75

Written In the Stars

The crownless again shall be king~ Loki

Throngs of people crowded the boulevard leading from the palace to the High Temple. All of the Jotun were dressed to impress and to celebrate and they lined the street, waving and throwing frost blossoms and rainbow puffs—which were fluffy rainbow-colored blossoms as the royal coaches passed by. The one carrying Loki and Rhiannon was drawn by snow white reindeer with silver gilt horns and bells on their harnesses with a midnight blue and white collar bearing the Icefyre crest about their shaggy necks. The deer had brilliant icy blue eyes and stepped carefully down the street, unmindful of the crowds.

Loki and Rhiannon waved out the window as they passed their people, and their enthusiastic response delighted the nobles and commoners alike.

Guards rode to the front and back of the coaches, and Odin rode Sleph beside the coach carrying Frigga, Talia, Max, and Aleta.

"Where my Kwoki?" Talia demanded for the umpteenth time since getting into the carriage.

Frigga heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Talia, he is with Rhee in the coach ahead of us. You can see him after the ceremony."

"But why, Mama?" the little scamp asked.

"Because your brother has an important thing to do today—he is going to be crowned King of Jotunheim," Frigga explained again.

Talia's forehead wrinkled. "Kwoki king?"

"Yes, dear, Loki will become king today."

"And Mama will be a queen!" Aleta sang.

"Rhee queen?"

"Uh huh," Max said. He looked over at his grandmother. "Bestemor, if Daddy is king here, is he still a prince in Asgard?"

Frigga smiled. "Once a king, always a king, Max. Anywhere you go."

She was kept busy answering the myriad of questions from her grandchildren and toddler daughter. "How long is the ceremony? Do we get to throw confetti? Do Mama and Daddy have to wear their crowns all the time? Are we there yet? Where is my Kwoki?"

By the time the coaches drew up to the temple stairs, Frigga was nursing a headache and wondering how Loki managed with two toddlers every day. My son has the patience of the Norns themselves.

Everyone in both families, plus all the Council of Nine and the courtiers, as well as the honored guests from different realms all filed into the temple. The under-priests and alcolytes welcomed them and seated them according to their rank, with the royal family members seated closest to the altar.

The High Temple was a work of art, with vaulted ceilings, beautifully carved runic pillars along the aisle, and shimmering crystalline windows. The altar itself was formed of pure white marble with gold veining and bore mounds of flowers, fruit, and a bowl of glittering gems. In back of the altar were statues of Kaniire, her Consort God Norod, and the great frost dragon Icefyre.

A long velvet blue carpet ran from the altar down the aisle and out of the temple.

In front of the altar, dressed in his ceremonial red robes with gold runes and his horned headdress—the horns representing the great dragon—was High Priest Myklaos.

To either side of the altar were placed gilded chairs and midnight blue velvet footstools. Beside one chair stood Thor and beside the other was Scribe Haakon.

Under a canopy to the right were the two thrones.

The thrones stood on the top of fourteen steps carved from ice. Each throne had a high back with gold and silver orbs on the top and curved lion feet. A dark blue velvet drape covered the arms and seat of the thrones and gold and silver tassels dangled from the ends of the drape. Icebergs were carved in the back of the thrones and runes of blessing were etched on either side of the icebergs. A dark blue velvet carpet was under the thrones and a mural of northern lights was behind them.

Up above on a balcony, the temple choir began to play the ceremonial coronation tune.

The High Priest gestured and the great doors of the temple were flung wide and Loki and Rhiannon entered, bareheaded and barefoot. That was traditional, that the aspiring monarchs be seen as humble and walk shoeless to the altar.

A hush descended over the temple and all within it as they watched the two process up the aisle to the High Priest, their steps soundless on the carpet, walking humbly, their gazes fixed upon the priest who awaited them.

Loki felt his heart beating like a caged bird, and he was shocked that it did not burst out of his chest the nearer he approached the altar.

Rhiannon feared for an instant she would disgrace herself and become sick all over the carpet. But a second later, she felt a slight touch at her elbow, and heard Larimar whisper, "Courage, daughter. Remember, you are the true queen. It was written in the stars. Now breathe, dear one."

