picnic by the lake
2.10
Diplomatic paperwork had to be Skyler's worst nightmare. Ever since she'd requested the nobility and courtesans to inform her of their inquiries through mail, her desk had been loaded with scrolls to read and respond to without seeming angry.
She should have someone set up a standard respond form, it would certainly save her time. Even more if she had a laptop around here or something.
Several hours skipped by, the sun high at the sky by the time she had survived half the stack of scrolls. She needed a break. Desperately.
She rose from her chair and shed her bathrobe, in which she had spent half the day already. The sun heated her back from her windows, a summer breeze brushing her shoulder. It was summer. She was Queen of Asgard. Fuck the paperwork, she could do whatever she wanted. And she wanted to go for a swim.
Skyler packed light and pulled a simple white dress over her head. Adjusting a periwinkle robe around her waist to look slightly more refined. She grabbed a history book from her shelves and headed for the kitchens.
"Your Majesty!" the Cook, Reinaldo, bowed deeply as she entered the kitchens. "What a pleasant surprise, are you going out today?" Skyler smiled at him and nodded.
"Just out to the Royal Lake... I figured it would be a great day to go for a swim. Do you have any cakes or other sweets?"
The cook seemed to shuffle to hide his pans before pointing toward the cabinet. "There are always blueberry pastries waiting for you, Your Majesty. I'm afraid I don't have your favourite." Millionaire's Shortbread – a delight she had taken with her from her first year at Hogwarts. The Cook always remembered to make it.
Skyler opened the cabinet and stuffed some blueberry pastries in her bag. "Thanks, Reinaldo. I'll try and stop by before dinner to tell you how I liked them. Have a break yourself, alright? Breathe in the fresh air."
Reinaldo held his cooking spoon high in the air as he looked outraged. "Your Majesty, that is an offense to my heart! Nowhere in the realm, does the air breathe better than around my kitchen!"
Skyler laughed and nodded. "That is indeed true. Have a great day then." She waved a goodbye and headed out to the stables.
Lilly, the grey mare she'd 'burrowed' from Wolveshire Fort, awaited her. The mare whinnied at her as Skyler opened the stable and put a sheep blanked over her back. "Today we're going to relax, girl," she hummed as she put the bridles over the horse's head. With the help of a stool, Skyler swiftly placed herself upon the horse.
She took the reins and gave the spurs. "Let's go," she said with a smile.
~
~
It was quiet in the Burrow, awfully quiet. Fred and Vali had taken refuge in Fred's childhood home, since the other members of the family had fled to their rich aunt Muriel. The house was under surveillance, which meant the Mark had been placed upon it. Therefore, Fred was unable to use magic, to his great chagrin.
Vali tried his outmost best to cheer him up and distract him; he made breakfast, told Asgardian legends through his own magic, helped him with the creation of new ideas for the shop. None of it seemed to work, though. Fred remained restless and grumpy. The only thing he did, was flying. Fred flew around the Burrow and sometimes even through it – day in and day out.
"Sweetheart." Vali entered their room, the tray with breakfast at the ready. Fred gave a grunt and turned to him. "Good morning," Vali said with the best smile he could muster. The war was starting to get to the both of them. Vali too, was done with it.
Upon eyeing the dishes and then looking into his eyes, Fred smiled at him. "Good morning. I guess you had fun in the kitchen, now did you?"
Vali placed the tray between them and sat down on the bed. "I actually went into town – to the supermarket. It's quite fascinating how humans manage to contain so many ingredients in just a box with powders. I only had to add water to make the buns." He held one out to Fred, who cut it open and stuffed it with bacon and eggs.
"How are you such an amazing cook?" he tried to say, but it came out muffled. Vali smiled at his antics, handing Fred a napkin to wipe his mouth.
After taking a bite from his toast, Vali answered, "Well, Narfi was always more the warrior and woodcutting type. After the death of our mother, when we voluntarily went into banishment, one of us had to make sure we ate properly. My brother wasn't going to do it, so I took that duty upon myself."
Fred listened to his story intently, still eating bits of the breakfast. "Sometimes I forget that you're over centuries old – and then you tell these stories." His joke enticed a chuckle from Vali.
"Well, you talk all the time; about Hogwarts and your adventures with your brother. I wish to add some interesting stories to this relationship as well." He gave Fred a wink. "Now, you want to come downstairs? I have another surprise."
As Fred got himself dressed in his mother's latest edition of his Christmas sweater and a pair of sweatpants, Vali teleported himself downstairs, cleaning the kitchen in a rapid process. Then he moved all his baked goods to the living room.
"Well, what was this surprise you were talking about?" Fred's voice came from the stairs, getting closer any second.
Vali put down the cookies and cupcakes, just in time to do jazz-hands as Fred turned the corner. "Happy belated birthday!"
