Chapter 19.
He woke slowly, his perceptions skewed by the dull pain in his back. His eyes focusing slowly on a woman who sat on the bed near him, and for a moment he thought it was her. Something was off about her though, she looked so much like Floria but her nose was slightly wider and her hair was shot through with a streak of gray. She smiled at him still, and pressed a cup to his lips and he drank. He could taste the pain potion lacing the water and he held her hand in place as he drank, greedy for the relief promised by the cup. It emptied soon, and he felt the pillow behind him being positioned gently. The woman working to make him comfortable, her eyes shining as she hummed a gentle tune to him.
"There." She said softly and smiled at him. "All is better, do you desire anything more My Prince?"
"Your identity, if it pleases you. You look so much like a delicate creature I like to call my closest friend." He said and she stood to smooth the blankets over him. Her rose colored dress of silk and lace was borrowed from Floria, and he mused that she would look like this woman one day. The vision of her in the future, pleasing him in how she would she would so gracefully age.
"I am Velora, Floria's mother. And I understand it is you I have to thank for her salvation, and mine as well." She replied and he reached out for her hand. He took it and she paused, her eyes going wide with the same look he saw on Floria when she woke that first day.
"Is she safe? Norns, I only want her safe and happy." He said and Velora smiled at him. She turned to the side, gesturing toward a chair near the fire and he saw her sleeping with a blanket wrapped around her. Her head was against the heavy back of his chair, and her bare toes peeking from under the wrappings. He relaxed, smiling at her in relief that flooded him and made him so happy.
"She wanted to be here when you woke, but helping me care for you exhausted her. She told me much of you, and how you taught her so many wonderful things. Hogun is greatful for you as well My Prince, and I cannot thank you enough for all you have done." Velora said, smiling at her daughter. She rested her hand on a cloth, bringing it up to dab at his forehead and he nodded at her. The cool cloth soothing, and he sighed.
"It was always my pleasure, my Gentle Nurse. Where is Frigga? I fear she may be pacing a hole through the castle, and be worrying at her nails in her fretting." He asked her and she laughed, her eyes sparkling.
"She is sleeping. She was exhausted by all that occurred last night, and her husband had much to do today. I am sure they will see you as soon as they can, do you want me to wake Floria?" She asked him, and he shook his head. He looked at her, seeing her peaceful and at rest near him and he let out a long breath.
"No. Let her rest, she has need of it and there is time later for her to be happy. Thank you Lady Velora for your care, I will not forget this ever." He said and he let his eyes close, he drifted, falling back into dreamless sleep.
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When he woke next, he saw Hogun sitting in a chair next to the bed. The Stoic Warrior meditating, his eyes closed and his breathing calm. Loki lay quietly, letting him finish and when his eyes opened he regarded Loki with a quiet interest. Staring as if he were reading the other man, judging his motives and coming to a decision with a nod. He stood, pouring a cup of water and giving it to Loki, returning to his seat while the injured man drank.
"I let Floria and Velora have time, they wanted to walk and Velora was wanting to see the gardens." Hogun said, breaking the silence. Loki lay, the cup on his stomach and nodded as he licked his lips.
"It is good, they have done very much for me and I will see that they are both rewarded." He said and coughed, pain from his wound making him cringe. "Congratulations on finding your family, I am honestly happy for you. Most of all Floria, she deserves to be happy."
"I agree." Hogun said and Loki regarded him with unveiled interest. He took the cup from his hand, filling it again and setting it on a low table.
"I only want her to be happy, that is truth." Loki said and sighed. "She has suffered so much, and this world is far more beautiful for her being a part of it."
"I agree with you again." Hogun replied. He sat back, thinking how to word what he wanted to say and let out a breath. "I give you permission, along with her mother, to court Floria. If you both wish to marry, I will allow it as well."
"Hogun..." Loki said, sitting up suddenly and groaning in pain at the quick movement. He lay back, breathing slowly and waiting for it to pass. "I... Thank you, but have to ask you why you allow me to have this honor."
"Because, you put yourself between her and a blade that would have killed her." Hogun said, his eyes rimmed with pride. "You were patient with her, teaching her and sharing knowledge that you had. You did not try to seduce her without permission, and you worked to protect her from those that would. We have a saying in Vanenheim, it is that a true man shares his strength with a woman, and does not make himself a monster in her presence. That is the way of monsters and men."
"It is a truly wise saying, but I think Frigga deserves the praise for how I treated her. I was raised by Frigga, if you remember and her strongest lesson was of respect and caring toward women." Loki said and sighed. He licked his lips again, resting his head. "I do like your saying however. I should teach it to my son, should I ever have one."
