Chapter Six: The Conclusion! The Beginning To A Beginning!
Alarms went off all around Asgard as the guards were summoned to the palace. Thor rose from his bed, Mjolnir in hand. He joined his brothers in the halls, after making sure Jane and Tola were safe and secure. They were under attack by an unknown assailant, wielding a weapon with unstoppable force. Reports said that it was stolen from the vaults, but none were sure which it weapon was. Thor wanted to attack head on, but he had to be smart and think like a king and not the hot headed prince he once was. If he could figure out what kind of weapon it was, then he could figure out how to disarm it. He ordered his men to the vault for inventor, in the meantime Thor would try to hold the attacker off.
Loki dodged the pieces of large falling stone and rock, landing roughly on the ground. The palace was under attack, he could hear the alarms in the distance. The attacker jumped and rolled onto his feet, paying Loki little mind. He jetted off away from the chaos, feeling confident, but a little too confident. He ran but was tripped by a patch of ice. He fell backwards in confusion, realizing the ice had come from the man he left behind. He cursed and rolled over ready to attack, but Loki was quicker. The attacker jumped out of the way just in enough time to dodge a dagger of ice that nearly grazed his arm.
"The next time I won't miss." Loki growled, as his arms frosted with ice.
The man growled and pulled the amethyst stone from his jacket. Loki saw this and attacked with a series of ice spikes.
"You are a fool!" The man shouted, dodging the attacks with ease. "You cannot defeat me!"
Loki turned and fired ice in the direction he was running. "Oh!"
The man stumbled to the ground, rolling in the dust and dirt. He did not have time for this. He readied the stone for another attack, he needed to escape, if he got close enough he could finish this threat once and for all. Loki geared up for another attack, but did not expect the man to lunge towards him. The attacker, with his super speed, dodged the attacks and got close enough to deliver a more powerful blow. Loki stumbled backwards, but not before getting a better look at the stone. He recognized it, it was an Aldrnari stone. Loki threw his arms upwards to redirect the attack, but the force from the blow blasted him away. Loki hollered in pain as the dust cleared.
The man smirked as he walked through the smoke. "Maybe I'll finish you off, just for fun." He walked closer to Loki, who had his back turned to him.
He would not die this day, Loki chanted to himself, drawing power from deep within. He formed his ice spike into a razor sharp disk.
"Would you like to know the name of your killer?" The man laughed arrogantly. "I'd give you the honor, on second thought, maybe I won't!" He cackled as he unsheathed his sword.
As the man walked closer, Loki bent down and curled himself into a small ball. The man smirked, ready to deliver the final attack. As soon as he was in range Loki flung the ice disk over his shoulders as fast as he could.
Expecting a dagger he dodged, but he underestimated the width of the attack. The disk sliced right through his left leg at the knee, cutting it into two.
"GAH! You bastard!" The man fell to the floor, causing the stone to roll from his jacket. He cursed, not realizing it, until he saw that Loki saw it. He stumble towards, but a pick of ice cracked it in two. "NO!" He shouted in aguish.
"Aldrnari stones." Loki huffed. "Very powerful, but very fragile."
"How-how did you know!?" The man stuttered in shock.
"I am Loki, the master of magic and sorcery." Loki grinned. "I have knowledge of every magical stone in Asgard. Especially the ones in our vaults, Alvar." Loki grinned
"How did you know my name?" He looked up in shock.
"Not hard to figure out, with that great big mouth of yours." Loki tried to grin, but the pain in his stomach was starting to worsen. It was familiar, then suddenly Loki realized that he had fallen into labor. He groaned in pain, as the man tried to make his escape.
"Not so fast!" Saksi withdrew his sword, stopping the man in his tracks.
Alvar looked up and put his hands in the air, as he gave up willingly. Saksi looked over at Loki, who was noticeable in pain. He clinched his fist tightly, if only he had woken up sooner. Alvar tried to slug away again, but Saksi knocked him out with the hilt of his sword. He did not have time to worry about him.
"You will not be going anywhere." He growled, before running to Loki's side. "Loki! I'll get the healers at once!"
"No!" Loki grabbed Saksi's arm. "You can't." Loki spoke between breaths.
