Vanity is Calling

Speechless

     When Freya returned home, she could only think of Loki.  His scent, his voice, the way his hair felt in her fingers.  She was so lost in her thoughts that she barely acknowlegded her mother.  That is until Rika blurted out, "Why child, what in Odin's name has happened to your hair?"

"What? What's wrong with it?"Freya asked truly asked baffled.

"It's striped!"Rika said.  Freya gasped.  "Come and see."Rika took Freya to a mirror and to Freya's surprise her hair was indeed striped; black and red to be specific.  Freya was a bit horriffied at first.  Then she realized it must have happened when she got angry with Loki.  Why hadn't Loki said anything then?  Perhaps he didn't notice?  Or maybe he was worried if he did say something it would cause more trouble.  Freya started to giggle at the absurdity of all of it.  She ran her fingers through her hair bringing it back to its true ebony.

"I guess it happened when Loki..."

"Never mind!"Rika said firmly putting a hand up.  "It is always something with Loki isn't it?"Rika said.  There it was again.  Another jab at Loki.

"It's just fun and games.  Besides, Loki knows I would give him real horns if he made me truly angry!  Mother, Loki is so much more than you seem to believe."Freya locked eyes with her mother hoping to convey her message.  

Rika searched her daughter's face, then she sighed heavily.  "So much like me,"She shook her head.  "and a bit like your father!"Rika added tapping Freya's nose.  "I only worry, because you are my only child."

"I know, but I am also grown now."Freya pointed out.

"Which reminds me,"Rika said, very happy to change the subject.  "A young woman such as yourself needs proper attire for the feast tonight!"Freya made a face.

"Indeed, you are grown up."Rika shook her head.

Together, Mother and daughter headed into Freya's room.  There on her bed all laid out was a beautiful pewter gown.  The full length sleeves flared at the wrists and had charms of the moon, sun, and stars dangling from the ends.  At the waist was a silver belt with cutouts that matched the charms on the sleeves.  

"Mother..."Freya barely managed to whisper.  "It's beautiful.  She scooped the dress up delicately and held it against herself.

"It was mine."Her mother smiled.  Freya looked from the gown to her mother.  Rika's face was shining in a way Freya had not seen or noticed before.  "Well, don't keep me waiting."Rika guided Freya back behind the dressing screen, then stepped away and waited.

Freya emerged a few minutes later in her mother's gown.  She smiled anxiously at her mother.

"You look radiant."Rika told her.  Freya fidgeted with the dress.  Rika shook her head, then motioned for Freya to sit so that she could fix her daughter's hair.  Rika braided the sides of Freya's hair and joined them together at the center.  Then with the use of some of her own magic, Rika ruffled her fingers through Freya's hair and the usually wavy hair became filled with loose curls all around.  Freya rose to her full height and turned to face her mother.

"You look beautiful, my child."Rika said softly.

"You're supposed to say that."Freya teased.

"Be that as it may, but I forsee a young Prince who will not be able to take his eyes off of you."Rika grinned.

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     The moment of truth was about to take place.  Freya stood petrified at the entrance to the grand hall.  She fussed with the dress a few times while she waited.  She looked around tentatively and straightened the dress once more.  She looked around again, but she wasn't entirely sure what she was looking for.  All she knew was that she was waiting to be escorted in by, "Loki"Freya breathed.