Thank you again so much for you review's they were great. I have taken note the things you would like to see happen, and yes, they will happen soon. I shall try and incorporate everything in the upcoming chapters. That you for your dedication to this story, you really do inspire me to carry one. So, I have skipped forward a bit, so please forgive me, but if I do every single day, then we will get nowhere with Leera's pregnancy, so I hope you like this next one. Fear not, I have not jumped majorly ahead. Please review your awesomeness!
My apologies for any words that seemed out of place in the previous chapter. I re-read it and noticed some words were wrong. You see, I type this up on my ipod before transferring onto computer. I have started to spell check. So again, sorry!
Marvel owns Loki and all remnants of Asgard. Loofney, Leera, Gelrion and Dilenreen are mine!
…..
Two months later.
The whole royal family sat together around the golden table in the celebratory hall celebrating the birth day of the youngest son of Odin. Loofney, as usual, sat next to his uncle, and Leera and Loki sat in front of the queen and All-Father, Loki still unable to even look at his father. The meal had gone smoothly. The previous conversation between Leera, the queen and lady Sif had now been left alone. Leera had awoken from that much needed sleep and reluctantly told her husband everything, lifting her sorrows from her shoulders and gave it away. Realising that what she needed to do all along was to talk about it, Leera felt better, like a heavy weight had been removed from her heart. She spent many days after that with Frigga and Sif, bonding and exchanging information and past events etc. Although it did hurt her to remember about her parents, Leera felt more open to everyone's questions now. Sif and Leera had become exceedingly close and both spent many of their afternoons together in the gardens, chatting and laughing.
Loki sat silently as Odin made a birthday speech to his son, knowing that Loki would not listen or look at him, he still said it anyway. Realising his discomfort, Leera held on tightly to Loki's hand under the table and cast a look to him to be civil. The speech had ended and all had taken to their breakfast. It seemed awkward for a while when Loofney whined loudly and stood on his chair, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. "Presents now?" He said excitedly. Thor chuckled and pulled the young child back down onto his seat.
"I specifically asked for no gifts, or a celebratory meal, mother" Loki scowled at the queen, now evilly but annoyed.
"We WILL celebrate your birth by any and every means my son. This is one circumstance in which I will not listen to you. Now, go ahead young on, you can go first" Frigga replied, looking to her grandson. Loofney dropped onto the floor and scooped a parcel from underneath his chair and approached his father. Holding out the brown parcel, Loofney smiled and wished his father a happy birthday. Loki took the object and placed it on the table. Loofney stood, unmoving, waiting for his father to open the present, but Loki did not wish to do such in front of everyone watching.
"Open it Father. It's from me!" Loofney said, grabbing the hem of Loki's tunic and yanked it. Loki sighed in defeat and reached for the parcel and placed it on his lap. Feeling his cheeks burning, Loki began to pull away the paper. Finally getting to the object, Loki grinned and looked up at his son. It was a handmade, leather bound book that Loofney had had assistance in making by the crafters of the palace guard. In between the black leather spine were strips of emerald green and sketched along the front in Asgardian tongue in golden sparkles had Loki's name. Opening the front cover, there was a little note from his son, in his innocent and messy scrawl, saying that he loved his father very much and he hoped that he liked his gift. Turning another page, Loki realised that all the golden pages were plain, and the edges of each page had "Love from Loofney" encircled by numerous swirls and curls of silver glitter. "Do you like it father? I did it myself!" Loofney said, clearly proud of his creation. "It's to write anything you want in. I thought you could put your spells in it father!" Loki placed the book down on the table and leaned over, hugging his son.
"I like it very much my son. Thank you, I shall use it wisely" Loki said, feeling his son smile against his cheek.
"Good! Can I finish my breakfast now?" Loofney whispered into Loki's ear, stepping on his tip toes, and Loki laughed, nodding.
