Chapter 20

"Your grandfather was my father's first minister. Your grandmother was my mother's maid of honor and closest companion. Your mother was proud of her heritage. She wished to die as she was born…as an Asgardian," Odin explained.

"The remedy is to be rendered a mortal?" Boda asked in disbelief.

"She would have lived the remainder of her life in Asgard if she wished. Life in Midgard during that time was fraught with hardships," said Odin.

"It's no picnic today," Boda interjected before Odin continued.

"However, to age as others remained seemingly unchanged as well as other difficulties would have had its own effects on her mental state. She was hopeful that another way would be found so that she could return to you but it was not to be. Your condition is similar but not the same. It's possible you could live a full lifetime, happily raising a family with my son while only experiencing minor effects and never succumb to those which afflicted your mother."

"I hadn't considered…I don't know if I could risk it…more children."

"That is a matter to be settled between yourself and my son. Loki has informed me of Vanar's paternity, stating his willingness to accept him as his own, raising him in the knowledge it may someday become necessary that he do so alone."

"He told you?"

"Despite he who fathered him being of Midgard, Vanar will grow to be as any other Asgardian as has been the case of other progeny of the few Midgardian and Asgardian pairings that have occurred in our history. He will be entitled to the same rights and honors as would be a natural grandson of the crown. I believe the spell my son placed on you is why your mind rewrote your memory of the circumstances of his conception. I suspect that event was the catalyst for it to begin attempting to rewrite others. It was this mortal's physical resemblance to Loki which allowed the spell to be circumvented so that you were able to form an attachment that would have been impossible otherwise," Odin informed Boda, she remaining in silent contemplation before speaking.

"Should I tell Vanar of his true heritage?" Boda asked, it now being Odin's turn to silently ruminate over Boda's query.

"I believe it best to be honest with others, however, there may exist circumstances in certain situations in which we find ourselves where it may be necessary for our own or another's wellbeing to make an exception," Odin paused for a moment as he raised his goblet, taking a drink of wine before continuing, "We must now discuss a matter of more immediate import that if it is not dealt with will make these others moot."

"They may be so in any case," Boda said, placing her hands in her lap, staring down at them, "Loki told me once to always have a plan…"

"I have found that Loki many times offers sound advice yet too often fails to follow his own counsel."

"You're not just whistling Dixie," Boda said, Odin appearing confused by the idiom, "It's a mortal saying. It means one is speaking the truth."

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"What could they possibly be discussing for this amount of time?" Loki said as Frigga sat on a stone bench across from the entrance to the throne room as he paced in front of her.

"Calm yourself. Sit," Frigga said, placing her hand on the empty space beside her, Loki ceasing his pacing, following her suggestion, "There are fences to be mended. Such things take time," Frigga paused, appearing unsure before continuing, "Are you certain this is what you want? Are you sure you're ready for such a commitment? You're still young. You could still be a father to Vanar. It's not at all necessary–"

"He's trying to talk her out of it. You're not in favor either. You think it's a mistake."

"I've said no such thing," Frigga calmly replied, "If your father was against your union he would not have granted his blessing. I'm concerned only for your happiness, as I have always been, as is your father," Frigga said soothingly, placing a hand atop Loki's.

"Did you have doubts about marrying Father?" Loki asked.

"Very few regarding your father himself. I was aware I would be taking on not only the role of wife but that of Queen as well. Had I been younger at the time, I'm not sure I would have been ready. I'm still not certain I was prepared for it. I've made my share of mistakes," Frigga answered.

"You're beloved by all of Asgard. Any mistakes you have made have been of no consequence. In any event, it's unlikely Boda will ever find herself in such a position."

"Regardless, you must be open to her expressing any doubts she may have. They are not necessarily a reflection on you. Any that are you should consider an opportunity to become a better man tomorrow than you are today. Others often see us more clearly than we see ourselves, especially those who most care for us, though it is their criticism that wounds us more deeply. Surely you must have doubts yourself."

"There are times she can be abrasive, stubborn, determined to have her own way, easily aroused to anger, argumentative simply for the sake of it…"

"Much like someone else I know," Frigga said with a grin.

