His Queen | Book 1

Four: An End of An Age

Two seperate THUDS boomed across the feasting hall and it fell silent to Odin who rose from the head of the long table made from gold and filled with banquets of food, enough to feed armies for centuries. Brasiers were lit all across the palace and even in the streets below, the people feasted and celebrated. There were several tournaments and games being held in the name of Thor and Sigyn and tonights celebration.

"Where are our children?" Freya leans into her husband.

"They will be here." he assured.

Odin raised a horned ale. "We celebrate tonight," his voice thunders across the hall and travels down the corridors. "We feast, and we drink, in my hall as not enemies, but friends. Brothers and sisters. We feast in honour of peace!"

Cheers and shouts erupted across the hall and most doused their drinks.

"We feast to an ageless war, the meaning long forgotten in time. We feast to peace across all Nine Realms, alas, but tonight we honour the fallen."

Sad hums travel across the feasting hall. Some raised their horned cups.

"They rest in Valhalla and feast with their fallen brethren! Tonight, we feast in celebration of unity between Asgard and Vanaheim! Once more we are sister realms." Odin turns his horned cup to Iwaldi and Freya at his table. "We feast in honour of Thor and Sigyn. Through them we are united!"

The hall turned into uproar. The best warriors shouts praise and drank their mead cups in one go; demanding another. The women cheered and clapped and their dancing presumed. The band's music started up again and the feast was in full swing by the night.

Women were wearing exotic clothes, sitting upon warriors laps, feeding them and admiring their weapons. People danced together and others polished their meals. Warriors challenged each other to a duel and they would get into a drunken brawl. It was hot inside the hall. Thousands of bodies pressed together, moving, singing, dancing, drinking and feasting.

Brasiers roared with spits of fire, and candle wax dripped from the chandeliers above.

In the halls above, Thor is made to patiently wait for the Princess, who is very late. His boot tapped impenitently, and he didn't know what to with his hands. Loki see's his brother becoming impatient and he leans into whisper, "It is tradition, brother. She is to make you wait for her. She won't be much longer."

Thor wipes nervous sweat from his forehead. "I'm not sure how much longer I can take this brother." he replied. "The concept hasn't quite hit me yet."

"It will, in time."

The large golden doors woven with Celtic knots, finally opens to the Prince's waiting on the other side. They both straighten with anticipation. Nanna and her son, Forseti, is first to leave the chamber. "She's ready now." she gleams, coming to stand to the side, hand in hand with her young son. Loki beams at the boy, who shyly smiles back.

The twins, Hnoss and Gersemi bound from the chamber, both with matching green gowns of deep emerald. They curtsy to the Prince's and both say, "Who will be escorting us?" they ask. Loki can't help but laugh, he offers his hands to them.

"Seeing how you are wearing my colour, it is only fitting."

The twins gawk at each other, both taking Loki's hand and they stand either side of the tall Prince. "I began your pardon. I have not learnt your names apart." he says to them, both wrapped around his arms.

"I am Hnoss." the one with white hair gleams.

"I am Gersemi." the one with golden hair says.