"I almost forgot-this came for you yesterday." Sif reached into her apron's pocket to reveal a sealed envelope. "From Ivan," she announced, handing the letter to Natalia.
"Thank you," the princess beamed.
Two weeks had passed since Ivan left. As much as Natalia missed him, she knew that he was happier back home. She had written her first letter to him last week and was glad to finally have a response.
Sif watched Natalia's expression in the mirror as her hands busied themselves with braiding her long hair. "You seem happier as of late. Marriage has been good to you, I take it?"
Natalia set the letter down atop her vanity to read later. "Loki and I are happy," she began. "And…Sif, how much longer do you suppose I wait to announce a baby?" she asked, letting her hand caress her middle.
"You and the Prince have been working hard, I take it," Sif winked.
"I don't like to divulge our private life, but yes," she softly laughed.
"And Loki knows?" the servant wondered.
"Yeah," Natalia nodded. "I told him as soon as I had a feeling…"
"How do you think Clint will react? You haven't talked about him in a while," Sif noted.
Natalia gave Sif a puzzled look through the mirror. "The hunter? When have I ever talked about him?"
Sif merely rolled her eyes as she secured the end of Natalia's braid with a ribbon. "Giving him the cold shoulder?" she smirked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Natalia answered, growing more confused.
"Never mind." If Natalia chose to play dumb, then Sif decided to humour her. "By the way, I've noticed that the Jane woman has been around here quite a lot as of late..."
"Visiting Thor," the red-head replied. "You best make a move before they get married," Natalia playfully remarked.
Sif wrinkled her nose. "I'm not jealous of her, just curious." She stepped back, signaling to the princess that her work was finished. "Let's end our chatting here. Breakfast is waiting you in the dining hall."
Natalia rose from her seat, grinning at her hand maiden. "You're in love with Thor. It's obvious."
"I really hope you are with child, so when its birth comes, I can ridicule you as you writhe in pain," Sif smirked.
"You can be cruel at times," Natalia remarked, walking alongside her servant as they left the bedroom.
The look on Loki's face whenever he saw his wife enter a room was always one of excitement. She never failed in making him grin like a fool. Today, especially, with her long braid which was a new sight for him. "Darling," he crooned, "you look lovely."
"You always say that," Natalia reminded him as she seated herself at his side.
"Simply because it is true," he playfully added.
"Loki?" she quietly asked. "I'd like to let our family know…" Natalia touched her stomach beneath the table and her husband noticed the gesture.
Loki proudly grinned as he turned to his parents. "Mother, Father," he announced. "Natalia and I bear good news."
Frigga clapped her hands together. She had an inkling that she knew exactly what their news was.
"Your Majesties," the princess began, smiling for her in-laws. "I am with child."
The Queen was bursting with pride over the idea of a new baby. "This is wonderful! What a perfect start to your union!"
Odin nodded in approval. "Loki, you may share the news with the town tomorrow. I will be sure to assemble a crowd before the church."
"Allow me, Father!" Thor declared. "I shall guarantee to spread the word of my Brother and Sister's news!"
Loki eyed the King, wondering if another less enthusiastic announcement would be appropriate. "My King… I believe there is another thing I must mention to my wife. Thor, this may or may not be new information for your ears." He lowered his gaze and reached for his wife's hand before standing.
"Loki?" Natalia worriedly asked.
"This concerns my family," he began after clearing his throat. "Each and every one of you…" He shook his head and exhaled deeply. "Natalia, I am so sorry to bring this up now, but I need you, of all people, to know."
Natalia gently squeezed his hand, bracing herself for the worst. It was rare to see her husband so nervous.
"I recently discovered that my given name is Loki Laufeyson. I am the son of Laufey…" He heard Frigga gasp and Loki knew that this was breaking her heart. She was his Mother, and she had been for his entire life. For her to learn that he knew that he wasn't her legitimate son must have left the woman heartbroken. "Laufey, a once all-powerful witch…" Loki tightly shut his eyes and braced himself for the worst. This was the part he dreaded the most. Natalia's reaction.
