The Don City, much like their home, is a grand stronghold that they can see below when they cross the mountain pass. Loki's mind was so clouded when they last arrived here that he was unable to take in the view from above, too hurried to appreciate the beauty of the mirror-like stone that lines the walls. The grand fountain chamber is visible in the very center of the city, and the many streets that surround it jumble in a rainbow of colors from overhead. The children are awestruck and openly gasping; Narvi actually pipes up his small voice.
"What is that place, father?" he asks, shyly.
"That is our destination, my son," Loki says, trying to keep his horse steady on the downhill while they look. "It is the great Don City, a place of learning and commerce, where one day you may both go to seek education and standing in this realm."
Vali cannot help but chime in, too. "I want to go! I want to see!"
"Shh, yes, Vali, and we are on our way." He looks at Freyr and they head down the hill, ready to continue their errand.
Freyr's colleague, Vanaheim's other senator, has been called to the Don City for the purpose of his own son's wedding. It seems this is the only acceptable place for the well-known masters of the realm to be married. Freyr being the ultimate gatekeeper to the fountain waters, he was invited personally to gather the chalices for that evening's ritual. Loki was invited to the men's celebration that night as Freyr's guest; his sons will be in safe hands this evening with someone Nanny and Uncle Freyr know from long ago.
Walking through the busy city streets with the children is somewhat of a treacherous task, so Loki uses the sling to carry Narvi and Vali to the vendors. Now that he only wears his fortress tunic and not his minor armor, he is hardly recognizable by the sorcerers he once solicited for help long ago. They are initially afraid to approach him, but are comforted by the presence of the children. Loki actively apologizes to those who fled in fear when Pluto first arrived, and they gather that he is, indeed, a changed man. It has bought allies where Loki felt there was none, and he is glad to have made contact again in the Don City, where his sons will likely grow into good men someday.
Loki moves along from more diplomatic tasks and finds a purveyor of books. Oh, Sigyn will be so sad to have missed this, he thinks, and knows he must bring back a worthy selection for her. He offers many books in trade, those that he has written himself, and is able to collect a bundle that will surely keep his wife and children busy for months to come. Narvi is particularly excited by the bright colors of their bindings and pictures, while Vali is bored at this place. He sighs openly and makes no secret that he wishes he wasn't bound to his father and allowed to run in the streets. The child only gets some relief when Loki enlists the boys to help with a special chore: he releases them so they might help him find the greatest jeweled necklace to bring back to their mother at home.
Freyr finds Loki leaving the jewelry merchant, laughing with his sons and attempting to keep Vali stationary. He quickly sets upon Narvi and guides them all to his contact's home so that the boys will be occupied. Loki kisses Narvi on the forehead, gives Vali a stern warning to behave, and makes his way back into the streets with Freyr, only first stopping at their horses to be sure that his bounty of the day will be protected, and still present, when they return. The sun is setting quickly, and Loki is somewhat excited at the prospect of being present for Freyr's task, only just now giving thought that someday he might, too, be elected to a place of authority on Vanaheim.
They first walk to the Don River fountain at the center of the city. Freyr has Loki stand outside to wait, as he is one of very few allowed inside, and Loki nods while he enters. Loki appreciates the powers of the Don River, though he feels no need to be jealous of anyone who uses them, now that he feels content in his position. Especially since he became aware of the stream that runs not far from his home, Loki tells himself that he would only use such enchantment to help his sons or Sigyn, should they fall ill or have crisis. Loki is grateful that he has had no need for it. Freyr leaves with the two chalices in hand, and a canteen of the fountain's contents, and enlists Loki to carry the goblets as they walk to the court hall.
Hriedmar, Vanaheim's second senator, is one of Vanir's elders. He still greatly recalls the time before the great war with Asgard, and is one of the remaining old men who still feels the bond between Odin and Frigga only benefitted the two lovers, and not the realms themselves. He trusts Freyr implicitly, and welcomes him to the occasion with open arms. He had not expected to become a father again in his old age, and yet here he is. His son Regin, the groom of the evening, is young and spry. He has dark brown hair that reaches just below his ears, and a beard, much like the other Vanir men. When Loki enters the hall where the men are standing in celebration, he is struck by Regin's appearance in the center chair. He is dressed in tight leather that encapsulates his chest, silver vambraces, and even a shawl that flows over his back in a light blue tone; it is clearly Vanaheim armor meant for a man who has fought in a war. Loki thinks to himself: Oh my, he is so young! He looks so nervous. Did I look this nervous? The idea makes Loki smirk at the thought that he would ever have been uneasy to wed Sigyn, let alone appear as this boy does, almost frightened that tomorrow's event will tie him to his chosen bride in perpetuity. He stops and glances at his wedding band, which has only left his hand the last three years when he chooses to look at Sigyn's inscription. Loki shakes his head and follows behind Freyr, now one of the very married men who once tried to give him advice when he wasn't listening.
