A Son Found 5

Loki's days settled into a pattern after that. He would wake in the morning, wash, dress, and put his room in order before going down to breakfast. He would have breakfast with Laufey, Farbauti, and of course, Helbindi and Bylestir. After breakfast Farbauti would send all three of her sons outside for an hour or so, for fresh air, she said. Loki knew that what she was really doing was letting them burn off some energy before Loki's lessons, so he was more than happy to go outside. They often went to the children's garden to climb, swing, and wear themselves out, but they also took him to the warriors' training yard, which was empty in the morning while they were drilling.

It had taken Loki a lot of explaining and pleading over the past few days, but Laufey and Farbauti had finally accepted that Loki had been trained as a warrior simply because that was how Asgardian men were raised. For a parent not to do so would have been seen as neglectful. They still didn't like it (Laufey still ground his teeth sometimes when Loki mentioned his training), but they did relent when Loki stated firmly that he still wanted to practice his warrior training. It had taken Loki, Helbindi and Bylestir a LOT of explaining and a direct order from Laufey, but the weaponsmaster, Kotir, had at last agreed to put them through their paces every other day. At first he refused to allow Loki to get near any weapon, but they were able to wear him down after a few days. Loki worked out against a pells, moved through forms with a wooden sword (a child's wooden sword, since all the regular ones were too large and heavy for him), and matched against Bylestir or Helbindi with a staff. The first time they did that, though, Kotir kept interrupting them whenever he thought they were being too rough with Loki. That ended when Loki swept Kotir's feet out from underneath him and pinned him down with his staff.

"All right, then, lad," Kotir said, picking himself up. "You've made your point. I'll let you bout as you need to, but if your mother or father complains of any bruises on you, you can explain. A bargain?"

"A bargain," Loki agreed, pleased.

After any bouts, Kotir would set up the archery range for them and all of them would fire at least fifty arrows. Kotir had found a bow that fit Loki and he was impressed that Loki was able to draw it. The first few times Loki found it difficult to draw, but then he grew stronger and he was able to draw it with no problem. He impressed Kotir again when he hit the bullseye fifty times in a row one morning. That won him a rare smile and clap on his back that nearly propelled him face-first into the dirt.

Another wash would follow, and then Loki and his Jotun brothers would head to the library where Farbauti would be waiting to work on Loki's lessons. Now that he had the alphabet mastered, the lessons consisted mostly of Farbauti hearing Loki read aloud, correcting his pronunciation when needed. She also began teaching him Jotun, and he had a bound book to write in. He wrote down the Jotun word, what it sounded like, and then what it meant. Along with vocabulary, he began writing down grammatical rules as he learned them.

"Why is it you speak Asgardian?" Loki asked after a week of lessons.

"Because that's what you speak," Farbauti told him. "We'll shift more to Jotun as you learn more, but most Jotuns at court learn Jotun and Asgardian."

"Why?"

"How many planets have you been to?" Helbindi asked. "They all speak Asgardian. If rulers want to accomplish anything or meet anyone else, they have to speak Asgardian. You'll see."

Loki was surprised to hear that Asgardian was a lingua franca, but he supposed that for right now, that was fine, especially for his purposes. He was sure that he would still be struggling to learn how to say "good morning" if the people around him had no Asgardian to speak of.

After a few hours of lessons, they would stop for lunch, and often Laufey was there. Some days he wasn't, and when asked, Farbauti said he was most likely held up by his work. He was there more often than not, though, and Loki had a strong feeling that Laufey made an effort to be there. He always made a point to speak to Loki and ask him how his lessons had been, which reminded Loki of Odin. His father had showed an interest in his lessons with Frigga, even if he hadn't really understood them. Loki had appreciated that his father made the effort every day, and it looked like such an action was common to all fathers, understanding of what their sons were doing or not.

After lunch there were more lessons, and gradually, Helbindi's and Bylestir's tutors were brought back to the palace for him. There was a tutor for history and geography, one for literature, another for mathematics, another for natural philosophy, one for rhetoric, logic, and philosophy, another for speech, and one who taught the arts. They never stated what they were going to study or insisted that Loki take notes while they droned on and on, but they did let Loki choose what to read or what he wanted to do and then they would discuss it with him and teach him when there was something he couldn't do. Loki LOVED that and he found himself looking forward to his lessons every afternoon.

After he finished his lessons, they would have afternoon tea and after that, Helbindi and Bylestir would see to their responsibilities. Helbindi worked with with Laufey's comptroller, seeing to Laufey's estates and income. Bylestir worked with the councillors, helping Laufey's rule run smoothly. Loki was interested in what they did, but he only asked questions, he didn't ask to be taken along when they worked. He was sure they didn't want their "little" brother to tag along and getting in the way.