"My turn, dearest brother!" Thor bellowed excitedly like his nephew. Loki groaned and placed his head in his hand. He hated celebrating his birthday. Thor produced a black box and slid it down the table towards the god of mischief. Loki looked to his side at his wife. He was slightly angered that she knew about this and did not tell him. Leera said smiling, her cheeks tinted red, but not from embarrassment, and Loki noticed that she was now on her second goblet of wine. He was about to say something, as he knew she should not be drinking in her circumstance, but Thor shouted across the table, causing him to look over. "Well, open it Loki!" Loki picked up the black box and opened it, expecting some kind of practical joke for a present, but found himself choking instead. It was an onyx ring, but not just any ring.
"Where did you find it?" Loki gasped, pulling it from the box and slid it onto his finger, admiring the ring and eyeing the Russian Diopside in the centre of it.
"I found it not long after you lost it all those years ago, long before you…fell. I was going to return it to you, but every time I wanted to give it to you, it never seemed to be the right time, what with Midgard and the Avengers etc. I also figured that your hands would have grown since your young teenage years and I had it resized. I hope it fits well bother. It seemed to be the right time to return it now" Thor said, love sparkling in his eyes, and for the first time in years, Loki looked to his brother with a genuine smile. Loki had lost said ring when he was just a young boy. He, Thor and the warriors three had ventured out to the forest for a hunt. Instead they found themselves sparring in between the rough of the trees and bushes. Thor had hit Loki on accident, but Loki fought him back, and on punching Thor's chest, his ring caught on Thor's tunic and fell off into the greenery. Loki had broken his heart that day; being unable to find his treasured ring. It was his first and only gift from his first and only true friend. His name was Gelrion. He was not royal, but the son of a palace guard. Asgard was in the threat of war because of a minor dispute. Gelrion's father was sent to the opposing realm in order to bring peace and understanding with the rebellious leader. Gelrion's mother also left with her husband, so in turn, Gelrion had to also leave. The ring was a parting gift to Loki as a thank you for his love and friendship. Loki did not understand as to why Gelrion gave him the ring, because he knew that his father had not banished them, so they would return. The All-Father received information a week later that Gelrion and his parents had been unfortunately killed during a disagreement. And due to such circumstances, and the pain and dead inflicted upon the innocent messages of the All-Father, the oppossers surrendered under guilt. Loki was broken hearted and concealed himself in his room many a weeks. Gelrion was his dearest friend. The both understood each other and both have the same passions in the arts. Never to this day had Loki made a friend such as Gelrion, for he sorely believed that there was no other that could replace Gelrion. Loki looked back to his finger and smiled.
"Thank you Thor, it is truly an amazing gift. I thought this lost all these years, and now, it is returned with love and safe keeping." Loki grinned and could not keep his eyes from the ring. Oh how he loved this cherished possession. Frigga allowed Loki a moment to bond with his long lost ring, as he knew the history behind it. Waiting long enough, Frigga spoke.
"My dear son, your father and I have spoken for some time. We are both in agreement that you are a changed soul and that the past is in the past. We wanted to present you with something that would show your power but would also last as a possession to aid you if you should ever so need it, much like Thor's Miljonir…." Loki's brow creased and he watched his parents, feeling quite nervous. Odin rose from his seat and commanded the guards by the door to bring in Prince Loki's gift. Loki turned in his seat to face the door. The guards returned, both carrying something together, but it was covered by a dark blanket. Odin moved from his seat, and everyone sat on the edge of their, eager to see the prize. Standing in front of the object, with his back to Loki, Odin took a deep breath and sighed, dreading the moment if Loki did not decided to communicate with him at this moment, and how this may be extremely awkward if he did not speak.
"Loki, my son…" Odin said, his voice steady, and Loki rose to his feet, walking to his father's side.