"Loki, but I." Saksi knelt down beside him, he had no clue what to do.
"No." Loki whimpered. "You have, to, stay." He grabbed a hold of Saksi's arms with unbelievable force. He was in labor, it was clear to Saksi now.
Saksi panicked, he did not know what to do. He hovered over Loki, cold as ice, frozen in place as he watched Loki labor through his contractions.
"Stay." Loki said with his eyes shut tight, the hormones in his body were coursing through his veins, relieving him of the pain. "Stay."
"Yes."
Loki loosened his gripped and allowed Saksi to aid him. Loki carefully loosened his trousers and sled them away to make way for the baby. He shut his eyes tight, as he guided Saksi the rest of the way by spreading his legs and moving Saksi's hands to his belly. Loki was binding, it was as blissful as it was the first time. When the child was in the birthing canal he pushed, encouraging Saksi to hold his legs. Loki pushed once more as hard as he could and a very large head began to crown. With a whimper and a moan, a new little baby was born. Loki and Saksi smiled happily as Saksi lifted the silent crying baby and handed him the Loki. He was beautiful.
"Hello, Eugene, my child." Loki said in exhaustion.
Thor and the rest of the guards arrived sometime later to apprehend the thief. It was a miracle that Loki was okay, everyone was very worried about him and his child, but they pulled through, thanks to Saksi and peace was once again restored to Asgard's palace.
Back at the nursery however, was a whole different story. Silent cries kept Loki running around his rooms, his baby would not rest and when he wasn't crying he was eating. The child, just like his brother, was incredibility large, weighing in at around elven pounds three ounces and growing fast. He was restless and cranky all the time. Saksi had the hardest time calming him, he was no natural like Loki.
"Awwww, here here." Loki rushed to his child's side. "There there, are we hungry? Yes?" Loki happily undid his rob and offered his teat.
"Oh!" Saksi blushed and turned away.
"Oh stop, you don't need to be a child about it."
"I'm sorry, I just feel like I'm invading your privacy." Saksi turned a deep red.
Loki laughed. "Ahh." Eugene ate too fast and began to fuss. "Aww, there there, you need to spit it up?" Loki burped his child, who retched on the nursing cloth. "It's okay, it's okay."
Magnus walked in, excited to see his new brother. He didn't mind all the attention he was getting, which was the primary thing Loki worried about, but even at a young age Magnus understood his responsibility. He was a big brother now, a protector and teacher. He was proud and eager to lead his brother down the path of righteousness.
"Papa! Is Eugene okay?" Magnus sighed with worry.
Loki smiled softly. "Yes Magnus. Sometimes, babies eat too fast and retch a little. It's nothing to worry about." His gentle eyes calmed Magnus.
Magnus smiled and ran off to the nursery to get another blanket for his father.
Saksi turned around to see if Loki and Eugene were okay but immediately regretted it, when he saw Loki's exposed breast. "Loki!"
Loki laughed as he tucked his breast away. "See, you've already seen it, nothing to be shy about."
Saksi groaned in embarrassment.
Loki stepped forward. "Now now, if you're going to make a fuss about it am I going to have to offer you milk too?" He teased, turning Saksi a bright red.
Eugene was a clingy baby, but like everything in Loki's life, he had a solution for that too. He found the softest cotton he could find and sewed it into a beautiful baby wrap. He embroidered it in gold to compliment the emerald green of the fabric. It matched Eugene's beautiful deep green eyes, ones that mirrored his own. Baby Eugene loved his baby wrap, he was less fussy and slept peacefully on Loki's back as he tended the chores.
"Loki, you shouldn't be doing all this work." Saksi fussed. "Here, let me take over."
Loki rolled his eyes and turned away from Saksi. "You worry too much, I'll be fine. Don't you have some obligation to attend to?"
"The only obligation I have, is to you." Saksi stepped in front of Loki. His tender eyes, melted Loki's heart.
"Oh please." Loki turned from him. "I can handle it."
Saksi smiled. "Fine. I'll just go give Magnus his evening lessons." Saksi pretended to turn away.
Loki froze, the idea of an undereducated palace guard teaching his child gave him chills. "Wait!" Loki stopped him and handed over the broom. "I'll take care of Magnus's lessons, you clean." And quickly walked away.
