him, he turned around and his breath seized. In front of him was Iduna under a thin veil. Her blue eyes shone brightly underneath the white fabric, glowing ethereally in the polar sunlight. On top of her head was a silver crown, adorned with deep blue sapphires to match her eyes. He could see underneath the veil too the faint outline of silver stars gracing her shoulders with the heaven. The voice of the bishop was shut out from his mind, focusing only on the beautiful, funny and intelligent girl in front of him. Their eyes were locked, each focused entirely on the other unflinching as they burned this moment in time into their psyche. Agnarr felt his heart lift and rise, pulsing and swooning over her. I've fallen in love with her all over again he thought to himself, smiling warmly at her, who returned it with an even brighter smile that illuminated his life.
"Your Majesty" the bishop whispered "It's time for the vows" Agnarr awoke from his revelry at Iduna and fumbled around with cards he had prepared.
"Iduna, I vow to you to protect you all the time. I vow to you to love you always; I vow to you to cherish every moment with you as though it were the last and I vow to you to be your rock. When you first came into my life as the young girl with the love of the stars you woke me from a deep sleep and helped me see the sunlight. You are truly the greatest love in my life and I will always love you from now until the end of time."
Iduna, eyes damp, fumbled around with her cards.
"Agnarr, you have given me everything. You have given me a home, a family and love. I love you more than there are stars in the sky, love you more than there are moons spinning around planets, love you more than there are comets whizzing past us. You already are my rock, without which I could not stand. I love you, and your chocolate stains, from now until the end of time." Their eyes met again, overtaken by the intensity of emotions that engulfed them. The bishop began reciting something in Latin, providing a dull white noise as they fell into each other's eyes.
"You may now kiss the bride" was all Agnarr heard as the two slammed into each other, embracing tightly in a kiss that sent fireworks bursting around them. The crowd in the cathedral erupted into applause and cheers, but they seemed mute to Agnarr and Iduna who embraced each other at the foot of the altar, the fire burning through them with a roaring passion.
XXX
The afterparty was held in the great hall of the castle, the multitude of guests from far flung corners of the world all huddled tightly in the cavernous room. Three great tables stood guard in the hall, adorned with Chocolate cake and sweets of all kinds. At the head of the hall on a little platform Iduna and Agnarr stood to greet guests and receive presents from the delegates. Frederick and Ariana had sent letters instead of coming, citing the search for their daughter was reaching a crucial stage, but had nonetheless sent gifts of perfume to them both. After the arrival of the most important European delegates Agnarr nodded to the small orchestra tucked away in the corner of the room and offered his hand out to Iduna. The room burst into music, the frantic movements of the orchestra timed with a surgical precision filling the hall with fruity and light tunes to a fast beat. The two graced around the ballroom, Iduna's perfectly white dress making her seemingly glide from spot to spot as she danced seamlessly with Agnarr. His movements were a bit clumsier, every so often getting distracted by her and tripping over his own feet, nearly sending him to the floor. When they had danced for hours on hours, feet threatening to blister, both retired to their chambers. Agnarr carried her through the halls bridal style with an ease as though he had been practicing for this very moment with sacks of flour in the kitchen, not that she would ever know this. Singing and twirling her through the candle lit hallways their progress was only hampered by the odd make out session against a wall their bliss was unmatched. Their eyes never moved from each other's, her sapphire eyes string longingly into his emerald orbs, lost in their deep forest. They eventually made it to their room, despite being distracted along the way, and found it adorned with rose petals and cornflowers. Agnarr laid her on the bed and immediately hoped through to the stock room opposite their shared bed.
"Don't tell me you're leaving me on my wedding night" she shouted to him, giggling like a schoolgirl.
"I'm giving you a surprise" he shouted back, a loud crash followed by curses rang out from the store cupboard. Agnarr appeared at the doorway, holding something behind his back. He strode over to the foot of the bed and cleared his throat. With a quick movement he revealed what he was hiding behind his back and showed her a violin. She tilted her head to one side and then smiled.
