#That christopher Robin has GROWN UP? *gasp*

[flyingmintbun]

babe wake up user flyingmintbun posted Winnie the Pooh again. THREE MONTHS TOO LONG LETS GOO!!!!! I know it’s not much and people probably want the stuffed animals but I’ve really been loving Christopher Robin recently :’)

[tilltheendwilliwrite]

Of Blood and Roses

Chapter Fourteen

Previous Chapter

Pairing: Loki x Lauren  |  Word Count: 6703 Warnings: none

“I can't believe y’all talked me into entirely new tack. I'm sure whatever was available for Snostrøm would have been perfectly fine,” Lauren huffed at Loki, Thor, and Sif.

“But, darling you adored the set, it fits you perfectly, and Oddr has offered to see it fits your stallion as well. The man never does that. Take it as a sign. You were meant to own it!” Loki decreed.

Lauren rolled her eyes as they all nodded agreement, but secretly she was thrilled. The saddle was of the softest, most supple silver-grey leather. She'd never seen anything like it before.

Oddr himself came over to discuss it with her when she admired the animals hidden amongst the scroll work. Rabbits and deer, bears and wolves, all were worked into the design subtly.

The bridle swung with tassels and bits of shiny stones decorated the cheek straps. It was flashy, fancy, and not at all what she would be drawn to for one of the horses at home. But this was Snowstrøm, a commanding mount. She thought a little flash and sparkle might make him feel special.

And after the trauma of earlier, she’d needed something to take her mind off what might have happened. It upset her, and she wouldn't lie, not even to herself about that. They'd come to Asgard to get away from the people who'd hurt her at home, only to have someone try and hurt her here.

Was there something about her which brought it out in people? Was she doomed to spark envy and jealousy everywhere she went?

On a soft sigh, Lauren slowed to a stop on the arch of a beautiful bridge to stare down at the water. It was slower here, gentler. More meandering than raging. It was soothing to watch it ripple along.

“Are you alright, my love?” Loki asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“I'm fine,” she murmured.

“What did we decide in regards to that word?” he huffed. “Tell me.”

“Is there somethin’ about me that makes people hate me? Do I, I don't know, give off a vibe or somethin’?”

“Lauren,” he sighed. “They don't hate you.”

“They must. Why else would people keep tryin’ to hurt me?”

He rested his chin on her head. “They do these things out of jealousy and anger. But none of that is your fault. You are kind, and sweet, and so gentle but so fierce, my heart. They look at you and see something they could only wish to find in themselves. Darkness will always seek to snuff out the light, my darling, but your light is so bright not even the darkness of my soul could stand against it. Whatever their reasons, you cannot take responsibility for them. Their actions and thoughts are their own.”

“In my head, I know that, but in my heart…” She gave a heavy sigh.

“Lauren, all you need to do is look around to see all the people who you've touched in a positive way today.” He turned her to face him. “Do not dwell on the negative, but see the good you have wrought with nothing more than the grace of your smile and kind words.”

She looked past him to the people on the bridge. To the women who smiled, or the men who bowed their heads. To the children who giggled and waved, or smiled shyly behind their mother's skirts.

Everyone had been so nice, so kind. Dwelling on the few who were jealous was a futile endeavour.

“You're right. I just wish…” she hesitated, uncertain how to put the hope in her heart into words.

Loki cupped her cheek and ran his thumb over her skin. “What, love?”

“I just… I want people to like me. It just sucks when they don't, and makes me wonder why. Mama, Marabeth, most of the people I went to school with. Now to come here and find, again, someone dislikes me enough to want to see me hurt… it, it breaks my heart, Loki,” she whispered and turned away before anyone could see the tears sparkling on her lashes.

By the time the first one fell to splash against the iron guardrail, Loki had her wrapped in his arms and was whispering soothing bits of nonsense against her ear.

“I better than anyone know not everyone will like you, love. Even now, most of these people only like me because you are on my arm. Your heart is so generous but so tender. I wish I could build a wall of ice and iron around it to keep you from getting hurt, but then you would not be who you are. You would not be my sweet, kind Lauren.”

“It shouldn't hurt so much, but it does. I thought I was past this, Loki. I thought I'd learned to harden my heart against the hatred. Why does it still hurt?”