Saksi smiled as he watched Loki walk away. Loki was a tricky one to figure out. Way too stubborn for his own good, but Saksi had his own tricks too. He was starting to figure him out little by little. He turned and began to clean Loki's rooms like he had seen Loki do a hundred times. Loki had no quorums turning his rooms into nurseries for his children. As a prince he was given the best accommodations, plenty of rooms to suit his needs. At first Saksi thought Loki would be more selfish with his space, allocating a little room to his children, but he watched Loki toss his precious valuables to waist side to make room for his children. He turned his biggest rooms in the play rooms for his children, sparing no expense. He painted the walls, retouched the furniture, and decorated each room with care to match the budding personalities of his children. Saksi marveled at Loki's attention to detail. It was amazing that Loki had so much creativity in him, it was like polishing a clouded crystal, it took a little work and understanding to see the potential Loki really had. At times Saksi wondered how anyone missed it.
He stopped and stared at the mural Loki painted in Magnus's room. It was a grand picture of the family, crude but artsy. The whole family was depicted there with Odin and Freya shining bright at the top and Loki and Thor standing side by side. The contrast of dark and light was not hard to miss, in the aura of Loki's jet black hair and green eyes. Yes, it was easy to miss the unique beauty Loki had to offer when standing next to the sun. Saksi smiled, he thought Loki looked grand anyways and was grateful for his assignment, it was truly a pleasure to watch over him.
Saksi felt his heart, it was fluttering as his thoughts drifted to Loki. This was not the first time his heart started to beat like this around Loki, but quiet and reserved Saksi hadn't the heart to tell Loki how he felt. Loki was a prince, an outlawed prince, but royally to Asgard and Saksi was just a palace guard that came from an average family of bread makers. He had no wealth and hardly any qualities to offer Loki. He would not make a good lover for him. Saksi blushed again, turning bright red. Lover? Could he even think that? He was so nervous he didn't want Loki to sense that he felt that way about him.
"Saksi, get it together." He whispered to himself. It was pure foolishness to think like that, but somehow he couldn't get the prince out of his mind.
It was bath time, which was Magnus's favorite time of the day. The family walked down the spiraling stairs to the underground springs. Saksi lagged behind, toting all the towels, shampoos, and soaps, as he watched Loki try to keep up with a running naked child in front of him.
"Magnus! Don't run!" Loki shouted, but it was futile.
At the stony edge of the pool Magnus squatted down and jumped right in. Loki sighed but he was happy to see that he didn't have to fight him to get him to take his bath, like Freya did when he was a child. He smiled and undid his wrap to wash Eugene. The baby was like a chubby toddler, with both his father's being giants there was no surprise there. Loki lowered his robes and entered the pool with his infant son in hand. He didn't venture far but he wanted to remain in the line of sight to watch over Magnus as well.
"Saksi, could you hand me a bar of soap?" Loki sat down on a stone stair, half submerged in the warm water.
"Of course!" Saksi said a little too loud. "Here you go, one soap." He cracked the weirdest smile Loki had ever seen.
"Saksi? Are you feeling alright?" Loki looked at him.
"Yes of course! Why would you suspect any different?" He laughed nervously.
Loki stared at him suspiciously, but let the matter go for now. "Oops." Eugene pooped in the pool. "Oh you silly baby you." Loki cuddled his child, before scooping the poop out of the water.
Saksi was quick to take it from him. Loki was not squeamish about anything, he was unfazed touching raw poop with his bare hands. It was hard to image a prince doing things like this, but that was one of the many things Saksi liked about Loki. When Loki and the children were done and dressed Saksi went downstairs for his bath. He bathed privately so he could help Loki and the children get theirs done first. It didn't take him long and soon he was making his way back upstairs. He tossed his dirty clothes in his room, which Loki had given to him, and made his rounds. All was safe. He smiled in content as he made his way down the hall to Magnus's room. By candle light, Loki was sitting on the bed reading Magnua a bedtime story. It was mesmerizing watching Loki read in shadows of the fluttering light. Covered in an orange glow, Saksi watched the words fall from Loki's lips as he read each page. He watched those dark green eyes shift as he looked from the page to his son. It made his heart race. When Loki finished he kissed his son goodnight and sled out of bed.
