Brynja and Loki retreated to an antechamber off the banquet hall while guests from around the realms arrived, greeted by Thor, announced by his servants. There were delegations from nearly every realm represented.

Loki sat on the end of a love seat, Brynja's head resting in his lap as he stroked her hair and she rested, her feet draped over the arm of the seat, "Well, Bryn, we made it through the easy part."

Brynja laughed, "We got through the important part- we're married, Loki. No one here can change that."

"Of course, Bryn. This is supposed to be the celebration with our friends...but there are so many people here I don't even know."

"I can live with that. I'd rather it be small, a dinner with the family, some music and dancing with friends, and the like, but if this is what we have, we might as well enjoy it. Think of it this way, we get to show off our mad dancing skills to all the realms- no one will doubt our awesomeness on the dance floor after tonight!"

"When you're right, you're right. You'd best sit up, though, they're going to want us to process in soon."

She made a face, "Ugh, I remember this bit from last time. We parade in and circle the room, you showing off your prize, me waving like an idiot, as you make sure everyone gets a close look at the gem on your arm."

"So why don't we do something different?"

"Because this is expected- as in, everyone looks forward to being able to get a close look at us. I heard the comments before- so many of the guests talk about this as though it is the highlight of the night."

Loki thought for a moment, "And the music?"

"At least that I got to choose- Midgardian song about a broken person building a mystery- of course, no lyrics, but I figured there was some cussing in it that wouldn't be appreciated anyway. It's a pretty song, though."

"And we're not supposed to dance together until the official first dance, correct?"

"Yep."

Loki sighed, "Well at least there will be something different for the guests to listen to- I think every wedding feast I've been to has had the same processional music."

"Yeah, same here. Gets really boring after a while. At least this one I can hum to as we walk and not feel like my head is going to explode."

There was a knock on the door and the attendant stepped in, "M'lady, m'lord, please follow me. We are nearing the time of your entrance."

Brynja sat up and after Loki stood, he offered her his hand, "Love?"

She accepted and rose noticing a slight trembling in his hand, "You're not too fond of facing the crowd yourself."

"Not at all. I always feel like someone is going to try to kill me when I'm in a large crowd- the larger the group, the greater the likelihood that someone there feels I deserve it."

They reached the door they were to make their entrance through and the attendant positioned them, "Remember, the lady is on the outside, walk slowly so they can all see you, and smile." The doors opened from the inside and he gently nudged them forward as the song began to play. Loki and Brynja did as instructed, her arm looped through his. She occasionally turned to him and whispered something or kissed his cheek to coax his smile along when she felt the trembling in his hand grow stronger. She winked and waved at her daughters and blew a kiss to Amundr, who began to squirm in Freyja's arms the minute he saw his mother close by. Loki hesitated as his son cried out for them. Brynja stopped and gestured for Freyja to bring him closer.

He reached for Loki, "Fadir, UP!"

Loki laughed softly and took his son in his arms; Amundr clung to his neck and refused to let go, so Loki shifted him to one side and offered his arm to Brynja, "We did both wish for this to be something different," he whispered to her, smiling as they continued their procession.

Brynja did not speak a reply, but she met his eyes, kissed his cheek, and happily continued around the room.

After the procession, Thor declared the feast open and the doors to the adjoining dining hall were pulled back to reveal huge tables set with hundreds of steaming dishes, the head table elevated and set with places for Odin, Frigga, Thor, Sunny, Katja, Amundr, Loki, and Brynja. After many toasts to the fortune and happiness of the bride and groom, a few of them bordering on raunchy, everyone tucked into the meal set before them. Even Loki lost his nervousness long enough to enjoy the feast.

Once dinner was finished, the guests mingled and greeted one another, many lining up to speak to Loki and Brynja.

The contingency from Jotunheim approached, other guests clearing the way, some afraid, some fascinated by the very tall guests; Bel spoke first, "Loki, Brynja, I am honoured we were asked to join you tonight. I have often asked your king for news of you after your departure from Jotunheim and have always been pleased to hear how well you and your children were faring."

Brynja bowed briefly to Bel, "And we are honoured you were able to attend. You have done so much for us."

Loki added, "You did not know it at the time, but the grace you granted me at my defeat led to my confession of love to Brynja. While that night was very difficult for the both of us, it also made some things crystal clear."

Bel nodded, "I am glad something good came of it."

There was a moment's pause before Brynja asked, "Is it proper for me to ask you to introduce us to those who have travelled with you?"

"Of course. On this side is my dear friend Angrboda. On this other side is a woman who has been waiting many years to visit this hall- Farbuti, Loki's birth mother."

