"And so, on the night before the Wild Hunt, The children of Ásgarð would leave their boots outside their doors,full of carrots, and while everyone was sleeping...Allfather Óðin would ride through the sky on his eight-legged horse Slépnir. They'd stop at each house that left offerings, and while the horse enjoyed his snack, Óðin would fill the shoes full of gifts and delicious treats."
Brénna listened with rapt attention as her father spun tales of Christmas lore from their homeland. Being born a year after Ragnarök, the only glimpses of Ásgarð she could get were from the stories her mother and father told her.
"Papa, what happened to the houses that didn't leave carrots?"
"They got a trick played on them courtesy of me."
Brénna turned to see her mother standing in the doorway, balancing a tray of hot chocolates. Thor quickly got up and took the tray out of Loki's hands, before gently guiding him to sit on the couch.
"Loki...you're not supposed to be carrying heavy things."
"Oh for Norn's sake Thor, I'm pregnant, not incapacitated."
The little girl giggled before climbing up onto the sofa and snuggling against Loki. Her mother was due to have her little brother in a few weeks, and as such Papa was going crazy trying to make him rest as much as possible.
Thor sat the tray on the coffee table,handed Brénna and Loki their mugs of cocoa, then sat down next to them, gently caressing his husband's swollen bump.
"I know you think I'm going overboard, but I just worry. I don't want you to go through a difficult labor like last time."
"It's alright, elskaður, I know you mean well."
"Mama," Brénna said between sips of her chocolate, "will Óðin and Sleipnir be visiting our house this year?"
"I'm afraid not, litla ást, they dine in the halls of Valhalla now. But don't worry, the Miðgarðians have a figure of their own that visits all of the children this evening, and that's what your bedtime story is about. Thor, grab me that book over there please?"
Thor got up and walked over to the bookshelves where it was already laying out. He came and sat back down, handing the book to Loki, who opened it up to read after everyone was huddled together.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap-
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objectsbelow;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a minature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen,
"On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem;
"To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
"Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys - and St. Nicholas too:
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:
He was dress'd all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack:
His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly:
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh'd when I saw him in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight-
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
When he finished the story, he noticed that Brénna had fallen fast asleep beside him. Loki gently removed the mug from her hand, while Thor gathered the little girl up into his arms and headed towards her room. He laid her down onto the bed and pulled up the covers before kissing her on the forehead.
"Goodnight,sweetheart, may the Norns give you dreams as wonderful as your mother's stories describe."
**********
Later that night, the house was completely silent as everyone slept. Brénna was snuggled comfortably amongst her blankets when a loud thud outside her window startled her. She got out of bed and peeked outside, but didn't see anything except for some prints in the snow.
Hoof-prints.
Not wanting to wake her parents by running down the stairs, she used her magic to teleport outside instead. There was a thumping sound followed by the jingling of bells towards the back of the house. Brénna crept around the corner,and was shocked by what she saw.
A giant-eight legged horse was standing there, chuffing and scraping two of his hooves against the ground. Petting it's mane was a large man in Golden robes, with long silver-gray hair. As she stepped closer, he turned around, and she noticed that he wore a golden patch over one of his eyes and a large puffy beard.
He didn't resemble the Santa Claus from her storybook, so that meant he must be....
"Allfather?"
"Hello Brénna, it's good to finally meet you in person."
"You know me?"
"Of course I do, I'd recognize my own granddaughter anywhere," Óðin said as he knelt before her,"you look exactly as Loki did at that age...and I sense you have his magic as well."
"I'm not as good with spells as mama is, but I'm learning!"
"I'm happy to hear it."
"He and Papa said you were in Valhalla now,Afí....how did you get here?"
"Your Ámma Frigga is quite skilled in magic, even from the spirit world. She was able to guide me here so I could deliver a few special gifts."
He reached into his robes, and pulled out three small boxes.
"Now this first one is for your father, I know he'll use it well. The second one is a gift for your little brother when he arrives, and the last one is a special item that Frigga wanted your mother to have."
Óðin handed the boxes over, and let out a laugh at the way the little girl scrunched her nose at the distinct lack of a fourth present.
"Don't worry Brénna, I haven't forgotten you,my dear."
He waved his hand, and a beautiful silver circlet appeared on her head. At the center was a horned design featuring a stone that was a mix of red and blue.
"A beautiful crown for a beautiful princess. I have something else for you as well."
