Thor sighed as he sat on his sofa and sulked. He'd already written to Desi and had it sent off when the maids came to pick up his barely eaten breakfast. Nothing could seem to keep his focus, no matter what he had tried. "Ugh," he groaned and let himself plop onto his back to stare at the ceiling.
Loki bypassed knocking and walked right into his brother's room. "Someone on your mind?" he asked as he approached the sofa.
"You could say that," Thor responded solemnly, but moved to sit up so his brother could sit beside him. "Are you feeling better?"
Loki sat down and shrugged. "The horns feel better, but there's other issues now." He admitted.
Thor raised an eyebrow at his brother. "Other issues?" he questioned. "Of what nature?"
"Laney is starting to want children." Loki replied softly.
"I am sure she does not mean right away brother," Thor countered as he turned to face him. "Wanting children is not a bad thing."
"Perhaps not right away, but it is on her mind more and more. She does not understand that I cannot give her children." Loki kept his eyes on the floor.
"Loki, as far as I know, you are fully capable of producing a child. Have you seen a healer?" he asked, thinking that Loki could need to see someone to help him.
He finally looked over at his brother. "Not medically, you thunderhead. My children would be half Jotun."
Thor chuckled. "To be fair, you were not specific on your problem. But I do not see one. I know you harbor a lot of hate for the Jontar... I did as well. Until I found out about my family tree when I was bored in the library last month. I did not tell anyone I had found out about my great great great grandfather, but it made me do a lot more reading."
"I was very hurt to find out about that. It was actually what made me so determined to never have children." He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"I am unhappy to learn about it from a book and not my family, but I am more disappointed than angry. I am disappointed to know the feelings father harbors is because of something he cannot control, which caused him to treat you the way he did. Then he proceeds to call me rash and a child." Thor sighed and sat back on the sofa while he propped his legs up on the nearby coffee table. "I am sorry for my part in what happened Loki. I never meant to do you any harm."
"I know you didn't, and I'm sorry for my actions against you after I learned the truth." He said sincerely. "Can I be honest about something?"
"You can tell me anything Loki," Thor replied sincerely, "I want you to be able to talk to me anytime you need to."
Loki gave him a small, appreciative smile. "All I know is to hate the Jotnar... Odin shares their blood and still hates them... so what would stop me from hating my own children?" He asked in barely more than a whisper.
Thor reached over and gripped onto Loki's knee, hoping it was a comforting move. "I do not believe you could ever hate your children. I think if you ever saw a tiny newborn with Laney's eyes and your dark hair, you'd fall head over heels."
Loki shook his head. "But what if I can't get past the hate? What if it all goes wrong and I snap?"
"I cannot tell you how you will feel Loki," Thor stated softly. "You will only know if you experience it for yourself. I know it sounds terrifying, but I really do think you could make a wonderful father and husband one day."
"Right, speaking of that... how would you feel about going to the market?" He asked with a little grin.
Thor raised an eyebrow at his brother. "What is going on in that mind of yours?" he asked playfully.
"I... well, I need a ring... and I'm not allowed out on my own yet." He replied.
"Oh, Loki that is such great news!" he exclaimed and patted his knee. "I would love to go with you."
"Then it's settled. Let's go." He said happily and stood up.
Thor stood quickly and patted his brother on the shoulder before he led him out of his rooms, then through the palace. It wasn't too long until they were outside and walking down the path that would take them to the local market. "Have you thought of a design or a stone?" he asked.
"I want something as beautiful as she is, that is all I am sure of." Loki shrugged. "I will know the right ring when I see it."
He nodded as they continued to walk down the path, soon entering into the entrance of the market. "You know, I will have to be sitting in on court a lot soon," Thor mentioned.
Loki raised an eyebrow at the comment. "Your attempt to make me jealous has failed." He joked.
"I'm trying to make a point," Thor retorted as they turned a corner and into the main bazar area. "When I am appointed King... I want you as my lead advisor."
Loki gave him a look of disbelief. "Brother... I am honoured..." He started to say, but fear flashed in his eyes as he recalled his mother's vision. "... but I must decline."
Thor's face dropped into a look of sadness. "You know so much more about running things than I ever could. You know the treaties and trade routes by heart, the way to organize an army and when to use them... I need you Loki."
Loki felt like the wind was sucked out of him. He... needs me? Me... "I... it's... alright brother. I will help." He agreed. I can't fail him again...
"You mean it?" he asked just as they walked up to the first jewelry seller. "I still have to talk to father, but I am not taking no for an answer."
"I give you my word. And my first piece of advice... always have your lady as your top advisor." He chuckled, then walked closer to look at the rings.
