"Loki," Eyra began tentatively. It had been three days since Thor's departure from Asgard, and she and Loki had been nearly inseparable since that time. He was currently seated at the end of a large sofa while Eyra was laying across the length of it, her feet placed comfortably on his lap. His hand rested on her ankle while they each read books recommended to them by the other. This was a common position to find them in as they had grown remarkably comfortable with one another. Loki, to Eyra's delight, was quite enthralled with her choice for him: 'Pride and Prejudice.'
He gave a soft 'hmm' in response to her use of his name, quickly finishing the paragraph he was on before giving her his full attention. Eyra took a deep breath.
"I was wondering...The first time that we met...you mentioned that...well...that you could do magic..."
To her surprise, his chest rumbled with laughter. "Are you finally going to ask me to train you in your own magical abilities?" He gave her a knowing smirk. Eyra stared at him, mouth hanging open.
"How did you...?"
"Every time you use it at all, energy converges around you, and I can sense it," he shrugged and smiled at her. "I've been waiting for you to work up the nerve to even bring it up. It actually didn't take you as long as I thought it would."
Eyra shook her head at him with a pout. "But, of course, it would have been absurd for you to save me the trouble and bring it up yourself."
"Honestly hadn't occurred to me," Loki winked. "Anyway, it has been amusing to see you attempt to breach the subject on numerous occasions, only to come up with some ridiculous excuse for why you started speaking." He then threw his head back and gave a hearty chortle. "My favorite was when you simply stared at me with that panicked look you get when you realize you've done something you shouldn't have and then suddenly blurted out 'What does kissing feel like?'"
Eyra flushed bright red as she recalled that unfortunate incident. She had, indeed, been about to ask him about the magic but decided against it. As she had stared at him, wondering what in the world to say, his lips had twitched into that infuriating smirk that she loved so much, and the question had entered, unbidden, into her mind of just what it might be like to kiss it right off of his smug face. The words had left her mouth before she could do anything to stop them. She was grateful that she had at least refrained from mentioning that it was him she was dreaming of kissing. He, on the other hand...
"Yes, well, it was you who informed me that you'd be more than willing to show me," she retorted.
Loki shot her a roguish grin. "Are you reconsidering my offer?"
"Oh, you are insufferable!" She howled with laughter, sitting up to smack his chest. He easily caught her wrist though, and gave her an exaggerated disapproving look.
"How are you ever going to defend yourself against adversaries more menacing than myself?" He let out a deep sigh. "I suppose I shall simply have to teach you my magic tricks, in hopes that it will do you a bit more good than your feeble attempts at this point."
Eyra opened her mouth to rebuke him for his words, but then her eyes widened excitedly. "You mean you'll do it?" She squealed.
Loki chuckled lightly. "Of course. But not until I finish this book."
She poked his cheek, giggling. "I told you it's wonderful! You wouldn't believe me, but now you can't even deny it!"
He turned his head and nipped at her finger, which she withdrew quickly, sticking her tongue out at him. "I think it is you who are insufferable," he told her matter-of-factly.
"But you wouldn't have me any other way," she gave him an angelic smile and a quick peck on the cheek. "Now, hurry and finish that book so we can get started!"
Loki reached up and tapped her nose with his forefinger. "I will if you stop distracting me, darling."
Eyra grumbled and flopped onto her back again, turning her attention back towards her own book. However, so excited was she at the prospect of her forthcoming lessons that she found it incredibly difficult to focus. Letting out a puff of frustration, she glanced at the time and stood up. Loki gave her a questioning look.
"I am going to have tea with your mother," she informed him. "I have thus far avoided taking her up on that offer because, frankly, the idea terrifies me, but anything is better than sitting here, bored out of my mind, waiting for you to hurry your royal rear up."
"You are terrified of my mother?" The prince's voice betrayed the laughter he was trying to fight back.
Eyra flushed. "Perhaps intimidated is a better word. She is to be my mother-in-law, after all."
An uncomfortable silence filled the room at her words, and Eyra cursed herself inwardly. As an unspoken rule, they no longer made any mention of her engagement to Thor, as it only served to dampen both of their spirits with regret and, of course, some measure of guilt regarding the underlying nature of their relationship. Although they had never breached the subject of what that nature was, neither of them could deny that there was a spark there that both terrified and excited them.
Loki cleared his throat awkwardly. "Right then. You should probably get on that then."
"Yes. Yes, of course." Eyra bit her lip and shot him an apologetic glance before hurrying from the room.
She was still silently berating herself when she arrived at the queen's door. As soon as she did, however, all of those thoughts fled her mind as her heart began to hammer.
'This is it,' she realized miserably, not having really considered the consequences before deciding to come. 'I am about to be forbidden from ever seeing Loki again. And to think that was the last conversation I am ever going to have with him...'
