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Spring
The spring hunt had gotten them fifteen pheasants, twelve rabbits, and nine turkeys. Too much prey to fit the horses they had arrived there with; even when the hunters tried to tie them tight and accommodate them as best they could, the horses simply couldn’t take the riders and the prey back to New Asgard. Facing this conundrum, it was Loki who came up with an idea.
“Load the hunt on my horse and Sylvie’s too,” he suggested.
“And how will you two return to Asgard?” Asked Thor, Sylvie shared his inquiry and crossed her arms over her chest waiting impatiently for Loki’s answer.
“You’ll walk?” Sif mocked from aside.
“Walking would take us too long. Luckily, I can provide an extra horse for Sylvie.”
Everyone exchanged gazes, not understanding what Loki was trying to say. And with no intention of explaining himself any further, Loki took a few steps back to the edge of the clearing, channeled his seidr, cast the spell, and with two long strides forward, the green shimmer of his magic enveloped him. When it cleared, Loki had shapeshifted into a beautiful black Asgardian horse.
Loki trotted around the place to try this new shape, parading under the amazed gaze of their friends.
"Looking good, Loki," Thor cheered.
When Loki felt comfortable, he approached Sylvie, shaking his mane and showing off his body to her judging eyes.
“You are a really beautiful… mare, Loki,” Sylvie said half-mocking.
Loki neighed and shook her mane again, trotted around Sylvie, stopping right in front of her and stomping her hoof a couple of times.
"Fine!" said Sylvie faking exasperation. "Let's load the prey on the horses,” she said to the others, “Loki will take me back to Asgard."
The hunters loaded the birds and rabbits on Sylvie and Loki's horses, just in time for lunch, so everyone was eager to return to town. Once the saddles were ready and the riders mounted, Sylvie approached Loki that had been pasturing while the rest worked on the load.
“Ready to go?” she asked and Loki sighed lifting her head. But when Sylvie approached to mount her, she joyfully escaped her grasp. Sylvie frowned and stood with her hands on her hips. “Will you let me ride you or not?”
Loki swayed her mane playfully and skipped around the place, now clear of the other horses and riders who had left for the town. She approached Sylvie and lowered her head to her, bumping her chest lightly with her muzzle, withdrawing quickly and neighing.
Sylvie frowned deeply, trying to read Loki’s game. “You want me to shapeshift into a horse too?” She tried to guess, at which Loki nodded happily.
Surprised by the petition but allured by the idea at the same time, Sylvie took a deep breath to concentrate. “I haven’t done this in a while,” she said looking at Loki. But her gaze was free from doubts and filled with determination.
Sylvie closed her eyes as her seidr flowed through her body; she breathed in a couple of times more and ran some strides forward.
Loki neighed and pulled up, seeing the beautiful light brown stallion with a mane of yellow and black that Sylvie had transformed into. She trotted around him, admiring the colors and shape, proud of what Sylvie had achieved.
Both snorted and circled each other, basking in the view with their new eyes. They sniffed each other, touched their muzzles, and squealed as they jumped in opposite directions.
Sylvie led the way back to town, Loki following close behind, advancing between the trees, enjoying the feeling of stepping on the forest ground with their hooves, sniffing the air, and listening to the hundreds of sounds that reached their sharp ears.
Not long passed when Loki made a turn and wandered off in the wrong direction; Sylvie nickered for her, but she didn’t listen, so Sylvie had to run after her. Loki had taken a narrow path between the thick edge of the forest and a small stream, so Sylvie couldn’t pass next to her to block her escape and only could follow in hopes to stay close together. But when they had walked a long way along the path and Sylvie was growing impatient, he got close enough to take a bite on Loki’s buttocks, at which she yelled in surprise and turned around quickly, but Sylvie had turned too and made his escape from where they had come.
As soon as Loki reached Sylvie, she also tried to take a bite of his buttocks, but Sylvie was aware and lifted his rear in a kick to warn her against it. Loki turned again and ran away at full speed through the path; a few moments later she could hear Sylvie’s hooves following along as he nickered after her.
