Chapter 20
Thor looked up, "Well yes. Of course!" He said confused as to why they wouldn't be able to. "You said that they would be in danger from the people." Kat said. "Not if the people do not know they are there." Thor said. "How are you going to keep them safe Thor?" Kat asked. "Mother had a few enchanted cloaks. She would use them to look over the kingdom from time to time." Thor said. "Will it keep them safe? I don't want that sweet little angel to grow up without a mommy and a daddy." Kat said. "I kept mother unnoticed for years that is how mother kept an eye on me and my younger siblings." Thor said. Kat chucked and shook her head, "What do you mean Thor?" She asked. "I mean she would look like a maid or something and then watch us." Thor said. "So Kelda would look like a maid and what would Loki look like?" Kat asked. "He would look like a servant." Thor said. Kat nodded. "Where should they stand? We can say Kelda was one of her handmaidens?" She said. Kat thought for a moment, "But that leaves out Loki he won't be able to stand with the family. I thought of something Kelda will be safe to go as herself." She said. "What do you mean Kat?" Thor asked. "Loki, can be your helper. Hold your helmet. It would make more sense for a woman to help Kelda otherwise people will notice." Kat said.
"Kat. He won't like that." Thor said. "What other choice do we have Thor?" Kat asked. "I know. I know Kat. But you don't know my brother. He has spent a life time to get out of my shadow and now you want to put him back in my shadow. I can't do that to him. I can't." Thor said. "We can't have him killed! Either he gets over his pride and put on a good show of a servant or he will raise suspension." She said sternly. "I think we should talk to him and Kelda maybe they will have some ideas too." Thor said. "Fine. But it needs to happen soon." Kat said. Thor nodded, "I agree. It does we only have a small amount of time before everything needs to be ironed out." He said.
Thor and Kat left his study they made their way to Loki and Kelda's new room. He knocked on the door, "Come in." Loki said sleepily. Thor opened the door and he and Kat walked in, "Brother, Kat and I need to speak with you about something really important." Thor said. Loki put a finger to his lips, "Shh Thor, please keep your voice down Kelda and Haiden are still asleep." He said quietly. "Oh sorry Loki." Thor said in a low voice. "It's okay brother, so what do you and Kat want to talk about?" Loki asked confused. Thor sighed and took a deep breath, "Brother, we have a plan for the two of you to attend the funeral…but. You might not like it." He said. "What is the plan and why won't I like it. Thor tell me the truth and don't lie to me." Loki said. The older of the brothers sighed, "Because brother….it involves trickery yes…. but to look like a servant." Thor said.
"WHAT!? You want me to be a servant. No way I won't do it. And what about Kelda?" Loki asked. "Loki… volume! Like I said trickery. Borrowing one of mother's cloaks to hide you. The people know of Kelda's return and believe that you are in prison. The best move is to make it seem like you are my assistant. Not servant or slave but…hand me my helmet. Hold the lantern that kind of thing." Thor said. "For the last time Thor. I WON'T DO IT! My answer is NO! Now get out NOW!" Loki shouted. "Fine. Then you will stay here!" Thor shouted and he stormed out the room. Then Kelda woke up, "What's going?" She asked sleepily. Loki shrugged it off and went to sit down next to the fire place. Kelda got up and she went over to Loki and she sat down next to him. Kat walked to check on her nephew. Loki frowned ignoring her stewing in his thoughts. "Loki please love, please talk to me." Kelda begged. "It is nothing and it's not happening." Loki said.
"Loki, what's not happening?" Kelda asked. Loki shook his head, "Ask Thor." He spat. Tears started streaming on her cheeks, "Loki don't snap at her." Kat snapped. Loki stood abruptly, "I." He growled stabbing a finger at his chest, "Will. NEVER be a servant. I don't care if it's just in looks or in life." He said. "Loki, what's wrong?" Kelda asked. "No. Ask her." He muttered and pointed to Kat. "Loki. Thor wants you there and I know your mother would want you there too." Kat said. "I will NOT be lowered again." Loki said. "What are you two talking about?" Kelda asked confused. Kat sighed, "We had an idea." She said. "Okay what is the idea? And is that why Loki is so upset?" Kelda asked. Kat quickly explained the whole idea. After she was done she waited for Kelda's reply.
Kelda glared at Loki and he didn't understand why she was glaring at him like that. Loki threw his hands up and then he stormed out of their room. "Loki, come back here. Don't you dare walk away from me!" Kelda snapped as she called after him. "I will not be humiliated in front of everyone." Loki said. "No one will know it's you!" Kat said for you too had followed her friends. Loki frowned at her, "Do you really want Kelda to go through the funeral without you Loki?" Kat asked. "N…. No." Loki stammered. "Then this is the best way for you to be safe." Kat said. "I will do it for Kelda and only for her." Loki stated. "I will tell Thor that you decided to go along with his plan." Kat said. Loki rolled his green eyes, "I don't care, but I am not going along with Thor's plan. I will come up with my own plan." He said. "Oh? How." Kat demanded. "I will think of something." Loki said. "Like what!" She huffed. To stand with Kelda would be risky. As a princess she would have handmaidens. Not a man. That would only cause further chattering among the court."
