Chapter Thirty Seven

Lienna

"Lienna?" Frigga called quietly. Bless her for seeing that Loki was asleep. Recently, he hadn't been sleeping too well, but it was most likely excitement for the wedding. That was what was keeping me up often.

I pulled myself carefully from his arms, nodding at the Allmother. I slipped into a light dress. Today was wedding dress day, though it could very well turn into multiple days.

Frigga smiled at me with her proud motherly look. "Lienna, I am so excited!"

"I could say the same," I replied. "Choosing the dress only happens once, I think."

"Let's hope so," Frigga said with a wink. We saddled our horses fairly quickly for a half-asleep almost princess and a queen, and rode through the gates.

Today would be the first time for a while that I had happily left the palace without Loki or Thor, and I quite frankly enjoyed the ride with Frigga to the seamstress's shop.

The shop was a lovely building nestled in the heart of the city surrounding the palace, and I was immediately in love. The exterior of the shop was white and quite unlike the typical Asgardian architecture with flowers spilling over the windowsills and golden light flowing out of the windows.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Frigga said, admiring it as much as I was. "One of my favorite places in Asgard."

I wanted to respond with my favorite, but as a child, I never left Svendrel's, and I hadn't really ever left the palace besides with Thor and I was fairly certain that wasn't Asgard, nor did I wish to speak about that. Loki and I had gone to his secret little hollow, but I was sure he didn't wish to have Frigga know about that.

Instead I stayed silent, dismounting my horse as Frigga did the same. I was uncontrollably excited to see all the different dresses made for beautiful women to wear on their wedding day. It was amazing, and I wouldn't have wanted to feel any other way.

We stepped into the warm interior of the shop. A woman about my age spun around from her mending and grinned. She jumped up and embraced Frigga, kissing her cheeks.

"It's been so long!" she said happily. "I'm so excited to work with you and lovely Lienna!" She turned to face me. "I am Annika."

"Well, Annika, I'm excited as well," I said with a smile.

She nodded. "Let us begin, then. Follow me up the stairs, and I'll get you measured."

The staircase was grand, and not unlike the palace one, only smaller. Frigga sat herself down on one of the sofas in front of a brightly lit mirror as Annika pulled me into a dressing room. She measured me while asking questions about myself.

"What's he like?" Annika asked. "Loki, that is."

"Well, he's so tricky around others. He likes to mess with people and argue and everything that comes with being the god of mischief, but around me he gets soft. Passionate and gentle, even."

Annika nodded, pinning and measuring and laughing at herself and occasionally my comments. She was like an older sister and I was immediately comfortable with her.

"I think that about wraps up your measurements. You have a lovely frame," she complimented.

I blushed. My body was always something I wasn't quite comfortable with, as most girls often feel at one point or another. The little insecurities I suppose make us who we are in a way. Our flaws, whether we accept them or not, make up our lives and the impression we leave on others.

"Let's find a dress!" Annika said joyfully. Frankly, I was even more excited than she was, and her happiness with her job made me all the more thrilled. She lead me into the room she called the "room of dreams come true," and she was not fooling when she titled it that.

All around us were white gowns shining with potential, and the room held an air of pride and elation. I lingered in the feeling for a moment, beaming.

"Yes, it has that effect on most ladies," Annika said proudly. "Let's find your special dress."

We searched and searched through racks of dresses, laughing and discussing the entire time. She asked me about palace life and what I looked forward too as a princess. It was amazing how simply and quickly we connected with each other. I often found myself struggling to build friendships with people, but I instantly knew Annika was truly a person worth pursuing a friendship with.

She also made me wonder how I would act and present myself if I had grown up normally. If my parents hadn't died. If I hadn't been a domestic slave. I fancied the idea that I would be like Annika, lively and trustworthy.

We might've even been friends. My life would have been unbelievably different.

Yet as of now, I was pleased with how my life was turning out. Everything seemed to be working itself out; even the issues with no apparent solution seemed more easily solvable. If things went wrong, I would not be alone in approaching them. It would be okay.

"How about this one?" Annika asked. She pulled out a gown. "I believe-" she studied the gown for a moment- "I believe this particular dress was chosen by Valhalla for you, Lienna." Annika grinned.

My heart beat faster than ever. This is it! It has to be! It better be, I thought tiredly, we've been at it for at least a few hours.

She held the dress up for me to see. My stomach flipped and my heart nearly stopped.

"Allfather almighty," I whispered, slightly shocked and in awe.

"You- You don't like it?" Annika asked, confused.

"No," I replied quietly, running my hands against the silky fabric. "I love it."

The pristine dress seemed to glow slightly, as if it knew it would be one of the most important dresses of my lifetime. I could not wait to wear it and show Frigga, and later, Loki.

"Well, let's waste no time in getting it on you," Annika said, playing impatient. She put her hand on her hip and frowned like a child's nurse.

I laughed, following her to a brightly lit room. My reflection stared at me from every side, and a pedestal drew attention to the middle of the room. Annika helped undress me, then carefully put the dress on me.

I closed my eyes, holding my breath. I was afraid to look, afraid it wouldn't look right on me. Then I gave in to temptation and looked anyways.

I was overwhelmed. White lace brushed against my collarbones and faded into the silky, glowing fabric I felt earlier. The dress hugged my chest wonderfully and the bodice came to a stop just above my hips to give into a flowing, long skirt. Lacy sleeves went all the way down to my wrists. I was in love with the dress.

Annika clapped as I twirled in it for her. "Lienna, it's beautiful! I think this is it!"

I nodded, my heart filled with happiness.

"Let's show the Allmother, then," Annika said, clasping her hands together happily. I could tell Frigga was going to love it almost as much as I did.

Frigga stood up as soon as she saw me, a gasp spilling from her lips. "Lienna..."

I twirled for her like I did for Annika, and I could see the glistening tears in her eyes.

"This is it," Frigga said with conviction. "This is her dress."

Annika nodded in agreement. "It was made with her in mind, I can feel it."

The three of us came together in a warm embrace, paid for the dress (Frigga insisted on giving a generous tip and I insisted on inviting Annika to the wedding), and returned to the palace, dress in hand, or, rather, the carriage of the escort.

I could hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming wedding, which Frigga told me was normal given my position in it.

It was going to be amazing.

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Sorry once again this is late! It's finals week and I'm as busy as ever. Once school is out the schedule should be more normal.

Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy it!

-katiethenovelist