And here is chapter 7. This might be a bit dry, but oh well. I did have fun with the last chapter and Loki spotting Keira. hehe, I'm super sneaky
DISCLAIMER: Even tho I was Loki for halloween, it doesn't mean I own any of these great characters.
Anyways enjoy lovelies

Chapter 7

"My dear shall we reset and take lunch here?" Frigga motioned towards a patch of flowers in the near distance.

"That sounds great. I'm starving! What did you bring for lunch?"

"Bread, cheese, and some meat, I know it's a bit of a common meal but it is easy to pack" Frigga answered as they dismounted their steeds, and Frigga laid a blanket on the meadow's grass so that their backsides would be protected from any dew leftover from the morning. The meadow they were in was lush and green. It looked like the Great Plains of America, but in the places that plants and trees grew the greenery looked a bit strange and unfamiliar. Although it was still lovely and comforting to be out in nature, it helped soothed Keira's nervous thoughts about what was to happen in three days. She was glad Lady Frigga was going to answer her questions and tell her about the ceremony even though the Queen could be a bit intimidating with her perfection and title.

"I was thinking I could go over all the preparations and the ceremony while we eat and then afterwards if you had any questions I would answer them" Keira nodded as Frigga explained her idea and passed out the food.

"On the morrow we will have you fitted for your wedding gown, and also have a new wardrobe designed for you. That will consume most of the day. Thursday is when the real preparations will begin. It is custom for the bride to be separate from the groom a day beforehand. Since you have not met my son yet this will be a step that is unnoticeable. You will spend the day in our bath-house accompanied by Hilda, myself and someone else of your choosing; one of your close friends from Midgard can be transported here, just say the word and we will fetch her. In the bath-house you will be cleansed from any impurities, and receive advice from us about marriage and dealing with Loki. On the day of the wedding you will be ready and taken to the hall. You will receive a sword that you will give to Loki. You will exchange swords with each other's rings on the tips of the swords. Your sword is a gift to him, and his is a sword that has been passed down through the family and that you will impart to your children. The final part of the ceremony is unique to our traditions. You will each be given armband tattoos that signify the unbreakable bond between the two of you"

"A tattoo? Do you give tattoos the same way we do on Earth?" Keira questioned.

"No I imagine not. Odin will use his scepter to impart the symbols on your right bicep. I daresay you should equate yourself with the idea now" Frigga answered.

"Okay just checking" She was secretly happy about receiving a tattoo 'I've always wanted a tattoo. At least I'll get something good out of this.' She thought a bit cynically. Frigga continued her list of events,

"After the ceremony you and all the other wedding guests will race to the Banquet Hall. It is an age old tradition, called the bride-running; the last group that arrives must serve the mead to everyone" Frigga chuckled at the thought of all the past bride-runnings she had raced in. They were quite thrilling and adrenalin filled. "When you arrive at the Banquet Hall, Loki will block your entrance with the sword you gave him at the ceremony. He will then proceed to carry you over the threshold to ensure that you do not trip over the threshold. It is seen as a bad omen if you trip on your way in. You will then partake in the bridal-ale. You will serve Loki mead, he will drink it, pass it to you, and then you will drink. Then you will be seated together and to ensure that the marriage is fertile, Thor's hammer will be placed in your lap and a blessing will be recited by the groom." At the mention of the marriage being fertile, Keira blushed profusely. She knew that being married entitled things, children and sex being one of them, but until now she had been so caught up in the absurdity of the whole thing that those certain subjects hadn't crossed her mind. Frigga noticed the young woman's blush and smiled at the somewhat naivety of her future daughter.

"After that feasting will begin and last late into the night. I noticed your blush just now and that brings us to the topic of consummating the marriage. It is generally tradition for the immediate wedding party to accompany the bride and groom the to their sleeping chambers to ensure that the marriage is sealed in the physical sense. But because of your situation we believe that you should not have to enact this ritual if you will, until both you and Loki are ready and feel comfortable with each other. That being the case, the morning after a marriage the bride receives the morning gift from her husband. You will receive it in due time. You will however be expected to sleep in the same bed as Loki. Your room will have two "wings" if you will, so you will have your own space. I believe that is all there is to know. I'm sorry if I have bored you with any of it, but it is imperative that you know what is going on. After all it is your wedding day. Do you have any questions?" Frigga hoped she had not overwhelmed Keira with all the aspects and details of the ceremony that was to take place, but it was important that she knew the traditions. Keira chewed her bread thoughtfully and tried to think of any questions she might have,

'Uhhhmmmm I don't think I have any questions...but I should think of one for good measure. Ahh the pressure. This isn't high school Keira, you don't have to have a question.'

"I don't think so. You did a good job explaining everything. Thank you for letting me decide when I…become intimate with Loki. I will admit it would be upsetting to have to be that close with someone I've never even met before. Oh! I do have a question! Could you bring my friend Emma to the palace to be with me? She's my best friend and you mentioned something about having a close friend accompany me in the bath-house.."

"Of course Keira, we will have Thor go and fetch her, as well as explain everything." Frigga smiled at the look on Keira's face when she was told that she would be able to see her friend. 'I suppose she is lonely and overwhelmed, not knowing anyone, and being in a terrifying situation' Frigga's heart went out to the girl, and she suddenly had a strong urge to hug her and soothe her fears. Instead she settled for taking Keira's hand and assuring her that the whole thing would be lovely and that she hadn't worry about a thing. 'After all, I always wanted a daughter' Frigga reflected.

So now you know a bit about viking marriage traditions! (I Kinda modified it a bit, so sue me, but it is my story...) I used this website to help me out:

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The next chapter should be up late in the evening tomorrow! Again thanks for reading 3