The Palace was grand with lights as the Winter Festival began and the small borns would perform that night. Everyone was coming to the Palace where the King would announce something at the end of the Festival.
The Royal children all waited at the long table at breakfast waiting for their Father and Bera to come into the room. They weren't allowed to eat anymore before their parents showed up. For some reason their Father had decided that they all must be present to eat. This didn't go so well for the first couple of days but after they had grown used to it.
"I have heard, Laufey," Said his older sister in huff. "That you plan on being mated to Fárbauti."
"Hmm," Laufey hummed but did not elaborate but rather choose to ignore her.
"Laufey, seems to be determined to mate with someone under us."
"No one is under us," Laufey glared at the eldest of them. "Do not forget all of us are Jotun and all of us were born to find out soulmate and it could be anyone and should it be a King or a farmer than so be it."
The whole table got into the debate on who should marry who and it honestly shocked Lafuey that so many of them object to that of a soulmate. Some of his family was on his side arguing that one should not marry for a tittle nor out of arrangements.
The arguing escalated, the anger risen, and soon the shouts became louder and louder and as they continued on Laufey watched. The anger, the hate, and so many different views on how a Juton must live their lives and who had what right to what and who this and who that, it was all so troubling.
Had they forgotten their scared ways? Not something that was made up but that natural order of their life? Sighing he easily snuck out and informed a servant that he was not hungry anymore and that he would retire to the library to read.
Once the young Prince had gotten to the library Laufey paused hearing singing outside. Wondering what was going on he walked to a nearby window and looked out to see that the those in training had made a grand fire outside in the training grounds. They had a large beast roasting over it and someone was basting it and it was carved open with various items inside of it for flavor.
The singing was an old song. Upbeat and happy. Smiling Laufey watched for a few minutes before closing the windows. Taking a couple of steps there was knocking on the glass. Pausing he turned to see Fárbauti there with that grin and waving at him.
Smiling Laufey opening the window before sighing. "Is this your new way of visiting me?"
"Well, they shan't let me into the palace to see you so I supposed that this would have to do, not won't it?"
"Yes, I believe so,"
"Now, tell my Prince Laufey, why art thou not at dinner with your family?"
"Oh that," Laufey huffed before crossing his arms. "I rather not speak of it. However what are you doing here? Should you not be with your family?"
"I do not have leave for another few days, than I shall visit them." Fárbauti rubbed his chin thoughtful. "It would be wonderful if you could meet them."
"Well, I shall one day shouldn't I?" Laufey smiled at him. "Or hath thou change thy mind?"
"Change my mind? Why Laufey the mind can always be changed!"
Laufey frowned confused.
"However the heart can never be changed after ones found his soulmate." Fárbauti took Laufey hand kissing it. "The Norns were kind enough to let us find each other and for that I will always be grateful to them."
"I am grateful also."
"Come with me Prince Laufey. Come and join us for a feast!" Even though Fárbauti was offering he was already pulling Laufey closer and moved back and Laufey noticed a stair case which was not there before. "Come on, beloved, Surely you must be hungry and well I do not mean to boast but I did hunt a most supple beast."
"I do not doubt it." Laufey smiled sitting on the sail before climbing down onto the ice stairs as his soulmate helped him. "You must have powerful magic."
"I was gifted as a youngling and my Father taught me how to control it. Now than Prince Laufey will you humble this Warrior a feast?" Fárbauti bowed before standing and offering his elbow and couldn't help the bloom in his heart as Laufey took it and leaned close to him. "Tis an honor."
"The honor is mine."
"Laufey? Laufey, wake up." Fárbauti spoke with concern trying to wake his mate. "Come now, beloved, wake up."
Only a tired sigh was heard and Laufey stilled with even breathing. Frowning Fárbauti carefully moved his mate back before standing and picking up Laufey who continued to slumber. It seemed that the King was in a deep sleep. Holding him close Fárbauti looked up to call for Loki to go get his brothers when he noticed, in slight shock, that his little son was also passed out.
"Father, what happened to Bera?!" Býleistr came rushing over. "Is he hurt?"
"No, just asleep… I think." Fárbauti looked at his son. "Bring Loki to the healers room. He's up there asleep as well. Hurry, son, hurry."
"Yes, Father."
Hurrying to the Healing Chambers Fárbauti couldn't help the fear the rose in his chest. This had been happening lately. His Mate would fall asleep suddenly to relive a memory and other times the pain in his stomach would become too great to bare and it would force a day of rest or two if it was too bad.
