Chapter 21.
Two days later, Loki felt well enough to walk with Floria throughout the gardens. He stepped carefully along the path, using an ebonywood cane with a gold handle and an emerald the size of a small ball to maintain his balance, Floria holding his other arm in her hands aided as well. She wondered at the snow covered garden around her, the pure, white blanket covering everything and she gazing at the naked tree branches that were now encased in ice. He smiled at the way she admired everything, her breath showing as vapor as it passed through her lips.
"Are you warm enough Nightengale?" He asked her, indicating to her her heavy, dark blue cloak with white rabbit fur lining the collar. She nodded, her boots crunching through the powder with each srep.
"I am, I was only wondering if you were well Sir." She said and winced at the force of habit. He let it go, knowing that she never meant it out of spite and laughed.
"I am sore, but this fresh air is doing me some good, I have been trapped in that stale room for too long. Nothing to look at but walls, and you as a work of beauty. This is a wonderful reprieve." He replied and she nodded, she wore the black leather gloves he gave her, the material offering warmth from the soft lining of mink inside them and she shivered a tiny bit.
"I am glad that you could walk then, if it heals you faster." She said and he lifted her chin gently, he looked into her eyes and she blushed a bit. He leaned close to her, his lips claiming hers and she stiffened slightly. She relaxed then, returning the gentle kiss and his gloved hand cradled her cheek softly. She shook, her heart pounding, and she not knowing what was happening to her but still allowing herself to feel what she was. They broke the kiss, and she slowly opened her eyes and released a trembling breath.
"Was that your first?" He asked her and she nodded mutely. "You are very good at it, and I think that is the best medicine of all."
"I am glad it happened then, it was so beautiful." She said and he gave her a gentle smile, her eyes shimmered then and he head footsteps approaching them. He looked down the path, seeing Thor and his group of miscreants walking their way, and he stepped to the side with Floria to let them pass.
"Please don't fight Sir." She whispered and he squeezed her hand gently. They started walking past, and Thor stopped suddenly. He turned to his group and gestured forward Sif, his large hand on her shoulder.
"Lady Sif, have you met Hogun's Daughter? Her name is Floria." Thor said and Sif looked at the girl.
"No, only her mother." She said and smiled at Floria. "You are as pretty as your mother Floria."
"Thank you Lady, it is a pleasure to meet you. You are very pretty yourself, and Father told me so many stories about you. All of them so very exciting, and I am honored to meet you in person." She replied with a curtsey, Sif laughed and crossed her arms over her chest. She adjusted her own furs, and he cloak rippled in the wind.
"None of my tales are as exciting or facinating as yours, I heard much of how valiant Loki was in keeping you from harm." She said and looked at the black haired Prince. "I would say that it was all well done."
"Thank you Lady Sif, and welcome back to Asgard." Loki said, lifting his cane in his hand and saluted her with it as they stood. He glanced at Thor, his eyes on the high collar of Floria's heavy dress and trailing down the front of it. Loki cleared his throat, getting his attention and Thor frowned at him.
"I came back in time for Yule at least, I promised that much to my mother." Sif replied, also glaring at Thor. "We should not keep you, you most likely wish to walk before your pain returns. Lady Floria, I look forward to being a friend of you in the future."
"Thank you. I appreciate the concern." Loki said and they watched as the group walked on. Floria waved a goodbye to Sif, the woman turning back and smiling at the girl.
"She was very nice." Floria said, Loki nodding and turning to walk on.
"Yes, she has more manners than Thor. And is a smarter warrior in battle, careful and very skilled." He said and Floria nodded at the complement. She looked up at him, thinking and Loki regarded her out of the corner of his eye.
"Speak your mind Floria, you will not be punished." He said and she looked at the snow under her feet. She held his arm, her fingers tapping at it in her nervousness.
"I was wondering if you once fancied her Sir. She is beautiful, and so much stronger than I." She mumbled and he laughed at her insecurity a bit. He looked at her, lifting her chin and looking into her eyes.
"I never fancied Sif, she is a great and clever warrior but hardly someone I could see myself in any sort of relationship with beyond friendship. I perfer a woman that I can have conversations with, a fine lady who would learn from me and I from her in a way. Be it something silly, or something grand to learn." He said, and she smiled. He let her chin go and patted the hand on her arm. "You are so many of those things Floria, and I enjoy what we talk about."
