Chapter 2 - The Golden Goblet

Loki sat at the table, idly shifting his quail eggs in little circles around his plate. He had arrived early to break his fast, giving him ample time to think before his family members arrived. He had replayed the events from last night over and over, straining to remember every detail - even the ones he thought unnecessary. Purple, sandalwood, chandeliers. But, try as he might, he was only able to come up with a single answer for his thousands of questions: my pretty bird has taken flight.

He was massaging his temples when Thor barged in. "Brother!" his voice boomed, "How are we this fine morning?"

"Irritated," he said with a scowl, watching as his brother walked along the length of the table towards him.

The banquet table was long enough to fit fifty people down each side, with a chair at either end for the Allfather and his mother. Hardly necessary for intimate family meals, but Asgardian royalty were not known for their modesty. Thor seated himself across from Loki, a stupid grin plastered on his face.

"You are exceptionally more grumpy than usual, did your night not go as planned?" Thor managed to ask before grabbing five biscuits and stuffing his gaping mouth with them - it was all Loki could do not to gag.

"Though I ran into some...complications," Loki's eyes narrowed at his brother, "my objectives for the night were met, so it went exactly as I planned, Brother."

Thor let out a deep chuckle, chunks of fruit falling from the corners of his lips. "I knew it! I told Volstagg you wouldn't possibly let that girl get away - the lady in yellow, correct?" Loki subtly nodded and Thor's smile grew twice its size. "A fine prize, I knew your conquests would be successful."

"And what of your conquests, dear Brother?" Loki swirled his pumpkin juice around in his goblet. "Last I saw of you, you and the Warriors were draining Asgard of it's remaining ale."

Thor smirked as servers took away his third empty plate. "Ah, songs will be sung in commemoration of my night, Brother. For I brought not one maiden to my chambers, but two."

Loki set his goblet down with such force that the little liquid in it splashed into the air. "Two?" he asked incredulously. Of course Thor would do me one better, literally.

Thor laughed softly, picking flakes off the pastry in front of him. "I could not believe it myself - I had thought you were up to one of your tricks and it was all an illusion. But that proved to be false once I brought them to my bed chamber." He paused then, smirking as if he recalled a pleasurable montage of memories. Loki gave him an exaggerated eye roll, grateful to be spared the intimate details. "To have two women cry out your name - I doubt I could conjure thunder loud enough to drown them out."

Thor's following chortles came from deep within him and Loki's lips tightened into a thin line. "As always, Brother, I am in awe of your accomplishments and hope to one day achieve the same." It was a rehearsed line Loki used when Thor returned from a great battle - it was painful to repeat for matters pertaining to the bedchamber. Then, a wicked grin spread across Loki's face. "And what of Lady Sif?"

Thor's posture noticeably stiffened. "What of her?" I struck a chord. Good.

"Does she know of your late-night affairs? I hardly think she would approve of you with one maiden, let alone two."

"These matters are none of her concern," Thor said through clenched teeth, his hands balled into tight fists.

Loki raised an eyebrow. "You think not?"

The double doors swung open and Thor gave Loki a hard glare before they both stood. Frigga walked in and gave both her sons a kiss on the cheek before taking her seat next to Loki. The way their family's seating was arranged placed Odin at the head of the table with Frigga on his left and Thor at his right; Loki sat the farthest from the Allfather, with his mother between them. Favoritism at its finest, Loki thought bitterly.

"How was the Peace Festival?" Frigga asked warmly, as a servant poured her morning tea. She seemed to notice the tension between her two sons. "Humor your mother," she added, smiling, "It has been a couple thousand years since I attended my last."

Thor managed to keep his scowl fixed on a distant corner of the room, but Loki's expression softened when he caught his mother's gaze. Frigga had that effect on him - instantly calming his frayed nerves. Perhaps it was because he felt no need to compete for her affection; in her eyes, he was Thor's equal - maybe she even considered Loki her favorite.

He placed a hand on hers and gave a gentle squeeze. "Why Mother, there was fine drink, good music, and beautiful women, what could be better? I daresay Thor had twice as much fun as he did last century." Thor quickly glanced back at his brother, a corner of his mouth twitching upward - Loki shared a matching smirk.

If their wise Mother interpreted Loki's hint or her sons' exchange, she did not show it. "I am delighted to hear that," Frigga stated, "We must always take the opportunity to appreciate our citizens of every class."