Rhiannon felt her uneasiness begin to leave her at Larimar's words, and she swallowed and slid a glance at Loki, who winked at her and gave her a smile from the corner of his mouth. With that bit of support, her nausea vanished. I can do this. I am the rightful queen, as was foretold.

Loki knew that if he were not in his Jotun form, his palms would be sweaty and the back of his neck under his high collar clammy.

His heart thundered in his chest and he blinked sharply. Norns, do not let me pass out! He prayed.

Then he heard Laufey's voice in his ear. "Breathe, Loki. You will be fine. Remember, this is your destiny, and the crownless again shall be king."

Loki drew in a breath and released it slowly, and felt his heart calm. Slowly the fluttering in his belly ceased when he peered at his queen beside him. He even managed to wink at her and smile. To Hel with being somber. If he would be king, he would do it on his own terms. The way he had always lived his life.

He lifted his gaze to the altar and saw all four of the Guardians standing beside it. The shimmer in the air surrounding them told him that they were only visible to him and Rhiannon.

Once they had reached the altar, and bowed and curtseyed, they were invested into the Chairs of Estate, and Max and Aleta came forward bearing the royal footware on blue velvet cushions with golden tassels. They passed the pillows to Thor and Haakon, who nodded and then knelt to place them upon their monarch's feet.

Then they bowed and backed away, Thor rejoining Sif on their bench and Haakon rejoining his wife, Avena, and their daughter, Larina.

The High Priest raised his arms and the choir ceased playing. In a voice that throbbed with serenity and gravity, that echoed to every corner of the temple, he spoke. "Lords, ladies, and people of Jotunheim! I hereby present unto you, your undoubted King and Queen. All those here to do them homage and service, what say you?"

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen! Hail the rulers of Jotunheim!" arose from thousands of throats. Four more times, at each of the four directions, the priest repeated his query, and four more times the people shouted an affirmative.

Returning to the center of the dais, the High Priest beckoned to the two rulers and when they stood before him, declared, in a voice that carried through the entire temple, "By the power vested in me by The Lady of Frost Kaniire and Her Consort, Lord Norod, I now recognize you as the rightful sovereigns of this realm of Jotunheim. In keeping with the traditions and laws of this realm, do you swear to uphold the government to the best of your ability?"

"I do so swear!" Both monarchs responded.

"Do you promise to be fair, just, and merciful to all thy subjects, both high and low? And recognize that all herin have the right to petition the sovereigns and receive the justice of kings?"

"I promise so to do."

"Do you also swear to uphold the gods of this realm, and the Norns, and reject any and all dark worship and gods?"

"All this I promise to uphold, in the Name of the Norns, I so swear!"

The High Priest brought forth the ancient Globe of Truth, a sphere made of pure and clearest crystal, and both Rhiannon and Loki kissed the tips of their fingers and placed them upon the globe, showing they were truthful and their promises would be upheld.

"Here is the Globe of Truth and Light. May your reign be blessed, prosperous, and fruitful."

The High Priest flicked consecrated water over the monarchs and all the congregation.

Then he received the chrism of anointing oil from his under priest, and both monarchs knelt, to show that even the king and queen bowed to the hand of the Norns and the gods of the Jotun.

The oil was warm and made up of a mixture of different essences, including ambergris, lavender, mint, and frost blossoms. The High Priest gently anointed their heads, hands and hearts, the oil glistening as he did so, intoning, The blessing of the gods and the Norns be upon thee, my sovereign."

At the oil's touch, both Rhiannon and Loki felt their magic stir, as the holy blessing surrounded them and a feeling of such peace and tranquility flowed through them that they gasped with joy.

Next Thrym came forward carrying the great Sword of State, which was a huge broadsword with the hilt of a dragon and an immense sapphire graced the pommel.

Together, Loki and Rhiannon swore the Oath of Protection, and vowed to defend their realm against any who threatened it and broke their peace.

The Sword was handed back and then Valithor came forward and handed them the Sceptre of Rulership, and the priest intoned, "In the Name of Mercy and Justice, I invest thee with the Sceptre of Rulership. May you reign compassionately and well."

Last, Valithor came forward with the Coronation Rings, simple circlets of whte gold. "By the Light of Kaniire and Her Consort, I now present thee with these Coromation Rings, representing the Marriage of the Kingdom to the Monarch, as in heaven so it is on earth."

