53
Encounter by the Lakeshore
A/N: Sorry for the long wait between updates, but I have been working during this COVID 19 outbreak as essential personnel since I am a medical records manager for my dr's office. So I have been very busy and coming home exhausted after work. Stay safe and hope you all like this new chapter!
Loki woke to the sound of rain pattering on the roof and listened to the soporific sound for long moments. His hand curled about his sleeping wife and he exhaled softly, thinking about how blessed he was at the moment, even if it was raining torrents.
He relaxed upon his pillows, his eyes blinking sleepily. If the rain continued, they would need to find something to do indoors, he mused.
Originally, Loki and Sigyn had planned to explore some of the forest and indulge in a picnic for two.
Vanaheim was known for their woods and streams as well as a myriad of wildlife, from tiny star sapphire butterflies to huge dragons.
The flowers were rumored to have the most colorful petals and the oils from the flowers were used to make popular perfumes and candle wax.
As the rain beat upon the crystal windowpanes, Loki snuggled closer to Sigyn, thinking that at least this storm was quiet, without the thunder and lightning that oft accompanied such in Asgard. And for once it was natural and not stirred to life by his brother.
Sigyn barely felt her husband slide his arm around her as she sighed and her heart thumped a little harder in her chest. She listened to the rain and the soft hum Loki made and she placed her hand on top of hers.
"Awake?" he whispered.
"Barely," she murmured, yawning.
"It appears to be raining."
"Yes, it is."
"I was planning to take you to see the woods surrounding the castle."
"I would like that, but if the weather doesn't cooperate we can always amuse ourselves in the palace." Sigyn murmured, nudging the sleeping Brightheart with her toe. The puppy snoozed by their feet, curled in a ball.
"That is what I am trying to figure out. What can we do if we are stuck inside for the day?"
Sigyn blushed at the thought of what she wanted to do and he lifted her chin so he could see her face. She opened her eyes to see the sly grin he was giving her and he kissed her lips.
Giggling, she muttered, "I'm sure we can think of something, my love."
"Definitely," he smirked.
A knock on the door caused Brightheart to wake up. The puppy yipped as the door opened. Dewdrop carefully walked in the room and she stood near the door.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but Lord Frey wishes to know if you are joining him for breakfast," she said with a curtsey.
"Yes, we will be joining him for breakfast," Loki said while Brightheart waddled across the bedding then the puppy settled between them.
"Then I will be getting your clothes ready," Dewdrop said with a nod.
"And I will go get ready," Sigyn said as she got out of bed and she found Loki's tunic on the floor. She slid the tunic over her head then she headed for the bathroom and Loki sat up. He placed the puppy on his lap as Dewdrop smiled and he gave her a puzzled look.
"Why are you smiling like that?" he asked and she cleared her throat.
"I was just thinking about a story my mother told me. She was Lord Frey's maid and she had accidentally walked in while he and his wife were snuggling in bed."
Loki chuckled. "Was she embarrassed?"
"Only a little," Dewdrop chuckled. "But she was happy, as were most of the staff, to see the king and his new bride so in love. It boded well for the future of Vanaheim." Then her expression darkened. "Until sorrow came to plague us all."
"What did happen to my aunt?"
" 'Tis a sad tale, My Prince," the fae said with a sigh. "Are you sure you wish to hear it?"
"Yes."
"As you wish." Dewdrop nodded and then said, "Queen Sunnilda was very compassionate and enjoyed helping others, she instituted many organizations to help those in need, both man and beast. But especially children. For Sunnilda could not have one of her own, thus she adored any child she came across, no matter their station or race."
"Would she have felt the same about me?"
"Yes, she would have loved you as one of her own."
Loki felt a pang of regret because he had never known her. In a way she reminded him of Frigga.
"Do you wish me to continue?" she asked and Loki nodded.
"So one day, the queen went to visit a village in the middle of the Great Wood. It was a small village with barely a hundred fae in it, but it had a great many children. Sunnilda brought them presents—sweets, clothing, toys, and dinner for those who often went without."
Yes, she most definitely reminds me of you, Mother, Loki thought.
"What happened next?" he asked, scratching the puppy's ear.
"After distributing her gifts, she went to get her sithar, that is like an Asgardian lute, to play for them. And that was when it happened."
The maid's voice grew hushed and her face grave.