While they were busy, Loki would spend his time as he wished. He would go to the library to read, wander the gardens, explore the palace, and sometimes spend time with Farbauti. She and her three ladies had their own sitting room near the family dining room, and one afternoon he wandered into it by chance. When he apologized and prepared to leave, Farbauti asked him to stay since she wanted to talk with him and find out how he was doing. He spent a pleasant hour with her, chatting and asking her questions about things he didn't know. When asked, she would tell stories about Helbindi and Bylestir when they were small and even told him the story about how she and Laufey met. He'd seen her at a gathering one night and spent the next three months of his life following her around like a love-sick puppy.

"Did he really?" Loki asked, unable to see Laufey in that state.

"Oh, yes," she said. "I only realized what was wrong with him when he fell over his own feet one afternoon in the market. He wasn't able to look away from me and kept tripping. I knew who he was, of course, but I'd never met him properly. When I asked his name, he forgot it!"

Loki couldn't help it; he laughed. That was too hysterical! He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. "Has he done that since?"

"A few times."

He cracked up again.

He got his first taste of the "spoiling" he could expect for a living blessing one afternoon. It was after lunch and long before tea and he found himself hungry. His lessons had been limited to just one with his literature tutor and he now had several free hours at his disposal. Hopeful, he wandered into the kitchens. Farbauti and Laufey had both told him that if he became hungry in between meals, he could go to the kitchens and have a snack if he wanted it. While lunch had been good, he'd not been in the mood to eat much when it was served, and now he was hungry, so he braved the busiest room in the palace.

Work stopped as soon as he walked in. "Ah, hello, sorry to bother you," Loki said quickly as everyone turned to look at him. "Lunch was very good, but I'm hungry again, and I was wondering if I could get a snack?"

Everyone, both men and women, scurried to help him. He was ushered to a table near the fire and asked to sit down, and shortly he had a small feast in front of him. There was a mug of soup, a glass of mulled cider, some bread, a tiny egg pie, some sausage, fruit baked with cinnamon and butter, and three different types of cakes. Suddenly feeling guilty for all the trouble they went to, he ate it all and was looking slightly dazed when Farbauti found him. They'd seen his eating it all as a sign that he was still hungry, and they kept bringing more, and he didn't know how to tell them that he'd had enough.

"Well, I think that you've just spoiled your tea," Farbauti told him after she thanked the staff for taking care of him and bundled him up the steps.

Loki paused on a landing and took a few deep breaths. He was so full that he felt like a sack stuffed with mud. "I didn't know what to do," he confessed. "They looked so happy when I told them that I wanted a snack, but they kept bringing more, and I didn't want to be rude."

"They won't thank you for eating yourself sick," she pointed out. "Next time you ask for a snack, just ask for something specific, or trust me, they'll stuff you silly."

"Is that how they are with everybody?" If they were, he was surprised that everyone he'd seen so far had been so fit.

"No, dear. Remember, it's everyone's instinct to feed such a one as you. Everyone will protect and nurture a living blessing, so try to be a little more specific if you say you're hungry. Otherwise, you'll be stuffed stupid."

"That's how I feel," Loki agreed. "Would it be all right if I skipped tea today and laid down? I need to give my stomach some time to settle."

"I think that would be a good idea, Loki. Go lie down and feel better."

Every night at dinner, there would be Laufey, Farbauti, Helbindi, and Bylestir, and gradually, they began to have guests. There were members of the court at dinner every other night or every third night, and Loki was introduced to all of them. He met the councilors, the comptroller, the generals, and their wives and children. He was a bit self-conscious when the wives met him since some of them tended to...gush...and the children asked impossible questions about Asgard and how he'd been imprisoned there. Laufey was always quick to correct the mistakes, but Loki could tell that they were still going to draw their own conclusions. One night was particularly trying when Laufey's security chief and his wife came to dinner. How such an intelligent man had married such a stupid woman was beyond him, but she'd spent the whole dinner patting Loki or offering him tidbits from her fork and stating how adorable he was and how she longed to take him home for herself.

It was the first time he'd ever wished for a bodyguard or two. Both Laufey and Farbauti had apologized profusely after that dinner and promised him that he would never be left alone with that woman.

"It's okay, I just feel rather sorry for him," Loki said at last. It had been a monumental task not to cast an illusion on that woman. "How did they end up married?"

"His mother," Farbauti said honestly. "She had an iron will and decided that she was perfect for her son, and he wasn't really allowed to say no. He tries his best to be a good husband, though."

Nervous, Loki asked a question. "Do they have children?"

"Not yet, but let's hope they take after their father," Laufey stated.

Farbauti smacked him on the arm for such an uncharitable remark, but it cheered Loki up immensely.

