Today was the big day. Thor would be told at a banquet tonight that he was to be king. He was twenty one and, in three years, at twenty four he would take the crown. King Odin was stepping down soon and had chosen his eldest son. Kenna had to admit the man was getting up there in years, but he still had the spark of a great leader. He was kind and caring, yet strict and unbending in certain situations. She held him in high esteem, as did the rest of Asgard.
Kenna's heeled boots sounded as she walked leisurely through the hallway of the palace. She had instinctually gone to the hall outside the weapon's vault. She wasn't sure why, but when she got a feeling she should be somewhere, she appeared there. Her instincts were pretty good, too. On her record already were saved children, lost pets, and the prevention of disasters. Many thought it was just because of her magic. She was a healer; why shouldn't she be able to prevent people from getting hurt even a little? Whatever it was, Kenna did not mind, because she was usually led into the path of one of her favorite people in Asgard, which on deeper thought, may not have been a good thing.
Leaning against the railing of the hallway, Kenna waited patiently. She was rewarded as not even a minute passed before she met with her dear childhood friend once again. Her face cracked into a smile at the look of surprise on his face. A young man with dark hair slicked back caught her eye.
"Kenna."
"Loki."
The young man stood awkwardly by the door as it closed. Kenna leaned off of the railing and sauntered over to the boy who was particularly fond of green, so shown by every outfit he owned. She peered up into his face questioningly.
"Are you going to tell me what you were doing in there or am I going to pry it out of you, as usual?"
Loki turned away from her with a sigh.
"I was just checking that the vault was safe. You know when we have parties, security gets a little...slack."
Kenna frowned. She couldn't differentiate between a lie or the truth. She honestly didn't care too much what he was doing in there, she was just happy she had found him. She shrugged and swung around in front of him. She spun twice.
"What do you think? Fit for a banquet?"
"Why don't you ask Thor? It's his party...as usual."
Kenna crossed her arms in front of her.
"I know and it's unfair, but if I ask him how I look then he'll ask me how I think he looks. And I don't think he wants to hear my answer. Because I'm a horrible and mean best friend to him, just like you are to me. A very sick cycle, don't you think?"
She got Loki to smile. It was a real smile. Once he had gotten past childhood, his smiles had gotten more rare and she was one of the last people who could pull it out. It was work, but she could do it.
"Ah, fine. If you won't tell me, I'll head get my mother right now."
She started to make her way back down the hallway when Loki's quiet voice reached her.
"You look beautiful."
She turned back to him and looked down at her dress. It was made of silk in a royal blue color with gold designs like vines. Her chocolate brown hair fell around her shoulders in lustrous waves. Kenna wasn't surprised with Loki's statement. He always acted indignant about everything until the last second when it came to her. Then he'd spout out something nice and she'd feel bad for thinking he only cared about what Thor did. She walked back over to him.
"I may be asking a lot, but...I have no escort to the banquet. I wonder if our Prince Loki has one..."
He gave a small grin and held his arm out to her. She instantly linked arms with him.
"Indeed I did not until this moment."
"Ah, convenient. Shall we fetch my mother?"
Loki cringed, but they began walking up to the dressing room in the palace. Kenna's mother made all the outfits for the nobility as well as her daughter. That was why Kenna grew up with the two princes. Odin and Frigga were very fond of Kenna to the point that now even Kenna's mother was held in high esteem. Yet, Kenna's mother, Ailsa, was very interested in her daughters future, which caused problems for Kenna. Her mother wanted the young lady to someday be queen, so she was always pushing Kenna to spend time with Thor. It hadn't worked out as Thor was never alone with Loki and other friends to be with him. Because of this, Kenna had the young warrior woman Sif as her closest female friend and she spent most of her free time with Loki. Her mother couldn't believe things turned out like this.
When they got to the dressing room, Loki stopped her at the door.
"I need to say something," he told her, his face very serious.
Kenna was alarmed for a moment.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. I just..." Loki hesitated before he sighed," I want to apologize for...today. Something is going to happen at this banquet...to you. I'm sorry. But know that I am always here for you."
Her eyes were wide in confusion and fear. She didn't have time to ask him what he was talking about as her mother suddenly opened the door.
"Oh! Kenna. Good. Oh, and Prince Loki, so nice to see you."
Loki gave her a smile. Only Kenna could tell when Loki's smiles were fake and the one her mother was getting in that category. It did not reach his eyes at all, yet he still looked pleasant.
"It is wonderful to see you as well Lady Ailsa."