"Are you all right?" he asked and she nodded. He waited for her to speak and Dewdrop played with her braid.
"A lingonwyrm had been prowling the woods . . ."
Loki knew a lingonwyrm was a species of dragon which lived in Vanaheim and the thought of facing one caused a chill to move through him.
"What did she do?" Loki asked.
"She fought the lingonwyrm. It was said she fought valiantly, but both she and the lingonwyrm died. What was even sadder was she was pregnant at the time."
Dewdrop noticed the stunned look on his face and she sighed.
"Why would Frey allow her to battle if she was with child?!" Loki asked.
"No one, not even the king, knew she was pregnant. She herself did not know, I believe. She had trouble conceiving. When she died, the king mourned their loss and never married again."
"Such an act would promote unrest in the kingdom."
"Aye. There are some young nobles who wish him to step down and I have heard rumors of a movement to have one of their own placed on the throne."
Loki normally didn't like palace gossip, but the idea of someone intentionally wanting to harm or remove Frey angered him.
"Is there any truth to these rumors? I would hope my uncle has sufficient protection just in case some hothead tries something?"
altercations, but the guards were able to handle them."
"Good. Do you have names of the conspirators?"
"The king does have a list of names."
Loki thought for a moment. "Do you think he would let me see them? Perhaps I could help? I was trained to be a negotiator by my father."
"Yes, I am sure he will allow you to see it," she said, just as Sigyn walked back in the room and Loki smiled at her.
"Are we ready to join the king for breakfast?" She asked her husband.
"Yes, as soon as I'm dressed," Loki replied and he hurried into the bathroom to shower and dress.
Once he was dressed in a green tunic with gold vines on his sleeves and a gold half cloak, he escorted Sigyn and the puppy to the king's private dining pavilion. Frey often dined here with a few of his favored courtiers. But this morning he would dine alone with his family.
The guards opened the doors as Loki led Sigyn and the puppy in the room and Frey smiled at them.
"Ah, I see you liked my gift," Frey said, pointing at the puppy.
"Yes. Thank you for giving him to us," Sigyn said with a grin and Brightheart barked.
"You are so welcome."
Loki led her to the table as they sat down and she placed the puppy on the floor.
"Were you planning any excursions today?" Frey wondered.
"As a matter of fact, I thought we could have an outing in Mystic Wood," Loki replied.
"That sounds lovely. I shall have a picnic basket prepared."
"I have heard much about the wood, Uncle," Sigyn remarked. "Is it true you may see unicorns grazing there? Or a herd of Pegasi?"
"Yes, it is true."
Sigyn grinned. "I would love to see that. On Asgard, unicorns are rare and only appear once in a century. And the Pegasi are sacred and the herd that used to be mounts of the Valkyrie scattered after their demise."
Loki smiled reminiscently. "When we came here as boys with our mother, Thor and I saw a unicorn foal and its mama."
It had been a truly magnificent sight, and one that he had never forgotten.
"I remember her telling me about it," Frey said. "Didn't Thor want to touch the foal?"
"Yes, he did, but Mother warned him not to," Loki said.
Sigyn nodded. She knew better, even as a child, to not disturb the wildlife she saw. Especially a mother with young.
"He was in a foul mood when we returned to the palace. Mother made him stay in the nursery until he calmed down."
"Which didn't happen until the following morning," Frey reminded him and Loki nodded.
Thor's bouts of temper were legendary as a child, bringing spates of thunder and lightning which were frightening in the extreme. Though Loki had always been more annoyed than frightened once his magic had awakened fully.
"Which only made him angrier," Loki said, taking a long sip of coffee.
"Yes, he missed going to the festival."
Sigyn smiled at the idea of Thor as a grumpy child and Loki gave her a wink.
"Now, is there anything else you wish to discuss with me before you leave?" Frey asked.
Loki thought briefly about the rumors of unrest he had heard, but decided to wait until later to discuss it. He wished to see for himself if they were anything to be concerned over before upsetting the apple cart so to speak.
"No, there is nothing else," Loki said and Frey nodded.
After they ate, Loki led Sigyn and Brightheart out of the room and they headed for the courtyard. Two horses were waiting for them and a large picnic basket was tied to one of the saddles.
Two guards dressed in silveron mail and royal livery bowed to them. "By your leave, My Prince, we would accompany you."
