Chapter 14.
Lorien lay against him, her arms around his waist and her legs tangled between his. She had her head on his shoulder, her hair smoothed over the pillows as she lay asleep and Loki watched her. His eyes traced the way the sheet hugged her body, amd how her breathing seemed to calm him. Her very presence bringing him a peace he had not felt in a long time. He moved her hair back, caressing her cheek and she stirred softly with a small sound in her throat. She blinked, her eyes opening and she smiled at him softly as she roused from her slumber.
"It is morning, we should dress and make ourselves known." Loki said, she sighing and nodding as she rubbed her nose a bit.
"Must we?" She asked and he laughed at her, seeing that she was still a bit sleepy from the night before. Her eyes began to close, and he gave her a soft shake by shifting his shoulder and she huffed in irritation at being woken again.
"We must." He replied and she smiled a bit. "We have to show all that we are now married, and you need to give Odin a statement as to what you witnessed with the Vanir Ambassador."
"Very well." She said softly, snuggling into him and dozing again. He laughed, his head back and he regarded her a moment as she buried her face in the sheets that covered them. She looked so very sweet in that moment, and he found himself more amused than angry by her actions. He gave her a gentle shake, her eyes opening and she sighed as she forced herself to sit up. He admired her body as she stretched up on her toes, stretching her hands and fingers over her head. He watched her trudge across the room, vanishing into the Bathing Chambers and he laughed to himself again. He knew that she would have to get used to being on a schedule, and he would help her to be more part of the Nobility as she continued along in their marriage. She would have to learn more of the etiquette, and how to navigate among the men and women she would hold title over. Some of them could be rather helpful and kind, while others were sharks in the water, looking for blood and ready to pounce on any weakness shown to them.
He would guide her though, and through that guidance she would learn. It was the only way to keep her safe, and to ensure that she was his always.
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Lorien stood, her hands folded in front of her and she answered every question asked of her. Her voice was calm, and her soft blue dress flowed around her. She clearly answered another question, the former Vanir Ambassador scowling at her.
"And you heard all this by matter of an open conversation in a hall?" Odin asked her and she nodded, her chin raised to address the Old King as Loki watched.
"Yes My King. They were quite clandestine about all of it, and were looking about themselves to ensure they were not heard." She replied, Odin nodding and she blinked at him. He waved his hand, dismissing her with a gesture and she curtsied to her King politely before backing away. Loki was impressed with how she observed all manners in this, and she took her place to his right as the Prisoners watched.
"She is a whore, a bed warmer, the lowest rank of all the people here. You truly believe the words of a glorified cock warmer King Odin? Why..." Brom started, cut off by the sound of a dagger being drawn and Loki walking toward him in rage.
"She is my WIFE!" The Prince growled, Lorien standing in shock of her husband's actions. "Mind what you call her, or I will do the entire Realm the favor of removing your tounge."
"ENOUGH!" Odin shouted, regaining order over all assembled and all eyes fell on the pale girl. They silently judged her, the new Ambassador stepping forward and gesturing for attention.
"King Odin, the Bethroval between my Kings's second daughter and your son was never voided. This is a slight that cannot go overlooked, surely Prince Loki is making a jest of this." The thin man with the neatly trimmed, brown beard said. Sif and the Warriors stared from Loki to Lorien, and they were shocked by the newest developments. Frigga moved to stand next to her new Daughter, taking the girl's hand gently and showing care for her.
"We eloped quite suddenly." Loki said, smiling back at his wife to reassure her. "I was taken in by how beautiful she was, and how gentle her mannerisms are."
"But... With all due respect, she is the lowest bred of all. A Pleasure Slave? My King has offered you a well bred daughter of royalty. Not a lowly girl like her." The Ambassador protested, shaking his head and sighing. "My Master will be most angered by this news, and demand some form of recourse. This is not only a great catastrophe for the treaty between out Realms, but also a vast insult."
"I am aware of this matter, and have planned to send King Deren a letter of apology myself." Odin replied, glaring at Loki and he sighed. "My son is rash at times, seeking out that which he desires without respect to the consequences of his actions. I do hope that an arrangement can be made to find another match for his Daughter, Princess Varka is still very young and beautiful. She will have suitors clamoring for her hand, and will have to break many hearts when she chooses one."
Loki repressed a laugh at Odin's words, his bile nearly rising at the thought that he would have had to lay in a bed next to that skeletal woman. To smell the stink that came off of her, amd to eventually have to try and put a child in her belly. He mentally cringed at her cackling laugh, and her vociferous voice that carried across rooms. He thanked the Norns for Lorien, sneaking a glance over at her and smiled a bit at the memories of her the previous night. He nearly felt himself become aroused at his thoughts, fighting to keep those unbidden images at bay.