"I enjoy our conversations as well, but wonder what I could teach you. You have more education and experience than I." She said and he smiled at her, patting the hand again as they walked.
"You teach quieter lessons, ones of your compassionate and kind actions instead of your words." He said and she giggled. They walked on, a light snow starting to fall and some of it resting in the fur hat she wore.
"You are strange sometimes, but in a good way Sir." She said, making him laugh at her statement. He glanced at her, seeing her cheeks flushed in snow and saw Odin and Frigga standing in the garden as well. The old King was leaning on his staff, his wife laughing at something he said and the Guards with them came to attention as they walked toward the Royal Couple. Loki thought about turning another way, but instead chose to continue on toward the group. Frigga saw them first, her eyes becoming happier at seeing him out of bed.
"Loki! You are up and moving, it is good to see you so healed." She said, walking forward and taking his hands. He bowed his head, his manners refusing to let him act arrogantly.
"I had two very good nurses, Floria and her Mother have been very kind to me and good company. And they deserve the praise for my renewed condition." He said, Odin joining them and looking at the girl he stood with.
"May I be introduced to this very attractive young lady, who seems to have gotten the attention of my Wife and two sons?" Odin asked and she curtsied in courtsey to him.
"Yes. This is Lady Floria, the daughter of Hogun and Handmaiden to Queen Frigga. She is a very kind and clever girl." Loki said and Odin took her hand in one of his, he bowed to her and smiled. His good eye sparkled at her, showing that he actually approved of this match.
"A pleasure to meet you young Lady. Frigga has told me much of you, and I am very pleased to see you comfortable here in my Realm." He said and she blushed, her mouth falling open in suprise. Odin normally ignored the Handmaidens, speaking only with his wife when he came to her chambers and she was now at a loss of what to say.
"My King." She said softly, intimidated by his presence alone. "I am most happy here, and your Realm is filled with such wonders and so many wise laws that you have made."
"You flatter me Lady, and are truly all that your Father said you were. My son chose well." Odin replied and released her hand, his single eye shining. "Loki, I am happy to see you walking about again and hope you will be well enough soon to celebrate your restoration. I have spoken to Thor, and find his behaviour abhorrent at best. I hope that you come to me with any further complaints before you resort to fists and blows."
"I shall... and am pleased to be walking and soon restored myself. As to the other matter I wrote you concerning..." Loki started, but Odin cut him off. Loki blinked in shock, unable to believe the praise coming from the old man in front of him. Odin let out a slow breath, looking at the sweet girl standing next to Loki.
"I discussed it with two persons close to the subject, and they give their approval as do I. After much thought of course." Odin said and Loki stood quietly, he bowed in silence and internally celebrated. He had written the King to ask his dispensation to overlook Floria's common birth, and allow him to marry her if she found the action agreeable. He never expected Odin to be so accepting in this, and he smiled and nodded to the old man.
"Thank you. I am very happy by this outcome." Loki said and Frigga beamed at Floria. She held onto his arm, her other hand behind his back to hold onto him as he spoke on. He became aware if her, and gave the back of one of her hands a soft pat.
"I am sure you are. We shall leave you to your walk, and do let me know when you are well enough for a public appearance." Odin said, his hand tightening on the staff in his hand. He took Frigga's elbow and guided her back to their conversation, Floria giving a polite curtsey as they left. Loki and she walked on, his thoughts turning over what had just occured. Floria wondered about things as well, wishing she knew what he and Odin were talking about and felt a bit confused at the entire exchange. They walked around a bit, Loki sighing and getting her attention.
"I have grown weary, perhaps this is enough for today. You look cold yourself as well, let us go back in and I can teach you to play Chess." He said and she smiled at him.
"I am a little bit cold, and I would like to learn this game Sir. Queen Frigga has had me learning to play the piano, and it is so much fun. Perhaps, I could play for you." She replied and he walked her through a door, the warm air greeting them and she closing and latching it behind them. They walked on, Thor watching them pass from am alcove and part of him longing to have the girl who walked with his brother. Her hair and eyes reminding him of someone her lost, five years ago.