The couple was back in the library. They had gone back to their routine of organizing the library, and had gotten a great deal further. Leiyah had hoped they would have been done by the time the baby came but it did not look so well. Loki had found some more books about design, decorations and children's rooms and had sent them all to their rooms. At nights they would look over them, trying to figure out what they wanted their daughter's room to look like. Neither Frigga nor Odin had come to the couple's chambers after the reveal of the gender, but they did not mind. Thor more often than not ate with them in their rooms and helped Leiyah with any ails. This had been the first time Loki had seen his brother so excited for the use of magic. He kept reassuring them that the baby was fine and happy, but Leiyah knew this. She could feel it. Junia had also come by every other day and checked on the progress of the pregnancy. She was very happy with how it was progressing. Her parents had sent over a crib that Leiyah had used when she was a baby. A nursery maid had come to talk to them, wishing to persuade them to have the princess in the official royal nursery but Loki declined. Nicely if you asked him; a bit forward and mean if Thor had been asked. She had suggested colors as well and Leiyah had nearly gone as mad as her husband. No she would not push the color pink on her daughter, nor purple. She did not wish to pre- program the child before it even had its own mind to speak. They had chosen a light green for the room and had started as quickly as they could.
"It is nice to be back at this again, but the excitement is not the same as before."
Loki hummed.
She looked over, he was looking at books about Odin's own family and history. "Where is your head?"
He looked to her, realized her watching him and closed the book, "Nothing."
"Loki. Did you forget to whom you are talking? I am your wife."
He smiled sheepishly, "You are right. I am just… I guess the word is… worried for the future, or cautious, perhaps."
"Why?"
"So many books have been written about Odin and his family, his deeds. Books have been and will be written about Thor. And in one of these books, our children will be mentioned. I am certain of it. What I am uncertain of, is the accuracy or the way they will be described. I don't want them to only be mentioned as the children of the princess of Vanaheim and Odin's adopted Jotun son, the one who invaded Earth and killed thousands."
She wrapped her arms around his waist, looking up at him, "They won't be. I know I am not Heimdall, nor am I full elf, but I do know that our children will be great at whatever they do. They will be important for our and the future history. And so will you. Please ease your worrying. I will be with you through every step."
"Even if I try to take over a realm again."
She laughed, "Even then."
Loki kissed the top of her head and then proceeded to touch her stomach. He felt his daughter kicking slightly, she was strong. "Is she bothering you?"
"A little, I visit the toilets more frequently now than I did when I was a baby myself. But she is perfect and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"Shall we stop for today? Rest?"
"No. Another hour. And then I wish to visit the market space again. I wish to have a bracelet made for our daughter."
Loki pulled her closer and bent down to kiss her. He said against her lips, "We can do that tomorrow. I have plans for you later."
A grin formed on her lips, "What kind of plans?"
"Ones that involve a massage, a bath, a table, a bed and multiple orgasms."
She kissed him again, "Maybe we should also continue then with the library tomorrow."
"Maybe." Loki picked her up and using magic he rarely used, he teleported them to their chambers. She giggled as he laid her down on the couch, gently. "With what do you wish to start? The massage or the orgasms?"
She answered, "The massage actually. My back is killing me." He positioned her, so she was sitting between his legs and went to work. His fingers warmed from the magic pressed perfectly against the aching spots on her back. He moved up and back down, sending small sparks against the worst aching spots, making her moan. He massaged her shoulders, her neck and her upper back; relishing in the feeling of her moving against him and her moans. He moved his hands to her stomach, sending small sparks into her stomach. She moaned and the baby kicked, "She likes that." He kissed her neck. "Maybe a bath now?"
"On one condition."
"Hm?"
"You join me."
"Anything you wish."
He stood up and opened his tunic, pulling it over his head. Leiyah looked him over and smiled up at him. She touched him and felt a small purr going through his abdomen. Loki pulled her up and kissed her, opening the lacings on the back of her dress, "You are so beautiful."
"I know."
