1. A role to play

Loki walked the hallways of the palace to the throne room, where he was summoned by his father. He found the Allfather sitting on the throne, with his wife to his right side. Odin was holding Gungnir, his powerful staff, meaning this was the king of Asgard and not just his father waiting for him to reach the steps to the throne. Loki stopped at the foot of the steps, inclining his head respectfully to his father first and his mother secondly. The gaze of his father remained unmoved, watching his son with a stern face. His mother, however, smiled sweetly and inclined her head at her son. Loki smiled back shortly, before focussing on the king of Asgard before him. He wondered why he had been called to the throne room, it had to be something official, as his mother would just have informed him of matters otherwise.

"Loki," the voice of Odin boomed from the top of the steps. "As you know, Thor is to be crowned as my successor. There is, however, an important role for you to play in the future of Asgard too."

Loki raised his eyebrows at the words of his father. The coronation that was to be held soon was a thorn in his side, as it once again proved he lived in the shadow of Thor, Odin's first-born. What important role could his father have in mind for him, his least favourite son?

"I wish to fortify the relations we have with the other realms that are under my rule," Odin continued. "The stronger our bonds are, the least we have to worry about troubles from within the realms."

"Do you wish for me to go on a diplomatic mission, father?" Loki actually liked that option, it would give him the chance to travel the realms and use his wit and powers of persuasion for political purposes.

"I wish for you to marry," Odin replied curtly.

"I beg your pardon?" Loki was astonished by his father's answer, but his surprise was soon replaced by an upbuilding anger. He was not gonna let himself be married off like some dim wench.

"You are to marry the youngest daughter of king Vonhir of Alfheim. A marriage between our houses will fortify our bonds for centuries to come."

"You mean to marry me off to a Lightelf?" Loki spit back at the king, balling his fists. "I will not do it! Forget it!"

"Loki," Frigga said carefully, probably in an attempt to appease her youngest son, but she was cut short by Odin who stood up from the throne and thudded the hilt of his staff on the floor.

"I am your king. You will do as I say!" Odin roared at his dark haired son clad in black and green at the foot of the steps.

Loki wanted to object another time, but Odin roared again to dismiss him from the throne room. Knowing that there was no reasoning with the Allfather, Loki turned on his heels and stomped back to the vast doors that formed the entrance to the throne room. One of the Einherjar opened the doors for him so that Loki could retreat unhindered. The dark prince was seething with anger, clenching and unclenching his fists all the way back to his rooms. When he reached his chambers he slammed the door shut with his magic and walked straight to the big fireplace at the other side of the room. He gripped the mantle, bowing his head and breathing raggedly. As he let out an infuriated scream, the furniture close to him toppled over from the strong gust of magic that came out with it.

When his mother knocked on the door about twenty minutes later, Loki had somewhat calmed down again. He was pacing in front of the fireplace, hands clasped to his back, as his mother calmly walked up to him.

"I want to talk to you about this," she said, taking a seat in one of the big armchairs in front of the hearth.

"What is there to talk about?" Loki answered through clenched teeth. "The Allfather has decided I should marry king Vonhir's daughter. His word is law."

Frigga nodded. "Yes, his word is law. But he is your father too. He would not ask this of you if he didn't think it was of utmost importance."

"Then why not let Thor marry the princess?" Loki spun around to face his mother. "Surely the future king of Asgard is a bigger catch than I am."

"Honey, you are a catch! Any woman who finds herself worthy of your love would be over the moon to have you." Frigga looked lovingly at her youngest son. Being in the shadow of his oldest brother often hurt his self-esteem, but Frigga was of the opinion both her sons had their own worth. They were very different from each other, yet both were honorable, courageous and courteous men.

"That's not my point, mother," Loki said annoyed.

"I know," Frigga said with a small smile. "But it's true nonetheless."

Her son snorted, turning back to the fireplace again.

"Loki, the princess will be a guest at the coronation next week. She will be staying with us for a while, in which time you two can get to know each other. King Vonhir is very protective of his youngest daughter, he will not push her into a marriage in which she will be unhappy."

"So if she doesn't like me, this whole thing goes away?" Loki faced his mother again, a smirk forming on his face.

Frigga stood up from her chair, her finger pointed at her son. "Don't you dare show that girl any other person than the courteous son I have raised!"

Loki snickered at his mother's agitation. "Don't worry, mother. I'll just be myself."

"You better be," Frigga said, tapping his leather breast piece sharply with her finger. "I stuck my head out for you with your father. He agreed to a reconnoitering period, in which you and the princess can get to know each other before you are to be wed." She explained to her son how the princess and her entourage would be their guests for a couple of months. There even was to be a exchange of servants, so the prince and princess would get the chance to get a look behind the scenes of the different houses.

Loki hardly liked the idea of getting married to a woman he didn't choose himself, but he felt like there was still a way out of this. He would play along until he saw the opportunity to end the whole charade, if possible in his own advantage. When his mother left his room she seemed convinced he would give the princess and a possible marriage to her a chance.

That night, Loki joined Thor, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three in the large sitting room in the West wing of the palace. They were his brother's friends, but they were the closest thing to friends he had in this place.

Hogun was sitting across from the door at the table, digging in what must be his second dinner, or third, biting chunks of white meat from a turkey leg. With his mouth full he waved hello at Loki, which caught the attention of Fandral, who was also sitting at the table, his legs up on the chair next to him. The blonde warrior heartthrob turned his head around to Loki, clapping his hands. "There he is, the groom! How does it feel to be betrothed?"

Loki stopped in his tracks, shooting metaphorical daggers at the man in front of him. Fandral just smiled at him, ignoring the glare. The prince turned his angry gaze to Thor, at the other side of the room, he must have been the one who spread the news. The brawny warrior lifted his tankard of ale in response. "Welcome brother. Congratulations on your engagement!"

"There is no engagement!" Loki hissed angrily.

"No need to get worked up," Thor said with a grin. "We're all happy for you!"

Loki turned around to leave the room, he didn't need this right now.

"Oh, come on, brother. It's just a joke! Don't leave!" Thor took a few quick strides to grab his sibling by the arm. "Let's get a drink and talk about this. I can imagine you aren't too happy with father's plan."

Loki let himself be persuaded into getting a drink with Thor and his friends. Hogun turned out to know a little something about the royal family of Alfheim. The youngest daughter of king Vonhir was called Loriana and she was said to be very beautiful and intelligent. According to Hogun she grew up rather protected and only traveled in the company of three guardians, one of them a high noble member of court.

"So if you end up liking her, you need to convince not only her, but also those three guardians of her," Lady Sif commented drily.

"Oohhh, a challenge!" Fandral hooted and everyone around Loki laughed.

The dark haired prince just glowered. Even if he actually would like this princess Loriana, he still didn't want an arranged marriage. He didn't see the point of fortifying the bonds between Asgard and Alfheim, there had been peace ever since Odin brought the realm under his reign. The Lightelves even needed the Asgardians, as Asgard was a stronger military force. No, Alfheim wouldn't rebel against Odin any time soon, this marriage was about something else. And the more Loki thought about it, the more he became convinced it was just a way to ship him off to another realm. A realm in which he would never be king, just as in this one.