He slipped the rings onto their fingers and then Loki and Rhiannon deviated from the traditional response and said instead, "With this ring I vow to be the sacrifice and servant to my people, even as they shall do unto me."

People gasped in astonishment, but the Guardians chuckled and grinned, pleased.

The High Priest turned and accepted the Dragon Crown from the acolyte and walked to Loki. He raised the crown, and spoke reverently, "I, High Priest Myklaos, do crown thee, Loki Laufeyson Icefyre, King and Ruler of Jotunheim, the Trickster King, forevermore!"

He placed the crown upon Loki's brow.

A cheer went up, reverberating through the temple.

Loki bowed his head reverently, blinking away tears.

Then Myklaos went to Rhiannon, and held the Crown of Frost and Fire above her head. "I, High Priest Myklaos, do crown thee, Rhiannon Laufeyson Snowfall, Queen and Ruler of Jotunheim, the Dragon Queen, forevermore!"

He placed the crown upon her brow.

Once again there was a loud cheer.

Rhiannon blinked back tears and bowed her head. Then she pulled the string concealed in her sleeve and her wings flared outward and people cheered even louder.

"Long live the King! Long live the Queen!"

As they proclaimed their new monarchs, fireworks exploded into the sky, letting those outside know the ceremony was complete and the new monarchs crowned.

"Good people, I present to you the King and Queen of Jotunheim!"

This time the cheers were defeaning, and the new monarchs processed up the stairs to the Thrones of State and were seated therein, to receive oaths of fealty and loyalty from their nobles, the royal family, the clergy, and the people.

Loki and Rhiannon smiled as they greeted everyone when Loki noticed two older people walking with a younger man. Even though he was tall and brawny, there was a childlike look in his eyes. The young man seemed a little shy at first, but when he looked at Loki, a smile spread across his face.

"Loki! Loki!" Boral said as he half ran toward the stairs, but stopped when the guards appeared in front of him.

"No! It's all right!" Loki said and walked down the stairs.

"Who is that?" Tony asked Thor.

"That is Prince Boral, Loki's cousin. He fell climbing a mountain when he was a boy and the accident damaged his brain. He has the reasoning of a young child, the same age as when he was injured."

Boral grinned at Loki while Loki stopped in front of him and Boral looked at the crown.

"That's sparkly," Boral said, pointing at it.

"Yes, it is. I'm glad you here."

"I yelled really loud."

"I heard you," Loki said. Before he could move, Boral wrapped his arms around Loki then lifted him into the air, giving him a bear hug.

"Norns, I forgot how strong he is," Loki thought. He felt his lungs constricting as the air left his body and black spots moved across his eyes.

"Boral... I need to breathe..."

Boral yelped as he let go of Loki and Loki fell to the floor.

"Are you alright, Sire?!" the guard asked and Boral began to make little moaning noises.

"I'm...fine," Loki said and slowly got to his feet.

"Sorry," Boral said, looking down at his feet.

He wrapped his arms around himself and whimpered. "Bad . . . . I not mean to hurt Loki . . ." Huge tears gathered in his eyes.

Behind them several nobles snickered. "Look! It's the Dummy Prince!" one sneered.

"I can't believe they let him out in mixed company." A lady sniffed.

"Ought to keep him locked away!" snorted another.

Loki placed a hand on the cringing Jotun's arm. "It's okay, buddy," he murmured. "I'm not hurt."

"They want me locked up," Boral whispered, ashamed.

"No one is locking you up."

Loki looked at the nobles as Boral hid behind him and Rhiannon walked quickly down the stairs.

"Loki, are you alright?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"You pretty," Boral said, grinning.

"Thank you," Rhiannon said.

"You Loki's wife."

"Yes, I am."

"You look like fairy."

Rhiannon smiled as Loki noticed some of the nobles were whispering to each other and he sighed.

Father, what should I do? Loki sent.

First, you must address the fact Boral meant no harm and you are uninjured, Laufey sent.

Loki put a hand on his cousin's arm and then addressed the nobles behind him. "My lords and ladies, there is no cause for alarm. My cousin became over excited and hugged me. See, no harm done." He held out his arms in a flourish.

