What happens next when things don't go according to plan...
Notes:
I've always been interested in Matriarchal cultures- from the myths of the Valkyrie and the Amazons to the real-life groups that exist today. The name "Nagovisi" is actually that of a tribe near New Guinea, and also close to Native American Navajos, perhaps the wisest of the North American tribes.
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Asta: old Norwegian for "divine beauty"
Chapter Text
The palace was in an uproar.
Not the general audience, of course, who cheered for the touching scene that played out before them- the sweet, beautiful girl waking to find her Other. Asta's tall form moved carefully through those surrounding her, those astonishing amber eyes seeking one man. Many women later gushed over the expression of incandescent joy she wore when Asta spotted Loki. The men in attendance groaned in jealousy over the simple sentence: "I am for you." Who wouldn't want a creature of such supernatural perfection longing for them?
At that moment, Loki didn't. He stared down at Asta, gazing at him with such adoration. When she shyly reached out for his hand, he automatically gave it to her, although he disliked being touched unless it was sexually. He dimly heard the frantic, hushed buzz of conversation around him, but Loki could only seem to concentrate on the girl in front of him, gazing at his face as if he was everything- the sun, the moon, and stars to her. It was a strange and somewhat unwelcome experience. A gentle hand took his forearm, and he turned to see Frigga with an uncontrollable smile on her face. "Come, son. We must bring your Asta from here. You need some time to get to know each other in private." He numbly allowed his mother to guide them both from the gigantic hall after a short bow and wave to the thunder of applause from a tear-streaked audience.
The two royal parties collected themselves and waved benignly, smiling at the populace and heading for privacy. Walking with Asta at his side, Loki felt a dizzy sense of unreality. The girl- she was intended for Thor- everything was intended for Thor. Was she damaged somehow in transit? Did she not understand her role? Nonetheless, he kept hold of the small, warm hand held trustingly within his. He was somehow reluctant to let go of it. Entering the privacy of the interior greeting rooms, the gigantic doors shut behind them, leaving the two groups to clash. Dimly, Loki felt Thor painfully punch his shoulder, saying "Congratulations, brother! A surprise, to be sure. But...I am happy for you both."
He idly waved off Thor's congratulations and the sting in his shoulder, still staring into the adoring amber ones of the girl who wouldn't let go of his hand. Loki bent his head to her, suddenly stern. "Who are you?"
Asta blinked, then recovered with a smile. "I am for you."
He shook his head, impatient with her. "That is not what I am asking you. What is your name?"
The first frown of her new life furrowed her brow. "I am... I am for you."
Loki sighed, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Then, who am I?" He watched the emotions play across her innocent face, her pale pinks lips attempting to form the words he wanted. "Can't you speak?" Loki asked irritably. "I asked you a simple question."
The Sister who'd overseen Asta's birth quickly stepped in. "My Lord, forgive me. Allow me to explain. Asta has been in stasis for over a century. She understands you, but she cannot reply. We find it is best for the Progeny to learn the language of their Match organically, so it becomes the native tongue. Asta will learn quickly, she just needs a little patience from you."
Loki looked at the Sister, not noticing Asta had taken his hand in hers again, holding tightly. "I don't-" he sighed, "how long does this take?"
The beautiful Light Elf wore an expression of surprising compassion. "I take it you were not expecting to be her choice?"
The dark prince's laugh was short, ugly. "Of course not. She was intended for Thor, we both know that."
To his surprise, the Alfheim Sister shook her head. "Not at all. These gifts... the Progeny- they are not designed in such a way. They seek who is meant for them. This is not the first time a court was shocked at the outcome. But there is no mistake. Asta was meant for you."
Loki ran a hand over his long black hair in agitation. "This is ridiculous. I was not seeking a bride," he said scornfully. Asta's eyes filled with tears, and she looked soundlessly at him, then the Sister.
Smoothing a hand over the girl's long, blonde hair, the Light Elf hummed to Asta, radiating care and comfort. When the girl's frantic breathing subsided, the three turned to see the rest of the room was watching them. The Alfheim King's expression was furious. He'd already been dealing with agitated questions from Odin and then this further insult. "Do I interpret from the response of this House our Gift is UNWELCOME?" He paused, literally speechless with shock and insult. "Never in the history of Alfheim have we seen such behavior. I- You do not deserve-"
Frigga and the Navogisi Sister stepped forward quickly. "Your Highness, let us speak alone, and quickly. These words could start another Thousand Year War. Please, guard your tongues." Both Kings initially bristled until the mention of the thousand years of battle that nearly destroyed the Nine Realms. Placing Asta in the care of the Alfheim Queen, the four walked quickly into a quieter chamber to speak.
Asta's chest was heaving, trying to gather enough air on this strange and unfriendly planet. Every pretty story she'd been told- everything she'd been taught for hundreds of years was wrong. She wasn't wanted. It was a lie. Her life of faith and security in knowing where she belonged and what she was meant to be was shattered by the contemptuous expression on her Beloved's face. There must be something wrong with her, Asta thought wildly, perhaps she was defective in some way. She was supposed to mirror the emotions of her Beloved, but these feelings of pain and betrayal- they can't be correct, she must be at fault. Trying to push air through her lungs in defiance of the tightness seizing her chest, the girl lowered her blonde head, trying to hide her weakness from the others. Asta could hear her Queen speaking to her, but couldn't seem to understand. Putting a small hand to her chest, the Progeny shamefully tried to stop. It was her. There was something wrong with her. She wasn't worthy- that's why He was disgusted-. The voice of her Queen echoed down the tunnel Asta fell through, happy to escape the realization she was never what she imagined herself at all. She was a monster. She was nothing.