It was done. Loki had managed to easily sneak into the archives and retrieve the scroll he needed, finally father would realise how ill-suited to the throne Thor was—at least for the time being, Loki had no doubt that with some time and a little less coddling Thor would learn the lessons he needed to—and there was no turning back for him now. He had been many things in his long years but never had he done anything quite so treasonous. Then again, never had the stakes been so high, the balance of the entire Nine Realms was at stake here, he had to do something.

And if his little deed was found out he wouldn't be able to expect any leniency anymore. He knew well enough that most things he got away with would have him flogged were he not the prince but this was far beyond any of that. This was outright treason and he needed to tread carefully. Father always got so worked up about Jotunheim, the little gleam of something that Loki knew to be fear never quite leaving his eye when the Frost Giants were talked about. He'd never quite figured out the secret behind that. The Frost Giants had been defeated utterly, the Casket of Winters taken from them so why was Odin still scared? It made no sense.

None of this made sense, Thor becoming King, his Words being said to him, Honivn being far too interested in his One while he didn't even know her nam-

And just like that he was back to the one thing he was pointedly avoiding thinking of. In many ways getting the scroll so easily had freed up his mind in the worst way possible and an idle mind was something he tried very hard to avoid, it got him thinking all sorts of thing.

He didn't even know her name, all he knew was that she was part of the Vanir delegation and that was all. Not that it mattered, it seemed apparent that she wasn't interested in him at all which made the fact that he could feel her—however intangibly—all the more insulting. It was as if a chord had been pulled between them and however far she was he knew he would only have to follow the tug to find her.

"Brother," Thor roared, clapping a heavy hand on his shoulder. "We missed you in the courtyards today!"

The twinge of affection that Thor had even noticed his absence let alone been affected by it was drowned by the sudden rush of guilt.

"I would not have made very good company today." He admitted only for Thor to snort in good natured contempt.

"Like every other day then."

He was lucky that Loki knew to distinguish his genuine teasing from his highhandedness despite how similar they sounded. Still it was the first time in months that Thor hadn't just waxed on about his own greatness and the guilt grew more acute.

It wasn't that Thor wouldn't make a good king, he would, but in time and only when he had grown up more. There was so much Thor still had left to see of the Nine Realms and he wanted power now, yes, but he would want adventure more and if he realised that too late and only when bound to the throne he would be a terror. Thor hadn't learnt yet how to live with not having the things he wanted and he would take and plunder if it came down to it.

Not that anyone would see it like that. No, it would be assumed that Loki had done it out of nothing more than jealousy which was as ridiculous as could be. He was jealous of Thor, no doubt, Loki wished his tricks and illusions would get the respect they were due, that he might be recognised as the warrior he was without having to swing an axe around like a lunatic but he had never begrudged Thor the throne. It would suit him ill no matter how much he would have liked to be considered for it, the chaos engraved too deep in his soul for him to even consider the throne as a serious objective.

"And what has you thinking so hard now brother? What are you planning?" Thor looked at him speculatively; a glint of thoughtfulness in him that always surprised Loki when it made the appearance. Sometimes Loki was almost certain he was simply playing the fool but so rare were those occasions that he didn't give them much thought.

"I was simply wondering how I could find the Vanir lady from last night's feast."

"You don't know how to find you bed partners?" Thor waggled his eyebrows outrageously and Loki's eyes rolled of their own accord.

He wished. If that was all she was it would have been hideously easy to forget and ignore.

"She forgot this." He said and displayed the chain he had been fiddling with all day, winding and unwinding it around his fingers.

"Why brother, how kind of you!" He said through narrowed eyes.

"It is, isn't it? Unfortunately our dear Honivn seemed quite distressed by the attentions I paid the lady." Loki sighed exaggeratedly knowing well enough that Thor would assume his attentions were to annoy the Archivist. He relaxed, smirking mischievously to Thor's amusement only to tense up as the little tug he had been feeling the whole day tightened. She was near.

So near, in fact, that when they turned the corner to bump into her.

"Your highness!" She called out, standing in front of him looking all kinds of nervous which went rather opposite of his expectations. He'd expected disgust not jittery apology. She was making a habit of defying his hopes and expectations

"I was hoping to have a word." She continued.

"Very well." Thor said magnanimously and her eyes darted to his brother who was doing his best to look imposing and majestic and widened as if she'd only noticed him there and Loki inwardly preened.

"She means me brother dear." Loki cut in and Thor shot him an annoying smile.

"Is that so, brother?" He teased.

"Yes," She answered instead looking apologetic. "I was hoping to apologise for my rudeness the night before."

Thor frowned, miffed and Loki tried very hard not to laugh. It was easy enough because he was partly annoyed at Thor's bafflement that anyone might want to talk to him.

"Him? You're sure?"

She smiled and it became very obvious that this was a person meant to smile. She wore happy very well. Loki wondered what that was like, being so happy and content.

"I'm certain."

"Very well, I relinquish my brother unto you milady and implore you to please keep him out of mischief." Thor bowed deeply letting go of Loki's shoulder and all but pushing him onto her.

"What's wrong with a bit of mischief?" She asked far too innocently looping her arm through his and leading him away before his brother could answer her.

"If you're going to kidnap me I demand to know your name." Loki said tartly.

"I don't see you trying too hard to introduce yourself either." She pointed out.

"You already know who I am."

"Why would you assume that?"

"So you don't know who I am?"

"I do." She admitted and Loki realised she'd pulled him into the west wing which was all but deserted at the moment and wondered when she'd had the time to find that out. "Doesn't mean I don't merit an introduction."

She was either teasing him or it was deliberate missishness on her part. Either way, Loki wanted to know her name with a desperation that surprised him and he stopped where they were, knowing that no one would overhear them now.

"Loki, Prince of Asgard, at your service." He bowed and she curtsied in return, arm curving gracefully over her waist as was tradition, eyelashes fluttering low for the briefest of moments even as she maintained eye contact.

"Lady Arha of Vanaheim, at yours."

Finally, he had a name.