Thor cleared his throat and spoke for the first time since his Mother joined them. "Where is the Allfather?" he asked, looking over at his empty chair.

"He left at dawn for Vanaheim - the Vanir have a proposition for him," Frigga said, staring at the remnant tea leaves at the bottom of her cup.

"What for?" Thor demanded, "He did not inform me of any business in Vanaheim." Welcome to my Hel, dear Brother, Loki thought, feigning a look of pity.

"They were matters that only the Allfather could settle. He will return in two days time." She casually waved her hand, dismissing the topic. "Now, the night of your Father's arrival, we are having one of our regular Year of Peace Civilian Banquets. I normally invite deserving citizens who rarely get to visit the palace... But if either of you have any one you'd like there, they are most welcome to attend."

"You know, Mother, I happen to have a couple of ladies in mind," Thor said, sending a sly wink to his brother before chugging a goblet of goat's milk.

Loki's face had the smallest of smiles - not in reaction to Thor, but because he finally found a worthy excuse. A chance, he mused, to reunite with my curious, little runaway.


It was the usual bustling scene at The Golden Goblet. The room was congested with familiar faces and a heavy mixture of smoke and sweat scented the air. Cadin served tankard upon tankard of frothy ale as Petyl went around gossiping with the locals. Cipriani sat at a small table by the door, casually tossing nuts into her mouth. As she glanced around at the scene she had witnessed after every work day, her thoughts raced to the events of last night. A night so fiery, so carnal, so forbidden that just the vivid memories left Cipriani breathless. Her fingers lightly traced her lips and they formed a sad smile as she recalled her last kiss. Cherish your memories, Cipriani, she told herself, they are all you have left.

"What do you say, Cip? Another round?" her friend asked, bringing Cipriani back to her harsh reality.

Cipriani raised an eyebrow. "Another round? What's put you in such a giving mood, Traegor?"

Traegor's blue eyes twinkled as he ran his hands through his curly, brown hair. "Oh, it's nothing really...just the palace gave me ten golden kranes for me birthday is all." Another time-honored tradition during the Year of Peace was to give each working-class citizen a small sum of money on their birthday - it was no wonder this was always a joyous time in the realm.

Cipriani smacked her palm to her forehead. "Your birthday, I forgot all about it. Please, let me get the next round," she said, reaching down her leg to the straps of her sandal that securely held her coin purse.

Traegor caught her hand and kept it at her thigh. "You needn't do that, Cip, I don't want you to spend your money on me."

"But, your birthday…"

"You know what I want for my birthday." Cipriani looked down at the rough hand still pressed against hers. The same thing he wants every year. "A kiss from the most beautiful maiden in all of Asgard."

"You were at the Peace Festival last night, you know there are ladies more beautiful than me."

Though Traegor's smile was small, his cheeks still dimpled. "Aye, and I stand by me words." Cipriani could feel the heat rising in her face, but she giggled and leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on Traegor's ready lips. When Cipriani pulled away from him Traegor was beaming, with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. "Father!" he exclaimed across the room, "Another round of ale for me and the fair Lady Cip!"

Cadin set two tankards in front of them, regarding his son closely. "Oi, when are you going to get a clue in that empty head o'yours and make a proper woman out of Cip? I've seen you steal hundreds o'kisses over the years and a jewel like her won't be around much longer."

"All in good time, Father," Traegor said, sending a quick wink to Cipriani. She nearly spat out the liquid in her mouth, but managed to return an awkward smile to the beaming man in front of her.

"Oi!" Cadin called out to them, "Be a good lad and help your Mother clean the dishes in the back. You can finish your sad excuse of a courtin' when you're done."

Traegor gave a soft sigh and downed the rest of his beverage. As he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, he rose and grasped Cipriani's shoulder. "Duty calls," he said, smiling as he gave her a gentle squeeze. You shouldn't be so relieved, she scolded herself, watching him walk out of her sight, He is a kind and handsome man - a man of your social class. Traegor would make a fine husband. Her fingers absentmindedly went up to her lips and she questioned if she actually believed that. A fine substitute, then.

Cipriani's eyes scanned the tavern, looking for some company to keep her distracted - her mind had spent more than enough time pining over last night. She noticed a man sitting by himself a table away from her. He was young, maybe just a few years older than herself - he also couldn't stop staring at her. Every time her gaze passed over him, he was piercing her with his warm brown eyes. It was then that Cipriani realized something odd… in a crowd of friends and acquaintances, in a place she frequented every day, this man was a stranger to her.

