Prince Frey
Chapter 9: Prince Frey
You were walking behind the king and queen, amongst her ladies in waiting. You felt amazing in your gown and for once in your life you could simply forget about all your worries and just live in the moment. Lord Blekk was the first to approach you after bowing to the king and queen who soon walked to their seats.
“Svinnr, how lovely you look.” He said as he smiled down on you. “And thank you for wearing that brooch.”
“Oh, no problem. I think it actually fits this dress rather well.” You said happily.
“Speaking of the dress, how did you get your hands on such fine material?” You looked quite delighted when you bent in closer to whisper in his ear. “The queen gave it to me.” You told him and he smirked at you with nothing more than the kind of affection a father would have over his child.
“I was hoping lady Svala would give you leave to attend the feast.” He said.
“Actually, the queen invited me.” At that lord Blekk grimaced.
“After all that work and you’re not even allowed to attend the feast?” He hissed. “Well, at least the queen out rules everyone, so they will have to bear the fact that you’re here anyway.”
“Well, if it isn’t the loveliest maiden in all of Asgard.” A voice spoke and as you turned to see who it was, you weren’t surprised to find lord Fandral with a vile smile on his face.
“Lord Fandral.” You greeted with a quick curtsy.
“What do you want, Fandral?” Asked lord Blekk who was anything but pleased to see the man.
“Good of you to ask, Blekk. I want a dance.”
“I’m flattered, boy, but you’re not my type.” Lord Blekk deadpanned to your great surprise. All this time with him and never had he made one such joke! Lord Fandral too seemed surprised to hear such a thing from coming from the old man as he simply gaped at him in shock.
“What a great night this is!” A loud voice boomed with a laugh that shook the furniture inside the hall. Prince Thor came into view, wearing a slightly more comfortable kind of the armour he wore at the ceremony. “This must be the first time I have ever seen you be unsuccessful, dear Fandral.” He laughed and then he slammed a hand on lord Fandral’s shoulder with such force that he took an involuntary step forward so as not to fall.
“My prince.” Lord Blekk said with a bow which you quickly followed up with a deep curtsy.
“Thor.” Fandral said with a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes at all.
“Come, Svinnr. Let us sit down.” Lord Blekk muttered so only you could hear. Prince Thor didn’t seem to notice you were even standing there, so you nodded and left with your employer.
“Tell me, since when did the queen take notice of you?”
“We spoke at a tea party lady Svala had taken me to.”
“Well, I’m glad she has taken a liking to you.” He said as he guided you towards a table at the foot of the usual spot of the royal family, also known as the ‘high table’. Tonight, and only tonight, the newlyweds would take a seat with the royal family as a sign of respect and celebration in their union. Lord Blekk took a seat and gestured for you to take the one next to him.
“I’m not sure if that’s allowed, my lord.” You said. Afterall servants were not allowed to celebrate with all the nobles, they were only here to work.
“Oh, please, girl. You were not allowed to come here in the first place, so why not add to the list of rules you have already broken and enjoy yourself?” Lord Blekk seemed to be in high spirits tonight which made you wonder if he had always been this nice and fun or that perhaps he was drunk. He gave you a genuine smile though, so you sat down beside him and acted as if you were not a servant, but some sort of lady. “I take it you have never been to a noble wedding before.” It wasn’t even a question, but you still shook your head to confirm it for him. “Well, right now everyone is socialising, but as soon as the bride and groom walk in, they will all take their seats to enjoy the banquet. After that comes the dancing, drinking and scandal.”
“What do you mean by scandal?”
“Prince Thor and his friends usually participate in various drinking games or bets. Then you have many nobles who suddenly disappear into little alcoves and well…. A fight or two may break out or a heated argument. It’s quite interesting to see the effects of ale on people.” You smirked at that and began asking lord Blekk whether dwarves or elves would suffer the same effects or not.