Thor chuckled as he patted his brother on the back. "You have grown a lot brother. But I do agree with you, although I do not think me and Desi are quite near this stage yet."
"Can you see yourself at that stage with her in the future?" Loki asked curiously as he shook his head at the rings. "Nothing here of interest."
He shrugged as they turned to continue on down the aisle. "I cannot say for sure. But I do like how she makes me feel... like I can be myself again."
"Just keep an open mind, alright? This past week, you've looked happier than I've seen you in years." He admitted, then walked over to another merchant with jewellery.
Thor smiled. "I'll keep that in mind." He continued to watch his brother browse the merchant's wares when he felt a tug on his pant leg, making him look down. What had tugged on his clothing was a young boy, about the age of ten. "Hi there young man."
Loki glanced back at his brother, but paid no mind when he saw it was just a child that came over. He picked up one ring that kind of caught his attention, to look at it better.
"Hello prince Thor. I want to be a brave warrior like you someday!" The boy proudly announced.
"I am sure that you will," he answered the happy child. "Make sure you do not wander too far from your mother, child," he added when he noticed a woman searching for the boy until her eyes found him.
"Yes your highness." The boy waved, then ran back to his mother.
A grin stayed on Thor's face as he watched the boy run off. "Good kid. Belongs to Orchid Dottir."
"I'm sure he's a great kid, but I need help finding a ring." Loki said. He was growing frustrated at the lack of adequate rings.
Thor chuckled. "What do you think about seeing the blacksmith? You could see if they could make something unique if you have something in mind."
"I might have to. She deserves something special and unique." Loki agreed. "We need the best blacksmith though and he's on the far side of the market."
"Well, we're too far away to grab our horses. We have a walk ahead of us," he replied with a smile. "You up for it?"
"Of course. I don't get out much anymore, so the longer walk will be nice." Loki replied, enjoying the fresh air. "Mother will know today when Desi can take her post."
"That will make both me and her happy I believe," Thor responded as he clasped his hands behind his back while they walked among the people. "It's going to be a long week if that's all it's going to be before she can return. If it's longer, I'll have to find something to occupy my time."
"Do you plan to personally send word to her or is mother doing that?" He asked curiously.
"I plan on writing to her as soon as I get word. I've already sent her one letter this morning," he admitted.
"What if you just go get her? Find out when she can return, and on that day, show up to escort her home?" Loki suggested.
Thor's eyes widened. "That's a brilliant idea Loki! I do not know why I had never thought of that before."
"Oh brother, if you thought of these things on your own, you would not need an advisor." Loki chuckled, teasing his brother.
"Very funny," he said as he nudged Loki in the shoulder. "But that's why I have you then, huh?"
He teasingly rolled his eyes. "As you said, you need me." He nudged Thor in response.
The pair arrived at the blacksmith just past noon. Thor knocked on the large barn door before he opened it and walked inside. "Evik, are you in?" he called out.
Evik, a young strapping man, walked around the corner at the sound of voices. "Thor! Loki!" he exclaimed, then walked up to Thor to shake his hand. "What brings you here my prince? It has been some time since I have seen you."
Thor grinned and put his arm around Loki's shoulders. "I'll let my brother explain that to you."
Loki grinned a happy, silly grin. "I need a ring, a very special ring." He explained, thinking over the design again.
"Does the younger prince have someone special in mind?" Evik asked knowingly. It was common knowledge of his courtship.
"I need the very best for the most amazing woman I've ever met. I do not care about the cost." Loki replied, still grinning.
Evik shook his head and smiled. "For one of the princes it will be no charge." He walked over to one of his tables and pulled up a couple of chairs before he sat down himself. "Do you have any ideas in mind?" he asked as he grabbed some paper and a quill and ink.
Loki walked over to the table and sat down. He described in detail the ring he wanted, taking nearly an hour, but they finally got it sketched exactly as he pictured it. "I don't want this rushed. I cannot stress how much I need this to be perfect."
"I will put this as my top priority Loki, I swear that to you. I have the metal that you asked for, but I may need to search for the stone that you require," Evik explained.
"You have all of Asgard's resources at your disposal. Word will be given that anything you require is given the highest priority." Loki promised him.
Evik bowed his head and smiled. "That is very gracious of you my prince. I am very thankful."
"Thank you for making this your priority. If you insist on refusing payment, then I am in your debt." He stood and gave a little bow. "Please send word the moment it is ready."
"I will hold you to that my prince," Evik answered with a smile and stood to give his own bow.
Thor grinned and reached out to shake Evik's hand. "Loki, let us head back towards home. Mother will be wondering where we are. So will Laney."