He smirked again and pulled her close, "You drive me crazy. Let's start that –" the door opened and two gasps came. Loki turned to see two maids standing there. "Forgive us your Highnesses, we thought you would still be out. We wanted to refresh a few things."
One of the maids raked her eyes over Loki. A few decades ago she had been one of the frequented ladies of Loki. Since his marriage he hadn't gone back to them. Unlike other lords who after marriage frequently visited the maids. Some of the maids had thought it would change, especially now that the princess was pregnant, but according to this, it wasn't the case. "Get out. You can clean the rest tomorrow. We will be in town."
"Yes, my prince. I apologize again."
The other one, the bold one, asked, "Is there anything we can help you with?"
"No. You can go."
The maid pulled the other one out, "What are you trying to do?"
"She is pregnant, she obviously can't make him happy. She can't please him."
"Stop being stupid. Prince Loki is happy. Entertain someone else." She left and did not wait for her.
Loki was making the bath for the both of them, while Leiyah was undressing. She felt comfortable with her stomach, Loki had been reassuring her the whole time, since she was pregnant. Lavender and jasmine scents filled the chamber and Loki helped her into the tub, settling in behind her. She sighed happily and wrapped his arms around her, "Thank you for being so wonderful to me."
"We soak for a few minutes and then I promised orgasms, didn't I?"
"Yes, I believe you said bed and table."
"And bath." And his hand moved lower, finding her clit and rubbing over it softly. A small gasp left her. His other hand was stroking every bit of skin he could reach. His hands were so big, so strong and they felt incredible on her skin. Her nipples hardened and he pinched each one, eliciting another gasp. She felt his hardened member on her backside and moved against him. "You are divine."
"I think a bed would be a better spot now."
"Whatever my queen wishes."
He got up to get two towels and first dried him and then her off. She smiled at him and then reached down to grasp him, "Still hard. For me?"
"Always for you."
"I want to thank you. Lay on the bed for me. On your back."
"I like it when you are commanding."
She laughed, "If only the court could hear it. Loki likes to be commanded."
He chuckled as he leaned back and said, "Just as much as I like commanding."
"Don't I know it."
She kissed him, once, twice, and then moved lower. Kissing across his chest, sucking on each nipple, slightly scraping them with her teeth. Over his stomach, on each thigh, back to his stomach and across the area that was close to his penis. He watched her as she looked at him and then took him in his mouth. He hissed and threw his head back as her tongue licked up the vein on the underside. A hum and a moan. He fisted the sheets and watched her pull off. She wrapped her breasts, which had gotten bigger, around his dick and started stroking him up and down. "By the Norns. Stop. Too close. Want to be inside you."
"You know you can't get me pregnant again."
"I can try."
She chuckled and straddled him, never breaking eye contact, she grasped him firmly and guided him into her. Two moans, Loki's long, slender hands, coming to grasp her hips and rocking up into her. The only thing which could be heard were gasps, moans and small whimpers. Both wanting to make the other person feel good. But they were both far too close and came in small whimpers. Loki kissed her and wrapped her up. "My wonderful wife, you are truly divine. I must have you again." Loki made good on his promise, many orgasms later, many ruined surfaces later, the couple was laying on blankets in front of the fireplace, content in their embrace. Leiyah was playing with the fire, making small figures appear in them. "I wonder who she will look like."
He hummed into her hair, "I hope you."
"Oh hush. I want her to have your nose, and your eyes, and your hair."
"Your lips?"
"Naturally, they are perfect."
"I couldn't agree more," he leaned in to kiss her and nip at her lower lip. Leiyah moaned into the kiss and summoned more pillows for them. "I can't believe she will be here in less than two months. Time really did fly."
"Are you scared?"
"Terrified."
Loki looked down at her, wondering if she was joking or not.
"No truly. The pain. And a head will come from there, and a body. You know better than anyone else how tight it is." He hummed. "I will help you in any way I can."
"I know. I need to ask mamma if she will come when it is time. I want her to be here."
"Of course. I doubt she would want to miss it." Leiyah smiled again and summoned one of the books about babies and children. She positioned herself in a way, in which both could read it. A knock interrupted them. "Who is it?"