Her mother beamed and rubbed her daughter's cheek.
"You had a smudge. I assume he is escorting you? Fine, fine. Good day today for some, hm?"
Kenna smiled at her mother.
"For Thor, yes."
Her mother laughed and pinched her cheek.
"Oh, dear! For you, too! Frigga told me that Thor is going to propose to you! You'll say yes of course. I'm so excited. See you there, Kenna."
Kenna's face turned to stone, her mouth hanging open as her mother disappeared. Loki sighed from beside her and rubbed his temples in irritation. Apparently, her mother wasn't supposed to tell her anything. The young woman slowly turned to Loki.
"What...in the name of Odin...did she say?"
"Surprise?"
She made a sound in her throat comparable to someone being squished by a boulder. She grabbed the front of Loki's robes and shook him.
"I don't want to marry him! HELP ME!"
Loki pulled her hands off of his clothing and held them.
"When I found out, I did what I could, but you have to get married. I am so sorry. You just have to weigh your options when you get them."
"What option? There is "Thor" and then there is "Thor"."
Loki closed his eyes before tilting her head up to look at him as he opened his eyes. The green orbs met her honey brown one's, piercing through her soul, keeping her silent.
"You have options. Just pretend you know nothing and do what you must. But you have to marry not matter what or your mother will probably hunt you down and make your life terrible. Trust me. Just pick what you want."
Kenna swallowed hard.
"What I want?"
"Yes."
He wasn't making sense to her, but his words were the only once she could hang on to for now. He linked his arm with hers once again and they moved toward the banquet hall. When they entered, they were greeted by a very jovial Frigga, who greet both with kisses on their cheeks. Odin nodded at the both before Loki led her to her seat between him and Thor. With Kenna seated, he took his seat to her left. Her mother smiled at her from across the table. Frigga was soon seated beside her with Odin at the head of the table beside her. There are at least fifty other people in attendance, including Sif, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun. Kenna had a hard time paying attention to anything Odin was saying. She was not registering anything until midway through dinner when Thor nudged her shoulder with his and whispered to her.
"Are you feeling well?"
"Of course not. My mother told me you were going to propose to me."
Kenna looked up at him. She was slightly relieved to see his face darken.
"My mother thought it would be a good idea. I'm not completely sure about what will happen. As far as I know I have to present you with a ring and spout some nonsense. I love you dearly, but you are my friend."
"What can be done?"
"Nothing. Both Loki and I tried reasoning with mother, but father isn't stopping this. He agrees that if you will have me, then we should get married."
A shudder ran down Kenna's spine at the thought of being married to Thor. The lovely trophy wife. It was fitting. A warrior like Thor marrying a magic user who could heal people's battle wounds. Thor himself was not someone Kenna could handle. They tended to disagree a lot in views, which is hard considering Kenna was skilled at following the course laid out before her. She did not even want to consider the fact that a king was expected to have heirs. Loki had to grab her hand to keep her from stabbing her fork into the table in frustration while her nerves took over it. Glancing around, he took the fork out of her hand, put it back on the table, and placed her hand back on her lap.
"Calm down," he hissed.
"Sorry."
After the meals, Odin gave a long speech in which he announced Thor as his heir, which of course was a complete surprise to Thor. The young man obviously felt triumphant and smiled and nodded at everyone like the celebrity he was. Kenna and Loki grinned at each other, having secretly made jokes about Thor's popularity in private conversations between the two. It was just a bit of fun poked at a love one, of course. It was after this that Odin asked Kenna to stand up and come to him. Gulping down nerves, she steadily got up and went over to him.
"We have a special occurrence at this banquet. As many of you know, Kenna has been a member of this family since her father died in the war and her mother became the famous designer that she is. She has made a wonderful childhood companion for both of our boys, Thor and Loki, and has taught them much about how to deal with women."
Sif accidentally snorted really loudly into her wine at that moment. Eyes turned to her as she turned a slight pink and tried to bury herself in her chair. She caught Thor giving her a joking glare while Loki looked insulted. Kenna laughed quickly, releasing some of the tension she had accumulated during the banquet.
"Now, Thor, if you will."
The future king cleared his throat and got out of his chair. Going over to Kenna, he gave her an apologetic look before kneeling before her. The majority of the guests gasped and began whispering. Thor held out an open palm that made Kenna's eyes open very wide. In his hand was a ring with a ruby on it in the shape of a hammer. Mjölnir on a silver band. He then pinched the ring between the index and thumb of his left hand.
