So first of all I credit RachelGoesRawr for the arranged marriage inspiration that's the basis of this story. Her story To the Stars and Back Again shows a sweet side to Thor that constantly makes me go awwww. (I hope you don't see any resemblances Rachel!)
Also I don't own Thor- if I did I'd keep Chris Hemsworth locked in the crawlspace below my house.
"No." The young woman stood, giving the taller man an icy glare that rivaled that of his sovereign. "Absolutely not."
"Sofia." The older man raised his hand in protest, not rising from his throne.
He received an incredulous look from the blue-eyed woman. "Father, you can't expect me to-"
"Your father expects you to let the ambassador finish his proposal." The woman to her father's right said sternly.
Sofia sighed and lowered her eyes. "Indeed mother, you have taught me better then to interrupt guests. I apologize ambassador; please finish." Her shoulders hunched in defeat as she returned to her seat to her mother's right.
The stranger looked nonplussed for a moment, trying to gain an understanding of what had occurred. Clearly things were different in this realm then his own. "Yes. Odin-King sends his most fervent wishes that an alliance between our realms be sealed in marriage." He shifted his weight uncomfortably. "However he is a most understanding king, and would not take offense if Your Majesty would choose to refuse Her Royal Highness' hand."
"And what about if Her Royal Highness were to refuse her own hand?" The younger man to the left drawled. "Certainly His Majesty wouldn't start a war for being spurned by a lady."
Sofia narrowed her eyes. "Mirko." She shot sharply. He brother ignored her, and fixed the ambassador with a heavy stare.
The ambassador coughed. "His Majesty would only wish for the deepest friendship between the realms."
Mirko leaned back in his throne. "I'll bet he does. Now that we're the only realm that can travel between the others. Does he know you must be Jochidikte to make travels that aren't simply between our realm and your own?"
"His Majesty is unaware of the details of your ingenuity." The Ambassador admitted. "And it did not come to mind when he sent me here. Tales of your daughter's intelligence, beauty and grace have reached across the realms. Odin-King simply wishes to be the first to make an offer."
"I sound like a prized relic." Sofia shifted in her seat angrily.
After a few moments the King of Jochid finally addressed their guest. "Ambassador, you have clearly heard my daughter's response to such a match occurring. However this is simply an emotional response. Allow us to speak privately. You will have your answer before nightfall."
The ambassador nodded, relieved, and backed away from the family and into the foyer to wait.
King Simeon sighed and rubbed his temple with his index finger. "Kalina my love, would you mind taking a turn around the gardens with Sofia?"
The queen smiled softly and stroked his hand. "Indeed. We have much to discuss." She nodded and rose from her seat, reaching for her daughter's hand.
Confused, Sofia took it and followed her mother out of the bright, airy atrium and into the wide paths of the royal gardens. The lush but well-ordered greenery provided a frame to the city below. At the edges furthest from the palace large tracks of plush grass grew, eventually giving way to small flowering bushes and thin trees. Where the trees became more robust there were benches and chaises taking advantage of the shade. Paths made up of thin strips of wood mortared together by delicate jade moss speckled with tiny lavender flowers led back from the benches back towards the palace. As one got closer to the palace the casual groupings of flower beds became more methodical, until the geometric shapes of the hedges mirrored the architecture of the castle itself. Sofia felt her anxiety shrink as her mother led her to one of the outermost benches.
"I understand." Kalina stated simply, taking a seat. "It is too much to ask; to leave your home, your family, for a man you have never met."
Sofia sighed and gazed at the pink blossoms of the tree above them. "It is not that I am against a marriage. I simply refuse to be banished from my home to be a relic in a strange realm and pulled out only when they have use for me."
Her mother covered her hand with her own. "I know. And if your father or I thought that was happening we would call off the entire arrangement. Your life will always be the sum of your choices my love, and this will not be an exception."
Soothed, Sofia mulled the ambassador's offer over. "I will not marry him the first moment I see him." She insisted.
Kalina nodded. "That was especially hard for me." She admitted. "But your father was very patient. He was just as unsure as I, but in time we grew fond of each other." She smiled. "And in more time, more than fond of each other."
Sofia studied her mother carefully. "How would you have preferred to fulfill your contract?" She quizzed.
"If it were of my choosing I would have wished to be a guest in his home first." She replied quietly. "And of course I would have had the appearance of choice."
Sofia noticed her father and brother making their way towards them. Mirko was visibly upset, made more obvious by contrasting Simeon's placid exterior. "How are my ladies?" Simeon smiled down at his beloved wife and daughter.
"They aren't going to take you." Mirko insisted. "I don't care if I have to fight every one of their royal guard. You're not chattel you're a princess of Jochid."
"We are much more clear headed." Kalina smiled, scooting to accommodate her husband.
"That is good news." He replied. "Do we have a response for the ambassador?"
Sofia smiled, glad that her family supported whatever decision she made. "I am not sure. I wonder if we could negotiate terms?"
Her brother's gaze snapped from the city to his sister. "Terms? Only hours ago you were ready to send the man back to the backwards realm he came from."
Sofia sighed in annoyance. "Just because they do not share our values it does not make them backwards."
"The reason they are backwards is because they send a man not worth his title to offer a marriage that only benefits his own realm. A marriage between a disgraced prince from a warmongering state and a renowned princess from one dedicated to peace and knowledge. How could they expect an affirmative response?" Mirko seethed, his face turning red.
"Because they know we pride ourselves on looking past the obvious." The king stated firmly. "We have no standing army. We have tools and knowledge that could change all the realms, without protection we make a tempting prize for any of the others. A marriage benefits more than one party."
Sofia shut her eyes and reflected. Never had her parents shared their concerns for the realm with her, nor it appeared, her brother. She was supremely touched that they were trusted with this information.
"However," her mother rubbed her hand. "There are ample alternatives to create such ties. Marriage is for the unimaginative."
Sofia met her brother's eye and chuckled. "It would not be fair to refuse an offer without receiving all possible information." She mused. "Perhaps we could arrange a meeting? And if both parties are agreeable I could spend time in Asgard, as a betrothed instead of a wife."
Her father smiled proudly. "That is truly well thought." He praised. "I am certain your cousin would be glad to keep you. It has been many years since you have seen each other."
Mirko looked incredulously from one member of his family to another. After a few moments he seemed to acquiesce. "I will find the ambassador." He sighed.