"That was beautiful Loki." Saksi caught him in the hall, staring at him with his big brown eyes.
Loki blushed, but turned away before Saksi could see. "Well, um, I think I'll retire now."
"Y-yes." Saksi followed Loki to his room. Eugene was too fussy to sleep alone, not that Loki would part with his infant son. He slept with him every night. "Ah, Loki." Loki stopped at his door, back facing Saksi. "You need anything? A snack? A glass of water perhaps?"
Loki turned. "No, I'm fine thank you."
His gentle smile melted Saksi away. He nodded and excused himself, he would never forget how beautiful Loki looked holding his child that night.
Loki woke with a start the next morning. He was a little embarrassed to admit even to himself about the lustful dreams he had the night before, but how could he help himself with the way Saksi looked at him. Loki was not dense, like his brother, he caught those little glances Saksi would steal at him. He noticed the way he looked at him, he was familiar with those longing eyes. Loki was conflicted. He wanted to wait, he wanted to be with Tiverus, the father of his children, but Saksi was here. On the good days, on the bad days, Saksi was there. He was always there when Loki needed him and never once did he judge or complain. He accepted his role and over time Loki could tell he was starting to like it, but now Loki was torn. Should he wait for Tiverus, the man whom he shared so much chemistry with or should he yield to his feelings for Saksi, the man who was always there when he needed him?
It was a break day for Magnus. Twice a week Magnus was given a reprieve from his lessons and he made sure to make the best of it. He spent his time exploring the palace, checking out every room and chamber. He wasn't allowed to go outside the palace walls without his father, but there was so much to see. Today's adventures included visiting the stables. He loved to sneak Tunglskin, Loki's stead, a treat whenever he could. Magnus raced from the kitchen to the gardens to take a short cut to the stables. He weaved in between the visiting people and hurried to the gates of the royal gardens. He headed to the flowering bushes his grandmother tended to, only stopping to watch the butterflies flutter away. He smiled and continued his journey until he reached the edge of the gardens, down the hidden path to the stables. In wasn't far now, but he noticed that there were a lot of people working down there. He walked up slowly to peek; they were doing some work on the stables.
"Wo there little one." A guard ran up to Magnus. "Are where are you heading little fella?" He guard smiled.
Magnus pointed to the stables, he was wary of the guards, but he remained respectful and answered all their questions.
"The stables?" The guard stood and put his hand to his chin. "Hmmm, well that's no good, you see child they are doing renovations at the stables today."
Magnus slumped in disappointment.
"But, there is a place you can play in the meantime, hey I'll even bring you a horse."
Magnus clapped in excitement.
The guard laughed and grinned. "Yes, follow me child, I'll show you to the place."
Magnus eagerly followed the guard to the old stables on the other side of the royal barns. He had played in these stables before. The guard opened the door and let Magnus in, it was empty, everything had been cleared out except for some old chest and scrap wood. There were holes in the ceiling, casting patchy circles of light of the hay covered floor. Magnus looked around in wonder; it looked much more different with all the tools and harnesses missing. He walked around, kicking up the dust and barn flies as he walked.
"You see? This is the perfect place for some one on one time with a horse." The guard twirled in a circle. Magnus nodded in agreement. "And hey, this place even has some secret spots too." He grinned as he opened a door leading down to a small cellar in the floor. Magnus ran over to it to check it out. "Nice isn't it?" Magnus nodded. "A perfect place for a pig like you to die." The guard kicked Magnus down the stairs and slapped the trap door.
Magnus hit the ground hard. The cellar was dark with only a very few stripes of light poking through. He looked around and started to panic. When he heard something large being dragged across the floor he ran up the stairs and tried to lift the door, but it was too heavy. There was something blocking it.
"You see child." The guard hissed. "There is no place on Asgard for monster's like you." The guard left and closed the door behind him.
"Gunnar!" One of his friends shouted from a few feet away.
"Finn! What-what, brings you so far about?"
"Don't act like you don't know." Finn laughed. "They're tearing down the old stables today."
Gunnar laughed. "Yes, of course." He grinned." I was just checking to make sure no one was snooping around."
