Chapter 33.
"Push Lady, the head is coming!" The nurse said, Velora arching her back in pain and Floria held her hand tightly. She watched the entire process, shaking at everything her mother was enduring and began to silently pray that the baby would come quickly and ease her Mother's pains. The woman screamed, bearing down and gripped Floria's hand tightly in hers, screaming again and the Healer with red hair looked up and smiled.
"Is the child out?" Velora cried and the girl shook her head.
"No Lady, but your daughter should breathe. She looks about to faint." She said and Floria let out a long breath that she forgot she was holding. "Another push, and your child will be here."
"Sorry Mother, I was... I did not know..." Floria said and tears fell down her cheeks. Velora calmed her daughter and smiled, her face contorting with an ache.
"This pain is worth every awful moment Dear, remember that and pray that I have a healthy son." Velora groaned and pushed again, screaming and gripping the sheets below her. Silence fell then, and the two women paused to listen for the smallest of sounds. The Healer giggled and they heard the first shrieks of new life, the girl handing Velora her child and the woman opened her arms to the baby.
"You have a son My Lady, a beautiful boy." The girl said and Floria clapped her hands in joy. She looked down at the tiny boy and looked at her Mother, a name coming to her and Velora looked up at her daughter.
"Buarn. Can we call him that? It is an Alfar word for "Happy Days." Floria asked and Velora beamed at her daughter.
"Yes, we will call him that, because he is the cause for many happy days." Velora said and handed her daughter the wrapped baby. "Do you want to hold your brother?"
"Yes Mother." She said and cradled to bundle in her arms. Velora watched her two children as the Healers tended to her, and a pain took her heart then. She thought back to the toxin Floria was forced to take, and what it had done to her. A tear fell from her eye, and she knew she would have to break her child's heart soon.
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Floria screamed and fell to the floor, the truth of what was done to her causing her entire being to shatter. She cried in anguish, her tears striking the marble floor and she wept into her hands. Velora lay in the bed, weakened by childbirth and unable to comfort her daughter.
"Floria, I am so sorry. But I had no choice, they would have killed you." Velora said, pleading with her sweet daughter and the girl wailed again.
"Why not just let them do that to me then? You cursed me with a barren womb, and what if he desires heirs one day?" She cried. Her world shattered, casting across the floor like broken glass and she cried harder. The doors opened, Loki walking in and he hurried to Floria.
"Floria, what is It? Did your brother die?" Loki asked her and she sobbed into his chest. She could not speak, her hands trembling and clutching to his armor. He looked at Velora, and sighed at the woman.
"I had to tell her the truth." Velora said and Loki clenched his fist. Floria screamed into his chest, and trembled with sobs that shook her entire frame.
Floria, I care not. I still love you so much and now, this pain you feel hurts me as well." He said and she looked at him. A sob, punctuated by a hiccup came from her and she moaned in her sadness.
"I cannot wed you My King. I am a woman useless to you, for I cannot give you children." She cried, her sobs shaking her entire frame and he shook his head.
"You can, because I do need you. You Floria, the brave and lost girl who looked into my darkness and did not blink, and remain the sweet morning song I look for at all times. I came here today, to congratulate my greatest friend on her new brother, and I found you in such despair that I would tear my own eyes out to never see you in this manner again. My beautiful, sweet Floria. I never asked you to gift me children, I only asked for your heart and that is all I desire." He said and she gasped at his words. He tears dried, and he held her close to him and ran his fingers through her hair.
"I love you my Darling Nightengale, never forget that. For no matter where you are, how far you run, I will find you. For a ribbon that is now tied to your gentle body is firmly wrapped around my heart, and I will use it to locate you always." He whispered and she relaxed into his body. He held her, cradling the back of her head with his hand and kissed both her cheeks, then her forehead, and then claimed her lips.
"I love you." She whispered and he hugged her close to him. "Would you care to meet new my new brother, Buarn, My King?"
"I would be so very greatful to do that, and give in The Kings Blessing. Will you show me him?" He asked and Floria stood on shaking legs. Velora watched as they both walked to the cradle that held him and they smiled at the child, wrapped and sleeping in his warm cloths. Loki gently picked the boy up and held him in his arms, whispering the blessing into his tiny ear and he smiled at Velora.
"You have a beautiful Son and Daughter Lady Velora, I have given him my blessing and I do hope you rest and recover." Loki said and looked down at the child. She smiled from her bed at him, seeing how caring he was of Floria and she lay back on the pillows.
"Thank you My King, it is an honor to be so praised by you." She said and he bowed his head, looking down at the infant and smiled at him.
"He has a Sister that will protect him, and an even prouder Father that will protect them both. And if he fails, I will be the shield between them both and any mortal enemy." Loki said and lay the baby back down. "I do have good news as well, the Dark Elves have broken ranks and scattered on the arr8val of our forces. Thor and our soldiers are victorious, we have much to celebrate."