"Point taken," Loki said with a slight grin of his own, "We're opposites in some ways, but in others very much alike."

"It is those similarities and contrasts between a couple that make life interesting," Frigga replied.

"I've never considered you and father to be at all alike," Loki responded.

"We are in the ways that are most crucial to sustaining a successful union. You don't always have to agree. What's most important is that you both feel free to disagree, that you are assured that doing so will not alter the love and respect you have for each other," Frigga said as Loki took her hand in his.

"Many times I have thought you to be the one best suited to be seated on the throne."

"I would never wish to be cursed with such a burden. I have been charged with a far more fulfilling duty than that of a queen…mother to you and your brother."

"I know I have not always made that an easy task," Loki confessed.

"I have always enjoyed a challenge which you have been gracious enough to grant me in spades," Frigga said with a smile, "The future will bring you your own challenges. If in that future you recall nothing else of our conversation this day, always remember that I love you."

Loki found himself in a position he seldom experienced in the presence of others, that of fighting back tears, as he embraced Frigga.

"How could I ever forget?"

The doors of the throne room opened, two einherjar stepping out, Boda following them before they separated, Boda passing between them as Loki and Frigga ended their embrace, both standing as Boda approached, her expression blank, almost mask-like, Loki studying her with the same concern she had for him after his audience with his father.

"Is everything all right?" Loki finally asked after a few moments of silence as they stared at one another, Frigga looking from Boda to her son, then returning her gaze to Boda.

"All's well," Boda said, breaking her stoic mask with a smile,"We had quite a pleasant chat. Your father was gracious enough to have arranged refreshment. He remembered you would request soetrfruit when I dined with you in the past," Boda said, Loki slapping his forehead, resting his palm there.

"I had forgotten that myself. I should have brought some to the cottage for your pantry," said Loki.

"You had far more weighty matters on your mind than my food preferences," Boda told Loki before addressing Frigga, "I expressed my appreciation to him of course, but if you would thank him again on my behalf."

"Certainly," Frigga replied, "I will do so now as I'm hoping as he set aside time for the both of you that some little remains for me."

"There's still plenty left. Fruit, I mean. I'm not sure how much he thought I could possibly eat," Boda said as Frigga stepped towards the throne room doors, "Thank you…for your help with Vanar…for everything."

Frigga halted, extending her arms, Boda falling into them, returning her embrace.

"You're very welcome. I hope that you will finally find the happiness that in the past has eluded you," Frigga said, ending the embrace, making her way to the throne room doors, the two einherjar stationed outside them opening them for her, closing them behind her as she entered.

"Vanar's likely growing restless seeing as all his playthings are at the cottage. We should relieve my brother before he begins losing those golden locks of his. He may well be half bald already," Loki quipped, extending his hand, Boda taking it.

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Frigga entered Odin's study to find him appearing drained and weary as he remained seated at the table gripping the goblet in front of him in both hands, staring into the wine it contained as if he were engaging in divination. Standing inside the doorway for a moment before proceeding to the chair across from him Boda had recently occupied, Frigga wordlessly seated herself.

"It is as I suspected," Odin finally spoke, breaking the silence between husband and wife, though he did not lift his head.

"From the beginning?" Frigga asked.

"No. It was some time after her exile. Her feelings are true. His spell was not to induce love but to prevent such feelings for another."

"Then how was it possible…?" Frigga asked, puzzled.

"By the sort of twist of fate I have come to know occurs more often in the universe than most realize. Vanar's father so resembled our son that the features he passed to his own fooled even yourself, a far more rare event."

"During his instruction I made clear to him the dangers of such spells. How could he have been so careless?" Frigga said in disappointment.

"The spell was cast in haste in a moment of fear due to his own selfishness but also out of genuine concern for her wellbeing. He was unaware, as was she, of the mortal blood she carries passed to her from her great-grandmother, that such spells if not cast with the utmost care are especially dangerous for Asgardians with such ancestry," Odin explained before drinking from the goblet, "The spell caused her memory of Vanar's conception to become convoluted with that of Loki's visit that took place weeks before. If she had been asked if she had engaged in such relations with the mortal she would have believed she was being honest in her denial. The remedy for the eitr likely had the unintended consequence of untangling those memories."

