Authors note:
In the previous chapters Kal was an infant but now he has grown a little about 7
enjoy
Kal was almost 8 and was happily in his training sessions with Tyr and Heimdall, but still he was not enthused about returning to his royal Duties,.. While still a child and he did not have too many responsibilities like Thor who was almost completely tied down with royal duties
The current cause of dread was an event that he and his brothers annually loathed the Yule celebrations
For most they were a 10 day celebration of the past year, Family, and glories won For Asgardian children they represented a joyful time with delicious treats, However for the princes it meant being stuck in stupid outfits sitting at the high table in their parents feasting hall and not even doing anything remotely fun
Kal had to admit he did enjoy the food and gift giving during this period but those were outweighed by the sheer boredom he would soon face. Even worse, it was during this time that he would have to interact with other children from other noble houses both from the nine realms and beyond all of whom were weird especially the girls
He never had any fun during these feasts
In Kal's mind this was made worse by the fact that his father Odin was absent along with many men of the realm for every year the champions of Asgard embarked upon the wild hunt
10 days of hunting saw his father and his warriors track down rogue spirits, escaped dragons from muspelheim and all the other bizarre creatures that become active around this time
For the men of Asgard and their king this meant 10 days of glory and a great feast together with a grateful populace at the end of it, For kal and his brothers, it meant watching on in envy as the warriors left for glory
Thor argued every year that he was old enough to go with them and like every year he was rejected yet again
This lead to a series of events that kal thoroughly hated the annual fitting of their yuletide garments
Ow! kal involuntarily moved as a small needle pricked him in the side
Apologies my prince One of the handmaidens said, without even looking up at the hapless boy
This wouldn't have happened if you were not fidgeting Frigga stated
Im not,.,. Fidgeting and besides, do i have to go? Kal defended himself
Yes you do! Frigga said with a force only a mother could provide which rather quickly curtailed his efforts
in a few more moments the dress up was finished
Oh you do look handsome, you have to save a dance for me at the event Frigga said
Kal in fact did not mind the colour scheme so much as the fact that it was so damn tight and the golden circlet he was made to wear was truly unbearable he looked like an Idiot, a pretentious smug idiot.
Can I um.. you know get changed so that the dress does not get ruined Kal asked hopefully
ah yes, make sure that it does not get creased
After removing his clothes and getting dressed in his normal clothes he rushed off to glitnir where he was sure that his brothers were present
when he entered, he was met by a hilarious sight
Thor and loki were trying to undo whatever their mother had done to their hair Thor's long wavy locks were neatly combed into straight lines and combed to one side, giving the young crown prince a very unflattering look
Loki meanwhile arguably had it much worse as his shoulder length mane which was usually left long and unkempt was now combed back make it look as if he had maiden locks and some sort of oil had been applied to them meaning they looked greasy in any light
This was all made worse by two obvious facts
one nothing they did could change their hairstyle apparently mother had enchanted their hair to stay as it was
two Kal's hair was untouched
BY THE BIFROST YOU WILL OBEY ME INFERNAL TRESSES Thor veritably roared as he tried in vain to change his style using comb and water the instrument however simply stayed still in his hair, unable to move.
Loki instead had resulted to magic, and was trying everything short of burning the whole thing off and wearing an illusion to the feast, all to little avail as he half-screamed half-yelled at his own mop.
ARRGHHH!
It was upon seeing Loki conjure a knife and try to shear his mane off that Kal could no longer contain himself, breaking out into laughter at his brothers' antics.
TIS NOT FUNNY! Thor grimaced from across the hall.
It is from this angle Kal snickered, pointing to the comb that was still lodged in Thor's hair that he quickly pulled out, an action that Loki sniggered at.
I don't know why you are laughing, dearest sister. Thor shot back at Loki.
Kal had expected Loki to come back with his own verbal quip but instead, Loki just went scarlet and lifted his chin before he responded trying to look as dignified as he could.
Mother insisted, and besides, she says it makes me look regal. His voice was haughty and overly defensive.
Both his brothers went silent, turning to face each other before they broke out into massive fits of laughter so hard that Kal fell to the floor. The humour of the situation was made only greater by Loki trying to defend himself.
Eventually, however, even he started to laugh, losing his ability to try and keep up his false faith in his mother's choice of hairstyles.
But seriously, Kal said, getting back to his feet and wiping away tears, You two look so very ridiculous!
We know. Thor stated finally, throwing the comb away but you know mother, everything has to be perfect for the celebrations
So, I guess father said no to you going with this year? Loki asked Thor, whilst pulling up a seat at the hall's great table.
You know he did. Thor snapped back, a glum look upon his face.