You were so engaged in carefree conversation that you almost missed the newlyweds walking into the hall. You both stood up from your seats and applauded with the rest before sitting back down and wait for the first course to be served. During the whole banquet lord Blekk told you about the different kinds of food you were eating after you had confessed to him you hardly recognised anything. You were just enjoying some Røkelaks og egg when you let your eyes roam over the people seated at the high table. The king and queen were easy to spot of course, same for the princes and the newlyweds, but the man sitting next to the queen and lord Skírnir looked unfamiliar. You hitched a breath when you realised who he probably was. Prince Frey.
As if lord Skírnir had heard the sharp-intake, he turned and spotted you seated next to lord Blekk. He smiled and leaned into his companion to whisper something in his ear. Prince Frey then turned his head as well to look at you and you swore you could have seen his eyes widen. You then quickly looked away and spotted prince Loki looking at you as well, only he seemed deep in thought as if he was looking right through you.
“What’s wrong, Svinnr?” Lord Blekk asked after you had spent a good ten minutes playing around with the pudding on your plate. You couldn’t eat. Not while you could feel the burning gaze of eyes on you. You didn’t know whether it was lord Skírnir, prince Loki or prince Frey, but it was maddening and you didn’t dare to look at the high table anymore. You were about to tell lord Blekk that you needed some air or something along those lines when someone interrupted that plan.
“I am very pleased to see you here, girl. Although I must say I am surprised. My wife didn’t want me to allow you to attend the feast and now she is a bit angry with me.” Lord Skírnir said with a half-smile. “Never mind. I want to introduce you to someone.” He said and held out his hand for you to take. You glanced at lord Blekk who was shooting daggers at lord Skírnir, but when he saw that you were silently asking for his permission or his guidance, he nodded and gave a small smile. You returned it and took lord Skírnir’s hand to get up and follow him to wherever he wanted to lead you.
“My prince!” Lord Skírnir suddenly yelled and then there he was. Prince Frey with his golden hair, perfectly trimmed golden beard and gentle light blue eyes. “This is the girl I was talking about.” Lord Skírnir said and pretty much pushed you forward to stand in front of the prince.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my prince.” You said after you had made a deep curtsy. The prince looked baffled, but you didn’t know why. He then looked at lord Skírnir.
“I think your wife needs you, Skírnir.” The prince said with a voice that was made out of the softest velvet. You all looked up to see lady Svala looking incredibly bored while another lady kept talking to her or rather at her.
“Ah, I see. I will rescue the damsel in distress then.” Lord Skírnir said before going back to the high table and sit with his wife.
“The pleasure is all mine, my lady.” The prince suddenly said and for a second you looked confused before realising you had told him something similar a few moments ago. He then took your hand in his and softly raised it towards his mouth to kiss it gently. “My ambassador told me that you were his assistant for a while.”
“Yes, I was, my prince.” You said and begged the Norns your cheeks weren’t as red as you thought they were.
“Was he a tyrant?” He asked seriously, before he began chuckling at seeing your face. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell. You can be honest with me.” He said and for some reason you wanted to believe him.
“I learned a lot under his employment.” You told him, not wanting to reveal too much to lord Skírnir’s employer, but neither wanting to lie about it. Lord Frey gave you a big smile.
“That could mean anything, little one.” He said before going serious again. “What is your name?”
“Svinnr, my prince.” He remained silent and gave you some sort of strange look. The best way to describe it was the face of betrayal, but you weren’t sure why he would look so.
“Prince Frey.” A cold voice said and before you had turned your head in the direction of the voice, you could already guess whom it was from. Prince Loki stood there looking smug, but his eyes were as hard and cold as ice. Prince Frey seemed to be shaken out of his little reverie when prince Loki said his name. He only gave a firm nod to greet him, but that didn’t seem to bother prince Loki as he soon diverted his attention to you. “I want to dance with you.” It wasn’t a question, just a simple order you couldn’t say no to or there would certainly be consequences. You quickly dropped down in a curtsy and was about to follow prince Loki to the other couples dancing in the middle of the hall, when you felt a hand fall down on your shoulder to stop you in your tracks.
“You can say no if you don’t want to, Svinnr.” Prince Frey said and you froze. This wasn’t going to end well. Prince Loki turned around and looked absolutely murderous.
“She agreed to the dance.” Prince Loki all but hissed.
