Hel (HOAM Spin-Off)

Vambraces

Luk stood outside the door. He took a deep breath and went over what he wanted to say. It had been a few months since he and Hel had declared their love for each other. It was about time he went through with this. He knocked.

"Loki?"

"Come in." Opening the door, he stepped in and closed it behind him. Loki kept writing, his brows drawn together in concentration. "Something wrong?" He asked finally, not looking up.

"I was wondering if you had a moment. It's about Hel."

Loki set his work aside and looked up at him, concerned. "Something wrong? You didn't have another fight did you?" Luk shook his head. As great as their courtship had been, he and Hel had had their fair share of arguments. Loki stood and walked around his desk, stopping to lean against it. "What's wrong, then?"

Luk sighed and threw away his well prepared little speech. "I'd like to marry her." He said quickly.

Loki stared at him for a long time before a slow smile spread across his face. "It's about time." He murmured. "Well go on then. You have my blessing."

Luk grinned and relaxed. "That was easier than I expected, to be honest."

Loki chuckled. "The hard part is figuring out how to ask her. I trust you; I know you make her happy." He shrugged. "Why wouldn't I approve? You're a good man." He shooed him. "Now go on, you've got some thinking to do. Have you a betrothal gift?"

"Yes, that's another thing. I know here, things are done differently. On Nilfheim, usually copper vambraces are the sign of a betrothal and then silver or gold with the carving would be a sign of marriage. But I don't know what she expects."

"The vambraces would be fine, I'm sure. But! If you want an expert opinion, you must talk to someone she confides in more than even me."

"Frigga?"

"No, they're not /that/ close. Sleipnir."

Luk laughed. "Of course. How could I forget? I have to have his blessing as well."

Loki chuckled. "Yes, you can't leave him out of this. And Fenrir. If Fenrir lets you pet him, you're safe."

Luk grimaced and nodded. "Yes, we always have to consult the brothers. And Jormungand?"

Loki shrugged. "Jormungand could care less as long as you don't hurt her. Go on. Get the vambraces. I'll meet you in the stables."

Luk ran off and went to his room beside Hel's. He grabbed the small case with the braces and snuck past her open door, glad she was busy. Loki had Sleipnir out of his stall and happily munching on an apple when Luk came. The stallion looked up and whinnied happily upon seeing Luk.

Luk greeted him with a pat on the side and a smile. Sleipnir nudged the case curiously and Loki explained that he'd already told him they wanted his advice about Hel. Luk smiled and opened it up. "Would you mind if I ask her to marry me, old boy?"

Sleipnir inspected the vambraces. One was copper and plain, the betrothal brace. And the other was silver with a carving that wrapped around it, symbolizing Gjoll, the river that ran right to the gates of the kingdom. Luk tilted his head in question.

"What do you think?" Sleipnir lowered his head and pushed it against Luk playfully, huffing. Luk chuckled and closed the case. "I take it you approve?" Sleipnir lowered and raised his head in a nod and turned to Loki, losing interest in favor of the uneaten apple Loki had.

Loki chuckled and gave it to him, patting his side. "There now, that's settled. Shall we head to Fenrir?" Luk nodded and followed Loki to the Bifrost. Heimdall gave his customary oath to protect the realm should they threaten it upon their return. He thrust his sword into the lock and dropped them on the barren asteroid Fenrir was locked away on.

The great wolf laid beside his rock, chained as usual. He looked up as Loki and Luk landed. His tail beat the ground and he barked in greeting. Loki jumped on him, rubbing his side roughly. Fenrir growled playfully and rolled over, his ears perking up. Loki laughed and rubbed at his stomach.

"You're a spoiled one, aren't you? Hel spoils you, yes she does. Ah! No!" Loki laughed and struggled and Fenrir pinned him, covering him in kisses. "Stop, I can't go home smelling of your foul breath!" He grinned and stood, brushing himself off. "Say hello to Luk. You remember him, yes?"

Luk stepped forward shyly. He had only interacted with Fenrir twice and only with Hel to calm the beast. He approached Fenrir slowly, trying not to seem frightened. The wolf looked at him curiously with his piercing eyes. His tail beat the ground slowly and his ears shifted. Finally his mouth opened and he panted heavily, nudging Luk roughly with his large nose and sniffing him. He gave a small bark. Luk set the case down and reached up to rub his side.

"Hello, again."

Fenrir barked and licked him. Loki chuckled. "I think I'll stay with him for a bit. You can go on back, if you like." Luk nodded and called to Heimdall. Frenrir stepped back and watched him go before pouncing on Loki.

.........

Luk tapped on Hel's door. It opened a moment later. He smiled at Hel and took her hand. "Come walk with me." He murmured. He'd gotten the matching vambrace to the copper and kept them hidden in his coat now. She grabbed her cloak and pulled it the hood up, letting him lead her by the hand. He took her to a courtyard, walking in silence for a time.

Finally, he took a deep breath and turned her to face him. She watched him curiously, a small smile gracing her features. Grasping her hood, he pulled it back to rest on her shoulders. "I thought to do this in some romantic way... to say something meaningful. But it would seem, that in speaking to your father and brothers, the straightforward approach might be best."

She tilted her head in question. He pulled the vambraces from under his coat and looked her in the eye. She stared at the braces, knowing what they were for. "Would you marry me?" He asked softly.

Her smile was slow, spreading steadily until it was a grin. Her eye shown with joy as she finally looked up at him and nodded. "Yes." She said, her answer soft-spoken. She laughed lightly. "Yes, of course!" He let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. Taking her hands, he clasped the vambraces over her wrists and pulled her to him, kissing her soundly.