We can still have fun though, right? Just the three of us, and besides, in a few years, it will be us on the Wild Hunt Kal stated whilst giving his eldest brother a pat on the shoulder to try to cheer him up.
Thor forced a smile that he was only partly feeling at his brother's efforts to raise his spirits. That is true, my wise little brother, but you know what will gladden me right now?
Ummmm what? Kal asked with hesitation.
Thor gave Loki a subtle gesture with his head, causing his younger brother to move behind them whilst carrying something.
Well, what would make me happy is for you to open your Yule gift Thor turned Kal around to face Loki who was presenting him with a wooden sword and shield.
Kal's eyes immediately went wide and hesitantly took both in his hands, almost as if he was afraid it was a dream, but once he was sure it was real, he took to them readily and quickly began swinging both around, pretending to face a horde of imaginary foes. Thor and Loki smiled at the sight. Both had talked about the gift at great length and had worked out what to get Kal with both feeling like they needed to make sure that this Yule was the best it could be. They wanted to make up for the disaster that had been most of the year.
Ah-ha! Face me foul demons! Kal brandished his sword at Thor and Loki, obviously wanting to play with them.
Both brothers shared a knowing look while raising their eyebrows at each other, before charging forward causing Kal to squeal in delight.
As the Three played, all thoughts of royal duties, past mistakes and failures filtered away. Only joy was left.
Only boredom remained.
Thor was doing his best not to yawn as a Shi'ar delegation arrived to attend the festival, the head of which was providing an exceptionally long-winded speech about their profound gratitude for being invited.
Thor was currently standing by his mother's side along with his brothers as they welcomed guests from across the cosmos into the royal feasting hall of Sessrúmnir and into the palace itself. The guests were a who's who of the upper echelons of the known universe's powers, barring a few exceptions that would never be allowed to set foot on Asgard outside of the holiday celebrations.
After the Shi'ar delegation had passed, a much larger group from The Sovereign took their place, Thor repressed a groan. The Shi'ar whilst overtly serious could at least be fun and took an interest in other races. The Sovereign, however, made Mímir look like a party animal by comparison, for the gold-skinned race was blunt, ungracious, xenophobic and prudish.
We welcome you to Asgard, Golden High Priestess of The Sovereign. May you find joy, peace and knowledge during your stay with us, Frigga spoke regally with just the right mixture of command and gentleness.
Thor drowned out the rest of the pleasantries, he had heard them all before. His mother would welcome them, they would thank her, then more talking, a couple of veiled threats, maybe a gift, and then they would move inside.
Don't you agree my son? Frigga turned to face Thor offering her son a polite smile.
'Oh Skitr, they were talking to me. What in Helheim did they say…' Thor thought to himself as he fixed a smile on his face 'Alright, two options: try to figure out what they said via conversation, or just agree with mother.'
Of course, mother Thor gave his mother a bow of his head and his best princely smile at the Sovereign delegation.
Both Loki and Kal snorted by his side attempting to keep themselves from laughing, which made Thor instantly regret his choice. He had either just made a fool of himself or had agreed to something he was going to greatly hate.
The Crown Prince is most kind. The golden-skinned priestess before him gave him a deep regal bow and promptly moved off with her large retinue following behind.
I'm so proud of you Thor. His mother whispered giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before the next delegation stepped up to be greeted.
Psst, what in the name of the Norns did I agree to? Thor half turned his head to whisper to Loki next to him, who was currently grinning ear to ear.
Oh, nothing too difficult, just to be the official host of The Sovereign delegation during their stay on Asgard, Loki stated in the sickly-sweet voice he used when he was happy.
Rgggh Thor groaned in frustration before turning back to his brother Trade with me.
Ahem Frigga's cough caused him to fully turn back to the current delegation and meet her glare with a sheepish expression of apology.
After a few moments, Loki responded in a whisper Not for all the gold on Asgard.
Oh, come on, think of the fun you could have with those snobby golden dunderheads! Besides, who did you get? Thor whispered through gritted teeth trying not to alert their mother to their conversation again.
I said no. Mother gets the Shi'ar, you get the Sovereign, and I get the Alfheim delegation Loki sounded smug in his triumph.
To be fair, he couldn't blame him, for the Light Elves of Alfheim were exactly what Thor wanted: They were free-spirited, cared little for protocol, knew how to have fun and, as Thor had recently started to notice, Light Elf girls were extremely pretty.
A few more hours passed until finally the very last delegation arrived and had been welcomed. The final guests were very strange, they appeared to be large humanoid trees that spoke only three words, but his mother somehow easily conversed with them.