Tears sprang into her eyes as she took a deep breath and made to knock on the door. She froze and stood there, fist raised, for several moments before letting her arm fall back to her side. She could not bring herself to do it. Her friendship with Loki meant more to her than anything, even if that was all it would ever be. She was just about to turn around and go back the way she came when the door opened to reveal Frigga, who did not look at all surprised to see her there.
"Lady Astrid," she smiled. "Have you come for tea?"
Eyra swallowed hard, trying to think of a way out of this, but could come up with nothing. "I...yes, Your Majesty..." she confirmed reluctantly.
"Well, please, come in!" The queen ushered her inside and to a small table which, Eyra noted with some wariness, was already set for two. "I normally have my tea out in the gardens, but they are having quite a bit of work done in them today. I hope you don't mind chatting in here instead."
"Oh, no, of course not!" Eyra swallowed. "This is lovely. And I must thank you, once again, for your invitation. It is most kind of you to have me."
"Well, I must confess that it is most exciting for me to have another woman around," Frigga winked. "And, after all, we ladies must stick together."
Eyra laughed softly. "Yes, I suppose that is true."
"How are you getting along adjusting to life here?" The queen asked, taking a sip from her cup.
"I am doing well," Eyra replied thoughtfully. "I suppose I hadn't really thought about that; I've just been trying to take it all in stride. I think that I will be very happy here, though I do still find myself a bit turned around every once in a while," she added sheepishly.
The queen laughed lightly. "Yes, the halls here can be a bit befuddling. I have faith that you will soon learn your way around, however. How are you and Thor getting along?"
Eyra felt her cheeks flush under Frigga's scrutinizing gaze. "Much better than I expected, if I'm honest. I was incredibly nervous about the arrangement, but he is very kind and treats me with great respect." She smiled to herself, pleased with her diplomatic response.
The queen was silent for a moment, eyeing her curiously. "And Loki? The two of you have spent a great deal of time in each other's company." Her casual tone did not fool Eyra for one second, and the poor girl felt her stomach lurch unpleasantly. She cleared her throat, her voice coming out slightly higher than normal.
"Loki has been most good to me. I have appreciated his willingness to spare me from my loneliness; it is very considerate of him to take so much time out of his regular routine to ensure that I am entertained." Eyra congratulated herself once more on her neutral answer.
"As a mother, there is nothing more important to me than the happiness of my children." Eyra's heart sank at her words, and she felt certain she was going to be sick.
"Your Majesty," she began, willing her mind to come up with something to say in order to appease the Queen.
"Eyra," Frigga held up a hand to stop her, giving her a meaningful look. Eyra's mouth fell open in shock at hearing her real name. Frigga leaned forward and spoke softly. "I have not seen my son this happy since he was a child." Although it was not clarified, Eyra was keenly aware that it was not Thor to whom the queen was referring. "For years I have longed to see a genuine smile cross his face, and since you have arrived, that has happened frequently. More than that, he laughs! It has brought me such joy to witness this, and I thank you, wonderful Eyra, for bringing that to pass."
Eyra was so choked up with emotion that she could not speak, so she simply nodded and gave the queen a watery smile. Frigga returned it and sat back in her seat as the pair finished their tea in content silence.
An hour or so later, Eyra returned to where Loki sat, still engrossed in the same novel. He did not even notice her entrance, so she sat on the other side of the couch and tucked her legs up under herself. She folded her arms on the arm and rested her head on them, feeling much better about everything after her chat with the queen of Asgard. A few minutes after she arrived, Loki looked up to check the time and gave a start when he saw her.
"Eyra! How long have you been there?"
"Not long. Only a few minutes," she smiled at him happily. He raised an eyebrow and returned it.
"Tea with Mother went well, I presume?"
Eyra rotated so that she could rest her head on his shoulder contentedly. "Oh, Loki," she sighed. "She's incredible. I don't know why I ever felt I had anything to fear."
Loki chuckled and kissed the top of her head lightly. "I am glad you've realized that. What did you two talk about?"
"Oh, nothing of importance," she responded vaguely and felt him stiffen next to her.
"Wait...she told you about the tree-climbing incident...didn't she?"
Eyra had no clue what he was talking about, but simply could not resist the opportunity, especially upon hearing the note of panic in his voice. She turned her head and gave him a knowing smirk and a wink before standing up to leave the room once again, allowing him to jump to whatever conclusion he may. He leaped up after her.
"Wait! Eyra! What did she tell you?! Eyra!"
Eyra hoisted up her skirts, dashing down the hallway. Loki took off after her, shouting his indignation, and she cackled delightedly, vowing to ask Frigga about the tree-climbing incident the next time they had tea.
A/N: Oh, I simply adore Frigga, and I really hope that I did her character justice! As always, thank you to everyone who followed/favorite/reviewed, and please continue to let me know what you think!
Deductions-Of-Sherlolly: Haha, like I just said, I LOVE Frigga! She is so wonderful! I hope their conversation lived up to your expectations. There will be plenty more to come!
Dappledwing: Thank you so much! Here you go! :)