Frigga's three thousandth name day had arrived, though the Allmother herself was not too fond of celebrating the milestone; the realm, and indeed her husband and sons were. Dignitaries, royals and other persons of note came from all the Nine Realms to celebrate her, as she was widely adored. Strong and poised, she was the epitome of a woman in the eyes of so many. The palace was readied for the feast and celebration that would mark the great day. Gold was the queens colour, so the palace that was already so golden was made even more so.

Thor and Loki had their armour modified and polished so to add the markings of their mother's house, that of the Vanir royal family, added to them. Odin too had his clothing lined with her symbols. The entire family were the picture of regal propitiatory; elegant and pristine.

She entered the room for the celebrations with her sons both taking a arm, after they informing her that she did not look a day over two thousand and that she was making it too difficult for them to ever take wives as she was setting standards none other could ever hope to compare to. Odin sat at the table, awaiting their arrival, smiling lovingly at his wife. When she arrived by his side, he rose and kissed her cheek before facing the room, which silenced immediately.

"Good citizens of Asgard, and those of whom are joining us from realms far and wide, it is with great pleasure that we are able to have you join us here today, on this, my beloved wife's name day." There was a round of applause for the queen, when it settled again, he continued. "It is not often I get sentimental, however, I think this is one of the occasions I am permitted to be. Frigga." He looked at his wife. "I cannot put into my words the joy you have brought me these hundreds of years, our next celebration will be our two thousandth anniversary, I am so thankful to have been blessed by the Norn's for such a wonderful woman to aid me through this life, to give me our sons, and to ensure that no matter what the issue, I did what was best for the realm. To Frigga."

"To Frigga." The room cheered.

Loki leant over after his parents sat down. "Father forgot to mention you to be the only woman that had either the strong mind or none at all to endure him so long." He smiled. Thor and Frigga laughed while Odin glared disapprovingly at his younger son.

"Leave him be my dear, he is just jesting." Frigga smiled, playfully slapping Odin's arm before turning back to Loki and scolding him, her tone showing it was nothing of the sort. "And don't say such a thing Loki."

"Sorry mother." He lowered his head, but with a smile on his face.

"The trick is to have a strong mind and the rare ability to know when to agree to a statement without actually listening to a thing being said."

Thor had been taking a drink from his chalice when his mother made her own joke, leaving him spluttering and choking on the wine that had went down his throat incorrectly. Odin gave him a strong thump on the back to aid him catch his breath. "If I did not know any better, I would think you are out to choke Thor to death." He stared at his wife.

"He's on to us." Loki whispered loudly. Frigga found herself holding her napkin to her mouth as she laughed heartily at the banter that had occurred within their family in a hall full of people. Other royals could hear their exchange and were too laughing, assuming it to be a usual feature of a family meal for the House of Odin, and some envious of the clear love that the two sons held for their mother.

After the meal gifts were displayed for her. Everything from exotic plants and animals, to silks and jewellery. However, unbeknownst to most, the Aesir queen had a small surprise in store for her family, in particular her two sons, of whom she adored so greatly, and in turn adored her. After the last of the gifts were displayed, Frigga rose to her feet. "I myself have some gifts to give to my wonderful husband and sons." She gave a nod and one of the servants opened a door to the side of the room. "For my husband Odin, I present the scrolls of Malekith of Svartalfheim." There was an audible gasp from all in the room. Malekith, leader of the Dark Elves, was bested in battle by Odin's father Bor eight millennia ago, his scrolls, said to contain some of the most powerful magic in the known realms, were thought to be lost also. "For my son Thor, I present the red cape of Vanaheim." There was a murmur around the room. The red cape may not have been as old or as powerful as the scrolls, but it was woven by Light Elves, with the magic within it to protect the wearer in any battle, increasing their strength and durability, as well as making them less susceptible to many wounds. "And finally to Loki." Frigga looked adoringly at her younger son, whom all knew she held a special love for. "My gift to you in dissimilar to the others, yet very alike in some respects." She explained. Loki nodded to inform her he was paying attention. With a nod, Frigga's third gift was not carried into the room, but walked in of its own accord.

Loki stared at the woman in front of them. "Is that…?"

"Yes, I present you Hervor, the Shield Maiden." Frigga smiled. The woman walked forward and bowed to the raven haired prince, who stared back slightly scared at her. "Do not take this as a slight on your skills my son." His mother stated.

"I am a short range fight, unlike Thor. The cape is to defend him from spears and arrows, I need something more sturdy." Loki guessed. Frigga smiled proudly with a nod. "Thank you mother. I have witnessed her train before; we will compliment each others styles well." He smiled, looking back to Hervor, who gave a nod that showed her agreement.

"Why else do you think I requested her, I would not entrust another with your safety."

"I will defend his highness with my life your Majesty." Hervor bowed.

The evening continued with just as much atmosphere as there had been for the feast, talking, laughing, drinking and dancing. Thor and Loki went to join their friends as Frigga and Odin spoke with Frigga's brother, the king of Vanaheim.

"So the Cape of Vanaheim and a Shield Maiden. All I got when my mother turned three thousand was reminded that I am still not wed." Fandral stated as he eyed the beautiful women in the room.

"Not just any Shield Maiden, Hervor. She is brutal in battle, she even puts most men to shame." Volstagg commented, staring at the stern faced woman across the hall standing against a wall, speaking to none.

"Most men, you are understating her abilities my friend, there is none on the Allfather's army that can best her. She is the daughter of Angantyr." Hogun stated. The table stared at him. "Yes, the Angantyr, she showed outstanding archery, horsemanship and sword skills as but a young child and trained more than you would find any man doing to hone those skills. Only the most elite Einharjar have lasted a round with her, but not much after." He looked to Loki. "There is one thing you can have little doubt of Loki, if you die in battle, it will be in a sea of red with the blood of the enemies she will have died taking out first."

"Well that's reassuring." Loki acknowledged looking again to the woman across the room from him. She seemed to realise he was looking at her and she turned to face him, nodding her head slightly at him as they made eye contact.

"She does not look the friendliest." Thor stated, he too was looking at her.

"I do not care if she has a good, a bad or indeed no manner at all, I just need her to be as good as she is supposed to be."

"You are not insulted by mother's gift?" Thor queried curiously.

"You forget you dim wit, that our mother has the gift of foresight, so for her to have gifted us such things means we require them, meaning that as much or as little as I care for the gift I have been given, it was given as a necessity." Loki rose from the table as he finished his sentence. "I shall leave you all to your evening, good night." He bowed as he made his way from the table, leaving Thor to concern himself with the words he had just stated.

As he left the hall he sensed a presence behind him, he turned to see Hervor walking along behind him. He stopped and allowed her to catch up to him, when she reached his side, she halted, looking at him curiously. "It is not necessary for you to escort me everywhere in the palace." He stated in a neutral tone. "Only in training and in battle."

"I am aware, but I have been informed that my quarters are now next to your own for your protection, and your leaving gave me the perfect excuse to politely leave without insulting the Allmother." She explained.

"But you seemed so at ease." Loki stated sarcastically before he could attempt to rein himself in.

"What gave it away?" She raised a brow.

"I think I counted eight death stares and one 'come near me and I shall behead you where you stand' glares." Loki pretended to recall something dramatically.

She walked past him to head to her own rooms door. "Actually it was twelve of the former, three of the latter and even two 'I will castrate you were you stand if you stare at my breasts again'." She had a half smirk on her face as she looked back at him. "Goodnight prince Loki, I look forward to our training tomorrow." And with that, she walked on to her own rooms, leaving a slightly taken back Loki in her wake.