His Royal Majesty, King Loki Odinson

Requests the presence of Reynard Skamkelson and Erna Reynarddottir

for a private dinner in the royal apartments

The invitation alone had sent her father into an emotional tailspin. He seemed more upset than anything, not the reaction she'd expected. He went on and on about how rude it was to send such a request on short notice and complained about his lack of preparation time.

Erna didn't understand it. He had to know what subject Loki wanted to discuss, but she couldn't figure out why he wasn't overjoyed at the prospect. She figured it must have been that Reynard hadn't proposed the match himself, and was therefore sullen about the whole business. It was the only explanation she could come up with that made any kind of sense.

Nevertheless, he usually knew when to behave and was all smiles as the king greeted them that night. They'd been escorted to a private dining room Erna had never seen before. Splendidly appointed, the wooden table was set for three with Loki at the head. The plates were made of solid gold and the fluted glasses looked to be spun from some kind of delicate crystal. The whole table seemed to glitter waiting for them.

After greeting her father, Loki bowed low over her hand and kissed it, earning a surprised grunt from Reynard. Just then, she had to fight not to dissolve into a fit of laughter. The absurdity of his disapproval over such a trivial thing was suddenly the height of hilarity.

Loki kept the conversation on bland topics such as the weather throughout the actual meal and Erna was happy to see her father follow his lead. They were in control of this, not her father, she reminded herself over and over. Seated to Loki's right, she saw how often the king clenched the fist at his side when Reynard said something particularly inane. They both deserved medals at the end of the meal.

When they retired to an adjoining seating area for a post-meal port, Erna gave Loki a covert nod. This was the signal that Reynard had reached the sweet spot of drunkenness. He wasn't so far gone as to forget his manners, but the wine was making him more agreeable than he would be sober. Now was the time.

"Lord Reynard, I'm sure you've seen how fond I am of your daughter."

"I have indeed." The pronouncement made it sound like he was some wise old seer, blessed with a sight others only dreamed of. It was so haughty she could only clench her jaw and stay quiet.

"And you know what a charming woman she is."

"Yes, she's... quite something." Erna saw anger flash across Loki's face at her father's words. Reynard didn't know the king's expressions as well as she did and didn't pick up on the change, but she saw it clearly.

"I find her utterly enchanting." Loki's tone was almost belligerent now, as if willing Reynard to disagree. He looked like he was spoiling for a fight.

"That's..." He seemed to have realized the king was displeased with his response and struggled to regain his favor. "That's wonderful to hear, sire. She's a fine woman."

"Indeed." He sat back, spread his legs wide, and draped his arms across the chair's armrests. Loki made even a lounge chair look like a throne. She felt an unexpected swell of pride just looking at him. The reminder of his stature and power wasn't lost on Reynard either.

"I've called you here tonight to negotiate with you for Erna's hand." She noticed he was very careful with his words and didn't ask for Reynard's approval or blessing. He spoke as if the outcome was a foregone conclusion and that only the details needed to be worked out.

Erna couldn't help but hold her breath waiting for her father's reply. They thought he'd eventually acquiesce, but he could be unpredictable. Everything hinged on their manipulation of him, but he had to remain oblivious to their machinations.

What came out of his mouth next was wholly unexpected. "Is she pregnant?"

"Excuse me?" Loki's tone was icy, his eyes dark with menace.

"If she's pregnant it can easily be dealt with. There's no need-" His words were cut short by the king, who moved across the space in a blur. Before Erna had a second to process what was happening, Loki had Reynard in the air. He held him fast by his great bull neck, only letting the big man's feet graze the floor as he hung. Erna was struck dumb watching the scene unfold.

The king looked apologetically at Erna. "I'm sorry you have to see this, little elf, but I couldn't let that stand." He then directed his attention back to Reynard. "Two things you must know about me, elf. One, is that I have no patience for those who do not show proper respect. And you were extremely disrespectful to Lady Erna just now. And two, is that once I've set my mind to something, I will not be deterred. Understand?"

Reynard could only burble and grunt in reply, as Loki kept the grip on his throat. "I was going to go about this traditionally, I truly was, but you clearly don't deserve the courtesies. We will announce our engagement on the morrow. I will accept whatever dowry you've set aside for Erna and you will receive a generous bride-price. More generous than you deserve."

The other man gave a weak kind of nod and Loki continued. "If I ever hear you impugn the lady's honor again, I'll see fit to banish you to Hel without the courtesy of killing you first. She is to be my queen and you will treat her as such."

Loki relinquished his hold on the older man, who crumpled to the ground in a moaning heap. Reynard clutched at his throat and spluttered, but had the good sense to otherwise stay quiet.

To further communicate his message, the king leaned down and spoke with a cold fury that Erna had only heard about. "Keep in mind, old man, that I have ears everywhere. If you so much as whispersomething distasteful about your daughter I will know about it."

