Chapter 13.
Lorien climbed from the bed early, running into the Bathing Chambers to clean herself and dress for the day. On the stool, she saw a stunning gown of white silk with gold embroidery. The high collar was regal, and the delicate lace of it made her eyes glow with joy. She bathed quickly, being sure to make sure that her hair was perfectly clean and that her body smelled sweet for Loki and her heart fluttered with excitement as she slipped a chmise over her head. She hummed to herself as she dressed, adjusting the gown over herself and combed her hair to ensure that it was perfectly neat before pulling it up and securing it with a gold and diamond comb. She studied herself in the mirror, the gentle, blushing smile at being a bride sweet and she wanted to run to Inge to tell her that she was marrying that day. She turned on the toes of the soft shoes she was given and laughed, her heart singing in joy and she stopped with a gasp at seeing Loki watch her from the door. He wore a fine coat of black, his emerald tunic clean and pressed over his black leather trousers and he walked toward her.
"You are so beautiful in this light, and you make that gown the most beautiful vision I have ever seen." He said and he kissed her, his hand resting on her waist and she blushed softly. She leaned close to him, her hands trembling nervously and he held her for a long time.
"I am so happy you are back Sir, I was most worried for you." She said, and he made a soft sound to calm her. He kissed the top of her head, his arms tightening around her and he smiled down at her.
"I was perfectly safe, are you ready to become my wife?" He asked her and she nodded, her eyes wide and she laughed.
"I was ready last night, and the day before. I will do everything that I can to ensure that you are pleased with me Sir." She said, and he tapped the tip of her nose playfully.
"Call me by my name, it sounds like music on your lips Lorien." He chided, leading her to the doors and down the halls. He took her through a garden, helping her onto a horse that he had tied to a tree. She did not understand why he was taking her that way, and she wondered why there was no procession to the Temple for the ceremony. She felt him mount the animal behind her, his arms circling his waist and she let her concerns vanish as she sat in his arms.
"It is not far, and I want the entire city to see us pass as we ride by. They should look upon you with joy, and will speak of you for days." He said, kissing her neck under her ear and she giggled. She put her hands over his as he took the reins and she smiled and blinked at the sunny day, her entire being giddy to become one with him again.
"I am so happy right now Loki, I cannot possibly express it." She said and he grinned back at her, his eyes twinkling with mirth at her words. He gave her a squeeze, making her laugh and he took a deep breath of the soft perfume she wore.
"I am very happy as well, because I marry the woman I love with all my being this morning." He whispered into her ear and she smiled back at him. The people watched as they rode through the city, their eyes following the couple and some people started whispering to eachother. As they approached the Temple, a Priest descended the steps and Loki waved to him. He dismounted the horse and pulled the man aside while Lorien waited patiently. She looked for The Queen, not seeing her and blinked in confusion at the lack of her presence. The two men seemed to argue for a moment, the older man agreeing as money passed hands. Loki walked back to her, helping her off the horse and held her hand as they walked into the shadowy place of worship.
"Where is Queen Frigga, does she not want to see you marry?" She asked him and he calmed her, kissing her cheek and he smiled.
"Do not worry, she is indisposed and cannot attend but will be very happy when we return with the news that we have become bound to one another." He replied, leading her to the Altar and she blinked in worry. "She always wanted me to find true happiness, and will not fault the both of us for being eager to not delay another moment."
"Of course." She replied, her hand on his as his clothes shimmered into gleaming gold and emerald. She smiled at him, admiring how handsome he was and she blushed as he stole another kiss from her. He felt his heart leap at her smile, her eyes filled with joy and he leaned close to her.
"Today is for us, not anyone else. This is our moment, and I do not want anyone stealing it away." He said, the Priest calling them close and he brought forth a long, narrow cloth of gold. She stood and faced Loki, her hand on top of his and the old man tied the cloth around their hands. She smiled as she gazed at him, his eyes on her and the man opened a book and began reading from it.
"With this cloth, we tie you together, blessing this union with love and light. May no person tear it asunder, nor bring it to an end. The only undoing of this marriage will be caused by the death of one, and will remain sealed for all time." The Priest recited, the cloth holding them together and Loki smiled at the man.
"Now, honor this woman with your promise." He said, and Loki nodded.
"I Loki, Prince of Asgard give thee my name, my body, and my heart. I will never stay from you Lorien, Daughter of the North, and gentle Lady of heart. I will honor these vows, and hold you in the esteem that I hold my very person." He said, and she blushed at his words. "I only beg that you accept me as yours."
"I do so accept you." Lorien said, her voice a soft tone that made him shiver.
"Now you Lady, honor your man with your promise." The Priest said, and she nodded.