Loki knew he would rather be alone with his wife, but he also knew when to play things safe and he nodded.
"Thank you," he said.
The guards helped them onto the horses before mounting their own and they rode out of the courtyard,
One of the guards held the puppy in his lap while Brightheart panted and the guard smiled down at the puppy.
The sun peeked out from behind a low lying cloud, making the gently rolling hills glitter like gold. Which in turn recalled to Loki a song he had heard once about Vanaheim and it's 'fields of gold'.
He started humming while he hitched the horse along and Sigyn glanced at him.
"What are you humming?" she aske
"An old ballad," he replied. "Do you know Fields of Gold?"
"Vaguely," his wife answered. "Sing for me?"
She loved to hear her husband sing. He had a brilliant voice, perfect pitch, and his tenor could make her quiver all over.
"As you wish, darling," the Mage Prince acquiesced.
He started singing as his voice drifted through the air and she smiled.
When he was finished, he leaned over in the saddle to kiss her cheek and a blush tinted her skin.
"That was lovely," she complimented.
"No, you're lovely," he corrected with a grin.
The blush deepened as thoughts of lying in his arms while he sang the song to her filled her head and the guards glanced at each other. They gently nudged their horses as they rode on ahead and Loki frowned.
"Where are they going?" he asked.
"I think they want to give us some privacy," she said.
He chuckled. "I had forgotten that the Vanir know how to be discreet." Though he knew their escort would remain alert for danger to the couple.
A short time later, they arrived at a glade with a small lake at the center and the sunlight sparkled on the water.
A swan glided upon it, and small gold and blue finches twittered in the branches overhead.
"Amazing," Sigyn gasped as Loki helped her down off the horse and she slid her arms around his waist. She watched Brightheart chasing after some brightly colored butterflies, barking happily.
Loki spread the soft blue checked blanket out on the grass, anchoring it with a charm so it didn't move when they sat down on it. He floated the basket over and said, "Shall we see what the cooks packed for us?"
"Let's," Sigyn said eagerly.
Loki opened the wicker hamper and found a delicious lunch inside.
There were handheld pastries with chicken and vegetables in cheese sauce, small egg and bacon tarts, and celery and carrots with a tangy dip. There was a sparkling white cider made from pressed lingonberries and white cranberries to drink and for a sweet there were caramel and nut tortes.
Everything was delicious and the two ate till they were full, giving bits of chicken to Brightheart afterwards.
The two guards watched from a few feet away, having brought their own repast with them. Pleasantly full, Sigyn curled up against her husband with the puppy's head in her lap and dozed.
That and the warmth of the afternoon sun caused Loki to drift off also, but their reverie was interrupted abruptly by the sound of a child crying.
"Did you hear that?" Loki asked.
"Yes. Where is it coming from?" Sigyn asked.
The guards went on high alert as Loki stood and the crying grew louder.
"It seems to be coming from that direction," one of the guards said, pointing toward the lake.
Loki reached out with his magic when he saw the aura of a small figure on the other side of the lake and he frowned.
"Follow me," Loki said and they headed around the west side of the lake. Brightheart followed them as the crying grew louder and Loki tried to reach out to the child with his mind.
Can you hear me? Loki sent.
Help me! a young boy sent.
Easy now. I am Prince Loki of Asgard. Who are you?
I am Yanvi. Please hurry!
I am on my way.
Loki and the guards hurried around the lake when he saw a small boy with dark blonde hair and green eyes and the boy was wearing a brown tunic and pants and dark deerskin boots. He had tears rolling down his cheeks and he was huddled down behind a large rock.
"Yanvi?" Loki called out. Yanvi put a finger to his lips as he pointed to the water and Loki and the guards looked at the lake.
The sun reflected off the placid blue green water and at first Loki did not see what else was within it. Until the silvery blue sea serpent poked his wedge-shaped head out of the water, his scales shimmering like sapphires dusted with diamonds.
Yanvi screamed and the serpent ducked back under the water.
"Kill it! Kill it!" he shouted.
"Calm down," Loki said in a low voice then he carefully walked to the edge of the water.
"Sire, be careful!" the guard said. Loki nodded his head then his form shifted into a large green and silver sea serpent and he dove into the lake. He swam through the clear water when he saw the smaller serpent hiding in the tall reeds and he stopped.
