Hello, everyone, we're into the final stretch now!

Third to last chapter it is...

The evening feast was one of the most surreal Loki had ever attended, only his first as king truly compared. Not only was he seated in Thor's usual place, but he felt eyes on him throughout the feast.

Was this what it had been like to be Thor? To always be so closely observed? His every move scrutinized? How had it not driven Thor mad centuries ago?

Well, that answer Loki did actually know. His brother could be an oblivious oaf half the time. Besides, if he had never been judged and found wanting, then mayhap it had never made Thor self-conscious?

"Loki?"

Óðinn's voice drew him from his thoughts and he looked to the All-Father.

"Hmm?"

"Is everything alright?" Óðinn asked. "You seem disquieted."

'Twas an odd comment to receive from Óðinn, and a quick glance past his adoptive father proved he had Frigga's attention too, though she was attempting not to make it obvious for everyone.

"It feels... strange to be seated here," Loki replied quietly, to ensure his voice did not carry. "Especially with you awake once more and all of the attention."

"You are as visible here as beside your mother."

The confusion in Óðinn's voice was plain and Loki wondered at it. Surely, the All-Father could not be so unaware? Could he? It seemed unthinkable, but he could not fathom why Óðinn would pretend otherwise either.

"Being visible and being seen are two very different things," Loki replied.

He would not say more, not here before all.

The frown on Óðinn's face made it clear he did not understand, but, thankfully, his adoptive father elected not to query it further now.

The rest of the meal passed amicably, with Loki receiving many queries as to his health and polite inquiries as to how he had been injured. He was able to parry the latter quite easily as 'twas clear no one dared push too hard with Óðinn so near, thus Loki half wondered why they even tried. He did not have a reputation for gossiping. Still, mayhap they had hoped some flattery would loosen his lips. If so, they were much mistaken.

'Twas not until Loki lifted his drinking horn to find it nearly empty, that he realized the servant had not been as diligent in topping it up as he should have been.

A slight twist in his seat was all it took for him to meet the man's eyes. Loki raised an eyebrow and the flush which cross the man's face was surprising, as was the way his eyes darted to the back of Óðinn's chair.

So, not an oversight then, but a deliberate action.

"Father," Loki intoned, carefully keeping the scowl which wished to cross his face contained.

He did not need this to become a spectacle for everyone.

"Aye?" Óðinn frowned, glancing at him.

"Why is my alcohol restricted?" Loki demanded.

Was this because of his age? It would be highly hypocritical, as Thor had been imbibing copiously since his minor majority.

"You are still recovering from a major injury," Óðinn replied. "'Tis wise to be cautious."

Not his age then, at least not that the All-Father would admit.

All other thoughts were derailed as Óðinn placed a hand over his. Loki's eyes immediately darted towards the connection. Other than during their healing sessions, he was not accustomed to being touched by his adoptive father. 'Twas something he had noticed long ago; how he seemed to be exempted from Óðinn's easy touches, or at least so they seemed as far as Thor was concerned. He had to admit, he had wondered after discovering the truth if that had not been why.

"Please?" Óðinn continued, clearly taking his silence for indecision.

It did bring up the question of how he should take this. Part of him felt touched as it implied worry on Óðinn's part for his health, and how long had it been since he had seen it expressed thusly? Still, at the same time, he also felt annoyance and anger at having his actions and decisions curtailed. He wished to protest he was not a child, but the way Mother Winter was cooing at him told him 'twas a childish reaction.

"Fine," Loki grumbled.

He put down his drinking horn and glanced at his goblet, pleased to find it filled with jojo juice. At least someone had thought enough not to simply give him the normal grapefruit.

Ásgarðr was laughing at him as Loki took a sip of his juice, so he playfully poked her with his seiðr. The way Óðinn startled beside him made him look over in surprise, swallowing.

"Óðinn?" Frigga inquired, softly.

"I... the Óðinnforce reacted oddly," the All-Father replied.

Loki blinked, biting his lower lip as a suspicion formed in the back of his mind. The amusement rolling off Ásgarðr made him quite certain he was correct, so he reached out with his seiðr and did it again.

The way Óðinn's shoulders stiffened, told Loki he had been correct. His adoptive father could feel it on some level when he teased Ásgarðr. The implications of that were far too varied and complex to contemplate now, so he brushed them aside in favor of smothering a laugh.

"Loki," Frigga intoned, switching her focus from Óðinn to him.

Since they were now attracting more attention from others at the high table, including Thor who was leaning forward to look, Loki allowed a large smile to cross his face, taking on an impish expression.

