Chapter 68.
Most of Asgard stood in the Hall, Floria cradling her new son in her arms and Alarea clinging to her rose colored gown. Loki was near them, his hands folded as they waited to hear the announcement that Odin was going to give. Falfar did not fuss at all, his small hands curled against his chest and his eyes closed. Some women in the audience pointed at her, whispering to each other about the child and smiling.
"What do you think it is?" Thor asked Loki, standing next to her wife in a purple dress and trying not to look depressed. He had asked Odin to forgive her, but was refused and she held Sari's hand to keep from crying in frustration.
"I am unsure, perhaps he will undo your curse." He replied and Thor huffed in exasperation.
"Dont tease Dear Husband, it is not very nice." Floria said, looking over at the both of them and rocking the baby softly. His Daughter looked at him with a grin, she taking after him and being a sly trickster. She waved her small hand, and giggled as he gestured back with the wiggle of a finger. She reached up, grabbing two of his long fingers and holding them, his smile widening at the little girl and she giggled.
"No trouble today Alarea, you must be very good for Mother and I." He said and the child nodded.
"Yes Papa. I be gwood." She said and the doors opened to admit Odin and Frigga. They both smiled, and waved to their supporters and am applauded as they took their places and a hush fell over the Hall. He stood, and Floria saw how aged he looked and pitied the Old Man for his advanced years. Odin waited for a moment, raising his eye and addressing his people.
"I have come to the end of my tenure as your King, and have now made the decision to step down and allow a new Monarch to take the throne. I know that this new era will be one of reason, peace, and enlightenment. For I believe that my decision to place Loki on the Throne of Asgard is one that I made wisely." Odin said and Floria felt her stomach sink. She felt shaky, her hands holding her child and she looked down on the small face. Her Son would follow his Father, but what would become of her? Was she ready to act a the loyal and gentle Queen, would Asgard accept a former slave as their Lady? She felt a soft tug at her skirts, her daughter looking up at her and she smiled at the child.
"It seems that my Son, and his Wife are well recieved, and with that I shall pass my title to him in three days." Odin finished, the speech being met with thunderous applause and Floria looked up at Loki. Falfar started to cry from all the noise, his small hands curling and she tried to sooth him.
"I think he is hungry." Floria said, using the excuse to get away from the audience and Loki watched her take his children and leave the Hall. Thor looked at him, and Sera gave him a reassuring smile. Loki however, thought about the next three days and the preparations for the transfer of power. His reign would begin with the applause, and he would crown Floria as his queen two days following his own coronation. His mind creating a ceremony to celebrate her, that few would ever forget.
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"Is he well?" Loki asked, watching Floria lay Falfar in his cradle and she nodded. He walked to them, laying a hand on his back as he slept and leaned over to kiss the child. He looked back at his resting Daughter, smiling at her and Floria folded her hands and looked down. He took her hand, leaving the children to their Nurses and he led her back to their Chambers.
"I pray you are not nervous about your impending coronation. It is a shocking announcement, to be so soon." She said and he laughed to himself, closing the doors behind him and she waited. He poured them both a cup of wine, carrying one to her and she held the vessel in both hands.
"It seems you are more nervous than I am. Do not fret, I already have your coronation scheduled and it will take place two days after mine." He said and drank from his cup. She took a small sip, her stomach feeling as if it were in knots and she smiled softly.
"I am, a bit nervous. But... I think it shall pass." She said and he nodded. "After all, I am the Consort of the King."
"Why do you call yourself that?" He asked her and she set the cup down, a knock at the door ending their conversation and he answered it. The newly appointed Vanir Ambassador entered, his arms open and a smile on his portly face. He laughed, his large belly giggling and he bowed to Loki.
"My Prince, and Princess! I must congratulate you on your impending Coronation. I offer you all my support on behalf of my King, and have come to put forth an offer of friendship, and an agreement that could benefit your beautiful Daughter." He said, Floria looking on in shock and she felt weak kneed.
"Alarea, Dear Husband. She is still a child." Floria said and Loki looked at the large man.
"She is, but she will need a secure foundation to look forward to one day." Loki said and Floria gaped at him. "Tell me of your King's offer, that way my Queen and I could discuss it later Ambassador Yon."
"He offers his son, who has just turned six, as her future Husband. He is a clever boy, and very good with a sword." Yon said, taking a letter out of his coat and handing it to Loki. "He also believes that his next child will be a daughter, should he require a good marriage if you do not approve of the match for the Princess."