His eyes lit up once she focused on him for more than a few seconds, and he took it as a welcoming sign. He made the short walk to her table and stood in front of her, eyes twinkling and smile wide. "Peace be with you," the stranger said, his fingers moving from his lips to his white linen shirt. He was quite lanky and his sandy brown hair flowed in soft waves to his shoulders - a sharp contrast to the burly, filthy men she was used to seeing in this place.

"And also with you," she replied warily, her hand repeating his greeting. "I am Cipriani, what is your name, good sir?"

"They call me Edin. May I sit, Cipriani?"

Traegor will take some time. Besides, curiosity has gotten the better of me. "Yes, join me," gesturing to the empty chair across from her. He gingerly set his goblet down and Cipriani's brow furrowed ever so slightly. "So, you drink wine, do you?"

"Never cared for ale myself. I've always enjoyed a nice goblet of wine at the end of a long day."

"Not sure if this homemade wine will suit your fancy then, Edin. Petyl!" Cipriani called out to the passing woman, "What do you use to ferment this fine wine o'yours?"

"Old chamber pots, o'course!" Petyl responded cheerfully before disappearing to the back.

Wine dribbled out of Edin's shocked mouth and Cipriani tried to contain her laughter, but failed miserably. "You needn't worry. It is simply a jape Petyl and I play on all newcomers." She smirked as she watched him uncomfortably swallow the rest of the liquid in his mouth. "You're not from around the Middle Belly, are you, Edin?" A simple test, Cipriani coyly thought.

Edin took a moment to look down at his questionable vessel of wine before answering, "No, but my family lives in the Middle Belly, and I came to see them." A test you failed, Edin. Her eyes narrowed when they found his brown ones again. "How could you tell?" he asked.

"Your hands," Cipriani stated coolly, reaching across the table and holding them in hers. "Your nails are all trimmed and clean, and I can feel how soft and smooth your skin is." Her fingertips softly ran along his palms. "Not a callus to be found," she said with a small smile.

Edin chuckled lightly, his upper body leaning closer to her. "How observant of you. It's true, I work as a stable hand at the Palace and I oftentimes wear gloves. I hope that puts your mind at ease."

"Not even close," Cipriani said in a voice so low she was unsure if he even heard her.

A man in the far corner of the room slowly started chanting, "Drinking song! Drinking song! Drinking song!" Others eventually joined him until nearly every person was shouting the phrase in unison.

Cadin stood on a short stool and raised his voice to overcome theirs. "All right, pipe down you lot and bring your tankards up for a refill!"

Cipriani flashed her tablemate a knowing smile. "I know ale is not your favorite, but you really must consider it for a drinking song."

Edin cleared his throat. "I don't know...Are you sure I just can't partake with wine?"

"No one drinks wine to a drinking song, Edin!" she exclaimed, "C'mon, you'll miss the fun of it otherwise!"

Petyl stood nearby and added, "Have a brew, son, else there's no reason for you to be in a tavern."

Edin looked over at Cipriani, who gave an encouraging nod. "Well, then, looks like I'm drinking ale."

Once all the patrons tankards were overflowing, Cadin stood on the stool once again, and all eyes were focused on him. "One o'my favorite drinking songs, 'specially during the Year o'Peace, is a little number called 'Shall We Drink?' So, if y'know it, sing it - otherwise, lift your tankards and drink 'em dry!"

Cipriani glanced over at Edin, who had grown considerably paler. "Just do what I do," she whispered, sending him a quick, reassuring wink. She raised her tankard in front of her and Edin copied her actions. This is going to be good.

Shall we drink to mean ol' Jalyss?

He is ne'er a king we could miss.

He choked on his food, it was quite good,

And now we all live in bliss!

Edin had done a fine job of swaying his tankard to the tune, just as Cipriani did. But just when the first verse ended, she could see Edin's eyes widen in alarm as everyone brought their tankards to their mouths to take a deep swallow of ale. Cipriani was grateful the large mug hid her smile from his view as Cadin led the group into the second verse.

Shall we drink to our favorite crone?

She knew what had to be done.

She said a quick spell, it ended well,

And now the bad days are gone!