He stood up and grabbed her hand, and led her over to Sleipnir. Then he grabbed the horse's reigns and handed them over to her.
"This one has been rather discontent living with me, and I think spending time with you will be just the thing that cheers him up."
Brénna had been wanting her own horse for ages, and to now have the one belonging to the Allfather? It was a dream come true. She squealed and wrapped her arms around Óðin, who smiled and hugged her in return.
"Thank you so much, Afí."
"You're most welcome my dear. Now you best take those presents inside and get some sleep."
She nodded and went over to pick up the gifts, Sleipnir following close behind. Just as she was about to head inside, he called out to her.
"Brénna?"
"Yes, Afí?"
"Tell your mother, it wasn't his fault. He'll know what I'm referring to."
She nodded her agreement, and in a bright flash of light Óðin was gone.
*************
On Christmas morning, Loki woke up with a groan. The baby had decided to use his bladder as a trampoline the previous night, so he was tired and achy while waddling down the stairs that morning. It was quiet inside, which was unusual with how early Brénna gets up, so he thought perhaps she went outside to play in the snow. He opened the sliding door to the patio, expecting to see his daughter....and came face to face with Sleipnir.
"THOR! GET DOWN HERE NOW!"
Thor stumbled out of bed and ran down the stairs,thinking something was wrong with his daughter or that Loki's water broke.
"What's happening?! Loki are you.....Holy Norns!"
"You are seeing the same thing I am,correct?"
"Yes, but....how? I thought Sleipnir died during Ragnarok?"
Just then their daughter came downstairs, still wearing the circlet Óðin had given her.
"Morning mama! Morning Papa! Why are you staring at Sleipnir?"
They looked at each other, then looked back at their daughter with a confused expression. It was then Loki noticed the crown upon her head.
"Thor.....wasn't that mother's?!"
"It was, but it's been slightly altered. Brénna,love, where did you get that?"
"Same place as the horse," she said cheerfully,"The Allfather gave them to me."
"WHAT?!"
"Yup, now come on, he left gifts for you too!"
They shut the patio door, deciding they'd deal with the horse issue later, and followed their child into the living room. Thor helped Loki sit comfortably while Brénna grabbed the presents she'd placed under their Christmas tree.
"Papa, this one is yours, and this one is for the baby."
Thor opened his box first, and nearly dropped it when he saw the contents.
"Thor? What is it?"
He didn't give a response.Instead,he quickly took off the patch he wore and held the object up to his face. There was a brief flash of light, and then it was gone, leaving the Thunder Góð sitting there staring at them.
With both eyes.
He almost didn't believe it was real until Loki touched his face reverently.
"You have your sight back, elskaður."
"It appears so....quickly let us see what else Father has left."
They opened the gift left for the baby next, and were shocked to find a fully restored Mjölnir inside. Without thinking, Loki lifted it out, and his husband stared at him with a combination of shock and arousal.
"Does this mean I'm worthy now?"
"There are sooo many ways I'd like to answer that."
"Eww, Papa, don't be gross," Brénna said as she handed Loki the last box," besides it's mama's turn."
Loki carefully opened his gift, and teared up at the sight of Frigga's ring.
"I thought I'd never see this again, it was her favorite ring."
"That's because it was the one she got when you were brought to us, Loki, she said it always felt like carrying a piece of her heart with her."
Just then Brénna remembered the message she was given.
"Mama, Afí also told me to tell you something..."
"What is it, Darling?"
"He said, it's not your fault, I don't know what that means but he told me you did."
Loki knew exactly what it meant. The one thing he'd never come to terms with, despite Thor's reassurances, was that his actions in the dungeon back then might have killed his mother. To hear directly from the source that she did not feel that way, gave him a feeling of overwhelming joy.
"Mama?Are you okay? You're crying..."
Loki sniffed and gave a watery laugh before pulling Brénna as close to him as his baby bump would allow. Thor wrapped around them both, and they sat there in the quiet, reveling in the warmth and love of their little family.
It was Brénna who finally broke the silence.
"Do you think Sleipnir likes hot chocolate?"
"I don't know about the horse, but I could use some," Loki chuckled before wincing in pain," and judging by that kick to my ribs, your brother does too."
"Hot chocolate for everyone!"
Thor lifted their daughter up onto his shoulders and marched towards the kitchen. Loki followed behind, stopping long enough to look at a light on the tree that was glowing brighter than the rest.
"Thank you father...mother...for everything."