A Man In Search Of Glorious Purpose: Book One

Chapter Six:

The room filled with royal Asgardian royalty, as it always has for special occasions. fine colored banners made the golden Grand Hall look like a translucent rainbow. I stood in awe as I came in with my Mother by my side, I had been bestowed birthdays like this on several occasions, this one marking my sixteenth year. Thor and his friends sat on one side. 

My adopted Father sat at the very head of the table, strewn with fine china, and in the middle, was the largest, most  exquisite looking cake. Which I liked, but wondered if it's size was greatly exaggerated, I wasn't that important, I would've guessed something like this would suit Thor more, than me, but instead of allowing the thought to cloud my mind I sat in the middle, My Mother joining my Father at the head of the Table.

Thor smiled over at me, I smiled back calmly, as Our Father Odin rose from his seat, " thank you all for coming to celebrate my youngest son's Birthday, it's not every day that a young Asgardian of royal blood would turn the tender age of 16 than my youngest son Loki" My jaw dropped in surprise, he was complimenting me?!- the very man who I had started the last couple of weeks feuding with, he was   𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 me-  would I believe this, should I believe this?- or is this just some coverup, to set in motion things to come.

Still bewildered by this  momentary change of heart, so it would seem for the time being, I looked over to him. "Thank you Father" I thanked him, still dumbfounded by his sudden change of heart, but then it occurred to me yet again, it had to have been my Mother, who probably pleaded and convinced him to set aside our petty differences, just for this occasion.

Mind you I've always had a certain respect for my father, when I was younger, before I became of age. I grew accustom to his teachings, whereas In my teens, at times turbulent and frustrating, him dealing with my sudden temper and moodiness,  that's where my mother came in, to soothe the rifts that I had with him. I decided for the time being to just favor him, for my mother's sake, and the sake of our many guests.

"to my younger Brother may he mature into a fine young man as me, and a glorious example of an Asgardian Crowned Prince!" he raised his goblet, I slightly shrugged, "ehheh?, that's a bit overdoing it isn't it Brother?" I stared down at the table a tad bit embarrassed, the room roared with hear!, hear!. 

I turned to Thor, "nonsense!- you deserve the compliment!" He gave my back another rousing pat, My Mother looked on as my Father did. "....You know this won't last long....it's not intending too?" I replied "come now Loki, why must you suddenly bring yourself down, you should just be in this moment of celebration".

I sighed "very well brother" at that I knew the time had come for me to make my speech, upon the many guests that were seated around the large sprawling table. I got up as much as I didn't want to, but felt I had to commemorate my own Birthday.

 "Thank you all for coming, and thank you for the well wishes, I'm quite astonished really, I wasn't expecting the outcome to be this extravagant, nor for my Father to graciously acknowledge my Birthday" I started, I instantly felt a huge knot build up in my stomach  𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵?, but not to ruin the occasion I kept that thought in my mind. I knew it had to be addressed at some point....soon...

"And thank you to my big Brother Thor for always being the pleasure of my company as my friend, and confidant, but mostly.." I began "to my Mother, who is always the light in my seemingly dark life, who at the outmost shows the most care as a Mother should". At that finally finished I looked as the room aroused with another Hear!, hear! before everyone sat down

I felt momentarily happy with the way my Birthday had turned out. I wish this feeling would last, I'd pray to Valhalla that it wouldn't end, never end, but it's one of those things that happen once a year, for the first and only time, I really enjoyed, this Birthday I enjoyed the presence of my Family, Odin, Frigga and Thor and our many Asgardian friends.

It was probably the only time I was most happiest at, would it remain?. Well at least at this time it did. I felt at this moment I had everything.

After the Party I was rather tired, from the celebrations so, I retreated to my Bed chamber, to relax and unwind, and catch up on my reading, a perfect end to a perfect day, one that I surely will not forget even when I am older, when I looked up from my book, "Do you have a few moments Brother?" came of course Thor's voice.

"Yes?" I answered. He came in "you look worn out, still feeling the remnants of Father's  unprecedented acknowledgement of your Birthday?" He asked "yes?...about that..." I began as I closed my book, and looked to him in wanting an answer, as if I thought this was simply a played out falsification of hidden proud feelings that I knew Father must've had made up 

To cover any uneven cracks within my now impending strained relationship with my Father, He spoke again "I'm listening?...".