"In saw how you reacted when we went to the autumn festival with each other and the fiddler was playing, so I decided to teach myself how to play for you." he cleared his throat once again and began playing. The long and drawn out notes flew like birds, their rhythmic and light-hearted notes filling the bedroom with an electricity. Iduna watched him in awe, his fluid movements seeing superhuman as he deftly played the instrument with ease, the beautiful tunes making a solitary tear role down her eyes. When he finished a silence hung between them, the violin hung loosely at his side, the bow in the other hand. "Did you like it?" he said, shrugging his shoulders.
"I loved it Agnarr, it was amazing. When did you practice?"
"I practiced in the cellar, when you were asleep after you had come down from the observatory" he smiled at her and put the violin down on the windowsill. He flumped down on the bed alongside her and peppered her with kisses, making her giggle loudly. Iduna returned the affection, nipping at his lips here and there; both fading into an ecstasy of companionship.
XXX
The sun hung low in the sky, its ruby rays casting burning shadows on the walls of their room together. Iduna and Agnarr lay nestled into each other, their breaths slow and synced, arms and legs intertwined into an endless not keeping them together. Agnarr opened his eyes slowly, revelling in the slight warmth of the sun in the cool Norwegian morning. Iduna's hair caught the blood sun, highlighting the little golden flecks and streaks that seemed to hide in her hair, only to appear on the best mornings to lighten Agnarr's day. He breathed her in, the quiet snoring warmth bringing him an unusual peace. He felt his spine relax and thought about nothing but her; he savoured the moment together and consigned the feeling of their bodies pressed up against each other to his memory. He felt her stir and snuggle in closer to him.
"Good morning husband" she said, grinning when the word graced her lips.
"Good morning, my beautiful wife" he kissed her head gently.
"Last night was..." she trailed off.
"Certainly something" he finished for her. A knock on the door made both turn over, swapping positions so now she was wrapped around him. He kissed her hand and reluctantly separated muttering curses under his breath. He opened the door and looked around, but no one was in the hallway. He glanced at the floor and spotted a tray with a card and a plate of chocolate truffles in the shape of hearts. He laughed and picked the tray up, bringing it to Iduna who gasped when she saw the gift. He tore the card open and read it aloud.
"Dear King, Agnarr and Queen Iduna, we give you this gift to keep your 'strength' up and wish you all the best in your marriage. Yours faithfully, Gerda and Kai"
"It's nice that they would do something like this for us" Agnarr commented, stowing away the card carefully on the bedside desk, biting into a truffle and moaning in pleasure as the sweetness engulfed him.
"Speaking of which you owe me a Kroner" Iduna said in between mouthfuls.
"What for?" Agnarr asked, searching his mind for what he could owe Iduna for. "Oh" it hit him.
"Oh indeed" Iduna broke into a bright smile. "I found out yesterday" she giggled again, rubbing her hands and throwing her head back in a shrill laugh. She regained her breath and ate another chocolate. "You can repay me by tending to your queen" she struck a regal pose and put on a posh accent for him, laughing as he launched himself at her and started tickling her with kisses, with her screaming with laughter to stop. he suddenly stopped and pressed a finger to her lips stopping her instantly. He leant down and pressed a long, loving kiss to her lips, both melting into the embrace.
"Just as I thought" he said pensively.
"What?" She asked.
"You were the one who ate all the cherry liqueurs last night" he smiled and pressed another kiss to her before she made a protest.
"I don't exactly hear you complaining about that" she smiled once more, kissing him deeply.
"I don't mind, you taste better than chocolate anyway"
XXX
A/N: The fluff is over 9000. I enjoyed writing this one, it was fun and nice to see the pair get some fluff after the drama of the past 24 chapters. Just for a heads up there has been a bit of a time jump, it's now 4 or 5 years after the battle that Agnarr was in so it puts them around the 20 and 21 years old mark. Expect even more fluff from here on out!