"Should have known." Finn smiled. "Well are we all clear?"
"As the great blue Asgardian sky." Gunnar smiled.
"Excellent!" Finn smiled, walking away with his friend.
Magnus pushed and pushed against the cellar door, but it would not budge. He cried out, but he had no voice, no one could hear him. He pushed the cellar door once more, but only bounced back onto the floor. He was trapped and no one was there to help him. He wailed into the darkness.
Loki was changing Eugene's nappy, when he felt something churn in the pit of his stomach. He stopped what he was doing and looked around. Something was wrong, he could feel it. Saksi walked in at that very moment and Loki handed Eugene off to him. He didn't speak a word to Saksi, he only left. Saksi watched him leave. Sometimes Loki would get like this, so whatever it was he was sure Loki would handle it.
Loki left his rooms and wandered around the palace. He checked the kitchen and the gardens, but nothing subdued the feeling in his stomach. Something was up, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He wandered around the gardens a few times, before making his way to the stables. He use to get this feeling all the time when Magnus was a child, it was like he could sense when he was crying. Perhaps some of Loki's magic ability was manifesting in the child. Loki walked to the Royal stables and then out to the old barn. The feeling was intensifying. He followed his instincts as his heart began to beat faster. He made his way to the old stables, there were abandoned and headed for the doors.
"Wo, wo Loki!" Finn stopped him. "They are tearing these down today."
"Oh?" Loki looked at the door, but did not take his hand off the handle. "I was just going to take a peak."
"Sure, but let me let the others know first, they'll be around any minute with the wreckers." Finn smiled.
"Thank you." Loki smiled at Finn who nodded.
Magnus heard the scrapping sound of the door opening. Someone was upstairs walking around.
Loki opened the door and entered the barn. It was empty, excepted for a few old chest and scraps of wood.
Magnus ran up the stairs and banged on the door as loud as he could.
Loki turned and looked at the door, Finn entered the barn.
"See, nothing here." Finn looked around.
"Shhhhh." Loki looked around. "Do you hear that?"
Magnus stopped banging, when he thought he heard his father's voice.
"Hear what?" Finn stood as still as he could.
Loki squinted at the ceiling and then at the floors.
"I don't hear anything." Finn scanned the room.
"Hmmmm, perhaps, I was mistaken." Loki turned and looked around.
Magnus perked up, his father was just above him. He ran up the wooden stairs again and banged on the door with all the strength he could muster. He banged and banged and didn't let up.
"I hear it!" Finn shouted.
"Aye, me too." Loki looked down. "It's coming from the floor."
Finn walked towards the center of the room. "Well, there is a tiny cellar in here, we use to store hay in it for the winter. Some poor critter must have gotten stuck down there."
Loki nodded and walked towards the center with Finn to help move the chest out of the way.
"Man, this is heavy." Finn grunted, but with the two of them they were able to easily move it away.
The banging got louder and louder.
"Well let's have a look see." Finn opened the cellar door and little Magnus came flying out.
Loki was shocked to find his son in there and quickly scooped him up into his arms. Both hugged each other tight, as Magnus cried in his father's arms.
"Magnus, what were you doing down there?" Loki held his son, rubbing him on the back to calm him.
Finn was just as shocked as Loki to see the child fly out.
"Hmmm?" His father asked again.
Magnus was too upset to form the words with his hands and managed to get out only a few words. "He trapped me."
Loki read that loud and clear, Finn swore he saw a demon in Loki's eyes.
"Is-is something the matter." Finn asked nervously.
"Do you know who it was Magnus?" Loki glanced at Finn, who shied away, in blind rage.
Magnus nodded.
"Who was it? Show him to me?" The tone in Loki's voice was deadly.