Now, address how they reacted, Odin sent.

Loki paused and sent the startled nobles one of his Disapproving Looks. "However, while I appreciate your concern, that is no excuse for ill mannered behavior. Boral is a Prince of the Blood, and as such he is to be treated with respect and compassion not mockery. Furthermore, any of my disabled subjects, where noble or common, shall be treated with the same respect that you yourself wish to be treated. They are people, like you, and entitled to the same rights."

"Ooh boy! Now they've done it." Nate muttered. "Dad doesn't tolerate that kind of behavior from anybody."

"Youze in twouble!" Talia shook a finger at the nobles.

The nobles looked at each other with stunned looks which turned to looks of shame and Loki crossed his arms over his chest.

Finally, one noble muttered, "Please forgive us, Your Majesty, we did not mean to insult you."

Loki shook his head. "You should not apologize to me. But to my cousin. It is he you have wronged."

Like scolded children, the nobles bowed to Boral and asked his pardon. The Jotun prince's eyes went wide in astonishment. No one had ever apologized for making fun of him or hurting his feelings before. He glanced between them and Loki.

"Well, cousin?" Loki asked softly. "Do you forgive them?"

Slowly Boral nodded. "Yes, Loki."

"Then tell them," his king instructed.

Boral did so and then he glanced down to see Talia beside Loki. "Hello, wee one." He gave her a smile. "Are you Loki's daughter?"

"No, Kwoki my brudder," Talia told him. "I Talia."

"Hello. I am Boral." He knelt and cautiously held out a hand. Most children were afraid of him because of his size.

"You reawwy tall!" she said, giggling.

"Yes, I am," he said, grinning.

"You tawwler den Kwoki."

Talia took his hand as Boral folded his fingers over her tiny hand and Loki felt a lightness in his chest.

Well done, Little Sister, he sent.

Talia beamed with pride.

Rhiannon walked to Boral when she held out her hand and he gently took her hand in his.

"Welcome, Cousin," she said as she made a small curtsy and he nearly fell over as he made a bow. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Cousin. Not used to bowing," Boral said.

Loki led Boral to the children as he introduced him and Boral looked at Nate's wheelchair in puzzlement.

"Why you sit?" Boral asked, his brow wrinkling.

"My legs don't work," Nate explained. "I hurt them in an accident."

"Boral's head no work."

"How did you hurt your head?" Aleta askd frankly.

"I was seven. And I . . .climbed Mount Fury. My papa said not to but I didn't listen. So I climbed without a harness or a partner. And I slipped and fell. I hit my head bad. Almost die. But when I wake up . . ." Boral spread his hands. "It was a long time ago."

"It's okay," Aleta told him. "We like you just the way you are."

Boral looked startled, but then saw the little princess was quite serious and he felt a warm glow in the vicinity of his heart as he realized that his new family was not ashamed or embarrassed by him.

Aleta raised her arms while Boral glanced questioningly at Loki and Loki nodded. Boral carefully picked her up so she could hug him and he leaned his head against her. Placing her on her feet, Boral looked at Max then became a little confused.

"Loki?" he asked.

"No, I'm Max," Max corrected

"You look like Loki."

"I know, people tell me that all the time!" Max said, shrugging.

"Can you shift?" Serena wanted to know.

"Yes. Look!"

The nobles gasped when Boral turned into a large ice dragon and he lifted his head high.

"Wow!" the kids said at the same time and he shifted back.

"Mama and Daddy can shift into dragons, too," Aleta said.

"And Sleph shifts into a horse, Jorgy shifts into a sea serpant and Fenris can shift into a wolf," Max said.

"Can you shift, Max?" Boral asked.

"Umm . . ." He recalled what Loki had said to him back in Asgard. Max concentrated and he blurred into a black kitten.

"Ooooo!"

Boral gently lifted Max into his hands when Max jumped onto Boral's shoulder, shifted back and smiled.

"Blergh! It's me!" Max shouted and Boral laughed.

"Like father, like son!" Thor chuckled and nudged Balder, who smirked in agreement.

The nobles smiled and whispered to each other as Boral carefully reached up and handed Max to Loki. Loki hugged Max just as the room became quiet and they watched as an old man, dressed in rags, slowly walked toward Loki.