Their son Helbindi had been taking over ruling the Kingdom for none of them could even predict when Laufey would go into an episode so they had kept him out of sight. They only told them that the King was in need of a rest which was reasonable since everyone in Court had noticed the old pains returning to their king.
Walking into down the hall before entering the Healing Chamber and called to the head healers and they came out before running over seeing that it was the King. Laying Laufey down where they asked him too he watched as they checked to make sure it was a memory or something else which was worrisome since all the time Laufey would remember the had a bad headache and this time it was as if his mate had passed out.
"It's another memory…" The head healer said as she looked up at him. "This time there was no headache."
"He just passed out." Fárbauti sighed deeply. "My son is bringing my small son. I think it happened to him as well."
A moment later the royal brothers walked in and in Býleistr's hands was Loki sleeping peacefully with a smile on his lips. They checked him over quickly and confirmed that it was once again the bond that had taken a great hold and they would have to wait it out just like the other times.
"I shall stay here with your Bera and Loki." Fárbauti turned to his son. "Býleistr, you and Helbindi do what you must."
"Yes, Father."
Sitting down on a chair next to the bed where his Mate and son were sleeping he took a long look at them. Laufey simple looked like he was asleep but Loki, who was curled up on Laufey's chest, was smiling and would sigh evert so often.
Taking Laufey's hand Fárbauti chuckled as he kissed it. "What in the Nine Realms are you remembering?"
"I've never ridden a beast before."
"Surely you jest?"
"No." Laufey frowned. "Bearers, male or female of the royal families are not allowed too."
"Why not?"
"I do not know." Laufey smiled before petting the beasts head. "However it has been said that we are allowed to ride the Snow Horses however they are extremely hard to train."
"They can also kill you if not train property." Fárbauti said before frowning and looked at his beast and then at his soon to be mate. "If you are not allowed than how shall I take you to where I want to take you?"
"I can ride on him only if someone is with me."
"Aha!" Fárbauti quickly got onto this beast before holding his hand out. "Care you join me?"
"How do i…?" Laufey frowned taking the other's hand. "Here I go. Gah!"
"Laufey!" Fárbauti cried jumping off his beast. "Are you alright?"
Laughing Laufey sat up in the soft snow brushing it off. "Yes, I'm perfectly well, Fárbauti, a little snow shan't be the end of me."
"I'm glad of it!" Pulling Laufey to his feet Fárbauti paused before grabbing the other's hips and picked the Prince up placing him on the beast. "There, now scoot back a moment... thank you."
Wrapping his arms around Fárbauti, Laufey held tight and just as he expected the Warrior kicked his legs and the beast shop off fast. They passed many Jutons, shops and soon came to the outer city which would lead them to outside of the inner cities.
"Come now, Laufey, adventure waits!" Fárbauti yelled back. "Not only shall we see new cities and villages!"
The laughter of both of would be heard in the wind as the beast flew with the happy soon to be mates.
Loki smiled widely before rolled over slipping off his Bera and curling into his arm instead before sighing contently.
Fárbauti smiled at him petting his head before he suddenly frowned when Loki suddenly tense and started to twist and turn in his sleep looking upset. Looking up he saw Laufey breathing had picked up and his head slowly moved side to side or a couple of minutes before going to relaxing for a moment before his mate started to cry in his sleep.
A moment later Loki started to produce tears as well.
"Shh, my loves," Fárbauti spoke in s deep soft voice. "I am here and I shall not let harm fall upon you."
"I do not understand!" Laufey cried rushing after his Father. "Why did you not give your blessing to Fárbauti to mate with me?!"
"Mate with you?!" His Father Thrymr, the King of Jötunnheim yelled as he continued to walk towards the throne in the empty Court. "You shan't be mated to that Army Brat!"
"We are soulmates!" Laufey cried out in shock. "We are to be mated! The bond has already started!"
"I said thou shan't be mated to that abomination and so it shall be! I am King! Do not forget that I have say in what you can and cannot do." Thrymr growled whirling around glaring at his son eyes blazing red. "And you shall stop your meetings and outing with him or I shall execute him."
"Thrymr!" The King's mate yelled in shock. "What has gotten into you?!"
"Bera, please!" Laufey cried rushing over to his Bera side as the older Juton held him tightly as he nearly sobbed. "Do something, I beg thee! I cannot bear to be separated from Fárbauti for we are too bonded together for all time! Please, Bera, you surely understand."
"Thrymr!" Thiazzi growled looking at his mate in debrief. "How can you do such a thing?! You have known how they have shared fondness and feelings! I have told of it had I not?"
