Asgard, 1044
"Hold on, darling," his voice called to the woman in pain. Other women around him rushed to the aid of Sigyn, the wife of Loki Laufeyson and the Princess Consort of Asgard. He pushed through the crowd of midwives to take hold of her hand. Loki grasped her hand as Sigyn let out a loud yet low scream that seemed to shake the very halls of the castle. The sun had not yet risen over the land of Asgard as a newborn heir was brought into life. The woman breathed heavily, tilting her head to the side to rest.
Suddenly, the crowd of midwives hushed as the baby girl now brought out from her mother's womb, began to cry. The head of the midwives only smiled brightly at the newborn little princess and cleaned her gently before wrapping her in a soft blanket to soothe her. She approached the couple and handed the youngling over to the mother. The newborn was the couple's third child, centuries after the deaths of their two sons, Narvi and Vali. The mother's arms stiffened as she was handed her newborn baby, and tears ran down her face. She brought the infant to her and touched her nose to the little girl's nose. "My beautiful little girl," Sigyn said softly.
Sigyn smiled down at the cooing child. She was so small and beautiful, with green eyes like her father. "She has your eyes, my love," she said softly, a near whisper, as she lifted the baby for Loki to see. The small child stopped crying immediately after getting wrapped in a warm cloth to replace her mother's womb. "She will be called Astrith," Sigyn declared, "Astrith Lokisdottir."
Loki smiled and took his first daughter by Sigyn in his arms, "You, my dear child, are destined to be a great Queen." He rocked her slowly in his arms and hummed a Norsk lullaby. The youngling cooed in her father's arms and reached up to grab his chin. With a yawn, she began to nod off to sleep. When the baby was finally asleep, he released her back into the care of her mother and then left the chamber, only to find that his brother, Thor, had arrived home.
The red-headed god approached his companion, "JOYOUS NEWS BROTHER!" Thor exclaimed, only to receive a hush from Loki, "Is the child sleeping?" He lowered his voice so he wouldn't awaken his newborn niece. He wrapped his arms around Loki and gave his brother a massive squeeze.
Loki sputtered to be able to speak after the painful hug Thor had given him. "Yes, Thor, she is fast asleep in her mother's arms. Let's move from the door so we do not awaken her." Loki grinned as he and his brother walked away from the nursery. Loki was pleased that his wife had produced another child, a female no less. He knew Odin would soon betroth her to a Prince from another realm.
Alfheimr had also been blessed with heirs, and she will likely marry the newly born Prince. Then again, Asgard and Svartalfheim do not have the best relations, and the newly crowned King is looking for a wife for his son. Lost in thought as he and his brother left the nursing areas of the castle, Loki let out a soft sigh. He wasn't sure if marrying his daughter off in the future was a good idea, as she was in line to inherit the throne when Odin passed it on to Loki. After all, she is his eldest legitimate child with a humanoid form, and his other children cannot shape-shift.
Thor noticed the sigh and nudged his brother to see what was wrong. He placed his arm around Loki and released a hearty chortle. "Thinking about thine daughter's marriage already, dear brother? She will make a beautiful bride, just like Sigyn. But why are you worrying about this now? She has only just been birthed." The Lightning God reminded Loki.
"I know, brother... But she will surely resent me if I marry her off. If you do not take the throne, I am next in line...after Odin, correct? I know there are many more Odinson's, far better options than I... But I would like my line to carry a crown on their heads."
Thor shook his head no, "You are, for certain, the one to take the throne after Odin is deceased, my brother. Baldr and Hodr may both be dead because of your actions, but it does not mean father thinks any less of you...or your offspring. My other brothers would rather travel, especially Thaemall. He travels to escape the weight of his mistress and wife's deaths. His triplet children are already 144 years of age. Odin expects them to marry the royal of another realm soon."
"Well, any royal would be alright. I hear there is a growing kingdom of fae in the forests of Alfheim, and they have a Princess who is looking for someone to wed." Loki said, making his sketchbooks appear in hand, "I managed to get some sketches in while I was in Alfheimr last year." He opened a page to a sketch of the princess, "Her name is Zephra."
"A bold name for the young princess," Thor replied as he looked at the sketches with Loki. Suddenly, the two men were in front of the throne room, where they expected Odin to be waiting for them. "I believe Father is expecting both of us. I'll go in first. He will probably want to hear about my expedition to Vanaheim."
