T A million things were rushing through his head, and he could not pin a single thought for even a moment. His chest was tight and his throat seemed to close, and he had a lump in his throat that he thought might be his heart. His heart was thudding a faster beat than usual.
Loki took a deep breath.
He lifted his helmet off the pedestal, feeling the cool gold under his fingertips, and he placed it on his head gently. His head fit it perfectly, and he marveled at how well the craft smiths had done in repairing it. Once he was sure that all his armor fit properly, he closed his eyes and stepped in front of the mirror.
He opened his eyes slowly, gazing at the strange thing in the mirror. His reflection gazed back at him blankly, and he inhaled slowly.
Inhale…exhale…inhale…exhale….
Loki repeated this exercise several times trying to steady his breathing and slow his erratic heartbeat. He gazed intensely at his reflection. "You can do this," he told himself, gazing at the powerful looking reflection, "It is for the throne." Loki assured himself. He closed his eyes once more, before he heard a sharp knock at the door.
"My prince, they are awaiting your arrival now."
Loki opened his eyes and turned toward the door. It was show time.
The hall was beautiful sight to behold. There were ribbons of green strung along the pillars of the palace balcony, a large red carpet spread about the floor. The sun lit the balcony beautifully, and it set the golden architecture of the palace ablaze and shimmering. The stands set up on the left and right of the aisle held the Frost Giants on one on side, and the Asgardians on the other; and for the first time in centuries both the races stood harmoniously, eagerly awaiting the unification of their kingdoms.
Even the Warriors Three and Sif had been allowed to attend.
Odin sat at the very end of the aisle, seated in his golden throne; and beside him resided Farbauti, seated in a freshly made throne of ice, legs crossed and head held high as she awaited the arrival of her son.
Relatives and friends of both parties stood to the right and left, and Thor stood in the middle in his best armor, helmet situated perfectly on his head, sweating bullets and face red.
Thor vaguely wished that his mother was here to see this. He assumed that she would be very happy to see this day, and not for the promise of a treaty, but for her sons' happiness.
The thought made Thor smile as he awaited Loki.
And that was when he caught site of Loki. Loki approached slowly, and he carried himself with an air of importance, head held high, golden armor shimmering in the sunlight.
If Loki was nervous, Thor couldn't tell. They locked eyes as Loki approached Thor, and then silently took his place next to him.
"You look beautiful, as I promised." Thor stated gazing at Loki in a way that almost made him look smitten. Loki raised an eyebrow at his older brother, shaking his head slightly and sighing, "Not that it makes up for this, but…thank you."
Thor smiled again, unable to hide his rising joy any longer. After a few moments Odin stood, and the crowds went silent, the suspense building. Thor felt as if his whole body was vibrating, and for a moment he thought he might explode. Then Odin spoke, his voice booming throughout the balcony like thunder.
"You are all here today to witness the joining of two kingdoms," Odin paused for a moment, gazing out over everyone who resided in the room, "To witness the end of a continual and repeating war, by the joining of my two sons, Loki," He motioned with his hand to Loki, then to Thor, "And Thor. If there is anyone here now who does not wish this joining to commence, speak your mind now, or forever hold your tongue."
There was a continual silence throughout the balcony, and so Odin continued. "I, Odin Allfather, father of Thor and adoptive father of Loki, recognize and agree to the joining of these two races, and so I stand and ask Farbauti, Queen of Jotunheim and mother of Loki, is she is also in agreement with this joining." He went silent as Farbauti stood slowly, straightening to her full height, her body adorned in jade armor and jewels, a bejeweled circlet resting on her head as she looked down at the brothers, her face blank and unreadable.
And then she spoke, her voice cold as ice but melodic like running water, "There is a tradition in my home of Jotunheim that I wish to be honored here. After that I shall give my answer."
Odin was silent as he gazed at Farbauti, who gazed back at him with a regal air and a disposition unmoving. Odin closed his eye and sighed, nodding toward her to continue as he sat down once again in his throne.
"It is a Jotunn tradition that before a wedding, the one who requested the marriage is tested in a battle of mettle against the previous champion." There were gasps heard all amongst the crowds, and Loki felt his throat begin to close up on him. But he pushed the feeling away. Why should he be worried at all? This was Thor they were talking about here! When had his brother ever been fallen in a battle of such stakes?