Fred froze, eyeing the technical equipment installed in front of the couch. Stark helped Vali pick out a game console and a proper TV, as he and Fred had discovered video games during their time at the compound.
"I thought this would maybe help to take your mind off everything," Vali said, scratching the back of his head.
Fred slowly made his way over, looking at the blankets and pillows sprawled out over the couch. "I love this. I— my birthday was a month ago, and you gave me a whole bunch of gifts, so how is this 'belated', as you said?"
Vali pecked him on the cheek. "See this as a present for every birthday I have ever missed before." He put his arms around Fred's waist and hugged him. "You have been so... out of it, and I wanted to spoil you. I know you worry for your friends and family, I hoped this might distract you from the chaos outside and get you off that broom," he added with a smile. "You like it?"
Fred smiled brightly. "As I said, I love it. I love you." Vali's eyes widened, as the rest of his body froze. That was the first time either of them ever said it aloud.
"Fred, I –"
A loud 'pop' resounded from outside the house. "Fred! Vali!" Arthur Weasley came running in the Burrow, his face drained of colour.
"Dad!" Fred ran to his father's side. Vali sped to the kitchen and offered the man a chair. "Dad, what happened?"
Arthur nodded at Vali. "Thanks, son." He turned to Fred. "Harry went to Hogwarts... The Order has assembled. It's starting. The endgame."
~
~
Raymond had about enough of Skyler's habit to disappear without a trace. He'd gone to her chambers and by now searched the whole palace, with the intention to ask her if she'd join him for another lunch at Hana's. The lively place had left him with a peaceful feeling within his heart, something he hadn't felt since the death of his father.
The Queen herself, however, was nowhere to be found. So, instead of going for lunch at Hana's by himself, he went to see if Reinaldo had some leftovers. As always, the palace kitchens had a delicious odour to them, varying from the scent of cakes and tartlets, to soups and grilled meat.
"Ah, if it isn't our newest High General!" Reinaldo popped out of one of the cabinets, his hands filled with fresh fruits. "I assume you are here to join our Queen on her picnic?" The cook added with a wink.
Raymond gave him an odd look. "You have seen the Queen?"
The cook nodded. "Of course, I started on her favourite snack as soon as she left. I assumed you would accompany her for lunch, and it seems I was right. So, hereby, Millionaire's Shortbread, the Queen's favourite. The whole palace staff wishes you lovely sweethearts a wonderful afternoon at the Royal Lake." Reinaldo smirked suggestively and Raymond's eyes widened.
"Ah, no.. no. Reinaldo, I apologise if I ever insinuated such, but the Queen and I have nothing but friendship between us," Raymond noticed the entire kitchen froze, listening intently to their conversation, "Whatever gave you such ideas, anyway?"
Reinaldo's smirk did not falter, "Please think nothing of it, Your Grace, just a merry bet between the palace staff. Now, please bring these to Her Majesty, if she was not expecting you already. Off you go."
Blinking, and with a sweetly smelling package in hand, Raymond exited the kitchens. What had just happened?
In a confused daze, he made his way to the stables. The stable boy had already readied his horse, which was odd, as Raymond had never given an order to do that.
"Well," he mumbled to his horse, "it seems we will be visiting the Royal Lake, my friend." With that, he gave the spurs and hurried off. A smile reached his face as he imagined telling Skyler that the palace staff placed bets on their relationship.
~
~
The waters of the Royal Lake were so, so peaceful. Norns, how Skyler had missed the time to relax. She floated on her back, the water a pool of starlight-like liquid. It was soft to the touch – the waters of peace. This lake was supposed to be the only place sirens could wade in without having their hunting instinct take over. Skyler now understood why.
For the first time since her resurrection, she did not miss the electricity that used to crackle through her veins. If anything, she would stay here forever if she could.
Lilly gave a warning sound, moving her head from the delicious grass to the road. Skyler opened a single eye, before both of her eyes widened. A rider. She quickly moved to the shore, covering herself to her best capabilities.
The rider came closer and Skyler felt the urge to slap herself. What was Raymond doing here? Why did she not wear something more decent to Asgardian culture?
Raymond slowed, a grin reaching his face as he noticed her hiding most of herself under the pier. "Your face could resemble a rose, my dear Queen," he mused. He stepped onto the pier and kneeled. "Did someone forget to bring a bathing suit?" he teased.
Skyler glared playfully at him. "Technically, I am wearing a dress, but it is simply made of sheer and white fabric, so my very delicate underwear is on display." She tried to set up a seductive tone, teasing him back. Raymond's cheeks flushed a bright pink as he quickly turned around and started rummaging through her things.
