The applause filled the hall, making everyone feel united. Laney grinned and turned towards Loki and Frigga. "What happens now?"
"The ambassador will bring up their pick of clothes for you to both wear for the remainder of the feast." Frigga told Laney as the ambassador approached their area again and laid out two packages for them.
"Loki, will you do the honors?" Laney asked.
"Of course darling." Loki said, then shifted their clothes for them. Laney was now dressed in an ornate gown, well fitted to be comfortable about her belly. While Loki was dressed more traditionally in only some armor for his bottom half.
Laney couldn't help but to look Loki over with a small grin, taking in the sight of his mostly exposed body. "You look rather dashing."
Loki blushed deeply. "I didn't expect anything like this." He muttered, feeling very self-conscious since he was in his Jotun form.
"It's traditional," Laney said softly. "I really like it on you."
"Thank you darling." Loki said softly, still feeling a bit embarrassed. He was quickly distracted though when the food was served.
Laney felt her belly grumble as food was placed on their table. "Everything smells good."
"It does..." Loki said, not even complaining about him and Laney being served Jotun food.
She eagerly ate a piece of purple spike fruit from her plate and licked her lips of its juice. "This is my favorite."
"It is quite good." Loki agreed, taking a bite of his own fruit.
Laney looked around as the guests ate their food and mingled. I'm happy to see everything is so peaceful. She smiled and ate another bite of her food before she looked over at Frigga. "Thank you for this."
"It is my pleasure dear. I have never had much respect for the council anyway." Frigga grinned.
"You scared us at first," she admitted. "But I'm glad it worked out."
"Scared you how?" Frigga asked, curious and confused.
"We weren't expecting this many people," Laney admitted.
"My apologies dear, I should have better prepared you for these events." Frigga said with a gentle smile.
"I'm just glad everything worked out okay. Although I know Loki had a shock," she replied.
"I know he did... honestly, that was a bit of a shock for all of us." Frigga admitted with a nod, then reached for her glass of juice and took a drink.
"I didn't know Orin was alive honestly," Laney said.
"We knew he was alive, but no one had heard from him since just after Thor was born." Frigga explained.
Laney furrowed her brow. "Why do you think he's suddenly here?"
"I have no idea, but I do plan to find out after the feast ends." Frigga told Laney. "I doubt he means any harm, but it is odd."
"I know Loki has a few questions for him," Laney ate another bite of her food then sat back in her seat and rubbed her belly.
"We all have a few questions, but this is not the right place to ask many of them. You see, while this is a friendly, happy event, everything that happens here will be reported by each realms ambassador." Frigga said, then took a bite of her roasted potatoes.
Laney nodded. "That makes sense. Just in case something was to go wrong."
"Exactly. Questioning one of our own who stepped in to help, they would all see that as some sort of scandal and dig for deeper truths on their own. Truths we most likely would not want them to know... so for now, we just act like it was all part of the plan." Frigga quietly explained.
"It would seem different for sure. I have enjoyed this though, and all of our gifts have been wonderful."
"Star is the first royal baby born to any realm in a very long time... she is the first since her father was born. It is natural for all realms to be as impressive as possible." Frigga said with a grin.
"I hope Star will not be under a lot of pressure as she grows up," Laney replied. "I'd like for her to be able to be a kid."
"She won't be dear. She will have her classes, just as you and the boys did, and she will have her role at formal events, but that's all. She will be able to be a kid." Frigga promised. "You may have to deal with some marriage requests, but you can decline them."
"Oh, she will be a teen before any of those will be thought of," Laney assured.
"Other realms like to start early though." Frigga chuckled. "We had our first request for an arranged marriage with Thor when he was only a few days old."
Laney's eyes widened. "We will not be answering anything that early. I assume you didn't either."
"You are correct. At that age, we declined all requests. For diplomatic purposes though, we did agree to reconsider when he was older. Ultimately, we agreed that there would be no arrangements made, so he could make that choice for himself." Frigga explained, then sipped her tea.
"I'm glad for that for Desi's sake. I think Thor is head over heels for her," Laney grinned.
"I have never seen him so happy, or so focused on a lady before. He had some flings, but never anything very serious. I couldn't be happier with the partners both of my boys picked." Frigga said proudly. "Would you like to know a little confession?"
Laney grinned and nodded. "Sure."
"When some of the realms started showing interest in marriages for Loki, we simply told them his marriage had already been arranged... that he was promised to you." Frigga admitted with a sly grin.
