Narfi's birthday
A little drabble filled with some family fluff for the birthday boy
Suitable for all ages
(Mention of insects, swimming and eating)
“Fi-fi!” Vali shouted whilst toddling through the long grass after his brother, toy cat in hand as he navigated his way through the field, ignoring the shouts of caution from his father who watched his youngest children run free.
Narfi had run ahead, his new toy sword in hand, (a gift from his parents) he fought back the grass to create a path for his father and brother. As a birthday treat, he had managed to persuade his parents to take a trip to the nearby lake for a swimming session. Sigyn had stayed behind to bake some of her eldest child’s favourite treats for a celebratory picnic when they returned. It seemed like only yesterday that Narfi had first been placed in her arms, and now he was a headstrong and kind young boy who made her heart burst with pride and love every day.
“Vali, look at this!” Narfi called back, dropping his stick and picking something up. He ran back and unclasped his hands to reveal a purple shelled beetle within. Vali stared at the creature with wide eyes and a face filled with wonder. “Can you say beetle?” he asked his younger brother as he watched it crawl around in his hands.
“Beeta” Vali replied, trying to mimic the word whilst reaching out to touch the shiny shell.
“Close enough” Narfi laughed, watching as it flew away, obviously not liking the tiny finger prodding it. He took Vali’s free hand and carried on walking a few yards ahead of their father who felt an incredible warmth seeing the bond the two shared.
He would be lying to say that he wasn’t apprehensive when he discovered he was going to be a father again, given the fates of his older children he, of course, was scared that they would suffer the same fate. But when he first heard Narfi’s cry and saw his scrunched-up face for the first time everything seemed to fall into place. He doted on all of his children but being able to watch his youngest children grow up in relative normality was a gift he cherished. “Don’t go too far” he called to the two of them as they began to run, well tried to. Vali toddled as fast as his little legs could carry him, getting straight back up whenever he fell in an attempt to keep up with his brother.
Upon reaching the lake both boys, remembering the warnings from their parents, stayed away from the water’s edge but quickly began to undress. Narfi helped Vali with his shoes whilst the younger proudly showed off his ability to take his own shirt off. Loki rolled up his trousers and kicked off his boots before taking the hands of both his boys and leading them into the chilly fresh water. Vali jumped up and down, delighted in the splashes whilst Loki allowed Narfi to venture a little further out so he could throw himself into the slightly deeper water.
“Fi-fi fish” Vali giggled, still holding Loki’s hand whilst watching his brother flail around joyously, completely drenched and unphased by the cold water.
“Yes, he’d make a wonderful fish, wouldn’t he?” Loki laughed, sitting on a nearby rock as he kept an eye on both of them. If they were older and didn’t require so much supervision, he would have been tempted to shift into a fish himself to entertain them. But instead, he let them explore, encouraging their curiosity and telling them stories which they, as usual, adored.
After an hour or so of playing in the water, it was clear the boys were growing tired. At least Vali was. Loki dried and dressed them both, picking up Vali and holding him against his chest while taking hold of Narfi’s hand. The younger fell asleep against his father soon after whilst Narfi made up stories of various water creatures that could live in the lake and how they were all best friends with his brother Jörmungandr, which warmed Loki’s heart enormously.
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Sigyn had just placed the finishing touches to the picnic, a blanket and cushions were set out outside the front of their home under one of the fruit trees along with baskets filled with Narfi’s favourite foods.
As Loki and the boys came over the horizon, Narfi let go of Loki’s hand and ran the rest of the way into his mother’s arms. “Oh, my kjære!” she exclaimed, picking him up and hugging him tightly, “did you have fun?” she asked, sitting down with him on her lap and listening intently to all the adventures they had seemed to have gone on during their walk.
Vali stirred as Loki sat down and pressed a kiss to his wife’s cheek. “Look at all of this food!” he exclaimed. Narfi grinned but waited patiently until given permission to start eating, whilst Vali turned his head and was immediately drawn to the basket of breadsticks.
“Happy birthday, kjære” Sigyn said, pressing a kiss to Narfi’s mop of golden curls before uncovering a beautiful cake covered in strawberries and cream.
“My favourite” Narfi gasped before thanking his mother and immediately taking a slice.
As it was a special occasion, she didn’t ration any of the treats for the boys, letting Narfi devour as many apples, biscuits and slices of cake as his heart desired. Vali munched his way through the breadsticks, even starting a ‘sword’ fight against Narfi with them.
Sigyn and Loki leaned against one another affectionately, feeding one another various treats as they proudly watched their sons enjoy the celebration. As the sun set upon their happy family and both the boys passed out from their feast in their parents’ arms, Loki conjured a shelter around them and that’s where they stayed, sleeping out under the stars in one another's arms. Another successful birthday.