“Because you are compassion made flesh, sweet. You are the light of guiding hope in a universe which desperately needs it. You are truth in a world full of lies. You will be a most magnificent goddess, one the people will cherish and aspire to be like, but your tender heart will bruise, and your sweetness will be thought of as weakness, and the evil of the world will seek to exploit you, but that is why you have me,” he purred against her cheek. “I will be there to stand with you against the harshness. I will put myself between you and danger. I will be the shadow created in your light to deal with those who seek to harm what is mine.”

Lauren shivered, but it had nothing to do with being cold. “What kind of deviant am I that that was seriously arousin’?”

“The best kind,” he chuckled, and it was dark and sensual. “A little innocent lamb who succumbs to her wolf's seduction.”

His hand snuck up beneath her shawl to cup her breast, and Lauren gave a small shiver.

“Your serpents are hungry, pet,” he whispered.

A sharp bite came to her nipples, making Lauren's knees shake as heat and lust drove straight through her. “Loki!” she hissed.

“You appear flushed, darling. Is something amiss?” he smirked and had them bite her again.

“Stop that!” she gasped, grasping the guardrail until her knuckles turned white.

“And if I don't? What will you do, darling?”

“I will dance with Fandral at the feast tonight.” Considering the dress she would be wearing was quite backless, she knew he’d hate the idea of Fandral’s hands on her.

“That is just mean,” Loki pouted.

She turned to face him, sporting a smirk of her own. “But it worked.”

“Hmm. My devious little thing,” he chuckled and cupped her face. “Feeling better now?”

Lauren nodded. “I was havin’ a little pity party was all.”

“You had a fright, and we didn't let you process it. Just hustled you out the door and showed you something shiny to divert your focus.”

He looked away, and Lauren laid her hands on his chest. “It was a very nice shiny.”

“I'm happy you let me buy it for you.”

She patted his chest. “That's good, but you don't need to buy me things, Loki.”

“But I want to, Lauren. I like spoiling my wife.” He gently flicked her earring.

“Well, you do a good job at it,” she giggled.

“Loki?” Volstagg murmured from a few feet away. When they turned to look at him, he bowed deeply. “I must apologize, prince, for not being available when someone attacked the Lady Lauren. I was farther down the road with my family and only just heard of it.”

Lauren glanced past him to find Daven and her girls looking contrite and worried.

“You were where you should have been, Volstagg. No one expected this to happen,” Loki said, stepping forward to clap the man on the shoulder. “It was sloppy and poorly executed. There is no need for an apology.”

Lauren smiled and headed for Daven and her girls. “Are y’all havin’ fun so far?”

The girls all nodded, and Daven seemed to relax a little.

“You changed your dress,” the little one said, poking at the airy material.

“Loki changed it for me when I got the last one dirty and tore the hem, Aggie. Can I call you Aggie?”

She nodded vigorously.

“It's gorgeous, milady,” Glinda sighed, staring at the dress with a bit of wonder. “I've never seen anything like it before.”

The eldest child, Lauren remembered well the desire at fourteen to be very grown up and have grown up things. “Thank you, Glinda. Dresses like this are more common on Earth, I think.”

“Really?” she gasped, hazel eyes sparkling with excitement.

“For fancy parties and such, yes,” Lauren smiled.

“It's pretty, but I'd rather breeches than a dress,” Hedda sighed, plucking at her blue skirt.

“Hedda!” Daven gasped.

Lauren only chuckled. “S’alright. I like my breeches too.”

“Papa told us about Snostrøm!” Hedda burst with excitement. “Did you really tame a Wild One?”

“I wouldn't say tame, more like… stood up for. Someone was hurtin’ him real bad, and I wasn't gonna stand there and let him continue with that villainy,” Lauren huffed. “Do you like horses, Hedda?”

“Ock!” Daven scoffed. “She spends more time on the back of Volstagg’s mount then she does on the ground.”

“His name is Big Boy, mother,” Hedda sassed.

“It's Jordskjelv, Hedda, and don't speak to mother like that,” Glinda scolded.

“He doesn't like that name, Glinda. He told me so,” Hedda pouted, crossing her arms.

“Sure he did,” Glinda snickered.

“He did!” Hedda insisted.

Seeing a fight brewing, Lauren clapped her hands together and smiled down at Aggie. “Would you girls like to play a game?”

“A Midgardian game?” Aggie asked, bouncing up and down.