"What?" he questioned with fake innocence. "'Tis simply a little fun."

Thor snorted and shook his head even as there were chuckles from others at the table.

"Someone is clearly feeling better," Lady Rán commented.

Loki glanced over to find genuine relief on her face, and those of some of the others.

Interesting, as he would not have expected it of all of them. He supposed 'twas harder to dislike someone after having come so close to actually losing them.

"Well, one of us must ensure Father is able to relax a little," Loki replied, doubting he would have been the only one to notice how tense Óðinn had been as of late.

Quite naturally, of course, but it provided a convenient excuse for his mischief.

"Do you know what else would induce me to relax?" Óðinn inquired, placing a hand on Loki's vambrace as he had elected to wear one of his armors this evening, wishing for the extra reassurance.

"Nay," Loki responded, already knowing he would not like it.

"Less work, and, given you have now proven yourself so completely, mayhap I should increase your royal duties."

Loki groaned and pulled a face, even as most around the table chuckled. A quick glance at Frigga showed she would be no help as she too was smiling. The only sympathy he received was from Thor. Though the glance he received from Lieutenant-General Yngvarr, seated further down the table, was rife with the knowledge Óðinn was teasing. Did the man know of jötnar ages or was it simply a better awareness of the All-Father due to all of the long hours spent observing him?

The chiming of his wards told Loki he had a visitor, but the way they did so also alerted him to the fact that 'twas someone he had allowed to enter without requiring extra permission, so he resisted the urge to shift back into his æsir skin. It had taken him a while, but he had finally forced himself back into his birth form since he knew that if he did not do so soon, he would find further excuses not to. While he hated doing it, he did not wish to endanger himself thus.

"Loki?" Thor's voice called as his brother came through the antechamber. "Are you in?"

"Aye," Loki responded, bracing himself for what Thor's reaction might be.

While his brother had seen him in his jötunn skin before when in the healing halls, this would be a chance for him to witness Thor's reaction to catching him thus unexpectedly.

"Why is it so cold in he-" Thor cut off as he entered the living area and caught sight of him.

Surprise was the first emotion to blossom across Thor's expressive face, but Loki was startled that 'twas not followed by any negative emotions. Instead, his brother's brow furrowed in confusion.

"I assume Mother and Father did not mention they wish for me to become more accustomed with my birth form?" Loki questioned as he shifted back, allowing the chamber to warm to a more comfortable temperature for his brother.

"Nay, though I can understand why they would wish you to."

That had never been in doubt.

"What brings you by today?" Loki asked, curious.

Was his brother bored once more?

"I have been attempting to find a tome in the library which will allow us to determine precisely how Grandmother was related to Laufey, but I have not been successful," Thor replied. "I even requested Lady Dagrún's aid and we were still unable to find anything."

'Twas not terribly surprising given the status of æsir-jötnar relations, yet Loki had hoped Bestla's position as Ásgarðr's queen might have provided enough impetus for someone to have obtained information on that connection, at least. Alas, 'twas not to be.

"Shall we ask Father?" Thor suggested.

Loki shook his head. "Nay, I believe if he knew of the connection, he would have mentioned it already while I was in the healing halls."

"So, there is nothing we can do then."

"Nay, I think we should ask Uncles Vili or Vé of it."

"You believe they may know when Father does not?"

"Father would have had to focus more on becoming king, while they would have had more time for other interests," Loki began. "Besides, something they said during my regency indicated they may have paid more attention to Bestla's stories of Jötunheimr. Mayhap, her connection to the royal family was among such information."

"I believe Uncle Vé is in his study today, if you feel able to walk there and back?" Thor questioned.

Loki wished he could scowl, but he had felt tired far more easily lately, even if his health was improving day on day. "So long as we do not rush, and I am able to sit while with Uncle Vé."

"We can use some of the back passages to shorten the journey."

For once, his brother seemed to remember the need for a slower pace, and Loki was able to focus on greeting those whom he had not yet seen since his illness became known. 'Twas surprising how many they ran into when he could normally make his way along the corridors virtually unseen. He supposed 'twas a drawback to having his skills and talents valued more. He could not regret it, though, as once his seiðr was fully restored, he would simply be able to teleport or render himself invisible should he wish to avoid anyone.

"Uncle Vé?" Thor called out, opening the study door even as he knocked on it.

"Ah, Thor, and Loki, please enter," Uncle Vé replied, motioning them towards the chairs before his desk. "How are you doing, Loki?"