The path led them away from the forest and into a wide meadow where the grass grew green and tall already, panting from the strenuous race, Loki still stomped her hoof at Sylvie. He pulled up and then kicked back, snorting and wagging his mane. The big stallion Sylvie had shifted into was impressively beautiful and strong, with big hooves and a muscular body, and now his hair was damp with sweat from the race. Loki was a bit smaller than Sylvie, but her black hair shone brightly under the sun and her slim figure trotted gracefully and elegantly with the long mane falling on one side.
Sylvie circled Loki, tall and proud and strong he nickered when Loki started eating the grass instead of giving him attention. Loki lifted her head all at once and Sylvie took her chance to approach carefully.
They touched their muzzles together and this time Loki snorted happily, Sylvie leaned his forehead to Loki’s neck and lingered there enough time until Loki sighed comfortably.
Sylvie moved his head up to reach Loki's withers to apply soft caresses with his lips. Loki stood still and Sylvie went down her back and loin, changing the caresses for nibs, obtaining a satisfied groan from her. Loki did the same and started to apply nibs and caresses on Sylvie's shoulder as his height didn't give Loki access to his back. But Sylvie also answered with a groan and they stood there grooming each other for a while.
Loki was the first to move away in the direction of the stream, she lowered her head to drink, stretching her neck, stealing glances at Sylvie, lifting her tail when he approached.
She stepped into the stream, knee-deep in water she showed off her body for Sylvie to look at, her tail lifted, moving around elegantly. She stomped her hoof splashing water on Sylvie who withdrew from the edge. Loki neighed and got out of the stream in a graceful jump, standing on the opposite edge.
Sylvie nickered, stomping his hoof and calling for her to come back, but Loki had other plans and began walking away. Sylvie trotted anxiously as he looked at Loki leaving, and with a last moment of hesitation, he took some steps back from the stream and ran forward taking a leap and crossing the stream in a single jump.
Loki neigh loudly and slapped Sylvie's face with her tail as he approached. He took a nib on her buttocks and pressed side to side, they wander off far into the Norwegian meadows.
They came back to the town of new Asgard two weeks later. Dirty and smelly, they had a walk of shame through the streets until they reached their house.
Summer
The summer had arrived in the blink of an eye, and with the many events the warm season brought, Thor hadn’t seen Loki or Sylvie since that first hunt on spring. In any other scenario, he wouldn’t be concerned, but he had been having the same dream for three nights in a row, so he decided to pay a visit to his brother’s variant and his brother’s female variant.
He had to knock several times and thought that they weren’t home. But after a final try, Sylvie finally opened the door.
“Hey Sylv-”
“Thor, perfect timing!” She interrupted him and step aside to let him in. “I’m glad you’re here, something is wrong with Loki,” she said concerned.
“That’s why I’m here,” Thor frowned. “I’ve been having these dreams… where Loki is ill…”
“He is,” Sylvie explained. “It started four days ago, he wasn’t feeling well but he wanted to wait before going to the healers. But he only got worse and today he can’t even get up from the bed.”
Thor knew Sylvie wasn’t one for panic or exaggerations, so he knew something was really wrong by the desperate and watering look in her eyes.
“I finally convinced him to go see the healers, but I can’t get him out of the bed. I helped him dress but…”
“I’ll help you,” Thor answered confidently, and Sylvie led him to the bedroom.
Loki laid pale and withered on the bed, barely breathing, with heavy bags under his eyes. He tried to sit up when Thor and Sylvie entered the room, but he only managed to support himself on his elbow.
“Hey, Thor,” he said weakly.
“Loki, what’s the matter?” He asked kneeling next to the bed.
“I don’t know, I'm weak and tired, and today I can’t even stand. It has something to do with my seidr but I’m not sure…” His voice was fading as he spoke.
“Sylvie and I will take you with the healers.”
Thor helped Loki sit on the bed, then he and Sylvie grabbed Loki by each arm, crossed their arms around his back, and pulled him up. Both groaned with effort and started walking with difficulty.
“Why is he so heavy?” Thor asked bewildered.
“I dunno!” Sylvie said, “It’s like he weighs a ton.”
They made it out of the bedroom and into the main hall, panting heavily when they crossed the entrance door and sat Loki on the fence outside to take a breath.