Loki looked over to Thor, who apparently felt very differently about the situation. He had a full smile playing across his face, and Loki could feel the confidence radiating off him. Farbauti continued to speak. "Mofi, latest champion, I ask you to arise and come forward."
A large Frost Giant from the back of the crowd came forward, taking a place in the middle of the room. Farbauti then turned to Thor, asking, "Thor, do you accept this challenge as a test of mettle? Or do you cower and lose your chance at happiness?"
Thor laughed, gazing at her, "Are you mad my queen? I shall back down from no such challenge!" Thor put a hand on Mjolnir's hilt, as he turned to Loki and whispered, "Fret not brother, I shall be but a moment," and walked out to stand before Mofi.
Once the warriors were in their places, Farbauti continued. "There will be no magic, no tricks, and no whining. The fight shall continue until one of you yields, is knocked unconscious, or is killed. Do you agree to these terms, Odinson?" Her voice was sharp and slightly taunting. Thor laughed again, nodding as he pulled Mjolnir from her resting place at his hip, "Of course! Now can we get this over with so we can finish this joining and feast?"
Farbauti eyed him, a small smile beginning to play across her purplish lips, "Begin."
Thor raised Mjolnir as the large Frost Giant raced toward him roaring. Loki winced as he heard the first blows; he could not help but worry for his brother, even when his brother's victory was almost assured.
When the next sound of pain came from Thor, Loki's eyes snapped opened and his gaze searched for his brother, as Thor took another blow from the larger Giant. The crowd was cheering and screaming and the sounds were almost deafening to Loki.
Why was Thor taking this beating? Loki knew that if he brother truly wished he could overpower the Frost Giant Mofi. As Thor took another powerful punch to the stomach, he glanced back at Loki, a smug look on his face, and then Loki's own face turned a vibrant shade of red, anger so fierce bubbling within him. How dare Thor?!
Loki knew what Thor was waiting for. His brother was turning the fight into entertainment, and would only start to win if Loki called out to him. Loki considered for a moment just standing silently, and he did so as Thor took a well deserved beating that made Loki smile and want to laugh.
He could hear the gasps from the crowd of Asgardians as they feared that their star warrior would be fell in battle. The Frost Giants however roared and cheered at the possibility of their brother defeating the Mighty Thor.
Loki let Thor take a few more beatings, before putting on his best concerned and desperate face and calling out to his brother, "Thor! Defeat him! You must!" And for added measure he called, "No one can defeat the Mighty Thor!"
The crowds cheered at this, and finally Thor began to fight back with might, swinging Mjolnir and clipping Mofi in the jaw, flinging the Frost Giant backward across the aisle, his large body slamming into a brazier and knocking over its contents. And finally the Asgardians began to cheer and scream, calling Thor's name and waving their arms, and Loki felt a spark of jealousy as the people called his brother's name.
Mofi stood slowly, wiping the ash from the brazier off of himself, snarling and approaching Thor like a wild animal, eyes ablaze in anger and fingers twitching rhythmically as he summoned another ice sword.
Thor laughed as he swung Mjolnir again, striking weapons with Mofi, his ice sword shattering on contact with Mjolnir. At this opening, Thor swung again, this time harder, striking the large Frost Giant in the chest.
Mofi let out a cry as he fell backward through the air, landing on the floor with a heavy thud, before going still.
There was a residual silence throughout the balcony, before the cheering erupted again from both sides, clapping and cheering and screaming. A smile began creeping across Loki's face, and he couldn't completely hide the joy and elation rising within him.
Thor's deep laughter stirred something in Loki he could not place, and he opened his mouth to say something when Farbauti stood once more, raising an arm and roaring loudly, a smile gracing her features. The whole balcony quieted, and Thor turned to face the Queen of Jotunheim with triumphant look, gazing up into her large red eyes, smiling at her. Loki could not help but admit how alike he and she were.
She smiled back.
"The fight has been settled!" She bellowed, allowing her excitement show vibrantly, "We have a victor, and new champion!" Farbauti descended the golden stairs regally, walking over to Thor, grabbing his arm and raising it, almost lifting Thor off of the ground. "Thor Odinson!"