"I know what you have said! However I am to lead Jötunnheim into an new Era, to a new world and it shall be the rise of our Realm." Thrymr spoke with a dark laughter to his voice. "It shall be glorious. When we are victorious you and the rest of your siblings who can bare shall be mated off to high-class families."
"Bera!"
"Thrymr, this is getting out of hand! You wish to stop a soul bond and you know as well as I that it is not something one can stop!" Thiazzi pleaded as well. "You and I are soulmates tired together from our soul bond! Thou shalt clearly and quite obviously know what it feels like and Laufey is in love and the bond is already taking place and it will be soon once they have mated together."
"It shan't happen!" The King spat in anger before they all stopped hearing the marching that began and the King laughed deep and dark sending shivers up Laufey's spin. "Besides your precious Fárbauti is off to battle at the frontlines."
The room somehow became so cold that Laufey couldn't' move and vaguely thought he had breathed out "No.." before he looked up at his Bera and since Laufey was not fully grown yet came to Thiazzi chest. Bera looked horrified.
"No, Thrymr, you cannot do this!" Thiazzi voice was shaking. "Thou needest help, this is madness! Look at what you are doing! You have forbidden all of our children for can bare from finding their mates, the others you allow them more than one! A disgrace! And now look at what you seek! War, Thrymr, you seek war!"
The room's air had left. Laufey couldn't breathe even though he heard the words from his bera but his mind on the knowledge that Fárbauti was off to start a War and in the frontlines where he would be killed. Not right away since Fárbauti was strong and well skilled but he was still in training and shouldn't even been allowed battle until the training is complete.
No.
No…
"You shall do as I say!" The King voice broke through. "You shall stay quiet, Thiazzi!"
"How dare you!"
No…
No, no no…
Rushing over to the a window Laufey broke it with his magic looking down at the Palace yard to see them marching off to the War. Scanning the lot his heart started to stop not seeing his beloved Fárbauti anywhere. All of them older than need be some of them his siblings, brothers and sisters who wore their armor proud as they went off to follow their Father's orders.
Where was he? Where was Fárbauti?! Surely he would recognize in the many Warriors. No, he couldn't' have already gone passed the gates! Leaning far over Laufey just about fell out as tears flooded his vison and sobs racked his body as he heart felt like it was being torn.
Rubbing away the tears Laufey froze seeing a familiar Jotun. It was Fárbauti dressed in his armor and his swords at his sides and he was matching with his friends/brothers in arms and he had this odd look on his face one that Laufey had never seen before.
It was a mixture of sorts, Deamination, frustration, anger, and some agony. This was not Fárbauti normal happy over the top grins and laughs today nor did he carry the sweet purple fruit that he offended picked just for Laufey and one the ones at the top of the tree where they were the tastiest, no instead Jotun Warrior.
"Fárbauti!" Laufey screamed before he could stop himself. "Fárbauti, up here!"
Fárbauti looked up seeing Laufey with unreasonable sad look before he grinned those eyes closing a bit before the Warrior raised his hand to press a kiss finger and held them up to Laufey. Despite his heart ripping in two Laufey smiled back sadly before kissing three of his fingers as well and reaching them out to Fárbauti.
"Return safe," Laufey whispered. "Come back to me,"
A bright grin and a whisper. "Always."
The world seemed to die, the beautifully ice realm that seemed so perfect shattered for Laufey the moment Fárbauti marched out the gates and was gone. Not able to hold in anymore of the emotions Laufey cried out so sorrowfully that his parents stopped screaming and yelling at each other looking over as he slid to the floor hard sobs racking his body.
This pain was too much. It was like someone had sent him to the deepest parts of Helhime and the ruler of the world was slowly tearing his heart and soul to pieces. The tears wouldn't stop, Laufey wasn't even sure if he was still screaming as he cried because everything felt numb around him and the only thing he remembered was his Bera holding him whispering to him trying to comfort.
Hours passed.
Laufey was of age, this he was well aware of and knew that this was not the kind away a Prince reacted to anything. Holding back tight to his Bera Laufey was looking at nothing but felt a shift as his eyes sight became clearer. Trying to calm down he tried to think of anything wheatear it be a happy time or a book and then it stopped suddenly when he heard his Father yelling at him.
"Laufey, stop your pathetic sniveling! You are making yourself seem a fool!"
"Enough, Thrymr! Have you not caused enough greif for the day?!"
"You stay out of this! And what have I told you about Golden eyes?! Hide those things right now!"
