Chapter Nineteen
"Enter." You called, wondering who would possibly be knocking on your chambers door so late in the evening with the whole palace prepared for the ceremony the following morn. Looking to the door, you were shocked by who entered. "Thor, I mean Your Majesty." You corrected, standing up and bowing, your maids quickly followed suit. "May I enquire as to the reason for this visit?" you were slightly worried as to why he was here, worried that he was going to say Loki wanted to call off the wedding.
"I know it is late, and I apologise Eleonora, but I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time. It is nothing of concern, I assure you, and please, you are family now, or should I say in the morning you shall be, so please do not refer to me by that title unless necessary. To you, my mother, my brother and the Warrior Three, I am simply Thor."
"If Loki were here, he would make some sort of comment referring to you being simple." You laughed.
Thor chuckled. "Indeed he would." He sighed before choosing to sit in a chair facing you, you sat across from him. "I must admit, I am incredibly envious of him of late. Tomorrow he gets to wed the woman he loves so dearly, when I will be forced to wed someone chosen for me by those old farts in court."
"There are some advantages to being the younger, less favoured son it would seem. Though I stated before to Loki before, I would never be envious of the positions you were born into."
"And then you decided to marry him." Thor chuckled.
"At the time I did not even know he knew I was a woman." You defended jestfully.
"Well getting on to why I came to annoy you so late in the evening, I had this made for you. I was hoping you would wear it tomorrow. Mother assures me it will match what you will be wearing." He took a small parcel from behind his back and handed it to you.
"It is as though someone informed your family how much I deplore having a fuss made of me and you have all decided to take it upon yourselves to try and outdo one another in doing just that." You blushed, taking it. The look on Thor's face told you he wished for you to open it in front of him, so you began to unwrap it. Taking it out, you looked at it, then at Thor. "I do not fully understand, I thought only men wore these."
"No, the criterion is that our greatest warriors wear them, and you are truly Asgard's greatest warrior. Were it not for you, the realm would have been obliterated." You looked at the shining metal on your lap. "It is altered somewhat to be worn with your dress, and its design is based on both your family crest and Loki's personal arms to create you your own." He explained. "Every member of the royal family has their own set of arms, usually a woman gets hers after the wedding, but I thought it a good idea to give you yours for the day itself."
"Thank you Thor. It is beautiful." You smiled, which quickly turned to a laugh due to the proud look on his face.
"I am glad you like it." He grinned. "Oh, and another thing, court has become too far up its own rear end thanks to my father's reign, the women even more so than the men. Please bring them down a few pegs with your more cunning yet humble demeanour." He pleaded. "If I am to take one of these women as my wife, please make it somewhat easier."
"You mean you wish for me to weed out the power hungry, vapid wenches?" You smiled slyly. "Like poor Ingrid?"
"Especially Ingrid, that woman is a leech."
"So I hear. Apparently, if my maids are to be believed, leeching is a good term for how she spends her time." You commented.
"I can see you two will be the closest of friends." Thor quipped.
"On certainly, what was it she called me again, grotesque?"
"I fear you are mistaken, she said you were plain and easily mistaken for a man."
"I was sure the word grotesque was in there somewhere."
"It was your neck that was grotesque."
"Ah yes, and I valued her opinion so greatly too." You faux cried, earning another laugh from Thor.
"According to Loki, you all but tore him asunder for his lack of defence of you that eve."
you frowned. "Among other things."
"I cannot deny my curiosity."
"I tore at him for using the company of another rather than just speaking to me, of his lack of correspondence and instead using his mother to convey messages. Not to mention his severe lack of decorum in his admitting his feelings. Throwing them out at me like that then not letting me speak was not really very fair and left me in the somewhat horrible position of trying to figure out what was happening. Not to mention his method of proposal left a lot to be desired."
"What did he do?"
"Simply told me that he wanted me that he wished for me to return as he betrothed and then insisted I did not feel the same and left."
"Wow. That sounds more like something I would end up doing rather than Loki." Thor chuckled. "He usually the more well thought out one of us."
"Yes, I have noticed."
"You are a formidable woman Eleonora, but my brother would not want anything less." Thor stood to leave, so you rose to your feet. "I look forward to tomorrow." He smiled genuinely.
