Thank you all for the reviews, favs and follows! We will start to see a bit of Rai's darker side in this chapter and the following one.
They party was now underway and Loki was working his charms on Angrboda, though he didn't have to work very hard. Before the party started, he asked her to take the children to his chambers. He didn't want them as a distraction he told her. So she did just that. A medium-sized wolf, who rivaled the essence of darkness itself in color, was trailing behind Loki trying to get a good sniff of him. She had a small, dark green, snake wrapped around her arm. And being carried in her arms, was a little girl. She looked to be about a year old, which Loki found confusing because it was just four days ago she had given birth to her. Loki asked her how the children were not babes still and she told him that she cast a spell. A spell that would accelerate the children's growth until they hit a certain age. Loki took a good look at his daughter. She was Alive from the waist up but rotting and dead from the waist down. The part that was alive was incredibly beautiful. Though she had fair hair and skin, Loki knew she had taken her beauty from him. Her horrifying other half though, that was inherited from her mother. He noticed the little girl shifted from being white as snow to dark as night from time to time. When he inquired Angrboda about this she said, Hella or Hel for short, was having mixed emotions about meeting her father. White as snow for happiness, and dark as night for nervousness and uneasiness. Loki chuckled at that. He found it quite adorable.
He started to think about what happened earlier that day. Odin, his father, had requested Loki's presence in the throne room. Frigga, his mother, and Thor were present as well. Odin cleared his throat. "Loki Odinson…what is this I hear that you plan to leave the mother of your three children abandoned?" Loki was shocked. Angrboda had gone to his father and said he would abandon her?! Loki stood silent for a minute trying to figure out what to say.
"Father I-" Loki was going to explain the situation but Odin was impatient and cut him off. "Loki…no one must find out of this…do you realize how bad this will look upon us all-knowing you have illegitimate children?! And three non-the-less!" Odin stood from his throne and walked down towards Loki.
Loki could feel the anger bubbling within him. Without thinking he shouted at his father, "How can it be alright for Thor to have many illegitimate children but not me?!" Odin gave Loki a stern look. There was silence for a few seconds and it seemed Thor was about to say something but the All-Father spoke up. "Loki…everyone expects that from Thor…not from you." Loki couldn't believe what he was hearing. His father pretty much just said its ok for Thor to have as many illegitimate children as he wanted because he was Thor…but because he was Loki he could not?
Loki glared at his father, how could he say that. Odin sighed, "Loki, you are to marry Angrboda or find a solution to this problem without anyone finding out." He walked back up to his throne and sat down. Loki continued to glare at his father then at Thor. Thor was giving Loki a sympathetic look but said nothing. "Loki," This time it was his mother who was looking at him sympathetically. "Loki, my son, I believe your father is trying to say that you are the more mature one," She took a quick glance at Thor and he looked annoyed. She continued, "Loki, no one would ever expect this from you and it could be very bad if anyone were to find out, please try to understand." He couldn't get mad at his mother, but her attempt to lower his anger towards Thor and his father didn't work. Loki looked up at Odin and nodded. "I will resolve this problem father." He then got up and walked out angrily. 'Whatever plan Ria's got I hope it's a good one…' he thought.
Once everyone was settled in, Odin cleared his throat and the room went silent. "Today's celebration is a very special one in deed." Odin started his speech. Rai started to feel butterflies in her stomach due to nervousness, for she knew she would have to give a light speech after the All-Father was finished. "We celebrate our little Rien's promotion to guard." Everyone clapped and cheered, especially the maids and other guards. "Now it is not common for a woman to be in such a position. However, Rien has proven herself more than worthy countless times of such a tittle. It puts me at ease knowing she is now one of my royal guards." Again everyone clapped and cheered and Rai's nerves were starting to get the better of her. "Rien I remember the first time you came to me. You had always been such a small thing. Frail even. When my youngest son Loki, told me of your wish to train and become a warrior, I was skeptical. But you have proven me wrong. Your skill and knowledge of the battle field is unmatched and dare I say it second only to Loki. Your courage is only second to Thors' and if I didn't know any better, I would say you were one of the fiercest Valkyrie I had ever seen. Though many may believe your kindness and caring for others is a weakness, it is a quality that not all warriors have. Many in your position have forgotten where they come from but not you Rien. You always have time for your duties as a maid, though you are not in that position any longer. Even on your days of rest you continue to help others in need. I have heard from neighboring villages that you deliver food and supplies to those who desperately need it. You have always looked after my sons and made sure they stay out of trouble. Though looking after mischievous Loki and Battle hungry Thor is a lot harder than most may think." Everyone laughed but Loki and Thor blushed in embarrassment. "Rien I am very proud of you. You have come a long way and have grown up into a beautiful young woman. Now if only I could get Thor to marry you." Rai was wide-eyed not knowing what to say. Thor had a huge grin on his face and a blush. Loki had spit out his drink suddenly in shock all over Volstaggs' face. The All-Father laughed and Thor, Loki and Rai figured he was just kidding. "Now Rien, if memory serves me right, you have requested to be Loki's personal guard yes? Please come up here, so you may say your vows as a worrier and guard." Loki and Thor looked at Rai in confusion. Personal guard? What was going on here?