Max stared at the old man, who was leaning on a white spiral cane. "Daddy, who is that?"

"I don't know. But I think he wishes to speak with me," Loki said and put Max down.

The old Jotun approached, the cane tapping softly upon the tiles.

"Greetings, Sire," the old man said with a bow.

"Greetings, Honored Elder," Loki replied. "What do you wish of me?"

The old Jotun raised his head and his crimson eyes seemed to see right through the newly anointed king.

Loki tried not to look startled as the elder stood a little taller and Loki waited for him to speak.

"Heed my warning, Newly Crowned King. Beware of the false priest. He will try to take what is yours and place his puppet on the throne. He will turn the people against you and demand your death. As it would have happened long ago. Beware!"

"How dare you threaten the King?" the guard cried as the guards, Odin, Thor, Balder, and the Avengers approached, but Loki raised his hand to stop them.

"I will heed your warning, Old One," he said. Nodding, the old man turned and walked away. They watched him leave while Rhiannon walked to Loki and linked her arm with his.

"We need to get you back to the palace, Sire," the guard said. Loki knew he should say something to calm the others, but he also felt the need to return to the palace and nodded. They processed out of the temple while the driver opened the door to the carriage and Loki helped Rhiannon into the carriage. A loud roar made them stop as the others gathered around Loki and he looked toward the mountain.

"Dad! Look!" Sam said, pointing to the large shape sitting at the top of the mountain.

The dragon was covered in white and ice blue scales. The purple eyes shimmered in a violet glow and the large wings were folded over its back. The large talons clung to the rocks and the long tail curled up toward the dragon's leg. White horns arched down its back to the end of the tail and the body was lean and muscular. White hair dangled from the lower jaw of the long snout and icy mist twirled out of the nostrils. The dragon reared up and spread massive wings and roared—the Accolade of the Dragon—which was done each time a new monarch or monarchs were crowned.

I salute thee, blood of my blood, the great wyrm sent to Loki and Rhiannon.

"It's... It's Icefyre," Myklaos gasped.

Icefyre rose soundlessly into the air then flew three times around the temple and some of the nobles trembled. Finally, the Great Dragon breathed a large jet of frost in the shape of an eternity knot and two crowns appeared inside the knot.

"What does that mean?" Rhiannon asked.

"It means he approves of your reign and so does the Norns," Myklaos said with a grin.

Something about the Great Dragon caused Loki to frown when he felt someone enter his mind and he blinked.

Remember my warning, Newly Crowned King, Icefyre sent then flew away and Loki's mouth fell open.

"Loki, does that usually happen?" the queen asked, wide-eyed.

"The Accolade, yes. But the rest . . . not usually," Loki said. "But he is Icefyre the Ancient and can do as he wishes." Then he sent to her what the old man—who had been Icefyre shifted—had told him.

The coach began to move back to the palace, slowly due to the crush of people cheering and waving.

"But what does it mean?" Rhiannon frowned.

Loki sighed. "I can only think of one person it could refer to. The false priest is Krishna. Only he would have reason to depose me and put another in my place."

"He seeks your death," Rhiannon muttered.

"What he wishes and what he shall get are two different things," Loki declared, closing a hand over hers. "Forewarned is forearmed. I shall be careful. And you must also."

She nodded. "Will we be leaving soon?"

"We must stay for the coronation feast and at least a week or two afterwards so the people can bring us gifts and ask our judgement about things. After that, we can speak with the Council of Nine, and leave the running of the realm in their hands while we return to Midgard."

"My Uncle Haakon is on the Council," Rhiannon reminded him.

"I know. As are my cousins Mitzi and Starkaad. Starkaad will act as Crown Regent in our absence."

"Who else is on the Council?"

"The Lord High Chancellor, Bragi. He is in charge of the treasury. High Priest Myklaos, he oversees the clergy. Mitzi is Ambassador. Lord Taron is Minister of Foreign Affairs. Lady Sigertha is Minister of Education and Magic. General Bjorklund is Minister of Arms. Lady Northheart is Minister of Law."

By the time they reached the palace, Rhiannon had gotten a rather thorough course in the workings of the Council and what each member did to help run the kingdom. Loki also explained what family each was from and how it affected their position.