“We won’t make it to the hill of the healers like this…” Sylvie lamented.
“I’ll call Valkyrie, she can take us in her truck.”
Loki groaned in pain and when they turned to look at him, a green shimmer was covering him from head to toes. Sylvie rushed to his side, but Loki extended a hand to keep her away. He was shaking and wrapping the other hand around his torso. He stood up with effort and walked outside the small garden. The green shimmer intensified, and Loki seemed to grow in size. Sylvie and Thor took a few steps back and, with another painful groan, Loki was transformed into the black mare she had been all those months back in the spring.
Thor and Sylvie look in awe as Loki took some tentative steps to feel comfortable in that body again; she shook her mane and body, trying her legs and huffing.
“Loki…” Sylvie approached carefully, still concerned. “Are you okay?”
Sylvie raised her hands to her, Loki lowered her head and rested her forehead on Sylvie’s chest, sighing in relief. Sylvie petted her neck and scratched softly at the base of her ears.
“What is it?” Sylvie asked softly, barely a whisper, knowing Loki will hear her perfectly with those ears. “Why is it you needed to change?”
Loki withdrew her head slowly and took a few steps to the side, so now her flank was in front of Sylvie, she then bumped Sylvie’s arms and when she touched Loki’s side, suddenly all fell into place.
“Oh my god, Loki, are you serious? Is this…. are you really…?”
Loki snorted softly and Sylvie’s eyes filled with tears, her hands roamed all over Loki’s side and down her belly affectionately.
“Uhm, Sylvie…” Said Thor, walking close to them. “What is going on?”
“Loki is… trapped into this shape,” Sylvie said slowly, hesitating. “She is.. she is-” her voice caught up in her throat and her eyes filled with tears. Thor kept his distance confused, not knowing what to do.
“Loki is pregnant,” Sylvie said bursting into soft sobs and delicate tears. Loki turned to her and leaned her head against Sylvie’s, sighting deep and soft.
“So, Loki as a horse. As a mare, she’s pregnant,” said Thor putting the pieces of the puzzle together. “So now Loki as a mare is carrying your… offspring.”
Sylvie wrapped her arms around Loki’s neck, drying her tears in her fur. She looked at Thor and nodded, still overwhelmed by the revelation.
“Well… that’s good news!” Thor yelled and run to Sylvie, wrapping her in his strong arms and lifting her up into the air, spinning around while a startled Loki took some steps back from the scandal and snorted nervously. “Congratulations you both!”
Sylvie smiled broadly and thought her legs will fail her when Thor put her back to the ground, shaking slightly for the emotion. But before she or Thor could say another word, Loki meddle between them and pushed Thor away from Sylvie with her muzzle, and squealed loudly.
“Hey, hey, Loki what is it?” He asked taken aback by her strong reaction. Sylvie rushed to her side to calm her down with pets on the neck and soft words.
“What’s wrong Loki?” Sylvie asked softly but Loki shook her head and stomped on the ground upset. “She doesn't want you to tell anyone…” Sylvie said, a bit disappointed.
“What? About the baby? Why?” Asked Thor, bemused. “And how can you understand him? Her, I mean, sorry Loki.”
“She reaches with her seidr to me, and she… just wants to be discreet,” she answered, but Thor didn’t believe that and he knew Sylvie wasn’t buying any of that either by the doubt in her voice.
Still, he chose to let it go. “If that’s what you want, Loki, then I respect it. I won’t tell, but… what will you do now if you’re trapped in that form?”
Loki took some steps around them and looked far into the north, beyond the town, and into the wild forests north of New Asgard. She then pushed Sylvie gently with her muzzle and stood still next to her.
“We can’t stay in town,” said Sylvie.
“But there are stables at the edge of town…”
“Loki wants to pasture free on the meadows and forests. We’ll be okay,” she said mounting Loki carefully.
“But, Sylvie! Loki, come on!” Thor tried to stop them. “The north is wildland, it can be dangerous!”
Loki shook his head and stomped with her back hooves.
“We’ll be all right, I’ll take care of her,” Sylvie said with a certain voice, but a flick in her eyes didn’t convince Thor. “Keep the secret.”
