Ostara
Chapter 26: Ostara
You woke up well-rested and happy. Instead of sleeping in a lonely room, you had spent the night once again as prince Loki’s squire and therefor in his chambers. This time however he had taken the couch and left the bed to you. He had argued you needed it more than him given that your foot needed rest in order for it to heal properly. You hadn’t resisted much and so you found yourself beneath the silken sheets that were definitely meant for someone of high standard. You giggled to yourself as you rolled onto your back and stared at the beautiful stars that were painted onto the ceiling to mimic the night sky of Alfheim. The morning light that streamed into the room in rays of orange reflected against the white marble of the walls and floors, almost making it look like the room was on fire. A gentle knock came to the door and when it opened you weren’t surprised to see prince Loki standing there. You smiled at him which he returned with a twitch of his lips.
“I wanted to see if you had already woken up, so we could break our fast together.”
“I would love that, my prince.” You said and then remembered he wanted you to call him by his name. “Sorry. I mean, I would love that, Loki.” He then gave you a genuine smile as he nodded his head and left the bedroom to give you some privacy to get dressed. Once you had put on your trousers and linen shirt, you hobbled to the bathroom to relief your bladder. You couldn’t help but laugh to find the privy to be decorated in gold. Yes, it really was true that the Vanir took every opportunity to show off their wealth. Once you were done and had washed your hands, you hobbled into the seating room where a large table was set in the corner, stacked with food. There were funny looking fruits that were foreign, baskets of bread, some sort of bowls of yoghurt and oatmeal and plates of meat and fish. There was simply too much for only two people! You were sure you could feed your entire village and the next with this. Prince Loki chuckled at your shocked expression as he sat himself down at the table.
“Although I would be content sharing all of this between the two of us, my brother and mother insisted they join us.”
“Oh.” Was all you said as you sat yourself down opposite of Loki. He didn’t look very pleased and you were about to ask him why, when he got up from his seat to take the one next to you. The gesture confused you, but there was no time asking after it, when the door suddenly opened and in walked the crown prince and his mother, the queen.
“Good morning, my dear.” The queen said as she kissed you on both of your cheeks which instantly reddened. “How are you?”
“I-I am fine, my queen. Thank you for asking.” You managed to get out and received a warm and gentle smile from the allmother.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Prince Thor gave you a beaming smile and a wink as he sat himself down opposite of you, the same seat Loki had been occupying only a moment ago. The queen took the seat next to her eldest son and began a conversation with her youngest who sat opposite of her. That left you alone with prince Thor.
“I’m so happy for you.” He whispered as he leaned over the table so only you could hear.
“What do you mean, my prince?” You whispered back while he chuckled.
“Oh, you don’t have to hide it from me, dear. I suspected Loki was interested, more so for it to only be lust.” Your eyes widened. Was he talking about what you thought he was talking about?
“Your brother and I are only friends.” That made prince Thor laugh loudly, which made both the queen and prince Loki turn their attention to the both of you.
“Please brother, tell us what has you laughing so hysterically.” Prince Loki said with that icy, yet silky voice of his.
“Nothing of importance. Lovely Svinnr here made a jest.” You cringed at his words. Did he not see how he had trapped himself and in so doing had also trapped you?
“Oh.” Prince Loki said as he turned his head towards you with a mischievous smirk. “And what might this jest be?” He asked you and only then did you see realization dawn on prince Thor’s face.
“I’m afraid it’s not that funny.” It was a weak excuse and you knew that all too well as prince Loki’s smirk grew larger.
“Surely it must have been if you managed to make my brother laugh so loudly?” You shot him an angry glare, but you just knew he wasn’t going to give up, so you took a deep breath and searched your mind for a funny story or a joke.
“I only said that the stereotype of a wealthy Vanir trying to show off his wealth at every chance he gets is true, given that I found out this very morning that the privy is sculpted in gold.” The whole table was quiet for a moment before prince Thor boomed with laughter. Prince Loki too chuckled as he shook his head in amusement and the queen looked at you with such adoration that you couldn’t help but feel great to have made such a comment. The conversation at the breakfast table continued in a friendly manner where the queen, prince Thor, prince Loki and you discussed what to expect from the feast later that night. You were saddened to hear that dancing was probably out of the question given that your foot was still so swollen, but your spirits were lifted when the queen asked you to join her in her chambers so you both could get dressed for tonight. When both the queen and prince Thor had excused themselves and left prince Loki’s chambers, you had wanted to follow them out to go to the archives, the mazes in the gardens or the library, but prince Loki had stopped you before you could have made a move.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked as he kept a firm grip on your arm.