"A witch?" the red-head breathed, dumbfounded. "Loki, what's going on? Is this a joke?"
"Natalia, dear, please calm yourself," Odin ordered. "What your husband says is true, however he poses no threat," the King promised. "Unlike Laufey who had the nerve to strike me, rendering me of my eye, Loki has lived an innocent life, raised with love and care by Frigga and myself."
"Then he is like Jane?" Thor asked aloud.
"Is she another child of Laufey!?" the Queen asked her son in disbelief.
"Nay. A good witch," Thor corrected her.
Natalia ignored the rest of her family for a moment to focus on her husband. "How long have you known about this?" she asked.
Loki gave her a pitiful stare. The tears forming in her eyes made him regret bringing the subject up. "Not long." He sat and reached for Natalia's free hand. "Natalia, you must know that I hid this so you wouldn't feel any stress. With our wedding approaching, there was no time for this!"
"This is something I would've liked to know!" she exclaimed, feeling a wave of nausea rush over her.
"Natalia, I swear to you that I am not a bad man! Think of Jane-she has yet to wrong us!"
"I hardly know her!" she screamed. The tears escaped her eyes and she yanked her hands away from Loki's grasp.
"She is a good woman. Natalia, I swear to you that I have done no wrong!" Loki could recall moments of deep frustration, one that even led him to slaughtering his horse, but all of his anger was no more. That he could promise her. For reasons unknown to Loki, he was a much happier man as of late.
"I'm not angry about witches, Loki! You kept this hidden from me!" Natalia snapped.
"Natalia, dear," Frigga interrupted. "Please consider your husband's feelings. He only just found out about this after his Father and I kept it wrongly hidden from him."
The red-head pursed her lips, fighting back more tears as she scowled at Loki.
"This is a hard subject to even be brought up," the Queen continued. "Nonetheless, I am glad that it is being addressed. You now know the truth."
After taking a deep breath, Natalia took her seat at Loki's side. "Yes, my Queen," she muttered.
They all sat in silence before Loki finally spoke up. "Natalia, know that I take the name of Odin because he is my Father. I am not a witch-I was raised as a mortal, just like everyone at this table."
Natalia shook her head before standing back up. "Forgive me, but I feel ill and am in need of rest." She bowed to the King and Queen before making her leave.
"Natalia…" Loki helplessly watched as she fled the dining hall, hating himself for what he had done.
"This isn't your fault, Loki," Frigga assured him.
"It is," the prince disagreed. "Today should have been saved for the joyous announcement of our child, but I ruined it…" He lowered his gaze before he, too, decided to rise from the table. "I will be out in the garden if I am needed," he briskly announced. At a time like this, he wanted nothing more than to bask in the shade while curling up in the tall grass. …
"Natalia, dear?" Frigga lightly tapped on the door to the newlywed's bedroom, hoping that an hour was enough time for Natalia to calm down.
Natalia had spent the time reclining in bed, absently staring at the folds of the drapery lining the canopy bed. "Come in," she called out at the sound of the Queen's voice. Natalia sat up, not caring that her eyes still felt puffy or that her hair was a mess after she pulled apart her braid.
Frigga warmly smiled as she set a small tray with a goblet and some fruit down on Loki's desk. "I pray that this hasn't left a permanent dent in your marriage." She pulled out the chair before Loki's desk and sat.
"I'm very sorry for walking out earlier," Natalia apologized, standing up to bow.
"I can understand that this was stressful news for you."
Natalia sighed and sat down atop a wooden trunk at the foot of the bed. "I swear I don't think Loki's evil-I really don't!" she quickly added. "This is just shocking. I didn't expect for this to come up…"
"None of us did, dear," Frigga reassured the girl. "Still, I'm proud that Loki is handling the matter well."
"Did you ever plan on telling him yourself?" Natalia quietly prodded.
