Chapter 2.

The Ambassadorial Procession neared the castle, King Orn and his Wife, Queen Matta in the lead. They were flanked by Guards on either side, and the Queens Maids followed them immediately behind. After the twelve Maids, was a lone girl. Her silk gown of rose and blushing pale peach ruffling in the soft breeze as she sat sidesaddle on her light gray mare named Starchaser. She looked at the shining city before her, and choked back tears as she rode on. But she hardly saw an inch of it, her sadness blinding her at the thought of her future Her stomach was a hollow pit, being unable to eat anything the night before or that morning from her choking depression. She looked down in sadness, terrified of what she was about to do this day.

"She looks like she is going to an execution." One of the Maids whispered to her friend, both of them glancing back and giggling.

"I do feel awful for her. She wanted a man she loved as her husband, not him. He is awful, and now she faces no choice to any source of happiness. We should not tease the Princess." Her companion replied.

"Yar. Sarra. Your attention should be elsewhere!" Their Mistress snapped, looking back at the two girls. "Gossip is not becoming of a Lady, and you should refrain from it. Am I correct Akima?"

"Yes Queen Matta." Akima said, smiling politely and lowering her eyes in respect. Yakima was chosen to stay with Ealnora as her only Lady, and was happy to do so.

They were fast friends, having grown up together and the two of them shared many secrets. They also got into trouble together, causing both their mother's to nearly loose their wits many times. She comforted her friend in her sorrow the best she could the day before, helping her dress that morning and braiding her hair neatly. She smiled as she put the gold combs in her hair and small pins of pearls and twinkling ameythists, doing her best to raise her friend's mood but still failing. She wondered to herself if her friend would ever be happy again, and asked the Norns that Prince Loki would be kind to her.

"You are a proper and graceful Lady then." Matta said, sighing at her daughter. "Stop sulking Elanora! You are about to meet your future, at least pretend to be happy."

"Yes Mother." Elanora replied, blinking back tears as they approached the castle gates and saw The Royal Family waiting to greet them. Elanora looked at Thor first, her eyes filling as they fell to Loki and she swallowed the lump in her throat at seeing him.

He stood, looking cold and unaffected by the approaching envoy. His demeanor arrogant, and the scowl on his face evident as they approached. The closer they got, the more Elanora trembled in fear and said silent prayers to whomever was listening to strike her down.

He stood in an emerald Tunic trimmed in gold embroidery, his overcoat made from the same black leather as his pants and boots. His hair was tied back, making him seem more severe as the horse brought her closer and she tried not to whimper as he studied her. She felt like an insect under his gaze, and saw how different he was from her.

"He is rather handsome to look at." Akima whispered, but Elanora shook her head. "Severe, but not unattractive."

"I am cursed by this Akima, I will never know joy again." She replied and made up her mind as what to say on their meeting.

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Loki saw her almost immediately, scowling as he saw how the portrait did her little justice. Her shining hair and pale skin was a pure gem, untouched and unspoiled by any hand. She sat proudly, hiding the fear that caused her hands to tremble on the reins, and he felt his heart pound as the Footman helped her from the saddle. A pang that it was not his shpulders her hands rested on, his hands on her slender waist. He admired her Grace, the way only the toes of her peach slippers peeked from under her gown, and the way she stepped lightly as she walked.

"A dancers grace." He thought to himself, unable to look away and realized that she was in fact, very shy. She followed her parents, The King and Queen of Vanenheim and saw her edge away from him and stood silently, waiting to be introduced. He followed the curve of her bare shoulder, longing to touch it and smooth his hand over it. Her breathing steadied, and he tore his eyes away before anyone saw him admiring her.

"She already fears you." Thor poked, laughing to himself. "She is pretty though, stop looking miserable Loki. At least you will have attractive in your bed to warm it."

"Shut up Thor." He replied in a low voice and glared accidentally at the poor girl. She looked away, fixing her eyes on the ground and trembling. Confused at what she had done to earn his anger, and blinking back tears again. She felt her courage drain away, slipping through her shoes and into the stones under them.

"Welcome King Orn and Queen Matta to Asgard. Although your visit is brief, I assure you both that your daughter will receive every and all hospitality by our people after you depart." Odin said, his voice carrying over the small crowd that was gathered. "May we be introduced you this lovely creature?"

"Of course my friend and fellow. May I present Our youngest daughter, and my most beautiful as well, Princess Elanora." King Orn said, taking the girl's hand and leading her forward. The girl kept her eyes down, not smiling nor looking up at her future Father in Law.

"Hello King Odin and Queen Frigga." Her soft voice said, no lilt of happiness in it. Loki could hear a tremble, as if she were about to cry carried in it.

"Hello My Dear." Frigga said, and smiled warmly. She took Elanora's hand in hers, lifting her chin gently and smiled at her. Frigga brought a small smile to the stricken girl's face, her gift for easing the mind of all showing.

"Hello." Elanora said again automatically.

"Let more than the cobblestones see your face child. You should give the sun a chance to warm you." Frigga said and guided her to Loki. "Let me introduce you formally to your intended, he is most eager to meet you."

Frigga started walking with her arm around the pale girl's back, but stopped. She looked back at her charge, the girl stopped moving and refused to budge, shaking her head and her mouth fell open in panic. The girl let a tear fall, breaking free from from the Queen's arm and backing away.

"I... I will not do this." The girl whimpered, turning to run but her Mother and Father caught her. She continued to shriek, trying to get away from her parents and run away. "I will not! I will die before I wed him!"

"Perhaps she is tired from her journey, We will take her to her chambers and see that she is settled before we return to Vanenheim. I have matters that are most important to attend to, given the recent conflict and all." King Orn said, trying to save face at his daughter's outburst. Loki frowned, shifting his weight after being unused to standing after being imprisoned for so long.

"Stop it!" Queen Matta shouted at the girl, and she shook her head. Shrieking and struggling against her parents. Loki frowned deeper, beginning to wish this never occurred.

"I will not marry him! He is a monster and I hate him!" Elanora shouted, shaking her head, her words driving an ice cold dagger through him. Odin waved a Paige over and whispered instructions to take them to the chambers they prepared for the Princess.

The King and Queen pulled her through the gates, the girl sobbing and shaking in terror as they went. Loki sighed and heard Thor chuckle next to him, Frigga folding her hands.

"Well... That went rather well." Thor said and excused himself. Loki glared at him as he left, feeling Frigga touch his arm gently.

"She was scared Loki, she did not mean what she said. Think on her kindly." Frigga whispered. Loki let out a long breath, turning in his heel and walking to his chambers in silence.

"I like her even less now." He said to himself as he walked and vanished through the halls.

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"Stupid! Willful Girl!" Queen Matta scolded her daughter, throwing her to the ground and waving a bench over. The Maids brought it to where their Mistress commanded and stood silently, holding their hands neatly. She pointed to it, Elanora knowing what would happen now and trembling.

"No... No Mother... Please." Elanora sobbed, tears flowing freely and she whimpered as she saw the cane come out.

"Will you apologise for your actions and marry him?" Matta said, and her father closed his eyes and silently shook his head at Elanora's response.

She crawled forward, leaning across the seat of the bench and braced her hands, one Maid lifted the back of her skirts to expose her legs and bottom. She bowed then, backing away silently. The cane whistled through the air, connecting with his gentle natured Daughter's legs and he heard the girl cry out in pain.

"Will you marry him?" Matta growled, and Elanora shook her head. Stubbornly refusing to give an inch, her mother bristled at the response and glared at her child.

"No. I will not." Elanora replied and braced for another strike.