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"Be kind and play with your little brother," His mother had said. "He has played with you when you wanted to be warriors, now be nice and play the game he wants," she had said.
But Thor didn't want to. He wanted to play warriors again. He had even dressed up as a Valkyrie before joining Loki, because he wanted to be a Valkyrie when he'll grow up, but his brother wanted to play something else today and now Thor was stuck at the side of a round table in the middle of a terrace adjacent to the gardens.
He watched as Loki settled the tea set better on the table. It was a smaller porcelain set than the ones adult used, but it had a teapot containing real tea and little plates with real pasties, because servants had brought them here for them to play and Loki wanted it to be like a real tea party and the servants never said no to them.
Thor observed as his brother put a cup in front of him. He didn't know why Loki wanted to play this, because they already had dinner everyday and their mother also had a tea party every afternoon so what was the point of playing this?
But he didn't want to make his little brother sad and his mother had insisted so he couldn't say no.
He looked at each of his side. There was a plushie of a crocodile on a chair and a real little frog on a cushion that didn't move but its eyes moved a lot.
Loki finally sat down, and Thor turned to him. He hadn't really noticed it, but his brother was dressed in a funny gown with balloon sleeves and he wore a little crown.
"I thank you for coming to my tea party, dear Valkyrie, I am very honoured to have you here."
Even if Thor was annoyed at the beginning, he couldn't help but smile, because he loved to be called a Valkyrie and his brother seemed happy to play with him.
"I am honoured too, dear... hum..." he started, finding it suddenly funny to play along, but he didn't know who Loki was playing.
"I am the Queen of the faeries of Alfheim," he said, "and invited you to discuss very important matters. But first I also want to thank Lord Croki and Count Throg for coming, their presence and advice will be very useful," he added as he looked at the plushie and the frog respectively.
"What can I help you with then, your Majesty?" Thor asked. "Will we slay some horrible creatures?"
Maybe they could also play warriors after all!
"Not now. I will explain everything to you, but first let me serve you some tea," he said as he grabbed the teapot and carefully poured the drink into his cup.
While Loki served the other 'guests', Thor brought the cup to his lips. He drank a small amount, but then winced ; it was too hot, and not really savory.
Loki may have enjoyed it, though, because as soon as he served himself, he drank a fair amount of it. He stayed more than him with their mother and friends when they had tea so maybe he was more accustomed to it.
"So," Loki continued, "I gathered you all today because there is something serious going on. The All-mighty empire of Asgard is being attacked with wicked Jotuns and the great King Odin has asked the help of Alfheim. And the Queen and King of Alfheim has asked our people to join them. What can we do?"
"Take our army and help them in their battle!" Thor exclaimed.
"But our army is small and the faeries are not well-prepared. So it is not wise."
"But we can't say not to the Queen of Alfheim and to the All-father."
"You are right. Oh? Lord Croki wants to say something."
Thor looked at the plushie, an eyebrow raised.
"He says that we can provide them with encouragement," Loki declared.
Thor pouted. "But I want to go to battle. I am a powerful Valkyrie! I am made for this!"
"Yes, but you are a Valkyrie at the services of faeries, so you will protect them first."
That was not fair. Thor wanted to be in the army and go to battle. He pouted, and grabbed a piece of strawberry tart. But then he had an idea.
"Say, dear Queen... are you married?"
Loki thought. "Hm... No, but I have a lot of faerie maidens at my service!"
"But you need a Queen or King to rule with you."
"You... think so?"
"Yes, every ruler worthy of their name has someone to rule by its side! Like father and mother and uncle Freyr with Queen Gerd. And they could help you with politics matters!"
"That's true... but where can I find a king or a queen?"
Their friends were not here today, and he didn't want to ask Croki or the frog. The faeries mignt mock him.
"Maybe I can be your Queen," Thor said. "And since I'm a Valkyrie I'll protect you!"
Maybe that will convince him!
"Why not? But..." he got interrupted when the frog let out a loud croak. "Ah! Count Throg do not like the apple pies. Here, Sire, take those macarons instead," he said while putting the plate in front of the animal which could not care less.
"So? What do you say?"
"Well... yes. But we need to make a coronation for you. And I don't have another crown."
"I'm a Valkyrie. A crown will bother me to fight! You can just give me another object that will have the same effect."
"Huh..." Loki looked around. "All right, then take this flower," and he put the flower out of its vase to give it to Thor. "Let's say it's a magical flower that will make you Queen!"
"All right!!" Thor smiled.
He had first wanted to be Queen only to have more power and lead armies with Alfheim, but now the idea of ruling alongside Loki strangely made his heart flutter. He found his cheeks reddening in spite of himself.
He waited, then, that Loki stood up and walked in front of him to make it happen. "In the presence of the faeries, Lord Croki and Count Throg, I, the Queen of the faeries, am making the mighty Valkyrie Thor the Queen by my side with this magic flower. May she rule long with me!"
Thor has a wide smile. "Do we have to kiss now?"
Loki chuckled. "It's a coronation, Thor, not a marriage."
He pouted. "But I am becoming your Queen! And you are making me. It has to be sacred, and father and mother always kiss at ceremonies, so give us a kiss."
Loki hesitated, but finally went to press his tiny lips against his brother's. It was really sweet, and he loved it, and he wondered why nobody had told them to do this, because everyone was always trying to make them happy.
"You are my Queen now," Loki smiled, and Thor seemed as much mesmerized by their exchange, and even more pleased by his words.
He had almost forgotten his original objective.
"Then now that I am Queen, I decrete that we will help Asgard in his war!"
And now Loki understood. Thor had played him.
"You're so mean! You only wanted to be Queen to counter my decision! I thought you wanted to rule forever at my side," he exclaimed, hurt, as he crossed his arms and turned his gaze away.
Thor immediately regretted his words. He hated to see his brother sad.
"No, Loki, I promise, I too wanted to rule forever with you! It will make me really happy," he assured as his drew him into his arms.
Loki clutched to him, still pouting. "Really?"
"Yes, really!"
Loki's heart warmed up. But he was still looking away. "Then... maybe we can help Asgard's army. And play warriors again. But then you'll be my Queen Valkyrie!"
"Of course, and I will protect you! But first, we have to finish the tea party, don't we?"
His little brother smiled, and let go of him to return to his chair. "Of course!"
They settled back, both more happy than ever.