Author's note. Thank you to everyone that is continuing to follow this story - I can't tell you how grateful I am. We are now approx halfway through the story, once Odin's funeral is out of the way the romantic side of things will start to pick up...
As always, I do not own any of the characters from the Thor or the Harry Potter Universe, and I do this just for fun.
Loki woke late the following morning - the sun which streamed into his room at dawn had long since moved around before he finally opened his eyes. Given the emotions of the previous day, he was surprised that his sleep had been as peaceful as it had been. On reflection, this could be down to Hermione who was curled up against him, her head on his shoulder, one arm wrapped possessively around him, legs entwined with his. He should, Loki thought, get up, see his mother and Thor, see if there was anything that they needed him to do...
On the other hand, he was very warm, and extremely comfortable, and it would be a shame to disturb Hermione by moving her...
Loki closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
x-x-0-x-x
Very much later, they were woken by a nervous knocking on the door. Pulling on a robe, Hermione went to answer it, pushing her hair out of her eyes. The servant that stood there, a young page that looked about fourteen - was clearly terrified – of her, wondered Hermione, or of Loki?
"I beg your pardon my lady, but the Queen asked me to come and check that you were well, and would you be coming down for lunch, or should she send something up?"
Hermione's brain was still full of sleep, and not functioning... "Lunch – what time is it"
A hint of disapproval crossed his homely features. "It wants ten minutes past the lunch hour my lady"
"Please present our apologies to the Queen, and inform her we will be down directly" Loki's voice sounded more awake than he probably was thought Hermione with a smile...
Closing the door, however, she found that Loki was already out of bed, and dressing himself with a single wave of his hand. Yesterday he had dressed very much as he would do in Hogwarts. Today he was in full Asgardian mode, and Hermione had to admit that she approved. Slim fitting dark brown leather trousers, with a white lace up shirt and a dark green leather riding coat that fell almost to his ankles. A decorated leather belt circled his waist, holding a scabbard for an ornamental, but no less lethal looking knife.
They might be in a hurry, but some things could not be rushed, like claiming her good morning kiss. As they broke reluctantly apart, Hermione could not suppress a wicked smile as she ran a hand over the soft leather of his coat. "What is it with you and leather? Not that I'm objecting you understand, but you do seem to have a definite preference for it?" Not at Hogwarts though, she thought with a smirk. The last time he had come down to breakfast in the Great Hall wearing a pair of dark green leather trousers, a girl from Hufflepuff had had to be taken to the infirmary, and Professor McGonagall had been forced to put her foot down...
"Leather is a popular choice in Asgard, it is practical, hard wearing..."
"... and it looks really, really good on you?" she finished, smirk still firmly in place.
Loki caught her eye, and had the grace to blush. "Well yes – that too I suppose." He checked the perfect fit of his coat in the mirror, running a hand through his hair. "I have had to let out the shoulders of this coat, it appears I have filled out a little more over the last two years. You have been good for me - witch"
He turned back to look at Hermione, who was still clad only in her thin silky wrap, an eyebrow raised. "Are you going to the Great Hall as you are, or are you planning to dress at all? Not that I would mind the former, but Fandrall is like to have to be physically restrained, and I should hate to have to kill him on my second day back...!"
x-x-0-x-x
Thor could barely contain himself when they finally came down to lunch, at least a full half hour late. "Lady Hermione, Brother, so good that you could join us. After two years, it appears that Loki has forgotten the dining hours in Asgard..."
Loki glowered at his brother as he helped Hermione to her seat but refused to be baited. Lunch in Asgard was, as usual in the summer, a selection of bread, cooked meats, cheeses and fruits from the hot houses and orchards that surrounded the city. Both Hermione and Loki set to with enthusiasm, for having missed breakfast, they were both hungry.
"I see you are both dressed for riding, I take it you have plans for this afternoon Loki? Frigga was seated to Loki's left, an informal arrangement that would never have been permitted in his father's day. This allowed Hermione – to his right, to sit next to Jane. As both princes were keen to encourage the friendship between their two ladies, this was an arrangement that all were happy with.
"I plan to take Hermione on a tour of the city. No doubt we could manage quite well on foot, but Hermione has never learned to ride side saddle, so I thought that this might be a good opportunity for her to try it out."
Jane smiled. "I had never learned to ride at all before I came to Asgard, but Thor has been very patient in teaching me, and I love it now. Side saddle is actually much more secure than I feared it would be." She turned to Thor. "Could we all ride out together before Loki and Hermione have to leave? It would be wonderful to have some time together" Thor smiled indulgently "An excellent idea, but I do not think that it would be possible before tomorrow night's ceremony. Perhaps the following day, we could ride south toward the Mountains of the Moon..." seeing the flicker that crossed Loki's face, Thor realised what he had suggested, "...or perhaps east, through the hills would be better. Would you care to join us Mother?"