"There was a time when he was a child that I wanted to tell him, but my husband thought it would be safer to keep it a secret. I agreed, only because I see Loki as my own flesh and blood. He is my baby, regardless of what his true ancestry has to say." She let her bright blue eyes meet with Natalia's. "When you finally get to hold your baby in your arms, Natalia, you will understand how powerful a parent's love can be," she beamed. "Perhaps even when you feel the child's first movements, you will begin to feel the need to protect him or her at any cost."
"I already love it," Natalia promised. "And so does Loki. He will be a good father."
Frigga nodded in agreement. "His heart has always been in the right place." She picked up the silver goblet from the tray and carried it over to Natalia. "I'm not sure how early on this trick will work, but it is well worth a try!" Frigga handed the cup to a puzzled Natalia. "I've heard an old wives tale about drinking mead before one falls asleep. If you awaken with some pain in your belly, that is a sign that you are with child."
Natalia hesitated, afraid that if it didn't work, she would be letting Loki and Frigga down. Still, her mother-in-law mentioned that she wasn't sure how early in the pregnancy it had to be to work. It was worth a try. Natalia eagerly took a sip from the cup just as Frigga made her leave.
"I've also left something for you to eat. We don't want you skipping any meals, now," she hinted.
"Thank you. I promise that I will also sort things out with Loki," she added.
Loki felt a strong urge to find Jane, even another witch, for company's sake. He needed someone who would understand him during his time of loneliness. Performing another summoning wouldn't be a wise decision, though. The last thing Asgard needed was an invasion. Just last week, Loki was informed that there was an attack on York's neighbouring town. He would never forgive himself if he brought chaos into his own homeland. Witches were tricky to deal with, even with skilled hunters on duty. He sighed and tossed an apple core at Sleipnir's grave marker. A long ride through the woods would have felt perfect at a time like this. Loki decided to take a walk with his own two feet to aimlessly parade around the castle grounds.
He had no reason to be upset, especially with the strong possibility of a baby on the way. Knowing that Natalia was angry with him was enough to drain his mood. He only wished for their life to only know of happiness. The prince stopped and glanced up towards his bedroom window. He wondered if she was napping, maybe she was dreaming about him… Loki turned away and ran towards the blossom tree to gather some flowers for her. She needed something to brighten her day, especially after he dampened the announcement of their firstborn.
"Natalia?" Loki cautiously allowed himself into their bedroom. The drawn curtains blocked out the afternoon sunlight, making the room look like it was nighttime. Through the open flaps of the canopy bed, Loki saw his wife curled up into a ball, fast asleep. He smiled and set a small bouquet of white flowers on her vanity before joining her in their bed. "Are you having pleasant dreams?" he murmured, reaching over to play with her hair. When she didn't respond, he began softly humming to her whilst watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest. It didn't take long for the prince to nod off with an arm securely around her waist.
A sharp knock on the door awoke Loki from his nap. He wasn't sure how long he had been out for and he still felt groggy. "Yes?" he called out. A quick glance at Natalia showed that she was still fast asleep, arms hugging her middle.
"The Queen sent me to check on Natalia," Sif announced.
Loki rose from the bed to greet Natalia's handmaiden. "Thank you." He would have properly addressed her, only he still didn't know the woman's name. Something about her felt familiar, though. "As you can see, she is still asleep."
"I will inform the Queen right away."
"No need," the prince interfered. "I will do it myself."
Natalia heard her bedroom door open, then close, followed by a set of soft footsteps. "Loki?" she mumbled, rolling onto her back.
"Hello, Natalia," he softly began. "I was just telling my Mother you were asleep. Listen, about earlier, I-"
"Where is your Mother?" she interrupted.
"Needle pointing in the library. Do you wish for me to bring her here?"
"No," Natalia told him with a grin. She rubbed her stomach, trying to relieve the unsettling churning she felt. Natalia felt her nerves start to get the better of her as she wondered if this accounted for an upset stomach. "I can get her myself." She got out of bed to give her husband a kiss. "I'm sorry for getting so flustered before. Witch or not, you're a good man and I love you. You and our baby."