"I believe Floria is partial to having children one day." Hogun said and smiled wistfully.
"I am a beast Hogun, half bred with Jotun blood in me. She would never want my rotten seed growing within her, not when she could have perfect children with a better man." Loki sighed, feeling depressed about what he could not change.
"She said you were beautiful the other way." Hogun said and he regarded the man. "She told her mother and I about how you showed her who you were, and how much you trusted her to not judge her. She said the markings were beautiful, and that she did not care what face you wore, because you were so kind to her."
"She did say that." Loki said, not hiding his shock. "She is the better of all of us, not judging, but always sweet toward all. Wise men could learn from her."
"They could. And I owe you gratitude that I cannot express myself. You saved my family, and gave me a place to start looking for Velora again. I thought she was dead, the village burned and nothing was left but I could not give up hope that she still lived. Now, I have her and I daughter I never knew was born."
"I can understand why you would feel that way. When I heard that the Ambassador had taken Floria, I had to believe that she would survive. To think otherwise... I would have destroyed every man in my path that I felt responsible for her end." Loki responded, gritting his teeth and doing his best not to growl. He was glad the bastard who claimed to be her former owner was dead, his body rotting in a pit somewhere and shamed in memory by the person who appointed him.
"I know that, and still find you worthy of my daughter." Hogun said and looked up as both ladies entered the room. He smiled at his family, Floria grinning broadly at Loki at seeing him awake.
"My Prince." Floria said and walked to his side, her delicate fingers found his hand and held it. "I am so happy to see you awake, and very pleased that you met my Mother."
"I am glad you are safe Nightengale, don't worry about me. I will heal soon, and return to our lessons." Loki replied, squeezing her hand back. She smiled, Velora waving to her husband, and Hogun joined her.
"Let us eat, I am starved and believe that Floria can keep watch over him." She said and Hogun nodded, he took his wife by hand and they left together. Loki smiling up at Floria in her blue, silk gown. The door closed, and she sat in the chair near him and she covered his bare chest with the blankets the best she could.
"I am most happy to see you awake Sir." She said and blushed a little, not used to seeing a man of his station with no tunic covering him. She admired the sight a bit, feeling shy and looking away as she hid a shy smile.
"I am happy that you are safe, did your Mother enjoy the gardens" He asked her, unsure of himself on how to ask the true question he wanted to. She smiled, nodding and offered him more water. He declined, watching her look at everything but him.
"She did Sir. Do you wish me to help you cover yourself more?" She asked and he laughed. He pulled the blankets higher, finding her innocence endearing.
"No, I am a bit warm right now. There is no need to be shy Nightengale." He said and she giggled, covering her mouth. He plucked up his courage, his hand reaching for hers again and she looked at him directly. "I do wish to ask you a rather important question, and feel free to take your time to think it over. I do not want you to rush into any thing, especially a thing that you may be uncomfortable about."
"What Sir?" She asked him, her eyes wide and looking nervous. He held her soft hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of it and sighed.
"I would like to say first, that I have come to fancy you... to build an affection, and I wish to only see you happy. Your smile is golden, and I fear it ever fading." He said and she frowned at him, her lips parting and she let out a small breath. "I wish to ask if I may court you Floria, as your father has given me permission to do so."
"Yes." She said, not hesitating and her smile grew. Loki looked at her in mute shock and he felt light headed, her hand gripping his and she laughed. "I do wish you to be my Suitor, it would make me very happy."
"Are you sure of this Floria? I am..." He started but she stopped him, covering his lips with her fingers and shook her head.
"I am, for you have always been so kind to me, and my greatest friend. I have come to fancy you in kind Sir, and I say yes." She said and he laughed softly. Adoring how her eyes were so sincere as she spoke, her warm fingers against his lips. "I will never change my mind on this, for it is as set in stone as time itself."
"Then it looks as if I am so very lucky." He said and she nodded, blushing as she removed her fingers. Their eyes met, and she trembled as her heart pounded. Her legs moving her to stand and sit on the bed next to him, she offered him the cup and he waved it away. Shaking his head and she moved so slowly to not hurt him, leaning forward and kissed his cheek softly. He smiled, his skin burning from the contact and she turned shy again.
She sat back up and his fingers caressed her cheek gently, his smile growing as he watched her. She softly began to sing a song to him, lulling him to a sleep and he dreamed of her dancing with him in a fine gown of emerald and gold.