She was grateful for her husband's knowledge and together they descended the carriage and entered the palace.

He resolved to speak to his Spymaster as soon as the feast was over, and have him send some of his people out to find Krishna and if he represented a threat to arrest him.

In the meantime he would enjoy the celebration, for the crownless was once again king.

The feast lasted for hours, and many kinds of foods were served, delicacies of all kinds, and frost wine and honey mead flowed freely. The king and queen were careful to not imbibe too much, though they did sip for the toasts. They sampled all the the food, happy that there was pauses between courses so they did not get so full.

The courses were accompanied by soft music playing and later there was a troupe of Jotun dancers. But soon after that the revelry began to die down and Loki and Rhiannon made sure the children were put to bed.

Thor saw Magni start to nod off over his second cup of mead and put a hand on the youth's shoulder. "Son, I think you ought to go to bed."

"Huh! What?"Magni blinked blearily.

"You look tired,"Thor began.

Loki eyed the two from his place at the head of the table. "Will wonders never cease? My brother being responsible for once." He whispered to Rhiannon.

The Queen of Jotunheim smiled. "Miracles do happen. Besides, he has the best example of a good father sitting right here."

"You mean me?"

She nodded.

"I'm flattered."

"It's not flattery, my love, but truth."

Loki felt a warm glow of pride at his wife's sincere words. "My queen is wise."

"Your queen knows a good man when she sees one."

Loki placed his hand over hers on the table, that simple act endearing him to his subjects, who despite what one might think, were actually a people whose passions ran deep, once you managed to thaw their icy reserve.

Cerulean eyes met emerald and for a single instant they gazed at each other and nothing else existed.

Further down the table, Frigga caught Odin's wink and smiled. "They remind me of us, Wanderer. Long ago and far away."

"I remember when," the old king chuckled. "He has done us proud, Frigga. Though much of the credit goes to you, my darling. You raised a fine king."

Frigga blushed. "You flatter me, Odin."

He shook his head his beard wiggling. "Not flattery, truth."

"It is no excuse to blame my actions against him on my father's soul being inside me. I was a terrible father to Loki. I treated him as though he was nothing and I hope the Norns will forgive me for it."

"I believe they have. It is one of the reasons they allowed him to come back to us. Whatever old business between father and son has been resolved and both of you are better for it," she said and it was Odin's turn to blush.

Talia had been moving between the tables where the kids were sitting to where Thor and Balder were sitting with their friends to the Avengers' table when she stopped near Loki's chair and he noticed his little sister looked sleepy.

"Oh, it looks like it's someone's bedtime," he teased, but she shook her head.

"No. I wanna be with my Kwoki," she said, pouting. Loki lifted her onto his lap as she snuggled against his chest and placed her thumb in her mouth. His soft heartbeat relaxed her as she half closed her eyes and Rhiannon smiled.

"Did you like the coronation?" Rhiannon asked and Talia nodded.

"I wike your wings," she said, pointing to Rhiannon's dress. "I wanna dwess wike that."

"Maybe Mama can make you one as a play dress," Loki said.

"I wanna a puwple dwess."

"Of course," he said with a small laugh. He looked over at Boral, who had his chin in his hands, and Loki saw he was almost asleep. "I think Boral is sleepy, too. Would you like to help me put him to bed?"

"Yes," she said with a nod. Loki stood up when he walked over to the table where Boral and his caregivers were and Boral yawned.

"I think it is time for bed, Cousin," Loki said and Boral looked at him.

"No, I'm not sleepy," Boral said.

"Boral, please, it has been a long day," Minnira, his female caregiver said. He thought of her as a grandmother as he sighed then nodded his head.

"Would he mind if my sister and I help you get him to bed?" Loki asked.

"Oh, we don't want to be a fuss," Braxlir, Boral's male caregiver said.

"It would be no trouble."

"Then I'll go to bed," Boral said. They stood up as they headed for the guest wing and entered the room where Boral and his caregivers were staying. Talia helped Minnira get the bed ready while Loki helped Braxlir undress Boral then get him into his nightshirt. The bed was large enough for Boral to lay out to his full height and Minnira covered him. "I want a story, please."