"Me brother. May I come in."
"A moment." He summoned a loose tunic and pants for him, and a black dress for Leiyah. Thanks to their magic they didn't even need to move to put on their clothes. They stayed in their position; in front of the fireplace with pillows and blankets around them. "Come in." Thor entered, looked at them and tried to suppress a smirk. "Cuddling in front of the fire? How romantic."
"If you are here to taunt you may go again."
"I actually come bearing news. After our fight with the Dark Elves, we thought it was all quiet, but apparently a small group has formed. Wishing revenge for their fallen leader. And this has now reached father."
Loki questioned "And what do you need me for?"
"Loki, I do not deny that you are a smart strategist. And father sees it too."
"That is new development."
"General Vignir has asked for you. He wants your help."
"What for? To plan an attack?"
Thor swallowed once, "And to have you come with us."
"No."
"What?" This time it was Leiyah.
"Absolutely not."
"But, Loki, this is what you wanted. To be needed. To use your skills again."
"But not right now."
"Brother, listen to reason. If we defeat them now, and put them back into their place, there will be no more rebellion for a long time."
"Then go do it."
"We need your help."
"No, you do not."
"Yes, we do."
Leiyah touched his arm, "Loki, you know how to plan the perfect battle. I know it. Why not help them."
He gripped her hand, "I will not leave you. Not when you are so close to the end of your pregnancy." Her eyes softened, understanding him and realizing what this would mean for them as well. But then she looked up at Thor. She saw the pleading and the urge. Loki continued, "Why does Odin suddenly want me to participate?"
"I don't know Loki. But maybe that is good. He obviously does. He might want to move forward."
"My darling, think of it. It is a great responsibility. You would do brilliantly."
"Do you wish me to go?" Loki had made his face cold, unreadable.
"Of course not. I will be worried every second. But I know how important it is for you to be a part of this. And I want you to feel that."
He turned back to his brother, "How long do you estimate we will be gone?"
"Not too long. Two months maximum."
"One month. And I can't even guarantee that."
"Loki, we can't put a limit on a war."
"You said it was a small rebellion."
"But you know the Dark Elves."
"One month."
"Why?"
He gestured to his wife, "I will not not be here during her last few weeks. And I want to be informed immediately if something is going wrong. If she needs me. Promise me that, and that I get to leave if it were to happen. Then, and only then, will I agree."
Thor looked over to Leiyah, who gave a small nod, and sighed, "Very well. I promise you, you can leave if the need be. And I assure you, you will be here during her final days."
"Weeks."
"Weeks, then. Do you agree then?"
"Yes. I will talk to Vignir tomorrow and plan a strategy."
"Not tonight?"
"No."
"Loki."
"Go, Thor. You are already taking me away from my wife during her first pregnancy, do not think you will rob me of this night." Thor looked ready to protest, but then again Leiyah was the reason for this change in Loki. He nodded and left again, walking to his father to inform him. He kissed his mother and nodded to his father. "And?"
"He agreed. He will be planning out the strategy tomorrow with Vignir."
"What is more important tonight that he can't do it?"
"His wife. I also needed to promise him, he could return in a month and if anything happens with Leiyah he returns immediately."
Frigga nodded, "It seems like a reasonable request. Leiyah has hardly two months left and Loki wants to be here."
"If every soldier were to leave when their wife expects a child, no war would be won."
"He is your son, Odin. And this is his first child."
Odin nodded, he needed Loki. Loki saw through battles and peoples faster and smarter than anyone he knew. "What was he doing? I have hardly seen him since his return."
"He was with Leiyah in front of the fire."
He nodded again.
"I am proud of you."
He kissed the top of her head, "You will tell someone as soon as you feel different. I will come immediately. I don't care what it is. I will come. And no more than a month."
"I know, my darling. I will be waiting. I promise not to have her without you."
Loki hummed, wishing to savor this moment. "We haven't even talked about names."
"I know. I was hoping she would give some signs, some magical inclination. But there has been none yet."
"But the healers have said she has magic."
"Yes, strong at that, but what it is nobody knows. I guess we will figure it out once the time comes."
