It was as if the fates had aligned. The prophecy had remained true and honorable. The love between Anne and I prospered into a romance that now saw us beginning a dynasty. As her small stomach began to bulge over the few weeks that had passed, I noticed the change beginning in her, just as she had warned.
"Ice-cream." She stated bluntly, her own face surprised at the words that ran from her lips. She sat on the bed, wearing a loose knee length gown in a cream coloured silk fabric. She had her back resting against a pillow propped up, while a book laid open in her hands. Her eyes read every word on each page slowly and carefully until she had looked up, her eyes wide, her face indifferent. "Ice-cream with cheese slices on the side." She spoke again. Her voice monotone, as if stating something. I looked at her as her own face screwed up in confusion. These expressions always made me laugh. "That is disgusting... But I want it." She said simply. I shrugged my shoulders and rang the small bell that had been fitted onto the side of each bed, the small piece of curtain it hung from ascending upwards into the ceiling. The doors to our quarters opened and a small maid entered, bowing.
"Ice-cream with cheese slices on the side." I stated, my voice echoing amusement.
"Make the ice-cream chocolate and strawberry flavoured." Anne added, before the maid bowed once more and left the room. A look of amusement playing on the maid's face as well as she turned.
Soon enough, the maid had returned with Anne's order, placing it on the bed carefully before exiting the room once more. Anne dug in, her mood ravenous as she ate quickly. I watched, laughing. As she sat back, placing the now empty bowl on her bedside, she wiped the corners of her mouth with her fingertip.
"And was that appetizing?" I said, teasing. She looked at me, her face surprised.
"Is it bad if I say it was the best thing I've ever eaten?" I laughed, resting my hand on her belly, rubbing it slowly.
"Maybe you wanted ice-cream... And the baby wanted cheese?" I suggested. Anne nodded, contemplating my train of thought, before she laughed, leaning in and kissing me softly on the lips.
"I feel like a bath." She pulled herself off the bed and walked to the ensuite. As she did so, her hand rested softly on the top of her belly, her lips frozen in a soft smile of utter happiness. I listened as she began to run the water, she hummed as she did. I walked to the ensuite, leaning against the doorway and watched her as she stripped down, her small figure shaking slightly as she danced along to the humming noise she made. I laughed, it was true what they said about the pregnancy glow. She had blossomed since being informed of the news. As had I.
"Do I have to go? What if I puke... ALL over the place..." Anne challenged playfully as we made our way to the throne room for the weekly hearings. We were both dressed in our royal attire, my helmet on, staff in hand, and her crown sitting perfectly on her head, with her hair flowing over her shoulders and down her front. She wore a loose steel grey silk dress, with a small train.
"If you feel the need to 'puke' you can simply excuse yourself and leave the room." I explained, my voice resonating happiness. I had my hand resting on the small of her back as she caressed her stomach with both her hands. It was the way in which she seemed to walk at all times now. That small smile of happiness forever imprinted on her lips. As the side doors to the throne room opened, I led Anne to her chair placed near mine. Two of her handmaidens stood behind it. She had at least two with her at all times now, which was fitting given her condition. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead before making my way to the throne. Sitting down, and spreading my legs wide for comfort, I sat ready.
"You sit like such a man whore." She noted, laughing. I laughed as well, taken off guard by her annotations at times. But I winked at her and she blushed bright red.
"Do not deny it, you love it." I challenged back playfully. She smiled cheekily and laughed as she looked away.
"Normally, if we were on Earth, someone would have said 'Get a room' by now..." She laughed again and I smiled at her happiness.
The doors at the end of the throne room opened and a line of civilians entered. As we began the hearings, many civilians, as they had done over the past weeks since the announcement to Asgard had been made that Anne was indeed pregnant, congratulated us, sending warm regards in her direction. I granted most civilian's what they wished and gave advice when asked, and once the hearings were over, Anne stood up quickly. She left the throne room fast, her two handmaidens following behind with haste. When I came back to our room, I found her in the bathroom, her head leaning over the toilet. I replaced the handmaiden that stood behind her, holding her hair back, and planted a kiss on her cheek as I did.
"Uggghh." She said in distaste as she sat down on the bathroom floor. I leaned down beside her, wiping the excess from her perfect pale face. She smiled awkwardly, and looked down at her belly.
"Stop it. I don't like this part. I can put up with the cravings dude, but this aint cool!" She said playfully to the being inside of her, before looking up at me and smiling. "See, the little bubba listens to mummy... No more puking for me!" She said victoriously. I laughed, stroking the side of her face, feeling her soft skin against my finger as I did. Her smiled disappeared quickly then. "Hold that thought." She turned to lean into the toilet again and heaved once more. I smiled admiringly at her and she turned back to me again, sighing. I pulled her carefully onto her feet as a guard entered the room.
"My King. You are requested in the throne room." I nodded to the guard, before turning back to Anne.
"My love, when you are ready, please rejoin me in the throne room." I kissed her gently and left, the guard following behind.
As I entered the throne room, I was met with a shock I had not anticipated. Heimdall stood in front of the throne, at the foot of the stairs. He held a man by his arm, with a hold that was strong and unrelenting. Heimdall looked up at me with alert eyes. Sif and the warriors three entered the throne room as well, surprised at the presence of the man. I moved my eyes to meet the man in Heimdall's hold. He glared at me through hateful, resenting eyes.
"King Loki, he requested to be brought here." Heimdall explained. I nodded in understanding. I knew this day would one day come, but given the current climate of my reign and more importantly, my wife's current condition, I had forgotten preparing for such a day.
As the side doors to the throne room opened, I walked through. I was now all cleaned up and feeling sufficiently pretty again. With my hands placed gently around my belly, one hand on top, one on the bottom, I walked to Loki's side. He stood staring down, but his gaze moved to meet mine as I entered, his hand resting on my back carefully. Heimdall looked nervous as he held a man by his arm.
"Who's that?" I asked Loki. He looked at me with apprehensive eyes.
"That is my brother... Thor."