Consequences

6

The day of Loki and Brynja's wedding came quickly, the last week of preparations flying by. The morning of the ceremony, the tailor brought Loki and Brynja's clothing to their chambers and muttered something about the impropriety of the bride and groom seeing each other before the ceremony in their wedding clothes. They ignored him and waited for him to leave before beginning their preparations. They started by taking a long bath together, relaxing in one another's arms in the warm water, both of them nervous and yet excited for the day. Loki combed out Brynja's hair, once again cut short. He had practised doing her hair a few times before, but his hands shook as he placed the jewelled pins in it and he had to redo the little twists a few times. After he finished, he brought her two hand mirrors and she checked it, happy with the results. She then turned him around and brushed through his long dark hair. He hadn't severely cut it in years and it hung down below his shoulder blades. She ran her fingers through it as she brushed it, smoothing down the wisps that clung to the brush.

"Do you remember the first time I brushed your hair?"

"The night before I was to die. Of course I remember."

"I still love brushing it, running my fingers through it and letting my hand rest against the warmth of your back. It's a beautifully intimate act."

Loki smiled as she made two small braids from the hair that framed his face, weaving silver strands in the plaits, and pulled them back, tying them together with a thin green thread, "I am glad something so simple brings you such great joy."

They sat together for a moment on the edge of the bed, naked, the warmth of the sun on their faces, "So I suppose we should get dressed," Brynja said.

"It would not be wise to be late to our own wedding."

"Nor do I think the family would appreciate us showing up naked," she added with a grin. Loki blushed at the thought.

She went to get his clothing and laid it out on the bed and then fetched her gown and the undergarments that went with it. They helped one another dress, she tugging his black shirt over his head, he smoothing her slip over her hips. She tying the straps to close his doublet-style vest, he fastening the tiny pearl buttons down her back. Loki's black garments were stunning, the detailed knot work embroidery in black thread on the doublet utterly striking, a dark green velvet cape fastened on with round silver broaches just below the front of his shoulders, the fine silk of his shirt reflecting a soft shimmer in the morning light. Her dress was equally beautiful, the soft cream lace of her cloak perfectly matched to that which was original, the mint green panels expertly added and matched to the line of the dress, the glass beads on the bodice now matched to bead work on the cap sleeves and along the added lace hem of the dress. They stared at each other for a few minutes before Brynja took Loki's face in her hands and kissed him. He placed his hands on her hips and the slow kiss continued until someone knocked on the door to remind them that they had ten minutes before they were scheduled to be in the throne room.

Brynja slipped on her shoes while Loki went to the dresser and brought out the jewellry box Frigga had given him, "Bryn? Would you come here a moment?" She did as he asked and he presented her with the box, "My gift to you, love, on the day of our wedding."

She took the box and opened it, the jewels glittering in the morning light, "Oh my...these are beautiful."

"Asgard's princess ought perhaps wear some of Asgard's gems to her wedding."

She picked up a silver necklace set with diamonds and emeralds that clung close to her neck and a pair pearl drop earrings with emeralds at the stud. While he put his shoes on, she replaced the simple silver hoops she had been wearing with the new earrings and then asked Loki to help with the necklace. He carefully draped it around her neck.