Elskan means Darling

Frigga stood on her balcony and starred out over Asgard. However she wasn't taking in the breathtaking vision that was the golden realm. No, her mind was too full of thoughts and regrets to truly appreciate the view. She would have to endure the hardest obstacle she has ever had to face. Today would be Loki's pyre. She would have to find things that represented Loki. Things that he had cherished in life.

She had walked to Loki's chambers. The green blanket she had knitted him when he was a babe dangled heavily from her hand. She looked around her late son's quarters, thankful the servants still came by to clean them. For the last few weeks, she had been able to pretend that he had simply been away all this time, but now was the time for that to come to an end. She would have to pack up the remnants of her dead child's life as if he had never even been there.

How could she possibly find things that summed up the Trickster's life? These rooms that once were filled with life, books, and mischief would soon be cold and filled with dust and cobwebs. She choked back the tears that threatened to overcome her. She could scarcely think of anything to put in the pyre boat. Loki would be furious if anything happened to any of his books. He'd rather see them all given to those who could still enjoy them. The same could be said about everything the raven-haired man owned.

The only items she knew Loki had treasured were the daggers Nikolas had gotten him and the amulet with the vegvisir rune that Loki had made. She remembered when Loki had crafted the two rune necklaces. One had two snakes, which Loki had chosen as his symbol, and one with the ancient compass. Loki had given his soulmate the rune with his symbol so Nik would always have something to remember Loki by. And he had taken the compass rune for he had always said that he was guided by Nik's love.

However Figga knew that Loki had carried the daggers with him ever since Nik had gifted them to him. As for the necklace, she knew where it was, but would not be able to get to it.

*It had been nearly six weeks since Nikolas' mysterious disappearance. Frigga was walking through the halls, ready to retire for the evening. She had intended to speak with her second son. Her husband had told her how he had spoken with Loki earlier in the day. But she wanted to check in on him anyways. She knew Odin and Loki didn't always get along. They were too much alike. She was nearing Loki's chambers when she heard a commotion. She looked in time to see her youngest son storm down the opposite corridor. She saw him entering Nikolas' empty chambers.

She missed the redhead as well. She never believed that Nik would just abandon Loki. She had spent hours with him planning his wedding or teaching him about magic of all kinds. Nikolas had been ecstatic to be marrying Loki. Frigga remembers the way Nik would gush about all the things he loved about Loki or what annoyed him but still found endearing. She couldn't help but think how adorable the redhead was. There was no way he just left on his own.

She had decided to leave Loki to his mourning when she heard a cacophony of loud sounds coming from the rooms he was in. She made her way closer. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!? I LOVED YOU! Did I not make you happy? You made me happy. Why did you have to leave me?" Her heart clenched painfully at the words. She could hear the tears in Loki's voice. She wished there was something she could do to help her son. She was startled when she heard the door handle move and quickly concealed herself. She watched as the broken raven-haired man trudged back to his own chambers for the night.

She entered the rooms she had once given Nik for the first time. It was rather dark with only the lone lantern hanging by the door, but the Queen could see enough. There wasn't much in the way of clothes or furniture. What little there was had been destroyed. Her guess was this was the damage Loki had just caused. The wardrobe had been burnt to ashes and was still smoking. The stone walls were broken in a few places. Blood dripped from the stone. Loki had obviously not used his magic for everything. The bed was in pieces and the sheets in shreds.

She noticed something on the floor. She bent to pick it up and was sad to find that it was Loki's rune necklace. It had a slight crack in it and was covered in blood. Frigga used her magic to clean and repair it before tucking it in a hidden pocket in her dress. She closed the door on her way out. She walked to Loki's door and was about to knock when she heard crying. Her chest tightened at the misery her little boy was in. Loki had hardly ever cried. Perhaps once or twice as a child. She thought it best to speak with him another day. He was in enough pain.

She dejectedly walked back to her chambers. The rune necklace, a surprisingly substantial weight of agony and sorrow within her pocket. She had to find a way to reunite Loki and Nikolas.

The next morning after breakfast, she asked Loki to join her for tea. "Loki, I wanted to talk about Nikolas. I kno-" Loki snarled. "There is NOTHING to talk about! That whore isn't worth mentioning. I've been enough of a fool thinking I could marry a slave without being constantly reminded of it." Frigga flinched at her son's harsh words. "My dear, don't say such things about your soulmate." Loki's eyes grew wide in a mix of hurt and anger. His mouth set in an ugly sneer.

"Soulmates are not real. They are just fanciful tales to tell children." Frigga's face fell sadly. She reached out to him, but he brushed her off. "Loki-" "If soulmates did indeed exist, then shouldn't Nikolas and I have spent the rest of our lives together happily ever after? Or some other such nonsense?"

This time, Frigga didn't let him push her away. She grabbed his hand and held on as he tried to shake her off. "I don't want you comforting me. You are on his side. Did he tell you that he was going to leave me?" The Queen brought her other hand up to caress the prince's face. "Elskan, Nik never planned to leave you. He loved you so much. That is what I wanted to speak to you about. I believe something happened to Nik." Loki scuffed in disgust. "Yes. He was freed as a slave and no longer needed me." Loki took quick long strides to the door and promptly slammed it as he left. Frigga sighed. ~I suppose I will hold onto the rune for now~