Loki let Magnus down and followed him. Finn breathed a sigh of relief, he wasn't sure what was going on, but he knew somebody was in trouble. Magnus was scared and afraid, but he wanted to be brave and led his father to the bad man. Loki smiled at his frighten son, reassuring him everything would be okay, but inside Loki was raging with anger. Magnus looked around in confusion, he could not find him at first, then he saw him talking to his uncle. Magnus pointed and in a flash Loki was behind him. Gunnar hardly had the time to move as Loki punched him square in the face. Thor and the rest of the people were taken completely off guard. Thor hadn't seen this level of rage in Loki in years. Gunnar hit the ground, stumbling to get up, but Loki was on him again, landing blow after blow. Thor chased after him to pull him away but Loki dodged and threw Thor to the ground. His raged engulfed him as he walked towards Gunnar and withdrew his sword. He was ready to slay him right then and there, when he caught a glimpse of the terror in his son's eyes. Was this how Loki wanted to teach Magnus how to deliver justice, did he want his child to be exposed to the harsh brutal deaths of reality, a child who had never seen death nor understood it? Loki clenched the blade until his knuckles turned white. He stood over Gunnar and thrusted the blade into the ground. All were quiet. Magnus looked on.
Loki reached down and snatched Gunnar up by the collar. "You, will be dealt with in the courts!" Loki said loud enough for all to hear.
Thor ran up to Loki, he didn't need to ask, he looked into Loki's eyes and that was enough. Thor grabbed the pleading guard. It was time for more reform in the ranks, Thor saw that now. Loki stood alone, with his son staring at him. He knew Magnus was watching Thor take Gunnar away. Even if Loki didn't believe in justice through the courts of Asgard, it was important to Loki that Magnus did. Change would never come if you worked outside the lines, change only occurred when you fixed the lines yourself. If there was injustice, you sought it out and destroyed it, but not in a blind rage. Loki took a long breath and turned and ran to his son. He was scared.
"Is uncle going to take the bad man away?" Magnus signed.
"Yes. He'll go right to jail, where all the bad men go." Loki kissed his son on the forehead.
Saksi was always late finding out, but that didn't stop him from being anymore angered. Where was he when Magnus was in trouble, where was he when Loki needed him? Why was he always the last to find out about these things? It filled him with anger knowing Magnus, a boy he would consider his son, in so much danger. Saksi walked over to Eugene and sighed.
"I'm useless." He whispered to the sleeping baby.
"Saksi." Loki whispered.
"Loki?" Saksi turned around, his face hot with anger.
Loki came to him. "Saksi, you mustn't blame yourself. You can't be there all the time."
"But it is my job. It is my job to protect you and the children." He started to tear up.
"And you do I marvelous job." Loki said softly as he reached out and wiped Saksi's watering eyes.
"It's just, if anything were to happen to them." He looked down.
Loki smiled. "I know." Loki moved in and kissed Saksi gently on the lips. Saksi froze but melted into the kiss, his soft lips cooling the anger in his heart. He wrapped his arms around Loki and showed him how he felt, deepening the kiss. The two stayed like this until all the air left from their lungs. The kiss broke and the two held each other in each other's arms. Neither was sure where this would led them, but they both knew they were happy together.
The news of Thor's wedding proposal rocked the kingdom. He was worried when he proposed that Jane was not ready, as the implications almost guaranteed her to be Asgard's queen, but she was over joyed. She was ready to take the next step with Thor and honored to be his wife.
No time would be wasted, as Freya was always ready for a celebration, the happy couple would be web in a week's time, kicking planning and decorating into high gear. Loki was the first person Thor told and of course Loki was happy for him, however he wasn't expecting Thor to ask him to be his witness. Being the witness of the husband or wife to be was the highest honor you could receive. Loki thought for sure Thor would ask one of his closer friends, but Loki was happy to accept this honor and be a part of Thor and Jane's wedding celebration.
"Saksi!" Loki shouted from his rooms.
"Loki?" Saksi ran into the bedroom. Loki stood by his bed with empty bags in his hands and Eugene on his back.
"I'm heading into town, I need fabric."
"Fabric? But we have so much here." Saksi was confused.
"I don't want to use the fabric here." Loki sassed and walked past him.
"Then perhaps I should go with you." Saksi asked.
"No, you stay here with Magnus. I need someone to look after him." Loki headed to the door.
"Okay." Saksi sighed in defeat.
Loki turned and smiled at him. "I won't be long."
"Then a kiss for save travels?" Saksi grinned as he blushed. He was awful at teasing.
Loki blushed, as Saksi hurried to his side and stole a kiss. "Return to me safe."
"I will." Loki stared into those longing eyes, he knew he would be missed. It was a feeling Loki could never get over. Loki smiled and left, leaving Saksi standing at the door.