"I Lorien, Daughter of the North, give thee my body, my trust, and my heart. I will honor the promise I make to you this day, to be your constant wife and mother of your children. I will nurse thee against my gentle bosom, and never let any man take my heart from you." She vowed, her cheeks blushing and he smiled at her. "I only beg that you accept me as yours."
"I do so accept you." Loki said, his fingers brushing over her cheek and the Priest placed his hands over the cloth. It formed into a gold ring that appeared on Lorien's finger, her eyes widening at it and she smiled at the magic.
"This ring is a symbol of your promise, this beautiful woman bearing it as an unending promise of your fidelity and love for one another. May it never break, and may it never find end, until death take one or both of you." The Priest spoke, his hands leaving theirs and her fingers slipped between Loki's. "You may seal this union with a kiss, and forever bind yourselves together."
Slowly their lips met, she smiling against his and he holding her to him. She stepped up on her toes, her arms around his neck and she giggled as he held her to him. They kissed again softly, the Priest clearing his throat and he winked at them with a smile.
"It only needs one kiss to seal the Ceremony." He said, both of them, laughing as he shook his head. Loki lifted Lorien off her feet, carrying her back to the horse and walking quickly. She giggled, holding onto him and she felt a bit dizzy as he turned a few times with her in his arms.
"I love you, Loki." She laughed, her face in the sun filled with joy and he stopped short of the horse. He looked at her, setting her down and looked into her eyes."
"Say that again, please." He said and she kissed him softly.
"I love you." She replied, happy to fulfill his request. He looked at the ring on her finger, lifting it to his lips and he kissed it gently before helping her on to the horse. He mounted behind her, living it a quick kick and they rode back to the Palace and to their Wedding Bed. She felt giddy at the prospect of laying with him again, and even more excitement of telling Inge that she was now a wife. Her hands gripping his cloak as they raced through the streets. She laughed as they returned to the Castle Gates, he helping her down and the Groom taking his horse away with gusto. They walked toward the great doors, her smile wide as she lifted her skirts and they stopped short.
"Loki." Frigga said, standing next to Odin and the Guards surrounded them. He put his arm around Lorien, protecting her and she shivered in fear at the rage covered face of her King.
"I thought you would be pleased to find me settled down, married to a woman I love." Loki said, laughing and he looked down at the girl he held close to him. "I really do not see a fuss."
"You broke a Diplomatic arrangement, that is the cause of my ire! Are you truly wed to this girl?" Odin demanded, Loki grinning back and he presented Lorien's hand with the ring on it. Frigga's eyes fell, sympathy for the girl on her face and she folded her hands nervously.
"As you can see, we are." Loki said, and sighed. "You knew I disliked that Vanir girl, her behaviours disgusting a rough. No manners worth salvaging, and my god she stinks of perfumes to cover the rot of her breath."
"It mattered not! You defied us, married a Slave..." Odin started, Loki holding her tighter and she yelped in fear.
"That you freed at my request! I want Lorien, and she is my wife. Blessed by the Temple Priests and consumated last night!" He shouted, narrowing his eyes at the King. Frigga walked forward, opening her hands and carefully extricating Lorien from Loki. She smiled at the girl, smoothing her hair and fixing it a bit with a gentle smile.
"All will be well, let me take you to rest Dear." Frigga said, Odin watching the gracious act and frowning. Lorien curtsied to the Queen, accepting her help and she led her into the Castle. "Our new daughter needs some rest, she has had a joyful and eventful day. Such a beautiful day at that, we Ladies will let you men argue over matters of the heart in peace."
Lorien walked with Frigga, the Queen stopping after they were out of earshot and she looked at the girl. She smiled, her lips pressed together and kissed the girl's cheek.
"I wish I could have witnessed it, but I know he truly adores you. I am so happy to be your mother, and pray that you will be happy always." She said and Lorien nodded, her eyes darting back at the shouting nervously.
"I... I did not know he was already to be married. I swear it my Queen, will I be punished for this? What has he done to me?" Lorien fretted, Frigga smiling at her and shaking her head.
"No, you will not face punishment at all. I promise you that, and will keep you safe Dear." She said and leaned close to her. "I hated that awful girl too. She is a terrible match for Loki, and prayed that he would find someone that suited him better. I do like you so much more, amd when Loki told me about you and how he spoke of you... with a wistful smile of course... I may have urged him to tell you how he felt. This is love that is true Dear, never worry on it."
"I will not then. I only wanted my conscience to be clear as I continue my life with my husband." She replied, they both walking on and Frigga laughed at her.
"You are a good and wise woman then Lorien. Come, I have a gift for you now." Frigga said, walking with her and she blushed and laughed with the other woman.