Thor looked deeply into Sylvie’s eyes and nodded at her with determination. In the few years he had gotten to know Sylvie, Thor could be sure she’d take good care of Loki and herself. A final handshake was their farewell as a caress over Loki’s rump.
Thor watched them leave that day at noon, a tight knot in his stomach but a swollen heart full of hope and love for the foal growing in Loki’s belly.
Autumn
The autumn brought them late dawns, early sunsets, and chill days filled with food from harvest season. They had roamed and pastured the meadows during summer and now that the grass was getting scarce, they had ventured back near the farms to feed on the leftovers of wheat, barley, and oats. Food Loki needed to get strong for the months to come.
Some farmers would leave their fields open for wild animals to feed on the leftovers, then Sylvie and Loki would seize the opportunity. Some farmers had even gotten used to seeing them often around and offered apples or carrots as treats.
And when some farmers weren't kind enough to let them pick the fruit from the trees or closed their fields when there were still spikes left to dry or rot or even when they scared them away, Sylvie's experience from living in apocalypses all her life would come in handy again. Loki would wait in a forest nearby and Sylvie would change to her aesir form, and she'd sneak in during the night to open the fences to eat the crop's leftovers or steal some apples, pears, or carrots.
Sylvie didn't like to leave Loki on his own, but she knew the food would be scarce even more when the winter came so she'd do whatever possible to provide since Loki stubbornly insisted on spending this time free and wild rather than going back to live in the stables near the town, where they may have shelter and hay for a bed.
Still, Sylvie enjoyed and cherished these months to no end. On some warm afternoons, they would lay on the forest ground to eat sweet wrinkly apples or pears, Loki's favorite. And she would lay her head on Sylvie's lap for her to stroke her mane and scratch her ears and neck, while they took sunbaths in the autumn sun.
They would sleep on beds made of fallen leaves, and as Loki laid on her side, Sylvie would lovingly caress her belly and talk softly to their unborn foal. They would stay close to each other on cold nights and stroll on sunny afternoons feeding on wild berries that grew next to the streams and the forests.
Both had certainly gained some weight those months, something they'd surely need for the colder months ahead.
Winter
The winter came suddenly and cold, with strong winds and heavy snow. Their long, thick winter fur helped them stan the weather and so did the forests that shelter them from the wind and part of the falling snow.
Loki's belly had started to grow, the extra weight tired her quickly, so she had to rest more often these days. Laying on the forest ground with Sylvie standing next to her keeping guard, Loki rested, blowing hot steam from her nostrils that mixed with Sylvie’s breathing, forming a warm cloud of mist around them.
Apart from the peaceful sound of their breathing, the forest was completely silent. The wind had stopped but the cold was sharp as ice. A faint sound reached Sylvie's ears, it could be another breath, the flapping of a bird's wings, or perhaps the paws of an animal carefully sinking into the snow, watching, stalking.
Sylvie raised his head, pricked up his ears, and his gaze traveled in all directions. Loki noticed his concern, but before she could get up, the wolf's growl broke the silence of the forest and the beast jumped from the trees and snow.
Sylvie squealed and jumped to get between Loki and the wolf. He parried the attack, but from the opposite direction, another two appeared and copied the first one's attack. Loki managed to get to her feet despite the wolves' bites on her legs, and even managed to kick one of the wolves in the snout. Sylvie by her side struggled to scare away the other four wolves that made up the pack. They had all appeared from different directions and their desperate attack betrayed how hungry they were.
Sylvie caught one by the back with his teeth and tossed it away with a shriek and groan. This startled two others, while another received a heavy step that probably fractured his leg. Sylvie reared and yelled, kicking and headbutting until he had chased the pack away.
They were both panting, still shaken by the surprise attack, but as soon as the wolves left, Sylvie walked over to Loki to check on her injuries. She had a few bites on her back legs that weren't serious, nothing else other than that. With his muzzle, Sylvie patted Loki’s neck gently to soothe her, then he hurriedly made the way out of the woods.
They ventured into the wind and the snow, against the cold and the strong blizzard they advanced until they reached the stream, Sylvie crossed it first, but when she turned to see Loki, she was turning in the opposite direction.