“Maybe, we'll have to see if you have a similar one.” Lauren turned to look for Loki who happened to be watching with Volstagg and Thor. “Hun, could you magic me four sticks, all different shapes and sizes but only about six inches long?”

“What are you up to, darling?” Loki asked, even as he did as bid.

“You’ll see,” Lauren giggled and turned back to the girls. “C’mon Glinda, Hedda, Aggie. I'll teach y’all how to play Pooh sticks.”

Hedda’s face twisted. “Why would you play with sticks made of poo?”

Lauren burst out laughing. “Oh, my! I’m sorry! No. Pooh is the name of the bear who invented the game. His full name is Winnie the Pooh.”

“A bear invented a game?” Aggie asked as she hurried over to where Lauren stood at the bridge's railing.

Lauren handed Aggie a stick. “He did. On Earth, we have a series of stories about Pooh bear and his boy Christopher Robin. You see, Pooh isn’t a real bear, but a stuffed bear who has many grand adventures with his boy and his friends. Owl and Piglet and Eeyore, and a few others.”

“What's an… Eeyore?” asked Hedda.

“He’s a rather gloomy donkey,” Lauren snickered, handing Hedda a stick.

“What's a donkey?” asked Glinda, taking one as well.

“Oh, well…” Lauren frowned. “They're a type of equine, a smaller version of a horse. Very hardy and able to carry or pull large loads. They have really long ears and make the most horrifyin’ noise when they bray.”

Hedda looked over at Volstagg. “Papa! Can I have a donkey?”

“I highly doubt it, Hedda,” he chuckled.

Lauren snickered but sobered quickly when the girls all looked at her expectantly. “So, the way to play is we each take our stick, and on the count of three, we drop them in the river. Then we run to the other side of the bridge, and whoever's stick comes out first wins.”

“What if I just throw my stick under the bridge?” Hedda asked.

Lauren tried to hold a stern face when she looked pointedly at the cheeky girl. “That would be cheatin’, and as the God of Revelry is standin’ right there, do you honestly think he’d let you cheat?”

“No, milady,” Hedda blushed.

“Right. Everyone ready?” Lauren asked only for Thor to clear his throat.

“Can anyone play?” he asked, his smile giant and eyes excited.

“Of course!” Lauren grinned and looked at Loki.

His eyes glowed green before a basket of sticks in all shapes, sizes, and colours appeared. The sticks they were all holding changed colour as well, and above the basket was a sign which read Lady Lauren’s Game of Pooh Sticks with the rules listed beneath.

Loki plucked a red stick from the basket and tossed it to Thor. “There. Now anyone who wishes to play can, and the sticks will return to the basket once all have crossed the finish line.”

“Oh, Loki! That's perfect!” Lauren laughed.

Sif plucked a blue one from the basket and joined the rest of them at the railing. Daven selected a yellow one. Volstagg’s was purple, but Loki refrained.

“You know I would win,” he smirked but leaned against the rail to watch.

“Alright, everyone over at the same height?” Lauren called, holding her stick out. It was Loki green of course. “One, two… three!”

Everyone let go, the sticks all hitting the water at relatively the same time. As one, the group looked at Lauren who giggled and gathered the front of her dress to run with Aggie and Hedda across the bridge. The tromping of many feet followed.

Then they were all leaning over to see who’s stick would arrive first.

“I see one!” Glinda exclaimed. “Who's was purple?”

“Mine!” Volstagg laughed.

“Light or dark purple?” Lauren asked.

“Dark,” he frowned.

“That one’s mine!” Aggie shrieked. “I won!”

“Yes you did,” Lauren smiled, watching as the rest of the sticks floated out from under the bridge.

Daven’s was second, then Thor’s. Glinda, Hedda, Sif, and Lauren’s floated out a scant inch ahead of Volstagg’s. They all disappeared to arrive back in the basket with a little clatter.

“Papa, I think you lost,” Aggie giggled.

Volstagg swept her up and tossed her high to her shriek of delight. “Someone has to be last, little one. But I'll get you next time!”

“Lady Lauren?” Hedda asked, tugging on Lauren's hand. “Do you know the stories for this… Pooh bear?”

“I only remember bits and pieces from them. Some of Tigger’s sayin’s and things.” Lauren glanced at Loki who shook his head.

“It is not a story I'm familiar with, darling or I would magic you a book.”

