Thank you for your continued patience.

Lyna x

Loki clutched the two books close to his chest. Laufey had tried to get him to hand them over to one of the guards when they left the shop, however, Loki couldn't bring himself to let his new purchase go.

They made their way back towards the horses, where they had agreed to meet Farbauti. She was waiting for them when they got there, though Loki ignored her in favour of burying his head in Sleipnir's flank. The horse turned his head towards the small boy, nipping Loki's hair.

"Loki?" Farbauti asked, reaching out to touch his shoulder, she looked up towards her husband.

"He's had a tough time at the bookshop," Laufey said quietly, Farbauti nodded, pulling Loki towards her and hugging him tightly.

"The Temple can wait," Farbauti stated, "If it is too much for him?" Laufey shook his head.

"The memorial festival approaches, I wish for him to see the wall beforehand. He needs to understand the festival. He needs to understand his significance."

"Very well," Farbauti kissed Loki's crown, "Come on sweet one, mount your steed and we will be on our way,"

"Where are we going?"

"To the Temple Child, there are things you need to see," Laufey stated, lifting Loki up onto Sleipnir's back,

"And then we can go home?"

"Yes, we can home,"

Laufey and Farbauti mounted their horses, as the guards did the same. They began to move towards the outer edge of the city, where the Temple was situated. Loki gripped onto the thin strips of leather that made up Sleipnir's reigns, but let the horse follow his parents. He was tired, exhausted in fact. He felt guilty, over his treatment of his friends, was he really a bad friend? Was he behaving like Thor? He'd have to start being more patient, but he could do that.

It took Loki a few moments to realise that the horses had stopped, being lost in his own thoughts. When he did look up he saw a palace, high stone walls, similar to his own home, with statues outside. Three of which Loki recognised as the Norns, they were older than the other one, and bore the scars of the 2nd War; one was missing an arm and the other a nose. The 4th however, Loki could only assume who it was supposed to be, Ymir. It was much newer than the rest, and its features were still clear and Loki figured that any resemblance to Eydis was purely coincidental.

Laufey and Farbauti waited for Loki to dismount and catch up before going inside. Both parents took either of Loki's hands and led him towards the dark wooden doors. The Temple was primarily just a large stone room with wooden pews facing the wall opposite the door. It was dimly lit by candles, and whatever light strained its way through the windows.

A few people were sat spotted about in the pews, praying in their own way. A few younger priests or temple workers milled about, lighting candles and speaking to the worshipers. Eydis was stood at the far wall reading quietly from a book that was situated on a podium.

Along the top of the wall the words "Victims of the 2nd Jotun/Aesir War, 965AD- 1115AD" were written in bold. The symbolic animals of each clan were embossed in the wall behind Eydis and under each was a list a of names engraved into it. Útgarðar and Jökull were in the middle, and in between them there was something else carved in.

His parents led Loki towards that wall; Eydis nodded at the family in respect but did not disturb them, choosing instead to stick with his book. Laufey squeezed Loki's hand as they approached the wall. As they got closer the names were clearer to read, Loki recognised a few.

Prince Fell of Vimur, died 972 AD

Prince Torel of Þrymheimr, died 1008AD.

Queen Siv of Þrymheimr died 1014 AD.

Prince Ayde of Vimur died 1114 AD.

Loki's eyes however were drawn to the name in between Útgarðar and Jökull, his name.

High Prince Loptr, of Útgarðar and Jökull, died 1115AD; so the rest of us could live.

Loki let go of both his parents hands and reached up to run his fingers along his name. Farbauti and Laufey knelt down beside him and Loki looked back at his father.

"Why did I need to see this today?" he asked voice small and quiet.

"It's your birthday next week, it is also the 550th Anniversary of the end of the war," Laufey started, "There is always a memorial ball held every 5 years, I need you to understand your importance in relation to the war,"

"You surrendered because of me," Loki said quietly, half way between a question and a statement.

"Yes, I did. I am ashamed of my behaviour back then. My Father and Step-mother had recently died and I was too immature for the throne, not that I'm trying to excuse my actions, but at the time I believed I was doing the right thing."