A couple of soldiers opened the giant oak double doors from the inside. In the throne room, Odin was waiting for his sons to enter. He immediately stood when Thor walked through the entryway, and a smile began to curve his rather serious face. As Thor approached his father, he kneeled, "Stand, my son." Odin said.
Thor stood, and there was a great commotion outside as he was about to speak. There was the sudden sound of trumpeting, which usually meant a royal was arriving at the palace. "Are you expecting someone, father?" Thor looked toward the door, but no one entered just yet.
From the corridor sprung a striking young man and a beautiful young woman. They were the King and Queen of Alfheimr, proud parents of a newborn son just a year ago. "Allfather Odin, the Wanderer." The King bowed to Odin, and the Queen curtsied as she held her one-year-old son. The arrival of these two royals surprised Odin; he did not expect them for another week.
"Cadeus! I did not expect you so soon. Word travels quickly throughout the realms it seems. It has only been a little while since the birth of Loki's daughter. I assume the youngling in your arms, Madame, is Adjeon as spoken of through the mail." Odin walked over to the two of them and looked down at the child. The little boy reached up and grabbed Odin's beard playfully.
This action caused even Thor to chuckle. "Shall I return later, father? And send Loki in after I have left?" The Lightning God smiled and began to leave as Odin nodded. He had to go, his daughter Thrud expected him to help her practice her combat techniques soon.
"Brother?" Loki asked as Thor left the room. Thor gestured for him to enter, "What is it?" I saw them walk in but did not recognize them as anyone we already knew." He put his hand to his chin and began to think; then he realized that the couple that had walked past him must be the parents of the Prince that his daughter is to wed when she is of age.
"It is the King and Queen of Alfheimr. Your daughter's soon-to-be-betrothed is in there as well. I heard my father say the King's name is Cadeus and the Prince's name is Adjeon, but I did not catch the Queen's name."
"Does Allfather wish me inside, or does he wish a private conversation?" Loki glanced at his brother with a half-smile. He was unsure whether or not it was a good idea to arrange this betrothal right away, after all... It had only been just a few hours since his daughter had been born.
"He has asked me to send you inside to meet your future in-laws." Thor said to his brother and touched his shoulder, "Do not worry, Loki. I have faith that this will become prosperous for Asgard." He left the corridor to join his daughter, Thrud, in the archery range.
As Thor left the area, Loki watched him disappear. "Very well," He said slowly, under his breath, as he opened the doors to greet his father and his daughter's soon-to-be husband's parents. The fiery-haired Prince of Asgard walked over to the King and Queen of Alfheim. "It is a pleasure to meet you, your Highnesses." He bowed lightly, making himself smile to seem happy about the union.
Odin was now holding the child, and the parents turned to look at the silver tongue. "Loki, we have heard so much about you, " the woman said with a smile. Her natural lavender hair was hanging low past her shoulders to her knees. Light elves were known to have bright-colored hair and naturally pale skin.
The young Queen opened her arms and embraced the young Prince. "I realize that we are exceptionally early. I hope you will forgive us. We were just very excited to meet the child, who would be our daughter-in-law. We each brought you a gift to give to her for later." The Queen smiled as she handed Loki two wrapped gifts for his newborn daughter.
The King walked over and handed Loki the third present for Astrith. "This one is from Adjeon. We hope it is to her liking." He took his Queen's hand and kissed it lightly with a smile. He was a proud father, a proud father who was interested in the union between Loki's daughter and his son.
MEANWHILE, THE NURSERY
Sigyn was resting, holding the newborn princess in her arms. Many nursemaids rushed around, performing multiple tasks simultaneously and attempting to make Loki's sleeping wife more comfortable.
⠀
One nursemaid removed Astrith from her mother and wrapped her in a warmer blanket before setting her down in a newly fashioned wooden crib. Still asleep, the youngling turned her head. She knew she was no longer against her mother's breast because she no longer heard the gentle beating of Sigyn's heart.
⠀
The two sleeping females didn't know someone had just recently arrived on Asgard. News of the newborn traveled through Asgardian's ears quickly. Everyone knew that Loki's wife had produced another child, and they were worried about the poor child's fate. Narvi & Vali's deaths were so very mortifying that they feared her death would be the same.
However, as they slept, the nursemaids opened the door and let a young woman inside. This woman was all too familiar with Loki. "Welcome, Mi'lady. Please, the wife and child are sleeping. Keep your voice down as you enter."