“I thought to visit the library or the gardens?” Prince Loki shook his head while a smirk formed on his face.
“No. You’re going to assist me on a potion.” You gave him a confused look. You had no experience with potions, let alone had a stomach for it. When you had been stuck in lord Blekk’s bedroom to heal from your injuries, your legs had been rubbed in with some sort of salve that smelled absolutely horrid every few days. When you had asked what made it smell so bad, one of the healers had told you that the salve had been prepared by using the blood of a snake, the spleen of a rat and the powder of crushed beetles. You didn’t know whether the healer had been jesting or not, but he had looked pretty serious. A shiver went down your spine at the thought of having to cut into an animal or having to hold a still-beating heart. Prince Loki seemed to misunderstand your silence and your disturbed state as he released his hold on you and pinned you down with a hateful glare.
“If the thought of spending time with me repulses you so, then I no longer want you here.” He spat at you. “Go. Leave.” You were dumbfounded for a split second. Prince Loki, you had come to find, was a fickle man. One moment everything was fine and the next there was a knife at your throat.
“Loki.” You pleaded, hoping to get his attention. His eyes remained guarded as he stared you down with an intense gaze. “I am not opposed to spending time with you.” You thought you saw a flicker of something in his eyes, but it was gone before you knew it. “I want you to trust me, Loki. I am only nervous because I don’t know anything about potions.” A moment passed in which Loki kept staring at you as if he was assessing you fully. His eyes then changed and his lips twitched upwards.
“Get to the study.” He said and then disappeared before your very eyes. You did what he asked of you as you hobbled into his study. There was no doubt about it that these chambers were simply build to house royalty. The study had its own little library with books that were neatly stacked on marble shelves. You didn’t know whether prince Loki would be angry at you if you skimped the books that were now at his disposal, but you were too curious to simply sit here and await his arrival. You hobbled over to the shelves and let your hand trace the spines of the books there. A history of Alfheim, the demise of Erbella, The tale of a lone Vanir, were some of the titles you came across. None of them were about potions, ingredients or seidr, but there was one however that did catch your attention. A thick book in a crimson cover, bearing the seal of Vanaheim. It had no title otherwise, so you grabbed it from the shelve and opened it. The rulers of Vanaheim, the first page read. You sat yourself down at the desk and continued with the second page where it was explained that the first ruler of Vanaheim had been a warrior who had secured himself a crown by having the support of his troops and later on the people. When he had died, his son became the king after him and when his time had come his own son ascended the throne. You were just reading the names of the family tree that was drawn on the last pages of the book, when prince Loki reappeared.
“I see you have given yourself permission to touch what is mine.” You snorted at that.
“Technically none of this is yours, but prince Frey’s.” He grunted at your words and then pulled the book out of your hands to see what you were reading.
“I was not aware of your interest in royals, little one. How lucky you are to be in the presence of one.” The smirk he was giving you had to be one of the smuggest smirks you had ever seen. You snatched the book out of his hands.
“As I recall you’re Asgardian royalty not Vanir, which the book is actually about.” You had meant to tease him, but somehow his eyes had gone sad as if your words had a harsh impact on him. When he noticed you were staring at him with a confused look, you cleared your throat and changed topics.
“Do you mind if I take this book back home with me? I mean back to Asgard?” Prince Loki snorted at that.
“Didn’t you just tell me that none of this is in fact mine, but prince Frey’s? You have my permission to take it back with us, but you might want to ask prince Frey before leaving this place before it is perceived as theft.” You nodded your head. You might ask prince Frey tonight at the feast or perhaps the following morning.
“I have all the right ingredients and I know how to brew it to perfection.” Prince Loki suddenly said and then he waved his hand and on the desk appeared a cutting board and some sort of flasks with different kinds of substances.
“What exactly are we making?” You questioned as you eyed a suspicious looking jar that seemed to be containing a tongue.
“Nosey aren’t you?” He sighed and placed a small copper cauldron onto the desk. “Fill this with water.” You nodded and got up from your chair to take it to the bathroom to fill it up at the washing basin, but prince Loki had stopped you before you had even lifted the cauldron from the desk.
“No. Fill it with water by using your seidr.”
“I… don’t know how.” You had to admit to your great embarrassment. “I can boil the water, however.” You added quickly.
