Baldur looked around for his amulet. He had had it a few days ago and now he had lost it. It was strange he was sure he hadn't taken it off. Looking on the bed, the dresser, under the bed, the closet, the sink, among anywhere else he had been in the last few days except…
"Oh no." Baldur realized just where the amulet must have fallen at some point.
Rushing out the door he ran down the halls trying not to think of his brothers as he passed their closed up bedroom doors. Running out of the palace he headed out to the city looking for the house which held Loki's best friend and banged on the door.
The door opened to a woman who was frowning. "Yes, Prince?"
"Srygin!" Baldur shouted without meaning too. "I need to go back to Jotunhime!"
"Hush your mouth." She scolded. "Less you want all of Asgard to hear you. Come inside."
Walking into the house he stood there. She walked over to a table filled with potions, herbs, vials, stones, things that made no sense to him, strange color liquids. She picked up a few things mixing them together smoothing and Baldur felt sadness remembering when he used to go see Loki who was often practicing his spells and potions.
How he missed his little brother.
"Back to the Jotunhime then? I thought you failed the last time I sent you."
"I lost my amulet."
"Then leave it be."
"It has my name on it."
"Why did you not just tell the whole realm who you were when you were there?!"
"Forgive me. I'll just go and return shortly."
"I wish you luck Baldur and if you see Loki… tell him hi to me."
Nodding Baldur took the small orb she handed him. "I will."
Gang and Beil waited for the Prince to join them for the seed growing festival. However no one seemed to know where the Prince was. Soon everyone noticed the very absence of the royal family. A royal guard had gone to see what was happening and returned saying the small Prince was not feeling well. It was disappointing since everyone wanted to see their lost prince.
All the bags and bags of seeds lined up together tied on so the magic would be sure to reach every last seed. Placing their hands on the bags they both began to sing and transferring their magic to the seeds. Once done both slumped to the ground their families picking them up. It was always exhausting to transfer so much magic.
However at least it was good to know that no one in their realm would go hungry.
Just two more weeks and six days to go until all the seeds were ready to plant.
Fenrir whimpered nudged his mother trying to get any response out of him but to no avail. Nudging him again Fenrir laid down next to him. Something had greatly upset his mother but what it was the wolf had no idea.
There was a noise that caught his ears. Jumping up Fenrir growled deeply and sniffed the air looking for the source. Turning back Fenrir sank his teeth into a pillow and pulled it over his mother hiding him before leaving the room to find out just who was in the palace that didn't belong.
Fárbauti could visibly see the stress that was overcoming Laufey. As much as Laufey wanted to be with this son they had to finish up the ceremonies before doing anything. Helbindi was busy making sure everyone was had their own bag of seeds and Byleistr was making sure that everything was still running smoothly.
As soon as it was over Laufey got up and left the room quickly, As much as Fárbauti wanted to follow he had to stay and take care of a few things first. After meeting with his army and telling them what to do, where to be and leaving Helbindi in charge Fárbautiwas finally able to leave.
Going to his bed chambers he found Laufey holding Loki. "How's he doing?"
"I found him under a pillow." Laufey said. "He hasn't awoken yet but I think some of the memories are coming back."
"Good." Fárbauti smiled and earned a glare. "It means he's finally healing."
"Then why are the black markings still there?" Laufey snapped.
"It takes time Laufey. He will be able to get over this himself. Loki is strong."
Sighing Laufey went back to thinking. That was something that Fárbauti always wondered about. Ever since they meet when Laufey would going into this sort of thinking there was no one in the whole realm who knew just what he was thinking. Some guessed and always ended up wrong. The only person to ever understand was himself. After all Laufey was his mate and what kind of lover would he be if h didn't understand his beloved?
Sitting next to them it stayed in silence for a while. Soon enough Loki woke up blinking slowly and moved a bit and rubbed his head.
"What happened?"
"Do you not remember?"
Sighing Loki rubbing his temples. "A little. I have a headache."'
"Here, let me fix that for you." Fárbauti muttered a quick spell. "How do you feel now?"
"Much better." Loki smiled. "Thank you, Father."
"You're welcome."
"Do you want to rest more?" Laufey asked. 'Something's not right,'
"No." Loki smiled again sweetly. "I think I'll go for a walk."
