AN: Here is chapter 2! Thanks so much for new and returning readers! You guys are amazing :)

Chapter 2: A Disappointing Exchange

Loki was leading me down the hallway, hand in hand, as we approached the throne room.

Just an hour ago, I had told Sif about the engagement and even showed her the ring. Loki agreed that starting out with Lady Sif would be appropriate. She seemed to be a sort of friend to me during my week long stay here on Asgard and our relationship was easy. She was my only friend here and I felt that I could trust her kind, truthful replies to almost anything I asked her about or brought foreward.

Sif had smiled and complemented the lovely piece of jewelry, even calling me lucky, and then expressed her hopes that Loki and I would be very happy together. I sensed that her feelings were genuine and her words made me feel elated. Loki had guessed that it might ease my nerves a bit to tell her before the king and queen were informed. He was right, as usual.

At least for a few minutes until we started walking towards the throne room…

We were on the way to inform Odin and Frigga of the news right now. Not only were they the rulers of this realm, but they were also Loki's parents and that made me bite my lip in worry. Anxiety grew within my heart like a weed, twisting it's roots around my fragile chambers and filling my veins with dread.

"Do not stress yourself so, Laurel," Loki whispered in my ear as we approached the golden double doors to the throne room. "My mother already has grown quite fond of you in the little time she has come to know you. Even Odin has yet to show disdain for you—and that is something to be feeling accomplished about."

"Why can't we go tell Thor first?" I urged, trying to postpone our visit to the throne room by a few more minutes.

He sighed, "Thor has unfortunately decided to go visit Vanaheim today. We will have to tell him another time…but I know that you just want to delay our upcoming exchange. Stop fretting!"

I took a deep breath, smoothed out my yellow gown, lifted my head high, and nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry, I'm just a bit anxious is all."

He squeezed my hand gently in his and then nodded to the guards as they opened the doors.

The long, spacious walkway down the center of the room appeared before us. It was almost entirely silent as we strode towards the steps that lead up the platform the throne was perched upon. The only sounds were the tapping of our shoes upon the stone floor as we walked side by side.

Stopping before the stairs, Loki and I looked up to the figure sitting on the golden throne. The Lord Odin was clad in rich hues of maroon and bronze. His single, uncovered eye looked down at us with its icy blue coloring—switching to study Loki's expression, then mine, and then returning to glance at Loki once more with an ounce of curiosity.

"Loki…Laurel, what a surprise. I did not expect to see you both until second dinner just before sunset. Can I help you with anything?" he spoke, his voice was seemingly much louder as it reverberated around the large room.

"Yes," Loki responded, tilting his head back slightly. "But where is Mother?"

Loki's eyes swept around the near empty room, searching.

"Your mother is in the garden. I'm sure whatever you have to say can be uttered without her presence," the king answered.

Loki laughed once, "Actually, it cannot. I need to speak with her as well."

"I am here, Loki," the clear voice of Frigga called out from behind us. I looked over my shoulder as she approached and Loki did the same as well, mirroring my movements. The queen walked towards us, donning a more simplistic gown than usual that was made of a soft pink material. Her dress was still more beautiful than anything back on Earth, but it seemed like something she would wear to walk around through a garden in as to not dirty her more lavish pieces.

"I ran into Lady Sif while outside just minutes ago. She assured me that I would want to return back inside the castle because you would have news for me. Though, she refused to elaborate on the details," she mused as she gracefully climbed the steps in order to stand next to the throne by her husband. She placed a hand on Odin's shoulder and gently leaned on him, awaiting the news.

I smiled, mentally taking note to thank Sif later for her action of kindness. She had spared both Loki and I a bit of awkwardness trying to get Frigga to return from outside the castle without giving anything away too early.

Loki cleared his throat, "Yes…well, then. As you both know, Laurel is very dear to me. Not only is she beautiful and kind, but she is wise and intuitive." I smiled and glanced down at my shoes as his words had quite the effect on me. "She has saved me from a lot of pain and darkness. Without her, I wouldn't be here today."

"Yes, indeed you would still be held prisoner in the dungeons…or even dead," the king commented. My eyes shot up in surprise and I felt Loki bristle next to me. I squeezed his hand encouragingly and he continued like he was unaffected.

Loki rushed onward, pretending that he had not heard that pointed comment. "I cannot fathom my future without Laurel by my side. It is for these reasons that I would like to announce that I intend to marry her and have already asked her to be my wife—my queen," he finished, holding up our entwined hands to show the ring that sparkled and glimmered on my finger.

Frigga's smile grew wide and joy lit her eyes while Odin looked mildly intrigued. He pressed his lips firmly together, clasped his hands, and tilted his head.

"But you are king of nothing. How could Laurel become a queen?" Odin murmured with a tone that made my eyes become downcast. Was he trying to make Loki upset on purpose? My own heart clenched in empathetic pain for the god by my side.

Loki slowly lowered our entwined hands to let them hang by our sides once more. His voice was stiff and gruff as if he was speaking between clenched teeth, "I will be a king some day. I have plans to take what is rightfully mine. I will conquer Jotunheim."

"With what army?" the king countered.

I looked to Loki and saw him raise an eyebrow as he glanced downwards and off the the side, as if he was already in the midst of forming a plan, but he remained silent.

"You really should start thinking things through before proposing a war to be started. A king does not actively seek out war, Loki," the king went on. Odin had not caught on to Loki's expression. He didn't know.

But I did.

Loki was already thinking of plans. I could tell by the way he held himself now.

Glancing at the queen, I suspected that she knew enough about the boy she had raised into a man. Her knowing smile told me that she guessed Loki wasn't telling the king something. How odd it was to me that Queen Frigga and I knew Loki far more than the man who called himself Loki's 'father' did.

"Very well then, Odin. Laurel and I shall be on our way now," Loki murmured with a blank expression. He tugged gently on my hand to lead me away and I just looked at him with opened mouth silence. That was it? Odin wasn't happy for his youngest son? Not even a word of congratulations?

Loki looked at me expectantly, eyebrows raised and nodding at me, urging me to move. I glanced once more at the middle aged man in the golden throne before I was finally able to make my legs work. My feet shuffled after Loki as he began to lead me away.

Wow. Loki really wasn't joking when he said that his father treated him differently. Sure, Odin might have insulted Thor's mortal girlfriend while seemingly accepting me due to Heimdall's insight, but if Thor had announced an engagement to Sif…I'm entirely sure that the king would have been more warm and caring with his words. What a disappointing exchange of words that just took place before me.

As Loki and I silently approached the golden doors leading into the main hallway of the castle, one word rang in my ears.

"Laurel?"

Loki stopped us both, pausing before the doorway with one hand on the door, while I turned around slowly. The king now stood, leaning on his staff at the top of the stairs below the throne. It was his voice that called out at the last second just moments ago.

"Congratulations to the both of you," he finished in a barely audible tone before turning to take his seat once more at the throne of Asgard.

And with that final statement, Loki and I left the cold and nearly empty room of royalty to return to his chambers.

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