Chapter 4: The Apology

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Khalessi woke the next morning with a rather pounding ache in her head. Groaning, she reluctantly removed herself from the plush blankets. The slightly spun about her. Steadying herself, she conjured a glass of water before here. After the events that transpired the night before, Khalessi tried to drown her embarrassment and shame through excess amounts of wine.

Vowing to never drink to such amounts again, she pulled on a thin robe and decided to reside on her balcony. Seeing as this was her last day before her apprenticeship began, she resolved to relax and get to know the palace more.

Taking in her new surroundings, she was greeted by a shining sun and blue skies. A warm breeze lifted her hair and she felt the rays of the sun warm her skin. The garden's floral scents wafted up to her nose and she felt at ease. The lush flowers and flowing fountains added to the magnificent view. She felt immensely grateful for everything she had been provided. Deep down she missed her window's view of rolling hills and mountains but secretly preferred this view.

Her balcony was the perfect spot for her to observe her fellow Asgardians. Noticing Hogun and Fandral across the yard, she waves to the two soldiers, whom in turn walked towards her.

"Good morrow, Lady Khalessi!" Called the charming Fandral, whom knowingly asks, "How are you faring on the glorious morning?" Such question even warranted a slight smile from the stoic Hogun.

Blushing deeply, she leaned over the stone railing, "I vow to never try to out drink Sir Volstagg for as long as my days here in Asgard!" She laughs joyously.

Fandral and Hogun guffaw together, "One must learn the hard way when dealing with old Volstagg," mentioned Hogun, smiling knowingly, "For now we must bid for fare well as we are late to a meal, good day my Lady." He bowed, along with Fandral while leaving the gardens.

Remembering the books she now has at her own disposal, she walks back into her room, towards the towering bookcase before selecting a novel. Returning to the balcony, she sit atop the railing, hanging a leg below the side, and begins to read in the beaming sunlight.

Taking a brief pause from her book, she returned her gaze to the lush gardens below. She had a uneasy feeling that she was being watched. Sweeping across the garden, it was then she noticed a dark figure emerge from the far end of the castle, she immediately recognizes the Prince.

A feeling of dread washed over her. Knowing the impending apology she needed to give him, she did not know how he would perceive her. She hoped that after she apologized for her accidentally spell on his drink, they could wipe the slate clean and begin again. She imagine they learning from one another and becoming alliances or even friends. But for that she would have to wait and see how things fared later today.

Returning to her book, she did not notice the sudden disappearance of the dark lord.

Still in a dark mood from the prior evening's events, Loki decides to leave his chambers to find a fool to take his anger out on. Striding into the sunlight, he enters the courtyard. Looking at the cheery servants and passing guests, his mood is dampened even more. A figure above the grounds catches his eye and he looks up only to his dismay to see just the person who put him in this mood.

Scowling, he does not know what his mother sees in this young Vanaheim girl. Beautiful she may be, with her red hair shining in the sun, her bright green eyes, and her slim leg dangling over the edge of the rail, he did not understand much else. For beauty was an easy thing to find in Asgard, as most maidens had beautiful qualities. He could hardly believe that such a girl could possess such power and skill. He dismissed her almost immediately.

Noticing how vulnerable she was in this position, he decided a little payback was in order. Casting an invisibility spell around him, he ponders a reasonable punishment for the moment. Looking at the bright blue sky, he is hit with a brilliant scheme. Casting a simple weather spell, he places a storm cloud above her head, which was too engrossed in her book, to notice. Smiling, he watches as the cloud begins to pour rain onto the distracted girl.

To his delight, she is startled and lets out a short scream, before scrambling onto the balcony to try and hide from the chilling rain. But to her dismay, the cloud follows her, even inside when she darts into her chambers.

Chuckling to himself, he knows that if this girl was so 'gifted,' as his mother put it, she will figure a way to dissipate the cloud. He removes the invisibility spell and continues to walk towards the main dining area, his mood suddenly much brighter. Smirking, he sees the servants that witnessed the spell glare at him with disappointment, which only added to his glee.

Simply enjoying her novel, Khalessi was completely surprised when it began to rain on her head. Involuntarily screaming, she jumps down from her resting area, only much to her chagrin, the cloud followed her wherever she went, including her chambers.

Pulling herself together, she realizes that this must be from the hands of the God of Mischief as payback from his mistake last night. Remembering his cold stare from across the yard, she shivers again. Trying to think clearly, she musters up a spell that slowly causes the cloud to disappear. Freezing and wet, she rushes into her bathing area and magically draws a steaming hot bath.

After bringing warmth back to her bones, she dresses in one of her black woolen dresses and pulls her hair into a braid resting on her shoulder. Determined to find the Prince, she purposely heads towards the dining hall, her blood boiling.