Hedda looked disappointed, but Lauren squeezed her fingers. “Next time I go home, I'll pick up a copy to bring back with me, okay?”

“Really?” Hedda asked.

“Promise. Too bad y’all don't have TV like we do. There are movies about him, and the Wonderful World of Disney when I was a child who used to make cartoons of all their adventures. They were so adorable. I loved the Many Adventures of Winne the Pooh and the cute theme song.”

“You could always sing it for them, love,” Loki said slyly.

“Oh, no. I couldn't, really,” Lauren blushed.

“Please!” Aggie begged, tugging on Lauren’s dress.

“Pretty please!” Thor added.

“With a cherry on top?” smiled Loki.

“Oh, stop it,” Lauren snickered and shook her head. “Y’all keep puttin’ me on the spot. Fine. For the children,” she stated forcefully and took Aggie by the hand, her other still held by Hedda, and walked over to where a flower-filled bed was surrounded by a stone wall the perfect height to sit on.

She didn't notice the look which passed between Loki and Thor, or how Thor nudged Volstagg and grinned broadly. Nor did she see Sif whisper to Daven when she sat and pulled Aggie up on her knee. Hedda sat to one side, Glinda the other, and Lauren sang softly, “Deep in the hundred acre woods, where Christopher likes to play, you'll find the enchanted neighbourhood of Christopher's childhood days.”

She sang about Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, Rabbit, Piglet, and Owl, but when the chorus picked up as she sang about Pooh, she made sure and tapped Aggie’s nose with each Pooh to make the girl giggle.

On tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff she tickled Hedda’s ribs and made the girl squeal.

When Lauren finished, Glinda clapped and sighed, “Would you sing another? Your voice is lovely.”

Blushing deeply, Lauren shook her head. “Maybe another time.”

Aggie’s little hands pressed to Lauren’s cheeks. “Did you eat a nattergal?”

“I don't know what that is so I'll have to say no,” Lauren giggled.

“They're a songbird with the most beautiful voice. All the creatures stop to listen when they sing,” Glinda explained.

“Oh. Oh, my,” Lauren murmured. “That's… really sweet of y’all.”

“Can I meet your horse?” Hedda asked.

Lauren laughed, the discomfort she was feeling from all the compliments gone with the change of subject. “If your mama and daddy say you can.”

“Papa!” Hedda yelled. “Can I meet Lady Lauren's horse?”

Volstagg crossed his arms and smirked at his daughter. “We’ll see. I'll discuss it with your mother.”

“Hedda,” Daven sighed. “You’ve had no experience outside of Volstagg’s mount, and Jordskjelv is gentle and calm. I'm not so sure about a Wild One, begging your pardon, milady.”

“No, no. I understand,” Lauren said and encouraged Aggie to the ground so she could stand up. “As I've never ridden Snostrøm, I would never put Hedda up on him, though with how smart he is, I'm sure he’d be extra careful with her, but…” she hesitated, glancing at Thor and Loki first. “I wouldn't be averse to teachin’ Hedda or any of your girls how to ride if you like. I did so for a lot of years at home.”

Daven gasped. “Milady! We could never impose-"

“We would be delighted if you truly want to,” Volstagg interrupted when Thor gave him a nudge which was anything but subtle.

“And we will see Hedda paired with a sweet mount. I swear she’ll be perfectly safe,” Loki assured Daven.

“But if you're uncomfortable at all,” Lauren glared at the men, “you're perfectly welcome to say no.”

“And be responsible for crushing the hope's of my daughter?” Daven rolled her eyes at Volstagg but smiled for Lauren. “As long as you promise if you are busy you will tell her so and send her back to Volstagg.”

“Of course,” Lauren smiled down at Hedda when she squealed in excitement. “I'd teach all of y’alls girls if they were interested.”

“Thank you, milady, but I was never one for horses,” Glinda shook her head.

“I'd rather have stories,” Aggie shrugged.

“Well then, Hedda and I will spend time together in the barn,” Lauren said, lightly touching the girl's cheek. “But Glinda and Aggie are welcome to visit anytime. And I'd love to get to know you as well, Daven.”

“I'm honoured,” Daven smiled. ���Whenever is convenient to your schedule.”

“Once someone tells me what I meant to be doin’, we’ll set somethin’ up.” Lauren winked at Hedda. She gasped a little, “Oh!” when Hedda hugged her, then giggled and hugged her back.

