Loki: Winds of Winter

Chapter 7 - Status Quo

Loki adjusted the belt clasps on his coat and threw his braid over his shoulder. Picking up his spear, Loki sat down in a meditation position, rested his spear across his thighs, and closed his eyes. His breathing was leveling out when he heard footsteps coming up behind him. "What is it now, Varys?" Loki asked. The Spider smiled a little as he walked in front of the Hand of the Queen.

"I've been listening to the whispers my little birds have been informing me about. There's another rumor about a proposal," the eunuch said.

"What kind of proposal?" Loki asked without opening his eyes.

"A proposal for your eldest daughter's hand." Loki's eyes snapped open and he looked up at Varys.

"And what idiot would attempt to propose courtship and marriage to Ragna?" Loki queried.

"Some Braavosi high lord with controlling interest in the Iron Bank," Varys answered. Loki chuckled as he closed his eyes again and deeply inhaled and exhaled.

"Sounds like a man whose never swung a sword in his life. Ragna would gut him like a fish and leave his intestines hanging as window streamers for all to see," Loki commented as he stood up and started twirling his spear, his eyes still closed. Varys stepped out of the range of the weapon and watched as the Hand of the Queen continued to practice.

"My little birds also tell me that some of the nobles, all male, believe that it is not right that your eldest daughter is this old and still not wed. They say that she must be given in marriage to strengthen ties with another kingdom. Some say that she should be pledged to Thor," Varys stated and Loki paused mid swing.

"As if my once brother would consider exchanging his mortal for my child. You might as well ask Draegon to propose to her," Loki said.

"That was suggested as well." Loki glanced over his shoulder, his green eyes cutting into Varys.

"Cousins intermarrying is an excellent way to develop abnormalities. As if we want to follow in the footsteps of Jaime and Cersei Lannister," Loki retorted and Varys shrugged his shoulders, his hands shoved up his sleeves like always.

"As I said, the nobles are murmuring and my little birds just report back to me," the Spider said.

"And what would they have me do? I've always done things my own way, tradition be damned. If I even contemplated making Ragna marry somebody to forge an alliance, she would become my worst enemy. And that would be the least ill she could do to me. The worst she would save for them and their families," Loki said.

"I know she's done something... similar... in her early youth, but... would she do something like that again?" Varys queried. Loki raised his eyebrow and turned to look at the Spider.

"Her happiness against others? She picks hers and she'll do anything to keep it. Ragna is happiest when she's doing her own thing. If it happens to coincide with furthering her family's or the kingdom's agenda, so much the better. But Ragna has always been for Ragna first," Loki explained.

"And you are alright with this, your grace?" Varys posed and Loki gave him a glance over his shoulder. Suddenly, Varys was staring at the tip of Loki's spear.

"I was just like her when I was young. At first it was all for my father. All for the glory of Asgard. Then, I started realizing that I could do this for myself; get glory for myself make my name feared throughout the Nine Realms. Ragna's just doing the same thing. She's got a smaller world to do it in and she's doing a wonderful job. Tell me, Varys; how many people cower at the name of Frostborn?" Loki asked.

"Everyone."

"And who cowers at the name of Loki Frostborn?"

"Everyone and their unborn children."

"And who cowers at the name of Ragna Frostborn?" Varys paused at this and Loki tilted his head, waiting for an answer.

"Everyone and their children, unborn, living, and even the dead." Loki grinned maniacally at this and he started laughing, throwing his head back and letting the whole world know his joy.

"That's what I wanted all along! And I've got it!" Loki walked away from Varys and headed back towards his suite of rooms, which he still kept at the Red Keep. However, he heard the footsteps approaching and Loki swung his spear out.

"Nice try!" said a voice, and Oberyn did a flip to avoid getting hit.

"What is the reason for this attack, I wonder?" Loki challenged as he twirled the spear behind his back, waiting for Oberyn's next strike.

"I heard your conversation with Varys. I meant to attack you while you were meditating, but Varys got in my way. I waited and listened. I heard your little declaration. Do they know yet?" Oberyn queried as he swayed from side to side. Loki decided that he was tired of waiting and reversed his spear, aiming to hit Oberyn with the blunt end. The Martell was able to block his spear with his own. The two men were very close, practically breathing the same air.

"What and who is they?" Loki challenged.

"Your family. Do they know who your heir is?" Oberyn posed and Loki's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Wouldn't the answer be obvious?" Loki suggested in return, shoving his spear up and using his superior strength against Oberyn, which was not something he ever did. The Martell stepped back, sensing the changing dynamic. Loki swung his spear again and Oberyn bent himself back at the hips. As soon as the spear went whizzing over him, Oberyn straightened up, but Loki reversed it, striking him in the back and sending him flying into the one wall. A servant shuffled by them, not minding the fight in the least. Over the years they had all learned to accept these 'fights' as typical and to be expected when it came to the Hand of the Queen and the Master of Coin. They were old friends after all.

"The obvious answer is never your style," Oberyn rejoined, picking himself up and placing his spear in a downward position. Loki knew better and suspected what Oberyn was about, but decided to give it to him. He came in and Oberyn dropped down, kicking and taking Loki's legs out from under him. Loki hit the ground but rolled away, scissoring his legs and hitting Oberyn in the face. Oberyn went back to the floor and Loki just remained there as well. They lay there, breathing heavily before they started laughing. Oberyn slapped Loki on the side and started to roll over. "You gave that to me."

"Hey, you haven't had one in a while," Loki countered. Oberyn punched Loki in the chest and the two men chuckled. Oberyn dropped down on the ground next to him.

"Seriously though, do they know?" Oberyn asked and Loki sighed.

"No. How could I? Everyone assumes it's going to be one thing and then I come out and say it's another... no. I can't. At least not right now. Some people are still trying to wrap their heads around a female general," Loki responded. Oberyn chortled lightly and sat up and Loki followed suit. They helped each other up and retrieved their weapons. Loki sent his into the Nether Realm and Oberyn picked his off the floor. They started to walk together down the hall.

"You can't keep this a secret forever, Loki. You won't die a natural death, so, I'm assuming you'll retire. Which means you get to see the fallout. You'll get to see how this world reacts to your decision," Oberyn said and Loki's hand went out, gripping the back of Oberyn's neck.

"You're a good friend, Oberyn Martell. I hope you know that," Loki told him. The Red Viper grinned as he leaned in too close for comfort.

"I have to resort to all kinds of tricks to get you into my-" he started to say before Loki twisted his arm and flipped him over his shoulder.

"And this is why Sansa and I don't have you and Ellaria over for supper."