The young woman entered the room, nodding to respond to the nursemaid. Her hair and eyes were brown, and as she walked, her green gown laced with emeralds glided behind her. She walked silently to the young child in the crib, soundlessly sleeping. The young woman smiled as she looked down. "Hello, little one...my name is Kætlä. I am your elder sister." She said softly, looking at the newborn.
Kætlä turned as she heard the door open, and from the hallway, the fiery-haired god known as Loki walked in. He made his way over to the two daughters. This man was their shared relative, their father, but soon, even that wouldn't matter. "Father, it is nice that you have another child that has not yet passed." Kætlä was cold toward her father, standing tall and showing no emotion.
"Kætlä, must you be so cold when you speak to me?" Loki responded to her, setting his hand gently on her shoulder and trying to smile. But as Loki watched the expressions on his daughter's face, he knew she was about to steam over. Aside from the children birthed to him by Angrboda and when he was turned into a mare, Kætlä, and Astrith were two of his only humanoid daughters.
"You are a deceitful trickster, that is why. You create mischief and use spells to harm people. Thor must have told you all of this before." She backed from Loki, a frown appearing on her graceful features. "But, my darling... That is all in the past..." Loki tried to reach for her, but Kætlä walked over to the door before they began to fight. She didn't want to make her little sister wake up.
Astrith awoke immediately after the door was shut. Loki looked down, staring into the baby girl's green eyes. The child didn't scream; she cooed, staring back at Loki. He smiled softly, not taking to heart what his elder daughter had said to him out of anger. Loki lifted the newborn out of her crib and kissed her forehead. The Prince took Astrith from the room to follow Kætlä.
"Kætlä, please, today is the day of your sister's birth. Please, no fighting today; at least hold her..she will want these memories." Loki gently placed the baby into Kætlä's arms and put the gifted locket around Astrith's neck. With this, Loki walked away from Kætlä and back to the nursery. He kneeled beside his wife and took one of her hands. Her other hand was still close to her breast as if the newborn was still in her arms.
Kætlä looked at her father while he walked away before looking down at the newborn child he'd placed into her arms. Her brown eyes stared into the drooping green eyes of the baby princess, and she smiled as Astrith yawned. Kay knew that the little princess needed more of a nap. "Father has taken a liking to you, young one. Maybe you will be able to grow up and be strong enough to be happy, but until then..stay as a little girl for as long as you can. Stay, play, be happy." Kætlä kissed the forehead of the child as gently as she could and began to walk back into the nursery.
In the nursery, Loki was still kneeling beside his wife, Sigyn. Neither stirred as she walked through the room to the crib. Slowly and gently, Kætlä placed her baby sister into the crib so the youngling could sleep more. Before leaving the three family members alone, she used magic to create a toy for Astrith. The young woman turned to Loki, watching him stand up as she turned.
"Good luck with raising the child. She should grow away from fighting rather than in the middle of it," Kætlä said as she walked out of the nursery, closing the door softly as she left them all behind. Kætlä let out a sigh of relief, smiled to herself, and walked toward her room. The oak-made doors were opened from the outside by guards. There were always guards at the entrances of the rooms belonging to the royal family.
Loki didn't know what else he could do...He wanted his daughters to know one another, but he knew Kætlä was too stubborn to listen to him or even give him a chance. The mischief god sighed, looking over to the crib.
Astrith had begun to wail because she wanted to be held now that she was wide awake. Her wailing awoke her mother, Sigyn, in a slight panic. Loki calmed his wife down gently, then went to the crib to pick up his daughter. He returned to Sigyn and placed the baby in the mother's arms. "It seems little Astrith has taken a liking to Kætlä, but I am not sure if it is the other way around."
Kætlä paused before entering her room and stared down the hallway, noticing Thor as he was returning from the archery range. Deciding against entering her room, she switched directions to meet him. Her green crested gown trailed behind her as she walked, and as she began to get closer to the thunder God, she used a spell that quickly changed her dress into her everyday Asgardian armor.
"Young one, leaving so soon? I would think that nothing is more important than family; this is your little sister who has just been born today." He said with a smile, wrapping his arm around his niece's shoulder. He had a beer flask in his hand.
"I must, uncle. I apologize if you thought I would stay longer. Something has popped up recently, and I could only slip away briefly." Kætlä smiled at him, watching as two others joined their presence.