"Have no fear, Little One. I am not going to hurt you," Loki said in Serpentia.
"Who are you?" the little serpent asked with fear in his voice.
"I am Loki, Prince of Asgard. But in this form I am called Waverunner."
He undulated about the rocks at the bottom of the lake.
The little serpent's eyes widened. He had heard the legends of Waverunner, but he never thought he would see the great serpent in person.
"Now, who are you?" Loki asked.
"I am... I am Jorgy," Jorgy said with a nod.
"How did you end up in this lake?"
"I was out swimming. I found this long tunnel and I went inside. When I exited the tunnel, the entrance collapsed. Lucky for me, the water in this lake is salty and has a lot of fish."
"Why did you frighten the child?"
"I didn't mean to. I was just saying hello."
"Not many Vanir can speak Serpentia," Loki reminded him. Serpentia was the language of serpents.
"I forgot," Jorgy sighed.
"Follow me," Loki said.
They headed for the surface as Loki shifted back to his human form and Jorgy's eyes widened.
"This is my normal form," Loki said and Jorgy nodded. They came to the surface while Loki floated next to him and Loki waved his arm. "It's alright. He's harmless."
"Are you sure, Highness?" queried a guard. "Some of his kind can be venomous."
"I am sure."
Loki wondered if Jorgy could shift into another form and Jorgy blinked his eyes.
"Can you shift?" he asked in Serpentia.
"Yes," Jorgy answered then he shifted into a young boy with silver hair and his eyes were a deep sapphire blue. Loki noticed Jorgy wasn't wearing anything as he waved his hands and Jorgy was wearing blue and green swimming trunks.
They swam to the shore as Jorgy stood next to Loki and Yanvi looked at Jorgy.
"This is Jorgy," Loki said.
"Hello," Jorgy said in Serpentia.
"What did he say?" the guard asked.
"He said hello," Loki translated.
"He was the monster?" Yanvi asked.
Loki felt a bit of anger move through him over how some people see other beings as he sighed and he brushed the hair out of his eyes.
"He is no monster," the prince corrected. "He is a Norvik sea serpent. One who can shift forms and is fully as intelligent as you."
Sigyn came up and smiled at him.
"Who's your new friend, Loki?"
"This is Jorgy," Loki said then he looked at Jorgy. "This is my wife, Sigyn."
"Greetings, Lady," Jorgy said with a bow.
"Greetings," she said.
"How did he get into the lake?" The guard asked.
"He was swimming in the ocean when he found a tunnel which led to the lake. After he exited the tunnel, it collapsed and he became trapped here," Loki explained.
"So, he's not gonna eat us?" Yanvi clarified.
"No, I only eat fish, mussels, clams and small shellfish," Jorgy said with a grin.
"Sorry I called you a monster," Yanvi said, lowering his head.
"That's all right."
"Loki, do you think Frey could help us find a way to get Jorgy back to the sea?" Sigyn asked.
"We could ask him," Loki said then he looked at Jorgy. "Is that alright with you?"
"Yes, it is, but...," Jorgy said then he went silent.
"What's wrong?" Sigyn asked.
"The real reason I swam into the tunnel was due to my pod being hunted by serpent slayers."
Loki had heard stories of men sailing the oceans to hunt and slay serpents and his eyes turned dark from anger.
Sigyn scowled. "I thought your species was endangered and forbidden to be hunted."
"We are, but there are still hunters out there."
"Do you remember where you were when it happened?" Loki asked and Jorgy nodded.
"Then we need to get back to the palace. Frey and my father need to hear about this."
The guards nodded as Loki said goodbye to Yanvi and they walked away.
Jorgy followed and Loki offered to ride double back to the palace with him.
Jorgy seemed a little apprehensive about riding a horse, but he nodded and Loki helped him onto the saddle.
The guard helped Sigyn onto her horse when Loki mounted behind the shifter serpent and they rode off toward the palace.
Loki wondered what Frey's reaction would be to his new guest and the disturbing news he bore. He hoped his uncle would feel the same sense of outrage and need for justice that he did. But it all depended upon whether Frey regarded the serpents as beneficial to his realm or not. For all their sakes, Loki prayed his uncle had an open mind, because he did not wish to be at odds with the king. But all they could do was wait and see.