Queen Freya spared no expense for her son's wedding. She had the whole ceremony planned out, which Jane did not mind at all. Jane was excited to be a part of such magnificent celebrations, but more importantly she wanted someone else to do all the work. Weddings and parties weren't her thing, she'd rather spend her time buried in a book or with her son Tola who was two now. Thor on the other hand was beaming with excitement. His face glowed everytime he walked through the doors, he bellowed an laughed louder than he ever did before, even causing a storm or two. He could barely contain his excitement.
"Brother!" Thor shouted when he entered Loki's rooms. "Brother! Where are you brother!"
"In my bedroom Thor!" Loki shouted.
"Ah! There you are!" Thor beamed. Loki was sitting on his bed doing some final alterations to Magnus's outfit for the wedding. "Loki, it looks wonderful!" Thor was amazed at Loki's handy work.
"You think so?" Loki looked at a few spots that needed touching up.
"Yes indeed!" Thor walked over to his nephew. "You look like a budding young man Magnus. Here, let me see that smile."
Magnus gave his uncle the biggest toothy grin he could muster.
"Looks good on you!" Thor bellowed, making Loki roll his eyes.
"Thor hush, you'll wake the baby." Loki scolded him.
"Oh, sorry brother." Thor looked over Loki's shoulders and on the bed behind him in a nest of soft cotton was his youngest nephew, Eugene.
"I did come for a reason." Thor pointed his finger in the air.
"Hmm?" Loki focused on pinning a few spots on Magnus's outfit.
"Would it be alright if Magnus walked Tola down the aisle before us? I want my whole family to be in the wedding."
Loki looked up and smiled. "I don't see why not."
"Excellent!" Thor cried, waking Eugene this time.
"Thor!" Loki glared.
"Oh, sorry Loki."
Loki watched Thor kiss his bride from his position next to his brother. He smiled and watched Thor and Jane start a new chapter in their lives, one that he was actually happy to be a part of. The two turned and waved to the people of Asgard who responded in a roar of happiness. Flowers were thrown over the happy couple as they walked down the aisle and waved to their subjects.
The grand halls, where the feast would be taking place, were decorated in gold and red. Large drapes of red silk hung from the ceiling walls and every table was covered and decorated with the finest plates and utensils. Lit by floating lights, with red streamers hanging from them, the room was illuminated by light. A buffet style feast was prepared with six large wild boar, roasted bull, fish, and freshly prepared fruits and vegetables from around the kingdom. Musical talent was provided by the royal choir who happily sung and played for the newlyweds.
"Way to go Thor my friend!" Fandral toasted to his friend.
"Aye! Thank you Fandral!" Thor bellowed.
"I never thought I'd see the day!"
Thor and his friends laughed.
"Seriously." Sif chuckled.
"And you are next Lady Sif!" Thor bellowed.
Fandral laughed and teased. "No, she is married to her duty, a working woman hasn't the time."
Sif punched Fandral in the side.
"Ow!" Fandral pouted.
Sif smirked. "Perhaps if you actually trained, a little punch like that wouldn't hurt." She smirked.
Thor smiled and laughed and excused himself to converse around the room. He hadn't seen Loki in a while and wondered where he got off too. Thor searched the room and in no time at all he found his brother sitting in the back alone. Thor smiled, it was just like his brother to remove himself, but this was Thor's day and he wanted all his guest to enjoy themselves.
"Loki!" Thor shouted from across the room.
Loki smiled and stood.
"What are you doing all the way over here?" Thor pulled his brother in for a tight hug.
"N-nothing." Loki squirmed. "Thor! Thor, you're crushing me!"
"Oh!" Thor let go. "Sorry."
"It is okay." Loki inhaled and exhaled.
"Loki, why don't you join me for a drink?" Thor turned and pointed to the barrels of mead and wine.
"Oh no, I'm fine." Loki smiled. "I'm breastfeeding, remember."
"Ah! I forgot that!" Thor laughed. "Well join me for dance instead, I'm sure I can find you a young maiden to dance with."
Loki smiled, knowing he couldn't turn down all of Thor's request without completely disappointing him. "One dance."
