A/N: Thanks for all your lovely comments! I haven't gotten around to replying to them but they are appreciated and help me keep writing.


When Freyja realised that she had lost at quadrilles yet again, she pouted then wrinkled her button nose. She looked at Jane, Sif and Fulla, who were all sitting at the square table and counting their piles of chips. The four women sat in the middle of a small, private drawing room that had been reserved for Jane's stay before the marriage. It was a cosy room quickly taken over by the Princess's books, charts and scribblings despite servants constantly trying to order the chaos. By a corner of shelves, brimming with books, Darcy had chosen to read alone on a settee.

"Oh, I hate this game," Freyja sighed, throwing down her cards.

"Only because you never win," teased Fulla with a smile, collecting the cards so she could shuffle them for another round.

"Even when I cheat I do not win. Can we do something else?" whined Freyja, picking up her ruby spaniel, Lady. The small dog barked with joy as Freyja showered her with kisses.

"What do you suggest?" Sif asked, chuckling to herself at Freyja's admission.

"It is almost dark. Perhaps we could take a telescope and look at the stars," Jane offered.

"You have stared at those stars more times than I care to remember. Could they really have changed much since you last looked?" Fulla asked. She wasn't one for staring up at the sky and pondering over the subtle changes. Then again, the only one in the current company that found joy in doing so was Jane. Thankfully, Jane never pulled rank and commanded the women in her company to do whatever she wished. Most times, if Jane wanted to attend to her various studies, she would escape and do so on her own. More often than not, Darcy was the one causing the distraction so Jane could flee.

"Darcy, what do you think we should do to pass the time?" Freyja asked, walking towards Darcy, Lady in her arms.

"Pardon?" Darcy asked, shaking her head out of her thoughts when she realised she had suddenly been included in the conversation. It had been an hour and Darcy had not been able to move past the first page of her book.

"You have been distant these few months. Is it your father? Oh, Darcy I know you will find a suitable match. It will be a wonderful romance too. I just know it!" Freyja sat down next to Darcy and took one of Darcy's hands into her own. The true concern from the young, rosy-cheeked woman made Darcy smile.

"If only I could be as full of hope as you," said Darcy.

"I think I know what has Darcy miles away," Fulla sang, undertones of the secrets she knew were evident. She made her way to join Darcy and Freyja where they sat, Jane and Sif following suit.

"Please enlighten us," Darcy challenged, amused.

"You see, she already has her heart set on a man. And it is with him her thoughts lie."

It was not what Darcy had expected to hear. Fulla smirked as Darcy's eyes widened in fear.

"Darcy, is that true?" Jane asked, upset that she had not been told the news in confidence.

"No-"

"Oh, do not deny it," Fulla was pleased that she yet again revealed truths no one else had an inkling of. "There was a whole crowd when Fandral dragged you away."

"When did this happen?" Freyja breathlessly asked.

"Just today. Baroness Hariasa demanded that she chaperone but it was obvious what his intentions were."

"I miss all the fun," frowned Freyja.

"Helping others is much more important than witnessing the latest scandal around court," Sif assured Freyja, making the woman smile brightly.

"I would never trade it for the world. When I think of how those children have no parents to love them I just can hardly bare it," swore Freyja, stroking Lady's ears absentmindedly. "But I do wish I knew more of what happens here. Gone one day and enough has happened that is seems a month has past!"

"Darcy, tell us. Do you truly yearn for Fandral? He is handsome and charming to be sure but did you not insist he is dull?" Jane asked, staring at Darcy with the piercing gaze reserved for solving a difficult equation.

"Yes, when he first won my affections, I admit I quickly grew tired of him. Our talk today was more...stimulating. I did not hate it but again, I do not think courtship is his intention. Nor do I wish it were. He asked me to attend his dinner in honour of Jane and Thor and I gave his cook a list of Jane's favourite dishes."

"You truly spoil me Darcy," Jane poked at Darcy's side.

"Are you certain he was just not nervous? I am sure he was taken back by Lady Hariasa chaperoning," insisted Fulla, not believing Darcy's claims.

"I am sure. It was a chat between two friends. Not two lovers."

"Darcy, if you do admire Fandral, even a little…perhaps it would be a suitable match? I know I say you should not give in to your father's demands but if he thought Fandral was interested, his requests may lessen," Jane advised.

"I will not marry or be courted by Fandral if I can help it. When I am courted, it will be because of love. Not because I hope for a title. To do otherwise would be cruel."

"A bold statement," Sif said, looking at Darcy with interest. She sat down in a chair across from Freyja.

"I have recently decided that if there was no love in the marriage, then I would surely be unhappy for the rest of my life. A good marriage would never occur with a neglectful wife that drowns her sorrows and avoids her husband."

"A good marriage will always occur when both parties are of decent standing. Love develops after," Fulla stated matter-of-factly.

"Jane is in love," Darcy pointed out, making Jane blush slightly.

"There is always an exception," Fulla countered. "Not everyone has the luxury."

"No, but they deserve it," Freyja said dreamily. "I think it is a wonderful notion."

