Conversations with a Prince
"When will the ceremony take place?" Frigga asked Loki as he paced the throne room. It was just him and his parents. A surprise intervention on when he and Ophelia would marry. The topic had been placed aside to allow Ophelia to adjust to life as an Asgardian royal.
"When the appropriate time has come." Loki replied frustratingly. He wanted to marry Ophelia as soon as possible, but she was not ready, and he did not want to rush her into anything. He respected her decision on waiting until they had a more definite plan for their future. He had hoped his parents would grant the same respect.
"It shall be in two weeks time." Odin said and Loki glared at him.
"It will be when Ophelia and I wish it to be. You have no right to rush such a thing." Loki was becoming more agitated. His father had finally started to treat him as he did Thor. But dictating his romantic life was too far.
"I have every right! As your father and as your king I will decide when you will marry! And to whom! You will not continue to live and lay with a woman who is not your wife. I forbid it!" Odin's voice sounded louder as he stood from his throne.
"Thor and Jane were together much longer than Ophelia and I have been. And you had no quarrel with them on this matter. Why me? Could it be because as much as you would like to think you have changed; you have not. You still see me as less than Thor. You always have."
"That is enough." Frigga said standing between them now. "Your father has welcomed you and your betrothed with open arms." Frigga said looking at Loki then she turned and faced Odin. "And you, Allfather, must respect the decision that your children make. Regardless of your opinion. They will marry when the time is right. Do not pressure Ophelia into this. She is not from our world. She does not yet fully understand our customs. You will have your royal wedding in time. Be patient." She said and then looked back to Loki. "Now hug your father and apologize. The both of you." Loki shook his head. He rarely embraced his father, even as a child. It was uncomfortable and gave him false hope for a caring relationship with Odin. But before Loki would verbally object Odin stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him. Loki froze.
"Your mother is right. As usual. Go be with Ophelia. We will discuss this at another time." Odin said and Loki pulled away. Loki nodded once to his father then to his mother. As he walked away he could hear his mother whisper words of thanks to his father. He could tell she had been the one to push Odin's change of heart as of late. He only hoped that this improvement would continue and he would finally been seen as an equal to his brother. But only time would tell.
Later that day Loki sat at the edge of Thor's bed in his new home outside of palace lands listening to Thor complain about their father. Thor bustled about the room pulling off his armor and replacing it with a simple shirt and pants talking about how frustrated he was. Loki simply listened and offered slight input as needed. The brothers had become closer since their move back to Asgard from Earth and they confided in one another often.
"HE asked ME to come back to Asgard permanently. I did not wish for this. I would have lived out my days on Midgard with Jane. But no, father always gets what father wants. He expects so much of me. Too much! I am rarely in my own home. Jane misses me and our child is to come soon. Asgardian children grow fast as you know. He doesn't respect my need to be home with her. I am to be a father! He of all people should understand what that is like." Thor threw his hands to the air and huffed. Loki sat grinning. "What is it?" Thor asked observing Loki's smug behavior.
"Now you understand. Odin is only looking out for himself and his kingdom. Even at the fault of his own sons. He expects much of you, and you are right it is too much to expect. And lately it has been more than usual. But father has never done anything without reason. He could be preparing you for something." Loki explained. Thor considered what he brother said. He could be right, as he usually was when it came to their father.
"Preparing me for what?" Thor asked now taking a seat next to him. Loki flicked his hand and a golden crown with jewels of all colors appeared on Thor's head. Thor pulled the crown off his head and for a moment he was confused. But then it dawned on him. "I am to be king." He said and then the crown disappeared from his hands in a green mist. "But it is too soon."
"Is it? The old man is getting on in years. You and I are settling back in Asgard. I do not know for how long I will reside here. But you; you could live out your days as King of Asgard sooner than you anticipated."
"I don't know brother. Father is getting older, yes. But he is still a great king. He would not hand his crown to me when he still has good years left."
"Are you so sure of that? Why would he be so willing to accept you AND I both marrying mortals. And to grant such mortals eternal life so easily. He wishes me to stay in Asgard and he rushed my upcoming nuptials. He wants you to be king, and I have a feeling he needs me by your side. But for what reason; I do not know."
"Maybe, perhaps, it could be that deep down he knows you are just as capable of ruling as I am."
"I doubt that." Loki replied then Thor walked over to his bedroom mirror and began adjusting his hair. Loki scoffed then laid back on his brother's bed.
"So dramatic."
"It's warranted."
After Thor and Loki's conversation about when Thor would succeed Odin to the throne, Loki began considering if Thor was right. Did Odin believe him to be just as worthy to rule as his brother? Or was it all a farce to have him believe this to be true so he would stay in Asgard to appease his mother? It was no secret Frigga wished to have her sons close to home. And now that they were, she wanted to keep it that way as long as possible. Loki stood in the palace library that evening talking with his mother about just that. They often had their time together spent in the library. Speaking about magical texts and nearly impossible spells. They liked to challenge themselves on many magical matters. But today they simply spoke about Loki's future on Asgard, mother to son.
Loki stood by the floor to ceiling window that faced a scene of a waterfall flowing into a stream. Wildlife buzzed around it and the sky was as clear as ever. Loki missed these views when he lived in New York. While he did enjoy the occasional mountain top scenery on Earth he enjoyed the views of Asgard much more. He was glad to be able to show Ophelia his home. But he understood that although she did agree to reside here for the foreseeable future; this was not her home. Earth was.
Frigga stood beside Loki admiring the view with him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment.
"Your not staying, are you?" Frigga asked and Loki wrapped his arm around his mother.
"I haven't decided."
"Your father only pressures you because he has faith in you. Do not let him sway you away from your true home."
"My home is where Ophelia is. And although she has agreed to be here with me, on Asgard, I fear she will not be happy here long term."
"And yet, there is the question of her mortality."
"Father will not bestow the blessing of immortality without vows being said."
"He may, if you simply ask him."
"He will not agree."
"He will." Frigga removed her head from her son's shoulder and turned to look at him. She placed a gentle hand on the side of his face. "My son. I only wish for your happiness. You have come so far. I had hoped I could continue to see you grow in this union with Ophelia and your new found family. But I understand if this is not where you belong. I will not stand in your way. And I will not allow your father to either. Allow me to speak with him before you make your final decision?" Loki nodded.
A knock came to the door and Ophelia entered. She could tell she interrupted a moment between them and immediately began apologizing.
"No need for apologies dear. I was just leaving." Frigga said patting Ophelia on the arm before exiting the library. Ophelia walked over to Loki who held his hand out for her to take. She did so and interlaced her fingers with his.
"Anything I should know about?" She asked.
"Not yet." He replied then kissed the top of her head.