Choices

Chapter 119
Her father had made the right decision. The people needed this celebration. All around her, people were smiling as baby Ikol was oogled.
It was already a great blessing to have the heir bare a child, but for Cephera to have one too only increased their chances of survival. The people could breathe easy. If the King were to die any time soon, he had enough successors to keep them going for centuries.
Provided of course that tradegy didn't strike the whole family, but really who wanted to think about that.
For the first time in a long time, Cephera felt at peace. She'd always loved it in Asgard and she loved being with her husband, but the fact remained that she missed her home world. Krystoff and his family made it hard to spend too much time there.
Even though she couldn't go to Asgard to visit, she was allowed to traverse through the Byfrost to return to Mechanova.
"That new law, that was my idea." Seraphina interrupted Cephera's thoughts.
"Really?" Cephera gave her sister a very heavy scrutinizing gaze. The law in question has proposed that any outsider who bares a child for any Mechanovian may live with them on their world. They hadn't gone so far as to allow frequent visiting. It was move to this world or nothing.
It was a step in the right direction. Maybe after a few centuries the people would feel safe enough to allow free travel back and forth.
"Yes, really." Seraphina punched her sister in the arm, pretending to be insulted.
"That guy who gave his life as Krystoff's scapegoat had a point. For years we've split up families to protect us from another outsider siege and betrayal. We punished everyone for one persons mistakes." Seraphina pursed her lips in thought.
"Well one person who somehow managed to rally a bunch of people to his cause." Cephera reminded her. The twins had been young when that happened. Their mother not long passed on. Outsiders had attempted to infiltrate the core, even though it was unlikely they ever could have, but they'd put the king in great danger.
"It's a beginning." Seraphina ignored her sister's correction. "We can't keep going through life so..., isolated. I know we can travel, but for those who have mothered or fathered our children, they sometimes never get to see those kids or their kids never get to see Mechanova."
Cephera was impressed by the passion in which her sister spoke in. She was changing. She was becoming a queen.
"I know. I love the new law. Maybe some day Fandral can come live here." Cephera knew she was pushing it with such a suggestion, but it was no secret that Fandral was a very consistent person in Seraphina's life.
Seraphina shot Cephera a 'don't start' look.
When would her sister realize her and Fandral were cut from the same mould. They were perfect for eachother.
"Don't give me that look. You know why I make such a suggestion." Cephera scolded.
"I don't need a man in my life." Seraphina growled.
"I never said you needed him, but he understands you in ways many people don't. He's special." Seraphina looked away but didn't respond.
Cephera turned her eyes back to her father who was holding Ikol and slowly parading him around. He looked overjoyed and profusely proud.
Because of the nature of the last few days, this celebration wasn't the same as they usually were. The crowds were not as rowdy, there were no displays of sex and there were no battles. Just people mingling and talking.
"Any news on Loki?" Her sister changed the subject.
"Nothing new. He's still in prison with no current talk of release. I haven't seen him since I was forced to leave Asgard. I miss him." Cephera frowned, her shoulders slumping.
"I know you do." Seraphina hugged Cephera close to her. "You can come home now at least. You don't have to be confined to Earth any longer." Seraphina sounded cheerful, but Cephera sighed.
"No. I'm staying on Earth for a while longer. I have things I promised to do there. I have a mission set out by Odin and our father made an alliance because of my interactions. I can't just leave all that now. At least I can travel between the two now."
"I think I'll come with you for a while then. Father has everything under control here once more and I've missed my sister." Seraphina smiled.
"I'd like that. You can meet my new friends!" Cephera felt herself grow excited at the prospect of having her sister join her.
"Are any of them cute?" Seraphina asked. On the inside Cephera frowned and thought of Fandral, but she didn't voice her thoughts. Fandral was free to do as he pleased as was her sister. It was the understanding they had with one another.
"I guess you'll just have to wait and see." Cephera replied.
(Frigga)
"She's been through so much, one visit wouldn't hurt." She pleaded to her husband.
"I allowed her a visit before she left for Midgard. It was the one and only one. He is a prisoner. I cannot give him any more special treatment then I already have." Odin refused and sat down upon a chair in their chambers to remove his boots.
"Special treatment?" She inquired wondering what part of Loki sentencing was special.
"I turn a blind eye to what you have believed to be private meetings with him. I have made sure to place no one else within the same cell when those around him are occupied with many. His cell is furnished to give him the most comfort I can provide given the circumstances," he sighed. "I wish things were different, but they are not."
"He has a right to meet the child. If Cephera cannot bring the child to visit then allow me to use my talents so that he can see his son, if not touch him." Frigga wouldn't concede until Loki had met Ikol.
Odin sat in thought. He knew that her visits went unseen by anyone because of the nature of the magic.
"Very well. Heimdall will alert you to her next arrival at the Byfrost. You have an hour to host her and the child within the confines of your personal chambers." A hint of a smile crossed his lips.
Frigga approached him, slipped her hands along his beard and leaned down to kiss him. He kissed her back, his hands caressing her elbows. "Thank you," she said letting him go.

Notes

Thank you everyone.
Late post today. This weekend has been super hectic between work and easter. I just didn't have time to write more than this. I'll do better for Thursday.