"Wh-what? You knew?" Laney asked, astonished. "Does Loki know that?"
Frigga shook her head. "I didn't know, not formally. It's always been the two of you though, everyone could see that. It was never an official arrangement, we just said it was, to appease the other realms. Your father knew and gave his approval for the story."
"Then why did father not approve of us in the beginning?" Laney questioned. "He never answered me about that."
"At that time, it was just a story, there was never an actual arrangement, so he may have agreed out of a sense of duty... he also did not know of Loki's heritage at that time. That may have had an effect as well." Frigga answered. "There were also some benefits to his position, in having people think he had won a royal marriage for his daughter." She added.
"That probably gave him a boost," Laney loom grumbled. "I'm still upset at him honestly."
Frigga nodded. "I know, and he is doing his best to make amends." She pointed out.
"It won't be easy," she replied.
"I know it won't, but I think you should at least have an open mind with him." Frigga said in a soft, patient tone.
Laney nodded. "I will try, Frigga."
"We had to fight just to get him to attend tonight because he knew you wouldn't want him to." Frigga said sadly.
"I don't mind that he's here, we're just not on the best of terms right now. He has to earn my trust back," she replied.
Frigga nodded. "I agree with that one hundred percent. Let me ask you this... have you gone down to see him at all? Or written him? Until today, he did not even know Star is a girl, nor did he know her name."
"No, I haven't," she admitted. "I think Loki has spoken to him, but I haven't talked to him in a little while."
"That would be my next point... he needs to earn your trust, but he can't earn it if he's never given the opportunities." Frigga said, not trying to be pushy, just giving Laney something to think about.
"I will talk to him this evening," Laney said. "I know you're right, it's just hard to let him in again."
"I know it is, and I'm not suggesting you trust him or anything. I'm just stating the fact that he can't hope to earn trust without the chance to do so." Frigga replied. "If you decide to see him this evening, I can personally go talk to him for you."
Laney smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Frigga. It means a lot."
"It's no trouble dear. I just want things to work out for the best, whatever that might be." Frigga said and returned her smile.
"I want things to work out too," she replied, then winced as Star gave her a hard kick to her side. "Strong little thing."
"Please be gentle, little one." Loki said softly, suddenly turning and rubbing Laney's stomach.
Laney looked over at Loki with a fond smile. "You're sweet Loki."
"It will be good to have her born early, I do worry she will injure you." Loki said truthfully, gently rubbing where Star had kicked.
"I agree with you. All it would take is a well-placed kick and I believe she could accidentally crack a rib," Laney answered. "Have you told Desi we've decided to induce her?"
Loki nodded. "That is what I've been worried about. I thought you talked to her about that already?" he asked softly.
"I have, but I need to let her know what we decided," she replied.
"Do you want me to come by before bed this evening, so we can talk about it?" Desi offered.
Laney nodded as she continued to rub her stomach. "I think that would be best. I'm feeling sore."
"We will just come with you when you turn in then." Desi promised.
Laney nodded and held back a yawn while she watched everyone else mingle. "I want to talk to others, but I am beginning to feel tired."
"Do you want to turn in darling? Everyone will understand if you do." Loki assured her.
"I don't want to, but I'm afraid if I don't, I may doze off," Laney said sadly.
"Do you want me to carry you to bed?" Loki asked, not minding leaving early or carrying her.
Such a romantic. She leaned up and kissed his jaw. "I don't mind either way."
"It's either carry or teleport. You aren't walking that far." Loki said firmly, but with a loving smile. He stood, then picked her up bridal style. "If you two want to wait and come by later, that's fine." He told Desi and Thor.
"We will be right behind you. I think we're going to share a dance before we leave." Desi answered, and Loki nodded then carried Laney out.
"Do you think Laney is alright?" Thor asked.
"Overall, yes, she's alright. It's just a strain to carry a Jotun baby." Desi answered, feeling bad and worried for her best friend.
"If she has another, will it be the same?" He asked, curious.
"Not necessarily. This baby has full Jotun traits. If she has another, that baby could have full æsir traits. The baby could also have a more even split of traits. There's no way to tell until she's at least a few weeks along." Desi explained.
Thor grinned. "You're so smart. I'm amazed of the knowledge you know."
Desi blushed and smiled. "It's just some things I've learned during my training."
"Either way, I love learning from you," he said softly, then grasped her hand to place a kiss on it. "Shall we dance before we see to Laney?"