"Good idea," Fárbauti said. "Why don't we all go for a walk?"
"No, I think I'll go on my own… with Fenrir of course. Just around and I won't be gone long."
Laufey didn't like it. Something was really wrong here but he could place it. Loki whistled and Fenrir came running in wagging his tail happily licking Loki's face. Laughing Loki climbed onto his back and waved to his parents as they trotted off.
"What's is it, love?"
"Something's wrong."
Fárbauti watch his son leave before sighing deeply. "I'll follow him- I won't lose him!"
Laufey closed his mouth trying hard not to smirk.
Gang felt like crying but he didn't Instead he stayed as still as he could as he heard someone going through things on the floor. Earlier he had peeked over to see if it was Beil playing a prank and saw it was that Aesir Prince was once again in his room looking for something and that something was in his hand.
Closing his eyes tight he willed the Aesir away hoping it was just a night terror but somehow he knew it wasn't. Taking in a deep breath he held it than tensed horribly as he felt the Odinson jump onto the bed and gulped.
Heart pounding so hard in his chest Gang thought surely this was the end. Right before he could called out to his Bera with the bond a hand touched his shoulder gently.
"Excuse me…. Um, small giant? Wake up?"
Going stiff Gang shook horribly whimpering.
"I mean you no harm… I lost something here last time. I need it back-"
Bam! Something hit Baldur square in the face making the Prince groan in pain and looked down at what had hit him and saw it was his amulet. Grinning he jumped up laughing. Putting it away he looked down at the small giant.
"Thank you. Sorry about scaring you but I did not know you could feel such a thing."
Waiting for a reply Baldur received none. Frowning he wondered if this runt was abused and leaned closer to the shaking sheet and tugged at it. How badly were runts treated here? Even after the news of hearing about Loki being a Frost Giant he had fear that they would kill his brother right away. Thor had assured him that was not the case.
Wait a minute… Loki!
"Uh, do you know where Loki is?"
"…er…"
"What? I didn't hear you…"
"MONSTER….!"
"Where?!"
"Where?! You, you idiot! Bera! Father! Guards!"
"What?! I am not a monster! Frost Giants are!"
"No we are not! You Aesir are! You eat children and cut off others bones to use as soup ingredients!"
"What in the nine realms are you talking about?!"
There was pounding footsteps coming and both looked at the door. Baldur cursed and jumped off the bed trying to open the portal but failed since he didn't have time to take the orb so he hid in the closet and threw out some exploding powder so it seemed he had gone.
Guards ran into the room with Gang's parents shortly behind. "Gang, what is wrong?!"
"Bera…" Gang cried out in relief rushing to cling to him.
"Are you well? What has happened?"
"I dreamt of the Aesir again… I am sorry I awoken you…"
"It is alright," Gang's Bera said soothingly as the guards took their leave. "They have been coming more often. Perhaps we should take our leave early."
"No… Oh, no please I wish to stay and continue helping with the seed ceremony."
"Are you sure my child?" Gang's Father said. "Something has been happening to bring up the old memories."
'Old memories?' Baldur thought as he watched from the ajar door. It was so strange to see the Jotuns act so much like a normally family. For a while he watched them in awed shock. After a while he thought for sure that they would leave but all three of them ended up talking and before long fell asleep on the bed.
Sighing Baldur reached for the orb to take him back home. Sadly he landed on Srygin's flower bed.
Loki was well aware of his Father following him. It wasn't like his Father saw the need to hid himself and so they continued on their walk in silence around the outside of the palace. At one point Loki decided to test his boundaries by walking right out of the gates.
Fenrir had wandered off looking for food a short time ago.
His Father simply followed along whistling lightly about something. Walking faster which made no sense because it was clear that his father didn't need to speed up. So intentionally Loki walked slow to test out what his Father would say.
In his mind Loki kept feeling like his Father should be yelling at him or scolding or even punishing him for some reason. Blurs and voices would enter his mind about someone, someone that was his Father but now he wasn't anymore. It confused Loki greatly.
Suddenly Loki yelped when he was snatched up. Gasping he was barely able to catch of a glimpse of a giant white polar bear, or perhaps it was normal size, and a sword went right through its head killing the animal instantly.
"Are you alright?"