Thor's name bounced off the walls, and the crowds screamed, Thor beaming like the afternoon sun. Loki felt a twinge of jealousy in his gut at the name of his brother coming from Farbauti's mouth, but Loki laughed at himself and rolled his eyes, pushing it away without a second thought. How silly that was; he had nothing to be jealous of.
Farbauti continued, "Because Thor Odinson, has proved his skill, strength, and worth in battle, I give my consent to this joining as the mother of Loki Laufeyson with head held high and arms open wide to accept this new family."
Farbauti gazed down at Thor with a sly look, and for a moment Thor thought she might hug him, but she simply let go of his arm, and headed back toward her throne with grace as she sat.
Thor gave the crowds a few more arm pumps before he returned to his place at the altar.
Odin gazed at him, then at Farbauti, before he stood once again. "Now that we have the consent of both parties, we shall continue with this joining."
Odin stepped down in front of them both, straightening and beginning his speech. "Now that we have the consent of both families, this joining shall commence. Bring forth the sacred rings."
A servant walked quickly forward, handing a ring to Thor who eagerly accepted, and handing one to Loki, who reached out reluctantly to take the ring in his hands gingerly. The servant quickly stepped away, vanishing within the crowd.
Odin spoke once more, "Do either of you have personal vows you would like to exchange?" Loki's heart jumped to his throat, and he was sure that he might faint, and then Thor spoke.
"I do, Allfather."
"Share then my son, please."
Loki's heart thudded in his chest as he waited for what his brother had to say. Loki knew that his brother's words would cut into him deeply.
"Brother," Thor began, grasping the back of Loki's helmet and holding tightly, "I vow to never lose you, and if I shall, I vow to always come looking for you."
Before Thor could speak again, Loki interrupted, thinking he would eventually regret these vows, "And I vow to never leave your side, and if I shall, I vow to always let you find me."
Thor spoke again, "I vow to always be loyal to you, to stand by your side whether I be raising a cup in you honor or raising Mjolnir in your defense."
It was Loki's turn then and he replied, "I vow to always be there for you, loyal or not, whether I be in light or in shadow, whether you see me or not. I shall always be watching over you."
Thor smiled at him, and the look on hi face stirred emotions within Loki that he disliked, but Thor continued anyway. "I vow to always love you, no matter what you do or where you go."
Loki spoke quietly and hesitantly this time, "And I vow the same."
Thor spoke one last time, "I vow to always forgive you, no matter what mistakes you make or tricks you play."
Loki smiled this time, repressing a giggle, "And I vow to always have a trick for you hidden in my sleeve."
The two stood silently, and Odin continued once more. "Now Thor Odinson, I ask you," He motioned to Thor with an outstretched hand, a rare look of love and adoration plain on his old face, "Do you take Loki, son of Laufey, to be your partner, in life and death, sickness and health, battle and peace?"
Thor smile jubilantly, "I do." He took the golden ring he held in his hand, crafted expertly by the dwarves, a carving of Mjolnir crafted perfectly into the band, and slid it gently onto Loki's pale finger. The metal felt like a brand to Loki as he tried to keep his hand from shaking. Loki gulped, bracing himself for what was coming next; although he could not deny the swelling feeling of love and adoration he felt for Thor. He had tried to hide it for so long.
"And do you, Loki Laufeyson, take Thor Odinson," He motioned to Loki as he had done to Thor, arm outstretched, "To be your partner, in life and death, sickness and health, battle and peace?" There was a long stretch of silence, and Thor feared Loki would back out, but then Loki spoke, his voice as melodic as it always had been.
"I do." Loki took the identical ring that he held in his own hand, and gave it to Thor, sliding it onto Thor's large had a little clumsily, a blush sliding subtly over his cheeks. Odin went to speak again, but Farbauti did so instead.
"Then you two may kiss now." She gave them a wave of her hand, and Odin shot her an irritated glance, but before Loki could do anything else, Thor grabbed his face with both of his hands, and kissed him passionately as the crowd cheered. But this time Loki did respond, giving Thor and the crowd what they wished too see… also what he wanted. He grabbed Thor's helmet, kissing him back with the same amount of strength, before pulling away from Thor, and turning to look at the cheering crowds.
"Alright everyone! Who's ready to feast?!"