Loki shifted from foot to foot as he stood next to a farrier's waiting for Ariella. He was terrified that she would not come, he was unsure why he felt it, but part of him felt there was a chance it would not happen.

It was ten minutes past the time they were supposed to meet and he became worried, telling himself that she had a long route to go, he was adamant to give her a little longer, hoping she would turn up.

When twenty minutes had passed, he felt his stomach sink and his excitement and joy dissipate. She was not coming, was it something he said, was it something he did, he began to feel his breath catch in his chest as he thought of it all. Heartbroken, he turned to walk away. He was a fool to ever leave the palace, to think that anyone would be his friend. Forcing his tears of hurt to remain at bay, he began to half walk, half run to the palace, not paying any heed to anything around him.

It was only when a guard grabbed his arm did Loki notice anything, he looked at him, knowing him to see from the palace, he gulped worriedly. "Sorry?" He was so engrossed in his misery, he had not heard what was being said.

"I said, that poor girl is trying to call you," The guard stated. "Your name is Fandral, is it?"

Immediately, Loki turned to look for Ariella, who was standing behind him, about twenty feet away. He had walked right passed her, but he could not be blamed for not noticing her. Ariella was never overly pristine, but as he looked at her, she looked like she had been dragged by galloping horse through a muddy field with bushes, her face was mud smeared, but clearly had been wiped clean as best she could, a graze on her cheek was dirty, but the dark red of dried blood was visible and much to his heartache, when she tried to walk to him, she had a very clear limp. He rushed over to her and let her lean against him. "What…?"

"There was a problem on the trail this morning." Was all she gave as an answer. "I am so sorry I am late. I came as fast I could."

Loki swallowed hard at that. "Please, do not apologise, I…Norn's." he felt himself filling with guilt for selfishly thinking of how she had hurt him by not coming, and of how angry he got at thinking she did not see herself as his friend. "I am just glad you are here. Come on, I will help you to a place to sit."

Ariella said nothing as her friend as good as carried her to a fountain when she realised where they were, she became fearful. "Not here."

"We have to clean you up."

"My father, he will be around here, I was told to stay away from you, if he sees us, I will get in so much trouble."

"Why were you told to stay away from me?"

"Apparently you will ruin me, I cannot be seen as desirable if…my parents do not trust youths."

"Well, I have heard some of the stories from around court, some youths are nothing short of idiotic animals," Loki admitted begrudgingly, thinking of his brother and his friends and their bragging. "But I would never do that to you, you are my greatest friend."

"You hardly know me."

Loki looked at her guiltily. "My only 'friends' at home are really my brothers, they are not particularly pleasant to be around."

"Do you not have any of your own friends?" Loki shook his head. "Well, I had one, her name was Sara."

"What happened?"

"She died, having a baby. She was a little older than me."

"It's not common for someone to die in childbirth these days," Loki commented. Ariella gave him a raised brow. "Oh."

"Another difference."

"So, you are not allowed near me?" Loki felt disheartened.

"They just want me to do better than they did."

He took out a handkerchief and dipped it in the water before starting to clean Ariella's face gently. "So, what happened?"

Ariella looked around carefully, seeing who was close by, their spot, though in an open area, was fairly deserted. "The royal procession." Loki's face paled at those words. "They seemed to be in a hurry, but they did not allow others pass. The cart got in in time, but as I was getting in, one of the horses of the main carriage struck me. Those animals are monstrous." She explained. "I should have been faster, it was my own fault."

Loki knew what horses she was talking about, the huge black stallions, there were six of them that pulled the carriage at once, and one was as cantankerous as the other. "Did they stop?"

Ariella looked at him in shock for a moment before laughing. "Stop? Why in the realms would the royal carriage stop? I am surprised they did not send a guard over to strike me again for risking an injury to their horse."

"Do you hate them?"

"No."

"But the way you spoke just now."

"I do not dislike them, but they do not care, they never do, and why should they? There are so many of us, if the Allfather was to care about ever last one of us, he would never sleep."

Loki looked at her sadly. "I think he does care, somewhat, just that perhaps he does not realise how vast the differences between our worlds are."

"Perhaps, it is nice to think that at least." Ariella smiled weakly at the thought.

"Would it not be wiser to just do as your parents say and avoid me?" Loki pried.

"Perhaps, but then, being an obedient and well-behaved daughter has led to me being all but ignored and lonely. You make me feel as though there is…I suppose mischief is the right word, to be had."

Loki felt his eyes dart side to side for a moment, his mother had said he was going to become known as the God of Mischief if he was not careful, so Ariella's words struck him somewhat. "I tend to bring trouble." He warned.

"I gathered that the moment I met you in the market that first day." Ariella smiled.

"Many would think you a fool for being around one such as me."

"Thank you for the warning," Ariella leant in against his shoulder, her tiredness blatant. "So, is that why one as nice as you does not have any friends in court Fandral, are you too great a trickster?"

"I suppose so. I am a lot like Prince Loki."

"The younger prince?"

"Yes," Loki looked at her. "What do you know of him?"

