#viaggage

[imagine-loki]

A Warrior’s Life

TITLE: A Warrior’s Life

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Fifty-Four AUTHOR: wolfpawn ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Viking Loki coming to your village, raiding, and pillaging, before deciding there is something about you that intrigues him and deciding to take you back to Asgard with him. There, you are forced to learn a new life and language, and though you hate what has happened to you, you learn that Loki is not as bad as you think.

RATING: Mature

Ásvaldr stared at the carnage around him, the river flowed red and the bodies of the countrymen who betrayed him lay in rows beside it as he surveyed the scene from the saddle of his horse, shocked at both the efficiency and brutality the Aesir had shown against them. “This is partly why I fought so ardently for peace with Asgard.” He commented as Volstagg and another warrior pulled a deceased Svartal man from the banks of the water, readying him to be burned. “We were never a match for you, in any manner.”

“It is a great pity that not all of your land ever realised how astute you had been to note such.” Loki sighed, watching from his own horse. “Come, we are preparing for a homecoming feast for those who were away, since the attack had hindered such before now; so let us return to the village.” Without another word, they turned their horses and went back to Loki’s home.

X X X X X

Maebh winded Vali, the young child angered that she had had the audacity to pull him from her breast to do so; and as soon as she finished, he made for the nipple again.

“He is bottomless it would seem,” Sif stated, standing in the doorway.

“He is indeed.” Maebh concurred. “I can only pray that it will end soon.”

“Modi is still as hungry, the Odinson’s offspring are truly gluttonous little creatures it would seem.” The older woman smiled before looking around. “Where is Aebbe?”

“I think she and her children are resting.” Maebh looked towards the closed door of the room that Ásvaldr and his wife slept in with their younger child. “Anna insists that she stays in Nafi’s room now, we have had to get a bed put in there for her, for she was taking his while he took the floor. They are remarkably close.”

“Really?” Sif asked, her eyebrow rose.

Maebh looked at her in concern. “What?”

“How many years fall between them?”

Maebh stared fearfully at the other woman. “No.” She shook her head violently. “Absolutely not.”

“It is often not up to us, if they forge a strong enough bond now, they may continue to stay so close.” Sif pointed out. “Calm yourself Maebh, you know you cannot keep either of your children with you forever, what if it was what Nafi wanted for himself? Would you deny him such? It is not an easy thought for any mother, I know this too, after all, Helga is nearing the age for it to concern me.” Sif sympathised.

Holding Vali to her once more, Maebh placed a tender kiss on the child’s forehead as she allowed Sif’s words to sink in. she knew the day would come that both Nafi and Vali would leave their home to make their own ways in the world. She also knew the day would arrive that they would have to risk their lives in sailing, raids, and battle also, which was something that she feared immensely. But the idea of Nafi going to another realm to live, that broke her heart, she could not bear to think of it.

X X X X X X

“Dare I ask?” Maebh looked at Loki. “Something has irked your mind since I returned from the battle site, what is wrong my darling?”

“Nothing.” She dismissed, continuing with what she was doing.

“Lies.”

“I do not wish to discuss it.”

Loki placed his hands around her waist. “Maebh, speak with me, please.” He pleased. “There is nothing you should feel you have to keep from me. I can see that whatever it is, it is causing you distress, you cannot even sit.” He kissed the point where her neck and shoulder connected. “Please, tell me.”

“Sif mentioned something today, and it has somewhat startled and stunned me.”

Loki frowned, wondering what it was that the other woman had stated. “Right?”

“About Nafi and Anna being so close.” Loki stiffened slightly against her. “They are very much so, and the thought then came to me that the day may arrive that if they remain so, which is likely with how Ásvaldr wishes to remain in close contact with Asgard, he will wish to continue to be with her. What if he does?”

“Maebh, they are just children.” Loki dismissed. “It is just a mother’s worry that has you concerned for such. When the time comes, I am sure Ásvaldr will want a Svartal Lord's son for his daughter.”

“Or perhaps after he noted the strength of Asgard, he may very well wish to secure ties here. Why settle for just any when it is clear already his daughter is close to one. Modi would be seen as a better choice by blood, but Nafi already has their attention.” Maebh countered.

