CHAPTER TWO
The Meeting
The day came, whether they were ready or not.
A surrogate ceremony and feast had already taken place in Muspellheim, which no one in Asgard was planned to attend, where Prince Senn had played the role of Loki. There were legally wed in the eyes of the Fire Kingdom laws. And Loki didn't know even what she looked like, nor her name. Because of some weird Muspellheim tradition, the names of royal Fire daughters were always kept secret, only to be revealed when getting married, becoming priestesses or warriors.
Loki carried his most glamorous armor, the golden one with its huge horns. He already regretted it. The bride had endured a mock wedding (with her own brother as the groom, for Odin's sake!), a difficult parting with her homeland (with little hope to ever come back...), a scary voyage through the Bifröst, met Heimdall (eeek...) to finally have a first glimpse of her groom in a very aggressive apparel. Not Loki's brightest idea...But it was a little too late to fix it.
The whole court was at the entrance of the Main Palace. A multitude that could even scare the most daring Jötunn, drown in gold, silver, velvet, furs and silk of the finest. Odin and Frigga in front of everyone, then Loki, as the man of the day, and finally Thor and the main thanes and warriors. Loki couldn't help but be glad being the first once in a while. An explosion and fireworks were heard near Heimdall's castle, meaning that the Fire Kingdom embassy had arrived and was on its way to the Palace. It wasn't very long before the sound of flutes, drums and horns was heard and the colorful suite appeared in the distance. Odin and Frigga started forward to welcome them. Loki should have followed but he brutally stopped, looking straight ahead and apparently petrified. Thor came to him, checking if he was alright. "Brother?" He touched his arm but Loki was unresponsive.
"If it doesn't work, what am I going to do?" It was barely a whisper. Loki had blanched, overwhelmed by months of building pressure. Which was unusual since he always seemed in control. Thor started to feel bad. Even if Loki had the gift to annoy him, what he had done took a huge thorn out of his side and he was grateful if only for that. That was the first time ever he saw his brother completely lost and he hated it. "Do not think of this right now. Later, when you'll know her better. You will find a way." Loki nodded but he wasn't convinced. Thor landed his right hand on Loki's shoulder for reassurance and they went forward. If the Groom looked hesitant it could create diplomatic problems. They were all trapped in it, whether they liked it or not. And for the hundredth or millionth time, he cursed the three red-heads for disturbing their peace.
The suite was indeed brilliant but a bit gaudy, mirroring their Masters' taste. They had a "nouveau riche" attitude, thinking it would impress the Asgardians. In fact, too much noise and too much color made it look a bit like a circus parade. Loki hoped that his bride had more discretion. The new Fire King stepped forward. He was dressed in scarlet all over and wore a disdainful face, probably thinking it made him look serious. Thor had to suppress a smile because it only made Sodarn look like a two-legged pretentious tomato. Then came Senn and Surt. They were even worse in their flashy armors. Loki wondered how he was going to made casual talk with them without pretending to shield his eyes from the blinding light their clothes shed and not to laugh in the bargain.
Formal speeches of greetings were exchanged. Tedious but necessary. Loki was in agony. He wanted to rush past his parents, push aside the three royal morons and snatch his bride. The waiting was starting to get unbearable. He tried to discern her in the crowd but she was well hidden. Practically all the Fire maidens wore veils. Since Sodarn has been made king, life was getting difficult for young girls in the Fire Kingdom. He had proclaimed a dubious moral policy forbidding the non-warrior and unmarried females to show their face in public. That of course, included his bride.
"Mighty King Odin, Divine Queen Frigga, Noble Prince Loki, behold our most sacred treasure, yours now to keep and cherish..." Yes, yes, come ooooon... thought Loki, ready to burst. "The ruby of the Fire Kingdom, the Fire Princess, daughter of Sothorn and Sigern, sister of Sodarn, Senn and Surt, the Lady Sigyn."
One of the veiled figure stepped forward rather graciously, noiselessly, like a red ghost. Her arms covered in golden bracelets started to lift the crimson muslin. Loki could feel his heart beating in his ears and cursed himself to overreact like this. He noticed elegant hands with long supple fingers, although covered in bridal ornamental paintings.
And finally, the Fire Princess displayed herself.
There was some murmurs in the Asgardian crowd and Odin looked a bit displeased. Indeed, this was not mentioned. He feared Loki's reaction.
The Fire Princess was what was commonly called in Asgard and Muspellheim a Fire-Head.
She was worse than red-haired. Her mane was an abundance of copper, crimson, scarlet, gold, blond, bright red... Her ever changing color of hair went from shining silver to the color of blood. Every tint that could be found in red, orange, yellow were gliding and undulating around her oval face, becoming lighter, or darker, shinier or more subtle. A hypnotic kaleidoscope of shades that gave the illusion that her head was on fire, hence the name "Fire-Head."
Fire-Heads had not only that particular kind of hair. They were also renown for their tremendous magical abilities, far more greater than any other individual. They were supposed to hold an internal sacred fire, to be healers of unlimited capacities, and even to communicate with the glorious souls of Valhalla and the lost ones of Hel. Consequently, they were meant to be prophets or seers. They could be venerated as they could be feared and excluded. By all means, they were no ordinary beings, not even by Asgardian standards...
Odin observed Loki carefully. His son took care not to show any sign of shock, displeasure, contentment, anything. His attitude was crucial as any strong impression could create diplomatic complications. Loki was perfectly neutral, except that Odin could see his Adam's apple coming up and down, a sign of great emotion. He was moved by the Fire Princess.
Lady Sigyn raised her head. Beneath the extraordinary mane, the features were perfect and harmonious, high cheekbones, full red lips and piercing golden eyes (another proof of her being a Fire-Head). She was indeed beautiful. Her last surprising particularity, another rarity amongst divine beings, her creamy and rosy skin was lightly dusted with freckles. It made her look chubby despite her height but undoubtedly she was one of the most attractive women Odin ever met.
She calmly detailed every person in front of her but her expression too was totally unreadable. Unsmiling, looking neither pleased or displeased, her rather warm appearance was wasted on a stony, indifferent attitude. As if no one and nothing of what was happening were any concern of hers. She was not being ridiculous and disdainful like her brothers, she was simply... not present. And seeing Loki didn't make her change her coldness. They coolly looked at each other. As strangers. A very bad start, thought Odin, unless they are pretending it. He deeply hoped they were.