Chapter 16.
Floria sat on the couch, her eyes wide in shock and everyone gathered staring at she and Hogun. Her fingers shook, and she looked on in disbelief as he told her who she was to him. Loki crossed his arms, handing her a handkerchief when her tears started to fall at the news.
"How did you know Hogun?" Frigga asked, and Floria shook her head.
"She looks so much like Velora, but I could only guess as to how old she was." Hogun said, his hand reaching for Floria's and holding it. "I never knew I had a child with her. When I returned from the hunt and found the Village burned, I thought she was lost forever. I did not know about you, and I left Vanenheim for Asgard not long after. Forgive me Floria, I should have looked for the both of you."
"I... Yes Sir." She said and his face crumpled under her gaze. "I... I mean Father."
"I believe that you will need time to get acquainted with eachother." Frigga said and Hogun looked up at the Queen. His black tunic and leather pants, neatly arranged as he looked at his daughter again. He caressed her face, his hand pulling her head against his and he nearly sobbed. She felt strangely at peace, her hands finding his bearded face and she let a tear fall down her cheek.
"I wish so much that I had known of you, I am so sorry." He said and she nodded. Her eyes filling with tears as she embraced him, her arms wrapping around his neck and she sobbed. The warm scene remained uninterrupted, and those gathered watched the normally stoic warrior break down in joy. Thor not used to seeing his friend act that way, blinked back tears himself.
She let him go eventually, her hands shaking as she brought Loki's handkerchief to her eyes and wiped the tears from them. Hogun looked up at Loki, standing and approaching him. His fingers flexed, and he pulled his sword at his hip.
"You will not seduce my daughter any further, she will be left alone by..." He started, but stopped as he looked at the hand on his sword wrist. Floria shook her head, her eyes pleading with him and Thor looked at her in shock.
"Please, he is my friend. My only friend here beyond Queen Frigga, and has taught me so much." She said and Hogun wavered a moment. "He taught me how to read, to write, to count, sums and differences, and how to cast simple spells. I want to still learn from him, I beg you to let me be his friend."
"He has not done as Thor has said?" Hogun asked, his eyes flitting back to Loki. "He did not force you to sit in his lap, or accept gifts or tokens of affection?"
"No. He gave me a ring for learning to read as a reward, and a journal to continue my learning, and he recently gave me a pair of gloves to keep my hands warm as I walk but nothing more. He never forced me into his lap, or to do anything to compromise my vows to Queen Frigga. It was..." She said and looked down, her hands folding as she hid in shame.
"Who? Who are these things about?" Hogun asked her and she pointed at Thor. Hogun turned, glaring at his old friend and spat at him. The move shocking everyone, his finger waved in warning and Thor backed up.
"I did not know then that she was your daughter old friend, I thought she was orphaned." Thor said, backing away. He put up his hands, and Hogun met his gaze with rage.
"You are not allowed to court Floria, or bother her in any way. She is not a conquest for you to use and cast aside, she is my daughter and my most precious jewel." Hogun said and Floria gasped, her face turned pale and she began to sway on her feet. Loki ran forward, catching her under her arms and lowering her gently to the floor.
"Floria." He said, cradling the back of her head in his hand and rubbed her cheek gently. "Come back, you have had a terrible shock this evening and no one will harm you."
"Daughter." Hogun said and crouched next to her, Frigga pushed a pillow under her head and she blinked softly at the three persons gathered around her. Hogun took her hand, holding in both of his and looked relieved.
"You are well Dear." Frigga said and she got some water from the pitcher nearby. Floria sipped from the goblet, her fingers still shaking somewhat.
"He has only been kind to you? Treated you fairly, and never made you feel uncomfortable?" Hogun asked her, and she nodded. Loki offered her his hand to help her stand, and she took it gently and got her feet under her.