Rai could feel the blood rush quickly to her face. She hated public speaking. She could feel all eyes on her and she wanted to just go in a corner and hide. But she could not. She had to do this. She had to put on a brave face and just get it over with. Rai was dressed in a beautiful corset, Victorian style dress. It was green, gold, and black, Loki's colors. Her hair was down with beautiful curls, mid-back in length and swayed back and forth as she walked. Her dress just faintly touched the floor and dragged a bit as she made her way to Odin's throne. She quickly got on one knee, made a small fist with her right arm and placed it over her heart, as a show of utter respect for her king. She tilted her head down and Odin said, "You look beautiful today my dear." He outstretched his hand and she delicately took it. "Thank you All-Father." She said softly as she stood up. She quickly gave Frigga a formal bow and said, "My queen." And turned to face Odin once more. "My king If I may say my warriors vow?" She asked him and he nodded. She again got on one knee and took her stance just like before.
"My endeavor is to walk in amity with my fellow man. I will strive to live in harmony with all. In peace, as gentle as a summer's breeze, my presence is to instill that calm not unlike the stillness of sheltered waters. To those who know fear, I shall be a shield. They may walk safely in my shadow, until transgression rears and threatens. My weapons shall remain sheathed, to my Lord and his laws. My pledge is my loyalty. I shall protect his properties and of his tenants, as my own. My love and my faith shall know no depth. My heart shall be open and pure, against any transgressors. My retaliation shall be that magnitude of the fiercest storm. They shall cower to my tenacity and be dispatched, or struck down. If you come without malice fear not my sword. Betray me and to my anger. The lion shall be as a lamb. Tempest that of a zephyr." Everyone was in awe of Rai's warriors vow. Odin smiled warmly and softly at her. She continued, "To my prince Loki. I shall protect him even at the cost of my own life. No one shall bring him harm, grief or discomfort lest they feel my cold blade upon their very soul." She was silent for a few seconds to let the All-Father know she was finished. He outstretched his hand to her once more and she stood up with his help. Loki felt an overwhelming pride. Unknowingly, Rai had fed his ego. Loki felt great pride in knowing just how much she loved him. That she would give her life for his and now wanted to protect him.
Odin started to speak up again, "Rien, you do your king and your kingdom proud. Now, let us celebrate this wondrous occasion!" Everyone clapped and cheered. Some of the maids and guards rushed to Rai's side as she made her way down from Odin's throne. They hugged her and congratulated her on her new tittle and her speech. She was blushing furiously and asked one of her friends to bring her some water. She could hardly breathe, she was that nervous. Thor came down to find her and gave her a huge bear hug. He kissed her hand and congratulated her as well.
"Rai I was very moved by your speech but what did you mean you are to be Loki's personal guard?" He sat down with her at a nearby table and she smiled at him. Her nerves now calm she replied, "Exactly as it sounds Thor. I am to be Loki's personal guard. I shall protect him and give my life for my prince if need be." Thor was a little shocked but he smiled at her.
"So," he started to ask her. "When will you marry me?" he chuckled as she punched him lightly on his arm and said, "Please Thor, your father jests! I would not marry you." She let out a small laugh and he did too. Loki, however, wasn't happy about that. He was listening in on their conversation and even though he knew Rai was only kidding, he didn't like it. He knew it was silly to feel jealous over that but he did. Rai looked over at him and she gave him a little nod, signaling him to meet her over by the piano. She told Thor she wanted to go play the piano for the guests, to see if her music lessons with Loki would pay off. He wanted to ask her something but a swarm of women started throwing themselves at Thor and Rai used that to get away from him.
Loki excused himself from Angrboda. He told her he would be back in a second and she sat there waiting for him. He made his way to Rai and they talked in hushed tones. "Loki, when the party is over I want you to bring Angrboda to the gardens. I will deal with her there." Loki looked at Rai with worry, "What do you plan on doing Rai?" She gave him her signature sweet smile and replied, "I will ask her leave you for good. If she does not, I will kill her." Loki stared at her with shock. He couldn't believe what she had just said. "Rai, you cannot do this! If father finds out-" She cut him off and said, "He will not. Besides she is causing you grief and you said so yourself that she was a threat to you. As your guard, I shall take care of it." He didn't know what to say. But perhaps this was a good idea. If it all went to hell, he could justify it to his father as Rai protecting him from Angrboda. If his father found out he would have to put that silver tongue of his to good use.
Rai's warrior's vow is a poem by Kurt Hearth. I found it on PoemHunter .com