"I teww you stowy," Talia said as she sat next to him. She started telling him a story about a magical unicorn as Loki, Minnira and Braxlir smiled and Boral's eyes closed. Talia yawned as she settled down next to Boral and placed her head against his shoulder. Both of them soon were asleep as Loki carefully picked his sister up, nodded to the caregivers and left the room. After Loki put his sister to bed, he returned to the feast hall when he looked at Odin, who nodded, and Loki went to sit down.

"Are they all asleep?" Rhiannon asked, her eyes warm with love.

"Safe and sound and dreaming happily. Shall we take a walk in the gardens? I hear the night blooming lillies and jasmine are a wonder."

Rhiannon rose, the gossamer wings of her gown fluttering slightly. "Yes, I would like to see them." But the look in her eyes said she would like much more than that.

Accompanied by a handful of guards, the king and queen made their way to the royal gardens, where they found fantastic profusions of nightblooming lillies and jasmine. The gardens were laid out in a spiral pattern, with beautiful carved ice sculptures inbetween the beds and trees. Rhiannon saw a dragon, a unicorn, and a statue of Kaniire feeding a deer. The perfume from the flowers gently scented the air. The stars twinkled brightly overhead, and Jotun's double moons illuminated the gardens with a gentle ambience.

The guards spread out, watching carefully but giving the couple the illusion of privacy as they strolled together, laughing softly, and the queen paused to pick some blossoms and smell them.

Loki twined some in her hair and she grinned and put a lily in his braid, saying, "I hereby dub thee my Knight of the Lily."

They both laughed at her whimsy, and continued wlalking until they arrived at the center of the spiral path where a cozy gazebo with a domed roof sat. Inside were padded benches, covered in soft mink, along with a white iron table with a small glowing blue lantern on it.

"How sweet!" Rhiannon exclaimed, and Loki gestured her to a seat. She sat gingerly, careful not to damage her wings.

"Alone at last," Loki remarked and sat beside her, one hand coming up to toy with her brilliant golden hair, as they had shifted back to their Asgardian forms while walking. "The feast was splendid but I feel stuffed as a Yule goose."

"I do too. That is why I was glad you suggested a walk. I need to work off some of this food before I no longer fit in my gowns."

Loki moved closer to kiss her lips as she cupped his cheek in her hand and she deepened the kiss. Slightly breathless, she drew back, her cerulean eyes glittering.

"What's wrong?" Loki asked with a concerned look.

"Nothing. I am just enjoying the moment," she said, glancing up at him. His emerald green eyes were shimmering as she etched his face onto her heart and soul. Loki moved his hand up her back as his fingers moved under the wings of her dress and she noticed the amorous look on his face.

Loki, the guards, she sent and a small smile curled up the corner of his mouth.

Will see only what I wish them to, he sent, glancing at the guards. He wriggled his fingers and created a simple spell shield that would prevent anyone from hearing or seeing what went on within the gazebo.

"Should we move farther out?" one of the guards whispered to his friend.

"Yes. I remember my father telling me stories of King Laufey and his bride during their first year of their marriage. In fact, there's one about King Loki being conceived in that very gazebo," his friend said and they moved off, taking up positions further away to allow their monarchs privacy.

Rhiannon turned so Loki could remove the wings of her dress then he placed the wings on the ground, out of the way. His clever hands skimmed the back of her dress, undoing all the buttons. The cool night air brushed across her skin as he leaned over to place a kiss between her shoulder blades and she gasped with pleasure. Turning, she slowly unbuttoned his jacket as he nodded and she brushed her fingers over his throat. He kissed her fingers while locking eyes with her and he arched his eyebrows up. Her hands flew over the diamond buttons of his shirt.

Moments later, their clothes were lying on the ground like magic, along with their shoes and boots, and the moonlight shining through the gazebo cast their shadows on floor. She breathed his name in his ear as he nuzzled her neck and she moved her fingers over the bare skin of his back.

"Say my name," he murmured in her ear.

"Loki." Her voice was like a caress.

"Rhee," he murmured back, and then began to make slow exquisite love to her, until they soared together among the stars, unfettered and free, upon a torrent of love and desire, one heart, one body, and one soul.

She moaned in ecstasy and two little flashes of light sparked behind her closed eyes.

"Did I hurt you?" he whispered in her ear.

"No. No, I'm fine," she reassured him and he placed his forehead against hers.