Looking up at his Father Loki nodded.
"Good." Fárbauti set Loki on a rock. "Strange though. They don't usually come this far into the forest."
"How did it sneak up on us?"
"It was pretty old, has lot of experiences. Come my child, I think we shall skin this creature and eat. After all it is a nice day here."
Still not feeling well Loki helped out best he could. Which was embarrassing when gather firewood. Dragging what should have been stick to him to a pit was not exactly the best way to feel better and the worst part was when they skinned the bear Loki could only sit and watch. When it came time to gut and clean the animal Loki had to wait. To put in on the spike to roast, Loki had to wait. Seasoning? Wait. Turning the kill? Wait.
Was Loki really that useless?
"Useless? What in the realm are you talking about?"
Looking shocked Loki flushed and hid his face. "I did not mean to say that aloud…"
"My child you are not useless. Do not think in such ways."
"I do nothing to help out the realm. I just roam around like… like…"
"Like you should." Fárbauti used magic to make sure the kill kept spinning. "Come here, my child. I will tell a story about your Bera."
Walking over Loki took a seat next to his Father and leaned against him getting comfortable. When his Father said a story they were never short.
"You know how sometimes your Bera has pain in his stomach?"
"Yes. Everyone says it is stress."
Nodding Fárbauti leaned back against the tree. "I see, so that's what is what everyone thinks."
"What do you mean? What do you think they thought it was?"
"That I knocked up my mate."
"Father!"
Laughing loudly Fárbauti patted his son's head. "No, no. What happened was an injury. I will tell you but you must not tell anyone. Only four know so far and all of which is your family. Also it will lead up to how your Bera found you again. Also my child please note that I am leaving gout certain things and I will tell you of who had you before. Now than do you swear?"
"I will not tell a soul."
"Wonderful. Now than… where to begin… Ah, it happened upon last night of the Winter Festival when your brothers were only small children."
(Many years ago at the end of the Winter Festival)
The night was grab and crisp with cool airing blowing across the land. Tonight was the end of the Festival and things were running smoothly. Many gathered for the last of seed ceremony. The only small born in the realm was currently resting since she had used all her powers to give the last of the seeds. She was in her bera's arms worn out. There had been another small born but he had passed on a few years ago.
Many set up tables with food for everyone. The children running around having fun. Fárbauti was talking with a few others about things. There had been two small borns birthed earlier this year, one named Gang and the other Beil. Both too young to travel or perform. However it was grand to know that they had been born.
The present small born had been excited that in so many years she would have help as she worked so hard trying to get every last seeds infused with the magic. Walking over Fárbauti thanked the family once again for bring her and thanked her too even though she was out cold and probably wouldn't wake until the next day.
Soon everyone stood as the King came in carrying his youngest child, Byleistr on his hip. They bowed and the King announced to go about their business. Fárbauti joined them taking his son and setting him down and Byleistr took off running to join the other children in playing. Helbindi the older of the two stood there arms folded keeping his eye on the small children. After all Helbindi had a thing for small cute things and now he was old enough to be a watcher. (Let's say he looks like ten years old in midgardian years.)
"I was holding him." Laufey growled.
Smiling Fárbauti lead Laufey to his seat. "I know but come now Laufey, he just wants to play. I know you miss when he needed to be held all the time."
Sighing Laufey sat down at his seat. "They grow too fast… where is the small born?"
"She's sleeping. Is it not strange? That we grow normally, children grown too fast and the small borns grow slowly."
"Yes," Laufey leaned back. "What is the news on the two new small borns?"
"Their healthy. I shall travel soon to see them myself and when they are old enough both families will visit us. Now than love, how are you doing? Each time a small born is mentioned…"
Laufey said nothing after that save for the announcements at the end and the last of the festivities and as the time began to dwindling down there was a loud explosion causing a gaping hole in the side of the wall of the palace.
Soon Jotuns who had been sided on Laufey's Father's side during the wars stormed in. All chaos broke out everyone scattering grabbing their children and trying to make a run for it as the guards and warriors charged the intruders.
"Helbindi! Byleistr!" Laufey cried scanning for them.
Jumping into battle Fárbauti fought striking them down like nothing more than stuffed dolls. Roaring in anger that these fools had somehow gotten through into the palace, Fárbauti struck down another. From the side he saw his son, Helbindi running carrying two children under his arms and it was clear that his son was trying to save them.