Loki inhaled deeply as he thought of the consequences of his son’s closeness to the Svartal princess. Part of him wanted to declare there and then that he would never permit it, but in truth, such a pairing, should it occur, would be of great advantage to Nafi. Were Ásvaldr to never sire a son, Anna would be crowned queen, and her spouse, king. And with the birth of Vali, Loki would be forced to give his lands to Nafi, or else tell the boy of his true parentage and give them to his biological child, leaving the older with nothing. He swallowed, having realised that though he had always seen the situation as a viable and simplistic one, the moment Maebh had conceived his true son, it was not so. “We can only allow children to be children my darling. Let us not fret too greatly on something that may never be.” He kissed her again.

“But what if it does occur?”

“Then would you want our son to be wed to a girl that would not share in his good soul, solely because we wish for him to remain close to us, or would you rather him happily wed to one he had cherished since his childhood? Besides, they may very well never see each other as such, or very likely, as I stated already, Ásvaldr may want to use her and Mya as ways to secure new peace in his own court once more. You are focusing too greatly on a ‘what if’.”

But there is a significant chance, you know it too, admit it.”

“Yes, there is, and if Ásvaldr is as adamant to secure Svartal ties with us as he says he is, he may very well suggest such.”

Maebh inhaled deeply. “Unless they ever find out his true heritage.”

“They need ever know.”

“What of Nafi, should he know?”

“I am not ready for that yet, and neither is he,” Loki stated as he released her and stepped back.

Maebh turned to face him. “We need to be, for it may very well happen.” She called as he walked out of the room, knowing he needed to hear it. “Even if we wish for it never to.”

X X X X X X

A message was sent to Svartalfheim, informing whoever was now after taking command, that their attempts on Asgard had failed miserably, and any such future attempts would be met with even greater and more brutal ferocity. It also informed them that Ásvaldr and his family were alive and well in Asgard, and were under the protection and care of the Aesir royal family and that Ásvaldr would permit those who had opposed him safe leave from Svartalfheim upon his return were they to leave and never to threaten such rebellion again.

Ásvaldr, Thor, Loki and the Aesir Council, could only await their response.

Word returned from Svartálfheim barely two weeks later. When it was learned that Ásvaldr and his family were alive and well, and it was made known that those who had assumed power had done so by attempting his life, there was immediate uproar. None wanted war with the Aesir once more, since being told what had happened those who had attempted attack on Asgard caused the Svartal people to think the Aesir were more intimidating and stronger than they ever thought possible, and with Asgard having a new younger king that was willing to assist their own, they did not wish to evoke Thor's rage, or finally push the younger, more dangerously clever prince to give up his forgiving manner for what had occurred to him at the talks. Ásvaldr’s loyal lords led the revolt, and before the Aesir messenger could return to inform the Svartal king and his own monarch of the going-ons in the other realm, those who had betrayed Ásvaldr were overthrown and slaughtered.

The joy of Svartálfheim made itself known also in Asgard, with a chorus of cheers when Thor informed his people of the occurrences in the other realm. Some few of Ásvaldr’s most loyal followers came to Asgard with the messenger and were given a pleasant and welcoming reception.

A feast was held in their honour, and the lords were pleasantly surprised at the reactions of the people their countrymen and brethren had planned to kill, with one of the first to welcome them being Loki, who ensured to speak to them in their own tongue.

“I cannot express my gratitude enough to you and your people for how you have received us.” Ásvaldr thanked Thor as the celebrations continued throughout the evening.

“We are only too happy to assist my friend. Asgard very much wants peace with Svartálfheim, and you have been so adamant in holding up your end of the talks also.”

“In all fairness, it is blatantly clear for any to see that we had far more to gain from you than you from us.” Ásvaldr pointed out.

“Peace is priceless, sharing a few tools and some trade with you is a good bargain for such.” Loki clapped the Kings’ shoulders as he joined them.

“My brother is right Ásvaldr, we rather you as a friend than a foe, and your people feel similarly of us it would seem,” Thor commented.

“The agreements we made before, they still stand?” Ásvaldr asked cautiously.

The brothers looked at one another questioningly. “We would think so, yes,” Thor responded just as warily. Eyeing the foreign king. “Would you not think so?”