"With a unanimous vote all Six Clans decided to invade Midgard. Something that I deeply regret, you must know that Loptr, but we did. By the time you were born Vimur and Þrymheimr had pulled out, Keila and Thrym had lost too much. I didn't fully understand their pain until I lost you... I guess I deserved it," Farbauti placed a hand on Laufey's shoulder as Laufey spoke.

"But anyway, the people saw your birth as a gift from Ymir, and then when we believed the Aesir had killed you people started saying that you had died to end the killing. That Ymir had given us the tool to end the war, and that it was you,"

"Loptr, I needed you to see this so you understand your importance in this world, you are believed to have saved us all," Laufey said

"You're going to meet a lot of new people at this ball, and they are going to worship the ground you walk on because if this," Farbauti added,

"But I didn't do anything," Loki replied,

"I know sweet boy, I know. We just want you to be prepared, people see you as some kind of saviour, because they see you as the reason the war ended, " Farbauti ran a hand through Loki's hair.

"Many people wanted me to end the war, especially Keila and Thrym, not to mention the numerous soldiers' families that had lost loved ones. And when I finally surrendered because of you, everyone was relieved," Laufey sighed.

"Oh," Loki said.

"I just wanted you to know Child, nothing about you has to change. I've been trying to shelter you from the duties of being a Prince, but now it is approaching when you must. In 50 years you'll have to start attending court and actually managing affairs. I needed you to know what everyone else knows."

"I understand, Father," Loki smiled weakly,

"Good boy," Laufey lent forwards and kissed Loki on the forehead. Loki flinched back slightly at the sudden movement. Laufey's eye's clouded in pain but he said nothing.

"Can we go home now? I'm tired."

"Just let me speak with Eydis and we can," Laufey nodded, "I'm proud of you."

Laufey walked towards Eydis, the priest looked up as he approached, quickly slamming the book short and pushing it off the podium. It fell to the floor with a clatter, and due to its broken spine it landed open, revealing several lewd images printed on the worn pages.

Eydis speedily tried to grab the book, however Laufey got it before he could. He briefly flicked through the pages before hitting the priest over the top of the head with it.

"Eydis," he hissed,

"Laufey," Eydis retorted,

"You are a priest. You cannot look at erotica in a Temple!"

"Oh come on," Eydis sighed, "I've been celibate for 550 years you can at least allow me this,"

"You took a vow," Laufey whispered harshly.

"One you made me take,"

"It was the only way to get Vanaheimr to release you,"

"I would have gotten out by myself, given time,"

"Njord wanted to execute you,"

"Njord, I know him, he's the King of Vanaheimr, he's nice," Loki said from Laufey's side.

"Loki! How much of that did you hear?"

"Not much. What does celibate mean?" Loki asked, reaching for the book in Laufey's hand, Laufey pulled it up higher, out of Loki's grasp. The Prince frowned.

"It means I'm not allowed any fun," Eydis smiled

"Oh, because you're a priest?"

"Yes Child," Laufey said, "Speaking of, we have something to discuss, about the memorial service before the ball."

"There's not much to discuss, the theme is hope, just like last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the – you know what? You know you were there." Eydis said, "I've edited the script to include the return of the Prince,"

"Could you put a little more effort in? Just a little bit?"

"Fine. Is everyone coming?"

"Yes, all of the Kings and Queens are coming,"

"Even Thrym?" Eydis asked, "I don't remember the last time that old goat stepped out of Þrymheimr."

"Well he is,"

"Is he nice?" Loki asked and Eydis burst out laughing, making several worshipers look up and glare at their priest.

"He has been through a lot, Loki, he lost a lot and lashes out at the world because of it,"

"Oh," Loki replied.

"Anyway, I'll leave you to it Eydis,"

"To the sermon or my book?"

"Sermon, I'm taking you book," Laufey turned to leave, taking Loki's hand and keeping the book in the other. Farbauti walked up to them, from where she had been looking at the names on the wall.

"Oh, page 14 is where it gets interesting."

"Eydis," Laufey hissed, and an old woman praying shushed him.

"Can I read it?" Loki asked, once more trying to grab the book.

"No," Laufey snapped.

"When you're older," Eydis winked.

Tell me what you think.