FE 2024 Prompt Table 2 Fill #31 - Midnight

[innitmarvelous_og]

Loki tried not to pace the hallway outside of his daughter's chambers, but in the end, he was unable to stop himself as his mind returned to the day years past when she was born. The day of her birth had been both a tragedy and a triumph as he'd gained his little snowflake but had lost his beloved Eva in the process. Still not all expectant mothers have had a curse placed upon them by a dying, revengeful witch, as Sigyn had not, and he knew she would come through this just fine.

Still each and every time he heard his daughter cry out or one of the midwife's apprentices made an appearance to fetch something for her, it was all he could do not to burst into the chamber with Sigyn, and shove Valir, his son-in-law, aside.

"Fear not, my Lord," one of the apprentices reassured him when she emerged from the chamber, "Lady Sigyn is tended by one of Asgard's most skilled midwives. All will be well."

Loki gave her a withering look before he resumed his pacing of the hallway. Of course he knew Sigyn was in very capable hands, yet his heart still thundered in his chest with every groan and whimper that reached his ears from within.

Midnight was marked by the bell tolling its solemn sound, which marked the arrival of another day. Loki paused, hoping that with the next time the bell rang out, his daughter's child would have made their way into the world at last. 

Then as if the child heard his heart's desire, a small cry that grew most lusty with each second came from behind the chamber's door — a newborn's cry. Loki's breath caught in his throat.

A few moments later the door of the chamber opened inward, and the chief midwife came out, a wide smile gracing her face, "The babe has arrived at last, my Lord. A fair, healthy maid-child has graced the halls of Lord Valir this night at the stroke of midnight."

Relief washed over Loki at the midwife's words, and then a tidal wave of joy enveloped him. 

"Lady Sigyn is asking for you, my Lord," the midwife said.

Loki nodded, and brushed past her into the chamber.

Sigyn laid in the bed, propped up against many pillows cradling a tiny bundle close to her chest. She looked up at him when he stopped at the foot of the bed, her eyes shining with happiness. She was clearly exhausted but Loki's not sure he's ever seen his daughter look so radiant as she does now.

"Hello there, Grandfather," she murmured as Loki comes to bend over the bed.

As Loki drank in the sight of his daughter and first grandchild, the trickster found that he had no clever quips, no mocking barbs to smother the love swelling one hundred fold in his chest. Instead, Loki simply drops a tender kiss to each one of their foreheads, allowing his tears of joy to say everything that needed to be said.

"Would you like to hold her, Father?" Sigyn asked.

Loki's eyes went to the other side of the bed where his son-in-law was seated, quietly observing them. As much as he wanted to hold his granddaughter, he was not about to rob Valir the honor of being the first to hold his new child.

Valir smiled as if he knew what Loki was thinking, and he nodded, "Go on, the midwife placed her in my arms mere seconds after she was born."

Loki nodded his thanks back to Valir before returning his attention fully to Sigyn and the precious bundle in his arms. With infinite gentleness, he extended both his arms, and carefully took the swaddled baby, bringing her to his chest to cradle her.

As the tiny face came into view, Loki could not help but be stunned by how utterly perfect she seemed to be. There were wisps of soft, downy hair that graced her head, of which Loki did not doubt came from both his beloved Eva and his daughter. And when she slowly opened her eyes, she looked up at her grandfather with unfocused by bright eyes, Loki's breath caught in his throat. For there in her gaze was the striking emerald green hue that so unique to his side of her family line.

While continuing to study her face, Loki inquired, "Have you decided upon a name for this little snowdrop?" 

"Snowdrop? Sigyn said with a smile, recognizing it as her father's endearment he had always called her.

Her father nodded, "Yes, it seems fitting."

Sigyn smiled at her father, "Indeed it is, I love it. And to answer your question, Father, we have decided to name her Freya, in honor of—"

"Your grandmother," Loki finished with a smile.

Oh Frigga would be thrilled and honored, and he hoped, would smile when she heard the name of her newest great-granddaughter. With Odin once more fallen into the Odinsleep, it seemed like the Queen smiled so little these days.

"A fitting choice — for both her great-grandmother and for her, as he beauty will be great."

The newborn yawned, and closed her eyes again, sighing off to sleep in the safety of her loving grandfather's arms. As he looked at her, Loki knew his life's purpose had never more apparent to him — he would be fierce in his love of her and he would help to guide her in his life in any way that he could.

Tonight has truly been the most special of nights, and Loki had never been more thankful for what he had been given.

Part Two