Upon entering, she hears from across the room, "Ay! Khalessi I hear there is a chance of isolated storms today!" Volstagg can hardly control his laughter as he calls her closer.

"I am glad I can provide you with such amusement Sir Volstagg, now have you lot seen Prince Loki?" She asks angrily while looking at the Warriors Three. Volstagg immediately closes his mouth at the Lady's anger.

Noticing her desperation, Fandral relents, "He is dining across the hall, but please do not say anything you will regret," He calls as she instantly heads towards the smirking Prince.

As if clockwork, Loki watches as the distress girl rushes into the hall before being called over by the oaf, Volstagg. He can almost feel her anger from here. He is absolutely delighted, there was nothing more he enjoyed than other people's despair.

Dismissing the maiden he had been half heartedly listening to. He smugly awaited the "wrath" she was about to bestow on him. Admitting to himself, he notices how appealing she looks, with her flushed cheeks and blazing eyes. Her dark fitted gown added to her angered aura for the time being. Forcing the thoughts aside he focuses all of his attention on her approaching figure.

Determined, she strides directly towards Loki. She was appalled by the superior look upon his handsome face. Again dressed in his usual black armor and green cape, he looked all the God of Mischief that we was.

Stopping across the table from the Prince, she places her hands onto her hips. "You must think you are so clever, setting that storm cloud over my head. And here I thought that if only I apologize today, we could start anew and try to be friends. But you had to retaliate and get your childish revenge. Also in turn, ruining an excellent novel I happen to be enjoying," As she continued, she realized she was getting no where with him, she huffed and turned to leave, she continued cruelly, "Besides, I thought as the God of Mischief, he would have thought of something more clever than a storm cloud."

Jumping from his seat, "How dare you insult me?," he growled, "You should be grateful I didn't just cause you to 'accidentally' fall from your balcony? And rid the castle of your insignificance!" He nearly shouted.

A silence fell over the hall and all eyes turned to the two feuding sorcerers. The fuming Prince and the now solemn Lady were the center of attention. Thor, who had joined the Warriors only moments ago, stood when Loki started with his tirade and was about to rush to Khalessi's aide. Before he could move, she spoke.

Barely above a whisper, she looks directly in his dark eyes, "I may be insignificant, but you are a lonely, vicious man who is not worthy of his power." Not waiting for his response, she turned and slowly walked away from the Prince.

Taken aback by her unexpected response, he watches her go. He felt as if he had just been punched in the stomach. She had seen right through him, to the true him. Before the audience that had stopped to watch the events transpire notice how she had affected him, he plastered his signature smirk onto his face and sat back down to finish eating, acting as if nothing had happened.

Turning the corner away from the dining hall, she teleported herself back to her room. Alone, she let the tear slip from her eyes. She would not let him see her cry. He would have seen it as a victory. Angrily she wipes them away. Fuming, she paces the length of her room. And as if unable to control herself she grabs a vase and casts it against the wall, causing it to crashing to the floor.

Shaking her head at her irrational stupidity, she takes a deep breath. Slowly she calms herself. Moments later, she hears a loud knock at her door. Wincing, she opens it, to reveal Thor peering at her with hesitation.

"Thor! I'm so sorry at my disgraceful behavior this morning. I did not mean to but I was just so angry at his revenge. But I realize not I over reacted and should have thought before I spoke." Embarrassed, she looks at her shoes.

Entering her room, Thor looks at her pitifully, "Khalessi, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Loki had no right to attack you like that," Glancing around the room, noticing the smashed glass, "Are you sure you are okay?

Gasping, she blushes red, she rushes to the broken glass before returning it to it's full glory. "Again I must apologize, I have a terrible temper sometimes that I cannot control."

"Something you and my brother seem to have in common." Thor sits on a couch, gesturing Khalessi to join him. "Look Khalessi, Loki does not 'play well with others.' Especially when that someone is so fondly looked upon by our mother."

Realizing what Thor is telling her, she feels deflated, "He feels I am trying to take your Mother from him," She watches Thor nod, "Oh goodness, I feel even more stupid, he is just afraid that I will take his mother's pride away from him." Covering her face with her hands, she continues, "What am I going to do now?"

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he replies, "Just wait, the time will come and you will be able to apologize and everything will work out. Now I must leave and deal with my brother. Please do not worry Lady Khalessi." He stands and exits the room.

Although less confused about her situation with Loki, she still dreaded their future. How could she have acted so brash. Deciding to retire for the night, she readies herself for bed. Unsure of her future here, she gets into her new bed. Sleep did not find her that night as she worried about Prince Loki.

AN: Thank you for reading!