There, the letter is finished. It's almost four pages long, but I can't leave anything out. I hope Desi takes my offer and decides to come to Asgard. Laney got up from her seat and stretched, her back painful from sitting hunched over for so long. She looked over at the bed to see Loki fast asleep. His face was completely relaxed and he looked to be at peace for once in his life. She sighed and walked out of the bedroom and into the sitting room to lay on the sofa with a book, not wanting to disturb him.
Loki woke up just before dinnertime. He stretched and yawned then sat up to look for Laney. When he got out of bed, he noticed the letters had been picked up sometime while he was sleeping. "Darling?" He called out as he made his way to the sitting room.
"Hmm?" She answered absently, curled up in a thick blanket, a book in her hand.
He walked in and smiled when he saw her. "I am sorry I fell asleep. I didn't even know I was tired..." he said, feeling bad. "Did you get the letter done?"
Laney nodded and bookmarked her book before she closed it to look up at him. "It ended up being almost four pages long. I tend to tell Desi everything... well most everything."
He sat at the edge of the sofa. "Four pages? I can't imagine what you left out." He chuckled, amused by the thought of what she might have neglected to tell her best friend.
"I left out some of the more... explicit details, if you must know." She said, a blush starting to form on her cheeks.
He chuckled again and nodded. "That makes sense. Do you think she will visit soon?" He asked curiously, eager to meet her.
"I invited her to travel here. I don't think Frigga would mind, but I'm not sure where she would stay in the palace." Laney shifted to give Loki more room to sit.
"Mother will not mind at all and she will make sure Desi has the best guest quarters the palace can offer." He promised, then sat back on the sofa. "Are you enjoying the book?"
She smiled as she leaned over to place it on the coffee table. "I am. It's a classic tale that I found on one of your shelves the other day."
"I try to have only good books on my personal shelves." He shrugged. "But you are always welcome to any of them."
"You know I've always been a bookworm since we were kids. We both are."
"I have always loved books and always will. But I have other things to occupy my attention now," He said, giving Laney a loving smile.
Laney smirked and raised an eyebrow at him. "Something on your mind there handsome?" she asked playfully.
"Just thinking about how lucky I am to have the most amazing woman in the nine realms."
"You are such a flirt today," she tittered as she moved to lay her head in his lap. "What do you think they will send us for dinner tonight?" she asked.
"I don't know, but we will find out soon." He said, just as Frigga walked in with their dinner.
"Good evening dears." She said happily.
"Evening Frigga," Laney replied. "How was your day?"
"It was busy, but productive. How is your friend doing?" She asked and set their tray down on a small table by the sofa.
"Desi is well. She will have a long return letter when she receives it," she answered, "I invited her to travel out here. I hope that's okay."
"Of course it is fine, she is as welcome here as you are." Frigga said sweetly, then handed them each a plate with roasted meat and vegetables.
Laney graciously sat up and took the plate from Frigga, the smell making her mouth water. "This looks really good Frigga. Roast is my favorite."
"It is my favorite as well. I love roast veggies." Loki said happily, taking his plate.
"Do you know when your friend will be coming to visit?" Frigga asked Laney.
She shook her head. "I do not. The letter was just sent today. It'll take a couple of days for it to reach her in Yamir."
"She will have it by dinner tomorrow. Royal correspondence is always sent with greater priority." Frigga assured Laney.
"Well that's neat. Both Desi and my father will receive their letters tomorrow then. I'm glad."
"Though it will be a few days, I will go ahead and have a room made up for her." She promised. "Is your father visiting as well?"
Laney shrugged. "I am not sure if father will come or not. He still helps command the army in Yamir, so he's always busy."
Frigga nodded. "He is a very good commander, but this is a special occasion. Please just let him know he is welcome here."
"If he sends a letter in return, I will let him know," she replied, then took a bite of her food.
"Thank you dear. The kingdom is still excitedly talking about the feast and this courtship." She said happily and took a bite of meat. Loki stayed quiet, very content with his roast vegetables.
Laney nodded as she took another bite. "What all is being said?" she asked. "If it's alright to know, that is. I know we talked to Viktor and his wife, I was happy to see that she's expecting."
"From what I have personally heard, everyone is happy to have you back in the palace, and with you back, they are hoping this means the Loki they know will also return." Frigga explained, sharing their hopes. "She has been so excited, they will be wonderful parents."
The old me was a lie... Loki thought to himself while cutting up his small piece of meat.
"That's good to hear. I just hope there hasn't been anything bad said about us. I know I noticed a few glares last night, but the happiness outweighed it all." Laney continued to eat as she thought things over. "I cannot remember their name but I know for sure one of the unhappy ones was a tall narrow bodied man with light hair."
Frigga gave a little nod. "There will always be some who are unhappy, but ignore them. You will never please everyone." She said, then tried to figure out who Laney was referring to. "I know some of the ladies are a bit upset, but don't worry about them." She said with a slight chuckle.
Laney chuckled along with her. "I agree with you there. I just want everything to go smoothly. The better things are, the sooner Loki can have more freedom within the palace."
"I have been working on his freedom as well. He did very good last night and that has made a significant difference. I told him to wait a week before attempting permission for the garden and library. After last night, I think the permission will be granted after that week is up." She said confidently and glanced over at Loki to see him still picking at the meat on his plate.
"That's good to hear," Laney said happily as she reached over to place a hand on Loki's knee to reassure him.
Loki quickly looked up, pulled from his thoughts by the contact. "Sorry darling, I was not paying attention." He admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed.