After supper, if there were no guests to entertain, they would spend time together as a family, talking, playing games, or listening to Loki read aloud. He was getting better at that the more he did it, and he was happy with his progress. He'd read every single book of tales and poetry and every history and biography on the shelves in his father's library, but now, he was reading stories that he'd never read before, and he was reading poetry that was wild and deeply passionate in comparison with the poetry he was used to. He loved every word, and too often, he would get so far into a story that it would be time for bed before he knew it. Once it was bedtime, Farbauti and Laufey would send them upstairs and then later, they would be up to say goodnight to him. Sometimes they would read with him and other times just chat, but it always helped him fall asleep without a problem. In the morning, he'd wake up and go through the whole pattern again.

One day, Loki woke up early and found Helbindi and Bylestir in his room, both of them grinning at him. Immediately, he was concerned. "What is it?"

"Today's the Sun Festival," Helbindi said happily. "Your first one!"

"And what's so special about the Sun Festival?" Loki wanted to know. He wanted to put his head back under his pillow and go back to sleep, but he knew they wouldn't let him. Ten to one, if he tried to go back to sleep, they would both jump on his bed to get him up and possibly steal every bit of bedding. He'd done the same thing to Thor countless times when he wanted to be annoying.

"It's a festival celebrating the sun, and according to the calendar, it's an auspicious day for you to meet the people, and tonight, there's going to be a ball to introduce you to the court!"

Loki felt himself go cold. How could they spring such a thing on him like this? "What?"

"Get up, breakfast is ready, and it's incredible! Up, up, up!"

Loki groaned and pulled the covers over his head. This early in the morning, their enthusiasm was nothing short of obnoxious. "Wait until sunrise for this. I want to go back to sleep." More to the point, he wanted to think a little bit about this festival.

They pounced, he yelled and threw a pillow, and then it was a melee of pillows. Finally, Loki yelled that he was getting up and could he please dress in peace? He shot pillows at their faces until both of them left, the last pillow smacking against the door as they closed it. Now pillow-less, Loki pulled the blankets over his head and wrapped himself up like a caterpillar. Why hadn't they told him about this? He was going to be meeting tons of people, most likely at the festival and the ball, and he had no idea how to behave at either. What if he did something that offended everyone? If he did do that, would Laufey and Farbauti be angry with him?

Worrying about it was accomplishing nothing. He flung himself out of bed, pulled on his warmest clothes, combed his hair, tucked a pair of gloves into his belt and headed down to breakfast, feeling out-of-sorts. He'd have to get through this day somehow, and it wouldn't be possible for him to do that by hiding in his room.

He arrived at the family dining room and nearly had a heart attack when Laufey scooped him up and hugged him, saying something loudly in Jotun that Loki didn't catch. "What's going on?"

"Just a greeting for the Sun Festival," Laufey said, giving him another hug. "It's your first, and we're delighted to be spending it with you!"

"I'm glad you're delighted," Loki said patiently. "Do you think you could put me down?"

Laufey chuckled, ruffled his hair, and passed him to Farbauti, who held him for a moment and kissed his forehead. They only put him down once they were done showering him with affection.

"Today's a very special day," Farbauti told Loki, keeping hold of his hand and leading him to his place at the table. "Sun Festivals happen only once every five years, and today is your first one, so it's a milestone for you. Children receive special gifts on their first Sun Festival, and today you'll be receiving the gifts you should have received before."

He wasn't sure how he felt about gifts, but Laufey picked him up and put him in his chair at the breakfast table and the others took their seats. In front of Loki's place was a long box tied with a ribbon. "This is...a gift?"

"Yes, but we should eat first," Farbauti said firmly.

Bylestir's growling stomach confirmed it, and the servants brought in breakfast. There were rolls stuffed with sausage and cheese, muffins and sweet pastries, whole, juicy fruits and plenty of hot tea. All of it was deliciously drippy or crumby and he could see the good sense of Farbauti's suggestion that they eat first. Once he was finished eating, Loki cleaned up with his napkin and sat back in his seat, replete. The servants cleared the table and Farbauti grinned. "All right, Loki. Go ahead and open it."

Loki sat up on his knees so he could reach the box and pulled it closer. He untied the ribbon, slipped off the lid, and...found himself staring. There was a wide golden silk sash embroidered with suns in gold thread and with silk fringe on the ends, and on top of it sat a gold circlet. "What's this?"

"The first gifts a prince receives on his first Sun Festival," Laufey explained. "You'll wear them when we go out today."

Loki wasn't sure what to think. His brother used to tease him about the helmet he wore in battle and at official functions, but he wasn't sure what Thor would think about him in a crown. "Just me?"

"Of course not!" Bylestir said quickly. "Everyone wears some sort of sash on the Sun Festival, but the royal family is the only one who wears circlets."

"And it is my duty as king to crown any prince," Laufey stated, leaving his seat. "Stand up, Loki."

