#intriging

“It is the duty of your station, think of what this journey could achieve, over a century of war could be ended, and you, integral to its happening.”

“But it will be Thor that will receive most of the recognition.” Loki countered bitterly. “Why should I sacrifice time with my wife and children to work on this only to be forgotten in it all?”

“Thor knows how important you are to any endeavours such as this, look how he trusts you more than any other, as he did on Vanaheim, how he made you his second in command, and not for you being his brother, but because he knows he can trust you. It is better to be trusted by he who will be king than to be concerning yourself what some fisherman thinks of your input.”

“You really were made to rule.” Loki smiled kissing her head. “Such a political mind.”

“I rather my fate this way thank you.” She gripped his hand in hers. “Ulaidh is too fickle and untrustworthy I have long learnt, here I only need to worry about trusting the sun to melt the ice after the snows, with you by my side.”

“Do you trust me when I say I will return?”

“I trust you will do all in your power to,” Maebh answered honestly. “Hmph!” she moaned as the child stretched in her. “I will never get used to such sensations.”

Loki smiled; the palm of his hand was placed right where its little foot pressed out against Maebh’s skin. “It is wonderful.” He sighed sadly before continuing. “I have barely gotten to feel it at all and now I have to leave, I will miss it.”

“When you return I will resemble a mare in my size.” Maebh groaned.

“What if I miss it? I could come home to a babe I did not help you through the most difficult time with.” Loki’s voice was low with concern.

“You would not be permitted to be with me while I birth regardless, so think more of arriving home safely. But also ensure you are not too lenient or too severe in hopes of achieving an early return.”

“Yes dear.” Loki mimicked his father’s tone he used when Frigga would lecture him in private, earning him a light elbow into the ribs.

“Better I more like your mother than you too like Odin.”

“Indeed.” Loki kissed her neck affectionately. “I will miss you more than words can express.”

“And I, you. And as much as I do not want to be away from your embrace, we better rise and break fast with Nafi.” Maebh almost felt the words catch in her throat as she spoke. She brought his hand to her lips and pressed them softly against it, before pushing herself up in a way that did not put strain on her stomach.

“Right,” Loki responded sadly, getting up and putting on a tunic and pants, making his way to the door so he could wake Nafi one last time before his departure.

“I’m awake.” The boy declared as his father entered his room.

“May I speak with you a moment?” Loki asked as he walked in. Nafi nodded and sat up in his bed. “I need you to continue your training as you have been doing while I am gone.” Loki began, Nafi nodded again. “But I also need you to…”

“Care for mother?” Nafi finished.

“Yes, she is getting quite heavy with the child; it seems so large in comparison to her smaller frame. And as the time comes closer to the child being born, she will find it harder to do the smallest of things.” Loki explained.

“I know already from Sif, I swear to help her however I can father.”

“You are a great young man, and should be very proud of yourself.” Loki smiled ruffling his hair. “Now come on, we need to get some food, I am leaving soon enough.” Nafi rose and threw on a tunic. “How come you were awake when I came in?”

“I do not think I have settled here yet,” Nafi admitted. “It feels odd.”

“It is far grander than our old home, and far more comfortable,” Loki commented.

“It still feels odd though, but I’ll get used to it, though I miss mother’s cooking.”

Loki laughed. “Aye, as do I, but you have to admit having more staff and letting Maebh relax has its advantages. She is spending more time with you and is able to care for herself and the child more. And perhaps when it is born, she and I can teach you to ride a horse.”

“Really?” Nafi could not control his excitement.

“Maybe, think of it as an incentive to continue your outstanding training and to not view your new sibling as Thodin views poor little Modi.” Loki smiled as they walked from the room to the dining quarters.

“Dare I ask what you two are discussing?” Maebh smiled from her seat, already sitting at the table.

“Only how great a brother Nafi will be,” Loki informed her as he sat at the head of the table next to Maebh, with Nafi sitting on the other side.

“That hardly needed stating.” She commented smiling at her son.

“And how, when the child is born, we can spend time teaching Nafi to ride.”

“Well we have two horses and stables that can hold many more, why not add one for Nafi, we may also need to get work ones, more fields to plough would take too great a toll on the two that we have.”