"Why have you decided against it?" Jane asked, squeezing in between Darcy and the edge of the settee. "Not three months ago you were making a list of the acceptable men at court and intending to flirt with all of them, whether you disliked them or not."

"Am I not entitled to change my mind?" asked Darcy, affronted.

"Not when your father's estate is in jeopardy," said Fulla.

"I…" Darcy began; knowing any excuse she gave them would sound hollow and fake if it did not have some of the truth in it. She sighed and looked at her hands clasped in her lap. "There was a man. Was. And I did not tell him everything I felt in my heart before he left for battle and now he is lost to me forever."

"Who was this man?" asked Freyja with wide eyes, holding Lady closer against her chest.

"It no longer matters," Darcy shook her head mournfully.

"How can you be certain what you felt was not simply infatuation?" Fulla asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because after him, I tried flirt with other, more suitable men. Handsome men that I knew society approved of and the words felt like ash in my mouth. Even Baldur, who seemed all the man I had dreamt up when I was a silly little girl. For a moment, I thought perhaps I could love him. Given enough time but...when I saw him playing cat and mouse games with Nanna I felt neither pain nor anger. Not truly. In fact I was relieved," Darcy insisted. When she looked towards the four women for a reply but found them all silent, she continued with vigour. "When you know what love truly is, you cannot have anything less. After loving, how can I go back to meaningless flirtations?"

They shifted uncomfortably in silence, unsure of how to reply after Darcy's ardent speech. Freyja rubbed Lady's ears, wanting to comfort Darcy but knowing she didn't have realistic words to give. Jane looped an arm in the crook of Darcy's elbow and rubbed a soothing hand up and down her arm while Fulla went to talk to the only servant standing attendance in the room and gave a quiet order. Over on her own chair, Sif just watched Darcy with sympathy before Fulla returned to their group and ventured a reply.

"You go back because it is your duty as a daughter and lady-in-waiting to secure a fine husband. It was Jane's duty to marry a prince and so she will. Her falling in love with him before the wedding was simply convenient. Many of us do things we do not want, but it is because we must. It has always been this way."

"I understand. I do," Darcy insisted. "I wish I had not fallen in love at all. Every morning I wake up and it feels as if I am drowning."

"But it will pass. I promise you that it will pass," Fulla swore, pulling Darcy off the settee to give her a tight hug.

"And you will find a new love! One more tender and handsome than your lost soldier," Freyja added.

"And believe me, your hardship in finding a suitable husband is not nearly as daunting as those others must face," Fulla said, eyes sparkling with another secret.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, you are attractive and have your pick of suitors. Even if you were snubbing them as of late, Baroness Hariasa is on your side and she has become quite the matchmaker these past few years," Fulla moved to sit on a chair next to Sif. She leaned back to looked at the women enigmatically before leaning in and lowering her voice to a staged whisper. "Word from the treaty talks is that Odin intends to marry off Loki to Angrboda."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Darcy forced out, falling back down on the settee. Tears were starting to well in her eyes. Taking shallow breaths past the lump in her throat, Darcy kept her cheeks dry.

"Angrboda is plain and aloof. Hardly talks to anyone. I saw the rude little thing practically snub Frigga as the Queen tried to make conversation at the feast."

"Would Odin really marry Loki off so soon before Jane and Thor are to be wed?" Sif asked, already knowing that it was an opportunity too good for Odin to resist.

"Odin and Heidrek both wish for peace. From what I understand, much of the land taken from Jotunheim will be given back in a show of good will. Loki will not have much to preside over and it is obvious that he grows restless. Angrboda expects a large piece of land once Jotunheim is at peace. The opportunity to unite our two warring countries and potentially soften Loki's lust for power? Only a fool would ignore that."

"And Odin is anything but a fool," Sif said softly, absorbing the information. Fulla nodded in agreement.

"So Darcy, while securing a husband is important, at least your marriage is not nearly as daunting as the one Loki faces," Fulla said with a bit of a laugh. "The pair of them having to rear children is amusing to say the least."

"Of course," Darcy smiled bitterly.

"Where have you heard this?" Jane asked, looping her arm with Darcy's again. "Thor has refused to speak a word about it to me."

"Now that is my secret," Fulla smirked. Just as Sif was about try and steer the conversation away from Darcy's and Loki's unfortunate circumstances, the servant that was sent away returned with a large tray of cakes, confections and champagne.

"Ooh, how exciting," Freyja teased as the servant filled glasses and handed them to each woman.

"Enough of this melancholy talk," Fulla said, lifting up her glass. "I wish to toast to Darcy. May your future be full of flirtation and the fairest of dukes."

"And to a love that will eclipse the death of your soldier," said Freyja, already snatching a small confection to feed to Lady.

"To Darcy," Jane smiled and Sif lifted her glass silently before all the women took a sip. After the toast, they broke into aimless chatter about news and latest fashions from Midgard. Darcy took a confection and nibbled at it but was not hungry. Every so often, she would try and join in on the conversation but was more than happy to let it be controlled by Freyja and Fulla. It was funny, Darcy thought, that the latest allemande flourishes used to be all that her and her sisters would talk about for days. Now it hardly caught her attention for more than a few minutes.