"Father will be home to meet the baby tomorrow then!" Floria said and Loki smiled. He took Floria's hand, noticing how tired she looked and gave it a squeeze.
"You look worn, go and sit with Queen Frigga and rest for a while. You have had two moments of excitement, and I don't want you getting ill." He gave the delicate hand a squeeze, holding it for a lingering moment and he put his arms around her again.
"Yes Loki. I will rest then." She said and gave him a curtsy, leaving in a hurry and Loki regarded the woman on the bed.
"Congratulations again Lady, and many blessings." He said, regarding her a moment and let out a breath. "I was going to have the Healers look at Floria to assess her condition first, but it seems now that will be a waste."
"She had to know the truth."
"Is your concience soothed? Did her loss of hope act as relief for the ache it caused you?" He asked, nearly growling the last words and she shook her head.
"No My King, because it caused her so much grief, the sort that any mother could not bear from her child." She said, her voice choked and Loki looked up at the ceiling. He found truth in her words, and bowed to her before leaving for the night.
"I wish you a good rest, I will be celebrating the victory your husband brought us tomorrow. And raising a glass to his children." Loki said, turning on his heel and he opened the door before he raged at the woman on the bed for hurting Floria so.
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"Does this happen often?" Floria asked, taking the comb from Frigga and using it to straighten Odin's hair. Her soft fingers smoothed the strands and arranged them so that they lay neatly on the pillow under his head.
"No. But he did say that this one was coming, and we were better prepared for it this time. It is never easy to see him like this, and it scares me that he may not wake at times." Frigga replied and she helped the girl move the cloth they used to catch the trimmings from his newly groomed beard. The girl smiled, still acting as her favorite Lady in Waiting and Frigga was urged to praise her.
"I will hope he wakes soon My Lady. I imagine you wish to tell him that Loki was a good Acting King in his absence." Floria said and Frigga smiled at the girl. She lay the scissors and comb aside, putting the cloth into a basket and putting it in the servants hall to be taken away.
"He is clever, and sometimes wise, however his mercural temper can cause troubles for him. I only hope you never see him at his worst." Frigga replied, a small smile of pride on her lips. "I had better be careful, or you will think he was my favorite son. The way I praise him, but Thor has his strengths also. He is more the warrior than Loki is, Loki can... He is the one who would use his mind over any muscle to rule."
"I just pray the Allfather is nust as proud of him. Is it true that he can still see all that is happening, in this condition?" She asked, resting her hands on the edge if the boat shaped bed. He lay, so peacefully and looked as if he were dreaming in a way. An old man, aged and dreaming of his youth. She placed a flower in his folded hands and smiled at it, thinking it added to his rest in a plesant way.
"He can, and I imagine he will be pleased when he wakes again. The last time was so chaotic, and was the cause if a great deal of strife. I am proud of both Thor and Loki, they kept Asgard safe and used eachother's strengths to accomplish that goal." She smiled and the ravens flapped their wings and preened themselves. Floria looked up at them, pity filling her face and she looked back at Frigga.
"Can we open the balcony doors? To let them fly? They look so restless, and are aching to be allowed to fly free." Floria asked and Frigga nodded her head gently. Floria rose, opening the doors and letting in the fresh air of early evening. There was a distinct scent if Jasmine on it, and she smiled to the ravens happily.
"Go on you two, but don't stay out too long." Frigga said and they clawed their happiness at the freedom. They flapped their wings, takingg flight and leaving the chambers they occupied for the open sky. Floria returned to her seat, leaving the doors open and Frigga smiled at her.
"You will make a great Queen one day Dear. You have a kind heart, and the people will love you for it." She said and Floria blushed, she shook her head and giggled.
"No. I think Prince Thor will regain his place, and I would not lament that decision. Loki does not seem happy with this responsibility on his shoulders." She replied and Frigga nodded. Floria sat quietly, folding her hands and Frigga placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He is still doing so very well though, we must give him that." Frigga said and she nodded. They both looked up, Loki entering and standing before the bed. He smiled at Floria, walking toward her and taking her hand gently.
"Any signs of him waking?" Loki asked and Frigga shook her head. The two women sat quietly, Floria wondering if she were in danger from his wrath if Odin did start to wake up. She rested her other hand on the bed again, and she felt arms wrap around her in gentle fashion.
"No. Perhaps soon though Loki, do not worry for your father now Dear." Frigga said and smiled. "He will be so proud of you and your victory. Worry yourself now with getting Floria rest, she looks about to drop where she sits."
"I am a bit tired." She confirmed and Loki smiled at her gently. He lifted her in his arms, she giggling and he walked with her through the doors. His hands were so strong, yet so gentle as he carried her along. His mind however, was on how to keep her so safe that the troubles of the Realms could never touch her.