The Unthinkable Offering (A Loki FanFic)

The Green Ribbon

"Which one of you stole my green ribbon?" Eisa was in the closet she shared with her sisters, dumping out baskets of ribbons and barrettes, and riffling through piles of discarded dresses on the floor.

"None of us want that ratty old thing. The maid probably put it where it belongs, in the rubbish bin," Brita teased her.

"Not funny!" Eisa sat back on her heels. "Where in the Hel have I left it?"

"You do not have to wear it every time we set foot in the palace," Willa said.

"I do not wear it every time." Eisa pouted and looked around.

"Yes, you do." Groa shoved her with her foot. "Now move yourself. This closet is not big enough to hold all of us at the same time anymore."

"All right, I yield! Quit pushing me." Eisa crawled out of the closet on her hands and knees. "Yes! There it is!" She lay flat on the floor and retrieved her ribbon from under her bed. It was showing its age, tattered, and faded. It should have been thrown out ages ago. But Eisa could not part with it. She still remembered the night the prince gifted it to her all those years ago. The night he saved her from the torment of her stepmother. Yulla was still miserable and demanding, but she had not laid a hand on her or her sisters since that night.

"Thank the Norns." Willa rolled her eyes, "I do not think I could bear all the wailing if she had not found it."

"Oh, shut up."

"How else would she get the prince's attention if she was not always dressed in his colors?" Brita held a navy blue dress up to herself in front of the mirror.

"I will have you know that green- "

"-best suits your coloring," her sisters all recited in unison.

"Yes, we know." Groa sighed in frustration, "There is nothing in there that Brant has not seen me in a hundred times. I am going to go raid Finna's closet."

"Someone has a death wish."

"She will have you thrown in the dungeons when she becomes Queen. Besides, Brandt has already been promised to you, I do not think the dress you wear today will matter."

"She would have to catch me first. A woman must always look her best for her husband." Groa stepped over Eisa, still sat on the floor, running the ribbon through her fingers.

"He is not your husband yet. Will Anina be at the coronation? I miss her terribly."

"All of Asgard's aristocracy should be in attendance. Anina and Frode included."

"Do you think once Prince Thor is King, he will start the plans for their wedding?"

"Marrying Finna is probably the last thing on his mind."

"What do you mean? They are betrothed. They will want to get married and start living together, right?" Eisa was confused.

Willa and Groa exchanged a look. "Well, Finna is very much looking forward to the wedding. But Prince Thor has been... how do I put this? Prince Thor has been very busy. His mind has been otherwise occupied by... his training," Groa said as she made her way to the door.

"Is that why Finna is still upset that Anina got married before she did?"

"Sure," Groa said dismissively as she opened the bedroom door and leaned out into the hall, listening for her sister. Coming back into their room, "Who wants to be my lookout?"

"And now your wedding planning has started. And Willa's betrothal was just announced." Eisa sat and toyed with her ribbon as she stared up at the ceiling. "Poor Finna. The anticipation must be killing her."