Chapter 23.
Loki laughed as another snowball flew toward him, ducking and using a bush as cover. He heard three sets of giggles, trying to find which direction they were coming from, and peering through the thin branches to see two blonde Maids walking toward him. He gathered up two balls of snow, getting ready to spring up and throw them when a deluge of snow buried him from above. His black cloak, weighed down by the additional weight caused him to fall back and he saw Floria perched on the arms of a statue above him with an empty basket. She giggled, waving and he groaned at finding the source of the attack.
"That is cheating." He laughed and she carefully climbed off the statue. He shook his hair, shedding flakes and she giggled harder as she stepped through the snow toward him. She lifted the emerald hem of her skirts, doing her best not to slip and held out her hand.
"Then I should help you to stand, for being such a wicked sport." She said and he took it, pulling her forward suddenly and she fell toward the snow. She shouted in suprise, her hands catching him as she fell and landing on his chest.
"I should bury you next, but I fear loosing any of your digits to frostbite." He said and thought for a moment. "Perhaps a kiss?"
"You hardly need to beg one of me Sir. I thought the snow would cool your head a bit, and keep you humbled." She laughed and he hugged her close to him. He left a kiss on het cheek, worrying at how cold he found it and he frowned at her.
"You humble me, but we should take you in. Your cheek was frigid and I can't have you catching a chill on me. Tomorrow is Yule, and there is much to celebrate. New friends, and happy company." He said and she nodded with a smile.
"Yes. I have never properly celebrated this holiday before and I have heard that it can be so delightful Sir." She said and he laughed at her. He helped her stand, making sure she would not fall over again before getting to his own feet. The two blonde Maids announced their protests that their play was over, but relented as they found that they were cold as well.
Floria thought about the gift she has worked so hard to make him, Frigga helping her select the fabrics and teaching her how to measure and sew all the pieces together. The Queen praised her skill, saying how she had a natural talent and guiding her minimally until she finished the long, for lined cloak and presented it to her for approval. Frigga was overly impressed, saying that it was a very fine garment and that Loki would be happy to possess it. She was so lost in those very thoughts, that it suprised her when they stood in front of her chamber doors and she blushed at her reaction.
"Daydreaming?" He asked her and she nodded her head guiltily. He lifted her chin, looking into her eyes and smiled.
"Yes Sir." She said and looked back into his, the twinkle in them drawing her in.
"Never loose your dreams Nightengale, they are precious." Loki said and kissed her softly. "I must leave you now, and I am sorry for that. But I must attend to some things."
"I understand. I will rest, and wait for tomorrow to come." She said, he opening her door and she slipped through it. He closed the door after him, walking down the halls and toward the city. He had to hurry, because a gift he had commissioned was waiting for him to get. A gift for a very special girl.
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He woke slightly, not hearing the bare feet that crept into his chambers from the Bathing Chamber. The world was bright around him and he threw an arm across his eyes, blocking out the sun reflecting off the fresh blanket of snow outside. He settled back in bed again, covering his chest when a weight to his left depressed the mattress and he jumped in shock. He opened his eyes, seeing Floria in her white shift of silk, giggling and her hair hanging over her shoulders.
"Wake up Sir! It is Yule." She giggled, laying on her side on the bed and grinning at him. She pulled the blankets over her, curling up and he gaped at her in shock.
"Floria! Nine hels! You shouldn't be in here like that, your reputation could be ruined. Not to mention that your father would gut me like a pig." He said, jumping out of the bed and she sat up with a frown. She folded her hands together, her eyes darting around and she looked like she was about to cry.
"I... I am sorry." She stammered out and backed from him as he walked toward her. He stopped, seeing her afraid and he realized that he had done something he had never done before in front of her. He raised his voice.
"Floria, I did not mean to shout. You startled me, and... I don't want your reputation tarnished by what seems an innocent jest to you. It may not be seen as such to others." He said and took both of her hands. "It was no excuse to raise my voice however, and I apologise for that. It was a plesant suprise."
"It was?" She asked, becoming shy and he saw her less bold self come out. He lifted her chin gently, and she blushed.
