p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"For all that Vali and Narvi exhausted each other, it didn't stop them from pestering me every night where their father was. I had no answers. Each time they asked, my stomach rushed, leaving me nauseated with worry./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"If he truly felt we were in danger, I didn't want to risk being apart from what was left of our family. We stayed inside our tiny home and didn't speak with anyone. My efforts to find a conduction space with Loki proved unsuccessful, deepening the cloud of dread that disturbed my sleep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Nearly a fortnight had passed by the time I had no choice but to grant Vali and Narvi the chance to go outside and stretch their legs—and give me a break in the process. The sky was clearer than usual, and the scent of fruit trees beyond the fortress walls called to me. Their thick pollen no longer made my nose run, and I looked forward to bringing their spicy blooms to my face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"The boys charged through the houses around ours until they reached the clearing south of the bonfire site. Families of all ages gathered at its edge and nods with me; as parents, we all had exhaustion in common and chose not to socialize and wear ourselves down further. Vali found a common playmate and chased him in circles whilst loudly screeching with glee. Narvi, for all that he'd declared a wish to do the same, settled at my side and drew symbols in the dust while humming quietly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"I looked to the sky and felt overcome with warmth. Peace. Contentment. Life was good and I was happy, even if I was uncertain. It was better not to hide in fear over the unknown. Vali had volumes to teach me about being carefree and finding joy in everything. Narvi's reserved introspection was equally valuable. Through them, I saw my own strengths and thanked Frigga for the grace she granted me to have such progeny./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Vali's friend was growing red in the face and quickly tiring; like all the other Vanir children, none could compete with Vali's endless stamina, as if he ran on four legs and not two. I stood with my arms primed at my sides and slouched, ready to snatch my son the moment he came close enough./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"His sapphire eyes—which Loki said matched me, though I doubted mine could ever be as brilliant—flashed at me and widened when he noticed my stance. He grinned and charged ahead. "You can't catch me, Mum!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Oh, I can't?" I hiked my skirt and started in one direction, then shifted to keep him on his toes. His speed was no match for my long stride, and I scooped him in my arms and turned in circles to make him fly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"He squeaked and laughed, a joyful song, kicking in false protest. "Mum, let me go!" I swung him over my shoulder as he beat on my back with small fists. "Aye, I will escape, I will! I will!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Escape to where?" I asked, spinning in circles a few times before setting my eyes on Narvi. "And what's this? Another small treasure?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Narvi's soft green gaze was wizened somewhat, and he had the Vanir habit of running his mind while keeping his mouth shut. But he didn't object to being part of the game and fought to keep a straight face behind his chuckling./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I think you both shall make a delicious meal," I yelled, shifting Vali to the front to tickle under his arms and growl into his neck. Narvi let me tug at his clothes and pull him closer without issue. My teasing nibbles morphed to smooches over both their faces, and my softer son returned his affection with arms wrapped tightly around my neck./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Vali grumbled with jealousy over my attention toward Narvi, so he threw himself around my neck as well on the other side. "I love you, Mum," he said, pecking my cheek. Narvi did the same, hardly touching me. I squeezed them both as joyful euphoria calmed my every frayed nerve and tired muscle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I love you, boys." I sighed and wouldn't let them leave./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Without warning, Narvi startled on my left side, quickly releasing and wriggling from my arms. "It's Father!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"My heart sang and I snapped to look behind me. My limbs went limp and numb. Vali and Narvi raced away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Loki was barely in view, but he was unmistakable. His light green tunic stood out among the sea of brown worn by the Vanir. They barely turned toward him, but I couldn't tear my face away even if I'd tried. He sauntered toward us, effortlessly beautiful, with a slight grin that teased of mischief and pride. The brown satchel hanging on his right shoulder was as full as it had been when he left, so he'd clearly just returned the horse to its owner and was making his way back toward our home when he came across us./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"I stood to greet him, making my way slowly behind our sons so I could fully appreciate the reunion. Despite all his travels, he wasn't weary or deflated to see them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""My sons," he said, kneeling with open arms to take them in./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Vali tumbled into him, nearly knocking Loki over. "Father, you're home! Did you bring anything for me?" He didn't relent and pushed until Loki was flat on his back, fully tackled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Loki laughed, pretending to be defeated by the child's touch, and he spread his arms out on the ground in surrender. "I bring only myself, and now I've been defeated."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Narvi joined Vali in the faux attack, sitting on Loki's legs to pin him down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Victory over the mountain!" Vali cried with his arms high in the air./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"For a moment, Loki startled with wide eyes, staring at Vali as if he'd said something inappropriate. His eyes flitted over the clear sky, yet without any clouds, there was nothing to focus on. After a few seconds, the fear written all over his face faded to an appropriate peace./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Narvi rocked back and forth on Loki's legs, vying for attention. "Where've you been, Father?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's a long story, I'm afraid." Loki managed to sit up and hug Vali tightly to hold him still. "One I'll tell you when the time is right."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Narvi groaned and folded his arms./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""But I will tell you a secret," Loki said, relaxing his hold on Vali to look both our children in the eye. "Did you know your mother is ticklish?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"I stopped where I was and cocked a brow at him. "Loki, don't you dare."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"He bounced his brows at me and eyed Vali, then mimed touching the crux of his neck. He nodded at Narvi, and the three of them turned toward me with their hands out, grasping the air./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"I felt the tingles up and down my spine already and couldn't help giggling. "Boys…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""And, emnow!/em"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Narvi and Vali yelled a solid note as they ran for me, pulling my smock to reach the best angle to torment me, even though they were both too short. It was a delight to play along,/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"While I snorted on the ground and let my children think they could disarm me, I let go of the tightly wound knot in my heart and was grateful we could resume our perfect life./span/p