"Ah, something has popped up on Midgard then?" He let her go and sighed, "You cannot always go there to hide away because of Loki. He might be a trickster, but he is your father." Thor placed the flask to his lips and chugged the rest of his beer down.
"Says the Prince who tries to drink himself to death daily. Leave the pestering for Odin and Sif." She sighed at him and then walked away from her uncle, leaving the castle to return to Midgard. Thor shook his head and sighed to himself. He cheered up as his brother, Hermod, put his hand on his shoulder.
"Thor, she is a free spirit, but how she despises her father is worrisome. Give her the time, and she may realize she loves him deep down. She will come around. Hate is a difficult way of life."
Thor nodded to Hermod's words and sighed deeply, "Oh brother, sometimes I wonder what happened to Loki that has made him such a trickster. He has driven his daughter away because of his lies and trickery."
Thor stood at the nursery doorway, the grand entry framed with aged oak wood, its surface smooth from years of wear. Inside the nursery, the warm glow of soft light enveloped the space, filled with gentle coos and lullabies that echoed like whispers of promise. The sun filtered through the window, casting dappled shadows that danced across the floor and onto the newborn's crib, creating a serene atmosphere.
"Loki!" Thor called, attempting a whisper. His voice reverberated slightly in the stillness of the castle, a sound that felt both intimate and commanding.
Loki approached, his green cloak billowing behind him like a mischievous shadow, a stark contrast to the soft hues of the nursery. A light smirk danced on his lips, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.
"Ah, Thor," Loki said, his voice smooth, as if he were savoring the moment.
Thor crossed his arms, leaning against the sturdy oaken frame, his posture relaxed yet confident. "I have just seen Kætlä come and go," he said, his tone shifting to a conspiratorial whisper as if sharing a secret.
Loki nodded, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Yes, hah, like a mug of mead in the hands of the likes of you," he chuckled, the humor twinkling in his eyes.
"There is to be a tournament, as you know," Thor continued, his expression growing more serious, excitement bubbling beneath the surface.
"Yes, you have only mentioned it twenty times since yesterday," Loki replied, his brow rising and the corner of his lips curving into another smirk.
"Ah yes, of course." Thor grinned widely, the anticipation palpable in the air. "Shall we go then?"
"Indeed, let us go." With a light sigh, Loki followed Thor out of the nursery, leaving behind the soothing sounds of the baby's coos, which felt like a gentle lullaby. The training grounds awaited, a vast expanse of earth and grass scattered with weapons, reflecting the sunlight like shards of glass, glimmering with promise.
With a flourish, Loki raised his arm and used his magic to teleport to the arena training area. In an instant, they vanished from the nursery, leaving the tranquility of the room behind.
At that very moment, Sigyn jolted awake, her heart racing as the sound of her baby's cries filled the room, sharp and insistent. Panic surged through her as she glanced around, disoriented, the remnants of sleep swiftly dissipating.
A nurse approached, her movements gentle and reassuring as she reached down to pick up the baby, cooing softly to soothe her. The nurse's presence was a balm, her calm demeanor a welcome relief, but Sigyn's heart ached with the longing to comfort her child herself, to hold the little one close and chase away the fears that lingered in the shadows.
THE ARENA
Meanwhile, outside, Thor and Loki arrived at the training grounds, where a fierce clash was already unfolding. A female warrior stood at the center, her stance strong and confident, wielding a massive maul with skill and precision—it was Thrud, Thor's eldest daughter. Her fiery hair flowed behind her like a banner, and her expression was one of fierce determination. Across from her stood a man, his stance aggressive as he brandished an axe, the sunlight glinting off the sharp blade, highlighting the tension in the air.
"Did I miss the action?" Vidar, Thor's brother, approached, his brow raised in intrigue, his eyes alight with excitement.
"Just in time!" Thor exclaimed, gesturing toward the arena. "Watch closely."
The battle intensified, the sounds of clashing metal ringing through the air, each strike a testament to their skill and determination. The onlookers felt the thrill of the contest ripple through the crowd, their breaths held in anticipation. The female warrior moved with grace, her strength evident in each swing of her maul, her movements fluid and powerful. But the man was relentless, pressing the attack with unwavering determination, his strikes precise and calculated.
"You must be proud of Thrud for stepping into the arena," Loki remarked to Thor, leaning closer to the action, his voice low and filled with admiration. "You have trained her well, brother, but he's got the upper hand."