"He is my greatest friend. And is escorting me to the ball Father, please say that we may remain so?" She asked, her eyes pleading him and he could not say no to her. Loki had found her half dead, helped her to learn how to do basic things like reading and counting. He had been nothing but honorable in his attentions, and proved to remain so by bringing her here that night to talk to him. Hogun regarded Loki for a moment, and nodded stoically.
"I will allow it then. You may continue to be her friend as you have been." He said and Loki nodded, his mind working to form a plan of how to get Hogun's permission to court Floria.
"I am glad she found you, for her sake alone. And, I do not want her heartbroken at all by any of this." Loki said and smiled gently at Floria. "I am very happy to see her reunited with you, and invite you to watch her lessons tomorrow. So that you may see for yourself, how far she has come. And to be proud of her."
Hogun saw something in her blush then, a soft twinkle entering her eyes and the way Loki gazed at her. He was good at reading faces from the battlefield, and could see so much in the simplest of features. He looked at her not with desire, or lust, but with respect and romantic love, a kindness she had never known before. He did not want to possess her body, but to care for her and watch her bloom. Hogun nodded, letting Loki take her back to the couch and help her to sit.
"I will come then, to observe and see how she has flourished." Hogun said, Floria smiling at her new found father and her eyes shining in joy.
"I do hope I have done well with her, and am truly happy to find her some kin here." Loki said, wishing that it were not true so that he could ask her for her hand in courtship.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Concentrate Floria, I know that you can do this." Loki said to her as she stood in front of the pot of soil, she held her hands out and closed her eyes. The only sounds in the room was the rain on the window, and the breathing of Loki and Hogun. Her father leaned forward, watching the pot and slowly a stirring began in the soil. Cracks formed on the top, and soon a peeking of green peeked through. A bud turning to a leaf, and more sprung forth.
"She is..." Hogun began, but Loki silenced him with a wave of his hand. The pot continued to grow and soon a purple bloom opened, followed by another. She opened her eyes, looking at the flowering plant and smiled brightly.
"I did it Sir." She said and stumbled, falling to the floor. Her skirts billowing and Loki taking a blanket, he put it around her shoulders and moved her to the fireplace to warm herself. Hogun helped, worry on his face for his child.
"What has happened to her? Why is she weakened?" Hogun demanded, Loki pouring her a cup of tea.
"Magic to a novice can be draining, it needs energy in order to manifest and like a muscle, it gets stronger the more it is used." Loki said, giving her the cup to sip from. "I advise her against practicing alone, as she could go into shock from the drain or hurt herself if she faints."
"See Father? He has taught me so much, I am so happy to learn as well." She said and looked at the tray. "May I have one of the small cakes with my tea Sir?"
"I can understand the need for caution then." Hogun said, Loki fetching her the cake and putting it on her saucer. "You will ensure she does not harm herself still however?"
"Of course, I do not want my friend to suffer any harm at all. She has endured enough for five lifetimes as it stands." Loki sighed, Hogun looking back at his daughter as she rested her head on the hand. He could not believe he loved her so much, and only after finding the truth a few hours ago. He swore to ensure that she was happy always, and to look for his lost wife soon.
"I trust you to teach her more, and please tell me if you have any more concerns about her. Especially where Thor and Fandral are concerned." He replied, and Loki nodded. He smiled at the warrior across from him, deliberating asking him a certain question but was stopped before he could speak.
"Does she know who you are?" Hogun blurted out and Loki nodded, glancing down at the floor.
"She does, I... I showed her, and she still wishes to be my friend. She sees the good in a person, and not the exterior." He answered and Hogun chuckled. He clapped Loki on the shoulder, a silent nod of approval in his direction.
"She could teach us much, through her actions, and deeds. She could prove to be our better, if we have her the chance." Hogun said and Loki smiled thinly.
"I only wish, that she remains happy Hogun." Loki said, watching her close her eyes and her chin droop to her chest. Hogun regarded Loki for a moment, a part of him knowing that he was looking at a man truly in love.