Lsósálfar is simply Light Elf in Norse, but as I am completely at a loss as to the name given to the language of Alfheim's inhabitants, I have used this instead. I apologise for the inaccuracy of this.

Chapter Four

You could not stop giggling, and you knew you were being ridiculous. You knew you were crimson faced and you undoubtedly looked as though you ran across the Bifrost Bridge full speed.

You thought back to the chaste kiss Loki had placed on your lips, cautious as to how you would react. He need not have worried however, as you returned the gesture enthusiastically, meaning you and Loki had kissed until he told you the lunch time bell had rung and you were forced to leave him to join the two queens. Loki, it transpired, had claimed to still be ill to get out of the hunt. He swore to claim to have made a miraculous recovery and join you half way through your meal.

Nearing the gardens, you took a moment to compose yourself, including giving yourself a once over with your seidr to conceal your somewhat flustered appearance. Walking out, you gasped. It was more beautiful than anything you had ever seen. Flowers and trees from every realm were all blooming colourfully around you.

"Beautiful aren't they?" a voice behind you whispered in your ear, causing you to gasp and jump.

"I thought you said you would be coming later." You smiled.

"I did not wish to have to wait to see you again." Loki admitted. "You love positively divine by the way."

"I looked like this earlier." You frowned.

"You looked just as divine then also." He grinned.

"Sure." You dismissed.

"It appears you do not see yourself as you are." He noted.

"How did you change so quickly and make your way back down here?" You queried, changing the subject.

Loki extended his arm to you and guided you along the path as he leant down to whisper in your ear. "What if I were to tell you that you are not the only one able to wield seidr?" he smiled wolfishly, awaiting your reaction.

"I would say that I would be forced to add it to the very desirable traits you possess Prince Loki and would desperately love for us to expand on the subjected."

"Well then, I have a pleasant bit of news for you." He joked, causing you to bite your lip and laugh slightly. "Ah, here we are." You turned away from him to see your mother and Queen Frigga eyeing you both carefully as you joined them.

"Loki, I see you have made quite the recovery once more after the hunting party has left." Frigga scolded her younger son.

"The wonders of modern medicinal practises and good rest." Loki stated innocently though the look on Frigga's face told you she did not believe him for one moment. "I was fortunate enough to bump into Princess Sadhbh in my travels. She was on her way here so I said I would make up for being so unsociable the last few hours and escort her to you ladies, I was also wondering if I may join you all for lunch now that my appetite has returned." He smirked. Frigga threw her eyes up at his explanation, but the smile on her face showed she was not as irate with him as she was attempting to appear. Loki then turned to your mother. "Queen Merida, it is such an honour to finally meet you. My mother has always spoken of you in the highest regard, and Sadhbh was saying you have invested great time and effort in readying her for Asgard. I must say, from what little time I have been honoured enough to have been in her company, you have done a remarkable job." He bowed.

Your mother blushed as Loki took her hand and kissed it. You watched in near disbelief as he blatantly sucked up to her. Frigga simple sat back and drank some tea, knowing full well what her son was doing.

"Frigga, I must commend you on your sons, such fine gentlemen they are." Merida praised.

"Thank you; they have their moments too though." She eyed Loki, who seemed suddenly very interested in the sky, causing you to have to stifle a giggle. Frigga looked between you both and smiled almost knowingly. "It would be lovely of you to joining us Loki, if you will not be bored by the conversation. Though I am sure Sadhbh will be glad to have someone to converse with other than two aging women."

"You do yourself an injustice mother, you are always the greatest of company." Loki stated.

"I cannot hide my envy Frigga. I would give most anything to have such a relationship with either of my sons." You mother confessed with tears in her eyes.

Loki looked at her curiously before looking to you, almost shocked to see you shake your head slightly warning him to not push the subject in front of her. Deciding to change alter the conversation, Loki asked your mother how she faired changing from her Midgardian life to her Alfheim one, implying he wished to assist your transition in being as smooth as possible.

After lunch Loki offered to show you around the gardens. The two queens deciding to relax for their afternoons, leaving you both to enjoy the gardens in peace.

After nearly half an hour of walking with only a few words, Loki guided you to a bench under a Midgardian willow tree. "So is it some form of secret or am I permitted to ask as to why your mother became somewhat upset?" He ventured cautiously.

"A long story short, my brothers have no time for our mother. In Alfheim, women of high standing have nothing to do with the raising of their sons." You explained. "Clearly it is different here. Thor is respectful to your mother and you and her seem very closely bonded."

"I do admit I am very close to my mother. Thor is closer with our father. So if mothers have no part to play in their rearing, is it governesses and nannies that raise them?" Loki queried, getting back on topic.

"Until they reached puberty, the only time my brothers ever laid eyes on any women were my mother and I at royal occasions, bar the maids that serviced their quarters. Their minders and tutors were all men." You explained.

"They cannot hold women in high regard if they only knew of them as mere servants." Loki assessed, you nodded in agreement. "So how are their interactions with you?"

You stared at the pond that watered the willow and surrounding plants. "I will not be sorry to see them leave when they do, knowing I will not have to see them again until just before my wedding." You admitted.

Loki lifted your chin so he could look you in the eye. "If they so much as look at you in a way that displeases either you or I in my presence, I will make them rue the day my parents chose you to come here, I swear it." He stated coldly before he kissed you again.

XXXXXXXXXX

In the late afternoon the hunting party returned, you had gone to rest as Loki was needed elsewhere. There came a knock on your chambers door, nodding to Maya, she had it opened. On the other side was an Æsir maid wearing a green sash over her dress. "Forgive me your highness, but I come with a gift from Prince Loki." She stated.

"Thank you, please, Maya, bring it to me." You rose from the long seat you were occupying to receive the gift.

"I am also to inform you that at the base of the box, there is a note that requires I bring a yes or no answer with me." The maid continued.

Opening the small ornate box, you gasped as you looked at a rose, both red and white combined. It was without question your favourite flora you had seen in the gardens that day. Under it was the book you had been reading when Loki entered the library. It had lain forgotten after your kiss. You took out the delicate flower and book, searching for the note under it. It was written in Lsósálfar. You found yourself unable to hide the smile on your face as you thought of the prince putting the effort in to write to you in your language.

Meet me under the willow at dinner time. Don't worry about eating. Loki xxx

You knew your parents would not be pleased at the thought of you not joining them and the Æsir for dinner. You turned to the maid and gave your answer.