"Wonderful!" Thor shouted and pulled Loki along.
One dance turned into two, and then three, as Loki started to get more and more into the mood. He danced with his mother. He danced with the bride. He even had a drink or two, he loosened up as the night went on. Loki and Thor shared a dance with their children, then the crowd settled and watched Thor and Jane preform the ritual dance between newlyweds. It was truly an amazing event, Loki was glad to be a part of it. As the night came to a close, Loki realized he had had a little too much to drink. He was giddy and gay and stumbled behind Saksi to his rooms.
"Loki, Loki come on." Saksi stopped and tried to catch Loki. He had already put the children to sleep, but he was having more trouble getting Loki to come round in his drunken state. "Loki." Saksi sighed.
The Norse god giggled and side walked into a wall. "EX-cuse me." Loki patted the wall.
"Loki." He rolled his eyes as he walked towards Loki to carry him to his rooms.
"Saksiiii." Loki held out his arms, he was ready for his free ride.
Saksi had no trouble at all carrying his lover to his rooms. He was light as a feather, compared to the things he use to lift back in training. Saksi may not be helpful in the kitchen or with house chores, but his physical strength and combat skills were formidable. He bumped open the door to Loki's bedroom with his butt and carried Loki to his bed.
"Alright Loki." Saksi smiled. He unbuttoned the formal wear, leaving Loki in his undergarments. "I'm heading back to my room now."
"What?" Loki looked drunkenly down at his protruding breast. "But you're not finished yet." The drunken god teased.
Saksi blushed. "Um, I'm, I'm going to um."
Loki grinned and threw himself into Saksi's arms. "You are not going anywhere."
They toppled to the floor, as Loki lavished Saksi with kisses. Saksi could not resist and caved and the two spent the night making a little noise of their own.
It took Loki a while to realize something was up. He felt tired and sleepy all the time, despite getting a perfect amount of sleep every night. His stomach hurt and was occasionally upset. It was strange, but nothing that made him want to see a healer. So he continued his day to day chores, teaching Magnus his lessons and toting Eugene on his back. Loki sent Saksi away into town to pick up some items he needed for dinner as he finished the rest of Magnus's lessons for the morning.
"Very good Magnus." Loki smiled, with Eugene in his arms. "Now try solving the next problem."
Magnus nodded. Mathematics wasn't his strongest subject, but the child was persistent.
"Now carry the two." Loki watched. "Very good and now what?"
Magnus squinted at the chalk board and then back at his father. He did not ask for help, but he thought long and hard.
Magnus lifted the chalk to the board. "Move the three?" He signed.
"No." Loki shook his head, but not in a discouraging way. "Look at the thirteen."
"Move the one!" Magnus signed. Loki nodded and smiled, he would master this subject in no time, Loki was sure of it.
Loki yawned and called today's lessons to an end. Magnus was pleased and went on to practice his flute. Loki wrapped Eugene on his back, when he started to feel a sharp pain in his stomach. So sharp it brought him to his knees, something was wrong, something was seriously wrong. Loki shouted and buckled over. Magnus heard and came running into the nursery.
"Papa!" Magnus shouted in his mind.
"Quick, Magnus go get the healers." Loki called out to his son.
Magnus nodded and ran as fast as he could the healers, who rushed to Loki's side. They took him to the healing rooms and closed the curtains. Queen Freya was alerted at once and came and cared for the children. It was a long couple of hours, but finally the healers emerged.
"Saksi, he asked to see you." One of the healers bowed.
"Of course." Saksi got up immediately.
She opened the curtain and let Saksi in. On the bed was Loki, hands clenched tight, tears in his eyes. Saksi ran to his side.
"I'm-I'm so sorry." Loki started to cry.
"It's alright Loki." Saksi held his lover.
"I'm so sorry Saksi." Loki openly cried in Saksi's arms, he had miscarried their child, a child he didn't even know he was pregnant with, due to complications in the compatibility. The Juton and Asgardian DNA did not combine correctly, causing serious developmental issues. He had lost their child at only two months.
Chapter Six End.
"That was indeed one of the toughest things I'd ever been through." Loki frowned.
"I know." Thor hugged his brother. "Stick around everyone, there is good news on the way!"