“Come here.” Prince Loki said after a moment. You did what he asked and joined him by his side. “Elemental seidr is at the very basis of everything. The very first spell the children with the ability learn is that of finding which element corresponds with themselves. That way they can be divided into groups and get educated on the skills closest to their abilities. The runes are simple to remember, given that for each element you only need one. The rune for water is Lögr.” You repeated the rune. You knew it well given that you needed it in quite a few spells. “Yes, that’s it. Now I want you to imagine water flowing through you and streaming out of your fingertips. I want you to feel its structure, hear it rushing into your ears and taste its sweetness on your tongue.” You had closed your eyes and concentrated both on feeling, hearing, tasting and seeing water but also on Loki’s voice. You felt him move rather than see or hear him do so and when he took your hand into his own, you felt the wonderful feeling of your seidr connecting with his own, making it strong and powerful. “Open your eyes.” Prince Loki whispered into your ear and when you did, you saw that the cauldron was filled with a clear liquid.
“Oh.” You breathed as you came closer to have a better look. “I did that.” You whispered more to yourself than anyone else. You heard Loki chuckle and then felt the slight pressure of his hand on the small of your back as if he was doubting whether or not it was appropriate for him to touch you.
“Now boil it.” He whispered in your ear and with a blush you did what he asked of you. “Good.”
“What’s next?”
“Well, I want you to chop up the lemongrass and the little roots I brought with me as well as the witch hazel.” You nodded your head, happy you didn’t need to cut something disgusting. You grabbed a knife and started cutting the lemongrass in fine pieces while Loki started scrubbing some sort of fish. Once you were done, you got Loki’s permission to add the lemongrass to the boiling water. Then came the witch hazel and the little roots that were rather tricky to cut. The juice of a peach was added next same with the scales of a fish and the fangs of a mountain snake. Then Loki added something tick to the mixture, but he refused to tell you what it was. When all the ingredients had been added, you were on stirring duty. Loki used a few spells and before your eyes the mixture turned from electric blue to bright orange.
“It’s done.” Prince Loki said after an hour of letting the mixture rest on a low fire. It now had a golden look to it as Loki poured the contents of the cauldron through a sieve and into a flask. When it was full, he held out his hand that was holding the flask. “Take it and drink it.”
“What?” Loki rolled his eyes at you.
“Drink it. It will help with your leg so that you can actually enjoy yourself tonight. The Norns know how much you love dancing.” You were dumbfounded. You hadn’t expected such sentiment to come from him.
“I don’t know how to thank you.” You said honestly, touched beyond words by the gesture.
“I’m sure we will figure something out. For now I suggest you drink it all.” You took a deep breath, readying yourself for the horrid taste of the liquid in the flask. You then downed the contents in one go, surprised to find that it actually tasted quite alright. Like a slightly more bitter version of tea with lemon or peach. “How do you feel?” You actually felt great, as if your entire body was free of any aches or pains. Everything felt simply divine. “Svinnr?” The prince’s voice was filled with concern, but for what you had no idea.
“I feel amazing!” You said as you beamed him a big smile. “I feel like I can climb the highest mountain, swim across the most vicious river and descend the steepest valley!” Prince Loki chuckled and then guided you to sit back down at his desk.
“I might have overdone the doses.” You didn’t really care, you simply felt great. Better than great, even better than better.
“What’s the matter with Svinnr?” You heard Fulla ask the queen as she helped her into her golden gown. The queen looked brighter than the sun and would put every other star to shame.
“Loki gave a potion for her foot and made it a little too strong, I’m afraid.”
“Nonsense. I feel great.” You defended yourself. You were already wearing your violet dress and if you spun just right you could imagine yourself being a grape. You had to giggle at the thought.
“Very strong indeed.” You heard Fulla mutter and the queen chuckled, but none of that mattered. When the queen was done, you followed her out of her chambers with Fulla at your side. The queen knew exactly where she was going as she turned a right, a left, a right again, all the way to the core of the residence of prince Frey. The hall was already bursting with laughter and the clinking sounds of mugs being slammed together into a toast. Prince Thor, prince Loki, prince Frey, the king of Alfheim and his daughter, princess Malon were already seated at the high table. Another giggle escaped your mouth at the thought that you were allowed to be later than the princes and the king of this realm because you were with the allmother, the most important person here tonight.
Or so you thought as a man walked in with a beautiful blue cape, long after the queen had taken her seat at the high table. You gasped as you recognized him from some of the tapestries your father had made long ago. King Njörðr, the king of Vanaheim in all his glory. He looked just like prince Frey, but instead of having golden hair like his son was known for, king Njörðr’s had silvered over the years. The king walked over to the high table and sat himself down next to his son.
