"Sig, did you have to pack such a heavy bag?" Thor whined as you were stepping out of the bifrost. You laughed in reply, wrapped securely in Loki's arms. Loki had convinced Thor to carry your bag since he had to protect you on the bifrost. You still weren't sure how that had worked. But it had, so you and Loki were unburdened by all of the books you'd packed. There were just certain series you couldn't live nine months without rereading.
Heimdall nodded to your party as you walked up to him. "Welcome home, your highnesses," he greeted you all. It still caught you off-guard nearly every time you came home that he addressed you as such. It wasn't that long ago that you were a foster-kid passed unwanted from home to home until you'd landed with the Avengers.
Ok, landed wasn't quite right. Thor had found out you were hit by your foster father and flew you straight to the tower without so much as a by your leave. You'd been fostered by the team since and joined when you were of age. At the time you just thought you were a magical healer. After you met Loki, he taught you to use your magic, which was Asgardian. You were also Loki's long-lost betrothed. It had been quite a lot of realizations that year.
Now, you were married, and a princess of Asgard.
And sometimes temporary queen.
It was a huge transition to say the least.
And Loki still believed that he wasn't in the running for official heir to the throne. Poor delusional god.
You all nodded to Heimdall and thanked him and made your way to the waiting horses. Loki removed his extra shielding from you as you walked. You'd gotten quite proficient at riding since you started making trips to Asgard. You rushed over to your little mare and greeted her happily, cooing over her as you always did.
Loki lifted you by the waist. You squeaked in surprise. You'd expected a hug from him. You were used to his near constant need for affection and physical contact, so you'd been expecting a hug, or a touch of some variety. You weren't expecting to be lifted off your feet. Loki handed you up into the saddle. You huffed. "Loki, I'm perfectly capable of mounting my horse," you told him as you settled your seat more comfortably. "I'm not an invalid just because I'm pregnant," you added firmly. You weren't going to let his overprotective ass treat you like glass just because you were pregnant.
Loki gave you a warm smile and swung up into his own horse's saddle. "I know, you are not, witchling," he told you kindly and you heard the love and care in his voice. "That does not mean I do not wish to protect you, or help you in any way I can," he reminded you. You saw that he respected your strength, but was also showing you that you weren't going to go through this alone. He would be more overprotective than usual, you knew. You were without your powers for nine months. Loki would be more protective, Hel, he would probably send guards with you everywhere you went that he couldn't go.
Hopefully your guard was Sif and not one of the warriors three. Thor's friends were morons and you didn't want to deal with them. His wife, however, was your friend and you quite enjoyed her company.
You rode leisurely to the palace, chatting with Thor, Sif, and Loki as you rode. There was no emergency bringing you home today, so you didn't have to rush. And you had a feeling Loki would throw a fit if you rode too hard without reason. He was trying to be reasonable and not smother you, but you saw the effort it took him. He wouldn't be reassured until Mama Frigga looked you over for herself.
You knew your Loki well.
And the second you had dismounted, he was trying to drag you straight to the healing wing to visit Mama Frigga. Thor grabbed his arm to stop him. "Brother, we must present ourselves to Father first," he reminded Loki before he could get distracted wanting to see his mother.
Loki huffed an exasperated sigh and nodded. "Very well," he grumbled. He got the slightly-glazed look in his eyes he always did when he was talking to someone telepathically. Your group's clothes all shimmered to court clothes. "Mother will be in the throne room as well," Loki warned you all. You nodded and reached up to make sure your tiara was on straight as you took Loki's arm to walk to the throne room with him and your in-laws.
Thor took the lead when the double-doors to the throne room opened. He had Sif on his arm and the pair looked regal as always when Thor strutted toward the throne. You and Loki followed behind them. You looked just as regal, though you stood quiet and reserved, while Thor wore his emotions on his sleeve. Odin and Frigga were both sitting on the throne watching your approach. The court was gathered as well for whatever court proceeding your group was interrupting.
You stopped side-by-side in front of the throne and all bowed and curtsied to Odin and Frigga. "Father, we have returned home with news," Thor explained from his bow, hand in a fist over his heart.
"Rise my children, and welcome home," Odin bid you warmly. You all rose and looked up at him. "What news have your brought us?" he asked. You could see Frigga's curious look as well. There wasn't much that brought you home unannounced.
Thor looked at you and Loki expectantly. You let Loki take the lead here. You realized he had called Frigga here so he could make the announcement once. He would've had to tell Odin before he told his mother otherwise. Loki stood straighter and beamed with pride. You couldn't help smiling as well as his arm wrapped around your shoulders.
Loki spoke his words to Odin, but his eyes were on Frigga, on his beloved mother:
"Allfather, our news is that my wife is with child,"
