They arrived at the castle's gates and Odin and Frigga dismounted. Loki lowered Taryn to the ground before swinging himself out of the saddle and giving his reins to the waiting stable hand. Taryn took his proffered arm and Loki followed the royal couple up the wide stairs and into the enormous, shining palace. Seeing it through her eyes now, he appreciated the beauty and symmetry of it anew. "Whoa," Taryn breathed as the splendor of the grand entrance hall came into view. "You grew up here?"

Loki smiled, wanting to put her at ease. Much as she'd understood that he was an Æsir prince, seeing the wonders of Asgard had clearly brought home to Taryn all that meant much more clearly than any stories could ever have done. "Thor and I used to hide right there–" he pointed to a column nearly hidden by an enormous, golden statue, "–and watch guests arrive. Sometimes we would try to trip them," he admitted.

Taryn shook her head at the mental image. "You would," she said, returning his smile, but there was still a lot of awe in her gaze. "I'm surprised you didn't turn their clothes into frogs or something."

Loki laughed. "Only because I didn't think of it."

Another huge doorway opened before them, and this time when Odin and Frigga passed through, cheers met them with such force that Taryn's steps faltered beside him. Loki covered her hand with his and squeezed gently before leading her into the cavernous room ahead of Sif, Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg. "Peace," he soothed softly. "As soon as my brother shows his face, it will get ten times louder."

Thor and Jane entered before Taryn could reply, and the screaming adoration of the crowd immediately proved Loki right. Taryn winced at the volume. Loki murmured a little spell to muffle it and she shot him a grateful glance. He winked, and then they had arrived at the stairs of Odin's throne. Fandral unobtrusively escorted Darcy and Erik toward a grouping of three chair set just off the golden path. Loki didn't want to release Taryn even for a moment but there was no choice. He saw her seated in the chair and took his place on the stairs before Odin's throne, one step above Sif, one below Frigga.

Odin stopped before his throne, majestic in his shining armor. He claimed Gungnir and watched Thor and Jane approach from the magnificent dais. When the couple reached the bottom stair, Thor raised Mjolnir high and the crowd fell silent. "This woman I would have for my bride, if the All-Father will give his blessing," Thor proclaimed, his voice strong enough to be heard to the ends of the hall.

"I give it gladly," Odin replied without hesitation. "More, I will it to be so on this very day. Make ready, all Æsir, for today Thor Odinsson takes a wife!"

The crowd went crazy. Loki had to smile at Odin's words, as though the preparations for Thor's wedding hadn't been underway since almost the moment he and Loki had arrived in Asgard three months ago. Thor lifted Jane off her feet and kissed her passionately, bringing the Æsir to almost frenzied levels of glee, and Loki glanced down at Taryn.

Would they cheer so if it were Loki who stood before them instead of Thor?

Loki shook his head sharply to clear it. No bitterness–no jealousy. At Odin's signal, the party followed the All-Father past the throne and out the hidden door behind it. The crowd's cheers vanished as the door closed behind them, and the blessed quiet was a relief. "Whoa," Jane gasped, clinging to Thor as if stunned by a blow. "That was way louder than I thought it would be."

Odin smiled at Jane. "Thor is greatly loved by his people," he said, his pride clear in face and voice. "They are naturally happy to finally meet his beloved."

Thor beamed at Loki, who had gone to Taryn and wrapped his arm around her again the instant she'd entered with Darcy and Selvig, unable to stay away. "And not just mine," Thor said, his grin lighting the room.

Loki waved that away. "This is your day, brother," he demurred, but he couldn't help thinking again of standing with Taryn before the All-Father and asking Odin to bless their marriage. Of claiming her before all the Æsir. The thought was too tempting and he pushed it away. Instead of dwelling on that potent image, Loki smiled at Jane, who still looked shaken. "I could create a little spell to dampen the noise for you, if you wish," he offered.

"Oh, God, please," Jane accepted instantly, clearly overwhelmed at the thought of enduring the roar of the crowd again. "I'm a scientist, not a rock star. I can't deal with all that."