"Better," he smiled, glad to be seated.

"Good, I am pleased to hear it."

"We have a question for you, Uncle," Thor said.

"Oh?"

"Lady Hlín mentioned Grandmother was related to the jötunn royal family," Loki began. "And we were curious how closely this connected us to Laufey."

"Ah, aye," Uncle Vé replied, shaking his head a little. "I forgot how close Mother was to Lady Hlín. 'Tis true they was technically a member of the royal family, but not a close contender to the throne. The jötnar tend to have larger families, 'tis why I am here, since Father would likely have stopped after Vili."

"Larger?" Loki questioned, frowning. "Laufey only has two children."

"'Tis quite unusual, actually. Unless I am mistaken, I believe the average jötunn family has five or six children."

Five or six?

Loki shared a startled glance with Thor. He did not wish to contemplate having so many siblings! Though, he supposed, it meant there was likely always someone to be with if a situation arose.

"So why did Laufey have only two?" Thor inquired.

Uncle Vé shrugged. "I do not know. Mother never particularly liked speaking of them, even before they ascended to the throne. I believe there was some tension in the family regarding them, and the whispers and rumors which escaped Jötunheimr during the early portion of their reign were not pleasant."

"Lord Kvasir mentioned there are jötnar on Álfheimr, dissidents from what I understood," Loki said.

"Aye, I have heard of them."

"So he is not much loved?" Thor asked.

"They," Uncle Vé corrected, and Loki felt his stomach lurch.

Did Thor know about that?

"Ah, I... uh, had forgotten about that," Thor replied, clearly uncomfortable.

Loki winced, though he was immensely pleased his brother did not immediately look towards him.

"But to answer your question, nay, I do not believe Laufey has been the most popular of kings," Uncle Vé continued.

"What of Grandmother?" Loki tried to redirect the conversation. "How were they related to Laufey?"

"I can never remember the proper terminology once you are past cousins," Uncle Vé admitted, even as he rose to his feet. "But I can show you."

With that, Uncle Vé walked over to one of his bookshelves and ran his finger over the spines of several of the books there, until he evidently found the one he was looking for, pulling it out.

"This has an extended family tree which Mother updated to include us," Uncle Vé said, walking back towards them.

"Why do you say mother instead of dam?" Loki asked, curious.

"Father insisted that, as we were on Ásgarðr, we had to use æsir terminology."

That... it felt wrong to Loki, though he could see why a king might wish to ensure his children and heirs were grounded in Ásgarðr's traditions. Still, it bothered him as 'twas a lost opportunity to help integrate with another Realm and to better understand their culture. Surely, 'twas a good trait for a future ruler to have? He had definitely enjoyed learning of Vanaheimr and vanir customs from Mother.

Had he only been able to do so as he was not the intended heir?

"Ah, here 'tis," Uncle Vé said, placing the book on the edge of the desk between Loki and Thor.

"You spoke truth in calling it extended," Thor said, eyes wide.

The family tree stretched across the full two pages, and many of the families of the king's siblings were abbreviated with references to other pages for further details. Except for one spot where someone had clearly gone back in afterwards and added in further information on this page. It had Bestla's name as well as Borr's, and those of their three children. Reaching forwards, Loki placed one finger on Bestla's name and used another to trace back up the tree to the firstborn sibling of their... parent. From there he went back down until he reached Laufey, where this family tree ended. Clearly, it had been drawn before the king's marriage to Fárbauti.

"Hmm, Bestla is what, Laufey's cousin?" Loki checked.

"Aye," Thor agreed. "Which makes them what to Laufey's children?"

"I have no idea."

"I have it," Uncle Vé spoke up, standing back at the far side of the study, with another book in his hands. "Helblindi or Býleistr would be first cousins once removed from Mother, twice from me, and thus thrice from you."

"I thought I had heard of first cousins twice removed being further apart once," Loki frowned.

"In the case of an ascendant cousins it would be, but we are speaking of descendant cousins."

He blinked, watching Thor open his mouth to query it further ere stopping with a frown. "I am confused."

Loki laughed. "So am I. Still, the connection is quite close with Laufey and Grandmother."

"But do the ages line up?"

"The jötnar age differently," Uncle Vé muttered, his back to them. "They live twice as long as we do."

Since he was looking, Loki could see the shock blossom across Thor's face at those words, ere his brother's eyes snapped to look at him. He frowned, had no one informed Thor of this? He was certain his brother knew he was still underage. Had this detail been forgotten in that conversation?

