Eira had been in the castle for a week…and she was already underfoot, quite literally. Loki had arisen at dawn the next morning, eager to resume his research. In the calamity yesterday, he had discovered through nothing if not sheer luck, a new book that had been knocked from it's hiding spot atop the bookshelf when it had fallen. The young Aesir had practically danced in delight when he found it amongst the chaos, gleeful for a challenge. The pages of the novel were yellowed with age, and the curving script was strange, even to Loki's educated gaze. Clearly, he had stumbled across some Ancient Knowledge. It would take him weeks to decipher the letters alone, and possibly months or more to actually begin constructing paragraphs. The idea filled him with a feeling that was almost euphoric.

The storm that accompanied Eira's arrival had long since past and sunlight had once again resumed its continuing battle to be seen through the castle's filthy windows. Pale, yellow patches splashed across the floor as Loki eagerly made his way down the familiar journey towards the library. This walk was one of the few things left in the prince's life that still brought him happiness, and the castle's newly achieved brightness only improved the prince's mood to the point where he was nearly skipping down the hallway.

Looking back now, Loki realized that if he had been perhaps he hadn't of been so distracted, then he and Eira might have been spared quite a bit of embarrassment. Unfortunately, the prince was going almost at full speed when he turned that final corner and with his attentions focused elsewhere, did not see Eira knelt so carefully before him as she washed the floor. With a clamor of water splashing, wood hitting stone and several outraged curses, the pair was sent sprawling across the stones. It was a few minutes before Loki finally came to his senses, his temper spurred into action by the throbbing of his back and the spinning of his head. Carefully, the young man eased himself into sitting position, and immediately found himself face to face with a pair of large, frightened brown eyes.

"What-?!"

Somehow when they had fallen, Loki had managed to become intertwined with Eira and was now pinned beneath her, the maiden's hips straddling his own with her hand pressed into his chest for balance. Blushing furiously, Loki shoved her away, wincing at her whimper as she landed again on the floor. The girl's eyes widened again, this time with surprise as well as fright. Loki was torn between the overwhelming urge to run and the thoughts, most of which that sounded suspiciously like his mother's voice, badgering him to help the maiden. Unable to come to a decision, the moment for action passed and Loki watched as Eira rose carefully to her feet.

With her face now bathed in sunlight, Loki was finally able to study the face of his guest without restriction, as she always darted into corners or hurriedly excused herself whenever he entered the room. The girl was no great beauty, not like the seemingly flawless nobles Loki was so used to seeing, but for a peasant maiden, she still held quite a bit of appeal. Her face was slim, though had begun to flesh out and pinken Loki realized, probably due to the sudden increase in the number and quality of the girl's meals. A light spray of freckles dusted the girl's nose and there was a chip in her front tooth, Loki could see it when she bit her lip, but it was her eyes that attracted most of the prince's attention. Large and deeply brown, they took up most of Eira's face and were now regarding Loki with the same caution of someone who was approaching a wild animal and still making up their minds about whether or not the was the sort that bit.

"Are you alright my lord?"

Loki jumped slightly, Eira's soft voice bringing him out of his trance. Quickly clearing his throat, the prince adjusted the edge of his robe and tried to summon what dignity he might have left.

"Yes, it was just a quick tumble, nothing more. You…you should be more careful."

Eira leaned forward, her head dipped in a deep bow and her hands spread over her thighs in what Loki realized, panic now rising, a gesture of supplication as the maiden awaited whatever punishment she was convinced the prince would deliver.

"I am sorry my lord. You were right; I was clumsy and careless and could have hurt you badly. Please, choose whatever consequence you deem fit for my foolish behavior."

The Odinson household had never been big on disciplining the servants. More than once, Loki had seen his father and mother simply dismiss a troublesome employee with nothing more than a stern, but kindly, reprimand, but Loki knew from the gossip of other visiting royalty that there were other, harsher methods to dealing with a servant's misgivings. Loki was not an Odinson; he did not need to follow his father's example. Moving slowly and pensively, as though he were walking underwater, Loki approached Eira, his heart in his throat and his breath coming in short, ragged spurts. The young man raised his hand high in the air, ready to deliver what would surely be a solid and painful blow. Beneath him, Eira crouched, but did not cower. It seemed as though the girl had already accepted Loki's choice and was now simply waiting, unafraid of whatever came next.

What if the tables turned, your highness? Would you bear yourself with such courage?

Any conviction Loki had managed to summon drained away in an instant and he dropped his hand to his side, where it hung limply in defeat. As he considered the girl, a memory surfaced in Loki's mind. Again, he raised his hand, but rather than strike, he tapped the girl's head with the sort of scolding affection he had seen Thor use so many times with a troublesome wolf pup, and far more often with Loki himself. Without waiting for Eira's reaction, Loki spun on his heel and resumed his journey towards the library, eager for the logic of study. Since Eira had come into his life, the prince was discovering many of the emotions he had sworn to forget…and he wasn't sure he enjoyed it.

"Loki?"

Eira's voice echoed off the walls, quiet and hesitant, like the coo of a dove.

"Yes?" the prince responded without turning around

"I…are you headed to the library, my lord?"

"Yes."

"Would, if you'll pardon my asking, would you appreciate some company?"

Would he? Loki turned towards the girl and searched her face for any sign that she might be mocking him, though found none. The question obviously surprised the prince, though what in answered in turn surprised him even more.

"I would, provided you will remain silent. My work requires my complete and utter focus."

"I assure you my lord, you will be no more aware of my presence than you would be of a mouse."

"Very well then, but clean up this mess first. I expect to see you there within the hour, any longer and I will assume you have found better ways to occupy your time, understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes my lord?"

"Try again."

"Yes Loki."

"Good."

The pair parted, Loki going one way, Eira the opposite, neither aware of the other's pounding heart and fluttering stomach.

From her hiding place, it was all Frigga could do to keep from bursting out into what would be a very un-queenly jig. With a laugh of triumph, she slipped out into the now empty hallway and headed towards the kitchen, her thoughts already turning to her son's approaching rendez vous in the library. Though Frigga knew better than to interfere directly, this was a rather delicate matter after all, but a little gentle encouragement and a good, strong cup of tea never hurt anyone.