"Absolutely nothing, just that there is prince Thor, who will be king, and Prince Loki, the younger prince." She replied honestly.

"We are told his behaviour is renowned around the realm, that his pranking and behaviour is frowned upon by all the citizens as unprincely?"

Ariella shook her head, "No, I never heard anything of the sort. If he were to walk down the street now with no guards, I would not ever know, bar, of course, the finery, but I mean, everyone with rich coloured fabrics are wealthy, so I could not tell the difference between him or what you look like in your normal clothes."

"If you met Prince Loki, you would know. He exudes confidence."

"Really? And he likes tricks?" Loki nodded. "I am surprised you two are not closer," she added nonchalantly.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the topics at hand, Loki thought for a moment. "You said your father might see us here, perhaps we should go somewhere else."

"That is a good idea," Ariella nodded, looking around again, "But my leg…"

"Is it broken?" he knelt down and took off her shoe, causing Ariella to hiss from where the sores were. "You need to get this looked at."

"Where?"

"There is a healers two streets from here, I saw it on my way."

"I could never…"

Loki knew what she was about say and took out a pendant of pure gold from under his tunic. "I think we do not need to worry about such things."

"No, I could not…Is that actual gold?" she could not help it, Ariella stared at the yellow metal.

"Yes, you have never even seen gold?"

"No, how would I? Fandral, I cannot let you…PUT ME DOWN!" Ariella as indignant as the young man picked her up, with surprising ease and carried her down the street to where he had seen the healers.

The healer that received them was somewhat unwilling to do anything to assist them at first, eyeing the pathetic state that Ariella was in, Loki was about to show the pendant when there was a knock on the door. The healer opened it before stepping aside and allowing another woman enter. Loki's stomach dropped as he realised who it was.

"Forgive me, Mya, but I came to see how things are here in the city. How do you fare?"

"Countess Eir, how good of you to grace us with your presence, I am well, and you?"

"Quite well, thank you. Her Majesty said to check if there was any requirement to…" it was then the other woman noticed the two youths, the female of which was in a bad state. "I was not aware that you had a patient with you. I apologise for the intrusion, young lady."

"It is fine Ma'am, we were just leaving." Ariella rose from the chair and hissed again as she leant on her sore leg.

"Leaving? Child, you have clearly yet to be seen," Eir rushed over to her. "Sit yourself on the bed there and let us take a look at you, Norn's you have had a terrible fall, what happened?"

"I was slow moving out of the way of a car…cart," Ariella winced slightly as the woman moved her foot. It worked in her favour though, because she did not wish to say the Royal carriage, clearly the woman knew the Allmother.

"It is not broken, but badly bruised, those shoes will have to stay off also, as if it swelling is not bad enough, you wish to squeeze it into them." She looked at the shoe in Ariella's hand, then to her feet. "Norn's if they are not three sizes too small, is this some silly new trend you all think is a good idea? Sweetheart, you cannot do that to your feet, they will be whatever size they are going to be and squashing them will not stop that, as if your little feet were something to worry about anyway, my own daughter is the one age with you and her big toe is bigger than your whole foot." Though Ariella knew that to be almost impossible, she smiled. "So you need to get some better shoes."

"Yes Ma'am." Ariella nodded, but her face, she felt, showed her embarrassment.

"This cheek is just a graze, but it is dirty, you need to have it cleaned, the last thing a beautiful young woman such as yourself needs is to get an infection and scar," That caused her to blush. It was then that Eir looked to the boy beside her, "You are her brother?"

"Yes, this is Marek, he carried me here," Ariella stated quickly.

Loki looked at her confused for only a moment before realising what Ariella was doing and played along, altering his voice as he did so. "Yes, I did not realise Ari was in the way if I had known." He did not look Eir in the eye, knowing that if he did, she may realise who he was.

Eir placed her hand on his shoulder kindly. "Do not fret, young man. Getting her seen to is what matters, and you did your duty there. You are lucky to have one another. Ari, is it?"

"Ariella."

"Ariella, that is the most beautiful name." The genuine smile on the woman's face startled Ariella, who reddened immediately in blush. "So is there anywhere else that hurts?"

"No Ma'am, just a few bumps and bruises." Ariella smiled.

"Well," The healer went to a cupboard and took out two small phials, "you are to take this for the pain," She handed Ariella the first phial, she did as she was told. "This for the swelling," Again, she did what she was ordered. She watched as the healer walked to another cupboard and took out one last thing, which, to Ariella seemed to be herbs. "And these you are to stew tonight and they will guarantee you a good night's sleep, tomorrow, you will be as right as rain again, giving your poor brother here heart issues as young men try to see if they can court you."

Even Loki went red at that idea, but neither said anything regarding, thanking the healer. "How much…?" He asked, worried that Eir would recognise the emblem on the amulet, one she had seen him wearing and had made comment on its good design.

Eir lifted her hand up, "The Allmother insists any that come for the markets that are in need are to be tended to, payment not required, she will ensure it is dealt with." Loki felt his chest swell in pride at his mother's actions. "If you are to get home, you will need a crutch young lady, your poor brother cannot be expected to carry you."