"I already have all that I ever wanted, I have a man who loves and understands me. Who is... who is like me, and will not scorn my birth." She said, her eyes wide and Frigga smiled at her to indicate that she knew about her being half blooded. She led Lorien along, taking her back to his chambers and she opened the doors for her. She walked in, seeing a soft shift of silk on the bed and she blushed at the beautiful lace and sheer silk garment.
"Just ensuring that the next hours are fruitful. But I also provided a new wardrobe, should you both be inclined to just rest and read today." She said, and Lorien waited silently as Frigga opened the wardrobe and she saw the new dresses and shoes waiting for her. She touched the fine fabrics, all of them so soft and beautiful as she gazed at them. She kissed Frigga's cheek, smiling at the treasures and the older woman smiled.
"Thank you, I... I have no words for all of this. You are so very kind to me, even if I am only a Farm Girl." Lorien gasped, looking at a chest of necklaces, bracelets, and hair combs in awe. Frigga smiled at the girl, watching her look at everything and she held her arms open to her.
"You need none, just be happy, even when it is hard to find a reason to be so. You are so very special dear, remember that." Frigga replied, kissing the girl's cheek again and she left the room and Lorien closed the wardrobe. She sat on the lounge, waiting for Loki to come and she smiled at her ring. The soft morning light gave way to the warmer rays of afternoon, and Lorien began to worry about Loki. She waited however, looking around the room and starting to pace. She walked from one side to another, waiting for any news and she heard a knock at the door. She stood up, walking to it and she opened them silently and saw four Guards standing in the hall.
"Lady, we are here to take you to see The King." One said, the rest standing aside and she stepped out into the hall. They looked at her wedding clothes, admiring her soft nature and they gestured for her to walk. She folded her hands, scared for what was to happen and she bit at her lower lip nervously. She followed two of them, two walking behind her and they entered Odin's Study, the Old King pacing back and forth and pausing to look out a window for a moment as they entered.
"I have to inform the Vanir King of this, and I need to know that you entered into this Union willingly. Not a puppet in a game that Loki has played, and you intend to stay as his wife." Odin said, his voice commanding and Lorien nodded silently. She looked at the ring, her fingers sliding over the smooth surface and she swallowed hard.
"I did, for I love him with all that I am, My King. I am also very sorry for your discomfort, I was not aware of the other woman." She confirmed, her eyes scanning the room for Loki but not finding him among the Councilers. He regarded her a moment, taking in her gown and she licked her lips softly.
"I will tell him then, and you now must pray he is forgiving. King Deren is a proud, easily enraged man, and will demand to know the terms and reasons as to how you came into your marriage. He may enact an ancient rite, one of The Test of Seven to restore honor to his daughter." Odin said, and she took in a shaky breath. "Return to your Chambers, and I must warn you, I cannot interfere in the test if it is enacted, you will be executed if you loose to Princess Varka to free Loki of you."
"I will pray that I find a way to avoid it then, My King, and if I do die, then I die a woman married to her second half." Lorien said, his eyes shooting to her and she curtsied before leaving the chambers. By the time the Guards collected her, she was horrified about the prospects she faced and prayed for a miracle to avoid them.
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Loki paced his chambers, walking from one room to the other as he waited and he looked up as the door opened. She entered, placing her back to it for a moment, smiling and running to him and they embraced. Her soft perfume filling the air and he lifted her chin to kiss her, his hands clutching the fabric of her wedding gown. She put her hands on both of his cheeks, the long sleeves sliding under his fingers as he moved his hands up them to hold them both against his skin. She gasped, his lips on her neck and she blushed as she felt him unlace the back of her dress.
"I am so, so happy you are back here." He said, sliding the dress off her shoulders and she blushed and held it over her. He laughed at her being shy, tugging the gown and she laughed at his teasing.
"Husband, you act as if you were gone for many months, Sir." She laughed and she let the gown fall to her feet and stood in her corset and petticoat. He lifted her up, carrying her into the bedchambers and lay her down as he kissed up the front of her body.
"A second away from you is an eternity Wife." He said and she laughed as he pulled off his vest and tunic, laying next to her on the bed and he took her in his arms. They kissed, his hand hooking her leg and he wrapped it around his waist as he caressed up her thigh. She gasped, clutching to his shoulders and he pushed off the mattress to gaze down at her. His fingers traced down her neck, caressing her decolletage and she arched into the touch.
"I love when you call me wife." She laughed, catching her stolen breath and he leaned close to her. A smile crossing his lips, and she laughed a bit at him.
"I shall call you it often... Wife." He said, claiming her lips and she felt his loosten his trousers to free himself. She sighed, her breath catching as he slipped into her and she held to him as she slipped into ecstasy. She pulled him into her embrace, her head laying on the pillows as they began their life together.