***

“Darling.” Loki held out his hand. “We need to be continuing.”

The look of hope on Lauren’s face when she’d offered to teach Hedda to ride had squeezed his heart tight in his chest. That heart of hers, that beautiful heart, it made him so incredibly proud of her.

When she took his hand, he lifted it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. She blushed, and he knew she could see the pride he felt in her.

“You created a delightful game,” he praised. “One would think you were the Goddess of Revelry.”

“Oh, stop,” she huffed. “I didn’t even invent it.”

He tucked her hand in his arm as he chuckled. “But you introduced it to the people of Asgard, and if you should return with the book, you will be absolutely inundated with children wishing for Princess Lauren to hold story time.”

She gave a tiny gasp and looked down at her hand where her ring glistened in the sun. “You… you think? I used to read to the little ones down at the Greenville library durin’ the week. I… kinda miss it.”

Loki made a mental note to speak with Tara about Lauren doing weekly readings in her store. “I'm sure they would love to have you do a story hour, my darling.”

“Do… do you think they’d like books from Earth?”

“If they are stories about such things as Winnie the Pooh, I imagine they would. Though we may have to bring a book of Earthly creatures along,” he smiled at her, “seeing as you will likely have to explain what a donkey is again.”

“Only if I can get one on Asgardian creatures. Just in case someone asks me if I ate a nattergal again,” she chuckled.

“You have a voice like a nightingale, my love. One you should never be nervous to share.”

“Singin’s like yoga. Somethin’ I've always done privately and without an audience,” she murmured.

“The secrets of your past are no longer necessary to your survival, love. Here you are free to spread your wings and soar as you wish.”

“We’ll see,” Lauren sighed. “Some old habits are hard to break.”

“Well, we will replace them with new ones until the old ones no longer hold you in their grasp,” Loki said, making the final corner to take them to the Norns’ Temple.

Lauren gasped and stared in amazement. “Oh, my stars!”

Tall and shining, the temple was of stone and metal spires surrounding an ornate archway which led into the giant building. Many wide stairs led to the open door where the statues of three women together held pride of place.

Baskets of flowers in a riot of blooms had been set on each stair, creating an aisle Loki led Lauren along as they ascended to the temple.

At the base of the statue of the Norns, Loki slowed to allow Lauren to look her fill.

“They are Urðr, Verðandi, and Skuld. The past, present, and future. They spin the threads of fate, granting us our long lives while pouring out the water from the well of Urðarbrunnr on Yggdrasil to nourish the world tree. There are other Norns, both malicious and benevolent, but these three are our most important,” Loki explained.

“How is it they appear both young and old? As if they are ever-changin'?” Lauren asked.

“Because they are. They are Fate itself, ever present, sometimes changing. They are here in the now, but also reign over the past and the future. They know what was and what will be, and when we die, it is to the Norns we return.” Loki tugged gently on her arm. “Come. There is more.”

Around the foot of the statue, he led her, and through the open archway. A sun-drenched corridor enclosed in giant screens of carved gold led toward a center room where a huge, twisting tree, ancient and enormous waited; its branches spread to catch the sun's rays.

“It's so… beautiful,” Lauren whispered, taking it all in for the first time.

“It is the most sacred place in all of Asgard,” Loki said, his voice quiet. Over his shoulder, he nodded to Thor and the others when they stayed back, letting the two of them continue alone, but not before Thor gave him a thumbs up and a huge grin.

It almost made Loki laugh.

There were a few people here but no crowds. An offering to the Norns was not something to be made a spectacle of.

Loki urged Lauren onward, her shoes clicking quietly on the tile floors. When they reached the opening where the tree grew, he drew her toward the railing which surrounded the cavern. The space was deep, the tree taller than even the height of the temple announced, for when one looked over the railing, it was made clear the roots ran deep, and the trunk nearly doubled the height below as what grew above.

“Oh, Loki…” Lauren whispered in awe.

“It is the oldest living tree on Asgard and grew to represent Yggdrasil over many generations. At the roots, unseen from this height is Helheim - the realm of the dead. A dark world of ice and stone. To the left in the roots is Muspelheim - the realm of fire dragons, and the home of the Fire Demon Surtur and his kin. Svartalfheim resides above that, the home of the once Dark Elves of which you know about thanks to Malekith.” Loki led her around to the right. “There,” he pointed to a curl of roots around a ball of blue ice, “is Jotunheim, the ice world of the Frost Giants,” he said softly.