Rhiannon opened her eyes to look at her husband and she swore he was shimmering in a blue glow.

"Are you glowing?" she whispered.

"Are you?" he asked. Neither of them understood the ice blue light shimmering over them as he kissed her lips and snow started falling around them.

A few minutes later, they were redressed as the guards led them back to the palace and some of the guards were grinning knowingly at each other.

The palace soon became silent as the royal family, friends and guests drifted off to sleep and the night guards patrolled the halls and grounds. In Loki and Rhiannon's bedchamber, Rhiannon slept with her head against Loki's chest and her hand rested on his shoulder. As she slept, her mind spun away to another time and place. . .

The first thing she noticed was it was a sunny day. Some of the children were playing with a soccer ball. Sam was sitting on the blanket with Peter and they were laughing. Belle and Serena were reading. Max was doing some magic for a blonde hair girl and her father. Suddenly. Rhiannon felt someone put their arms around her waist when she turned and Loki smiled at her.

"Someone wants to go for a walk," he said. Rhiannon looked down when she saw twin girls, around four years old, looking up at her. One of the girls had dark hair like Loki, but had her sapphire eyes and the other girl had her golden hair and Loki's emerald green eyes. Both of them were dressed in light blue sundresses and were barefoot.

"Mama, we wanna go see the flowers!" Little Astra said, taking hold of her hand.

"All right," Rhiannon said. She and Loki led their daughters through the grass until they came to the large meadow full of spring flowers, in a variety of colors and shapes, spread out before them. She and Loki smiled at each other while their daughters skipped around them and a sweet smile moved across Loki's lips.

Gasping, Rhiannon woke when she sat up and her heart thumped in her chest. The dream felt so real. She had felt the grass tickle under her feet. She felt Loki's hand in hers and the warmth of the sunlight. She could smell the scent of the flowers. She peered at Loki and gently shook him. "Loki, wake up. Please!"

He muttered and woke, blinking sleepily.

"Rhee, what's wrong?" Loki asked, sitting up and moved the blankets around her.

"I had the most unusual dream." Rhiannon said. She told him about the dream while she leaned back against him and he wrapped his arms around her.

"What do you think the dream means?" she asked, barely seeing his face in the dim light of the room.

"It might mean you're pregnant," Loki surmised, hardly daring to hope.

"So soon?!"

"Shall I cast a spell to see?" he queried.

"You know magic like that?"

"Aye. I am no midwife, but my training as Archmage was very thorough." He reassured her. "Lie back, darling."

Loki moved Rhiannon so she was laying against the pillows then moved his hand over her. A green light moved under his hand as he concentrated then his hand stopped. Though tiny, he could sense two sparks of light inside her womb. Both of the lights shimmered and twinkled and he looked at Rhiannon, his emerald eyes glowing.

"Loki?" she asked, concerned.

"Congratulations! You're a mother," he announced, his whole face lit with a mixture of awe and joy.

"You're sure, Loki?" she queried.

"As sure as your name is Rhiannon Laufeyson, beloved."

He laughed as her mouth curved in a smile of incandescent joy, her dream of finally carrying a child realized at last.

"I wonder what the baby will be?" she murmured, her hand covering her still flat belly.

Loki placed his hand atop hers. "That I don't know but what if I were to tell you that you were carrying not one baby, but two?"

"Twins!?" she gasped. She kissed him ardently. "Then we are doubly blessed."

The King of Jotunheim's laughter filled the room with pure delight. "That we are, Rhee. That we most certainly are."

He wrapped his arms about his queen and rested his chin on the top of her shoulder, his eyes dreamy as he thought about the glorious future that awaited them, their destiny written in the stars long and long ago, somewhere over Bifrost.

Finis

A/N: And so we come to the end of this story, which will be continued at a later date with the sequel The Trickster King.

In that book the Laufeysons will have some more adventures in Jotunheim before going home at last to New York, where a new life for all of them will begin! Who cannot wait for the sequel?

In the meantime, look for a new story featuring Loki and Belle from Once Upon a Time, as two worlds collide and romance blossoms in a most unlikely place in The Beauty and the Trickster!

Thanks again to all my loyal readers, reviewers and followers! Much love and excelsior!