Festivities
You swept your gaze across the large dance hall of King Odin’s castle. The gold was polished, sparkling against the fire that crackled in torches throughout the walls. The flowers you had set up, the blues and whites and purples, mixed sweetly together in an arch at one end of the room, behind the chairs that Odin, Frigga, Thor, and Loki would sit. Your gaze continued to sweep, checking on all of the arrangements you had made in the past several days.
You were commissioned by Odin himself to make the room shine and give off a floral fragrance. A smell Frigga herself loved. There were roses, white and pink, irises in blues. Orchids and carnations in various colors. They were set neatly under each torch on the wall. On the backs of chairs, as centerpieces. Almost every inch of space was covered in flowers, but flowers was something you spoke specifically with Frigga about personally. You have learned over the weeks of quiet talks with her about which flowers and colors and smells she adored and which she could live without. She was a kind woman, and you were proud to show her the decorations surrounding her.
The hall was stuffed with people milling about, drinks in their hands, arms entwined with their company. Odin and Frigga were seated in their seats far away from you, whispering quietly to themselves. You could see they were alone, and that Frigga was pointing out some of the decorations to Odin.
“Excuse me a moment,” you murmured to your friends, Daggi and Ossi. They blinked at you but quickly turned their gazes back to their company, smiling and laughing loudly. As you made your way to the King and Queen, you noticed the princes were nowhere to be found.
Chairs and tables were set along the outside of the room, while the center of the great hall was a large space for dancing. Many people lingered there, dancing in a slow waltz across the floor. You stuck to the sidelines of the floor, trying to stay out of everyone’s way and getting to your destination before losing sight of them again.
As you finally made your way to the table, Odin had disappeared, and you sighed, but smiled sweetly when Frigga spoke. “Ah, hello dear. Odin tells me you were the one to set up this beautiful hall.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” You curtseyed quickly, eyes downcast.
“They are quite lovely. I thank you for such hard work.” She smiled, standing and slowly moving her way around the table to come to your side. You stood, watching her. “Thank you for making my birthday smell of such a lovely fragrance.” She murmured, setting her hand on your bare shoulder.
You smiled, placing your hand over hers. “You are very welcome, Frigga.”
“I hope you are enjoying the party?” She pulled her hand away and stepped towards the center of the room. Head high, back straight.
“Oh, I am.” Lie. You stepped forward to walk just beside her. “Where are your sons?” You asked, looking about the room once again.
“Oh, about…” she seemed distracted, and stopped at the edge of the dancing floor. “You should go back to enjoying yourself dear. I thank you again for the beautiful room.” She turned to you, smiling.
“I will. You’re welcome, and happy birthday, Your Highness.” You curtseyed for her again, gathering your gold-colored dress in your hands, your brown eyes casting to the floor and your light hair falling over your shoulders.
Frigga walked away then, heading off across the room. You watched her go, and out of the corner of your eye you saw a group of people whisper, gathering up closely and looking at a specific spot in the room.
You moved to look past them, at whatever had caught their attention, and noticed the brothers walking into the room. Thor, with his long golden hair and red cape. You noticed his hammer was not with him, a surprise, at best. But then, you realized, it was a party today. What would the hammer be needed for?
And beside him, the dark-haired brother that shared no resemblance to the family. His blue eyes striking against the green and gold of his armor. The large, golden horns sitting atop his head, casting him with a menacing look. You blinked, noticing a spear in his hand, wondering what the purpose was, but perhaps it was just a comfort to have it with him.
Whereas Thor was talkative and loved the ladies, Loki on the other hand was quiet and observant. You spotted him many times while walking through the halls of the castle to set up this room, but had been none the wiser to see you as he stalked past in what seemed like a rush to wherever he was going.
You looked at him now, curious. You, Daggi and Ossi liked to speak about the brothers, but Thor had always been the one brought up. Silly crushes, silly daydreams of catching the eye of the golden-haired brother. But never of Loki. Never have they spoken about the quiet brother, the outcast. You realized now, while standing there, watching their eyes look about the room, that you wanted to know more about the brother. You wanted to know what people thought of the dark-haired son of Odin.
Daggi and Ossi made their way to you, giggling like a couple of young girls. “Isn’t he handsome as ever, Ossi?” Daggi asked, loudly, and far too enthusiastic. You flinched, aware that you were only several yards away from the brothers. Daggi’s dark hair and dark eyes were glued to Thor, looking him up and down. Ossi was on your other side, almost a twin to Daggi, but not really. They were a year apart, and Ossi had light hair and blue eyes. “Oh, yes, sister.” You heard her respond, biting her lip.
Thor’s gaze had gone to the three of you, and a large grin spread across his face. He clearly had heard what they said. You wanted to shake your head, turn around and hide, but your gaze locked with Loki’s as Thor nudged him in the side, pointing to us.
You seemed lost in time as his blue eyes looked over you. You became flushed and finally pushed away from the sisters. “I need some air,” you murmured, making your way around the group of people and walking out a different door from the one the brothers had walked through. You needed space.
You never admitted it to anyone, but Loki had always fascinated you. Whether it was his quiet nature, or maybe the way those blue eyes pierced anything he looked at. But you always seemed enchanted when his name was even mentioned. And you heard about him a lot when you worked during the day.
You kept up with the castle’s flower beds. You took care of the flowers surrounding the grounds, the ones throughout the castle walls and in the halls. And when you weren’t tending to them, you were sketching them. Your long skirt would spread around you as you sat, staring intently on each flower you sketched.
It was how Frigga had found you one day, mind lost in a sea of time as you sketched and stared.
“Well, hello there, dear.” She had said, walking up behind you.
You jumped, slamming the book shut and spinning to face her. “Oh! Your Highness!” You scrambled to your feet, brushing the dirt off your skirt and bowing quickly. “I’m so sorry for being distracted while on the job. It won’t happen again.” You remained bowed, too startled to look back up at her.
“Oh, it’s no worry, dear. Everyone deserves a chance to breathe in this beautiful scent...what were you drawing?” She asked, her voice quiet and gentle. You finally looked up, her gaze interested, staring at the book in your hands.
You flushed and pulled the book open, turning it around to face her. “The flowers, Your Majesty. I like to sketch them sometimes.” You smiled.
“Those are lovely,” she remarked, turning away and heading to a pink rose bush. She laid her hand under one, sniffing it slowly. “I love roses,” she commented, “pinks and whites specifically.” She looked at you, a kind look on her face. “I thank you for all your hard work. The flowers in the castle make the days a little brighter thanks to you.”
You bowed again, “thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty,” a man would come around the flower bush. “Prince Loki is looking for you,” he continued, standing straight, poised. “He is in the dining hall.”
“Thank you,” she replied. She turned to you once more and nodded, “continue to take such care of these gentle beauties, will you?” She asked, before turning away and heading towards the dining hall with the guard on her heels.
You were on a balcony overlooking the same rose bush now. The sky sparkling with the planets and stars above you. You breathed in deeply, closing your eyes. That memory had occurred several months ago, before Odin had spoken to you about Frigga’s upcoming party. Since then, you have been fascinated to learn more about her son Loki. She had seen Thor around, loud and happy as always, but never Loki. It wasn’t until she overheard some of the people in town mention his dark hair and armor colors that she understood the man she had seen about the grounds was Loki himself. They had never spoken, never seen each other at the same time.
Not until tonight. You opened your eyes, locked on a single star far in the sky.
Loki had locked eyes with you. A mere Asgardian.