"Twice as long?" Thor whispered, voice a strange mix of horror and disbelief.

"Hmm," Loki confirmed.

'Twas something which he had not yet given much thought to. He had simply not been able to. Knowing he would outlive Thor and everyone else he knew by so much... Nay, he could not focus on that too at present.

"Ah, Loki," Óðinn said as he looked up to find his youngest entering his study. "Perfect timing."

"Oh?" Loki questioned, walking towards his desk.

"I have something to show you," he rose to his feet and came around the desk to meet his son. "We will need to step out for it."

"Am I to know what this is?"

"Nay, I believe seeing it will work better."

As he was observing his son as closely as he was, Óðinn caught the slight frown and flicker of confusion which crossed Loki's face. Clearly, Óðinn was not behaving as expected.

"What I can say, is that I am rectifying a wrong," Óðinn continued, while they stepped out into the corridor.

"A wrong?" Loki tried again.

Óðinn smiled as he merely indicated for his son to follow him. The old advisor study had been thoroughly cleaned and aired, and now awaited only its furniture and decorations to be fully complete.

"Father," his son tried again.

"'Tis right here," Óðinn replied, indicating the intricately carved double doors. "See for yourself."

With another little frown, Loki turned towards the doors and opened them. Though Óðinn could no longer see his son's face, he could hear the sharp intake of breath as Loki stepped in and caught sight of the large banner Thor had recommended he display in the study. It hung on the far wall, behind where the desk would soon go, and currently dominated the chamber as 'twas the only thing which was not the gold of the floor and walls.

"I..." Loki trailed off as he stepped further into the study, turning to take it all in.

"What do you think?" Óðinn inquired. "Is it a study which would please you?"

"'Tis very large."

Already, the surprise and wonder were vanishing from Loki's face, closing off behind a far more neutral mask, and Óðinn mentally cursed. Frigga's voice was whispering in his mind, though, warning him of how their youngest felt right now and how they would have to slowly - painstakingly - rebuilt Loki's trust in them, which had been hopelessly shattered.

"It has long been the study of the king's chief advisor," Óðinn explained.

"Did Lord Ragnvaldr not care for it?"

"Nay, my uncle was still using it when I became king, and I did not wish to ask him to vacate it. After he stepped down, Ragnvaldr felt no need to move."

"And Thor did not wish for it?" Loki inquired.

Óðinn bit back a sigh of frustration. Could his son not be happy with the offer? Did Loki truly need to question it thus? Was it to find fault?

Rather than reply immediately, he took a moment to breathe, recollecting all Frigga had warned him of how Loki was likely to react to their initial attempts to heal the breach between them. He knew only all too well how sharp their youngest's tongue could be when Loki sought to hurt, and this was not that. Óðinn should be grateful for it, even if 'twas not the easy joy and acceptance of the offer he had hoped it might be.

Still, he had no one to blame but himself for the rift in their relationship and, clearly, Frigga was not the only one who thought so. If Ragnvaldr had noticed a disparity between how he treated Thor and Loki, then 'twas clear he was treating them differently, even if it had never been his intention. Ergo, he had to be calm and not allow his son to rouse his temper or turn the situation into an argument, as Loki seemed to wish for.

Truth had been Frigga's strongest suggestion, even if he might not see the need for all the information Loki sought. Truth and acknowledgement of any wrongs he might have inadvertently inflicted.

"It does not overlook the training fields," Óðinn replied.

Loki snorted. "Of course, he would wish to view those."

"Loki, do you not like it?" he tried. "You do not need to take this study if you do not wish to. There are many others to choose from, but I thought it befitting of your new station given its location and that 'tis larger than any of the others save mine."

Both facts he would have thought Loki would enjoy. Its proximity to his own study would also make it easier for Óðinn to ensure he spent more time with his youngest, or to obtain his opinion on a matter of state.

"Nay, I would like it," Loki finally replied. "I am merely surprised."

"I was truthful when I said before I had always intended to give you your own study. This one will also suit your station when you become Thor's advisor."

The way his son's eyes darted to look at him was odd, and Óðinn had to fight not to frown. Now what?

Before he could question it, though, Loki glanced back at the banner hanging on the wall. Óðinn wished to question his son but was not certain Loki would speak of it. He would need to see if Frigga could guess as to why those words might have had an effect on their son. Instead, he chose to focus on the banner. It had been strange to view it when it had been brought in here, since he had only ever seen those of his father and grandfather before his own had been made. The work, however, was exquisite, particularly given the short notice the ceremonial tailors would have had to create it.

