FE 2024 Prompt Table 1 Fill #11 - Happiness

[innitmarvelous_og]

The golden light of Asgard's sunset bathed the palace in warm shades as Loki found himself lost deep in thought. His thought were not focused on anything to do with the realm, but rather they were on the newfound happiness that had found its way into his life with the arrival of Lady Brynja.

As he wandered throughout the palace gardens, Loki's mind was alive with a mixture of emotions. Brynja, who had come to serve as a lady-in-waiting to the Queen, had become an unexpected source of joy for him as they shared laughter, more than a few murmured secrets, and stolen moments in between her duties. But even in the midst of his happiness there was one question lingering in Loki's mind.

The palace gardens offered a place of peace, and Loki sitting on a bench, watching as the brilliant colors of the sun going to her rest play in the sky. He felt the tingling of Brynja's presence as she joined him.

"You seem to be lost in your thoughts, my prince," she stated, her azure eyes full of curiosity. 

Loki sighed, "I find myself contemplating the way ahead of me, Brynja. What has developed between us, this newly found happiness that we share... it is a gift I never expected to find again. But as the days pass by, I can't help but dream about what the future might be."

"And what do you dream about for the future?" she asked.

Loki turned to face her, and he reached out for her hand, giving it a light squeeze as he said, "I wonder if... if I should seek to make this happiness I have found in you more permanent. I wonder if take the next step by granting you the throne of my heart."

Brynja's eyes widened, surprise and excitement mingling together, "Loki, is this what you truly desire? For us to be wed?"

He nodded, pouring into his words all the sincerity that he could into his words, "Yes, Brynja, more than anything. Before you came into my life, it was both full yet empty. I had fullness because of Sigyn, and please don't misunderstand next my words. There is fullness yet there is also a profound emptiness because my other half has been gone for all of these years."

"And I help to fill this... emptiness?" Brynja asked.

"Oh, Brynja, you do so much more than merely help. You do fill the emptiness. After I lost Eva, I did not believe it would be possible for me to feel this way again, but I erred in that belief. But it is contingent upon..."

"It is contingent upon what?" she inquired, "Please tell me."

"It is contingent upon the happenstance that you feel the same way as I do."

Brynja squeezed his hand, her gaze soft as she said, "My heart mirrors the feelings of yours. I too have found happiness and fulfillment in being with you that I never knew could exist. I... I love you, Loki. I have for some time now, and I prayed that you would come to feel the same as I did."

A smile tugged at the corners of Loki's lips as relief washed over him, "I do, my dear lady, I do."

"But?" Brynja prompted, then added, "I perceive that you are hesitant to take any further steps beyond our proclaiming our love to one another."

Loki kissed her hand, and nodded, "I am hesitant, my love, but not in the way you think. The reasons for my hesitance have nothing to do with you personally."

"Then what? What are the reasons for your hesitance?" 

Loki's gaze drifted towards the horizon where the last rays of sunlight were about to depart the realm for the night. He took a deep breath to ready himself for the words he was about to speak.

"My hesitation is not one that is borne out of any doubts regarding our love, Brynja," he began, voice steady, "Rather it is a hesitation rooted within the echoes of my past, in the shadows that still linger from a time where the greatest happiness I had ever known in my life was ruthlessly shattered."

Understanding dawned in Brynja's eyes, and once more she gave his hand a squeeze, "Of course, I should have realized. I know of what happened, of the great loss you endured in the past, Loki. But our future together and our love does not need to be overshadowed by the past. You and I have the power to create our own destiny, and to shape it in the way we choose."

Loki nodded, gratitude in his heart for her understanding, "You are both right and wise, my love. It's not that I doubt our will to overcome those shadows together, but they are still there. Perhaps the real problem is one that comes from how vulnerable loving another makes an individual. I am also afraid, I think, that once I embrace this new happiness I have found with you I will lose it again."

"Oh my love," Brynja exclaimed, "The only way you will lose this happiness is if you do not have the courage to seize it. Do not let this chance to be happy or our love pass you by out of fear!" 

"You are both wise, strong, and brave my Lady," Loki said as he pressed a gentle kiss to her hand, "You are right. I cannot allow fear of what may come to pass to rule my life. I want to have a life witih you, Brynja, and I will... but only if you feel the same as I do."

"Are you asking me if I will marry you?" Brynja asked, a sparkle in her eyes.

"Yes, I suppose that I am in a... rather boorish manner," Loki replied with a hint of a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Brynja's laugh echoed throughout the palace gardens. She reached out to stroke his cheek, "In that case, yes. My answer is yes. I will marry you, Loki. And I will be by your side for every day my lungs take in breath."

Relief and joy knew no bounds for them as Loki pulled Brynja into his arms. As the sun faded at last, the garden was warmed by their love, and time seem to stand still as their lips found one another.

The journey ahead would not always be a smooth one or without difficulties but with Brynja by his side, and a life shared with her, he was filled with hope again.

Pulling away from her, Loki looked into her eyes, "Now all that is needed is for us to speak with Sigyn."

Brynja nodded, suddenly worried, "Do you think she will reject me?"

"To be quite honest I—"

Behind them, the bushes stirred, immediately shattering their privacy as both shot to their feet. Loki had opened his mouth to call out whoever was in them, when a small, familiar form emerged.

Sigyn ran towards them with the biggest smile on her face as she shouted, "I'm going to have a mother!"

Laughing they both embraced her, as Loki said, "Yes, my little snowflake. You are going to have a mother."

 

Comments

[pattrose]

This story was great and the pictures are amazing.

[innitmarvelous_og ( as admin)]

This story was great

Thank you! *g*

and the pictures are amazing

They are, aren't they? I put in the right description to generate those along with 2 others. The ones I used are my favorites.