Loki was quiet, just looking into the fire, marveling at the little figurines Leiyah was creating. She absentmindedly put one of his hands on her stomach and he felt his daughter kick. Leiyah sighed happily, content to be leaning into her husband and just relaxing. "Tell me not go."
"What?"
"Tell me to stay. I will go to Odin right now and tell him I won't go. That I belong here, with you and our daughter. That I don't care what he thinks of me, what he will call me; I will stay."
She was looking at him, assessing him. "If I thought that was what you truly wanted, I would go to Odin and beg him to let you stay here. But I know you. You do want to go. You wish to be useful. You wish to be needed. I promise you, I will be fine. We both will. And when you come back, it will only be a short while and then we have her to ourselves."
"When I come back?"
"I have all the faith in you that you will not die. And if you do, I will find a spell to revive you, only to kill you again." He laughed out loud and kissed her.
Leiyah was sitting in the family quarters, reading one of the books Mechel had brought for magic in children. It was dull and nothing she didn't already know. She felt the eyes of Odin and Frigga on her but decided to not interfere. If they thought she didn't notice perhaps they would stop after a while. Loki was gone with Thor, planning strategy. Leiyah rolled her eyes at another passage, talking about objects used for the restraining of magical power in children. There was no use, magic needed to be let out, and it was better to learn it when young then to have the full power crash on one when older. "What troubles you my dear?"
Frigga's gentle voice shook her out of her reading. "Nothing." She smiled and returned to the book.
"Is the book not to your liking?"
"Oh, there are just a few things I do not agree with and some which I already know. I feel like I read all of them already."
Odin looked at her closely and asked, "If I am to understand correctly your daughter is a possible heir to the throne of Vanaheim, is that correct?"
"Yes, but since my sister is not yet on the throne, we will have quite a while until we reach that point."
"Mustn't she undergo some training?"
"Not this early. She will be allowed to be a child."
"Well, let us hope the next child is a boy."
"Of course, Allfather."
Leiyah returned to her book, one hand now protectively on her stomach. The baby was quiet and Leiyah knew it could feel the unease going through her mother. The doors opened and the brothers walked in, Loki immediately making a line for his wife to sit next to her. Odin questioned them, when it would start.
"We leave tomorrow. Vignir believes we have everything planned out."
Leiyah looked to Loki, "So soon?"
"The sooner I can be back. A month. I promise."
She nodded, more worry easing its way into her. "And you are certain you planned everything?"
"It is only a small rebellion. I have thought of everything. And I will be there."
Leiyah leaned a bit closer into her husband, wishing to remember the shape and the feel of it. It would be cruel of fate to now take him from her, after so much hardship. "Don't die. Remember what I told you."
"I will come back. And then perhaps you have found a name."
"I will wait for that until you come back."
"Very well." He could sense her worry and voiced a thought, "Perhaps you would feel better going home to your parents for this month?"
Before Leiyah could respond, Odin said no. Everyone looked at him. "She is so far into the pregnancy, we wouldn't want to cause more stress on her body. We will make sure she is happy and comfortable."
Frigga shot Loki a look, meaning not to challenge him and he sighed, "Very well. Take a walk with me. Our last one for a month." She smiled sadly but took his hand.
"Please do not worry for me. I will come back with not a single scratch."
"I will hold you accountable to that. Promise not to do anything reckless."
"I won't. I have too much to lose now. And take care of yourself. I want to come home to find you healthy and glowing." She smiled again and snuggled closer.
That night the couple merely held each other close, loving the comfort they brought each other. Loki fell asleep but Leiyah kept watch over him. Remembering each line, each curve, each strand of hair. She sent prayers up to her ancestors to keep him safe. She had confidence in him, but as he said, there was much to lose.
As the warriors rode off towards the Bifrost, Loki kissed his wife one last time, touched her stomach and sent a little spark into it, which made the baby move and rode off. He looked back once, to find a single tear running down her face. It was almost enough for him to turn back and stay. But she was right, he had to go. He would prove himself and write history for their daughter.