"As do I, thank you for your gift, I will be more than honoured to don it."
"Not to mention, it will irk the senior members of the court no end." Thor added with a large grin.
"Indeed. My, and I thought Loki was the one for mischief." You laughed.
"Well I have watched him for a millennia, so I have picked up a few things over the years. Goodnight Eleonora."
"Goodnight, my king." You smiled playfully, knowing it would annoy him. As Thor left you handed the gift to your head maid. "Place it with my dress and ensure all the metal is polished for the morning please." She nodded and took it away. Realising how tired you were, you went to the bed chamber to ready for bed. As you lay in the cool sheets, you bit your lip at the realisation that this would be your last night sleeping in the guest chambers.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Your heart was beating loudly in your chest since sunrise. In the early morning, your maids had woken you and you went for a relaxing bath before you were attacked with a comb and forced to endure agony as your hair was pulled every which way to make it presentable. One aspect of marriage you deplored was the new stringent rule that you would have to have your hair tied up in some manner every day from now on. Soon after your dress was brought over to be put on, you bit your lips looking at it, it was beyond a doubt the most beautiful and extravagant material you would ever drape over your body, but you wondered what it would look like not only with Thor's addition, but your scarring. Rubbing the area of your neck unconsciously, you gasped when a hand slapped yours away.
You jumped as the Dowager smiled at you. "You worry about the most ridiculous of things, and yet are so calm and collected for the most worrying." She laughed lightly.
"It's not exactly like I can hide it."
"Would you want to?"
"No."
"Then why would you?" she asked, her head cocked slightly.
"I have no issue with it, but others seem to."
"I have not noticed Loki having issue with it."
"I think it fair to say he does not. He spends an exorbitant amount of time telling me it is a mark that I should have great pride in."
"And do you think him wrong?" you shook your head. "So you do not have issue with it, your groom has no issue with it, I can attest that Thor, your father and I have no issue with it, not that our opinions even matter in this situation and your mother seems to slowly getting passed it, so why would you care what others think?"
"I really have no idea." You admitted. "I just hate the staring."
"You are to marry the second prince and highest general in the realm, you may want to get used to it."
"I rather take on Malekith and Laufey again."
Frigga laughed. "I felt that way when I came to Asgard first too. At least you are of the realm, I am Vanir, they had a few extra comments to make of me for being from another realm and catching the eye of their Crowned Prince."
"Not sure that is the best phrase to use all considered." You laughed slightly.
Frigga erupted in laughter. "No, I guess not. Oh how I wish he was here today, he would be so happy Loki found someone that could so easily keep up with him in mind. He often dismissed such an idea as an impossibility." She sighed sadly. Not wanting to dwell on something so sad, she looked to your head maid who was holding Thor's gift in her hands. "My, it is more beautiful than I thought. Who knew Thor had such an eye, but then again, armour is something he takes great interest in." She commented as she inspected it.
"I cannot express the pride I have to wear such a thing, especially on my wedding day." You smiled.
Frigga stayed and watched as your dress was carefully put on over your bridal undergarments, which had you blushing slightly as they were anything but conservative and now Frigga had seen them too. After losing so much weight in training, it had gradually returned making you feel slightly more feminine again.
When the dress was tied and the other pieces added and correctly placed, Frigga brought over the decorative armour that had been commissioned. She tied the metal in place, the insignia on it making her smile as she did so. "Perfect." She forced herself to hold back her tears of happiness. "I am so overjoyed for you both. Loki is such a complex and unique man; he needed an able and quick minded woman to keep up with him, I genuinely thought he would be so lucky to find someone of that calibre, I am so relieved he found you." She admitted.
"What of Thor, do you not worry the same for him?" You queried.
"Thor is of a different stock, he is more like his father and as such is not as concerning. He requires a woman who will accept his pursuits and will listen to him speak of them, and he will return the favour happily. He shares his mind with his friends also so he is easier to aid with his worries. Loki keeps everything to himself with most everybody."
"Thor admitted his concern regarding the character and suitability of those who could be his potential spouse to me last night." You confessed. "I feel for him."
"You have a good heart my dear. I have little doubt he is worried he will not attain the same happiness as Loki has been lucky enough to attain. It is very difficult trying to find a woman that will make your son happy, especially when it involves not only his happiness, but the court and kingship."