Loki nodded and shook Evik's hand as well. "Laney can know nothing about this for right now." He told Thor as they walked out and back to the main of the market.
"I know. I will not tell a soul, I promise you brother. Not even mother will know if you do not want me to tell her," he replied.
"Mother can know. I almost asked her to accompany me today, but all she would do is harass me about grandchildren." He shrugged.
A laugh sounded from Thor just as they got close to the path that would take them back to the palace. "I think mother has been wanting grandchildren for sometime now. Especially when other noble families have small children or have one on the way."
"I know. It is the one thing that worries me with Laney taking her posting. Many of the royal families come to the palace healers. She already wants children and working with them all day isn't going to help." Loki said with a soft sigh.
Thor rolled his eyes. "You worry far too much my brother." They soon reentered the palace, grateful for the shade from the hot sun. "Do you think Laney would still be in The hall of Healing?"
Loki blinked a few times to adjust his vision from the bright outdoor light. "She might be. We should check there first. If not, then I think our chambers." He walked a little faster, eager to see Laney.
When Thor and Loki made it to The hall of Healing, Thor patted his shoulder. "I will see you later brother, I am going to go and spend some time with Fandral and the others for a little while if that is okay."
"I cannot stop you." Loki chuckled. "Thank you for your help today." He said sincerely then walked inside to find out where Laney was. He looked through the rooms until he finally found her. For a moment, he was concerned to see her alone. When he realised she was actually holding a baby, he felt like the wind had knocked out of him. "Darling?" He said softly.
Laney looked up from the bundle that she continued to cuddle close while she rocked the little one to sleep. "Afternoon love. Is Thor doing better?"
He walked in and sat on the floor in front of the rocking chair. "Somewhat better. I was able to get him out for a while, but he is still missing Desi." He explained, wondering how long they would avoid the topic of the child. "He has asked me to be his advisor..."
She smiled down at him. "That's wonderful Loki. I am very happy for you." Laney looked back at the baby to check on him, before she looked back down at Loki. "I'm sure you have questions."
Loki nodded. "I imagine I do as we were not expecting when I left this morning." He chuckled.
Laney rolled her eyes at him, but had a wide grin on her face. "This is Ari. His momma needed to have treatment done due to a cooking accident in her home, so I offered to watch him while Eir treated her burns."
Of course you did... "How long are you watching him?" He asked, trying to mask his feelings about the situation.
"I shouldn't have him too much longer. Eir said it would take a few hours and I've had him since noon," she replied, her voice soft. She watched him for a few moments, paying attention to the look in his eyes. "This bothers you... doesn't it?"
He looked away and picked at a thread on his trousers. "It bothers me because I can see how happy it makes you to hold him, yet I'm not able to give you the children you desire." He said sadly.
Laney stopped the chair from moving, then silently stood before she sat on the floor beside him. "Loki, I don't want you to feel so troubled about the subject of children. If it happens for us and I end up with child, it is okay. If it doesn't, we will look at other options." She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then rested her head on his shoulder.
He wrapped his arm around her and held her close. "You know I use protection spells, right? It won't just... just accidentally happen..." He said softly.
"I assume you do," she commented. "I was just trying to cheer you up." Ari opened his eyes, having woken up, then began to babble softly. Laney looked down at him and smiled. "He's a cute little thing. Almost six months old."
"I made the suggestion to Thor that he go and fetch Desi himself, when the time comes." Loki told her, just to change the subject.
Laney unwrapped Ari from his blanket and helped him sit up in her lap since he was awake and wide eyed. "I can imagine Thor jumped at that idea. Desi will be overjoyed."
"Don't tell her though, I think it is supposed to be a surprise." He replied, and glanced down at Ari.
"Oh, I won't tell her. I'll let Desi have that experience all to herself whether it's in a week or three weeks." She looked down at the baby, then up at Loki. "Do you want to hold him?" she asked softly. Little Ari currently sat content as he played with Laney's hand as it rested on his belly.
Loki glanced over at Ari again. "I don't think so. You can play with him." He mumbled.
"Laney?" Carla called from the doorway. "Is there any chance you could give me a hand real quick?"
Laney looked at Loki apologetically. "Loki, could you hold him for a moment please? He's a happy baby I promise." She gently placed Ari in Loki's lap and kissed his lips before she stood and left the room to help Carla.
Loki returned her kiss and reluctantly held the baby while he watched Laney walk out. Carla led her a good way down the hall, then stopped. "How long do you think he needs?" She asked Laney.
"What do you mean?" Laney asked. "Does Ari's mother need help with something?"