-XXX-

Later that night Erna waited for Loki to appear at her door. She was beset with a range of emotions and paced restlessly, anxiously glancing at the door when the smallest sound reached her ears.

When they'd left the king's chambers, Reynard stalked off on his own without so much as a glance at her. She'd made it back to her own room and readied for bed as if it was any other night. But she'd just gone through the motions, simply nodding and smiling as her maids chattered excitedly away.

Nothing had prepared her for what her father had said, and she never would have expected Loki's reaction to Reynard's crass words. She was so confused over what her father had begun to say. It was almost as if he didn't want Erna to marry the king. It simply didn't make any sense. She tried in vain to push aside the feelings of guilt and shame, but couldn't shake them.

By the time Loki joined her, she was no closer to understanding the situation, but those thoughts flew away at the sight of him. She barely let the door close behind him before pulling him into an urgent embrace.

"You're shaking, little one." His arms closed tight around her and she buried her face in his chest. For reasons known only to the king, he'd left off his armor and leather and now wore a simple tunic and breeches. To her, he seemed more solid than ever though.

"I'm sorry, Loki," she whispered.

"I should be the one asking for forgiveness, little elf. I let my temper get the best of me. If I would have known he'd say such horrible things, I'd have met with him on my own. How can I make my abominable behavior up to you?"

"But you were brilliant." She looked up into his pained face in confusion. "Nobody's ever… I've never seen anyone stand up to him like that on my behalf."

"You're not upset?"

"Not about your actions." His presence did calm her some, but the rage and humiliation she'd originally felt was still there. Loki just wasn't the cause of it.

"I had no idea he'd react like that or I would have planned this whole thing differently. You don't deserve to have someone like that upset you so, little one."

"I don't know why I'm surprised, he's been upsetting me my whole life."

"But to speak of you as if you were a sordid problem to be solved, that is unacceptable. If you wish, I can have him placed under house arrest until the wedding."

The offer earned a small smile from her. "That's tempting, but I'd like everyone to think he's in favor of the match. If it was known how he reacted, it might hurt us."

"How very even-tempered of you to think of strategy above your personal feelings. But if you should change your mind, do let me know." The gleam in his eyes told her he'd take great pleasure punishing Reynard if she'd allow it. It was a strangely comforting feeling.

Taking care not to meet his eyes, she asked a favor of him. "I don't want to be alone. Will you stay with me tonight?"

"If that is your wish, Erna."

"It is. Thank you."

"Get settled in bed and I'll be back in a moment."

Expecting to see him slip into the adjoining bathroom, instead he surprised her by exiting into the corridor. It was several minutes before he returned with a small glass vial in his hand.

"Take this, little elf." He removed the stopper and offered her the bottle.

"What is it?"

"A sleeping potion. It will give you a dreamless night. You deserve an uninterrupted rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

"That's very thoughtful of you, Loki."

"I know how trying it can be to have... issues with your father."

She drank the sour liquid in one gulp and watched him climb into bed beside her. The edges of her consciousness started to feel fuzzy as she settled into a comfortable position. "You're not at all like people think you are," she declared dreamily.

"And how is that, little one?"

"Hearing people talk, you'd just as soon trod on me as step out of the way. But you're not like that at all."

"Not to you."

"Why let people think that of you?"

"A bit of fear is healthy. If someone deserves to know me better, then I'll allow it."

"I'm glad I'm allowed." She giggled, as the thought was suddenly funnier than it ought to have been.

"Someone needs to sleep."

She didn't seem to hear him, instead continuing her train of thought. "I'm glad you picked me. I really like you, Loki."

"I'm rather glad I did too, but I shall have to silence you in an unpleasant way if you don't stop fighting the potion and go to sleep."

"Oooooh we have to discuss that later. I quite like that idea actually."

It took him a moment to process her words, but before he could ask for additional clarification, he heard her begin to snore gently. She had one hand clutching the neck of his undertunic and she looked too peaceful to bother removing it. Something told him she needed an anchor to hold onto and he wouldn't begrudge her.

He tried and failed to press away thoughts of tonight's encounter. Just remembering Reynard's words left him simmering with hatred. But even more vexing was that he hadn't anticipated such a reply. It was bad enough Reynard assumed Loki was only marrying Erna because of an illegitimate pregnancy, but her father also seemed willing to get the king out of it.

The lord's response to the situation as he perceived it was beyond troubling. Loki and Erna both assumed the power-hungry idiot would be only too happy to deliver her to the king's marriage bed. But tonight he'd seemed against the idea.

Erna was right in her assessment of the king. He did like to have the data at his disposal before making a decision and he now had the niggling sensation some major piece of information was alluding him. It was one of many disconcerting takeaways from tonight's meeting.

His mind didn't truly calm enough for sleep until he focused on what was to come. Tomorrow they would announce the engagement and as soon as preparations could be made, they would be wed. The rest would certainly sort itself out.