“Yes, but only because it was an order.” Prince Frey said and you could feel his hand pulling on you to move you slightly behind him. Prince Loki too noticed the movement and seemed to boil all the more with anger.
“Please, it’s alright.” You said as you gently peeled prince Frey’s hand from your shoulder. “I’d love to dance with you, my prince.” You said while barley looking prince Loki in the eye. He still looked awfully angry and without another word he grabbed your hand and dragged you across the hall to the dance floor. Even though you felt him trembling with anger, his grip on your wrist wasn’t harsh but neither was it gentle. You were so focussed on putting a stop to a possible murder that you only now realised you could hardy dance, let alone dance any fancy ones. There was a huge difference between being able to freely move with the music than dancing where certain rules are involved.
“M-my prince?” You asked with a trembling voice. Loki had come to a stop while other couples danced around you both.
“What?” He nearly spat at you.
“I… I don’t know how….” His face suddenly softened and you thought you could even identify a smile on his face.
“Don’t worry, little one.” He said as he came closer and laid his hand on the small of your back. “All you have to do is follow my lead.” He said and then he gently pulled your hand in his. When you placed your other hand on his upper arm he chuckled and replaced it on his shoulder. He then began to move swiftly over the dancefloor. You were quickly tripping over his feet and felt your whole face heat up with embarrassment. Not only were you failing at making the right steps, but you were doing so dancing with a prince while his parents and half of the realm was watching.
“Don’t look at your feet. Look at me.” Prince Loki said and now you could simply feel the heat from your cheeks go all the way down to your neck. As if this wasn’t bad enough and now you had to look into his piercing eyes. You took a deep breath and lifted your gaze to meet his and when you did so you were met with a beautiful smile on his pale face. “Now listen to the music and feel my direction. You’ll see they go hand in hand.” You nodded and tried to focus, but then after a while you found out that when you didn’t focus at all you could simply feel where you needed to place the next step or when a twirl was coming around. And just like that you were no longer stumbling and were even enjoying the dance. Even if it was with the dark prince. Eventually the dance ended with one last twirl, but the prince kept his hand locked on the small of your back and for a split second you though you even felt him splay his fingers over it.
“Would you like another dance?” His voice sounded a bit more rougher than before and the look he was giving you was even more intense than it had ever been before. “With me?” He added even more hoarser. You looked at him quizzingly. Was he just trying to be polite? Why else did he sound and look so weird? Or did he simply wanted you to say yes to him without him having to order you? His eyes kept flicking between your own as if he was trying to read you or look for any signals he might find in them.
“I would love to, my prince.” You finally decided to say even though it sounded less confident than you would have liked it. His eyes expanded even more and he pulled you closer to him. You danced and danced. After a while you no longer noticed when one dance ended and another began. It was almost like you both were in your own little world. Eventually after the fourth or maybe even the fifth dance, you were interrupted by another couple.
“My prince, I would be honoured to have the next dance with you.” Lady Svala said to prince Loki as she let go of prince Frey’s hand. Prince Loki looked displeased and said nothing. Then he turned his attention back to you and kissed your hand softly, letting his lips linger on your knuckles for a while longer than was proper.
“I will come find you for another round.” He promised with a smug smile and then took lady Svala’s hand to guide her into the dance.
“Quite a strange man, don’t you agree?” Prince Frey asked. “What’s your opinion on him?” Not only was that a very vague question, it was also highly improper to answer it. Prince Frey seemed to realise you were conflicted to answer and simply laughed. “Oh, come now, my lady! Surely all ladies of the court indulge in gossip?” Now you simply looked hurt. Was this some sort of joke? Surely lord Skírnir or lady Svala would have told him you were but a servant.
“I’m no lady, my prince.” You said while straightening your back. Now he looked shocked and hurt himself.
“Surely you jest?”
“I assure you, I am not jesting.” You said defensively. “As a matter of fact I am lord Blekk Sturluson’s help at the archives. Helping ambassador Skírnir had only been temporary and after the feast I will return to my original duties.” The look prince Frey was giving you was one of a beaten dog, which strangely enough only angered you further.