"All-Father" Loki addressed, still not feeling strong enough to say father, but he knew it too cruel and disrespectful to call him by Odin. Odin removed the black sash and picked up a golden staff. Holding it horizontally, he turned to Loki. It was magnificent. In height, it was much the same as Odin's, but design was far from the same. From the bottom of the pole to the top, intricate engravings of Loki's life so far in the form of small images and words, surrounded by swirls and sparks, covered the length. The pole was golden and magnificent. The top of the staff was amazing, in Loki's eyes. Two golden horns burst from the top the pole, and in between the horns, held by delicate bars of gold was an egg shaped glow of green light, suppressed within a case of faceted glass. It was magnificent. Odin extended his arms to Loki and the speechless god took told of the staff, tightening his hand around the pole. Standing it next to his side, Loki gawked at the instrument of power.
"Its name is Dilenreen. The Tesseract, by birth, belongs to you, but to give you such an object, would not only endanger us, but would endanger you. I took part of the power of the Tesseract and bound it with the energy possessed in my staff, so that you would be able to wield the power of the Tesseract, but it's evil qualities that once consumed you would be cast away by the power possessed inside Gungnir. Combined, your staff has more power than both Miljonir and Gungnir; a fitting weapon for the master of the arts. I would ask that you take care when using this, for it is no toy, like your brother Thor uses his hammer…" Odin shot an annoyed glance to Thor and the elder son of Odin blushed. "…I trust you Loki to wield this with wisdom, to protect your family and anyone whom is threatened by harm. This is your power, and this is your gift from me my son. Not only as a prize for the celebration of your birth, but also…As an apology well over due, to you my dear Loki" Odin said solemnly and Loki gasped, Looking Odin straight in the eye.
"What?" He gasped and his grip loosened on his staff.
"I am sorry my son. It is my fault this hostility resides between us. I wish for our relationship to be once more, warm and welcoming. I understand how it could never be as it once was, but it wish for a better future between us. I am sorry for the lies I have told you all these years my son, and never will I treat you differently from you brother Thor, for I never intended to in the past, and will not now in the future. You are my son Loki, and I want you back" Odin replied, a golden tear trickled down his aging skin and Dilenreen shone as fantastic green. Loki gasped once more; looking from his staff's emanating light to his apologetic father.
"I-I, I thank you for such a tremendous gift, All-Father. I truly am taken aback by such a prize as this…And…I do… I accept your apology" Loki said, his cheeks reddening. Odin smiled, and walked away, knowing Loki would not have forgiven him that much as too embrace him. Loki gazed back at his staff in his hand. It was outstanding. Breathing in slowly, Loki lowered the weapon and handed it back to the guards for them to take it away and place it with Miljonir. Sitting back down, slightly embarrassed to look at anyone, Loki picked up his goblet.
"Well, my gift is nothing compared to that!" Leera spoke and the company giggled. Loki looked to his wife and noticed yet again that her cheeks were rather rosy. Leera leant down over to her side and groaned as she lifted a heavy rectangular wrapped present and placed it on the table with a huff. "Happy Birthday my love. I have some help from your brother to get this, so it does hope you like it" Loki eyed Thor suspiciously and began to unwrap the gift. Staring at the final present Loki chuckled. It was the Adult book set of the Harry Potter series. Loki looked to his wife and grinned, remembering what she had said about this 'Harry Potter' a few months back. Odin, Frigga, Sif and the Warriors three looked on at the gift with a confused look, the titles seeming strange. How could someone be half-blood? Sif thought. Why was there a chamber of secrets? Volstagg scratched his chin. Order of the phoenix? What was a phoenix? Fandral thought. Loki leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek, smelling the alcohol and thanked her very much. Loki had put aside his gifts and began to eat his food, thanking everyone and opening small gifts from Thor's friends with a smile.
All made merry and Thor and Fandral sand songs of celebration for Prince Loki. Loki smiled and felt warm inside then heard his wife chuckling. Placing a hand on her arm, Loki leant in. "Are you well my love?"