"Here it is!" He took her fluffy towel and held it up like a trophy, earning a soft giggle from Skyler. With his head turned away, he held it out for her. "Please do hurry up, before my arm starts to hurt." The smile was so evident in his voice, Skyler's heart fluttered.
"Sure you don't want to join instead, my dear High General?" she teased as she pulled herself out of the water.
She wrapped the towel around her body, moving to her saddlebag for her picnic blanket. As she set up for her lunch, Raymond did not move. He just stood there, mouth agape. "Are you alright, Ray?" asked Skyler, a single eyebrow raised.
"Sky, you – it's beautiful..." he managed to croak out after a series of incoherent mumblings. Finally, he seemed to notice his gawking. He composed himself and cleared his throat, "The tattoo, I mean."
Skyler looked at her left arm, the scales of a snake, varying between the colour of her skin and golden ink spread all the way over her arm. It went, as she knew, over her back and right down her right leg. The snake's, Kelly's, head was pictured on the back of her hand, eyes still gold and shining. "Oh, thank you."
~
~
It was a snake. A snake with golden eyes and scales, that seemed to have wrapped itself over her entire body. It was beautiful. She was beautiful.
Despite his previous gawking moment, Raymond caught his eyes trailing down her leg, where the snake's tail wrapped around her ankle. He could follow the snake until her towel covered it – but it continued, he could guess as such. "No wonder you had to be in that tattoo saloon alone," he mumbled, tearing his eyes off the artwork, focussing back to her intoxicating brown orbs.
Skyler smiled, "Yes, it took a while and it hurt like a bitch, but it was totally worth it." Her gaze went back to her arm, admiring it herself. "Took its time to heal though, I expected it to be ready after a day or two, not a whole week."
Raymond's throat felt slightly dry as he dared the question, "Was that the only tattoo your friend set?"
A smirk spread over her face. "Are you asking if there are more tattoos you cannot see, my dear Raymond?" She moved to her saddleback again, whipping out a periwinkle robe. "There is another one," she admitted as she pulled the robe around her body, before removing the towel from underneath. "But that one's a little more intimate. For my eyes only, actually." She fastened the robe around her waist and sat back down.
Once again, Raymond found his head spinning and his cheeks burning with a blush. He had to change the subject before he said things he couldn't undo. "My Queen, the cook actually send me over to hand you a present." Yes, that was a fabulous idea. He would tell her about the staff's betting pool. Surely that was more interesting than imagining the tattoos over his Queen's body. He stood, his legs somewhat weak, and took the baked goods from his saddle bag.
"So, Reinaldo did have Millionaire's Shortbread?" Skyler had peeked over his shoulder, her face brightened upon seeing the package. Her skin began to emit a golden glow as Raymond handed it to her. It was almost... adorable.
She took his hand and pulled him back to their blanket. "Here, try one. It is the absolute best! It has chocolate and caramel and it's," she took a bite from hers, "so good."
Her enthusiasm was contagious and righteously so, Raymond realized as he took a bite himself. It was delightful, delicious even. He quickly took another bite, and another, until he suddenly found himself without. Raymond blinked. "I do see why Reinaldo would send me for the delivery," he muttered.
"How so?" Skyler asked, her mouth stuffed with Shortbread.
"You would definitely eat yourself into sickness if he left you alone with a whole batch," Raymond said with a smirk. "Besides, about that – were you aware of the palace staff betting on us?"
Skyler laughed in what seemed to be disbelief. "They bet? On us?" Raymond nodded. "Why?!"
"Apparently, we have the palace staff convinced we are... well, in a relationship of romantic nature." Skyler froze, her mouth paused from taking a sip of her drink.
Her eyes found his, confused. Her head cocked a little to the right. "They think we're... together?" He nodded again. "Oh, well, that could've been worse, I guess."
Raymond could feel his heartbeat in every joint in his body, his breath wavering. What did that mean? Did she – did she not feel offended these rumours? "Sky, do you –" He stopped talking as his Queen's eyes turned into a familiar gold. Heimdall.
She rose to her feet as the colour faded from her eyes. "It's starting." She ran for her horse, leaving everything behind.
"What's starting?" Raymond asked, still slightly in shock.
Skyler gave him a sad but determined look, "The war."
____
well, hello there.
this is awkward, but I guess I made myself write another chapter? I was in the zone - but at least it's a long one.
Thank you all for still reading and enjoying this series. My life is a whirlwind of looking after my mental health, making it through 3 years of pre-university level education within less than a year, a steady relationship and then there is COVID-19, which is still keeping my country (The Netherlands) in lockdown. YAY.
Here is a new chapter, for you guys, by you guys. It's your comments and sweet words that keep me determined to write and finish this series. Thank you for your love and support. I love you guys and I sincerely hope that you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing again.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Love,
Jill