The council room was filled with uproar at the start of the new month. High Guardian, Even, led the band of other soldiers who were pleading with the king on what to do. With the darkness growing, the question arose if the elves should stay put in their village or if an evacuation order was to be made. Despite their current collection of fractals, it was impossible to find the source of the evil magic and so it continued to persist.
Loki made a regular appearance at the council meetings, along with Jennica, Sol, and Oveaus. Ever since both Loki and Oveaus had returned from their travels, Kvasir began to grow his supportive council, filling it with those whom he trusted would help during their dire hours. It certainly gave an opportunity for all to hear the trials of the villagers and to discuss plans of action.
As Even conversed with the king, Loki's mind trailed off from focus. He was finding himself not as able minded since Jennica's admittance to carrying their child. It became the core thought that seeped into everything he did. They never told Sol and Kvasir, not so far. From the sound of things, no time was good enough to tell them. Tension was high and it was unnecessary stress. Time would eventually tell for them but the anticipation of it made him nauseous.
As if Jennica had sensed his apprehension, she found his hand under the table where they sat and she held it, gentle yet firm all the same. He glanced over in her direction and their eyes met, sharing a silent sympathy. Although the worries shared amongst them persisted, their understanding for each other was most important to them in this moment. There wasn't much hope they could offer the others, anyway.
Kvasir eventually charged Even with the duty of creating a refuge within the castle grounds to bring the other villagers in. Protecting the people was of the highest importance in terms of what they could currently do. This revelation silenced the uproar and those in the council room eventually diminished. Loki and Jennica remained inseparable.
They conversed away from the others, finding a quiet spot in the garden. It was behind the castle towers and hid the darkness well. They were glad to ignore it for a time.
"The air is growing colder now." Jennica mumbled, partly to herself. As the darkness ate away at the sky, even the weather around them changed.
Loki had his arm locked with hers and he tried to notice the cold. It wasn't substantial enough for him to pay attention but he did feel her shiver. "So it seems."
Jennica's hands plucked a dying rose from a bush and watched as a couple petals dropped to the ground. She was careful not to prick her fingers on the thorns. "Everything is changing so fast... the light magic is slowly dying, more every day. Has my father discussed another expedition to find more fractals?"
"Not with me personally. Everything that has been discussed since I returned has been in front of all who are invited to the council meetings. But I'm not eager to think about leaving again any time soon."
"You're not looking forward to finding the others?" This came as a surprise to Jennica.
If Loki were to be honest, he would admit that he wasn't ready to leave her again so soon. He felt a sense of responsibility towards this unborn child, even if he wasn't sure that either of them wanted to be parents. Plus, his attraction to her had tremendously grown and he wanted to spend what time he could with her. It was a grand distraction from the surrounding evils.
"I just feel that my energy is needed here a bit longer," he replied. "Your father was very gracious to invite me to the council meetings and it is clear that this kingdom is now in great distress."
"Yes, and I do love having you back. I just figured that more progress could be made once more are found."
"Honestly, it's a wild goose chase." Loki was obviously more than disappointed. "We don't have any more leads and the universe is vast. It could take us years before we find the rest. Our plan of action needs to change."
"What do you suggest?"
Those words stung. Loki was always the one with a plan but there seemed to be nothing more they could do. Not now.
He said, "Really the only thing remaining is to find out how to stop the darkness. However, your father, mother, and the guards of this realm have made it very clear that there is no way to travel through the darkness alive, so for that I have no answers."
Jennica nodded and tried to accept that reality. Having no further plans forward felt daunting. It could mean that they would not survive. At least not the realm.
"We would have to evacuate Alfheim if it got bad enough," she added. "We can only run away from it for so long."
"Yes, even the meadows have an end..." Loki's voice trailed off as he thought about what that would entail.
Reaching for her hand now, he stopped their walking pace. He tried to meet her eyes with certainty but he knew she would read through it. Trying to smile, he held her still.
Jennica frowned. "Loki, what's wrong?"
"I just..." he sighed and shook his head. "I think we need to try and control what is actually in our power."
"What do you mean by that?"
He knew she wouldn't like what he had to say. The worried look that would cross her face was already anticipated but he had to go through with his words. "Your parents, the king and queen, are still unaware of the baby. You and I both know that this child will be considered a sin amongst the elves."
