With a plan settled, both Frigga and Loki were quick to invite me to stay, all under the pretence that it would be easier for Heimdal to inform me about anything if I stayed in Asgard.
Frigga, in particular, was adamant that I had to stay. Loki supported her wholeheartedly as he wanted to show off just how great Asgard was, and therefore, how great he was as the regent.
"Very well, I can stay here for a few days, to better prepare a united front. It would do well for the unity of the Nine Realms if this were something that more than just Asgard took part in." I finally agreed, "But someone must take care of my steed."
Loki laughed happily and smacked Gungnir against the floor, summoning guards and aides. "Have someone see to Arthuria's steed, and prepare for a grand feast to welcome this Midgardian Goddess; let us show her the feasts of Asgard!"
The guards and aides all cheered in response to his words. Clearly, Loki, under the watchful eye of his mother and the prestige of saving Odin and killing Laufey, had made him rather popular.
Then again, I suspected it didn't take much to please the people of Asgard, as long as their lives weren't made any worse, they were already happy enough as it was.
"Now," Frigga said as she moved to my side, very close indeed, as if trying to grab me, but hesitating. "Why don't you put away that lance? It's enough that Loki carries around that spear all day; there really is no need for such things here in Asgard."
I smiled faintly at her words, and Rhongomyniad faded from view, returning to my soul. Instead, a brilliant sheath and sword appeared at my hip. "Forgive me, but leaving my home without a single guard means I must at least carry a weapon. But indeed, the lance is a bit much."
Frigga's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Understandable. Old habits seldom fade, especially for those who have led armies." Her eyes lingered briefly on the sword at my hip, the faint hum of its aura catching her attention. "That blade... it feels alive."
I glanced down at Excalibur's sheath, its faint gold light pulsing gently, the very air around it shimmering as if aware of being watched. "You have a sharp sense, Queen of Asgard. It's no mere sword; both the blade and sheath are artifacts of old. I would gladly inform you of their legends."
"Maybe later, I have often heard my son talk of you, and I wish to learn more about you, so come, let me show you around. Loki will be busy preparing everything and will no doubt join us later." Frigga said as she wrapped an arm around me and glared at Loki, who clearly wanted to show me around.
"But first, let's get you out of this armor," Frigga continued as she started dragging me off. I looked at Loki, stared into his eyes, and he quickly looked away, unwilling to meet my gaze. He clearly knew what was happening and decided that he wanted nothing to do with it.
Coward.
…
"That sure is convenient, being able to remove your armor with a thought, and even be fully dressed underneath like that." Frigga praised as I dissolved the magical armor after she dragged me into her chambers.
And compared to my own personal chambers, these were countless times grander. While mine was just a few connected rooms, this was a small mansion, with its own gardens, library, workshop, and much more.
"It does allow me to be ready at any moment — and, well, it does mean I don't have to worry about cleaning it." I cracked with a small smile. Indeed, cleaning full plate took time and effort.
"Ah, yes, I still remember when I just married Odin, back then, he often went into battle. I was young and naive back then, and thought that as a good wife I had to care for his armor. The hours I spent making it shine again." Frigga shook her head. "I even went and invented a few spells to help me."
"My court magician was sadly of little help; he was my mentor, and I could hardly order him around, so I enjoyed little magical convenience back then." Indeed, Merlin could have easily saved me countless hours of toil and hardship, but he always claimed it built character.
Frigga giggled as she pulled me in front of some mirrors, looking me over and having me turn around.
I knew the look of her, understood what kind of woman she was at heart; she might have learned to act like a queen, to scheme like one, but she was kind and loving at heart, a rare trait for one so powerful to keep. Power often corrupts.
"You have such an amazing figure! It's almost hard to believe you are a warrior Queen." She praised me, "and your clothes are pretty good too."
I gave her a faint smile, amused by her enthusiasm. "Personally, I care little for fashion, but other people clearly want me dressed in more than armor and common clothes."
Frigga laughed softly, the sound warm and melodic. "Spoken like someone who has spent far too many years surrounded by knights and old men in council chambers." She stepped closer, brushing a stray lock of my hair over my shoulder with a motherly ease. "Someone as beautiful as you deserves to be dressed in beautiful clothing."
I sighed softly, already suspecting where this was going. "You sound like my attendants back home. They try this as well from time to time."
Frigga's smile only grew. "And do they succeed?"
"Rarely," I admitted. "I am their king after all."
"Well, good thing you aren't mine then." She clasped her hands together with an almost mischievous sparkle in her eyes that reminded me painfully of Merlin right before he did something troublesome. "You and I are gonna have so much fun!"
Before I could protest, she summoned a small host of attendants with a graceful wave. They appeared with armfuls of fabrics — silks, gold-threaded linens, and gowns that shimmered like captured moonlight. I had faced armies, demons, and dragons, but I suddenly found myself questioning whether I had the strength to endure this.