"I-I would find a way to be with my love and my son on this awful day." Loki stammered. "Loki. They would not be standing far away from you. I would stand with them…surely you would not make yourself look as a woman. That where you might be able to it might raise suspecting voice. "Kat, I wouldn't feel right not being next to them." Loki said. "Then I don't know what to say to you Loki. We've almost run out of ideas." Kat said. "Maybe I should just stay away and take care of my son." Loki said. "No. The three of you will be there." Kat said. "How Kat. How?" Loki asked. "I don't know. Loki. If you won't accept our plan, then we can't help you." Kat said. "Kat, how can I be Thor's slave?" Loki asked. Before Kat could answer he notice that Kelda was missing. "Where is she?" He asked. Kat sighed, "Loki…it's only for an hour or so and then it's over. It isn't for real it's just acting." She said. "Okay I will do it. But where is Kelda?" Loki asked. Kat sighed, "I don't know. You look that way and I'll look this way." She said. Loki ran back to his and Kelda's room and he prayed to the Norns that she was there. Kat walked the sitting room in the bathroom. But Kelda wasn't there and Loki ran into the sitting room in the bathroom. "KEELLLDAA!" He called out. Kelda heard Loki's worried voice…so different than before. He sounded hurt and so very worried. "Loki love…I'm here." She said walking into the sitting room in the bathroom. Loki turned then pulled her to his chest in a hug. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Kelda reached up and put her hand on the side of his face, "Loki, love why are you crying?" She said. "I-I thought I lost you Kelda." Loki said through his tears. Kelda held him tight, "Loki love look at me." She said. He looked down holding her hand to his face. "Loki darling talk to me." Kelda said.
"I was worried that you left me." Loki said. "Loki why? Why would you think that?" Kelda asked. "Because you left and I yelled at you I am so sorry." Loki said. "Loki I would never leave you. I love you. And you were stressed." Kelda said. He sighed pulled back a little to look into her face, "I am so sorry." Loki said. "Loki, it's okay. Please don't cry." Kelda said. "I won't I was just so very worried for you." Loki said. "Loki, I had to check on our son." Kelda said and she kissed his lips. Loki relaxed a little, "How is Haiden? How is my son?" Loki asked. "He is fine. He was a little hungry but nothing bad." Kelda said. "Kelda…you are a radiant mother." He murmured. "You are an amazing father Loki." Kelda said. Loki smiled down at her, "Loki, what are we going to do about getting you to mother's funeral?" Kelda asked. Loki sighed. He had no idea besides going along with Thor's plan, but he hoped that Kelda had an idea. "Do you have any better ideas?" He asked. "I don't know I am so very sorry Loki." Kelda said as tears streamed down her face. Loki tutted and wiped her cheeks, "None of that love. I was only a question. He said. "Loki, you shouldn't have to hide. You have every right to be there as yourself. I will protect you my love." Kelda said.
"Kelda, that would be most unwise…I will not have you risking your life for mine." Loki said. "Loki, you took my punishment let me repay you my love." Kelda begged. No. No repayment. Any man would have done that for the woman he loves…." Loki said. "No. Loki. Not just any man would you are special my love." Kelda said. Loki smiled and kissed her cheek. Kat made a face, "I'm leaving you two love birds to your…thing." She said waving a hand then left. Loki tucked his hand under her chin tilting her face to his, "Ohh we shall be left to our things." He said dropping a hint. And a kiss to his lovely young bride to be. "Loki what about mother's funeral?" Kelda asked. Loki sighed, "Can we go over that at a later time?" He asked. Kelda nodded and he gave a soft smile, "Come we have many things to speak of." Loki said. "What do you want to speak about Loki?" Kelda asked. "Kelda, I don't know. Just talk." Loki asked. Kelda giggled, "Okay. What about?" She hummed and chewed on her bottom lip a little, "What about Haiden. He has started crawling faster than I can keep up with him." She said. Loki shook his head, "He should walk soon. My son is a very smart child." He said happily. "I am not ready for my baby to grow up so fast." Kelda said. Loki shook his head, "We all did at one point. Some of faster than others." He said softly. Loki moved to kiss her temple. "I don't want to lose my baby." Kelda said sadly.
"You won't. We have him for many centuries before he grown up. And he is only our first." He said. "I know Loki, but what if Thor wants him to become a warrior?" Kelda asked. "Then we will cross that bridge when we get to it." Loki said. "You're his father it should be up to you not Thor." She said. "But if Haiden wants to join then we will have that talk then." He said. Kelda started crying Loki was a little surprise at her reaction. "Love what is the matter?" He asked. Kelda sniffed, "Loki, I don't want something to happen to my baby boy." Kelda said. "He is still a baby Kelda." Loki said. "I know but…what if…oh your right." She said. "Now let us go see our son. I am sure he is missing us." Loki said. Kelda titled her head up and gave him a kiss, "I am sure of that." She said. Loki smiled and took her hand leading her to the nursery.