“Father.” The tone of voice that prince Frey used was nothing you had ever heard him use before. He always sounded so joyous, friendly and happy, but right now his words were hard, poisonous and icy.
“My dearest son! Isn’t this a merry surprise?” By the look of Prince Frey it was anything but merry and it made you wonder if prince Frey had even invited his father to come to his feast. King Njörðr didn’t seem to might his son’s hostile expression nor his rudeness for not answering him. He simply turned his head and started a conversation with the queen.
“Loki?” You whispered to the prince next to you. “Why is Frey so angry?” You heard Loki sigh as he patted your hand on the table.
“Not to worry, my dear.” You wanted to know, but you also had half a mind to understand that prince Loki was not in the mood to indulge you into a story before dinner. So you kept your mouth shut as the servants brought plate after plate to the high table for all of you to sample. Some of the deer they had shot during the hunt for the golden boar were now being served as dishes. You didn’t want to admit it to the queen, prince Loki or prince Thor, but the food that you were all devouring at the moment tasted like home more than any dish on Asgard ever could. It was spicy and rich and the wine that flowed was simply nectar worthy of the Norns themselves.
“How’s your foot?” Prince Loki asked after you had your last spoonful of desert.
“Great.” You said cheerfully and wiggled it for good measure.
“Let’s put that to the test, shall we?” Prince Loki then stood up and grabbed your hand in his to guide you down the high table and onto the dancefloor. Most people were still eating, so prince Loki and you were one of the only people getting ready for a dance. Normally that thought would have embarrassed you, but now you were simply too happy to care. Prince Loki too didn’t wait for the music or more people to take their place on the dancefloor as he placed his hand on the small of your back and guided the both of you into the dance. You felt like you were floating every time prince Loki spun you around or made a side step. You had never danced so smoothly in your entire life. Everything just felt right. When more people started to gather upon the dancefloor, you felt prince Loki’s hold on you tighten as he leaned closer to whisper into your ear.
“Come with me.” You were a little confused, but you followed him anyway. He took you all the way to a balcony where he spun you around and held your hands in his. “I wish to give you something, Svinnr.” He said and for some reason he sounded and even looked anxious and apprehensive. He took a deep breath and then waved his hand in the air. All of a sudden he was holding a golden brooch in his hand that was designed to put in your hair. “May I?” He asked after a moment of silence in which you hadn’t done anything but gape at the brooch that was clutched in his hand. You nodded your head and turned so he could arrange the brooch into your golden locks. When you felt the warmth of his hands and his breath on your face, you swore you felt your heart jump out of your chest. The golden brooch was gorgeous. It was simple and delicate, yet every bit perfect. It was in the form of Loki’s helmet, but at the heart of it, you found a beautiful single sapphire. “What do you think?” Again he sounded so anxious that your heart was simply aching for him.
“I love it.” You breathed. “Thank you so much, Loki.” You then did something you would never have done if you weren’t so high-spirited on some kind of self-made potion. You wrapped your hands around his neck and pretty much plastered your entire body against his as you hugged him tight. It took him a second to respond, but after a while he too wrapped his arms around you and held you closely pressed to him.
“Happy birthday, my sweet.” He whispered into your hair before pressing his lips there in a small kiss.
You were over the moon when you returned back to the feast with prince Loki by your side. The feast was marvelous! You danced with Thor, Volstagg and even Fandral. You were just being twirled around by some noble elf you didn’t care to know the name of, when you bumped into someone who cursed loudly as you heard wine spilling onto the ground. When you realized who it was, you apologized immediately.
“I’m sorry, Frey, I-”
“How dare you, you insolent little girl?!” He yelled at you and you froze. “Lower your eyes, wench.” He spat at you and out of natural reflex you did what he asked and lowered your gaze to the ground to show off your station as a mere servant.
“Is this how you manage your household, my son? You need to teach your subjects more obedience.” You hadn’t realized prince Frey had company, especially not that said company was the king of Vanaheim. “What’s your name, girl?” He asked you, but before you could answer him, prince Frey had beaten you to it.
“She’s of no importance, father. Some low-bred little thing that is too dull to remember her place.” Prince Frey’s words cut through you like a knife and before you knew it a tear had rolled down your cheek. No. You were not going to stand there and accept such a harsh treatment from a man who had claimed to be your friend. You slowly lifted your head to look the king straight into his eyes.
“I’m not some low-bred dull little thing.” You said as king Njörðr’s eyes widened in shock. “My name is Svinnr and I am no subject of your son.” And as you turned to leave both men standing there, you could have sworn that king Njörðr regarded you as if he had seen a ghost.