The Lady of Midgard [Book 1]

Chapter 16

You had only seen Thor briefly that morning when he gave you an invitation from his mother to join her for lunch that day.

"Hey Thor, is Loki back yet?" you asked him before he left.

"He is, Lady." Thor looked at you with a frown, he thought Loki had gone to see you the day before. "However he is in meetings with the council today, is there something you wanted him for?"

"No." You gave Thor a smile. "Áedán will be happy to know he's back."

"I will let him know." Thor gave you a hug as he left.

Standing in front of the doors wondering if you were dressed appropriately, Stiorra had said you were, but still, the anxiety rose in your chest. Deciding to just get it over with you raised a hand and knocked loudly, a woman you had not seen before answered the door.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"I have a meeting with the Allmother."

"Oh you're the Midgardian! Come, the Queen is expecting you." Opening the door wider for you to follow.

You followed till you were at the same table and chairs you had sat at some months ago when you had last seen the Allmother.

"Wait here, it won't be too long."

With that the woman left you alone. As you waited you picked at the sides of your fingers looking around, a fireplace cracked filling the room with warmth, bookshelves filled with books and paintings of Thor and Loki at different ages lined the walls; you could tell this was the room of a mother, your lounge room back home was similar. Hearing another door open you looked towards it.

"My dear, I'm sorry I kept you," Frigga said as she walked towards you and wrapped you in a hug.

"Oh it's no problem, your Majesty." Attempting to curtsey. You weren't very graceful and made a mental note to ask Sif or Loki to show you how to properly.

"Sit. And please, Frigga." She smiled while sitting and grabbed a teapot to pour a drink, before handing it to you.

While eating a light lunch, you both engaged in small talk, giving Frigga an update on what you had been working on and how your sparring match went. Frigga tried to hide her smile when she noticed how your eyes lit up whenever you talked about Loki, she also was really impressed with your improvements with training and using the bow, even laughing lightly when you told her you managed to knock Loki over during your sparring match.

"Serves my son right for being cocky," Frigga commented as she poured another drink before changing to subject. "So the Ball is soon and I was wondering if you had organised with Stiorra about watching Áedán that night?"

"What?" You looked up. "I'm not attending. I don't mean to be rude, but it's a Royal Ball! I shouldn't be there."

"But I would like you there, and so would my sons."

"I-I can't, thank you for thinking of me, but I'll just stick out like a sore thumb and ruin the night."

"Nonsense! I will speak to Hilde and see if she can come and watch Áedán here for you."

"Um..." You looked down at your plate unsure of what to do or say.

"Hilde, was Thor and Loki's nursemaid so she can definitely handle your son. And I insist, he will be cared for in the old nursery off my rooms so he will be safe."

"Oh no, please, you don't have to," you said looking back up in shock at her suggestion.

"I know what happened my dear, my son can't keep secrets from me and I know this is one of the reasons for your hesitation, please trust me when I say he will be safe and cared for here."