A/N: I hope everyone is enjoying this story. Forbidden Moons, I worked in a couple of those sonnets you'd asked for ;) Please read and review, I love hearing from you guys :)
Over the course of the next year, Loki and Ava spent more and more time with each other, falling deeper in love. After spending the day with Ava ad bidding her goodnight, Loki returned home and readied himself for bed. However, he was feeling restless. He just could not sleep. He decided to grab a book and went out to sit on the terrace and read by the moonlight.
After sitting there reading for a few moments, Loki heard the doors to his chambers open and his brother was soon joining him on the terrace. "You're up rather late, Brother." Thor observed of Loki.
"So are you, Brother." Loki replied, not even looking up from his book. "What are you doing?"
"I just haven't seen you much over these last few months. I thought that I would come and talk." Thor answered with a shrug.
Loki closed his book and used his magic to send it back to the shelf in his room. "And what do you wish to talk about?" Loki asked.
"Whatever is troubling you?" Thor replied.
"Nothing is troubling me." Loki replied.
"Loki." Thor replied.
Loki sighed. "I don't know if troubling is the right word."
"Then what is?" Thor asked.
Loki shrugged. "I don't really know…I don't think there is a word to describe what is going on."
"Tell me about it, Loki."
"I am completely and irrevocably in love with Ava." Loki replied.
"I think I gathered that from all of the time you have been spending with her." Thor replied. "And the smile that seems to be permanently etched on your face."
Loki smiled. "Her birthday is in three days…and I have a wonderful day planned for us…and…"
"And you're planning on proposing, aren't you?" Thor asked, a smile on his face.
Loki nodded. "Yes."
Thor clapped his brother on the shoulder. "That is wonderful, Loki. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Brother, but your congratulations are just a bit premature." Loki replied. "She could say no."
Thor nodded. "She could, but I highly doubt she will."
"How can you be so sure?" Loki asked.
Thor sat down next to his younger brother. "Loki, I have seen the way that woman looks at you. She would gladly follow you to the ends of the universe."
"I hope you're right, Thor." Loki replied.
Thor just grinned. "I'm always right."
Loki laughed. "Not always."
"Name one time I was wrong." Thor countered.
"Well, there was the time you thought you could dance after consuming an entire cask of ale." Loki answered. "Or the time you thought that you could beat me at chess. Or…"
"I said one time, Loki." Thor replied. "Besides, I may have been wrong those times, but I am not wrong about this. Anyone who looks at you and Ava can tell you are smitten with each other…besides, I think Mother has been planning your wedding for the last couple of months."
Loki chuckled. "She's been planning that since someone told her Ava caught my eye at the feast last year."
The two brothers laughed. They stayed up a while longer talking before Thor returned to his chambers.
Three days later…
Ava was getting dressed for her day with Loki. "So, what does Loki have planned for you two today?" Gail asked Ava as she helped her with her hair.
"I don't know, Mom." Ava answered. "He refuses to tell me. He says that it is a surprise."
Gail grinned. She had no idea exactly what Loki had planned, but she had a feeling that when they returned, her daughter would be betrothed. "I am sure you will have fun. I know you always do." She finished up her daughter's hair. "Alright, you're already."
Ava looked at her reflection in the mirror. She wore a simple deep purple tunic that was held up by gold straps and trimmed in gold at the bottom. Her hair was pulled back half up in braids and a golden clip and the rest hung freely in soft waves. A few moments later, they were walking down the stairs and one of the servants was announcing Loki's arrival.
Ava bid her parents a good day before she stepped out the door. Loki was standing by his horse. Ava walked over and threw herself into his open and waiting arms. Loki closed his arms around Ava and smiled down at her. "Happy birthday, my love." He greeted her.
Ava grinned up at him. "I'm with you, that instantly makes this the best birthday I've ever had."
Loki kissed Ava on the lips. "I take it you're ready for today's adventure then?" He asked.
Ava nodded. "Yes."
Loki mounted his horse and then pulled Ava up in the saddle with him. He guided his horse through the city and the forest, taking them to his secret path that led to Alfheim. They ended up going to the very same spot where they had their first time there together. This time Loki had the picnic already spread out and waiting for them along with the fire.
Ava grinned as she and Loki sat down on the blanket. "I can't believe you recreated our first day together."
Loki smiled at her. "I wanted to make sure your birthday was special." He said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.
Ava nestled into his embrace. "Everyday with you is special, Loki."