Sylvie neighed in a desperate call, Loki paused for a moment, but the next she continued to flee from him. Sylvie retraced his steps and called out to her again, but she insisted on going back to the forest.
“Loki, it's enough!” She yelled, her voice barely louder than the blizzard.
The mare turned around and saw Sylvie in her aesir form standing knee-deep in snow, wrapped in her black cloak, shivering with the wind and snow.
“Look at you,” she continued now she had Loki’s attention. “You’re huge, and your belly will keep growing! We haven’t found food in days and the winter is far from being over!”
Loki took some steps closer to her and nickered softly.
“No, we won’t be okay!” Sylvie said with a sob, was it for the cold or desperation, she didn’t know. “I barely defended us from those wolves and they’ll come back, along with others! What’s gonna happen when the foal is born? The wolves will be even more desperate after the winter and I don’t know if I’ll be able to defend you both. Loki, just… Let’s go back. Please.”
Loki looked at her for a long time, Sylvie waited, and finally, Loki shook her head and moved around nervously, pointing at the forest with her nose.
“What’s going on, Loki? What’s wrong that you don’t want to come back to town?”
She squealed loudly, pulling up her front hooves and stomping angrily on the snow.
"What?" Sylvie asked bewildered. "What would people… think?" and even if she wanted to slap some sense in Loki, Sylvie rushed through the snow closer to her.
"I don't care what people think, Loki!" She yelled. "This baby… this foal is ours, is our child, our offspring," she said as her heart broke in front of him. "Is our firstborn, we made it together and I couldn't be more proud and loving you both this much already! And if anyone in New Asgard has a problem with our child being a foal then they can eat shit!"
Loki was shocked by her words, and Sylvie took the chance to wrap her arms around her neck and hide her tears in Loki's fur.
"We are a family, Loki. I want you both to be safe, I love you both so much," and her hand stretched to caress Loki's belly. "Please, let's go back, let's all be safe."
Loki wrapped her head around Sylvie in an embrace, sharing her heart, her love, devotion, and even her fears. She sighed deeply, enveloping Sylvie in a cloud of steam, and caressed Sylvie’s shoulder with her lips.
“Shall we go then?” Sylvie asked taking a step back, her eyes still tearful but filled with hope now.
Loki nodded and led the way back to town.
Spring
Loki paced restlessly around the stall; luckily for her, Sylvie had talked to all horse owners in New Asgard and Torstein had a free stall in his barn, big enough for Loki and her enormous belly.
After Loki was situated in the stall, Sylvie spent the first weeks there with her. Not as the stallion but in her aesir form, taking Loki on daily walks, feeding her hay, cereals, and fruits, cleaning the stall (since Torstein chose not to charge a rent on the place as it was for the prince of Asgard and her family), and even keeping Loki company as she slept with her head on Sylvie’s lap.
Loki’s fears of people being judgmental of their offspring had been unfounded, and all of their friends began paying regular visits to Loki after hearing the news. Soon even Loki was tired of all the attention she was having from Thor, Valkyrie, and the well-intended citizens of the town who came to visit her in the stables or even praised her when she took her daily walks.
The mornings were warmer with each day that passed and Loki felt uncomfortable with the size and weight of her belly, making it difficult for her to stand, lay down, walk, and even rest or sleep. All that was adding to her ill humor and short patience that Sylvie had to ease every day as the date approached.
Sylvie woke up early as every morning and made her way to the stables immediately, having her breakfast while she walked. A year had passed since that spring hunt where Loki and she had shapeshifted into horses and ran away for two weeks.
Even if Loki’s due date was already a month late, none of them had concern much about it. They were both gods, and considering how big Loki’s belly was, it wasn’t surprising that the foal might need some extra time to fully develop and choose to be born.
“She’s been impossible this morning,” said Torstein greeting Sylvie into the stables and showing her the teeth marks on his arm.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized on Loki’s part and when her voice echoed in the barn, a deafening neigh alerted horses and Asgardians alike. Sylvie rolled her eyes and excusing herself she made her way to Loki’s stall, but before she could even greet her, Loki poked her head out and let out a painful groan.
“Loki what is it?” Sylvie asked concerned now at her side.