Frigga's face was wreathed in smiles. "I would love that Thor, thank you. It has been too long since we were all together. Perhaps we could leave mid-morning and take lunch with us."
Loki chuckled. "Thus a small family party turns into a royal progress." Seeing the puzzled look on Hermione's face, he elaborated. "The fact that the Queen, the King and the present heir – which would be me – are all travelling together, means that there will be the five of us, Sif and the Warriors three as our escort, accompanied by at least half a dozen guards, and now that food is involved, a train of servants to prepare, serve and clear away. Welcome to life with the Asgardian Royal Family... Now you know why I love being a humble professor at Hogwarts. If we want to go out for the day we just beg some lunch from Kreacher, put it in a bag and off we go..."
Hermione chuckled, although she appreciated the point... "you are many things at Hogwarts Loki – but you are not and never will be humble!"
When lunch was finished, Thor drew Loki aside for a moment before he and Hermione left.
"Brother, I was concerned for you last night. Are you well now? I had thought to aid you myself, but on reflection, decided that you might be more comfortable with your Lady."
Loki smiled at Thor, his face clear and untroubled. "Yes, thank you Thor. You were quite right to fetch Hermione, and I thank you for it. She always seems to know the best way to talk some sense into me." The two brothers had left the dining hall, and were now standing on a terrace, looking over the gardens.
"And what of the future brother? Is this finally the lady for you... will you bring her to Asgard as your bride? I do sincerely hope so, for I know that you are being most indiscreet about your relationship, and it would be most inappropriate if you do not now make her your wife."
Loki's face gave little away. "That is up to Hermione. The gods know that I would like nothing more than to present her with the apple that you gave me, and to make her my wife, for I doubt I will ever find a woman that I love as I do Hermione, and I am even more certain that I will never find another woman prepared to love me as she does, in despite of all my faults and failings. There is a line from a Midgardian poem that she is fond of quoting at me...
'Keep, therefore, a true woman's eye,and love me still but know not why
So hast thou the same reason still to dote upon me ever!'"
Thor chuckled, never believing he would have seen the day when his brother would not only quote lines of Midgardian poetry, but admit, openly to his feelings of love for this lady. Truly the Lady Hermione was a witch indeed. "So she loves you, and you love her, where is the difficulty?"
Loki stared at him in surprise. "Do you not speak to your Lady, Thor? Jane too is a mortal from Midgard – she must have had fears, or at least concerns regarding moving to a different realm, and giving up her mortal life and all that it entails, for love of you... It is a huge decision. I have no doubt that were I a mortal man, Hermione would have long ago accepted me. As it is, I could not in all honour ask her until she has had a chance to at least visit Asgard, and discover whether or not she might be happy here."
He frowned at his brother. "Are you telling me that you whisked Jane off to Asgard without talking to her about this? Oh Thor... have you learned nothing? Lady Jane is not one of your palace doxies, to be dazzled into submission by the lure of Thor Odinson's bed. Neither is she some fortune hunter with her eyes on a crown. You had too easy a time with women growing up Thor. If this relationship is to work you need to talk to your lady. And remember, she may only be in her thirties – a mere infant by our standards, but for her race, she is a woman grown. Already you smile and speak indulgently to her, as if she were a pretty child, when her intelligence and knowledge far outstrips your own. You would do well to afford her more respect, for she will make you a formidable Queen"
Thor looked at his little brother with renewed admiration. It appeared that he had grown up considerably in the past two years. "You see Loki, this is why I need you back in Asgard. Of all my councillors and advisors, you are the only one prepared to put me so firmly in my place... You are right, of course. Jane and I do plan to marry, but I will ensure that we speak, very seriously on this matter before we proceed any further."
So engrossed were they with their conversation that they had not been aware of Frigga, standing quietly in the shadows, eavesdropping shamelessly. Watching her two boys walk away the best of friends despite Loki's stern words, she was content that finally, the future of Asgard was in TWO safe pairs of hands. Now all she needed was for Hermione to accept Loki, and her plans would be complete. Contemplating the pleasant prospect of stepping down as Queen, for a quiet life and grandchildren, Frigga followed her sons back into the palace.
The poem that Loki quotes is taken from John Wilbye's Second Set of Madrigals, called "Love Me Not for Comely Grace". It is one that I quote to my husband sometimes xx