“And you’re homeworld,” Lauren murmured, squeezing his arm. “That’s not something to be ashamed of, Loki.”

“The place of my birth is not what shames me. What I sought to do to it in my rage is.” Loki sighed and shook his head. The horror of what he’d wrought still hung over his head, a scythe which seemed to swing on an axis, one he was afraid would come back to haunt him in the future.

Then Lauren’s hand was against his cheek, turning his face back to her and her soft eyes. “No one has said you can't make amends.”

He closed his eyes, unable to bear his shame when she looked at him like that. “I'm afraid there is nothing and no one to make amends to. Jotunheim is nearly destroyed.”

“Loki,” she said, stroking his cheeks with both hands. “Nearly destroyed is not completely destroyed. Are there still people there?”

“I’m… not sure.”

“If you want to, find out. Then, do what you can to help. It may not amount to much, they may never forgive you, but it may give you peace of mind.” She patted his cheeks gently and let her hands fall to land against his chest.

Loki cleared his throat, uncertainty tripping in his heart. The idea of seeing what he’d wrought to the planet of his birth… was daunting. “I will… think about it.” Turning back to the tree, Loki motioned toward the trunk. “There in the middle, where the pale green glow radiates is Midgard's representation.”

“That’s Earth?” Lauren asked, leaning over the rail.

“The representation of it, yes.” Again he urged her around the border of the tree. “Now, where the roots and the branches appear to intersect are Vanaheim and Alfheim, the home of Hogun’s people and the Light Elves respectively. And at the very top is Asgard. The trunk twists and the roots curve, binding us all together. While the branches and Asgard spread out over the worlds, guarding and protecting them all.”

“It’s beautiful, Loki. Simply amazin’,” she smiled, her head tipped back so she could take it all in.

“Come. You haven’t seen the best part yet,” he said, continuing around the outside of the circular room to where the tree bent sharply toward the walls, and then away to grow up in the center. Where the trunk grew closest to the wall, a branch had been carefully trained to act as a bridge. Smoothed, shaped, and flattened, it led in a winding path toward the trunk where a hollow had formed naturally.

A priestess in flowing robes waited patiently before the bridge, a kind smile on her face. “Prince Loki, Princess Lauren. The Norns bless you on this auspicious occasion.” She bowed her head to the two of them.

“And you, priestess,” Loki said. “I’ve come to make my offering.”

“We are so pleased, Highness. The Three await beyond.” She held out her hand toward the bridge.

Loki felt Lauren’s hand tighten on his arm, but it was excitement which lived in his heart stone when he led her out onto the wooden bridge which spanned the high cavern.

“I feel the irrational urge to giggle madly,” Lauren whispered, causing Loki to chuckle.

“It is a bit nerve-racking,” he agreed. “But there is nothing to be scared of.”

“I’m not scared. This is just… Loki when I think this place can’t get any more amazin’, y’all pull somethin’ like this outta your hat.” This time she did giggle, and when she looked up at him, her eyes were full of stars.

“The universe is full of wonders, and we will discover each and everyone together,” he promised and placed a kiss on her cheek.

As they approached the hollow, Loki watched Lauren take in everything. The leaves and the dappling sunlight. The colour and texture of the bark. At the doorway where the bridge transitioned into the floor of the inner sanctum, Lauren paused, her hand raised to touch the tree, but she hesitated.

“It’s alright,” a voice called from within the dimly light interior. “Yggdrasil will not mind.”

A soft blush filled Lauren’s cheeks, but she laid her hand on the bark and smiled. “There’s a… vibration in it.”

“You are very sensitive, child,” a second voice said. “Come. Come in where we may see you.”

Loki tightened his grip and stepped beyond the threshold into the interior and smirked a little when Lauren gasped.

It was not as it seemed, this inner sanctum. From the exterior, it appeared a dark hollow, but once past the opening, magic abounded. A forest of soft greenery and rocks filled a third of the chamber where a woman sat upon a stately stone admiring a handful of blooms. Red of hair, she was of indiscernible years.

The middle third contained a forest of evergreens upon a bed of which a child rested, curled in a ball and dozing.

While the final third was a forest of fall foliage, dull and brittle with age. Within stood a woman in gossamer black robes, the lightness of her hair the only omagé to her age for her face gave nothing of its advanced years away.