"I do not envy your task." You smiled a knowing look on your face.
"Do not act so innocent, you know I am going to use you and your swift mind to aid me in this task." Frigga scolded.
"Even if you had not asked, Thor made me swear to." You informed her.
"Wonderful." She proclaimed. Then there was a knock on the door. "Enter." Frigga ordered.
Your mother entered in a magnificent dress, her silvering hair tied back beautifully as she looked at you. "Eleonora, I…There are no words." She cried.
"Oh for goodness sake mother, please pull yourself together. You are making a show of yourself." You rolled your eyes at her overreaction.
"Come now dear, it is not everyday you have to see your daughter marry and leave home, give her some leeway." Frigga chided.
"Especially as you are our only child also." Your mother reminded you.
"Fine, but please do any and all crying before the ceremony." You sighed.
"I'll do my best." Your mother swore.
"I had better go and inform everyone that you are ready. I will see you in a few moments Eleonora." The dowager smiled and left.
"Eleonora, I really do not know what I can say to you. I never thought such a day would come."
"Gee, thank you mother."
"You are so like your father, I thought you would never wish to wed and be someone's wife, much less a Prince's."
"The day the conscription notice came you had me dressed in hopes of catching Thor's eye." You reminded her.
"Yes, I recall. He is a fine young king it must be said."
"I am about to wed his brother mother, lest you forget."
"It was merely an observation my dear."
"Should father be worried?" You joked.
"Hush now." She swatted your arm playfully.
"If I ever need advise on marriage I know I can ask you. You and father are nauseatingly loving to one another, even after all this time and everything you have endured together."
Your mother laughed. "I will admit it was not always easy. I was carrying you when your father joined the war and was showing quite a bit when he returned from Jötunheim. He was in a terrible state at that time, both physically and mentally. It was so tiring trying to help him, even when he did not want help through that. He was so worried that he would not be able to provide for his new family, and that he would be a hindrance." You listened as your mother admitted to things you had never been privy to before. "It was all so much, and then you were born. I was weak from all the stress, the labour was so draining and you came too fast. Both of us nearly died as a result."
I'm sorry." You apologised, feeling guilty for causing such issues.
"You did not ask to exist Eleonora; you have no reason to apologise. You were merely an infant." She dismissed.
"I am sorry you did not get to have any other children."
"You were enough. I do not think I would have been able to have been so dedicated were I to have had more children. Not to mention, if I had another with such spirit, I would be bald, let along grey."
"I am also sorry I was never the daughter you wanted, I did try."
"The daughter I have means more to me than the daughter I could ever have wished for. I would never want you to be any different."
"Even with my scar?"
"Your father went to war and returned without an arm, some marking on your neck pales in comparison. I was just so worried none would look passed it and see the woman who bore it."
Feeling yourself getting emotional, you bit your lip for a moment. "Not trying to ruin this moment, but we really should be going."
The wedding was a blur, as Thor tied the silk ribbon around your hands, you could not stop staring at Loki, who returned the gesture. The room was filled with courtiers, other realm dignitaries and even many of those whom were in the army. It erupted in cheers as you were declared husband and wife and both you and Loki smiled widely as you walked to the main banqueting hall, graciously thanking those present for their well wishes.
"You look sensational." Loki whispered into your ear as you walked along.
"Funny, I was thinking the same of you." You commented.
"I am just wearing my armour." He frowned.
"And I happen to think you sensational in it." You smiled, which he mirrored.
"Have you always thought such?" he asked with a raised brow.
"Wouldn't you love to find out?" You grinned back.
"Indeed I would." He prodded.
"Well." You sat at your seat at the banquet table. "You will never know." You smiled.
"Now I am terribly intrigued." He scowled.
"Poor Loki."
"Do I even want to know?" Thor asked, surveying his brother's face.
"Just Loki pouting at not getting his way."
"Welcome to marriage." Your father clapped Loki's shoulder as he walked passed him to take his seat, causing you to snigger into your hand and Thor to erupt into a booming laugh.
"Thanks for the warning." Loki responded.
"And ruin marriage for you before it even really begins, where would be the fun in that?" he chuckled as he sat.
Loki looked to you. "You really are your father's daughter."
"Are you surprised? You knew this already my love." You smiled playfully.