“If I have offended you in any way, I apologise.” He said with a voice full of remorse. You were both silent for a moment, both a little lost for words as it would seem. “How about a walk in the gardens?” He finally asked you.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, my prince.” You muttered. “Prince Loki might become angry when he can’t find me for his promised dance.” As soon as the words had left your mouth, you regretted them. Not only were you disrespecting prince Loki by discussing him so carelessly, but now you also made yourself look weak at being scared of what the dark prince might do. Prince Frey’s face constricted and his eyes suddenly turned icy.
“Does he frighten you?” He asked. “Did he hurt you?”
“No! No, my prince. He has never done anything to hurt me! I just… I don’t want him to get angry and direct that at you.” Now you truly sounded dull and stupid, but for some reason prince Frey’s face changed completely to a softened expression.
“I’m honoured that you worry so over me, my sweet, but I assure you that I have known Loki for all his life. I can protect myself from him.” You couldn’t help yourself but return the warm smile he was sending your way.
“Svinnr!” Prince Loki called and quickly placed his hand on your waist to pull you to his side. Awkwardly trailing behind him was lady Svala who quickly left to find another dance partner. “Everything alright?” He asked as he scanned your face.
“I think I should take my leave now.” You said and regretted you couldn’t stay any longer, but the rivalry between the two princes was getting a bit too much. Besides lord Blekk wouldn’t excuse a night of feasting for a lack of concentration at work. Loki squeezed you a little tighter.
“Stay. I can speak with Blekk so that you can have tomorrow off.” He suggested which made you strangely happy, yet you had missed your copying of the chronicles of the Dark Elves from Svartalheim and were actually looking forward to working with lord Blekk again.
“I’m honoured you would do such a thing for me, my prince, however I do wish to proof myself worthy of being lord Blekk’ help.” Loki gave you a strange look that you couldn’t quite place, but he didn’t seem displeased, angry or smug which could only mean something good in your books.
“Lord Blekk is lucky to have such a loyal help.” Prince Frey supplied and instantly Loki’s face changed as he looked at the other prince with an icy glare.
“Yes, he certainly is.” Prince Loki said rather detached. “Let me escort you back to the servant-wing.”
“Oh, you don’t have to-“
“I won’t allow you to go on your own.”
“I’ll escort you, Svinnr.” Egil’s voice sounded and you felt great relief at seeing your friend’s face.
“Egil!” You said happily before giving the man a hug. As soon as you let go of him, you felt Loki immediately replacing his hand to the small of your back.
“My prince.” Egil said, bowing deeply for prince Loki and then repeating the process for prince Frey.
“And who might you be?” Prince Frey asked.
“I’m Egil Helgisson, brother of Fandral the dashing and guard to the library and archives. I have been charged by lord Blekk to keep an eye out for Svinnr and protect her.”
“Yes, well you didn’t do much protecting when she was assaulted by your brother’s harlot.” Loki hissed. Egil looked angry, but even more so, he looked remorseful and guilt-ridden.
“It wasn’t your fault, Egil. I always feel safe with you around and I hope you know that.” You said and he looked slightly more confident.
“What is this about being assaulted?” Prince Frey asked angrily.
“She was attacked by a jealous little wench, but not to worry, I punished her for it.” Prince Loki answered smugly as he caressed your back soothingly.
“So, do you want me to escort you back to the servant-wing, Svinnr?” Asked Egil completely ignoring prince Loki.
“If you don’t mind, my lord.”
“Of course not, sweetling and it’s Egil.” He said before remembering the hostile company he was in. “My prince.” He said stiffly as he bowed once again before prince Loki and prince Frey.
“Egil.” Replied Loki icily.
“Make sure she gets there safely, Egil.” Prince Frey replied, sounding strangely happy.
“Good night, my prince.” You said as you curtsied for prince Loki.
“Good night, my dear.” He said as he kissed your hand softly.
“Good night, my prince.” You repeated as you curtsied for the Vanir prince as well.
“Good night.” He said as he too kissed your hand. “Darling.” He said softly and then let go of your hand.