"Six, and already skilled in combat. That is a tempting offer, I will consider it carefully." He said and the Ambassador bowed, leaving the room and Floria wrung her hands together. She swallowed, watching as Loki opened the letter and read it.
"Wilk you marry her off to this boy? Without them ever meeting?" She asked and Loki put up a finger for her to wait. He folded the letter, setting it on his desk and regarded Floria for a moment and picked up his cup again to drink.
"It is a good offer, and she will have a secure future. I will have to consider..." He started and she shook her head.
"Consider what? Trading our Daughter off to some other land as if she were a piece of livestock?" She snapped and Loki shot her a look, she refused to stop though and he sighed at her.
"She will be ours still, don't fret over it. She will be cared for, and treated as a woman of her station should expect to be." He said and picked up the letter, looking at Floria and she took if from him. She read it, shaking her head in disbelief at the terms of the Bethroval.
"Six thousand gold." She said, giving him back the letter and walked away from him. "My master at least demanded ten thousand for my virginity, Noblemen are no different from the Master who once owned me. Except in this case, my children will have a title of Prince and Princess."
"Mind yourself Floria, you are too bold." He said and she stopped and shook her head, turning back to him and she pressed her lips together and fought tears.
"I am bold because my Husband is selling his child off like property, I will see her marry for love." She said and he glared at her. "Of course, my King will hold dominion over me."
"Floria, you do not know what you are speaking of and it is not your place to say anything against this match. She is my Daughter, and I will see her marry into a good Dynasty." He said and drank the last of his wine. "Your tounge has become too sharp, and your poor attitude are making me form a decision."
"And your forcing my child out of my womb and into the bed of a stranger is forcing my decision, you may be Master here, but I am no beaten dog. I will stand between any man or force, and my children, even if it costs me every last drop of blood." She said and he closed a fist and walked toward her. She stepped back, his finger up and she shook her head. "If you strike me, I will leave and never look back. Your crown will be as empty as your home, for I will take the children as well."
"Do not threaten me Floria, you are nothing without the title I have given you!" He shouted at her and she shook her head, her eyes on him and he backed away.
"I only make a promise. I will act as my concience dictates in all matters." She said and he turned on his heel, walking into the sitting room and looking at the portrait he commissioned of her. "I will not be crowned, for your rule will be my death. I am something without these titles you so proudly threw in my face, I am Mother and Goddess to my children, and they are my only care right now."
He said nothing, his eyes fixed on the painting and he heard the door open and close. He standing in the silence of their chambers, and not moving for a long time before another knock came to the door.
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Thor and Sera saw Floria in the hall, she carrying a purse and hurrying along. She looked grim, both women looking at her and she stopped short.
"Princess, what is going on?" Sera said, Thor holding her hand and she shook her head.
"I cannot talk about it, and dare not speak further. My Daughter has an offer of marriage from the Vanir, and I do not like it at all." She replied, trying to walk on and Thor stopped her. The look on her face grim, and she sighed.
"You quarreled again, didn't you?" Thor asked and Floria nodded. Her eyes fell, and she fidgeted with the purse in her hands.
"We did, I..." She started, Sera and Thor pulling her into their chambers and looking at her.
"Did he raise a hand to you?" Thor asked and Floria looked at Sera. She licked her lips, her eyes darting about and she nodded softly.
"I pushed too far. I... was bold and rude." She said, Sera looking at Floria. "I have also grown weary of his temperament, I walk on my toes to not anger him. As if I have fine glass under my feet. I love him, but fear him so much more."
"You cannot ask to void your marriage if you become Queen. It is not permitted, because you have produced two healthy heirs." Thor said, and looked at Floria in pity. "I want to help you, and we both will do everything we can."
"Why?" Floria asked, looking at both ladies and Sera took her hand.
"Because, we both have come to love you as a Sister." Sera replied and Floria swallowed hard, nodding and looking at both girls.
"What must we do?" She asked and Thor grinned, hugging Sera and kissing her.
"We must keep you from the Crown, it is the only way to ensure that we can free you and your children." Thor said, and thought. "We need a plan to achieve that goal first."
"I will read the laws in the Library, I don't want to face him while he is angry right now." Floria said, and she blinked at Thor. "This could ruin my Mother and Father."
"Not if we do this correctly." Sera said, and the three women began to plan.