"How do I look?" Thor asked.
"Your dress armor is polished nicely, but your hair is a disaster. Here, come and sit at the vanity." Loki said. The Vanir were sending a trade delegation to work a temporary contract for additional wheat. Asgard's crop this year had suffered from too much rain and there would be a shortage. It was also going to be a practice run for Thor and a chance for the delegates to meet with Asgard's new heir in a more personal setting. Thor had met many dignitaries briefly during his wedding but there hadn't been time to form any sort of professional relationships.
Loki grabbed the brush and worked it through Thor's golden hair. It had gotten longer during his brief time at the palace. Loki plaited the hair down into a single rope and tied it off at the end with a short black string. He took Thor's golden circlet and placed it atop his head, crowning his husband with his new glory.
"There. Now you look regal." Loki let his hands rest on Thor's shoulders. They looked at each other in the mirror. Loki tried to look apologetic but Thor looked away first.
"What do I do if they speak Vanir?"
"The Allspeak will kick in, however, look to me for subtle clues. In my youth I suffered more than one embarrassing misunderstanding because of a mistranslation. I'll squeeze your hand in warning if I know that one has occurred."
"Thank you." Thor said.
"You're welcome." Loki said. The awkward pause that followed made both of them uncomfortable and they left their chambers eager to be in the company of other people. They meet up with Odin and Frigga and stood in a receiving line to greet the diplomats. Loki spoke first each time, stating the person's name for Thor's benefit.
"Lord Alamand this is my new husband Thor." Loki said in Vanir. Thor blinked as the Allspeak kicked in. It was strange listening to Loki speak as the words he heard did not match the movement of Loki's lips.
"Hello. Welcome to Asgard." Thor said.
"It is an honor to finally meet you. My brief introduction to you during your wedding was shameful. I hope our future sex will bring forth a fruitful union." Lord Alamand said. Loki squeezed Thor's hand.
"Yes it is our hope that our future diplomatic relationship with be beneficial as well." Loki smiled. It was a genuine one that Thor rarely saw and he knew Loki was having it at his expense. Thor suppressed a laugh since the timing was inappropriate. Lord Alamand moved on and Loki's eyes turned to him, sparkling and full of mirth.
"You kept it together quite well." Loki said.
"I had no idea diplomacy could be so entertaining." Thor said.
"It rarely is. That was probably the high point of our night." Loki chuckled. They took their seats around the table. They weren't in the feasting hall, but in a state room commonly used for negotiations such as this. Aside from Lord Alamand, who was from the capitol, there was also a Lady Gilland from a northern province of Vanaheim, and Lord Bethel from the south. Their entourage included scribes all ready to draft a new contract and look up old agreements from ancient tombs for reference and precedent. Dinner was served before the negotiations began, but Thor noticed that these people were jumping into the discussion ahead of time.
"Now, I understand you are needing several tons of grain. Is this the only thing Asgard needs?" Lord Alamand asked. Thor studied the man. He seemed to be fishing for an extra trade deal.
"Ah yes, since you are all here I was also wanting to make a bid on some of your livestock as well." Odin said.
"How much are we talking about?" Lady Gilland asked him.
"I think I'll let my new heir handle this." Odin said and looked at Thor. Thor panicked. Loki's brief prior to the meeting only mentioned grain, not livestock. He had no idea how much Asgard needed. He looked to Loki for guidance, but Loki's face was blank.
"Um, I believe we are in need of about 500 head of cattle." Thor said with feigned confidence, completely pulling a number out of his ass.
"Really? I was not aware that the flooding in Asgard had been so detrimental. That is a lot of livestock."
"Tis true." Loki chimed in.
"We did not want to advertise our vulnerable food levels to the general public. We don't want to alarm them." Loki said.