She smiled at him and caressed his knee. "It's alright, it looks like you'll be able to venture out of here within a week's time."
"If I am able, maybe we can take Desi on a tour." Loki suggested, wanting to get out but without pushing his luck with his freedom.
"That sounds like a fun idea. I'd also like to think we can go to the stables sometime. I know you must miss your horse," Laney replied as she put her plate on the coffee table, finished with her food.
"I would be willing to visit anywhere. I still feel cooped up at times, and I miss exploring the palace with you." He told Laney truthfully.
Laney smiled and squeezed his knee gently. "I miss it too," she replied quietly.
Frigga looked between them both with a happy smile. "It's only been just over a couple of weeks since you've seen each other again and it's like she's never left."
"The palace is so much brighter with her here." He said, giving Laney a loving smile. "I just wish so much had not changed..." I wish I hadn't learned I'm a monster...
"It'll all work out Loki, you'll see," Frigga stated. "Are the both of you finished with your meal?" She asked, "When would you like to start your refresher?"
"I am finished mother." Loki said, pushing his plate away with only the bit of meat left. "I am ready whenever Laney is." He turned to Laney. "Darling?"
Laney nodded in agreement. "I'm finished as well."
Frigga clapped her hands, then stood. "Alright then. Tonight is just a refresher to see what needs work, but first let's get both of your minds ready. Pick a space to meditate for a little bit."
Loki stood up and walked to the closet where he took out his favorite throw blanket. Picking a spot on the floor, he laid the blanket out and sat on it. "Is this alright?" He asked Frigga.
"You can choose anywhere dear," Frigga responded.
Laney stayed on the sofa, but crossed her legs and closed her eyes, wanting to focus on the task at hand.
Loki made himself comfortable then closed his eyes as well. He meditated often, so he knew exactly how to clear his mind and ground himself.
Frigga watched over them both silently, liking how they were both progressing so far. She sat in an armchair by the window to give them some space and kept an eye on how long to give them. Fifteen minutes soon passed and Frigga decided to speak up. "How do you both feel?"
"I feel like I always do. I can't seem to meditate like I used to." Loki admitted, unable to calm his mind ever since his mind had been controlled.
"Focus on your breathing son. Do you need an anchor to help you?" She asked.
"I do focus on my breathing. It's just been impossible since... everything." He admitted, sighing softly.
Frigga smiled and silently took Laney by the hand, which made her open her eyes, and quietly led her to sit across from Loki. She watched as Laney gently took one of his hands and placed it against her ribs so he would feel the movement of her lungs while she breathed. "Your too tense son," Frigga murmured, "Use your anchor to help you focus."
Loki kept his eyes closed and focused on Laney's breathing. After a minute, his breathing started to match hers.
"Good job son," Frigga praises quietly.
"I think I'm ready to continue." he finally said, relaxed and focused now. He kept his hand on Laney, knowing he would lose focus without her.
"Okay, the first thing I want both of you to try, is to summon something to you. Something simple," Frigga explained.
Laney opened one hand and summoned something small, a pen, and opened her eyes when she felt the weight of it in her palm.
Loki opened his free hand, palm up, and summoned one of his daggers. When he felt the cold metal against his skin, he carefully closed his fingers around the blade.
"Very good, both of you. Now, send the items back and summon something within this room," Frigga instructed.
Sending the item away was easy for Laney, but thinking of an item within the room and it's exact location proved to be a small challenge. She took a deep focusing breath, then summoned the book from the coffee table, into her hand.
Loki furrowed his brow as he tried to think of something in the room, other than Laney. He finally sent the dagger away and summoned his cup from the table beside the couch.
Frigga grinned. "Great! Now, let's try something a bit harder. Send your items back, then move to sit on the couch." While Loki and Laney did as she asked, Frigga walked to a cupboard and got a handful of candles. When she returned, she placed them on the coffee table, putting a couple on the floor, a distance away.
Loki watched his mother with curiosity, wondering what she was going to have them do. He held Laney's hand once they were settled.
"Alright, I want each of you to concentrate and light one candle on the table." Frigga stated once she sat in the chair on the opposite side of the coffee table.
"Mother... you know I don't like fire..." Loki sighed, but gave Laney's hand a gentle squeeze then focused on the candle. He only managed to make it smoke, not fully light.
Laney looked over at Loki and squeezed his hand in return. "It's okay Loki, pretend it's dark and you need light." As Laney spoke she lit a single candle with a lift of her free hand.
Maybe if I pretend you need light... he thought to himself, then lit the candle with a snap of his fingers.
"Very good, both of you," Frigga praised. "Are you up for one last thing? Or would you like to end for tonight?"
"I am ready for as much as you want to do. I always use magic." Loki chuckled, knowing he relied on it too much.
Frigga nodded. "This one is for you Loki. Create a clone. I know it takes concentration after not doing so for so long."
"I will try, but I am not sure if I have enough magical energy for that." He admitted. When he focused, the shadow of a clone appeared, then faded. "I'm sorry mother..."
Frigga shook her head. "Do not apologize. That is progress." She turned to Laney next. "Laney, I want you to shroud yourself. I know it was the thing you suffered with the most when you were younger." Laney nodded and looked to the floor, trying to concentrate. The most she ended up doing was make herself translucent. "Now I know your limits," she said gently, "We will end tonight. Both of you rest and we will do another session in a couple of days."
"Thank you mother. Should we practice on our own until then?" He asked curiously, feeling tired from the magical effort.
"Not for a day, both of you need rest," she replied, then stood.
"Thank you Frigga," Laney said.
"You're welcome," she said softly, then left their chambers for the night.
