*

"I don't like this," Maeve muttered sleepily to Loki, who nodded, sharing the sentiment. "Not one bit."

"I don't know what's going on," he admitted. The pair walked down the hallway at a brisk pace. Through the windows, it was possible to see a beautiful sunrise. "But since last night, Father's been on edge."

At dinner the night before, a servant had interrupted their family dinner bearing a scroll, which he handed to Odin. As he read the message silently, Maeve thought she saw his face drain of color. He didn't speak a single word for the rest of the meal, not even to Frigga. The questioning glances she sent Loki and Thor let her know that they were just as confused.

And now, Odin had summoned them all to his study at sunrise. It was uncommon for the king to request every single member of the royal family to join him. Maeve couldn't figure out what could possibly be so wrong.

As the pair turned a corner, they met up with Thor, who looked equally as tired and perplexed as they did.

"Good morning," he greeted them through a massive yawn that made Loki roll his eyes.

"Hi, Thor," Maeve replied, smiling. Her presence alone seemed to calm him down. She had that gift when it came to the Odinson brothers. Over the last few weeks, she'd noticed that they'd both become extra protective of her. Even now, Thor walked on her other side instead of next to his brother. "Do you have any idea what this is about."

"No."

"Oh. Good. I just love it when we're well-informed."

Loki's lips twitched into a smile.

Odin's study was tucked away in a corner of the fourth floor, the same level as the chambers of the royal family. He had it moved many years before just so that he could go to work at any minute of the day or night. Frigga didn't appreciate this choice, but she did understand it. A king had to be ready at any time, and she could not stand in the way of that. It was what she agreed to the day she married Odin, after all. However, she did hope that whichever of her sons ascended to the throne would always remember to put his family first, something she thought that Odin forgot on occasion.

Thor courteously held open the door, and the three young royals walked into the room. It was larger than the average study, because it once had been a spare bedroom. A single bookshelf stood on the far wall, and only a few volumes adorned it. Maps hung all over the walls, and multiple sets of armor were displayed on stands. The office of a warrior, Loki always thought with disdain as he entered. If it was mine, the place would be lined with books.

But it would never be his. Never. That made him scowl.

Odin was pacing before the fire as they entered, and Frigga sat on the chair behind his desk. Both the king and the queen wore dressing robes, leading Maeve to believe that they might have never gotten to sleep at all. They seemed to be arguing much more often these days. After her fight with Loki, she wondered if it had anything to do with secrets or miscommunication, but it wasn't her business.

"Good morning, darlings," Frigga said warmly, hiding a yawn behind her hand. "Did you all sleep well?"

"Until I was woken up," Thor grumbled.

Loki wrapped an arm around Maeve's waist and drew her close to him, his hand covering her stomach. He'd always been a bit possessive, and she suspected the pregnancy made it worse. However, she didn't mind. While Loki tended to be wary of showing his affection for her when they were around others, she was glad to see him becoming slightly more comfortable with it.

"My sons, my daughter," Odin began, his voice grave. "We have urgent matters to discuss."

"Let's discuss the urgent matters, then," Loki replied, a touch of sarcasm in his words. Frigga gave him a scolding look and that bravado faded immediately.

"Last night, you all saw me receive a letter last night. I apologize for my aloof behavior last night, but much was on my mind." Odin stared at the fire, the flames reflecting in his good eye. "For the first time in years, King Laufey of the Jotunheim has contacted us."

"Laufey?" Thor asked, incredelous. "What do those idiotic ice monsters want?"

"Thor, that's a bit harsh," Maeve reprimanded softly, but it appeared that her brother-in-law didn't hear her.

"They wish to meet with us and with Vanaheim," said Frigga. She sat completely still, her hands clasped in her lap. "They're requesting for delegations to be sent to the Jotunheim tomorrow for a peaceful meeting between realms."

Maeve's eyes widened. She remembered the Jotunheim from the time she went to rescue Roscoe, and she had never wanted to go again. Loki noticed the apprehension on her face and drew her slightly closer.

"How can we be sure that the Frost Giants aren't going to turn on us?" Thor asked. He sat down on a chair and leaned forward, obviously annoyed.

Odin shook his head. "We don't."

"Your father and I believe it best to meet with them, just to see what they want," Frigga continued. She stood up and crossed the room to take Odin's hand. Her action brought the smallest smile to his face, but it faded quickly. "We've discussed it at lengths for hours now. Asgard hasn't been in contact with the Jotunheim since the days of the war, when your father exiled the Jotuns from every realm except their own. However, we have decided that the time has come to listen and extend the hand of friendship once again. Vanaheim has already agreed to this meeting, and we will consent to do the same."

Loki spoke for the first time in this conversation. "Who is Vanaheim sending to represent them? Two of Maeve's brothers? Certainly not Gale, that would be quite reckless of them."

"Actually..." Frigga trailed off. "It appears that the future queen of the Vanir will be accompanying the future king of the Vanir to Utgard."

"What?" Maeve exclaimed. "There is no way that Asmund would be okay with that!"

Everyone except Loki looked properly horrified at Maeve's outburst except for Loki, who hid a smug smirk.

"They've already informed us of their decision," Odin said with a sigh. "It certainly seems odd, but they're a young couple ruling a realm for the first time. I suppose they want to solidify themselves as sovereigns."

"Who are we sending, Father?" Thor asked. "Loki and me?"

"Your mother and I have been debating this extensively, and we still haven't arrived at a permanent answer," Odin admitted. "You see, there is an obvious choice, but problems come along with it."

His gaze slowly flitted to the young couple who stood by the door.

"No."

"Loki-"

"Absolutely not!"