“I thought that will all that has happened, you would wish to reconsider,” Ásvaldr replied.

“We will not hold the actions of those few ruin what we have worked so hard to achieve,” Loki replied.

“Loki is right yet again Ásvaldr, do not allow them and their actions to concern you, it is put to rest. The people of Asgard are satisfied that war is not necessary and are more than pleased with the prospect of peace.” Thor concurred.

“When I was young, I was always told that the Aesir were brutal and heartless,” Ásvaldr commented. “But now I see, you are more brutal than I could have ever have imagined, but it is not because of a lack of heart, but because of your love, for you wives and your children, for your homes.”

“Surely you would be the same my friend?” Thor smiled.

“Indeed, I would be, to as good as my ability would allow, but it is nothing as fearsome as you are, we lack such finesse and skill.”

“One would suggest not admitting to such flaws,” Loki recommended.

“No, but I feel I can admit such to you, for I feel with all that has occurred, I can truly trust you both, but especially you Loki.”

“Named after the God of Mischief and Lies, yet I have never met one other so faithful and loyal, say for the woman he is wed to. I am lucky to have such a man as both my second in command and as my brother.” Thor pulled Loki against him in a one armed embrace.

“You are a far too sentimental man Thor,” Loki commented as he rolled his eyes.

“A good way to be in my opinion, so long as it is to family.” Ásvaldr chucked. “You are to be envied King Thor, not many men can know they are so safe in their position, especially regarding their own kin. It is clear Loki and your friends will stand by you.”

“Yes, Loki is truly an honourable and good man.” Thor beamed at his brother. “I do not think you enjoyed my duties in my absence.” The look on Loki’s face told him the statement was true.

“Those are the greatest of traits to possess, and I see you have passed them to your son also. Anna is utterly smitten, I have never seen her attach herself to anyone so eagerly.”

“Yes, I say it often, Nafi is a credit to you.” Thor agreed. “And to Maebh, her love for him rivals any natural mothers.”

“Aye, I never thought it possible for a woman who did not birth the child to love it so greatly, she shows both her own child and Nafi equal love and devotion.” Ásvaldr commended.

“She would glad that you would say such, though she would correct you in saying they are both hers, even if she did not birth Nafi herself. She is such a mother to him she already is concerned for when he will have his first hunting trip.”

“Mothers are such worriers, regardless of the realm, it would seem,” Ásvaldr commented absentmindedly. “Whatever will she be like when he decides to wed?”

“She is nowhere near ready for such,” Loki replied honestly.

“With how young she is brother, you will have to get her with child a few more times so that she is too busy to notice.” Thor nudged with a grin.

“I will tell her you said that.” Loki threatened, his own smile being somewhat of a wicked smirk.

“I was merely jesting,” Thor stated fearfully, knowing full well that Maebh would not take kindly to such comments.

“She was supposed to be a queen in her own right from what you have stated Loki?” Loki nodded at Ásvaldr, wondering the reason for such a question. “You have indeed great council, King Thor, if you do not anger it into castrating you for certain comments.” Loki laughed loudly at such words.

“I know it well,” Thor stated, rubbing his head where once Maebh had pretended to slay him on Midgard, the line of wound had scarred over within his thick hair.

“Do not tell me that irks you?” Loki eyed him carefully.

“It does not, but it is a testament to her cunning,” Thor answered.

Ásvaldr was told of what Maebh had done to her brother-in-law in the castle of her family on Midgard, with wide eyes, the Svartal king stared at her across the room as she sat beside Sif and Frigga, smiling kindly as she spoke with her older son, her hand stroking his face before he gave her a kiss on the cheek prior to running off again. “She is terrifying.”

“You were forewarned.” Thor reminded him. “She is one of our greatest weapons, had we but known the day we met her.” The trio watched her speak with the other women for another moment before she looked at them, knowing full well who was watching her. She eyed all three analytically. “I often wonder brother.” Thor looked back to Loki. “Was it inhuman courage or utter stupidity that caused you to think to bring her from Midgard that day.”

“If she had not been grieving so greatly at the loss of her siblings, I often think we would have had our throats slit before we knew there were any in that cottage,” Loki replied solemnly finally taking his gaze from her.