"Hanging it there was Thor's suggestion," Óðinn said.

"Thor's?"

"Aye, he had seen it after the negotiations. It seemed a pity not to make more use of it, given all the hard work which went into creating it."

"I had planned to see if I could acquire it after you awoke."

Good, then at least they had done one thing correctly.

"Feel free to move it should you wish for something else to hang there," Óðinn said, carefully, not wanting Loki to think he expected it to be there if his son hoped to do something else with the banner. "And Lady Borgunna knows to expect you regarding furnishings. I did not know what you might prefer."

"Such as a firepit?"

Óðinn groaned as he recalled the monstrosity his eldest had installed in his study.

"Do not worry, Father, I did not mean it," Loki smiled.

"I hoped not. I also expect to find more books on your shelves than in your brother's study."

"Hmm, it also gives me a place for some of the gifts I received while in the healing halls."

"And the ice fox pelt?" Óðinn carefully asked.

Loki inclined his head. "It can easily adorn one of the settees or sofas here."

The easy answer was a relief to Óðinn, even if it made him wonder what might have caused Loki's relapse in his own study if the pelt was not the issue, for he doubted it would be completely resolved in so short a time.

Thor shivered as he poured two horns of his father's best mead. He had not anticipated Mother would ask for Loki to shift once all of the servants had been dismissed after dinner, and thus he had dressed as normal for a private evening with his family. 'Twas something he would need to anticipate in the future, since Mother seemed determined to acclimatize Loki to his birth form as soon as possible.

Not that he could argue with her reasoning.

This time, Thor shivered in horror as he once more saw his brother collapsing before his very eyes. He took a large swallow of mead, and immediately topped up his horn once more, ere putting the mead away.

"Frigga!" Father protested, even as Thor turned around.

"'Tis true," Mother insisted from where she sat on the settee furthest from the fireplace.

The fire had been doused, but the residual heat would likely still be felt by Loki when his brother returned, so Mother had chosen to sit far from it. No doubt hoping Loki would join her as his brother was still wont to do. Thor could easily recall the days he had oft perched beside his mother as well, but, as he had grown, he had desired the dignity of joining Father in claiming one of the armchairs instead.

"Father," Thor said, offering him one of the horns.

"My thanks," Father replied, taking a sip and relaxing back. "I have been looking forward to this all day, since the petitions this morning."

Thor winced at the words, still easily able to recall those Loki had forced him to attend immediately after he had regained his powers. Sneaky little trickster, maneuvering him thus.

"Where is Loki?" Mother inquired, with a small frown.

"Here."

His brother's voice preceded Loki into the chamber and Thor blinked in surprise at his brother's attire. Or rather, Loki's lack of attire.

Much as the jötnar they had seen on Jötunheimr, his brother wore only trousers, and loose cotton ones rather than the leather they both normally preferred.

"I had to return to my chambers as I was still too warm in what I had intended to wear," Loki explained, his movements clearly indicating his discomfort as he approached them.

Still too warm? 'Twas all Thor could do not to shiver in response, but he suppressed it. He did not wish to make his brother feel any worse than he clearly already was. Nor was Thor oblivious to the tentative show of trust Loki was giving them by displaying his discomfort as plainly as he was. Once, it would have been a pittance of trust to act thus, but now Thor knew better, and they all still had much to atone for when it came to Loki.

"We can cool the chamber further," Mother offered.

"Nay, I am fine now," Loki replied, shaking his head.

The action drew Thor's attention back to his brother's hair, in its new, longer style.

"I still cannot believe you thought to alter your hair at such a tumultuous time," Thor teased as Loki joined mother, much to her obvious pleasure.

Mother laughed. "'Twas the perfect time to do so; a very politically astute move."

"Aye," Father agreed with a sage nod. "It will serve to remind people of his regency whenever he wears his hair long."

Oh, Thor had not considered it thus. He had assumed it had to do with his brother's vanity, since Loki had oft taken far more time than him in his appearance. The next few thoughts were unflattering to them both, though he could now hear how even in his mind they were almost spoken in Sif's voice.

Had he truly allowed what his friends thought of Loki to influence how he saw his brother to such a great extent?

So much of it seemed almost stupid now, as Thor watched Mother reach out to run a hand through Loki's hair and how his brother almost seemed to melt into the touch. Indeed, if anything was odd about the picture before him, 'twas that Loki had elected to sit so far apart from Mother. He had his answer a moment later when Loki twisted ere laying back to rest his head in Mother's lap with a mischievous little smile, eyes closing with a hum as her fingers immediately moved to cart through his longer tresses, exploring.