Edin was prepared for the large gulp of ale this time, though his struggle to swallow was obvious when his cheeks bulged with the liquid. Cipriani nearly choked and brought her drink down, half-coughing, half-laughing.

Shall we drink to our dear Calsyn?

He knew it was all a sin.

He heard of our plea, set his decree,

And we'll ne'er hunger again!

Just as Edin raised the tankard to his lips, Cipriani grabbed his arm. "Now we finish it!"

Edin looked as if she had just asked him to eat the entrails of a rat. "Finish it?" he asked, incredulously.

She nodded her head quickly before bringing the tankard to her mouth and draining the leftover liquid. The ale ran cold down her throat. Cipriani slammed the empty vessel on the table, shouting "Aye!" along with the others.

Edin was still chugging away, slowly but surely. His eyes peered over the mug at her and she softly bit her lip, nodding for him to continue. He gathered his strength and emptied his tankard in a few seconds - it hit the table loudly when he finished. "Aye!" Edin shouted, his grin one of great pride. Cheers, clapping, and howls of laughter filled the air at the conclusion of their jolly ballad.

The noise eventually died down to the normal level, and some patrons had started staggering out the doors. Cipriani had an elbow on the table, using her fist to support her head, as she studied the strange man before her. Edin had a content look on his face, his eyes were glazed over, and he seemed more relaxed than he had all night.

His expression changed suddenly and a loud burp escaped his lips. A shade of pink flushed his cheeks and his eyes had enlarged to the size of saucers. "I-I beg your pardon, Cipriani. I don't know what came over me - to do that in front of a lady is offensive, let alo-"

Cipriani hushed him and held up a forefinger, letting a moment pass before she produced a longer, more distasteful burp that even made Cadin look up from his task. When she finished, she saw that Edin's face had frozen in place - the only movement was his rapid blinking as he stared at her smug grin. It wasn't long before he pursed his lips, looking almost impressed with her.

She chuckled lightly. "You don't visit taverns that often, do you, Edin?" He shook his head and she asked, "Then what brought you to the Golden Goblet?"

"Something must have drawn me here. Someone, perhaps." His hand travelled across the table, stopping to rest on hers. Cipriani felt her heart jolt at his touch, and a familiar feeling washed over her.

She could only smile in response to the heat that radiated from his hand. Not yet, Cipriani. "I should return home," she said, stifling a yawn.

"Let me walk you, Cip" Traegor said, standing at her side for Valhalla knows how long. With a creased brow, Traegor analyzed the stranger that sat at their table.

Cipriani could cut the resulting tension between the two men with a knife. When Traegor noticed their joined hands, he stepped close enough to Cipriani that their arms grazed, which only resulted in Edin's fingers tightening their grip on her. With emotions palpable, she realized introductions were long overdue. "Traegor, this is Edin, a stable hand at the Palace." She looked to Edin. "Traegor is Cadin and Petyl's son - a longtime friend o'mine."

They both exchanged a curt, cold greeting, neither breaking the glare they shared between them until Cipriani excessively cleared her throat. Edin was to first to look away from the staredown and at her. "I'm going to be on my way as well. I would be happy to escort you home, fair lady."

When Cipriani nodded, Traegor responded with, "It's really no trouble for me, Cip. I've done it a 'undred times before." He shot his competitor a look of haughty disdain.

Cipriani smiled sweetly at her friend, cupping his cheek. "And you will do it a 'undred times again. But it is late and you need only go up one floor to get home." She stared at the ceiling above before finding his cool blue eyes again. "You needn't worry - I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Traegor." She gave him a convincing look and he solemnly nodded against the palm of her hand.

Before leaving, she placed a light kiss on Traegor's cheek - she was certain she heard a low growl serve as Edin's retort. With a quick verbal parting to Cadin and a warm embrace from Petyl, the two departed from the tavern. Asgard's moons lit the cobblestone path before them, guiding Cipriani's way as she turned a corner.

"You know, I thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight," Edin said, breaking the silence they shared since they left.

"Ale and all?"

"Ale and all," Edin repeated, his lips subtly curling upward. "I hope we can do this again."

"We can, whenever you fancy leaving the Palace." They had reached an alley, shrouded in the shadows of neighboring buildings. "Just down this way," Cipriani stated, entering the gloomy passage.