Golden eyes?
Pausing Laufey looked down in thought. When had his natural eye color come back? Fárbauti loved his golden eyes. He said they were sun dust that poured just for him. Oh, how he yearned for his soulmate so and the thought of not ever seeing him again was.. was… was…
Was all Father's fault.
Gritting his teeth Laufey hid his face in his Bera's shoulder his body still shuttering with dying sobs. After a few minutes he calmed down before breathing slowly. Bera's hand stoked his hair trying to bring comfort through their bond and well it did help a little it couldn't not heal a cracked heart.
Slowly Laufey lifted his head with his eyes narrowed and his eyes blazing bright red as he glared at his Father. This could not be forgiven. This sickness that had taken over his Father could never be forgiven. Something had to be done and if Laufey had too… if he had too than he would.
Slowly standing Laufey felt his legs shaking from the aftermath, in fact his body still seemed to be in shock about the events that had just occurred. Standing there with eyes wide open and his mouth parted slightly Laufey reached up for his circle band that was a Bera crown feeling the weight of it.
"Are you alright, my sweet Laufey?" Bera asked.
"I shall be." Laufey answered in what felt like a trance for he didn't want to speak. "I am going for a walk."
The two royals watched their son leave and Thiazzi started to yell at his mate and soon they were fighting again and didn't notice as Laufey pulled the band off his head dropping it onto the floor as if it meant nothing. Slowly pushing off the bracelets on his arms, the rings, the necklaces that was his to ware until they all fell clinking to the floor the young Prince turned to a hall.
The long stair case that lead to out of the castle was the path Laufey took. As he did so removing the band that his ankle. Taking a little bag he often keep on his person he pulled out the silver moon dust bracelets and bands that Fárbauti made just for him when they would be mated.
Putting them on he stopped to slip two of the bands on each of his ankles all while removing the gold ones before slipping on the moon dust ones. Pulling out the last item which was the Moon dust circlet that was made to replace the family on and show Fárbauti family crest he placed it on his head the cool band resting comfortably on his forehead before he waved his hands and the large doors opened.
This was it.
Taking a breath Laufey walked out of the castle head held high, with no tears to be seen and once he was onFárbauti's beast he summoned ice slink cloak pulling it over himself before urging the beast to forward. On that day Laufey swore that he would never shed tears like that again because he would find his soulmate and nothing could ever cause such pain again.
Hours later Laufey had come upon where the armies and as he rode towards the Jotun came he saw the heads of the war council speaking with Asgardians. Asgardians were to be in this war too? But they never got along, why would they fight side by side with each other?
King Borr was preset before he left suddenly and Laufey froze seeing someone he had met once before in battle on Midgard.
The Asgardian Prince boasted about the victory they should have before his eyes locked onto Laufey and the Prince sneered at him crushing his goblet a tall spare in his hand that he clutched tightly. Thunder roared from the skies causing Laufey to look up before he looked back at the blond.
"Princ Laufey." Was the scoff.
"Hmm," Laufey frowned at him as if bored. "Prince Odin."
How Odin hated those Golden eyes and how much fun would it be to make them lifeless.
Helbindi was in court when the doors opened and Fenrir came in wagging his tail. He smiled at his nephew before he noticed that the large wolf had brought a few things with him and set down six mortals, four who were shivering and huddled together for warmth.
Fenrir looked so happy and nudged them together and Helbindi got the message. "Ah, I see… pups… you have.. Pups… Um, Býleistr, you want to hand this?"
"Nope, this is all you're brother," The other laughed. "You can try to explain to Fenrir but I doubt he'll understand!"
Meanwhile Fenrir was happily carrying his pups to his room where he had such a nice bed that had many furs on them. The joy was too great and Fenrir decided to bolt down the halls as fast as he could as his little pup with the glowing thing on his chest screamed:
"We're all gonna dieeeee…!"
To Silvermane1: Thank you so much
To sousie: 8D
To thephoenixandthedragon4ever: I cna't promise anything but I don't think I would kill of Laufey since he's there for Loki no matter what and his other sons. I wanted the bond to stay ever present in the story and in a healing way for Loki and for Loki to find out just how the Great Asier-Jotun War started. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. Loki deserved to be cherished.
To thatcrazyjellyfish: I'm happy that you love them and that the memory made you smile! It makes me smile knowing that you smiled! Yes, the marks are getting smaller, yay!
To fan girl 666: Yes, their past was sweet, and soon it will be even sweeter because- Oops almost gave way too much! Can't let that happen!