Well...here we go with another. I cannot promise how often I'll be updating this, but I thought get it out there. This is loosely based on "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but I'm envisioning it to be a bit of a fairy tale. We'll see.
I'm still working on my other stories, so look for those updates!
Gareth: A toast before we go into battle. True love. In whatever shape or form it may come. May we all in our dotage be proud to say, "I was adored once too."
Tom: Oh, I don't know, Charlie. Unlike you, I never expected "the thunderbolt." I always just hoped that, that I'd meet some nice friendly girl, like the look of her, hope the look of me didn't make her physically sick, then pop the question and, um, settle down and be happy. It worked for my parents. Well, apart from the divorce and all that.
-"Four Weddings and a Funeral"
In Asgard, where the suns rise with slow grace and it is nearly always day, weddings are an especially joyous occasion.
Weddings, full of song and good food, mirth and bounty springs forth, for there is no expense too much for the celebration.
Even Prince Loki, usually taciturn and a even a bit surly, enjoys the atmosphere of a great wedding. Especially if there are maids there to be enjoyed.
So it was, Jane Foster, a young Aesir, was invited to a wedding one year in her five hundredth as a citizen of Asgard. Her mother was long dead…she had been older than her father when they married, and took ill when Jane was an adolescent.
But her father remained in good health, and they enjoyed a comfortable enough living in the great country of Asgard. He, her father, Casper, was a pleasant man, and protective of his young daughter.
"Who will be there, Jane?" her father was at his desk, writing out his appointments and ledgers.
"The usual," she replied. Jane wasn't terribly set on going to this wedding…it was to be at the palace, for her friend, Else, was marrying one of Asgard's Warriors Three, Fandral, a great lover and an optimist.
"Usual? Hardly. It is to take place at the palace, is it not?"
"Well, yes," and she sat next to him at the desk.
Casper sat back and observed his child…nay…woman. "And what do you think about attending a wedding at the palace?"
"Not much," she replied. "I've been to enough weddings to know that I'm not terribly fond of them in general," she played with her hair.
"No. And you have had your share of admirers. Some of whom have sought your hand."
"So?"
"So…is it not something you desire for yourself, child?" he folded his hands in front of him, and a sad look fell upon him.
Jane shrugged. "I haven't ever given it much thought, really father. I always just supposed that one day, I'd meet someone, find him attractive, he'd find me so…and that we'd get on rather well. Not much to it, really."
"Oh, Jane. But don't you want something more? Don't you want to be swept off of your feet? Like your mother and I?"
Dad. Always a romantic. "Sure, father. But not all that much," and Jane kissed his forehead, and went into the garden.
Jane wasn't a romantic. She was practical and easy. She looked at love the same way she looked at most things in life…with a skeptical eye. Living in Asgard, at both the heart and the top of Yggdrasil, made her bold. She was a bit of a flirt, but an intellectual. She considered sex the way she considered most things: part of the natural occurrence of things, and love needn't be a part of it.
Her father would be grievously displeased if he knew these dark parts of Jane's personality. He didn't want his daughter to be considered at all loose with her ethics.
Jane didn't give it much thought, really. Whether she married or not wasn't a primary concern of hers. Asgard wasn't like other Realms. A woman could own property, so she'd never starve. A woman could live on her own without fear of societal repercussion…
Jane laid on the soft grass of the garden.
What she wanted most was to see the other Realms. She wished to explore the Nine and to taste the sweet air of newness. Asgard was lovely, to be sure. She thought it a nice enough home. But she longed for more than nice enough. She wanted some adventure, with a promise of home.
Perhaps she was being selfish.
She was alright with that.
There was a banging on his door.
Loki waved his hand lazily and the door opened.
"Morning, Loki," said Thor.
"Is it?" Loki returned, his nose in a book.
"Is it morning?" and Thor sat next across from him at the hearth.
"I don't ordinarily pay much mind to such drivel as the time of day," and he turned a page.
Thor laughed. "Are you not excited, Loki? We are losing Fandral tomorrow!"
"Losing?" he snapped the book shut and looked at his adoptive brother. "Is he going off to parts unknown among the Tree?"
"Figuratively, yes. He is wedding Else! She is lovely, is she not?"
"Marriage is hardly cause for such nonsense. He is marrying a poor-ish Aesir, they will remain in Asgard, and you will see less of him. Pity, that," and he stood, and went to procure some refreshment. "What will you do without your playmate?" and he smirked.
Thor laughed. "It is simply not a question, Loki. But I know how you enjoy these festivities."
Loki handed him a drink. "I do…but as of late, I've grown tired of them. To simply have the same faces, same drink…"
"But it won't be the same! There are other, fine Aesir attending this particular ceremony! Else is from a different part of Asgard, and she will be bringing with her some fine young stock," he smirked.
He shrugged his indifference. "I think I'll keep away. I'd rather read."
"Rather…? Do be serious."
"I am. As much as it is an enthralling notion to have more fine ladies to dance with and…" he raised his eyebrows. "…such, I grow tired of the formalities and the action in general."
Loki sipped some wine and sat down once more.
"Very well, be stubborn and taciturn. I shall be enjoying the party, with or without my melancholy brother."
"Without…!" Loki called after him and laughed.
How tiresome to be engaged in such frivolity as a wedding. He was sick of it. True, in the past, he had had his share of laughter and drink, bit more, even…but it was done with now. He needed some time to regain his sensibilities. He was not the lover Thor was, nor was he apt to engage in much libation of the alcoholic variety.
True, he had had his share of both, but he was older now. A healthy 987 years of age, and determined to make the most of it. Enough with the trysts and drunken romps!
Besides, he was too young yet to marry.
Loki smiled and sat. Yes, he was predisposed to melancholy as Thor termed it, but that was hardly the motivation here. He simply wanted some peace. Fandral was no great friend of his. Let him marry some peasant girl, what did he care for it?
Jane Foster then took to tidying the house, without giving much more thought to the approaching nuptials. Her dad was excited, to be sure. He wanted Jane to enjoy the palace and such, but ever the pragmatist, Jane desired none of it, and set about her duties.
So it was when Else came to call a few days prior to the event that she was astonished to see Jane behaving as though nothing was happening.
"Jane, what do you mean by it? I am marrying a great warrior of Asgard, and a friend to the Prince! Don't you even have a gown selected for such a happy occasion?" Else sat and stared at her friend, as Jane sketched her sky charts.
"I have a dress, Else."
"But…a new one? Of current fashion?"
Jane smirked at her. "No. Why, are you suddenly so pretentious that my old gown won't do?"
"No," she blushed. "But…it's to be at the palace Jane! The royal palace," she breathed.
"And what other type of palace is there?" she smirked, returning to her study.
"You're hopeless," and Else stood, hands on hips, looking down at Jane with a good bit of consternation.
"I tell you what, Else. I'll buy a hat or shawl or something, alright? Will that please you?"
Else didn't respond, but made to look as if she was leaving. "Will you be going with Darcy?"
"Mmm," Jane said.
Else nodded. "Alright. Well…I should go. I have much to do in preparation," she turned without another look, and left the garden.
Jane watched her go, and laughed softly.
Her friends were all so caught up in the silliness of weddings and marriage and the like. Jane thought it was all ridiculous beyond measure, and really wanted nothing more than to live out her days, caring for her father and keeping the house. Maybe studying the sky.
But…Else was her friend, and Jane would go.
Not before she bought the most ridiculous hat she could find, though.