"Yes, of course I am" Leera replied, taking a sip of her drink. "It's a shame I did not get pregnant earlier, you could have had a child for your birthday!" Leera giggled, slightly intoxicated and it worried him.
"And it matters not, it will be something to look forward to in the future" Loki replied, smiling.
"What do you want?" Leera whispered.
"I do not understand" Loki said, raising an eyebrow.
"What do you want, a boy or a girl?" Leera said.
"I- I don't know. Another boy perhaps? I would be happy with whatever I suppose" Loki said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Oh, you would say that…" Leera replied, her tone less playful and more dark.
"Say what?" Loki whispered back, avoiding questioning glares from his mother.
"You would want a boy! You want boy's upon boys to make a statement that they are your sons! You don't want a girl because she is the weakest of gender's, isn't that right. You don't want a daughter, you never have. It's all sons, sons; son's with you isn't it? To make up for lost male bonding or something like that!" Leera slurred and stood to her feet, steadying herself on the top of the chair. Loki rose also to his feet and faced his wife. The whole room now hushed and watching the scene that Frigga guessed would tear sharply through the once merry atmosphere. Leera was clearly angered for some reason, and the alcohol intake had begun to release her pent up rages. Loki frowned at the change in his wife's composure and replied
"Do not place words in my mouth, I said no such thing!"
"It's true though isn't it? Just admit it!"
"You are clearly emotional right now; your feelings are all over the place. You are seeing things that are not there. I would never think that. I would be happy with whatever! "
"Oh you are such a liar! You have a way with words, you always have!"
"Leera, calm down. This is not good for the baby. Stop, you may say something you will regret. You are obviously not in the right state of mind"
"No, I will not calm down. I am entitled to speak my thoughts and feel emotional. After all, I'm carrying your flipping child!"
"Leera, please, your face is red and you are flustered. Sit down and listen to me. Where you got such an incredulous idea of my wanting a son because I want Loofney to make up for the lost brotherly love between myself and Thor, is beyond me. I would never use a child like that and I do not think that way!"
"You would say that though wouldn't you. You need to look like the big man. But you're not; you're not higher than me nor anyone else in your family!"
"You are being utterly ridiculous Leera! Please, do not ruin these celebrations. Can you not see, this is upsetting the mood and our son?"
"Yes, that's me, ridiculous Leera, a stupid mortal that doesn't understand anything. Back off Loki, I don't want to talk to you anymore today" Leera growled, swaying from the alcohol.
"You are acting highly irrational, my love. Come, see some sense" Loki replied, clearly upset. He did not care if his birthday celebrations ended, but he did not want them desist in such a manner as this. His wife was upset, and he did not know why. She was happy all morning and during the present giving. So what brought all this on?
"I have sense! Sense enough to know that you only want me for my ability to conceive and bare you children" Leera replied, over thinking the situation and began to see things that were not there.
"That is not true! How can you even say that Leera. You need to calm down. You have obviously had too much to drink. Don't you know it's bad to consume alcohol when with child Leera?"
"Oh Loki, leave me be!" Leera snarled.
"Leera please, calm down, the family are staring" Loki pleaded, pointing to the table.
"Let them stare! I don't care" Leera said, waving a hand to her husband and stumbled slightly. Loki reached out his hands to steady him but the dark haired lady pushed them away. "I'm leaving now. I shall see you in bed" Leera slurred and slowly and shakily excited the golden hall. Loki ran a hand through his black hair and turned to face his parents, brother and friends, all holding a look of utter shock on their faces. Scoffing at his parent's expression Loki stormed from the room in pursuit of his wife and little Loofney say crying, with Thor comforting him. The scene of his parents arguing upsetting him greatly. The birthday celebrations clearly over.
(I shall be doing a drawing of Loki's staff and shall post it on my Tumblr and Deviant ART webpage when done. I shall post it straight onto Tumblr for my Tumblr followers, but for my fan fiction followers, I shall post a link in the next chapter!)