Darcy was walking through the garden at home. It was her favourite place in the world. Even though the gardens in the Asgard palace were better tamed and had more exotic flowers, there was yet to be a rose that could match the hue of those creeping over the walls in the Lewis garden. It reminded Darcy of her mother. She cared for the flowers and the herbs as if they were her own children. One of Darcy's fondest memories of her mother was from a hot summer's day many years ago. Darcy and her sister, Caroline, helped pull weeds out from the flowerbeds as their mother taught them how to talk to the plants.

When her mother died, Darcy tended to the garden as well as she could. She did her best to keep it beautiful but wild. Like mother.

Darcy was worried that on her leave, the garden would be left for ruin. Her sisters weren't as keen on getting their hands dirty ever since they could spare money for a few servants. But as she walked slowly through the pathways, she was pleased to find it looked like it always had under mother's care.

Stopping to smell a large yellow rose, Darcy was pulled out from her bliss by approaching footsteps. She turned, expecting to find her father but was surprised to see Loki. The delicate gold trim twinkling on his slate frock coat caught her eye. It was the same coat he wore the first time they kissed.

"Loki?"

Without a word, he leaned down and captured her lips in a tender kiss. When they broke apart, Loki placed a tiger lily behind Darcy's ear. Feeling unbalanced, Darcy steadied herself against his chest.

"Why are you here?" asked Darcy, hardly believing that she was touching him.

"To see you," Loki's whisper tickled her ear.

"I am so sorry for what I said. If you let me explain-" Darcy began but Loki shushed her with just a finger on her mouth.

"I understand. You really should let me worry about myself."

"You would never find the time."

"I would give up ruling the world for you," Loki swore, twirling his fingers in Darcy's hair. It lay in loose ringlets, falling past her shoulders. Looking down, Darcy realised that she was wearing a plain muslin dress with only a shift underneath. The lack of clothing made her blush.

"Am I really worth the world to you?"

"Yes."

Loki pulled her in for another kiss and Darcy was swept into his arms. She closed her eyes in bliss, only opening them to find that they were lying on a soft bed of yellow roses and foxgloves. Fingertips ghosted along her cheek and Darcy welcomed the touch she thought she'd never feel again. When Loki leaned for another kiss, Darcy tugged at his coat until he shucked it off. With shaking fingers, she undid the buttons of his waistcoat but stopped once someone called her name.

Darcy.

Darcy looked up at Loki. He didn't acknowledge the voice and dropped his head to kiss her neck. Deciding it was just her imagination, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his body next to hers.

Darcy!

There it was again. She knew she should have recognised the voice but she couldn't place the owner. Not when Loki's lips trailed down her chest, right between her-

Darcy!

This time, Darcy pulled away from Loki, hoping he would have answers about the strange voice. Before the first word left her throat, he was gone and so was the garden.


A hard shove eventually woke Darcy. It was still night and the only light in the room came from a single candle in Jane's hand.

"Jane? What are you doing here?" Darcy asked when she realised the garden was a dream. Her body was flushed and she tried to focus anywhere but Jane's face in embarrassment. A small bag on Jane's back soon became the object of her attention. It held a small gold telescope and the reason behind Jane sneaking into her room became clear.

"I thought we might have a nice little picnic while we look at the stars. I had my maid bring up some bread and cheese from the kitchens."

"If any of the guards catch us, they are ordered to inform the ambassador. He will not hesitate to have my head on a platter if he hears I let you wander around the castle grounds at night. Again."

"Then we shan't get caught, shall we?" Jane tugged at Darcy to swing her legs over the edge of the bed.

"Make sure on my tombstone, they write you were the death of me," sighed Darcy, rubbing her eyes.

"I will make sure they build a statue of me bothering you to go with it," smirked Jane.

Snorting, Darcy sat up and began to weave her fingers through her thick hair to loosen some of the larger tangles. She started to braid it but stopped when Jane threw a robe at her head.

"Do you want me to join you or not?"

"Hurry up. The night is fleeing as we speak," huffed Jane, clutching her bag tightly against her chest. Jane was only wearing a robe over her long nightgown and an old pair of boots. Praying silently that they wouldn't get caught (because heaven forbid a future queen and her lady-in-waiting were found wandering the castle grounds half naked), Darcy pulled on her robe. She quickly got on her knees and fished out boots similar to Jane's that were reserved for this very occasion and the two women were soon on their way.

They didn't say a word as they snuck through the dark halls of the palace. This was something they had perfected in Midgard. Although Darcy protested every time Jane dragged her along on these little adventures in the name of science, there was something about the rush of trying to avoid getting caught that she found rather exciting and Asgardian guards were a little harder to hide from.

Still, they had yet to be caught this past month. It was a record so far. Hopefully, their luck would hold out for another night. Reprimanding words from the ambassador and, soon after, from her father were what awaited Darcy if they were found.


End Notes
In case you were wondering-
Quadrilles: A card game that was very popular among French ladies in the 18th century.
Allemande: A dance that emerged in the late 16th century. There are videos on YouTube. It's actually really cute. And may play a larger role in later chapters...