Mother Dearest

Loki Almost Flies Away

Frigga was awake bright and early the next morning. Despite a late night, she surprisingly fell asleep the moment she got in bed. The day's events tired her out more than she realized. Like any gathering in Asgard, the celebration feast lasted long into the morning hours so the All-Mother wasn't surprised when Odin never came to bed. More than likely he had stayed at the festivities to oversee everything and make sure no damage was done to anything valuable. They definitely didn't need a repeat of what happened at their wedding. With it being such a special time, she figured the celebrations would last for several days straight, so that meant a few more nights without her husband. One thing was for sure, she wasn't planning to show up at every one of them. She didn't care what Odin said about it. She had had enough of the dull and drunken atmosphere and the war stories. Odin could have it all. She would have her meals brought to the bedroom and privately spend time with Loki and Thor.

What's more, she wasn't going to give people the opportunity to ask her about Loki. She was more than relieved that she had gotten through the first feast without any upsets or embarrassing moments. She thought for sure that someone would inquire about him and where he suddenly came from, but no one ever asked. They were too overcome with excitement to give it a second thought, she supposed. Good. Maybe she could get away with it without having to dance around lies and go into lengthy explanations. She still couldn't shake the feeling that at least a few people silently thought something, though. More than likely that it was Odin's doing. She thought she had seen a few people whisper to each other when the group of women was making such a fuss over Loki, or maybe it had been her overactive and paranoid imagination.

After breakfast, Frigga hummed a happy little tune as she bathed and dressed Loki. When she saw that he was comfortable, she placed him down on the bed. For it being his first night in their bedroom, she admitted that he had been fairly good. He only cried twice, when it was time for his feedings. Other than that she never heard a peep out of him. Apparently, the day's events wore him out too.

Loki quietly watched with great interest as Frigga went about dressing herself and making the bed. He smiled and giggled when the All-Mother stopped long enough to play a quick game of peek-a-boo with him, which ended in an assault of tickling. The little giant rolled and kicked and squealed as Frigga continued to tickle his belly and kiss his face.

The All-Mother was a little concerned when Lífdís failed to bring Thor in to see her, as was their ritual every morning. It was already past breakfast and she hadn't heard any sort of activity down the hall, other than the usual servants going about their daily schedule. She was about to ask one of these servants about it when Lífdís herself opened the bedroom door and poked her head in.

"Your majesty," she said.

"Oh good, I was about to ask where you and Thor were. I was beginning to think something was wrong."

"Um, ma'am..." Lífdís hesitated, nervously wringing her hand around the door handle.

"Lífdís, is there something wrong?"

"I'm sorry, but Thor insisted that I take him back to the celebrations still going on in the dining hall," said Lífdís, coming into the room. Frigga was speechless for a few seconds as she eyed the nursemaid. "He wanted to hear more stories and he also wanted to see Odin. I just felt like I needed to tell you."

Frigga forced a smile and then nodded that she understood. "Very well; thank you, Lífdís. Could you keep an eye on him for me? The moment he gets tired, just bring him here to me."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I don't wish to attend the festivities today."

Lífdís nodded and turned to leave.