Both Thor and Father chuckled at the sight before them, making one red eye open to glance at them, before it slid shut once more.

"Comfortable?" Father inquired with a laugh.

"Hmm, verily," Loki replied, shifting slightly ere raising his long legs and throwing them over the side of the settee.

Thor snorted as he shook his head. Clearly, his brother was not planning on moving anytime soon, not that Mother seemed to mind in the slightest.

"Was there anything unusual about the petitions to make them so trying today?" Mother asked, after a few moments of silence.

"Nay," Father replied. "There were simply far more of them. I believe people wished to visit Iðavöllr and witness for themselves that all is well once more."

"You gave everyone quite a fright."

Even Thor could easily recall his fear and concern when his friends had informed him of his father's collapse when they came to Miðgarðr.

"You are lucky you did not tumble down the stairs," Loki uttered.

The startled look on Father's face told Thor he had not been the only one not to have considered this, but 'twas true nevertheless.

Father had just opened his mouth to reply, when he was cut off by a... was that a purr?

Thor turned back to face his mother and brother, only to find a startled expression on her face even as Loki's eyes opened to look up at her. Then an amused look crossed Mother's face and, as Thor watched, she reached out and ran a finger over the... kin lines on his brother's forehead.

This time, Thor was absolutely certain what he heard was a purr, and a rather ecstatic one too. What?

"Feel good?" Mother questioned.

"Hmm, do not stop," Loki replied, eyes sliding shut once more.

Finally over his surprise, Thor could not help it; he laughed. Not at his brother's demand, as he was used to Loki being quite forthright when it came to demanding that which he enjoyed, but at the entire scenario itself. Mother had told him to be careful of his brother's kin lines since they were supposed to be sensitive, but he had not imagined Loki would react thus.

"You look like a giant kimbla cat, Brother," Thor teased. "And sound like one, too," he added at the next rumbling purr.

Without looking, Loki's nearest hand flicked at him, and Thor yelped as a wave of icy cold washed over him, icing up his hair and beard.

"Loki," Mother admonished, lightly slapping his brother's shoulder with her free hand.

"I am merely practicing the fine control of my jötunn abilities," Loki replied, face pure innocence.

At least to himself, Thor could admit to being envious of this particular ability of his brother. He knew well he could not disguise his guilt at his actions when confronted with them, even when Mother did not possess the proof of his guilt as she had here of Loki's.

Beside him, Father laughed and shook his head, no doubt at the sheer gall of his brother and Thor muttered under his breath. It caused Loki to glance over at him, mischief dancing in those strange red eyes which Thor was only just beginning to become accustomed to. The challenge was clear, though, all the more so when his brother wiggled his fingers and a small ball of ice formed in the air above them.

Before Thor could even think to reply, Mother leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the Crown of Jötunheimr. Immediately, his brother's eyes went unfocused and the ice ball fell to the carpet, rolling away.

Thor roared with laughter, hearing his father echo his sentiment as he threw his head back. Oh, he would have to see if he could divert his brother as easily via his kin lines later! When he glanced back, Loki shook his head to clear it before giving Mother a disgruntled glance.

"Have I told you today that I love you?" she responded, sweetly.

"Mother!"

A few different scenes, tying up some loose ends, though I hope it didn't feel rushed. I realize I missed the mark a bit with the Livunn revelation scene.

The scene about Bestla's relationship to Laufey was only possible by looking up examples because, like Thor and Loki, I get hopelessly lost with the namings once you get past cousins. I really wish there wasn't an ascendant and descendant thing as that would make it all so much easier!

Of all these scenes, the last was my favorite. I had the visual of that interaction in my head for so long before I got to it, that I was sorely tempted to write it many months before I did. But I managed to resist in this particular case, only sketching out the scene instead of writing it out early!

Oh, and don't forget, I already warned you the next chapter will be rather short. Sorry, it's just how it fell out.

Old Norse:

seiðr - witchcraft, sorcery / a type of sorcery practiced in Norse society during the Late Scandinavian Iron Age - i.e. magic

Iðavöllr - a meeting place of the gods - my name for the palace

jötnar - "frost giants"

jötunn - "frost giant"

æsir - the gods of the principal pantheon in Norse religion - so Ásgarðrians here

vanir - one of two groups of gods, from Vanaheimr

Up next week: Óðinn confronts Loki and Týr about some of the changes they implemented...