Freyr takes the ritual fodder from Loki and tells him to start in with the celebrations. "Enjoy yourself, dear boy, you have no conflict here." Loki feels lost, not knowing any but maybe two of the men here, and he is certainly the only one without some type of beard. Loki even finds himself placing his hand on his chin, all too aware that his Jotun heritage prevents him from looking as they do, though Loki is glad Sigyn prefers him this way. He blends into the crowd well enough, not standing out for any other reason, and he takes his own horn of ale from the woman who comes around offering it. Loki prefers to be like a fly on the wall, observing the festivities unfold around him while he waits for Freyr to return.
Loki listens as some of the men rise up to meet Regin, and offer their little bits of knowledge. "Make sure you never go to bed angry!", "A happy wife means a happy home.", "Don't be caught in the kitchen, or you'll never leave!" Loki finds some of them repeat the same adages, and some are simply preposterous. "You are the head of the house, ol' chap, don't let her forget it!" He shakes his head when he hears this, and can't imagine trying to rule over his household the same way he wanted to rule over Asgard; with Sigyn, he would likely not win out. "Her place is with the children, in the home, and yours is with us. May she rear your children well, bear boys, and always lay back whenever you ask!" At this, Loki's blood even boils somewhat, though he is glad to see that Regin's face reflects his same disgust. Good boy, he thinks, and steps up to his turn to give him a few wise words.
Loki has to clear his throat first, not having done this before; he doesn't want to announce his words to the whole hall, only to Regin. "Your wife is your greatest ally, your children the treasure she bears with you. Do not miss a chance to dote on her, bathe her, or tell her your love. It will be returned to you tenfold." He raises his ale up to Regin, who nods in recognition and thanks. It seems Loki can still make an impression with his words, even when they only speak truth and not spells.
Freyr doesn't return until the ceremony is about to start, off preparing the women's offering first. Loki is somewhat bored with the event, leaning against the wall by the front door. He expects that after the chalice is drunk, the vision will come and fade quickly enough, and he will not have to accompany Regin down the hall to his bride. The whole room gets quiet for the start of the ritual, and Freyr announces some familiar words to the groom. Loki watches intently while Regin takes the golden goblet with both of his hands and raises it to his face, nearly shaking; finally, he closes his eyes and drinks it down. Freyr walks back to Loki and they turn their backs, as is customary, and he guides his nephew in the quiet incantation for a vision that takes him to the couple's greatest trial. Ah, so that explains it, Loki thinks, finally understanding why even when he drank the full offering of water he could not see past the screaming of Sigyn in his mind.
The room is humming with the sound of the men's voices, growing ever louder. The goblet is dropped and it makes a loud clatter on the marble floor. Regin can be heard talking, speaking in a dreadful tone, "No, no it cannot be! Father! Idunn! Get away!" The men all turn to watch the scene unfold, including Loki, who is horrified at the sight of Regin's body being seemingly thrown around in the chair.
"Uncle, what is happening?" Freyr doesn't answer him, transfixed on Regin's body, and when the commotion finally ends, he turns to Loki. In fact, most of the men in the hall who are regular residents of the Don City turn to him as well. He feels as though most of the eyes in the room have fallen on his face instead of Regin's. "What? What are you all staring at?"
"The last time we saw anything like that, was with you," Freyr says quietly. "He has clearly been shown a battle, do you not see it?"
Loki's eyes shift around the room, and he slowly turns to meet everyone's gaze. He swallows hard. Regin finally tries to speak, his face drenched in tears, and finally the eyes switch back to him. Freyr wants to clear the way to ask the questions of his bride, when the whole room is interrupted.
"Idunn says there is a battle coming! That we are all in danger!" One of the women has burst in the hall. Suddenly the men are chattering amongst themselves, the room starting to swell again with noise.
"Aye, I saw it too! He is coming! Gorr is coming!" Regin announces his vision, and faints in the chair.