After welcoming them in, the Royal family, minus Odin who had already departed for the Wild Hunt, took their places at the head of the great feasting hall. From a raised section of the vast room, they were ready to commence the festivities.
His mother took centre stage and clapped her hands together, a sound that shouldn't have made it more than five feet before being drowned out by the sheer noise of everyone under one roof, but which was heard clear across the room. Instantly, everyone became silent.
Welcome all, to the halls of King Odin. We have here today beings from not only the nine realms but all across the cosmos, and it warms my heart to know that you all see Asgard as a powerful friend. Now, to begin we shall start with the burning of the Yule Log, after which please mingle and enjoy the bounty of Asgard. Frigga's voice was light and sweet, carrying clear across the room.
A host of Einherjar guards came in as she finished speaking carrying a massive single log that almost spanned the entire hall, runes and images carved the length of it. As the guards reached the steps that led to the raised section the royal family was currently standing on, they carefully lowered the log onto the burning embers of the fire pit that ran the length of the room.
With that, the festivities commenced and Thor begrudgingly moved off to stand with the Sovereign delegation. His brothers split off, Kal standing next to his mother and Loki happily racing off to take his role as host to the group from Alfheim.
For Kal, everything was just as oppressive as it was to Thor, every part dull and uncomfortable. His clothes were too tight and they itched, his hair looked just as stupid as his brothers' after his mother fixed it into a stupid style just before they had started, and even without his newfound gifts the party was loud and noisy.
Currently, he was sticking by his mother's side as she drifted between groups of guests. More accurately she was keeping him by her side constantly as she kept an eye on the visitors.
He wasn't sure if she was watching so closely out of motherly concern over the fact that he had only just left the healing room, or if she was making sure he wouldn't run off and cause trouble by trying to make some fun out of the whole tiresome affair.
Kal at that moment was fiddling with his cloak as his mother talked to a very tall, very muscular woman who possessed red skin and even redder hair, along with the greenest eyes he had ever seen. The woman stood a foot taller than the Queen, and despite being at a party was wearing gold and green armour along with a very ornate crown.
Kal hadn't been paying too much attention to the conversation. Whenever his mother talked to people it was always boring, and he didn't understand half of the conversations being made anyway.
Unfortunately, his idle thoughts and fidgeting caused him to stumble slightly and knock into a person roughly the same height as him.
Oh, my apologies. Kal was quick to offer.
As he got a better look at the person, it turned out they were in fact a girl, one he believed to be around his age and who looked like the spitting image of the woman his mother was talking to only in miniature, down to the clothing and the crown.
Of course you should be sorry. Do you have any idea who I am? The girl spoke in a manner that he sometimes heard Loki use, what did Thor call it. Highly? No that wasn't it. Haughty, that was the one. Kal didn't like it at all.
Um, no sorry, I don't Kal bluntly stated whilst shrugging his shoulders, which caused the girl to huff in anger.
YOU have the pleasure and privilege to be in the presence of the serene and powerful Crown Princess of Almerac, Princess Maxima of the Imperial House of the Blood Royale. Just who are you? The now-identified Maxima delivered her speech in the same tone as before, speaking as if to an insect.
Despite the information provided Kal had still had no idea who this she was. He was only 6 going on 7 now and had just barely learnt all the Nine Realms, so Almerac meant nothing to him. Kal however quickly remembered what his mother taught him when addressing foreign royalty.
It's very nice to meet you, Your Highness. I am Kal, son of Odin and Prince of Asgard. Kal offered Maxima his best bow and felt like his title was a little short compared to hers, but at least it was easy to remember.
The princess simply raised an eyebrow as she re-examined Kal. She looked him up and down a few times tilting her head to one side after she was finished, making him a little self-conscious.
You're an Asgardian Prince? Maxima scoffed with disbelief.
Yes. He answered a little more forcibly than he had anticipated due to his dislike of her tone.
I was told that Asgardian Princes were great warriors, giants amongst the males of the cosmos with the power of armies running in their blood. Maxima retorted.
Kal had no idea what she was on about, Um well, I'm only 6. That was all he could think of in response.
Hmmm, disappointing, you are clearly no warrior. Maxima declared.
Yes I am! Kal declared this time not caring about civility.
Prove it then Maxima stated, lifting up her right hand offering a contest of strength that Kal had seen Thor play once or twice.
Kal took her offered hand in his and planted his feet as the two began to struggle against each other. The game was simple enough, from what Kal figured it was simply a standing arm wrestling match where the victor would be the first one either to make their opponent concede or knock the other one over.
The two struggled for a moment with Maxima's face quickly losing her grin as she furrowed her face in concentration, the veins on her hand and arms quickly beginning to bulge as she put all her effort into pushing the impudent boy over.