"Kenna, as I will one day be king...I hope that you will consider being my queen. You have always been...my friend. I will do my best to make you happy and give you all you desire. I know I am asking much of you, but...please carefully consider this...marriage proposal."
The young healer made a squeaking noise deep in her throat. To her surprise, Odin put a hand on his shoulder and instructed him to stand up. Have him stand off to the side, he turned toward the table.
"Loki, my son..."
With his face an unreadable mask, he got out of his seat and made his way toward the small group. Kenna shot Thor a questioning look, but she only got a raised eyebrow in return. She then glanced over at her mother who looked extremely confused and appeared to almost be getting up out of her seat, but she knew better than to do that. Kenna's eyes widened significantly as Loki got down on one knee. Thor's mouth opened slightly in surprise. He took her hand and gently kissed it. Holding out his free hand, a ring materialized in his fingers. Kenna's eyebrows shot up. The ring was significantly different from Thor's. While the previous ring was characteristic of Thor, bearing his colors and showing his symbol, this ring held only one aspect of Loki. The ring was a rose. Sapphire and emerald intertwined in a stem that became a two colored rose on a band of gold.
"I know this is overwhelming," Loki began in a silky voice, the voice that everyone knew he used when persuading someone of something," and I cannot possibly measure up to my brother's offer. I just want you to consider marrying me. Your happiness is very important to me and I support you no matter who you choose. I make no promises to you. I just hope that, so far, you've been having a very Happy 20th Birthday. So, Kenna...will you marry me?"
Loki stood up and backed up till he was standing beside Thor. The subject of these proposals was frozen. Her mind was working double time and for some reason, she found herself unbelievably scared. Whoever she chose, she would make an impact in some way. Her hands shook and goose bumps travelled up her arms.
"I-I need a moment."
She fled the hall. Once outside the room she moved down the hallway a bit and stopped at a familiar balcony. Placing her hands on the railing, she looked over. She began to feel sick so she looked up at the sky instead and took a deep breath. Her mind went back to the time she had been walking on the railing to show off how much balance she had. She and the boys had been about eight at the time. She wasn't as balanced as she thought and had slipped off the side. If it hadn't been for both boys grabbed her arms, she would have surely fallen to her death. Turning, she leaned against the railing. Thor would be king and could give her the world. But he was arrogant and did not have anything in his heart other than friendship for her. And then Loki...he of course remembered her birthday. He never forgot something like that. Yet he was the younger brother and picking him might come off as an insult. With Loki...there was a chance. There was a possibility that existed for the two of them to-
"Kenna!"
Looking forward, she found her mother. Standing up straight, she faced her mother as the woman grabbed her shoulders.
"Sweetheart, you know who you should be choosing, right? Thor! He's...handsome...brave...and he'll be a king. Go back in there. At least this makes it look like you're confused, that way it won't be so hard on Loki, but we both know how this needs to go."
Wrapped an arm around to her daughter's back, she walked Kenna back to the banquet hall. Her mother went in first so she could take her chair again. Upon walking in, the young woman found everyone back in their seats. All eyes were on her as she stood in the doorway. She caught her mother whispering to Frigga, probably telling the queen her daughter's choice. Taking a step forward, the young healer looked around at all the faces, all except the faces of Thor and Loki.
"I've...made my decision. And...I need to say...I am one hundred percent sure of my choice."
She dared a glance at the boys. Both of them were looking away from her. She could see her mother smiling at her, nodding her head. Letting out some air in a short exhale, she raised her head high.
"Thor..."
His blue eyes met hers, his face completely serious. Loki's lips pursed, typical of when things went how he expected.
"...I'm sorry. I accept your proposal...Loki."
Thor's face broke into a smile, his pure white teeth showing. Loki's eyes locked on hers, wide with surprise. He only blinked after Thor gave him a great congratulatory clap on the back. The opposite side of the table had started in alarm as Kenna's mother had fainted, something that seemed to amuse Odin quite a bit. Frigga was fanning the distraught woman with a napkin. Having gathered himself together, Loki made his way to her side and slipped his ring onto her finger, officially making it hers. Then, for show, the two of them embraced. Loki could feel her trembling so he placed a comforting hand on the back of her head as she sniffled into his shirt.
"Are you okay with this?" she whispered as the guests clapped in congratulations.
"I told you to do what you want," he responded," Did you?"
She nodded almost imperceptibly. She heard Loki chuckle softly.
"Then don't worry."