Looking he saw his mate also fighting only stopping for a moment to grab their youngest and handing him to a servant who fled taking the child to safety. The screaming and confusion continued until only a few stood, captured.
Furious Laufey stepped forward. "You dare attack my people in my home?"
The leaded of this rouge group laughed. "You are not the true King. Your elder brother is."
"My elder brother is dead thanks to his foolishness in trying to take over Midgard. Now state why you came here."
"Just to do this." The leader suddenly threw ice shard. "Say goodbye to the small born."
Without thinking Laufey threw himself in harm's way the shard hitting him in the stomach but he saved the small born who had been trying to escape since she had been separated form her family during the invasion. Laufey hissed but nothing more and Fárbauti swung his sword down cutting off the Jotun's arms enraged.
More chaos broke out as healers rushed to the King. The shard was small. Just enough to kill a small born but what none of them knew until later was that it had released poison into the Laufey. Standing they healed the wound and the small born had been so terrified that she couldn't even stand up right. Soon they reunited her with her family.
"Laufey?"
"I am alright." Laufey said standing and paused. "I need to lay down."
"Of course. Captain, can you handle the rest here?"
"Yes, sir. You go with your mate and I will make sure these things are punished."
Nodding Fárbauti lead Luafey out of the room. They stopped by their children's room, where both were well and fine. They hadn't seemed too upset as Byleistr was playing with toys, Helbindi was looking out the window, but seemed relaxed. Then again Helbindi was observant about things.
Once they made sure everything was settled Laufey laid down on his bed trying to shake off whatever was happening to his body. Fárbauti on the other hand didn't like the situation. His mate would have stayed and taken care of things.
It was when Laufey broke out into a fever and preparation started to form that Fárbauti had a gut feeling something was extremely wrong. Turning Laufey over onto his back Fárbauti ran his hand over his lover stomach checking it where the wound had been.
"What is it?" Laufey asked softly.
"Something's wrong." Fárbauti took out a small dagger. "I'm sorry love this is going to hurt."
Handing Laufey a leather cloth his mate bit down on it bracing for the pain and bite down harder as the dagger pressed into his skin cutting in half an inch. Closing his eyes he felt Fárbauti working on him, making small cuts, using magic to pull out liquid. It went on to a few hours before it was over and the healing began closing up the wounds.
Pushing the cloth out of his mouth Laufey didn't open his eyes. "Poison?"
"Yes."
"What more than that?"
"…"Fárbauti stood up and wiped the small knife clean. "There might not be anymore… children."
No one really knew why the Laufey never bore anymore children. For a while everyone assumed that maybe the two had fought or hadn't agreed on something but their time together and rarely out of each other sight was clear that was not the case.
Some thought maybe that the two had simply taken a break on having children. However the two sons grew up, trained, battled, Helbindi ended up training the armies, Blyster was also a warrior but take up the politics of the realm, both highly praised who their hard work and yet still not more children form the King.
The two small borns soon began to learn how to transform magic to the seeds at the Festivals. The female small born died only a few years after they had started. She had been killed by an Aesir when she had strayed too far near the bifrost. A great loss and a sorrowful day for her family. Laufey had felt horrible for them and let them live in the inner city.
Years passed once again with no signs of any children, no matter what was tried. Now the time was coming at the time when the most powerful of the Jotun would go to the ruins and perform a powerful spell that would last the next year to hide their sigh from the gate keeper. As it had always been and besides why should an Aesir watching them like prisoners?
So they began the spell, the markings on their bodies markings glowing white as ice formed over them making the ice ridged over their markings as the spell continued to pour through renewing the spell as the hours ticked by before it was complete.
Lingering in the moments after Laufey signed deeply, Fárbauti placed his hand over his and squeezed it letting his mate know he was there for him. It hadn't been easy over the years for Laufey. What with the death of their first born, Lofi, hunting down the rouge killers that still followed the dead King's orders, not being able to bare any more children.
An hour later Fárbauti left the ruins as he heard of more jotuns causing problems and would return within a week. What would happen from there no one could have seen coming.