“My stallion could no more pull a plough as produce milk,” Loki commented.

“Well then, when you are gone, I am going to organising the getting of more horses,” Maebh stated matter-of-factly as she began to eat her food.

“Do I not get a say?”

Maebh leant over and kissed Loki on the cheek. “No.” She smiled at his indignant face. Nafi laughed as his food was served to him.

The meal was sedate, with no one saying very much. Loki looked at wife and son guiltily as he thought of having to leave them for so long. With Aslaug as his wife, he only even felt guilty for having to leave Nafi, but with Maebh, he was far more reluctant to leave at all, especially with the child she bore being so close to birthing at the expected time of his return. He looked at her stomach and swallowed hard, his guilt growing all the more as he thought about it.

“We will be fine.” Loki looked up at Maebh’s face. “We’ll be able to take care of ourselves.”

“I know you can, but I still do not have to like it.” he sighed. He rose from the table and walked back to their room. Slowly, Maebh got up and followed him.

When she entered, Loki was sitting on the side of the bed, preparing to change into his armour for the journey. “What if I never get to see our child? What if something happens, to it, or to me?”

“You cannot think like that, the worry will consume you.” Maebh walked over to him.

Loki found himself almost eye level with her stomach. He immediately placed his hand on it, willing the child to move. “I have yearned for all of this for so long.” He gently kissed the clothed mound. “I fear all that could go wrong.”

“You would be a fool not to, but it does not mean that that is what will happen, and it will not make this any easier.” Maebh kissed the top of his head as she threaded her fingers through his hair. “I will miss you no end.”

“And I you.” Loki rose and began to place his armour on himself, and even though it was not necessary, Maebh aided him, carefully tying each piece, ensuring all the fabric was creaseless as she tied the metal and leather overlayer upon it.

No sooner were they done when they heard the stablehand enter the home to tell them that Loki’s horse was readied. Loki sighed in resignation and the family walked out to the yard to say their farewells. Nafi gripped his father's legs tightly, as though fearful of letting go, Loki placed his hands on his shoulders. “I need you to be strong now, your mother needs you to be.” He stated, there was a slight shake in his voice, Nafi looked up at him and nodded, tears silently trickling down his face.

Then Loki turned to Maebh, taking her in his arms and kissed her with a ferocity that scared him, as though he was never to see her again. “Promise me you will do all you can to return.” She begged.

“I will return my love; these are peace talks, nothing else,” Loki replied unconvincingly. Maebh bit her lips, her cheeks stained with her tears and her eyes filled with fear. “Look after our children while I am gone.” He smiled holding her stomach between his hands. As though sensing something was occurring, the child gave a strong kick. Loki coughed a small laugh. “I cannot wait to meet this little one.” He rubbed where he had felt the kick.

“Your highness.” The family turned to see Hogun on his horse entering the yard. “Thor is seeking your immediate presence.”

Loki nodded sadly, mounting his horse. “I will see you both soon.”

“If you are delayed, what am I to call the child?” Maebh asked fretfully.

“We will discuss such matters upon my return; I will be home to name my child.” Loki smiled confidently. Maebh just bit her lips together and nodded. He turned to Hogun. “We better ride quickly, it would not do to delay the journey.” The warrior silently nodded his agreement and with one last look at his family, Loki turned the horse to the road ahead and kicked in his heals.

At the village, Loki watched as the boats were readied for their departure. He stared blankly ahead of him as he thought of his family. “Brother, you have arrived. We can make for our heading now. I will have your horse placed in my stables so you can make your way back to your home upon our return.” Thor smiled, Loki merely nodded solemnly. “It will not be long.” Thor yawned.

“I take it Modi is still crying a lot?”

“Every time Sif, Helga or mother leave him out of their arms,” Thor admitted.

“Well, I wish I had such a complaint. I mean it brother, if Ásvaldr is playing games with us, I will slay him for taking me away from my family at this time.” Loki swore.

“And I would happily hold him so you could do so. I know what this means for you Loki. How is she?”

“Do you think she would ever admit if she were struggling? Maebh refuses to show weakness even today. I know she will be fine, but I think she is more scared than she is letting on.”