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Loki swung the blade, grinning as his opponent easily blocked his attack. Miekall was only twelve, but he fought like a well-trained warrior. The raven haired man turned to swipe at his son, only to find that it was an illusion.

Maybe he shouldn't have requested Miekall be taught that.

Something knocked him to the ground, and he found himself staring at the tip of a well-sharpened sword. A gift from Fandral. Loki couldn't help but smile at his son.

"I see your Uncle Thor has taught you well," he stated. "And your magic lessons are doing a bit of good." The young boy smiled. "Soon enough, you will be ready to train with mighty Volstragg." The boy laughed, his eyes twinkling in the mid-day light, sending a pang through Loki's heart.

It was hard for him to believe that it had been twelve years already. Miekall was growing right before his eyes, yet the pain of loosing Meeka had not dimmed the slightest. Ilsa had moved on and wed one of the male servants in the castle, her help with Miekall no longer needed now that he was older.

"Miekall the Mighty, standing over his father, the king," a feminine voice called. Loki shifted his gaze to see an almost exact copy of Fandral, but with Sif's body. Her blond hair cascaded down her back, and her hazel eyes were fixed on the dark-headed prince. A playful smirk danced across her face.

Nikka?

Loki had not seen Fandral's daughter since Miekall was about three years old. She was only a child then. But by the Nine, she had become a woman so quickly.

"Nikka," the boy laughed as she approached. Loki couldn't stop his smile from growing. "How long have you been watching?" She shrugged, resembling her father even more.

"Since I felled Father with one of Mother's old tricks," she gloated. "Now, how about a real fight with someone who won't take it easy on you?" Miekall followed as she turned and walked away. A hand appeared next to the king.

"She won't stop talking about him," Fandral groaned as he helped Loki to his feet.

"And he will not go a moment without speaking of her," Loki answered.

"Well, I would not object to my daughter wedding my friend's son," the blond laughed. "Even if we do have our differences, our children should not have to suffer for it."

"Thor and I married for love," the king mused, "as did Father and Mother. I would not force an arranged marriage on anyone's child. It's simply too cruel."

"That it is," the warrior agreed. "Arranged marriages are rarely as strong. From what I understand, most of Midgard has abandoned that tradition." Loki smirked.

"Had they not, Miekall would not be the person he is becoming," he stated, walking towards archway leading into the palace, Fandral beside him. "It is past time Asgard does the same."

"It will not be an easy change, my king," the shorter man warned. "It would take many generations to fully abandon centuries worth of tradition." The brunet nodded.

"If Midgard can do it, why not Asgard?"

Loki stood on the balcony, staring at the night sky. His eyes were misted over with tears, and his heart ached with a pain that had been festering for years.

"My love, it's been too long," he whispered. "I miss you still. Miekall is growing so quickly, and seems unaware of what is missing in his life." His eyelids slid closed as he sighed. "But I notice your absence. And no matter how hard I try, I cannot bring myself to love another."

"You were my Valkyrie. You were my heart, my soul, my everything. If it weren't for our son, I would cease to exist."

"Come back to me, Meeka." Tears flowed as he focused on the stars. "I need you. I can't do this alone; I never could. Our bed only gets colder; the pain only gets worse. Our wonderful son is so much like you." He took a deep breath, regaining control of his emotions.

"I wonder if you can see us. I wonder if you're watching how much Miekall is growing. I wonder if you can see how much he looks like you. I wonder if Mother is beside you, telling you all about how Miekall is doing everything I did at his age."

"My love, my queen, if you can find a way, let me know you're there. I miss you."

And I always will...