"Listen to reason for a moment-"

"If you think that this is even an option-"

"Asmund of Vanaheim obviously thinks it safe enough to take his wife along-"

"This is different! The realms already know that they are expecting a child! No one outside of this very room except for Lady Sif is aware of Maeve's pregnancy, and she is carrying twins! It's too dangerous! Besides, I don't take my wife anywhere, we go together-"

"Loki," Frigga whispered. Even though her voice was soft, it carried. Both of the women of the House of Odin possessed the ability to calm the men with nothing but a few words and their mere presence. They held immense respect. "Quiet your voice, my son. Hear your father out, please. Just hear him out."

Loki let out a long breath, ran a hand down his face, and nodded, obliging only for the sake of his mother. Maeve laid her head on his shoulder, simultaneously trying to comfort him and herself at the same time. The prospect of putting the babies in danger frightened her, as did the idea of returning to the Jotunheim.

"As I said, this has been a very controversial idea throughout the last few hours," Odin said heavily as he sank into his chair. Frigga, ever the faithful wife, stood behind him and started to rub the tension from his shoulders. "Normally, there would be no question in the matter. Loki and Maeve are our usual diplomats, a job they both excel at, but our circumstances have obviously changed."

"So don't make them go!" Thor exclaimed. Loki flashed him a grateful smile, glad that someone was on his side.

"But you see, that reads as suspicious. The nine realms are well aware of their reputations by now, so if we send another pairing, it looks odd. It looks like we're hiding something."

"We are hiding something," Maeve pointed out in a quiet voice. "And they can't find out yet. They can't."

"Correct, my dear, but do you see the point?" Frigga asked. "At least if the pair of you goes to the Jotunheim, nothing appears to be amiss." 

"But that's dangerous!" Loki protested. "Maeve's bad enough in the cold as it is, and being in the land of the Frost Giants will surely make that worse! It can't be healthy for her or for our children. And what if something happens and the Jotuns find out?"

"Hold on! Everyone just... just hold on for a second." Maeve turned to look at Frigga and addressed her. "If I would go, and I'm not saying that I am, would it be safe?"

Frigga's face was one of apprehension, but she nodded. "As long as you are careful and you dress quite warmly, my dear daughter, I shouldn't see why not."

"Do you actually think this will end in some sort of peace treaty?" Loki asked his father. Odin did not look directly at him, choosing to stare down at his hands instead. "Do you think that is actually what Laufey is after?"

Deep inside, Loki understood that sending he and his wife to the Jotunehim made the most sense out of everyone in the royal family. Both Odin and Frigga were too tied up in affairs at home to go, and Thor spoke without thought. He would sooner start a war than end one. No, a journey like this required delicacy, intelligence, and respect for a different culture, three things he and Maeve possessed an aptitude for. It made sense, but he couldn't bear the idea of the risk that accompanied it.

After a long pause, Odin shrugged helplessly. Neither Odinson had ever seen their father so torn, and it troubled them both. "I cannot be sure. I don't believe that Laufey would have the courage or the strength to attack two of the strongest of the nine realms. That would be incredibly foolish, even for him."

Maeve heard the contempt in her father-in-law's voice. She didn't like his prejudice against the Jotuns one bit, which led her to wonder what a successful peace treaty could do for their relationship with Asgard.

Loki laughed humorlessly. "We don't have a choice, do we? It sounds as though we're going one way or the other."

"It really is the best way," Frigga said quietly, her hands falling still at her sides. "It will not be a long trip, no more than a few days. You would leave tomorrow by the Bifrost."

Maeve and Loki exchanged worried glances. Both knew that the fight had ended, and that they had lost.

"All right, then," Loki snapped. He clearly wasn't trying to hide his irritation. Sensing that a major argument between Odin and his youngest son was on the horizon, Maeve looped her arm with Loki's and led him out of the room.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, her leading him, until they arrived at the door to his personal library. She shut the door as soon as they were both inside. It was only then that she let go of him.

Loki sat on the couch and put his head in his hands. After a moment, Maeve stood behind and began to run her fingers through his black locks, her touch comforting and soft to the prince.

"This is terrible," he muttered.

"Hey." Maeve walked around the couch, lifted his face, and gave him a gentle kiss on the nose. "It's going to be all right."

"How are you so optimistic all of the time?" He asked, chuckling darkly.

"I refuse to let the darkness get to me."

"Come sit with me. Please."

Loki pulled Maeve onto the couch with him so that she was sitting in between his legs, her back against his chest. His hands wrapped around her waist and he rested his chin on her shoulder. Now that they were alone, he had no problem with showing her his affection.

"I'm scared," she whispered. "I don't want anything to happen to any of us, and something about all of this feels off."

"I agree with you," he replied, nodding absentmindedly. "But I can't put my finger on what."

"Maybe we'll find out."

"I suppose." Loki felt his wife trembling ever so slightly and looked at her in concern. "You're shivering again. Are you cold?"

"A little," Maeve admitted. With a wave of his hand, a fire lit itself in the fireplace and crackled merrily. "Thanks."

"Anything for you, flower." He closed his eyes and sighed, attempting to banish the anxiety eating at his heart. His perpetually-cool hands rested on her stomach. She hadn't really begun to show yet, only gaining a small amount of weight that made her self-conscious. Truthfully, Loki found the fact that Maeve was going to bear his children incredibly attractive. He loved her more and more each day, and he couldn't lose her. "You're right. Everything will be all right. We'll be safe."

"You're not lying," she said. Her uncanny ability to detect his falsehoods always floored him.

"No, I'm not."

"Then how can you be sure that it's true?"

"I'll make it true."

chapter 43! leave your opinions and predictions!