There was a moment's hesitation, but Edin too followed her into the darkness. If only you knew this alley was a dead end - your dead end, Edin. Cipriani tightly shut her eyes and when she opened them Edin was stuck in place, looking innocent and vulnerable for the first time that night.


When Edin's eyes flickered open, he was pushed against the alley wall, Cipriani's forearm against his neck. "Cipriani, what's the meaning of this?" He struggled to free his arms, but realized his hands were bound behind his back - the rope that served as a makeshift belt on Cipriani's dress was skillfully tied around him and impossibly tight to loosen. "Why am I...how did you…?"

"Do not play me for a fool," Cipriani hissed, putting more strength into the arm at his throat. "Reveal your true identity!"

Edin's expression had changed from one of confusion to amusement. "What makes you think I am not who I say I am?"

"Do you think I had forgotten who I bedded?" Her lips grazed the lobe of his ear as she hoarsely whispered, "God of Mischief."

A diabolical laugh erupted from deep inside Edin. "Well done," he said. His transformation started slow: his sandy waves straightened and darkened, the warm brown pools in his eyes turned bright green, and his cheeks became more defined. "And here I thought you were just a pretty face - I am most impressed. Tell me, how did you see through my guise?"

Though the arm that was once at his pale neck had lowered when Loki reached his true height, she still forced it against his broad chest. "Where do I even begin?" Cipriani cleared her throat before starting the long list. "We commoners do not drink wine when we can drink ale. Wine is more expensive, and only consumed at special occasions - the end of a work day is hardly a reason to celebrate. Like I mentioned earlier, your hands gave away your workload, or lack thereof. And lastly, your biggest error was when you said you had family in the Middle Belly."

"I thought you said this was the Middle Belly."

Cipriani smirked up at him. "What I asked was if you were from the Middle Belly - any working class Asgardian knows there is only the Upper Belly and the Under Belly. I set the trap, and you walked right into it."

Loki ran a tongue across his lips, nodding his head slowly. So, the Trickster has become the tricked. "You are most clever, little bird."

"And you, how did you find me?"

"Well, that was quite simple. I knew you were no noblewoman based on your voice, your hairstyle, and your dress. The upper class ladies always go for those intricate, bell-skirted gowns - yours clung to your true form… less fabric, less money. I only had to go to a few tailors before finding the one that made your dress. I regaled the seamstress with a heartbreaking tale of how we met and danced and fell in love before you abandoned me; when I told her of my longing to reunite, she told me you lived close to the Golden Goblet. I sat at that table for a couple hours before you arrived - I daresay I drank a whole chamber pot of wine while I waited for you…" Loki smirked before adding, "You know, it's a crime to keep me captive."

She let out a chuckle rich with mirth. "Even if the Palace Guards did make it down to the Under Belly, I assure you no one is coming for you." Cipriani turned her face up to the starry sky and yelled, "I HAVE PRINCE LOKI RESTRAINED IN THIS ALLEY! SOMEBODY SAVE HIM, FOR THE LOVE OF ASGARD!" Her gaze returned to his face, utterly satisfied. "Do you think dear Heimdall will sound the alarm?" Loki's eyes bounced around his surroundings, but he saw no movement and the city was eerily silent.

Her confidence should have unsettled him, but it only made Loki eager to strip her of her garments and have her scream for her release. "Will you untie me? I fear my delicate wrists might bruise." He stuck his bottom lip out, in an effort to strengthen his plea.

She snaked her arm around his torso, and clutched the bound hands at his back. Cipriani hesitated, and let her hand drop to her side. She stepped away from him, her tan face veiled by shadows, though her grin was unmistakably wicked. "Not just yet, my Prince."

Full of surprises, this one. With his eyebrows raised, Loki had no choice but to follow her.


Hello, beautiful readers! Sorry it took me two and a half weeks to get the next update; I knew exactly how I wanted this chapter to go, but ran into issues trying to get the wording exactly how I wanted it. I also started class, which will take up more of my time and delay future updates :/ BUT, I just want to say how touched I am by the wonderful response this fanfiction has gotten so far! I know that's kind of silly at this point, but this is the warmest reception I've ever had to any of my work! So, thank you to all you reviewers, followers, and favoriters! You mean the world to me and give me more motivation than you know :) And I usually despise poems but the drinking song came to me in a spark of inspiration and I absolutely had to include it! I hope you enjoyed this chapter - the next one will be shorter, but much more steamy ;)