"I was in the room next door and heard some of the conversation. I thought it would help to give him some time alone with the baby." She admitted, grinning.
"Oh!" Laney laughed, then shook her head. "I've barely known you and you're already plotting things against my boyfriend." She turned and looked back down the hall with a small sigh. "I don't know if he's ever really been around small children before honestly, but Ari isn't crying."
Carla chuckled. "You wouldn't believe how many people have come to me, asking for help with baby fever." She listened carefully and after a minute heard Ari giggling.
"I know you don't really know our story, but even though we've only really been together for about two months, I've loved that man in there for years," she replied softly. "Sometimes I wonder if my mind is moving too fast and I want things to move a lot faster than they should. I'm always thinking I'm pushing him lately."
"The queen filled me in on a lot and I was training here while you were children. With the history the two of you have, I don't think your mind is jumping ahead." She said, then hesitated before continuing. "Learning his heritage was devastating. Just be patient and everything will work out."
Laney nodded and wrapped her arms around herself. "I hope so. He's just so down on himself. At least he knows that I'm not going anywhere. I still have to retrieve some things from Yamir, but I'm moving here. I can't leave. Asgard and Loki are my home."
"It will be hard on him when you make the trip to gather your belongings." She said, concerned. "Come on, let's go check on them. Very quietly." She said, quietly walking down the hall again. Laney quietly followed Carla back down the hallway until they silently stood in the opening of the doorway of the room Loki and Ari were in.
Loki had moved to sit against the wall. He had his knees pulled up with Ari resting against his legs. With his hands free, he was cooing at the baby and playing peekaboo with him, in between tickling him.
Sudden tears filled Laney's eyes at the sight before her, not wanting to make a sound to disrupt them in any way, not wanting them to stop interacting with each other. She quickly wiped her eyes and smiled. That man will be an excellent father.
When Ari yawned, Loki picked him up and cradled him in his arms and very softly sang a lullaby to the baby to help him fall asleep. I guess he isn't so bad after all...
Laney quietly walked into the room so Loki could see her, then crouched down in front of him. "You're an amazing man, you know that?" she asked softly.
Loki slowly looked up and blushed. "I just didn't want him to cry..."
"I know that," she answered, keeping her voice quiet. "You're a natural, baby. I'm happy to see you so relaxed with him."
"I just..." He sighed, finding that he had nothing to actually say about it.
She moved to sit beside him and watched as Loki cradled Ari to his chest. "What is it?" she whispered.
He looked away, not wanting to see the disappointment in her eyes when he spoke again. "I can't give you children because all I know is hate for the Jotnar," he softly confessed.
Sadness filled Laney's eyes as she reached out and caressed his cheek, then his neck. "Loki... would you let me help you see them in a different light if I had a way to?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know if my mind could be changed... but if you want to try... I will try to keep an open mind." He promised as he turned his head back to look at her.
Laney smiled and continued to caress his neck with her thumb. "I would have to talk to your mother and maybe even Odin but if I am going to move here, which I am, I need to go to Yamir and get a few of my belongings to bring back here. I want you to come with me."
Loki quickly looked up at Laney. "What if they decline? I will go crazy without you by my side." He said, genuinely concerned.
"If they don't allow you to come with me, I'll just have to see if I can hire someone to bring my things to us," she assured. "Desi is also bringing some very helpful books that may have some interest to you when she returns."
"When did you hope to go, if we can?" He asked curiously. "If you need to go without me, I can be alright for a few days."
"I'm not really sure. I guess it will depend on what your mother says when I mention it this evening," she replied, just as Carla knocked on the doorway to get their attention.
"Ari's mother is able to go back home. You're going to have to give up the little man," she said with a soft smile.
Loki looked down at the sleeping child. "Are you sure her treatment is complete? It might be wise to double check everything..." He told Carla.
Laney did her best to hide her smile as Carla nodded at him. "I'm afraid so Loki. She does have to return in a week for a follow up though, so perhaps the two of you could watch him again then."
"Sure. I mean, if we don't have anything else to do." He said, not wanting to sound too eager. He finally stood, careful to not wake Ari, and handed him to Carla.
Carla smiled at them both. "Thank you for watching him, and Loki... I know it's hard, but try to be open minded dear." She cuddled the tiny boy close and turned and left the room, going back to his momma.
"Are you ready to go?" Loki asked Laney. He took her hand and it was clear he was a bit down now.
"I'm ready whenever you are," she replied as she squeezed his hand. "Do you want to go to our rooms or would you rather catch the evening meal with your mother?"
"I think we should go see her. There is a lot to discuss with her." He said as they walked out and back into the corridor.
Laney nodded in agreement. "Yes, there is."