Feeling a bit foolish, Loki obeyed and the rest of the family got to their feet and joined him. Laufey held the circlet over Loki's head, stated a few words in Jotun, and then placed the circlet on Loki's head. Farbauti then draped the sash across Loki's chest, crossed it at his right hip, pulled it around his waist, and tied it on his left hip to leave the fringe hanging down.

They were all smiling at him, and Loki felt decidedly...odd. He wasn't sure what they were expecting him to do. Was he supposed to thank them?

Laufey solved his problem for him by grasping his shoulder. "You look like a Jotun prince now, but you look like a very worried one. Are you all right?"

"I don't know how to behave at this festival or what to do, and I don't know what any of you expect from me," he said, unable to keep it back any longer. "What do I do?"

He didn't expect Laufey to suddenly kneel to pull him into his arms again and hug him, but that was what he did. He didn't expect the kiss on his forehead, either.

"There's nothing special you need to do," Laufey told him. "What happens at a Sun Festival is that everyone gets to…well, mingle and have fun. We walk through the city and any of our subjects can approach us, and we can approach any of them. These fancy trappings are just so they can spot us!"

Farbauti knelt down next to Laufey. "We'll ride into the city together, to the main square. There will be a stage for us to stand on so everyone can see us, and Laufey will announce a beginning to the Sun Festival. This year, he's going to introduce you. After that, we'll leave the stage and walk about and meet people."

"We'll do more than that," Helbindi told him. "There are booths set up for games, for food and drink and sweets, and booths with things to buy…"

"There are performances, too," Bylestir chimed in. "Jugglers and acrobats, magicians, wild animal shows, plays and pantomimes, storytellers, archery and staff contests, wrestling, races..."

Loki could feel himself calming down a bit. They'd had similar celebrations on Asgard. "It sounds like fun."

"You'll love it," both of his Jotun brothers promised him in unison.

That made him grin at them. "Promise me you'll show me everything?"

When they grinned back, Laufey and Farbauti exchanged a concerned look, but it was a clear testament to how much they trusted their sons that they didn't say anything.

"Now it's time for your next gift," Lafey said easily into the silence. "It's perfect for you."

"What is it?"

"You have to wait and see, it's a surprise!"

For a moment, Farbauti sounded so much like Frigga that he was homesick, but it passed as they went outside and headed toward the stables. Servants and workers were heading out the gates, but a few stablehands were there still there to help with their…mounts.

Loki had not ridden one of those beasts since Laufey had picked him up and brought him to the palace. He did not want to ride one of them again, but he didn't see a carriage or wagon waiting for them. Instead, several of the beasts were waiting with the stablehands, tacked up and ready to go. Laufey left them long enough to head into the stable and he reappeared a few minutes later with a sleek black riding beast in brand-new tack.

Oh, no, thought Loki as Laufey headed toward him. Please don't let this be for me.

"This is your next gift," Laufey said, leading the beast right up to Loki. "Just for you, bred from two of our best lines. She's all yours."

Loki stared up at the beast and felt his heart in his throat. The creatures had always looked a bit ugly and bunchy to him, and up close they were no better. "Um...thank you, but I never learned how to ride one of these. What are they called?"

"They're called vehos," Farbauti told him. "Don't worry, if you know how to ride a horse, you can ride a veho."

Up close, the thing looked like an unholy mating of a gangly horse and a mangy bear. Carefully, Loki pulled off his glove and held his hand out for the veho to sniff. A moment later his hand was full of a velvet nose, hot breath moving in and out against his palm, and he found himself smiling. The veho pushed forward to press its head against his chest and Loki found himself scratching its face and around its ears. It whuffed and blew at him, and when he put his arms around its neck it lifted him from the ground, making him laugh. "She's wonderful!"

"You'll have to think of a name for her," Laufey told him, as he led Loki and the veho to the mounting block.

It annoyed Loki that he needed such a thing, but he really couldn't mount without it, and he tried to ignore the fact that Laufey, Farbauti, Bylestir, and Helbindi could all swing up into their saddles with barely a thought. He scratched along the veho's crest and thought about it. "She's all black, like the Mother of the Stars," Loki said, remembering a legend he'd read with Farbauti. "Could I name her that?"

"Noekta? I think it suits her," Farbauti said, giving him a warm smile. "Well chosen, Loki."

Newly named, Noekta tossed her head and pranced in place, eager to leave. Loki chuckled and reined her in gently. "I think Noekta's ready to go."

"Let's get going, then," Laufey said brightly. He led all of them out the gate and down the road, and nestled in the valley ahead was the city. Even from this distance Loki could see golden banners streaming in the wind and the sound of a band playing and people chattering. There were incredible scents on the wind and despite the breakfast he'd just had, Loki felt his mouth water for whatever was making those scents. Whatever was going to happen today, he was looking forward to his first Sun Festival.