There was a flash at the bifrost and the Odinsons, a lady warrior and the Warriors Three came walking into the ruins of the places. Talking about how they didn't see any of the Giants. The oldest son, Thor Odinson called them cowards. For a while now Laufey had been feeling useless since he could no long bear any children and so he came out too see the Asgaridans.
The ice had yet to melt off of the Jotuns from the spell. Laufey looked at them and noticed the one that had such a similar name to his dead child. When the oldest Odinson said something about the All Father Laufey lingers in thought for a moment.
"Your father is a liar and a thief." Laufey frowned. "Leave while you still have your lives."
"We thank you for your most gracious offer." The black haired son said. "Come away, brother."
As hey turned around a young Jotun spoke. "Run home princess."
"Damn…"
Suddenly there was a fight and Laufey watched. He could have stepped in but to be honest he wanted Odin's pride and joy son, Thor to die. A son for a son, which sounded fair. But then something happened that shocked him so that it didn't register right away.
A Jotun grabbed the youngest of the Odinson's arm braking the armor and surely the skin should have turned black but instead blue rushed up the young one's arm along with very distinct royal markings and the shock on the boy's face was clear he had no idea what was happening and the jotun also looked shocked.
Before anything else could happen there was a flash of light and the All Father stood there. Eyes glowing red Laufey rushed up to him.
"Odin All Father."
"Laufey." Odin said simply. "I came to retrieve my sons,"
"I will have words with you." Laufey growled angrily glancing at his lost son who was still looking at his now pink arm in shock.
"Very well. But first," Odin hit his staff on the floor the little band of Aesir were gone. "Now, than about our treaty?"
"It long longer stands. However I will now willed war on Asgard if you return what belongs to me."
"I will not give you the Casket."
"Oh, I am not talking about the casket… I'm talking about my child you stole from me."
Odin one eye widen slightly. "I see. You know about that."
"You will return him to me or face war."
Standing off to the side Hlebindi wrote a quick letter to his Father and sent it one a snow falcon informing him of the new shocking events. Laufey argued with the All Father for hours but eventually with the Odin sleep taking a hold.
A day later Laufey and his sons waited for the lost Prince to return and in a blind little a small shaking Jotun stood there and made a run for it and Helbindi jumped from his beast and gave chase.
(End of story)
"And that is how you came to be with us once more."
"I was… livng with those monsters?" Loki said in shocked.
"Yes. Now your back with us."
"But… what about…" Loki frowned racking his mind. "Did I not have a baby…?"
"You did. However we shan't talk about it right now."
Loki looked at his Father who smiled back and pulled him up giving him a tight hug. "You are already on your way to healing and as you do I shall return the rest of the lost memories. For now I think we should take it slow and by this time next year you shall help out in the festival. Agreed?"
"Yes." Loki smiled. "Father?"
"Yes, my child?"
Snuggling closer Loki felt at peace knowing his Father would be there. "I love you."
"I love you as well."
There was a a good amount of time of content there before they moved to eat some of the meat of the bear and packing the rest in ice to take it back to the palace. Once that was done both of them worked on bear soft fur to make it into a nice fur to give to Bera as a gift.
As they walked back into the town they saw it in panic and the savant Jotun Ali came screaming. "Odin had captured Laufey!"
Fárbauti's heart dropped.
To: SETO-KAIBA-LIFE: Maybe he will maybe he won't, ;D
To BaraKiryuHuntress: Yep, I read it in a myth about Odin's sons. I know that Odina had many kids but mostly famous ones where Thor, Baldur and Vail.
To onlymydreams: Nessy is always a great thing lol
To Kaisha-Shiori: I liked the idea of Buri being rude and mean but who Helbindi ends up with is up to him-Oh wait it's up to me. I love Nessy
To demonablackwolf: He dropped it my mistake. 8D
To jaquelinelittle: lol he should have asked her! XD She must have known where he was. No, Baldur just went to Srygin because she can use magic. That's why Small borns are good omens because they can keep the realm from struggling with food.
To fan girll 666: Loki is so cute when he's causing mischief, ;D and Yes, the ppor Loki feels! However Loki can handle them, hopefully.
To Dark-Angel-Princess-01: Here's your update 8D
To waterthemoongarden2: Thank you for the love! Feels!
To SoulMore: YAY!