Hostage to Love

History repeating....

"MARGARETTA FRIGGA LOKISDOTTIR GET DOWN OUT OF THAT TREE NOW!" her mother scolded her, barely able to keep her amusement in check.  The older Etta got, the more she reminded her of herself.

Her full name? Now Etta knew she was in real trouble.  She'd been hiding up the old apple tree for hours, sulking.  It wasn't fair. She didn't want to wear a silly dress, sit nicely, and mind her manners. She wanted to run in the garden and play with her wolf pup, Fenrir. She missed her Papa. He always encouraged her to be inquisitive and active. A bit too active, her mother often said.

"But Mama, I don't WANT to be a princess! I want to be a... a... a squirrel!" She shouted it loudly, trying - and failing - to be as shocking as possible.  She was at that 'difficult' age. Neither a child nor a young woman, she was finding her feet and her voice as an individual. The only person who she thought understood her had four legs and a fur as soft as feathers and teeth as sharp as her own intellect.

Ari smiled and walked away, raising her hand in defeat. "Fine, stay up in the tree, I don't care. Be a squirrel. It makes absolutely no odds.  Just don't bother coming in for tea.  Uncle Thor and Aunt Jane are coming with Prince Oran, I thought you liked to play with him? Oh well, dont worry, Im sure he'll be happy enough playing with his new baby sister.  Only kings and queen and princes and princesses get to see new babies. Not squirrels." She smiled to herself where Etta couldn't see.

"Uncle THOR? Aunt Jane? Prince Oran?" There was a scrabbling noise behind her, and a small, very grubby hand slipped into hers. "If I promise to wash my hands and put on a clean dress, may I PLEASE see the baby? I suppose being a princess doesn't mean I can't climb and be brave and adventurous, too?"

Ari stopped and looked down at her daughter, smiling broadly. "No darling, it doesn't. Just ask your father." She stroked the little girl's hair. She was so like Loki. Dark unruly hair, alabaster skin, and eyes the colour of emeralds. Time had passed so quickly. From the day she appeared till today... the memory stirred a little fear. It would be different now. Things had moved on with the knowledge Donald had brought that day. 

Etta had been the first of many children - and mothers - saved. Ari prayed that would continue.

"Whats her name?" Etta broke into her thoughts.

"Who?"

"Orans' little sister, silly." Etta rolled her eyes as if her mother was a bit dim.

"Don't be rude, Etta, and I don't know. They'll tell us when they get here."

Etta nodded solemnly, with all the gravitas of her whole eleven years. Then she smiled.

"Is Papa coming home today?" She swung on her mother's hand, her little face looking up in hope.

"Yes, he's coming back with Uncle Thor.  He had some matters to deal with on Asgard that kept him, but he promised to be back today."

"Yay!" Etta clapped her hands and ran ahead into the palace.  Ari smiled, Loki was Etta's hero, and if she was as excited as this about a new cousin...it had always troubled Ari that she'd been an only child. The fear of what had so very nearly happened, outweighing both her and Loki's desire to add to their family. Fate, it seemed, had other ideas though and now.... Her thoughts were interrupted by a scream from Etta's room, and a maid came flying out into the corridor and rushed past her coming to rest a few feet away.

"Your majesty..." she took a breath, "I'm sorry, your majesty, but she's a HORROR! I refuse to go back in there until she gets rid of it." The maid, now catching her breath, leaned against the wall, pointing back into the chamber.  Ari shook her head and sighed, the corners of her mouth twitching. She didn't need to see to know.  She turned and raised her voice a notch or seven, as she marched inside.

"MARGARETTA PUT THAT SNAKE AWAY AT ONCE!"

The last thing the palace heard before the door swung shut was, "But PAPA said......"