Loki was a mess and Angrboda knew it. He was chaotic, being filled with love and hate, pride and envy, hope and despair. He was both Jotun and Asgardian, a prince and disregarded. He was, indeed, very much a mess. But he was her mess and hers alone.

The young prince had never lain with a woman before her and he vowed he never world. He had been so nervous and so shy when she first kissed him. The first time he stood naked in front of her he could hardly stand still long enough to let her really look at him. Her first touch had ignited something in him. His hands were everywhere; he kissed her as if he couldn't get enough of it. And when she first put him in her, the gasp he gave, the way his green eyes closed in pleasure was a moment she would never forget.

It was a gift that he gave her and one that she took and cherished. And she knew it was a gift that many wanted to lay claim to. She had heard tales from many Asgardian women who wanted the privilege of teaching the young prince about the ways of love. Some because they wanted to see how he compared to Thor, other's to see how deep Jotun blood ran. That was just lust though; it wasn't the same as love. She was pleased she was able to show Loki the difference.

Each meeting made her fall in love with him more. His conflicted nature made him unpredictable and exciting. She loved his near obsessive love because she knew it mirrored her own. It was their Jotun blood that made them so. She loved that he bought her gifts, nothing of any great monetary value, but thing he collected throughout the days he was apart from her.

She had boxes of his stones, flowers, vases, urns and even oddly shaped rocks that he found while on his journeys. She had no need for almost any of the things he bought her but she cherished them all the same.

Loki often had to divide his time between his responsibilities to his realm and his responsibilities to her. She didn't mind though. She had her own tasks to see to, helping the refugee camp she resided in when Loki was away.

Getting away from King Laufey had proved difficult but Odin helped the Jotuns who wanted to get away from his enemy's oppressive rule and helped them settle into his lands. Perhaps it was because of his own son's bloodline or because he had a thing for innocents suffering but he was tolerant of them.

But being tolerant and wanting his young son, even if he was adopted, to mate with one of them were two different stories. That was why they decided to keep it secret. Loki was never ill-treated by his adopted family, in fact, despite his personality which was very much Jotun and his appearance which was very much Vanir, Loki was accepted. But then, Loki didn't walk around looking blue and it was expected that he would marry a beautiful Asgardian woman. Beautiful and Asgardian was two thinks Angrboda was not.

So they met in a small abandoned hut not far from the camp when Loki would visit. They had made themselves a little love nest. It had been for more than a year since they started their affair and yet no one was the wiser. Thor could never leave the palace for longer than a half hour before someone noticed, but Loki had been able to stay with her for over thirty days. Loki was mysterious, secretive and well known for needed alone time. As long as he sent word often that he was alright, no one would come looking for him or think it odd that he was away from the palace.

In the end, however, their secret was told not by either conspirator but by their mutual enemy.

It was a night not unlike the night before it or the night after it. The air was crisp as the Autumn winds blew in. Angrboda was on her way to their hut, as she was sure Loki was doing as well, when she heard a faint scream. It was coming from her camp. Her heart sank. She knew it could only mean that Laufey's men had found them.

She had no choice but to run back as she knew there were mostly defenseless people residing at the camp, mostly children and single parents whose spouses were killed in war or by Laufey himself.

She took as many Jotuns down as she could, ushering her people deeper in the woods where the Jotuns would be reluctant to follow. but they were outnumbered and under-armed. The soldiers were able to subdue her while she protected a small, parentless child. With a knife in her back she fell to the floor as the child was able to get away.

It was then that she saw the flash of green that came fast and bright. Probably because of his anger and fear, Loki was able to drive the Jotun soldiers away. Her Loki was becoming a strong sorcerer. They were studying together and though she was considered a master of the craft, she saw a potential in him to become far stronger.

Soon, she felt his arms wrap around her as he pulled her to his lap. She could hear other survivors tending to the wounded and crying for the dead. She was happy there were survivors, happy that Loki was there to help them in the chance those monsters came back.

She could feel her life ebbing away. She tried to speak, to tell him that she loved him and that she would find to get a way back to him. But no words came out. She could feel his magic trying to work through her, but he was no healer. Neither was she.

Soon, she heard Thor's voice calling out to Loki. They must have seen Loki's magic from the palace and followed it. As he approached, she started to give in. At least Loki wouldn't be alone. At least his brother was there, even if they disapproved on their affair, she knew Thor would always love him. He would protect him until she found a way back.

"Loki." Thor approached. "Loki she's gone."

It was true, she realized. Her body was dead. But her soul could still see him; still feel him trying to hold on.

"Is she what you've been running to?" It seemed Loki was missed. "Oh Loki…"

"I'm sorry." It broke her heart to hear her lover's broken voice. "I never wanted lie. I never want to hide her."

Thor it seemed was at a loss of words as his brother cried in anguish. Soon, he kneeled to her lover and pulled him away. "Brother, there is no more we can do. We will see that gets a proper burial." Thor helped him to his feet. "Come brother, there are others hurt, she looks as though she died to protect her people. We should not let her death be in vain."

She was losing sight now. She was being pulled away, but she could feel his sadness still, his loneliness. "Don't worry." She wanted to tell him. "You will never be alone."