Without warning, the man unleashed a powerful blow, knocking the maul from the female's grasp. Time seemed to slow as the weapon soared into the air, glinting in the sunlight like a falling star, a moment suspended in the balance, filled with tension and uncertainty.
"You have not seen all she can do," Thor said, his eyes wide with anticipation. A mix of pride and concern was etched on his face as the crowd collectively held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
Thrud, unfazed by the loss of her weapon, demonstrated the resilience and quick thinking that her parents Thor and Sif had instilled in her. In a fluid motion, she dropped low to the ground, her muscles coiling like a spring, and with a burst of energy, she launched herself forward. The crowd gasped, a collective intake of breath as they witnessed her agility.
As she rolled beneath the man's wild swing, she found her footing and sprang up, her hands now empty but her spirit unbroken. The battle had only begun to reveal her capabilities. With a fierce glare, she met her opponent's eyes, her determination clear.
"Come on, Thrud!" Thor shouted, his voice booming, cutting through the tension. "Show him what your mettle is made of!"
The man hesitated, clearly taken aback by her unexpected resilience, and in that moment of uncertainty, Thrud seized the opportunity. With a swift pivot, she charged at him, her body a blur of motion. She aimed a low kick at his legs, knocking him off balance, and before he could recover, she followed up with a powerful strike to his midsection, sending him staggering back.
The crowd erupted in cheers, their energy palpable as they witnessed Thrud's transition from defense to offense. Loki, standing beside Thor, raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Impressive," he admitted, a hint of admiration in his voice. "She has indeed learned from the best."
"Haha! Yes!" Thor replied, a proud smile gracing his lips. "This battle is not over yet."
The man, regaining his composure, clenched his jaw and charged at Thrud with renewed vigor, his axe raised high. But Thrud was quick; she ducked beneath his swing and countered with a rapid series of punches, each blow landing with precision. The crowd's excitement swelled with each exchange, their cheers echoing off the training grounds.
As the two warriors engaged in a fierce back-and-forth, Sif stood at the edge of the training ground, her presence commanding yet nurturing. Her long, golden hair flowed like sunlight, framing her strong features and fierce blue eyes that sparkled with pride and concern. Clad in her warrior's attire, she radiated both strength and grace, embodying the spirit of a true shield maiden.
The sounds of the battle had reached her the ears of Sigyn, and she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming urge to be closer and to witness Thrud's growth firsthand. She eventually joined the excitement, cradling her newborn daughter in her arms. Beside her, the crowd erupted with cheers and excitement, but Sigyn's focus remained solely on the arena where Thrud fought.
Sif joined Sigyn at her side and smiled at her friend. "Is it not too loud for the young one?" Sif asked.
"Not at all," Sigyn chuckled. "Astrith was falling asleep to the noise from below. Perhaps she will follow her cousin's footsteps." She stood tall among the thrumming crowd at the training grounds, her newborn daughter nestled close, eager to cheer for Thrud and celebrate her bravery.
"Daughter!" Sif gripped the railing, her voice cutting through the noise. "Show this man what you have learned!"
Thrud stood firm, sweat glistening on her brow as she faced her opponent. With a fierce battle cry, she charged once more, her spirit unyielding. The man swung his axe, but Thrud ducked under the arc, spinning around and delivering a powerful kick that connected with his midsection, sending him crashing to the ground.
The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause, the sound echoing like thunder in the open air. Thrud stood tall, chest heaving, her eyes sparkling with triumph. Vidarr, with his stoic demeanor, nodded in respect, acknowledging the spirit of the moment. Thor beamed with pride, Loki clapped his hands in approval, and the atmosphere buzzed with exhilaration.
Just then, Sif stepped forward and jumped down into the arena, her fierce gaze unwavering as she approached her daughter. Their bond was palpable, each moment a testament to their shared strength. Sif held her daughter at arms length and then hugged her. "Well done, Brave Heart. You will make a fierce Valkyrie yet."
Thrud's face lit up at her mother's words, and a grin spread across her face. "I couldn't have done it without you both!" she exclaimed, returning her mother's embrace, her heart racing with the thrill of victory.
"You have only just begun!" Thor boomed, joining the pair in the arena to embrace them. "Well done."
As they stood together, Sif's proud eyes sparkled with joy, and Sigyn felt a rush of hope as she looked at her daughter, ready to embrace the challenges ahead. The echoes of battle still resonated in the air, but now, they were intertwined with the unbreakable bonds of family, a future filled with challenges and triumphs awaiting them.