Chapter 17

                                    

                                          

Ana smiled as the cover was drawn away, revealing the dress. "It's beautiful," she said, staring at it. White lace formed sleeves and covered the bodice, before it became a wide silk skirt with a large train, the bottom of which had embossed filigree designs over the otherwise plain white of the rest of the skirt. The lace formed flower patterns beautifully, adding to the design of the otherwise simple elegance of the dress.
"And you will look beautiful in it," Frigga smiled. "Are you happy with it? Happy to wear it for your wedding?"
"Completely, it's wonderful," Ana answered, grinning.
"May I suggest you try it on, my lady?" The seamstress top apprentice, Beyla, said. "That way we could see any adjustments that may need to be made."
Ana nodded. She could not wait to see what it looked like on her. It took a bit to get her into the dress, but then, when she was wearing it, the first thing Ana did was look in the mirror. Her breath hitched. The dress suited her perfectly. With her hair done, and the veil on... "Beyla, tell your teacher thank you, it is stunning!"
"Yes, and I do believe no adjustments need to be made," she responded, circling Ana, carefully observing everything about the dress. "Yes, it is ready."
"Well then, let us get you out of the dress," Frigga said smiling widely at Ana. "Then we can go over the menu for the feast on the day. The head chef is bringing up samples herself."
"Will Loki be there for that?" Ana asked, helping the handmaids get her out of the dress carefully.
"No, traditionally matters such as the food and drink are left to the women," Frigga told her.
"What if I choose something he doesn't like?" She asked nervously. The last thing Ana wanted was to choose foods Loki would not want to eat. It was his wedding too. She wanted him to enjoy it with her. How was she meant to make sure of that if he was not there to make sure she did not choose something he hated on accident?
Frigga could see the young woman working herself up, and knew it was the nerves displaying themselves. She took Ana's hands in hers after she got back into her green dress. "Being his mother, I know just about all his likes and dislikes. And I have no doubt that he will love whatever you choose. I know that all that matters to him is you. He could care less about the food. If you are worried, just remember I am there helping you."
Ana nodded, letting out a long breath. "You're right. I'm just panicking I guess. It's so close now, and with the dress, everything just became very real for me."
"I understand completely. Now come, we have an appointment to hold up. If you really want him to be happy with the food, may I suggest you choose the chocolate option for the dessert?"
Ana grinned. "Happily. I think I probably would have gone for that choice anyway," she told her soon to be mother-in-law.
"There, you see, you do not need to worry, you will choose well for the both of you."
Loki observed the sword the blacksmith presented him with. It was a piece of master craftsmanship, and would do the ceremony justice. He drew it and took an experimental swing. The blade was well balanced and if he had need of it in battle, he would be able to wield it without problems.
"This is perfect, you are to be commended on your workmanship," he told the man. The sword would be used for Anastasia's part of the wedding ceremony. It called for the brides family to provide a new sword for the bride to present the groom, as she would look after the ancestral sword for their son, so the groom would need a new one to protect the family. Due to Anastasia having no family she was happy being associated with, he took it upon himself to have the blade forged. He re-sheathed the sword and nodded. "A very fine blade indeed."