Brynja greeted Angrboda first while Loki stood in front of his mother, "I am grateful we are finally able to meet. I was hoping to do so when I was in Jotunheim, but never knew how to ask about you."

Farbuti smiled, "It was not the time. This is. I asked to travel with our king so that I might wish you a blessed future and meet your wife. She seems quite kind."

"She has been my saving grace time and time again."

"I won't keep you long. I am glad to see you well."

Brynja, meanwhile had made polite conversation with Angrboda. As Bel excused himself to introduce Farbuti to Thor, Angrboda acknowledged Loki.

He greeted her, "How has life treated you all these many years?"

"Well, Loki. Well. I am happy to see Hela here. Have you had the chance to speak with her yet?"

"No, I haven't. We have had so little time yet for conversation and there are so many faces here. I also do not know if she would wish to speak to me."

"I will ask her- I intend to seek her out next. If she does, I will nudge her in your direction."

"Thank you. I do not know if she is here out of obligation as a representative of her realm or out of familial care. I do not want to overstep my bounds if it would upset her too much."

Angrboda nodded and brushed his hand, the blue tinge briefly colouring his arm, "You seem to be a caring father, Loki. I envy your wife, but only a little. I am too fickle to be a constant lover."

Loki took Brynja's hand, "You and I learned much from one another. Brynja taught me something new, though- every experience we have had leads us to where we are. In my case, I am exactly where I need to be."

"And I agree. You are. As am I." She paused, "Did you notice that Sigyn is here?"

He sighed, "Yes. And her sons."

"I will listen closely- she seems odd. Something is not right with that girl."

Loki thanked her and she gracefully excused herself from the conversation. Not long after, someone called for the dancing to begin and Loki escorted Brynja to the centre of the dance floor, waiting for the song to play. Loki recognised it as it began and Brynja began to softly sing it to him- the song about the broken road. He kissed her as they dance, their faces kept close, their eyes only for one another. When the song ended, he kissed her once more and then they were joined by other couples for other dances that were traditional or well known.

Thor danced with Brynja for a song, before Fandral cut in, "You don't mind, Brynja, do you?"

She shook her head, "So long as you know where to keep your hands."

He laughed, "Always so blunt. One of the things that I value you most for as a friend, yet that infuriated me as a lover. We truly have come a long way."

Brynja smiled at him, "That we have. I never thought I could forgive you for what you did to Loki."

"I understand. And I know that it took you many years and I had to change considerably. But know that I have changed. If given the same command, things would not be done as they were then."

They talked as they danced, both of them happy to have reached a place where they could be friends, their failed marriage in the past. Loki, meanwhile, was dancing with Sigyn and hoping to be rescued. He was polite, yes, but she was not and her conversation often bordered on the inappropriate, something that was so unlike the girl he had known centuries before. He was glad when Hela cut in, but at the same time, apprehensive.

"Hello, Loki."

"Hello, Hela. Has your realm been treating you well?"

She nodded, "Oh yes. My halls are quiet and I like the solitude the realm affords me. I may still be awkward and odd, but at least the few there I have for company are kind."

"That's good. Did you have a moment to talk to your mother?"

"Of course. We write letters sometimes as well. May I write to you?"

"Of course, I'd love to get to know you better."

Hela was happy, her smile broad, even though it seemed distant- she always looked, though, as if she was only partly present, her mind in a far away place.

The rest of the evening was mostly pleasant. Loki and Brynja escaped only a few times to the antechamber for moments alone, both knowing that if they stayed too long they would either be carried away with their kisses or they would fall asleep on the love seat. Nari and Vali, so unlike their mother, were lively and sought out Loki and his family, excited to finally meet the names in the stories they had been told as children. They did not seem to hold any resentment for Loki, were fascinated by Angrboda, Bel, and Farbuti, and both insisted on dancing with Hela, making her laugh and encouraging her to write to them while they were in Asgard. They did their best to learn the customs of their hosts, trying to bow to the right people and address everyone with their appropriate titles. They both danced with Katja and Sunny and by the end of the feast, had convinced the sisters to visit them while they were in the realm, eager to get to know their family.

When the feast ended and as guests filtered out, Thor approached Loki and Brynja, both visibly tired, "You two need your rest. Go, sleep. Mother is taking care of Amundr for the night."

They both thanked him and retired to their chambers. Loki's fingers fumbled with the little buttons on Brynja's dress and she struggled with the straps to his doublet. They were laughing by the time they fell into bed, but found the energy for kisses and caresses, falling asleep tangled together under the blanket, bathed in the moonlight.