"Frigga," I began cautiously, "this is not—"
"Oh, hush," she interrupted gently, her tone carrying the exact kind of authority only a queen and mother could command. "You've spent far too long carrying blades and burdens. Tonight, you are a guest of honor and friend of Asgard, and will be dressed like one!"
"I usually wear something more… practical," I said, trying not to sound as wary as I felt. "Something I can move in, should the need arise."
Frigga raised an elegant brow. "My dear, you've spent enough lifetimes moving. Tonight, you'll let yourself be seen." She turned to the attendants with queenly authority. "Bring the silver set first, the one with the soft lining. Let's not terrify her just yet."
"I am not terrified," I muttered as one attendant draped the fabric across my shoulders and another began measuring the fall of the hem.
"Of course not," Frigga said sweetly. "You're simply… preparing for battle of a different kind."
I groaned softly under my breath. "You sound far too much like Merlin."
"Oh? Well, they sound like an interesting person." she said, flashing me a knowing grin before flicking her wrist. The fabric shimmered, adjusting perfectly to my frame through magic alone. "Yes, this will do nicely. But perhaps something lighter in color — she's too used to armor; let's give her something that breathes."
Within moments, I was standing in the center of a whirlwind of activity — attendants moving like a coordinated unit, fabrics shifting from silver to white to deep blue as Frigga assessed each option with a critical eye. I had led armies with less precision.
"Frigga," I tried again, "this feels unnecessary. I won't need this much clothes for a feast." I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable as she had her attendants refit clothes to fit me and draw up designs for entire new outfits.
"Nonsense," she replied without even looking up. "it's a crime for someone like you not to have at least this much."
When the attendants finally stepped back, I turned toward the mirror — and hardly recognized the reflection staring back. The gown was Asgardian in style: flowing layers of silver and white threaded with faint runes that glimmered softly when I moved. The neckline was modest but elegant, the skirt split just enough for ease of motion, and a golden belt fastened neatly at my waist. It was… regal, without being gaudy.
Frigga beamed. "There. Now that's a Queen."
"I am a king," I couldn't help but remind her.
Frigga laughed softly, a sound like sunlight through crystal. "Someone's king may be someone else's queen."
Her words caused my head to snap towards her direction, my Fae Eyes bearing down at her. Those words… her tone… it reminded me of Merlin so much I couldn't help but suspect for a moment this was him in disguise.
Frigga didn't flinch under my gaze. If anything, she seemed quietly amused, her expression far too serene for someone being stared down by a goddess.
"Oh, don't look at me like that," she said with the calm patience of a mother scolding a child who should know better. "It was only a jest. Though," she added slyly, "I see I struck a nerve."
"You just reminded me of someone else," I said, as I took a deep breath. Indeed, she wasn't Merlin, even he wouldn't be able to hide from my current divine eyes, and how would he even get here?
I still didn't know how it got here… which could in fact mean it was him… better not to think about it.
Frigga's lips curved, and she gave a low hum of laughter that somehow managed to sound both elegant and teasing. "I see, I see, well, I think silver would do you good, that fair skin and golden hair, yes, silver it shall be."
Frigga's hands clapped once, and the attendants moved like dancers in a ritual, layers of fabric and light swirling around me in waves of silver-white. The process felt less like being dressed and more like being woven into something new.
When they finally stepped back, I turned toward the mirror — and for a heartbeat, I didn't recognize myself.
The gown was radiant, more sculpture than clothing — a flowing creation of white silk and silver thread that wrapped around my frame like liquid moonlight. Golden clasps fastened the draped fabric over my shoulders, their engraved runes faintly glowing with Asgardian enchantment. A thin circlet of gold rested atop my head, its design simple yet regal, with a single laurel-shaped ornament curving behind my ear.
My arms were bare save for polished gold bracers that gleamed softly, and my feet were bound in elegant sandals of black leather that laced up my calves in neat symmetry. A slit in the gown revealed the faint shimmer of movement beneath, just enough to walk or fight — Frigga's idea of a "compromise," no doubt.
She had even created a small, enchanted oddment to hang onto Excalibur, hiding it in an enchantment and illusion to make it blend in better with the outside, as it hung at my side, white and gold rather than the usual blue and gold.
Frigga clasped her hands together, smiling with satisfaction. "Now that," she said proudly, "is how the King of Knights should look when dining among gods."
I exhaled softly, not quite sure whether to feel flattered or trapped. "It's… beautiful," I admitted, though I still didn't feel quite at home in a dress, much less one such as this.
"Good," she said, stepping behind me to adjust the fall of my braid. "because tonight, you will not be a warrior, you will be a Goddess and a guest, and you will stun every person at the feast."
"…You've done your work well," I said softly. "Though I still prefer armor."
Frigga smiled knowingly. "I know. But sometimes, my dear, grace is armor."
(End of chapter)
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