"Me too!" Darcy cried, and even Erik Selvig raised a hand hopefully.

Then Volstagg, cradling his tender head, also stepped forward. "I too beg your mercy, Spell-weaver," he groaned, and the other warriors laughed at his pallor and clear misery. "It isn't funny!" Volstagg lamented, then winced at the loudness of his own voice.

"Of course, Volstagg," Loki said, a little touched that the warrior would ask him for magic when, like the rest of Thor's company, the huge fighter had never much valued it. Even the way he'd said Spell-weaver had been respectful, not mocking. Loki murmured his little spell again, adjusting it so the words of the ceremony would not be muffled, and then sent it out to settle over all the ears in the room.

"Nothing sounds different," Jane said doubtfully, reaching up to feel her ears as if expecting to find earmuffs or something.

"It will," Loki assured her. "When it's needed."

Darcy grinned. "Magic is so frickin cool."

Frigga came forward then and took Jane's hand and, to Loki's surprise, Taryn's as well. "Come, Sif, Darcy. It is time we leave the men to their own devices and prepare the bride," Frigga announced with a smile, drawing them away with her.

Thor and Loki released their women with equal reluctance. Frigga just smiled more deeply at that but didn't pause, and a moment later, all the women were gone. Loki turned to his brother and gave a smile of his own–this one decidedly wicked. "Midgard has a delightful tradition of a bachelor party, brother," Loki said. "I've a mind to adopt it for you on this occasion."

Odin shook his head. "I'll leave you to get into trouble on your own," he said, but his tone held a fond jest that Loki was no longer used to hearing in relation to anything he suggested. "The ceremony will commence in two hours, Loki. Don't make your brother late."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Loki promised, and despite his evil tone, he meant it. Today Thor had regained all the loyalty and affection Loki had ever given him. He wouldn't ruin this day.

Fandral chuckled as the All-Father left. "So, tell us more about this bachelor party," he said, his own eyes sparkling with mischief. "It sounds promising." Of all the warriors, Fandral had been most akin to Loki in temperament and propensity for troublemaking.

"It will not endear you to your Taryn if you deliver Thor drunk to his wedding," Hogun warned after Loki explained the custom, and Volstagg groaned at the mention of drink.

"Remember, brother, that whatever you do to me, I will return to you one hundredfold on your own wedding day," Thor warned, and Loki merely raised an eyebrow at the threat.

"You may try, brother. You may try."

The six of them–Thor, Loki, Erik Selvig, Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg–retired to Thor's chambers after Odin and the women had left. Loki had already arranged for a barrel of mead to be brought to the room–definitely not Frigga's wine–and a servant poured mugs for them all before leaving the warriors alone.

As soon as the door closed behind the maid, all eyes turned to Thor. "Nervous?" Loki asked with amusement as Thor drained his mug in one long draft.

"Odin's Beard, yes," he groaned, and when he rubbed a hand over his face, it shook visibly.

"Of course he's nervous. It's the end of life as he knows it," Fandral commiserated. He collapsed onto a padded bench as though too grief-stricken to stand. "No more spontaneous adventures, no more carousing, no more warm and willing wenches, no more fun. I couldn't imagine being with one woman for the rest of eternity." He shuddered theatrically. "It's a fate worse than death."

"Now, Fandral, there's no need for such gloom," Loki disagreed, speaking up on his brother's behalf as Thor refilled his mug with entirely too much determination. "There are benefits, you know. One woman for the rest of eternity means she will know all his favorite things–no more awkward first-time moments with a stranger. There is nothing better than a lover who knows you well. Also, Thor will have the assurance of knowing she will always be there at the end of every adventure. And of course marriage means children, when the time comes," he added, knowing how his brother had always longed for sons and daughters of his own.

Volstagg shot Loki a look from beneath his bushy eyebrows. "Sounds like something you've spared more than a little thought on, Silvertongue," he said shrewdly.

Fandral grinned and clapped Loki on the shoulder. "Indeed," he agreed. "That was an exceedingly comely wench who greeted you on the Bridge, and quite the kiss she gave you."