"I will still have to report this news as well, and I do hope he does not demand that the Tests be opened to see if she is actually worthy of her place." The man said, and Frigga shook her head. She looked ar the girl in worry, and tried not to think of the trials she would have to go through.
"I will hope the same." Odin said, and clenched a fist. "We must pass judgment on these criminals however, and then I must see to other matters. We have put off the celebration of my Crown for too long, and an official announcement of the union will have to be made soon."
Loki walked back to Lorien, taking her hands and he pulled her head toward him to kiss her forehead. She leaned forward, closing her eyes but could still feel the judgment of the people around her weighing on her. She wanted to leave, but she had to remain and the new couple separated, standing next to one another as they heard the verdict on the traitors before them. Lorien barely registered that the Ambassador had left the Hall, and she blinked as the chained men were pronounced guilty and sentenced to die. Her stomach sank at the threat of the Seven Tests hanging over her head, amd she frowned to herself.
They left the Hall, walking along and Loki stopped short when he saw the Ambassador waiting for him. He nodded to the man, taking Lorien's hand in his and guiding her toward the Gardens. She could easily walk on her own now, but he still insisted on accompanying her wherever she wanted to go. They made their way to them, finding a little girl playing with her Nanny and she waved to them both amd ran to Lorien.
"Lorien! Is it true that you are a wife now?" The child shouted, squealing as she saw the gold ring on her hand. She reached up to Loki, her small arms wanting to hug him and he looked at the child in shock.
"Brother! I have another brother!" The girl shouted, Lorien laughing and sitting in the grass with her sister and the girl hugged his legs.
"Yes Inge, he is your brother now. Please be careful, he does not need to have his knees bruised by a little girl." Lorien said, the little girl squealing as Loki picked her up. He gave her a quick bounce in his arms, and she giggled as her black hair flew out.
"It takes quite a bit to bruise me Love, I do like this little one very much however. She reminds me of a smaller version of you." He said, Lorien laughing as he set the girl back down, letting her step on the toes of his boots to dance around with her. The Nanny laughed, watching Loki play with the child and she smiled at Lorien.
"Congratulations Princess, I am happy for you." The old woman said, the little girl running from Loki as he dropped to his knees and growled at her.
"Thank you, amd thank you so much for watching after Inge, she can be a bit precocious at times." Lorien replied, the woman laughing and she waved her hands. She wore her silvery hair in a bun, and she had a bit of Grandmotherly weight on her frame but was still very attractive. There was a warmth from the woman, a kindness that only a matron could give and she laughed easily.
"It is not small task to care for any child, and I hope to help you care for yours with Prince Loki." She said, smiling and Lorien blushed at the image of herself with a child. She smiled, nodding to the woman and heard Inge squeal as Loki chased after the girl again.
"I would like to have you. Inge looks so very happy with you, and the Queen has been so very kind to the both of us. I feel as if this is all a great dream, and I am afraid of waking." She replied and the old woman gave her a painless pinch on the wrist. The both of them laughing when Lorien acknowledged that it was not a dream, but a wonderful future waiting for her.
"I do like you very much, Queen Frigga was not kind enough when she described you." The woman said, and Lorien laughed and blushed, the girl running back over and pulling at Lorien's hand.
"Come and see, we found a nest of baby bunnies! Hurry Lorien!" Inge insisted, both women standing up and walking to where Loki was standing over a patch of dried grass. They watched as he lifted the loose blades, revealing four bunnies huddled together.
"They are so small." Lorien said, and Inge giggled. Loki lay the grass back, being sure that they remained out of sight of predators and Inge frowned.
"Where is their mommy?" She asked and Loki stood as he dusted his hands off.
"She is eating, she needs to gather food to feed her young." He replied, giving her a satisfactory answer to her question. Lorien watched as she yawned, the Nanny lifting her up and holding her.
"I believe this little one needs a nap. It was so nice to have you visit her, she does miss you." The older woman said, and Lorien smiled in response. She leaned forward to kiss her sister, giving her a quick hug before letting her go again.
"I will do everything that I can to visit her again, but do not want to disturb her lessons."
"I will send a Paige to tell you when I have her out to play, then you can come and see her if you are not otherwise detained." The Nanny replied, walking back to the Castle with her. Lorien felt arms circle her waist, and she leaned back into the chest behind her and she smiled over her shoulder at her husband.
"Life is so very beautiful." She said, blinking at the sun and she turned in his arms to embrace her happiness.