"Then she is cured?" asked Frigga.

"I wish it were so. I sensed an imbalance similar to what I experienced when I explored her mother's mind in hopes of setting things right. Though I removed the spell, her mind will continue to attempt to overwrite her memories, these attempts manifesting as dreams. Thus far she has been successful at recognizing them but that is unlikely to continue indefinitely," Odin explained, "I offered her the same remedy as her mother."

"And as did her mother, she rejected it?"

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Thor stood to the side of the doorway of Vanar's bedchambers, peeking in at the boy who continued to sleep soundly…too soundly, the God of Thunder believed. Something had felt off to him since his mother had entered Loki's chambers with Vanar in her arms, though he rejected the notion that his mother would be dishonest with him.

It was at that moment that Vanar rolled over onto his side, though his eyes remained closed and his breathing the slow and steady respirations of one during slumber. Thor ducked out of sight to the side of the doorway, his concern somewhat allayed by Vanar's movement, quietly making his way back into the great room of Loki's chambers just as the chime sounded at the door.

No less cautious than previously, he held out his open hand, summoning Mjolnir into it and gripping it, before crossing the room to the doors, opening one of them to see two chambermaids standing outside along with the two einherjar charged with guarding the chambers standing on either side of the double doors, both women bowing their heads.

"My brother has only recently moved into these chambers. He hasn't yet slept a night in them. I doubt there's anything needing attention," Thor said to them convivially.

"Very well, we–" the brunette chambermaid began before the other with the striking red hair interrupted.

"We would be remiss in our duties if we didn't at least inspect them. It will only take a moment," she said, the brunette beside her, turning her head to look at her companion as it was the first time the young woman had uttered a word since she and the others had collected her from her own chambers.

"Far be it from me to impede such lovely ladies from performing their duties," Thor said with a smile, stepping aside and gesturing politely with his left arm for them to enter, the red headed chambermaid entering first, the brunette following, Thor closing the door behind them, "My nephew is napping in his bedchambers so if you would be mindful…"

"Of course," the redheaded woman replied with a smile.

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Loki and Boda traversed the corridor down which Boda had fled prior to both of their audiences with Odin, Loki glancing over at Boda every few moments before finally posing the question that was currently occupying the forefront of his mind.

"Are you going to tell me what you spoke about?"

"I pledged not to divulge what was discussed between us," Boda replied.

"My father asked my wife-to-be to keep secrets from me," Loki said disapprovingly.

"There have been topics you've discussed with him in the past which necessitated your discretion. The Destroyer for instance," Boda replied.

"Very few," Loki responded.

"Perhaps there's a reason for that."

"What are you saying?" Loki asked.

"You said yourself that you have given me no reason to trust you and every reason not to. I would say the same is true where your father…and likely everyone else is concerned," Boda interrupted, Loki opening his mouth to speak again before closing it as she continued, "though now that you've stated your desire to turn over a new leaf as they say, I'm sure in time he will come to accept you into his confidence," Boda finished just as they were reaching the door to the common room in which Loki had discovered her earlier, Boda pulling Loki toward it, "Come with me."

"Don't you think we should return–" Loki said as Boda opened the door, leading Loki through it, releasing his hand after he had entered and closing it behind them.

Standing before Loki, Boda held out her hand palm up, a mini fireworks display erupting from it.

"He's given you your magic back?" Loki asked in wonder, though his question had obviously been answered before he asked it.

"Surprise!" Boda said happily as Loki pulled her into his arms in an exuberant embrace, "I have another. Close your eyes," she said after removing herself from Loki's embrace, Loki's expression changing from pleased to uncertain skepticism.

"You're not planning to turn me into a fish…or a slime eel…" Loki replied warily.

"Of course not, I promise," Boda laughed, Loki hesitating for another moment before taking a breath and closing his eyes, Boda placing her palm on his forehead as the interior of the room began to transform into the inside of the tavern in Boston as green light tracked along the walls, Loki hearing music playing, "Open them."

Loki's eyelids slowly opened as he looked around the altered room.

"What's this?"