Loki felt his cheeks heat and disguised it with a cough. The God of Mischief did not blush, even if he could still taste that kiss. "My lady is no wench, scoundrel," he replied with deceptive mildness.

It didn't fool any of them. They'd known Loki long enough to know that the milder his tone, the hotter his temper. All of them, even Hogun, grinned. Loki ignored them all and frowned as Thor downed his second mug of mead as fast as the first. "Slow down, brother, before you make yourself useless to your Jane tonight."

Thor put the empty mug down and shuddered. "I want to wed her. I truly do," he muttered, but his voice sounded almost plaintive. "So why do I feel like I'm drowning?"

"Perhaps because you're swimming in mead?" Fandral suggested, grinning.

Selvig moved Thor's mug out of his reach and wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulders. "It is natural for a man to feel so before his wedding," he said soothingly. "Do not let it distress you too much. Just keep reminding yourself that you love Jane and this is what you truly want."

"And if it is not," Hogun interjected, speaking for the first time, "then we are here to help you escape."

Loki laughed with the rest of them as Thor shook his head firmly. "No, I want Jane for my wife," he said, and this time he sounded like he meant it. He squared his shoulders and repeated it. "I want Jane for my wife."

"And soon you shall have what you want," Loki said, squeezing his brother's arm.

Thor took a deep breath and nodded. Then he grinned at Loki, and the Trickster braced himself for the attention to fall back on him. Too bad Thor's method of forgetting his own marriage fears seemed to be putting Loki on the spot intstead. "Soon, I think we will be doing this again. Taryn is a fine woman, brother. You have already put your symbol around her neck–when will you put a ring upon her finger?"

Loki waved a hand, again dismissing the suggestion, but Volstagg hadn't been off the mark. Loki would've been lying more than usual if he tried to pretend he hadn't considered it. The thought of Taryn as his wife sent a thrill straight through him. "This is not my day," he replied simply. It was too soon to think of marrying Taryn. There were no doubts in his mind, but the change from friends to lovers was still very new. He wouldn't risk pressuring her. "Concentrate on your own wedding, brother, and don't try to drag me down the aisle with you."

"We all saw that kiss, Loki," Fandral said, laughing wickedly and nudging him with an elbow. Loki pointedly shifted away from the warrior, radiating cold dignity. "Something tells me there would be no dragging involved. Silvertongue indeed!"

Loki again felt his face heat as he recalled Taryn calling him the same thing the first time he'd made love to her. He started to reply, to again try to shift the focus off himself, but suddenly heard Taryn's voice in his mind as the Oroborus necklace's magic called out to him. "… Thor and Loki traveled to Jötunnheim and feasted at the home of Thrym, a stupid giant who was also cunning." He grinned, recognizing the tale Taryn had started to tell.

"Oh, ho!" Volstagg boomed, laughing and waving his tankard at Loki. "Look at that smile, lads! Have you ever seen such an expression on Loki's face?"

They thought his grin came from Fandral's comment. Thor laughed and Loki considered correcting their misapprehension, then dismissed the idea. Let them think what they liked–besides, the memory of his lady's kiss was more than enough to make him smile. He shrugged and took a gulp of his own mead. "You should know, brother," he said when the laughter had died away, "that Taryn is telling your Jane the story of Thrym."

Thor stopped laughing and went pale. "She isn't!"

Loki grinned wickedly. "Oh, but she is," he said gleefully. He listened for a moment and his smile widened. "In exquisite detail," he added.

Thor grabbed Fandral's mug from him and drained it even faster than the two that had gone before, ignoring Fandral's protests. "Then you tell us a tale, Loki," Thor pleaded when he set the empty vessel back down. "Distract me."

Loki raised an eyebrow. "What kind of tale would you like?"

"Something to make him laugh," Fandral answered for him, as Thor was currently occupied with trying to get Selvig to release his mug so he could have more ale. "He needs to laugh or he'll go even more insane than he already is."

Loki nodded and thought for a moment. Then he grinned. "Then I shall tell you all the tale of Monty Python and the Holy Grail."