"It was. You should dress though, vicious tounges wag and awful rumors start to flow. I will see you very soon, and then we can go to breakfast." He said and kissed her forehead. "I have many suprised for you today, and am anxious to watch you react to all of them."
"Yes Sir. But I do not need to be spoiled so." She said and he laughed, his arms wrapping around her.
"You are worth spoiling my dear Nightengale. Now go and dress, before you get a chill." He said and let her go. She ran back into her chambers, and he closed the door. He leaned against it, part of him wishing that he had not sent her back to her rooms alone. That part yearning to hold her close to him in his bed, never to let her go.
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He stood in the hall moments later, raising his hand to knock and the door opened suddenly. He looked in at the vision that stood before him, rose colored silk falling over a cream colored overskirt that was embroidered at the hem with lavender flowers and leaves of soft green. the sleeves flowed to her waist, the etheraial quality of the gown adding to her mystery. His heart stopped momentarily, and he had to lean on a pillar to keep from falling over.
"Sir." She gasped and he grinned stupidly at her. He hands finding his face and he felt how warm they were, as if gentle pieces of the sun had fallen from the sky and caressed him now. "Are you ill? Do you need a Healer?"
"No." He said and collected himself. "I was stunned by how beautiful you are. Is this a gift?"
"Yes My Prince, from Queen Frigga. She gave all of us an Alfar dress for Yule." She replied and he smiled st her. She wore her hair down, flowing over her shoulders in warm, brown waves and he admired her.
"You make it so very beautiful. On any other woman, it would seem plain." He said and she blushed. She stepped back, turning so that her could see the very short train and her skirts flared. The soft silk covered her perfectly, and she hid her face suddenly.
"I am sorry, I... I... am just... so very happy. All have been so kind to me, and I do not know how to properly thank them." She sniffed, her shoulders trembling as her eyes filled with tears. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him and she lay her cheek against the emerald tunic over his chest. her hands rested with her palms on his pectoral muscles and she trembled, his fingers combing her hair gently to comfort her.
"No tears darling Floria. You deserve all this kindness given. You have had a hard start in life, and deserve so much gentle sweetness." He said and she nodded against his chest. The tears that once threatened to fall stayed in her eyes, she surrounded by his warmth. He let her go, cradling her cheeks and smiling at her.
"All better? We have a Midwinter to celebrate." He said and she nodded.
"Yes. And presents to give." She said and he laughed, his eyes fell on her neck, frowning a moment and he produced a flat, velvet pouch from his black, leather vest. He held it in both hands, hers shaking as she reached for it. She looked at him, her eyes wide.
"Is this..." She asked, her voice trailing off and he nodded.
"It is one of many gifts I intend to give you today, to make up for all the Yules that passed, and left you in sadness." He said and she opened the pouch. Inside lay a chain of gold, with five filigree rounds along it and a sixth dangling in the shape of a teardrop, in the center of each was an aemythist as big as a coin of gold. She gasped, her eyes going wide at the gift and looked up at him.
"It is so beautiful. I... I have never dreamed to wear such a thing, let alone own one Sir." She said and he lifted the necklace off the bed of velvet and walked behind her. He put it around her neck carefully, hooking the clasp and her chest rose in a gasp. He walked back around her, admiring it and she blushed.
"It suits you, I do hope you like it." He said and she nodded mutely, she looked at her reflection in a window and her knees buckled. Loki caught her, his eyes filled with worry and she looked up at him.
"I think it is my turn to give into a swoon." She whispered and he laughed, his hand smoothing her hair. He looked into her eyes, and the amberglow of them warmed him.
"You are truly a gift Floria, and I intend to make you cheeks ache always from smiling." He said and let her stand. She lowered her eyes, folding her hands and she smiled broadly.
"I wish to do the same for you." She said and he laughed, her eyes meeting his and he took her hand.
"Let us go eat, the morning feast is legendary today." He said, walking with her toward the Hall. as they walked, Maids gasped, and men bowed, all of them knowing the sweet and gentle owner of the hands that held Loki's heart.