Loki huffed and snorted, she moved nervously around the stall and stomped with her hoof a few times.
“Is… is it today?” Asked Sylvie with the nervousness creeping up her spine. “It’s happening?”
Loki nodded and kept pacing around, huffing soundly.
“I’ll call the vet,” said Torstein next to them.
Loki insisted on taking a few steps outside the stall while the vet arrived, but the contractions and the pain were increasing. And even with the discomfort, Loki couldn’t decide if to go through the delivery standing or lying down.
The labor extended for a few hours even after the vet arrived; in the meantime, word had spread and Thor, Valkyrie, and even Mobius had made it to the stables nervously waiting for the outcome.
Loki huffed and groaned, the sweat dampening her mane and neck, along with dampening Sylvie who was holding her head in her lap, caressing her neck, and whispering encouraging words to her. Loki squealed and even teared up, but Sylvie pursed her lips tight and pushed down all her doubts and fears.
“You can do this, Loki,” she said patting her neck gently. “We’ve come a long year for this, haven’t we? This is the last effort, girl. I know you can do this.”
The minutes felt like hours, and Sylvie’s heart ached and bleed with Loki’s groans and squeals, but when Loki finally delivered a grey foal with eight legs, her heart filled with love and sighed heavily with relief.
Sylvie helped Loki stand for her to tend to their newborn. Loki licked clean the still shaken and confused foal whose eyes were still adjusting and recognizing Loki and Sylvie’s voices from the latest months.
The foal was aware after an hour and Loki felt far more relieved; Sylvie was still dampened with Loki’s sweat and couldn’t stop looking at their baby as she pressed tightly against Loki.
Before another hour went by, Sylvie exited the stall and went to talk to their friends outside the stables. All their eyes fell upon Sylvie and she didn’t even notice the concern in their faces, for besides the horse sweat, the dirt, and the mess she was, a broad smile was plastered on her face.
Thor put an arm around her, and just then Sylvie noticed how her legs felt weak and how tired she actually was.
“It’s a foal,” she announced. “Grey fur and with eight legs!”
The eyes of the small crowd were surprised for a moment, but then the looks enlightened and they all surrounded Sylvie giving compliments and good wishes.
“Here,” said Mobius offering her a handkerchief.
“What’s this for?”
“Your face…” he said carefully, and only then did Sylvie feel how her face was also wet from her own heavy tears. She dried them and was about to return the handkerchief to Mobius when a new outburst of tears fell from her eyes and the small crowd of friends hug her tight.
A few more hours passed before they all could see the newborn Sleipnir take their first steps, struggling with the eight legs that tangled and shook with the weight. Loki was gentle and encouraged the baby with her muzzle.
All their friends shared their congratulations to both Loki and Sylvie, also shared their best wishes and support for what lay ahead, and let them rest for the evening. The three of them spent the night at the stall, Loki standing and laying down every now and then, while Sleipnir rested nestled with Sylvie in a corner over a big comfy bed of hay.
Another week passed, Sleipnir gaining weight and mastering the use of the eight legs to run, skip and trot around under the warm spring sun while Sylvie and Loki would stand aside to contemplate the little wonder their foal was.
A green shimmer was accompanied by a heavy and tiresome sigh of relief as Loki shapeshifted back into his aesir form after months of being a mare. Dirty and smelly, his tired eyes looked at Sylvie with the deepest longing and reverence, Sylvie returned the look but was filled with love and pride for him.
“You look awful,” she said taking on the bags under his eyes and how thin and pale he was.
“You look stunning as always,” he said and Sylvie chuckled.
“You’ve given me such a gift,” she said burying her face in his chest on the first hug in months. Loki wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head.
“It was your gift to me too.”
Sylvie reached up for his lips and they kissed while thin tears streamed down their cheeks. Their arms entangled around their necks and waists and shoulders, only to break away when the rhythmic sound of eight hooves stepped close to them.
Sleipnir looked at Loki with the biggest curiosity that face could show, the foal sniffed him and finally waived that short fluffy tail stomping happily recognizing Loki. Sleipnir jumped into their embrace and the three shared a hug, with happy hearts and smug smiles.