Kal for his part was struggling, but only barely. He had play-wrestled with Loki and Thor many times, he and Thor had once grappled for an hour with neither able to move the other. So, this was fairly easy. He just had to get his grip right, square his shoulders, and…
He quickly put all his effort into the contest, which immediately resulted in Maxima being spun in the air once before crashing to the floor with a loud bang. The result caused Kal to grin smugly before he heard a voice that reminded him where he was.
KAL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! His mother's words cracked like thunder as she and the larger woman she had been talking to came over, who Kal guessed was Maxima's mother.
Um, I was, we were just…His face went pale as he tried to figure out what to say.
You were just besting my daughter, young Prince. Maxima's mother responded in an even haughtier tone than her daughter.
I do apologise Queen- Frigga started before the Almerac Queen cut her off with a dismissive wave.
Oh, no harm done, children will be children. Maxima! Get up and congratulate Kal on his victory. The instruction sounded more like a royal edict than a suggestion from a parent.
Maxima quickly got up and bowed before Kal which surprised him slightly, especially given the strange look she now had in her eye.
Congratulations my Prince. We should spar again later, but until then how about we get to know each other more?
Excellent idea, my daughter. Why don't you two run along whilst we mothers talk? The red-skinned queen gave a wide and clearly fake smile.
As the two quickly walked off to sit at a nearby table with Princess Maxima asking many questions at a clearly flustered and confused Kal, Frigga herself found herself in a rather awkward conversation with the girls' mother.
So Kal is your youngest son? the queen of Almerac's eyes never left Kal or Maxima.
Yes, he is almost 7 now, Frigga answered. She had a feeling about where this was going and was not happy in the least.
Truly? My Maxima has just turned 7, you know she is my only child. The Almeracian Queen gave Frigga a clearly-fake look of maternal affection.
Yes, I was aware. Frigga stated diplomatically, whilst privately thinking 'Because you terminate all those that you deem too inferior for your precious bloodline.'
She knew well of the Imperial House of the Blood Royale, a collection of petty despots that were fanatics about selective marriage and eugenics. With the royal family over the millennia taking mates from other species as breeding stock, their goal was to bring forth the perfect leader from their bloodline.
'A perfect commander for a band of imperialist eugenic zealots determined to conquer the universe at least.' Frigga privately thought
Well, she gets very lonely as the only royal child…. The Almeracian queen gestured to the young ones ...and she gets on well with your son, maybe we could organise a few playdates between them
Well, Kal is very busy unfortunately, what with his royal duties and his training. He has inherited the sight from his father so he has little free time, but perhaps in a few years. Frigga gave a polite smile as tried to manoeuvre around the Almeracian Queen.
Has he? The gaze upon her son became one of clear desire. Well, it is no matter. A few years, a few decades, they are of little consequence to ones who live as long as us, no?
Yes, the benefit of extended lifespans, so much time to arrange meetings. Frigga agreed as she hoped the conversation on this topic was over.
He is unmatched, correct? Maxima's Mother asked bluntly, causing Frigga to choke on her drink slightly.
Yes, yes he is. Frigga bites her lip, trying to remain calm and diplomatic.
After a few more minutes Frigga quickly created an excuse that her son and she had to, unfortunately, circulate around the room, quickly grabbing Kal who was more than happy to move on before they departed toward the next group.
Maxima returned to her mother, who was still watching Kal from a distance like a hunter assessing her prey.
'Skinny, but he has the right frame for muscles and with his bloodline, he will have a marvellous physique when older. Not to mention the power and allegiance he would bring.' The queen thought to herself.
She begrudgingly knew Thor was beyond her means since Odin would never allow the match. Almerac, despite its relative might in the cosmos, was not nearly enough of a prize for a crown Prince of Asgard, but the third son of Odin? That she could get. Besides, good genes were good genes.
She bitterly thought back to the time she had wanted Odin as her suitor, she had assembled a mighty armada and in the foolishness of her youth dare try to take it by force from Asgard, She had been rather quickly disabused of the notion when her ship was singled out by heimdall and ported in front of Asgard by the bifrost to be greeted by the armies of Asgard
Did you enjoy his company, my dear? She asked the little princess.
Sort of, mother. He fought well, but he hardly spoke Maxima revealed.
That is splendid, because he will be your future husband. The queen smiled to herself as she contemplated the youngest son of Odin.
And with that the yule celebrations went on without much problems, aside from one incident with the kree the celebrations were a success and after some time Odin returned
AUTHORS note
and that is the third chapter, review follow and favourite
peace