Over the following weeks, Loki sent many letters of apology, most of which were also accompanied by gifts, whose origins spanned the Nine Realms. Each one was ignored and returned.
On two occasions you were required to attend the palace, and both times you completely ignored the prince, ensuring there was never a moment for him to request your company alone, regardless of how much he tried.
With less than a month before the wedding, you had to prepare for your departure from your home to the palace. The tutors you had for your studies and training had finished the last of their work. Queen Frigga would be your new tutor, teaching you the role of the wife of an Asgardian warrior Prince. You sat cross-legged on the floor placing more of your books in a chest, you knew the palace had ever sort of book imaginable, from every one of the realms, but you still wanted your own, you thought sadly of how you would require their presence to entertain the long evenings alone since Loki had show his true colours.
A knock on your chambers door brought you out of your thoughts and you permitted the knocker to enter, thinking it was your maid, or perhaps your mother. Shooting up from your seated position on the ground and bowing when you realised it was none other than Queen Frigga. "Your Majesty, to what do I owe this honour?"
"I am sorry to disturb you from your preparations dear, but I have been made aware of something and I wish to discuss it with you personally." You swallowed hard, having more than a mere inkling as to what she could have been referring to.
"Of course." You indicated to a chair for her to sit in. "So what is this matter my Queen?"
"In a short time you are to wed Loki, which of course is no secret." The queen smiled.
"Indeed." You reciprocated the gesture.
"Is it your wish that the wedding be called off?"
Your eyes widened as you computed her words. "I'm sorry?" You asked.
"In recent times any efforts made by Loki to discuss a matter with you has been met with you ignoring any and all of his attempts. It leads me to believe that you no longer wish to be wed to my son."
You swallowed hard. "It's complicated your Majesty." You tried to explain.
"I am aware, Loki told me everything. Of what Thor said, which of course was inexcusable I might add, and of the shame he brought upon himself in not defending you as both your friend and your betrothed. But after so many centuries of being as close as you both have been, to not even wish to speak with him, especially for so long. I find myself wondering if you do not wish to be wed to him."
"My Queen, I understand I may seem to be being somewhat overdramatic, but what Loki did" tears welled in your eyes "He broke my trust. I always felt that I could entrust my deepest thoughts to him like no other, until that day."
Frigga's face was filled with sympathy. "And now."
"And now, honestly, I do not know."
Frigga rose from the chair. "Then perhaps it is for the best." You could only nod, your voice failing you. If you were honest, as hurt as you had been, it did not hurt as much as what was happening as a result of it. "I will not be easy, but I will ensure that your name and that of your family is preserved."
Shame filled your very being, it would be seen as a great dishonour regardless to have declined marrying Prince Loki, you were under no illusions, no other man would ever want you after that, though that did not bother you. Unable to look the queen in the eye, you merely nodded sadly. She said nothing more before leaving the room.
You stared into space for several minutes before walking over to the bed and curling up under the blankets.
It was the following afternoon when your mother entered your room. "Get up." She snapped.
Exhausted, as you had not actually slept, you dragged yourself into a seated position. "Mother, the last thing I want right now is to be up."
"It is your own doing, by now the whole of Asgard and all the other realms will know that you called off your betrothal, who will look at you now?" she all but shrieked.
"It was the queen's idea, not mine." You defended.
"You dare blame her majesty for this?"
"No, I am merely stating that I never even suggested it." You sighed, knowing there was no talking to her.
"You have shamed us, not that you would care how did reflects on us all, especially your father."
Tears prickled at your eyes once more, your father had done everything possible to ensure a good life for you, he revelled in the fact that your betrothal meant you would always be close by, and he had delighted in seeing that you had found your fiancé amiable. "I do care."
Your mother scoffed. "Clearly, that is why you caused all of this, all because you did not like what Prince Thor said of you. I fear to tell you daughter, if you were upset before, you will be utterly distraught now."
Bored of her ranting you ask. "Exactly what are you here regarding mother?"
"We are due at the palace this evening."
"You cannot seriously expect me to go?" you asked in absolute disbelief.
"You are the reason we have to." She snapped. "The Allfather and Allmother want to have everything sorted officially."
You felt as though your stomach was filled with lead, with a solemn nod, you dragged yourself out of the bed and walked to the bathroom to bathe, dreading what was to come.
XXXXXXXXX
You pressed down on the material of your dress again as you stood listening to your parents speak with the king and queen, refusing to look up from the floor as they spoke. When they finally finished, you were permitted to leave, and you briskly rushed from the room, not even taking a moment to look at anyone as you did, doing everything in your power to avoid looking at Loki.
You allowed your feet to carry you away without a thought to where you were going and soon you found yourself in the queen's gardens, sitting on a stone bench under a Midgardian willow tree feeling grief-stricken, you broke down and cried for the countless time since the altercation with Loki.