Loki smiled and pulled Ava's lips to his. He held her close as he kissed her. He couldn't let himself get as caught up in the kiss as he wanted to. He had to keep his thoughts organized. If he let himself get too caught up, he might not be able to give her the perfect and romantic proposal he had planned.
After a few moments, Loki broke the kiss. He smiled at Ava as he conjured up the book of poetry. "There are a couple of these I would like to read to you."
Ava grinned. She loved it when Loki read poetry to her. "Okay."
Loki then opened up to the Midgardian sonnets once again. He then read to his love Sonnet CLIII and Sonnet CLIV, by William Shakespeare.
Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep:
A maid of Dian's this advantage found,
And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep
In a cold valley-fountain of that ground;
Which borrowed from this holy fire of Love,
A dateless lively heat, still to endure,
And grew a seething bath, which yet men prove
Against strange maladies a sovereign cure.
But at my mistress' eye Love's brand new-fired,
The boy for trial needs would touch my breast;
I, sick withal, the help of bath desired,
And thither hied, a sad distempered guest,
But found no cure, the bath for my help lies
Where Cupid got new fire; my mistress' eyes.
The little Love-god lying once asleep,
Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,
Whilst many nymphs that vowed chaste life to keep
Came tripping by; but in her maiden hand
The fairest votary took up that fire
Which many legions of true hearts had warmed;
And so the General of hot desire
Was, sleeping, by a virgin hand disarmed.
This brand she quenched in a cool well by,
Which from Love's fire took heat perpetual,
Growing a bath and healthful remedy,
For men diseased; but I, my mistress' thrall,
Came there for cure and this by that I prove,
Love's fire heats water, water cools not love
He finished reading the sonnets and then laid the book aside. He then took both of Ava's hands in his and looked deep into her eyes. "I've read those sonnets hundreds of time...but I never understood them...I never got their meaning...that is until I met you. Ava, you have captured me completely. You are all I think about. I want to be with you always."
Ava felt her heart beat picking up its pace. "Loki...what are you saying?"
"Ava, I love you with everything that I am. I want to spend the rest of my life with you at my side, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
Ava was stunned. She hadn't been expecting Loki to propose. She was happy he had, but she still hadn't been expecting it.
"Ava? Are you going to say anything?" He asked, snapping Ava out of her own thoughts.
She looked at him, a smile coming across her face. She still couldn't bring herself to speak, so she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss. She hoped that her kiss said everything she couldn't say for whatever reason.
After a few moments, they broke apart. Loki looked at Ava, "Is that a yes or were you just trying to let me down easy?" He asked.
Ava grinned. "Yes." She answered. "Of course I will marry you, Loki. I love you."
Loki couldn't think of words to express how happy he was that she had accepted his proposal. He settled for pulling her close and kissed her long and slow and deep. After several long moments, Loki finally broke the kiss.
Loki smiled and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. "I love you Ava...and I can't wait to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you."
Ava grinned. "I can't imagine a better way to spend the rest of my life."
"We should probably be getting back...I am sure our families will be excited about the news." Loki said.
Ava thought for a moment. "They will be...but..."
"But what?" Loki asked.
Ava grinned and climbed into Loki's lap. "Once they find out we are engaged, we won't be given time alone for the rest of the night...I'm not ready to share just yet."
Loki grinned at his beloved. "Well, when you out it like that." He said, kissing her again.
Back at the palace...
Ava's parents had gone to the palace to join King Odin and Queen Frigga for lunch. "So, do you have any idea what your son has planned for our daughter today?" Gail asked Frigga.
"No." Frigga answered. "He has been very secretive. You haven't heard anything have you dear?" She asked turning to Odin.
Odin shook his head. "He's been tight-lipped."
Thor entered the room just then. "Are Loki and Ava back yet? I want to know how things went."
"They aren't back yet." Odin answered.
"Does this mean you know what Loki had planned?" Frigga asked, eying her eldest son suspiciously.
Thor looked like a frightened animal. "Uhm...no." He lied.
"What is it?" Frigga asked.
Thor sighed. He knew his mother wouldn't give up. He also could never lie to her. "I don't know the details...but he is planning on proposing to her."
Gail and Frigga both gasped. "I knew it!" They squealed together.
The two mothers looked at each other. "You know what this means?" Gail asked.
"We get to plan a wedding." Frigga answered with a grin.
"And we'll be getting grandchildren before much longer." Gail added.
"Don't make a big deal when they come back." Thor said. "Just wait for them to say something first. I don't want Loki to be angry with me for telling."
"Alright." Everyone agreed. However, Thor had a feeling his mother and Lady Gail would be unable to hide their excitement.