"Perfect." Loki smiled.

Ariella felt as though it was too much, but seeing as she wanted the swelling to lessen and that was the only manner in which it would, even with the medicines, she did as she was told. "Thank you Ma'am, and please, send my thanks to the Allmother."

"Of course, sweet Ariella, do not forget your herbs, they will be the final part of your arsenal in your recovery." She smiled kindly before opening the door for them to leave.

With the crutch and Loki's help, they left the room swiftly enough. "Marek?" Loki asked when they were a considerable distance from the healers.

"Well, she is a Countess, right?" Loki nodded, "So you know her some bit, or at least, she may know you. Fandral is so rare a name, I was concerned she would recognise it immediately."

"And of all the names, you chose Marek, why?"

"It was my brother's name." Loki frowned slightly. "The best lies, I heard, are most often somewhat true. I did not lie, you carried there, Marek is indeed my brother's name."

"You are diabolical." Loki smiled. "So, you need to rest."

"What do you suggest?"

"Our broth?"

"You are not going to pay in gold are you?"

"Of course not," Loki smiled. "We need to go to a broker first."

"A broker?" Ariella asked warily.

"Yes, I saw one a few streets over, come on." Cautiously, Ariella followed.

The man in the brokers stared at them in disgust. "Whatever you have stolen, I am not interested."

"I have gold," Loki stated.

"Listen, boy, if you think…" Loki placed the pendant in front of the man and he silenced. "Where did you get this?"

"It was belonging to Prince Thor, he gave it to me as a result of a boon I did for him."

"What boon could Prince Thor want off someone like you?" the man asked suspiciously.

"I am the son of his hand servant, my father was ill, and rather than having his studies and training altered by an inexperienced fool, I took my father's place, in doing so, I ensured he made it to his first games, you recall his late entry?"

"Something about a damaged shield." The man stated.

"False, it was the severe lack of armour commissioned, he had to steal gauntlets from the soldiers quarters." Loki corrected.

The man stayed silent for another second before grinning. "Very well, you know the truth," He stated. "So what do you want for that thing?"

"Shoes, clothes, whatever else this girl needs and the change in mostly silvers and bronzes."

"What?!"

"Please Ari, you heard the healer, you need to be able to walk."

"How will I explain…?"

"Say you traded the old ones, say that after them, these cost you nothing," Loki suggested, Ariella just looked at him with a slight look of proud disbelief on her face. "Half grounded in truth, right?"

"I am a bad influence on you," she smiled.

"I would have said the opposite." Loki shrugged.

The broker looked between the pair for a moment before getting back to the matter at hand, he did not care about anything other than getting the gold and giving them what he had to in return.

Ariella looked at the dark yet soft shoes she had gotten as they walked on, Loki smiling happily beside her as she seemed to radiate her delight. He had suggested she choose a darker colour because of the discoloration of the other shoes telling him they were subjected to excessive attempts at cleaning. "It will be time for you to leave soon. "

Loki felt elation at her sadness at the idea of them parting ways again. "Then we best get you fed."

"Why do you do this?"

"You need to eat, you are trying to recover from injury and you need to eat in general," he explained. "Ari, I meant what I said, you are my best friend."

Ariella smiled. "I like your nickname for me, I only wish I could do the same with Fandral."

Loki did not respond, wishing he could tell her the truth, instead they made their way to the stall they usually went to, the stall owner recognising them immediately and began pouring out the two bowls for them. They said nothing as they ate, simply enjoying the comfortable silence.

As the bell tolled, telling Loki he had to rush home, he threw the bag of silvers and bronzes at Ariella, "Easier than explaining away a gold pendant."

"You have to stop this Fandral, I cannot keep taking this from you."

"Please Ari, I don't need them, you do, I just want to make your life easier, to be like my mother."

"Why, is she like this too?"

Loki froze, his eyes darting side to side. "Yes, she is, she believes in looking after those with whatever you can, I want to be that way too, I was already, I just never realised. And you are my friend, I like to make sure you are alright."

Ariella leant up slightly and gave him a small peck on the cheek, "Thank you, Fandral. Same place next time?"

"Same place," Loki confirmed, his face blushing slightly. "Bye Ari."

"Bye." She watched him leave before hobbling back to where she knew her father would be with the cart.

On seeing her, cleaned, ointment on her face and with a crutch, her father glared at her. "What is all of this?"

"A man told me that there was a healer from the palace that was seeing people today for free, I thought, since I was a little hurt, that I should see if they would see me."

"And?"

Ariella looked at the crutch for a second, unsure if her father was being sarcastic or if he was in a state that meant he could not realise she quite clearly was tended to. "I got seen, nothing is broken."

"Good, I suppose you better go on the cart if…WHAT ARE THOSE?"

"I traded my second crutch and my old shoes and got these." She smiled, "They are a little big, so I should get some time out of them."

Grunting, her father said no more ad they left the city. Ariella looking forward to seeing her friend again, hardly able to wait the month until the market once more.