Who: New Asgard What: a royal wedding When: around the 15th Rating: Green
It was a sunny Friday afternoon when New Asgard held a wedding ceremony. This was nothing remotely close to royal weddings in the palace of old Asgard. Gone where servants buzzing to and fro as they fussed over the smallest details, and there was no royal kitchen where the cooks were set to prepare a week long feast for visiting dignitaries.
This was a much smaller and intimate affair, despite Loki using some precarious secret paths to obtain lavish food and drinks, as well as magical decorations from other realms. This was scaled down now that an entire realm consisted of only the village, and the only 'dignitaries' were Jane Foster, and a scant few friends who were invited to the feast taking place after the ceremony. Other than that, this affair was strictly for Asgardians.
The ceremony itself was in a former church, which now doubled as both a school and a 'community center.' It was the largest structure in New Asgard save for the King's home. And while it looked mundane by Midgardian standards on the outside, the inside was very much Asgardian by design. It was all polished and carved golden hued wood and marble floors. The lights overhead a warm golden glow over flowers that were a shade of blue that could rival a clear sky on Midgard, Each pillar or post was strewn with these flowers and a garland of gossamer sheer cloth from Alfheim, each strand faintly glowing with a pale white light and shimmering with a rainbow iridescence reminiscent of the Bifrost.
There were no fathers to guide either the bride or the groom to where the King waited. Instead, the prince and his bride walked hand in hand with two of the village children behind them as weapon bearers; Inga with the Valkyrie and Bjorn for Loki. The couple wore their ceremonial armor, as was tradition, but the Valkyrie had a silver circlet on her brow, with flowers of blue and white that matched the decorations.
The vows were long and many in a royal wedding, meant to pledge fealty to their king, as well as loyalty and faithfulness to one another. Before those of Asgard, the pair exchanged rings and pledged to protect their home and people, and would instill that same sentiment in any off-spring from their union. His house was now her house to guard and care for. And everyone knew that actually tending to the house would be all Loki's doing, given that his bride was a warrior and NOT neat or orderly.
Then came the time to offer ancestral weapons to one another, which were passed down from one to another through the family line. However, this posed a problem. The daggers his mother trained him with were lost with Asgard's fall (having been mounted in a display in his chambers), and the Valkyrie had nothing from her own family. Instead, it appeared they went through the trouble of having new heirlooms made, since Loki took a long spear from Bjorn, holding it out in offering to his bride-to-be.
"Valkyrie..." he began, his expression of infinite fondness he held for his wife was clear to everyone present, "...I, Loki, Prince of Asgard, offer unto you this spear henceforth known as Ormr-Værhår or Dragon Whisker as Midgard would say, should you choose to accept it. May it serve you well in battle. Thus do I hereby pledge myself unto you, until the end of my days."
It was really happening. Brunnhilde took a deep breath, accepting the weapon and looking it over for a moment with a large, impish grin before she handed it off. “Loki,” She started, raising her eyebrows as she breathed deeply before continuing. “From this day forth, I wish to wed you as my truest self, because you are a part of my soul and the truest form of love I could ever imagine. I, Brunnhilde, Last Valkyrie of Asgard, offer unto you this sword, henceforth known as Sjeleblad or Soulblade, should you choose to accept it. The blade was forged with my own blood and seidr so you shall never be without me even when we are apart. May it serve you well in the face of danger. Thus do I hereby pledge myself unto you, until the end of my days."
Loki looked at her with happiness that she revealed her true name before everyone, and regarded the sword as though it was a priceless treasure. He handled it with care worthy of such a weapon as he nodded in acceptance, passing it over to his weapons-bearer. Then he took hold of Brunnhilde's hand, placing a kiss there before turning to face Thor for the King's proclamation.
Thor stood at the front in polished armour so bright, he wondered if it was blinding. His leather bracers were tied tightly, and he was glad for the support because he felt oddly ill. The magnitude of the ceremony...the lack of family...the sheer importance of the event.
He didn’t want to say anything wrong, and had agonized over his part so much. The first wedding in New Asgard. His little brother and one of his best friends. Together. Forever. Such was the lot of the long lived, and it was beautiful.
Clearing his throat, he smiled.
“My dear people. Loki. Brunnhilde.” The name would take some getting used to. “How can I put in words something only a heart knows? The language of love escapes me,and yet is so plainly visible between these two, I would be hard pressed not to see it. There is no greater comfort for an older brother than to see his younger brother be happy, for that is what I see. Loki. Brother….we have been through much, through trials and tribulations and the end of the world.” Thor chuckled. “And here we stand, together, on your wedding day, stronger than ever, with a worthy addition to our family. I thank you, Loki Odinson, Prince of Asgard.”
Turning his attention to Val—Brunnhilde.
“When I met you on Sakaar, I could never have envisioned the journey our lives would have taken, or that you would be here, wedding my brother. Now though, I can see no other path. Your loyalty and devotion to Asgard and her people are the reason we are here today, and it is by your hand, your sacrifices and perseverance. Love and cherish my brother as he deserves, and you will continue to receive nothing but admiration from me. I thank you, Brunnhilde, Last Valkyrie of Asgard and its first Princess.”
He raised his hands and grinned toothily.
“It is with my greatest pleasure that I, Thor Odinson, King of Asgard, formally acknowledge this union as blessed by everything in my power. My people— join me now in congratulating and honouring this joyous event. Honour your new Princess and your cherished Prince.”
All those present let out a cheer for the King, the Prince, and their new Princess.
Sif cheered along with her friends and grinned at Val and Loki and Thor.
The ceremony now concluded, the couple were led out in a procession to tents on the grassy slope overlooking the village. There, food and drink awaited, and all manner of revelry and games would be held throughout the next seven days.