"That is understandable." Lord Bethel said. The man had a slur to his speech and at first Thor thought him drunk. But the more he looked at the man the more he noticed the slight drooping of one side of his face. His eyes were clear and everything else about him displayed alertness. He concluded that the speech impediment was illness induced. "My province currently has a large surplus of cattle, but that surplus is only 300." He said and turned his gaze to his two Vanir companions.
"Unfortunately my province can spare none." The Lady Gilland said.
"We are not known for our green pastures in the capitol." Lord Alamand said.
"Then 300 will have to do." Thor said.
"Spendid! I believe the fair rate for cattle right now is about 20 gold coins per blanket." Lord Bethel said. Loki squeezed Thor's hand indicating that a mistranslation had occurred.
"Don't you mean ton, not pound Lord Bethel?" Loki said in the Vanir language. To Thor it sounded like blank and blanket.
"Ah yes, forgive my speech. My words have been difficult since the stroke." He said.
"But of course. As for the wheat I think 400 tons of grain should be sufficient to supplement us through the winter at say 5 gold coins per ton?" Loki said.
"That is fair and equitable." Lord Alamand said. Loki smiled at the man. It had a touch of cunning and fakeness that made Thor take note. Lord Bethel, old and craggily though he was, was still a sharp minded man and had played his speech impediment to his benefit and had hoped that they wouldn't notice. Crafty bastard.
"Father, since we are buying cattle and grain, might I also suggest we purchase corn as well?"
"Yes, I think so." Odin said, sounding tired. His face was pasty. Loki wanted to ask him if he was well, but not in front of the Vanir.
"400 tons of that as well for the same price, yes?"
"6 gold coins per ton for that since it is so labor intensive to harvest." Lady Gilland said.
"You drive a hard bargain my lady. Very well. 6 gold coins. Well, I dare say that was the easiest trade contract we've negotiated in many years. Let us enjoy the rest of our meal before we draft the contract." Loki said.
"Here, here!" Lord Alamand seconded.
"So Thor, I hear you were a blacksmith before coming to Gladsheim. Pray tell me, what do you think of the state of the Einherjar's weapons and armor?" The Lady asked.
"For a mass produced product, it is well crafted. I dare say the capitol here in Asgard has some of the best blacksmiths in all the nine realms."
"Ah, but I sense you feel it could be better." She pressed.
"I've noticed one of the most common repairs required for their armor is at the shoulder where the chest plate meets the back plate. The metal fastenings are often welded on with haste and fail easily. In the middle of battle, that flaw could be fatal." Thor said.
"Perhaps Asgard's army would benefit from a new design. The dwarves would be eager to help you with that." Lord Bethel said.
"Nay. I would rather design it myself, actually. I wouldn't want the weaknesses of Asgard's armor to be known to its enemies."
"Do you consider the dwarves to be enemies?"
"Hardly, but their allegiance during wartime is easily bought. We don't like that." Loki interjected.
"Well said." Lord Alamand replied.
"Well Thor, how are you settling in?" Odin asked.
"Things are well. My daily lessons fill up much of my time." Thor said.
"That is good." Odin said.
"My King are you feeling well?" Thor asked. Loki wanted to face palm.
"Just a little indigestion. The ailments of an old man." Odin said. It was clearly a lie but Thor did not press.
"Come now father. The Odinsleep is upon you soon." Loki said. It was either admit the truth or let their guests think Odin feeble and on death's door.
"Yes it is. You'll have to…have to…" Odin passed out and Loki rushed to him.
"Guards!" Loki yelled. The room flooded with soldiers in a matter of seconds. Some rushed to the Allfather while others kept their Vanir guests seated at the point of a blade.
"The Allfather is in the Odinsleep. Take him to the repository for his slumber." Loki ordered. He stood up and watched as his father was carried away before turning to Thor.
"Until he awakens, you are king." Loki said. His face was grim.
"Lady and gentlemen, please forgive us, but we will have to conclude these proceedings tomorrow. Please continue to enjoy your meal and the rest of Asgard's hospitality. The servants will guide you to your rooms when you are ready. I wish you all a good evening."