The meal went well and the toasts were plentiful and happy. There was dancing as well as near endless talking. You were talking to a young woman of Vanaheim, whom had been brought to the wedding by her father, a high lord there as his wife had passed and he did not wish to travel alone. She was discussing with you the possibility of being one of your ladies-in-waiting. "You are so able minded, that is a requirement if you are to endure court here." You commented.
"Endure?"
"Have you not met some of the foul creatures that inhabit it?" you smiled coldly, thinking of those in the room who as much as they feigned their joy for you and Loki, were actually thinking nastily of you both.
"I had met one or two that seem less than receptive." The woman noted. She was a slight bit older than you, but also quite mature, which piqued your interest in having her around you as a companion.
"Oh dear, and here is their queen." You sighed out of the side of your mouth.
"Your Highness." She bowed.
"Lady Ingrid, you saw fit to grace us with your presence. I am honoured."
"This is a fine wedding." She decided to ignore your statement.
"It is indeed, the dowager is a force to be reckoned with when she starts."
"Indeed she is." The woman scowled.
"If I am not mistaken she used her seidr to shoo you from the palace before for trying to get an over inebriated younger prince Thor to bed you, did she not?" you asked innocently. The Vanir woman looked at Ingrid absolutely appalled.
"That is none of your concern." Ingrid snapped. "I must ask why you insist on having a man's armour on, do you miss you days as a man so much?"
"They are a warrior's attire, which of course is nothing you will ever have to concern yourself with, as you are as much use to Asgard as a sundial at night. And then there is the night of King Thor's coronation, and she tried the same with Loki."
"Your Loki?" the Vanir asked.
"None other. And when his wits came back to him and he saw with whom he was being associated, he evaporated into thin air and hid in a locked room to get away from you, is that not correct?" Ingrid glared back at you. "I do not want your false words harlot, get from my sight before I ask my husband to grant me a wedding wish and use his seidr to change you into a mouse for my new cat to play with. I would not wish for her to be bored." The woman left and you and your new companion laughed.
"Oh I am going to enjoy it here in your company I should think. If you wish for me to remain of course." She bowed.
"I would love nothing more." You declared happily.
"Ah, my new sister, there you are." Thor smiled, bringing you into a brutal hug.
"I was not exactly hiding." You laughed, trying to get your breath.
"I should hope not, it would not be a good omen for marriage to be hiding at the wedding." He laughed, noticing the dark haired woman beside you laughing, he smiled.
Noticing his reaction to her, you introduced them. "Thor, this is Sif of Vanaheim, she asked to be one of my ladies-in-waiting. Sif this is Thor, king of our realm."
"And our chief idiot." Loki added, joining you all, wrapping his arms around your waist from behind.
"Ignore him." Thor dismissed, giving Loki a scathing look. "Lady Sif, I have no doubt Eleonora would be more than happy to have you remain here at the palace, as would we all."
"Subtle Thor, very subtle." Loki commented. You nudged Loki's stomach with your elbow to silence him.
"I think it best if we go and ensure my mother has not bored yours to tears." You suggested pulling Loki away, leaving Thor and Sif alone.
"But first a dance." He declared, spinning you around so you were forced to take his hands.
You laughed as he took the lead. "If I must."
"I insist." He smiled. "Are you happy?"
"Exceedingly. And you?"
"Beyond measure." He replied. "I can only hope I can make you as happy as your parents seem to be."
You looked around, seeing your mother and father laughing together. "Their love really has survived more than most."
"I don't understand."
"My mother's father wanted her to marry well, my father was not good enough for him, but they did not listen, and my mother became homeless."
"Your grandfather disowned her?"
You nodded. "He had arranged for her to marry some Lord in Alfheim, but she and my father did not listen. Apparently the Lord was less than pleased and there was some sort of a fight that left him unable to even walk."
"Do not mess with Bjórr Eriksson." Loki noted. "Or his daughter." He added, kissing your forehead.
"It would not be wise."
"So what is this I heard of you wanting me to turn Ingrid into a mouse?" he asked playfully.
"Why, you interested?"
"Only if you do not give her to your kitten, you'd poison the poor thing."
"I so swear." You laughed, not sure if he was joking.
"My dearest El."
"Please don't start."