You attempted to dry the streams of water that seemed to constantly cascade from your eyes, when an odd noise caught your attention. You leant back, listening to the approaching voices.
"Loki!" Thor implored.
"I do not want to hear it Thor."
"Brother."
"Don't!" Loki's voice seemed almost frantic, causing your gut to clench painfully. "This is all your doing."
"What?"
"That day, if you had not been so horrible, if you had not spoken of her in that manner, I would be preparing to marry her now, but because of your infantile mocking, I have lost her forever."
"How were I to know she was listening, I did not think she even knew that we had a training grounds, much less how to get there."
"Of course she knows where they are you witless oaf, she is far more intelligent and capable than you or your pathetic friends could ever fathom. But you could never possibly know that because you never made the effort to even get to know her. You knew how much she means to me, but you never bothered to care. I would wager you delight in the destruction you have caused."
"It was she who called off the wedding, not I brother. I have endured your anger and sulking these past weeks, but it is misplaced. Take your grievances to her."
"I tried, but she has ignored me. I…I lost her Thor. I had her, and I lost her, all because I did not tell you to shut it." Loki's voice was small and broken.
"Loki." There was no denying the pitiful tone in Thor's voice. "Brother." He called, telling you that Loki had left. "I am sorry Loki, I am so sorry." He voiced quietly.
You leant against the tree digesting what you had heard. Loki's words cut at you like little blades, he seemed genuine in his remorse and guilt began to seep through you. You tried to recall what he had said, how he had laughed at you, but it all seemed so menial when you weighed it against your combined misery.
A large shadow came into your vision, blocking the sunlight and pulling you from your thoughts. Looking up, you saw the sadden face of the crowned prince looking back at you.
"You have quite a knack for eavesdropping, don't you?" he commented.
"I left the hall before you and I arrived here before you. It is not my problem that you are so unobservant of your surroundings, though I have to say, that would make me wonder how much you pay heed to all around you in the battlefield."
"I owe you an apology." The golden prince looked to his hands as he spoke.
"No, no you don't. You have never hidden your dislike for me, I would expect nothing else but the opinions you have voiced. To apologise would be doing so merely for the sake of such."
"I do not dislike you." Thor stated. "I simply…"
"Simply what?"
Thor took a deep breath and exhaled loudly before continuing. "All my life, I have never had to compete with anyone for anything, including Loki, especially concerning the attention of others." Thor stated. "You were always the exception; you only ever had time for him. You never even looked sideways at me. And when I realised that you were betrothed, and how happy you both always seemed to be together, I became envious, and as a result, thought ill of you unfoundedly." He admitted.
"So because there is one solitary maiden in all of Asgard that does not fawn over you, you become spiteful and ridicule her. No offence, my Prince, but you have much to learn of tolerance and self-esteem before you assume the title of king." You rose from your seat. "I bid you a good evening, and thank you for your explanation." You turned to walk away.
"May I ask you something, I know I have little right to do so?" you nodded. "Do you love my brother?"
"More than words could ever possibly express."
"Then why break off your betrothal; why not simply have delayed the wedding until a further time?"
"It was not in any part my suggestion; it was your mother's idea."
"Do you wish you were still marrying Loki?"
"It does not matter now, it is finished. I can only do what is demanded of me regarding the situation."
"That does not answer my question."
"Because its answer is obsolete regardless. I have no doubt your parents will have a new suitor for him before the sun sets tomorrow."
"And what of you?"
"What of me? I am tarnished in the eyes of Asgard; all will wonder why the betrothal was called off, and few, if any will blame Loki. None will bother with me now."
"You do not seem overly concerned by such a fate." Thor seemed somewhat baffled.
"Contrary to your belief, my life's goals were not simply to be wed." you scoffed.
"But is that not what you have been training to do for the past century or so to do?"
"I was training to be the wife of your brother, a warrior and prince, there is much protocol to this life, as well you should know."
"So why do you always seem so excited about being wed?" Thor asked in utter bewilderment.
"Because I was excited to be marrying Loki. Without him, the prospect of marriage holds little interest to me." You prepare to walk away before looking to Thor for another moment. "Do you know, this is the first conversation that you and I have properly shared?"
"I have learnt more of you in those few minutes that I had in the past half a millennia, which is no ones fault but my own. I can say in all honesty now, I regret every last slight and comment I have made against you. I cannot express the extent of my sorrow and remorse for the pain I have caused you both."
"You are not quite the moronic fool I thought you to be either, you actually have a caring side and behind all your mocking of Loki, it is clear you care deeply for him. Please, please look after him." You pleaded, you refused to look at him, frightened that if you did, he would see the heartbreak in your eyes.
"It should not be this way." Thor shook his head. "I could try talking to my parents, implore them to reconsider."
"What is done is done, but thank you for your offer. Goodbye your highness." And with that, you left.