In the center of all three, sat a pool of still water. Not a ripple or wave moved upon it to betray its depths or its secrets, though two elegant swans floated in its middle.

“Prince Loki, long have we awaited this day,” smiled the elder of the three. “Lady Lauren, I am Fortiden, Priestess for Urðr of the Past. Beyond is Nåværende, Priestess of Verðandi for the Present, and the sleepy one,” she smiled fondly at the girl, “is Fremtiden, Priestess for Skuld of the Future. Wake up! Wake up now, Fremtiden!” she called out to the child who yawned and rubbed her eyes before sitting up to blink sleepily.

“Is it time?” she asked, stretching her arms above her.

“It is,” Nåværende replied, setting down her blooms.

“Come, sisters.”

Fortiden motioned them to the edges of their respective forests and, as one, they stepped beyond to the wooden rings of the floor and Yggdrasil’s surface. They moved in concert, Fremtiden retrieving a carved black horn from a stand of highly polished wood. Nåværende filled a bowl of beaten gold from the water within the pool and handed it to Fortiden. Then, each wrapped a hand around the horn before Fortiden poured the water from the bowl into the horn.

“Come, Loki, God of Revelry. Odinson. Brother of the King. Husband to the Goddess Lauren. Balanced Dark God. Come. Kneel before the water and be cleansed. Then offer your thanks to the Norns.”

They spoke as one voice, standing together before the pool, a mesmerizing chorus which drew him forward. Loki encouraged Lauren to follow him, and as he knelt before the Three, Fortiden held the bowl out to Lauren.

“Catch the water, child. Not one drop must fall back into the well,” Fortiden warned.

Lauren knelt next to him, her eyes quite round. “You will be fine, my love. Just hold the bowl a few inches below my hands.”

Determination filled her eyes when she nodded and held out the bowl. “Ready.”

The Three tipped the horn and Loki cupped his hands beneath the stream, allowing the water to wash every part of his exposed skin before running over and landing back in the bowl. Only when it was half full did the Three tilt the horn away.

“Well done, Lady,” Fortiden smiled. “You may set it there,” she motioned to the side, “and rise to witness the offering.”

Lauren set the bowl down carefully before standing and stepping away. Loki shifted to face the pool without sullying his hands. “Today I give thanks for the wisdom of the Norns who so graciously saw fit to grant me my Ástvinur. Though I was unworthy, they blessed me with a woman of grace and compassion. May the beauty of her heart forever shine in my life,” he whispered hoarsely. “Today I give of myself, so Yggdrasil may continue to thrive. This is my offering.”

He plunged his hands into the pool and let his magic run free. The water glowed green, bubbled as if set to boil, and mist rose to hover over the surface. Then the glow began to spread, seep outward to follow the rings of the tree until each one pulsed with renewed life. He felt it flow down the trunk and throb in the roots; rise high into the leaves and unfurl new growth.

When it began to spread out into Asgard’s heart, only then did he slow the flow of his power, gradually pulling his hands from the water to rest on his knees while he panted at the exertion. He’d never given so much of himself, but he’d never had so much to give either.

When Loki looked up at The Three, he found proud, benevolent smiles.

“The Norns… accept your offering. Thank you, Prince Loki.” Fortiden held out the horn. “Drink. Replenish yourself.”

Accepting gratefully, Loki drank from the horn and felt his strength renew. “Thank you, priestess.”

“Um… ex-excuse me?” Lauren murmured, hesitant and soft. When they all looked at her, she blushed and twisted the fringe on her shall between her hands. “Is… is there a way for me to say thank you? I know I’m not much yet, still new and all, and I don’t know much, but I just feel…”

She seemed to shrink in on herself, but before Loki could speak, Nåværende beat him to it.

“Feel what, Lady?”

“Like… like the water is… callin’ to me?” Lauren glanced up, then down at her feet. “It’s probably nothin’.”

“Did my sister not say you were very sensitive, Princess?” Fortiden murmured. “If you feel compelled, then it is meant. Fremtiden, the bowl.”

The young one hurriedly retrieved it and rushed to pour the water out into the sand pits to either side of the entrance, allowing the water to flow down, be cleansed, and return to the well beneath the tree where it would once again find its way back to the hollow.

Loki got to his feet as the women repeated the previous ritual. “You’re sure about this, my love?” he asked, taking Lauren’s hands.

