Betrothed - Thor Odinson x Reader

Chapter 10: Homecoming.

The first thing you noticed that morning as you awakened was that the petals of the flowers on your windowsill had turned a rich, deep red, most fitting with the decor of your chambers. 

You gasped, urging Hilde to help you hastily put on your gown as the soldiers would now already be on their way back, and you simply had to be there to welcome them. As soon as you were decent you ran out of your room, confusing the servants and guards that came across you on your way to the queen's chambers.

"Frigga!" you called, knocking your fist on the door as you panted, catching your breath. You were thankful the two of you had spent so much time together and had become so well acquainted, otherwise the queen and everyone else at court would think you mad, pounding on the queen's door at the break of dawn. You heard the muffled sound of hurried footsteps on the other side of the door, which was thrown open so suddenly its hinges creaked. "What is it, dear?" Frigga asked, not looking a bit as disheveled as one could expect at such an hour. Her hair was only half braided, though her clothing was already impeccable. Her eyebrows were drown together, worry written in her gaze.

"The petals are red!" you exclaimed, grabbing two handfuls of your skirts to freely run towards the palace's hall, not even waiting for her to follow and already off to Tove's chambers. The queen stood there for a moment, most confused, as she deciphered what you had just told her. When she remembered about the flowers, she gasped and called over her chambermaid to tell her to spread the word that the army was coming back victorious. There most certainly would be a great feast to celebrate.

Tove was, thankfully, an early riser, and was already halfway out of her door once you reached her, bearing the news. She quickly set off after you, forcing you to slow down and mimic her pace, as she was greatly affected by her heavy belly.

By the time you had been almost forced to sit down and eat something, the whole castle knew of the army's imminent return and preparations were already being made. Hilde was next to you, urging you to swallow each bite even though your legs were bouncing on instinct, preparing to sprint as soon as you heard the word.

Your plate was nearly empty when the sound of a trumpet echoed from somewhere. You jerked up, ignoring Hilde's shouting as you ran to the palace's main entrance. Ulf, who was guarding it, took one look at your state and smiled. "They are now riding here from the Bifrost. The journey shan't take much longer." he informed you, though his gaze was trained somewhere behind you. You would have jested he was looking for a certain maid to be following you, but you were not in the right state of mind to do so, or even notice it. You made your way to the closed gates, pressing your face in between two bars while the people around you were looking at you like you were a madwoman and whispering to each other.

Frigga soon joined you, patting her hand on your shoulder and telling you to ease up. Then, it was Tove's turn. One of her hands gripped yours tightly, while she stroked her belly with the other one. As the minutes passed, everyone in the palace seemed to gather at the gates, thrumming with anticipation. Then, you heard the crowd roar. You spotted Odin on horseback, some of his generals behind him. To the sides, many women and children stretched their necks, looking for their soldiers. You could see some of them running towards their overjoyed families, making the fluttering sensation in your guts grow.

Then, Thor and Loki appeared. They were still in their armours, waving to the cheering people from their place on horseback with their spines straight. Two guards ushered you away from the gates to open them, and you saw a glimpse of your father and brother as both you and Tove, still holding hands, smiled to each other. 

Thor's eyes found yours and didn't leave them until it was time for him to dismount his horse. Before you could completely step towards him, he leaped to you and bent down. One arm snaked around your waist to lift you up while his free hand cupped your cheek.

Then, not caring about anyone around the both of you, he pressed his lips to yours. You whimpered in surprise, but in a moment your hands were gripping his shoulders, pulling him even closer. His lips felt rough on your soft ones, but the way he kissed you was chaste and gentle. The rest of the court vanished as you slightly opened your lips, inviting him to deepen the kiss. Your insides fluttered as you felt his tongue caressing yours in the most desperate, sensual way, and you wondered how people could stand doing anything but this.

The kiss was interrupted by Odin's hand patting Thor's shoulder. He pulled away reluctantly, ready to yell at whoever had shattered the moment, but his father anticipated him.

"We are in public, son. Do you wish to tarnish this lady's reputation?" he warned with a stern look.

Thor took a look at you, still processing the kiss with an absent expression, and set you down on the ground. "Forgive me, my lady. I will see you before the feast." he murmured, pressing a kiss to your brow before following his father inside.

As you looked around, you found that no one had been watching your and Thor's reunion, as they all were too engrossed in their owns. Your brother, Bjorn, was on his knees, his hands cradling Tove's belly as he looked up at her, love and wonder filling his eyes. Tove, though she was clearly ecstatic to see him, was urging him to get up and find a healer for the wound at his side. You promised yourself you would visit him after that.

A tap on your shoulder startled you, making you turn around to find your father's soft smile. You threw your arms around him. "Father! I am so glad you are here and safe!"

"I am, too, little crow." he murmured, one hand on your waist while the other caressed your hair, "I see my worries for your betrothal were unfounded."

You blushed while he chuckled, pulling away from his embrace to examine him and look for any signs of a hidden wound.

"There is no need to worry about me. I am whole." he reassured you, "Would you show me to the throne room?"

So you did, telling him all about Asgard's court, your friendship with Loki, the palace gardens and anything that came to mind while leading him through the maze of corridors you now knew like the palm of your hand. In turn, he told you about what you had missed in Vanaheim and the progress they had made on the war. He spared you the most grotesque details, as you had imagined he would, but you had the intention of gathering that information on your own. By the time you got to the throne room, most of the officials were already there, waiting on Odin's and the princes' appearance to head to the king's private offices.

"Your highness!" a familiar voice called before you could try to sneak your way into the meeting, "Shall I help you get ready for the feast?"

"Thank you, Hilde." you sighed, turning around to face her, noticing how her expression was a scolding one, "I would appreciate that."

She nodded and stepped closer to you, taking your arm to lead you to your chambers. "You should know better than trying to pry on the king's official business." she muttered.

"They should know better than to exclude me from their strategising." you responded, shrugging and earning an exasperated sigh from your maid.

A few minutes later, you were sitting on a chair in front of the mirror while Hilde undid your braids. You closed your eyes, allowing yourself to enjoy her gentle touch, and, most importantly, the sense of peace that came with the knowledge that the men were back home, safe.