"I enjoy learning from you too." Desi said truthfully, then nodded. "I would love to dance."
Thor smiled and stood before he gently got her to stand, then led her out onto the dance floor before he took her into his arms. "I can't help but think how our feast will be," he murmured.
"Won't it be just like this?" Desi asked, wrapping her arms tight around him. "Or will it be different since you're the heir to the throne?"
"It will be like this," he said softly as they swayed around. "I think it will feel a bit different though, to be ours."
"That makes sense. Does that mean we have to find out the gender first, before our feast?" She asked curiously, laying her head on his chest.
Thor shook his head. "Only if you wish to," he said softly while he rubbed her back.
"Do you want to know?" Desi asked, wanting all decisions to be equal between them.
"Perhaps. It would be nice to know," he answered, "but only if you wish to."
"I agree with knowing. It will be longer for us though; we won't be able to find out until around four months." Desi told him.
Thor nodded and placed a gentle kiss to her hair. "I don't mind the wait."
"I don't mind that wait either. The wait for it to actually happen for us is the hard one." Desi sighed, then pressed a soft kiss to his chest, through the fabric of his tunic.
He smiled before he gently spun her in a circle, then back to his chest. "It will happen," he said softly. "Should we go to Laney?"
"I know, and I know it's only been a few days. I guess I'm just excited for our family." Desi admitted, giving a little grin. "Yes, let's go. I know she will want to sleep soon, and she needs the rest." She said, then took a step back, wrapping her arms around his arm so they could walk.
Thor turned and led Desi out of the hall and towards where Laney and Loki's chambers were. "I am excited too. It may not happen the first try, but we will see."
"It rarely does happen the first try, but we have already tried many times." Desi chuckled. When they arrived at Loki and Laney's chambers, she knocked, and Loki opened the door for them.
"Laney is resting in bed but we can talk in there." He told them, then led the way in. Thor followed behind Desi as they walked into their bedroom.
"Thank you for coming Desi, Thor," Laney said, a small smile on her face.
"You make it sound so formal." Desi teased and walked over to sit on the bed next to Laney. "You've decided to have her early?"
Laney nodded. "She gets stronger every day. I'm afraid she may end up injuring me on accident."
"I think we've all been worried about that." Desi admitted. "This is considered non-critical though, so it will have to be reviewed and approved. I know this will be done quickly, taking only a day or two. I will need to do another scan with the Forge though." Desi explained.
Laney nodded. "That's fine. I've not been moving as much lately just because she feels so heavy. It's hard for me to get to sleep even."
"I know, and there's just not much we can do at this point, in terms of potions." Desi said sadly. "Once I see her with the Forge, I can tell you exactly when we can induce her though."
"That sounds perfect. Hopefully sooner rather than later," she replied.
"Whenever it needs to be, we will know for sure tomorrow." Desi promised. "How are you feeling otherwise? Do you think you would be alright without a healer for a night?"
"I'm okay right now. I'm just overly tired and feeling sore," Laney said softly. Although my hormones want other things I shouldn't mention.
"Are you sure you would be alright?" Desi asked, nervous about leaving Laney in her condition.
"I'm fine. I have Loki with me." She smiled up at her friend. "Go have some fun with your guy."
Desi blushed. "You don't know that's what it's for. I could have been called to Yamir for a patient."
Laney chuckled. "I know you though. If I could have fun with mine a bit easier, I would."
Desi blushed even deeper. "You've always been able to read me like an open book." She chuckled. "Alright, we will do your exams and everything in the morning, before we go. Then, by time we get back, your approval should be ready, or close to it."
"That sounds perfect. If something happens while you're gone, I will let you know somehow," she replied. "Who knows, intimacy might help us in a different way it's helping you."
"We will just be at Moon Lake, so a fast rider could reach us quickly. I will also have a healer on standby, just in case." Desi assured her. "As for intimacy, as long as it's not rough, it's fine, but if you're hoping to bring on labor, it's still too soon for that."
Laney shrugged. "I'm glad you'll be close by. We'll be okay though."
"I would never go too far when I know you might need me." Desi promised. "Alright, we will let you get some sleep. I think after breakfast is a good time to go to the Forge... does that sound good to you?"
"That sounds perfect," Laney answered.
"Do you want us to come by in the morning, or will you just meet us there?" Desi asked her.
"We can meet you," Laney replied.
"Alright, we will see after breakfast then." Desi said, then hugged Laney before standing up. "Remember, not too rough." She teased, before walking out with Thor.