She nodded slowly. “I have a mighty need to put my hands in that water, Loki.”

Her conviction rang true. So true it struck a chord within him, and the sight Loki was only beginning to understand, showed him her truth. Gently, he cupped her cheek and smiled. “Then I will hold the bowl for you, darling, and we will see what the Norns are asking of you together.”

“Come, Princess Lauren. Odinson. Sister to the King. Wife to Loki. Goddess… yet to be known,” Fortiden smiled coyly. “Come. Kneel before the water and be cleansed. Then offer your thanks to the Norns.”

Lauren blew out a heavy breath and walked forward to kneel before the Three and hold out her hands.

Accepting the bowl, Loki held it beneath her hands as the Three tipped the horn. The careful way she let the water coat her hands made him smile, as did the serious set of her brow. When the bowl was half full, the Three tipped the horn back, Loki moved the bowl, rose, and stepped aside to witness. He had no idea what would happen, but he was excited to find out.

Lauren shifted to face the water before looking up at the branches spread overhead. “I… I don’t know no fancy words, or if there are ceremonial ones to be spoken, but… thank you. Thank you for makin’ me his, for givin’ him the chance to be happy, to have peace, and to know joy. My life… it’s not been easy, not really, but I’d take… I’d take a thousand of those years if it meant I could be with Loki. He’s given me so much in such a short period, and I swear, whatever comes of me bein’ here, whatever it is y’all are seein’ fit to turn me into, I won’t let you down.”

“I don’t have much to give,” Lauren whispered, “but I give of it freely for Yggdrasil. This is my offering.” She plunged her hands into the water even as her tears fell to add to the well.

Loki held his breath. At first, there was nothing, then the pool slowly glowed that stunning violet colour, but where his magic seeped into Yggdrasil itself, hers spilled out across the surface in a misty rolling wave. It broke over each of the Three’s forests and sped up and out through the leaves of the canopy.

So awed by the display of her power, Loki didn’t notice anything was amiss until Lauren gasped a raspy breath. His gaze snapped to her, and he saw the grey pallor of her skin as she swayed on her knees.

“Lauren!” He darted forward and yanked her back, falling on his ass in the process.

“Here!” Fortiden thrust the horn at him. “She must drink!”

Loki held the horn to her mouth and coaxed her to part her lips and swallow when he poured the water over her tongue. One swallow restored her enough to see her grasping the horn herself and sucking back the rest as one dying of thirst.

“What the hell happened?” Loki snapped at the Three crouched around them.

“Forgive me, Prince. I thought she would know when to stop. I was wrong.” Fortiden bowed her head.

“My fault,” Lauren said when she gasped for air. “I had to. I had to.” She turned her face into his chest, clutching the horn in one hand and his arm with the other. “Had to finish.”

Loki frowned before looking at his surroundings. “Oh,” he gasped, wide-eyed and stunned. “Well then.”

Nåværende’s forest of soft greens and rocks was awash in colourful flowers, bright and fragrant. Fremtiden’s bower of evergreens was seeded with pinecones and ripe winter fruit. And where once Fortiden’s forest had been dull and brown, the leaves were now vibrant golds, reds, and oranges.

Everything was lush with new life.

Then Loki looked up and gave a startled laugh. Yggdrasil… was blooming.

“Woman…” he chuckled, peering down at Lauren. “You are going to be a wonder.”

“She is going to be… world changing,” Fortiden said, smiling knowingly at her sisters.

“Can I have a nap first?” Lauren asked, snuggling into Loki’s chest.

“Rest for a moment. The water will renew you; then when you are ready, you can go. There is no rush,” Nåværende said, laying her hand on Lauren’s arm. “And Princess? The Norns most graciously accept your offering.”

“That’s good,” Lauren sighed, her eyes closing. “I’m glad I did it right.”

Fremtiden giggled and grinned at Loki. “That was more than right.”

Loki smirked and kissed the crown of Lauren’s head. “You did exceptionally, sweet. Really, really well.”

“Thanks, peaches,” she murmured. “Hush now. It’s nap time.”

He snickered softly, sitting on the floor of the inner sanctum, watching the swans swim on the water while the Three sat patiently with him. At every turn, Lauren shocked the shoes right off him. She was shaping up to be something miraculous.

He couldn’t wait to find out what.

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