Jennica couldn't prevent the gloss that covered her eyes. "Loki... why are you telling me things that I already struggle over?"
"I don't think they need to know the full story."
Scoffing, Jennica let go of his hands. "As if we could hide any of this!"
"Please, hear me out. They could know about the baby, just not right now. We could hide that it was ever conceived out of wedlock and reveal it when necessary."
"Loki, are you suggesting that..." Jennica could not even finish her sentence before backing away and shaking her head. "No, no, I can't do this—"
"Jen, please!" Loki pleaded, grabbing her arm, gently. "Please listen, I'm not finished. Yes this is a marriage proposal and albeit this is something I am terribly not used to, I do believe this is the answer we are looking for." He waited for her confirming gaze that she was listening and he continued, releasing the hold he had on her arm. "If we married, the pregnancy would appear to be within the confines of marital boundaries, erasing the supposed sin. It would protect us and keep all trust secured."
Jennica was downcast, trying to comprehend his words. She held her stomach. "But there hasn't been a courtship. We would have to marry soon and it would be sudden."
"I would suggest it to your father as a way of uniting both Alfheim and Asgard. Perhaps that would also bring Thor back, undo my banishment!"
Jaw tightening, Jennica's gaze met the dirt below their feet. "It isn't for love. It's for politics."
"Well," Loki tried to think, tried to find the smooth words. "Yes, it would be, but I also love you."
"It would be an unhappy marriage!" Her voice grew, the pain in it evident. "We are quite affectionate and I'm certain some kind of love has developed but we are not ready to be married, Loki. I know we would wreck each other."
She stole his silver tongue. No one could do that but there he was, unable to reply. Pulling her close, she didn't pull away despite her harsh words and their lips met. Jennica suppressed cries into the kiss and Loki held her close. He wanted to pretend that marrying would bury any shame or impending disaster outside of their war and she was dwelling in the reality that they were far from ready.
"There's been a lot that we can't control but this is something we can... Choosing to commit to each other." Loki finally found words to say. He wasn't sure if he meant them but the way Jennica relaxed after he spoke told him that they were the right ones.
She rested her cheek against his. "That doesn't sound like the Loki I know."
"Well maybe not," he wrapped his cloak around her, "but I want to at least try."
...
The marriage was not performed in front of a grand audience. It was rushed, similarly to Jennica's coronation almost two years past. She remembered that feeling. It was a blur. Something that was creating such a change in her life didn't deserve to feel that way. She trembled and hardly paid any attention to her father's words. He was uniting the marriage.
He had agreed to marry them, on the condition that the common folk would not be invited. It didn't matter to them. There was too much to focus on to prepare for a grand wedding feast. There were too many wounded souls to celebrate the Princess and the banished Prince of Asgard. Still, it was a shock how easily Kvasir had agreed. Perhaps it was his desire to see his daughter protected by a prince. Maybe it was even the connection to Asgard that truly had persuaded him. Nevertheless, he never protested against it, but he showed no joy either.
Oveaus was there. He had met Jennica's eyes as she walked the aisle and seemed to understand her sorrow. She was not ready to be a wife or a mother, but the latter was something Oveaus was not told of. Still, he knew she was afraid. He wondered why they were doing this. He was angry on her behalf.
Loki repeated the chant in the elvish tongue, promising to love her to cherish her, till death do they part, he would be hers. She did the same. She would be his.
Jennica wanted to escape. She drowned herself in the soft, distant music that filled the ambience of the room. That was a given grace to the ceremony. She wished she could lose herself to a dance like she could've in her old life back on earth. The friends backstage would be cheering her on as her body told a story.
Loki was desirable but was he a husband?
Reality was brought back when they were asked to further exchange vows and then seal their marriage 'unto eternity'. Their kiss was the final step and so it was official. Just like that; united with a man she never knew would be hers. United with a woman he never knew he would love. Both of them connected by an unborn child they weren't sure they loved. It was the definition of dysfunction.
Jennica didn't truly feel anything until they were able to escape to chambers, now shared. She removed her veil and felt Loki behind her.
Her hands rested on her belly, feeling it beneath the silk of her wedding dress. "When will we tell them?"
"In time. Soon." Loki's arms wrapped around her. "Just let me make love to you first."
