the two of you headed to the dining hall arm in arm. you weren't overjoyed about seeing Thor again he was too pretentious for your liking. as you headed down the final flight of stairs Loki stopped and turned to face you. he smiled a sweet comforting smile but you could see that he was worried.
"Now, (YN)." he said "My brother as you know is not the most sensitive of souls, he says without thinking especially after a few pints of mead." he stroked his hand across your cheek "My father is most inquisitive and will most likely ask you many personal questions, if they get to personal i do so promise to intervene." he paused before looking to the ground as his smile became more genuine. "My mother, on the other hand. Is a kind and gentle soul she will understand you better than anyone as she once lived in a poorer area of the city until she was saved from slave gangs by my father. one thing you must know is that all of them want me married off to a princess in some off shore kingdom so i may live in content there, but i couldn't bear to leave not Asgard and not a chance with you." he beamed. he placed a gentle kiss upon your forehead before continuing to lead you down the stairs and down to where you would be eating. you stood outside a fairly large door at the end of a long corridor. Loki looked at you giving both you and him the re-assurance you both needed.
"Don't worry Loki, I'll be fine." you whispered in his ear. this gave him a small smile which he wore as you both entered the dining hall. The walls were adorned with large portraits of beautiful women and men on horseback, pictures of magnificent landscapes and maps from travels that his family had once ventured. There was a large space between the door and the table which was on the other side of the room. unlike what you had anticipated the table was relatively small and intimate there was enough room for 6 to sit but only 5 places were laid two on either side and one at the head of the table. at the head sat Odin and on the far side sat Frigga and Thor. as you walked towards the table all were staring at you and all with very different expressions. Thor, looked at you with absolute scorn. Odin, looked at you with curiosity and judgement. Frigga however, gave you a warm and welcoming smile.
You and Loki took your seats, Loki sat next to Odin leaving you opposite Thor who sighed in exasperation.
"Loki, must you really drag your whore to a family dinner?" Thor said rolling his eyes at his brother.
"HOW DARE YOU..." Loki began rising from his seat in anger.
"LOKI!" his mother snapped "be seated, please." she said calmly. Loki did as he was told but fury still burned in his eyes. "Thor. I am shocked at you! one, for using vulgar language at the dinner table and most importantly for insulting you brother's guest!" Frigga turned to you while her eldest son sulked at what she had said. "I do apologize." she smiled "I am afraid my son has already had his fair share of drink before you arrived" her smile was so comforting it must be from her that Loki inherited his.
"No its fine." you replied calmly "i have experienced worse when men are drunk." you said thinking of the life you were leaving.
"Well i promise" Frigga began "that no harm shall come to you here." she reached her arm across the table to hold your hand for a moment out of sympathy. the room went silent for a moment.
"Well Thor has had his share of women has he not mother?" Loki said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Oh why yes!" his mother smiled "Do you remember Lady Kiffer Thor?" she laughed.
"No mother." Thor denied taking a large sip from yet another pint of mead.
"Oh I do." the youngest prince chuckled. He turned to you "Thor here, brought to the palace a woman named Lady Kiffer, cant remember where she was from. lovely girl, the matter was Thor was quite enamored on this girl..."
"No Loki." Thor interrupted "I was not. I, just happened to think she was rather beautiful."
"Brother, the girl had a face like a horse." Loki resumed "Anyway, the matter was, she thought that Thor swung the other way. Gods know how with all his over masculinity and over the top muscles. however, she thought he was on the other side of the spectrum and the thing was..." at this point everyone except Odin who just smiled at the matter began to chuckle. "It so happened that she was Gay herself!" at that moment you, and everyone else began to laugh uncontrollably even the king. when you had all finished with the hysterical laughter Loki resumed his story. "You see (YN), the only reason we found out is when Thor took her to his room. you can guess what for. and she ran out screaming! I swear (YN) i have never seen a more shocked look on my brothers face in my entire life!" even Thor began to chuckle.
you all eventually calmed down and tucked in to a succulent roast that was better quality than anything you had ever experienced. there was a range of meats and vegetables the likes of which you had only dreamed of. When you had finished the main course Odin turned to face you.
"So, (YN). where did you come from?" He asked.
"Tillseneerie." you replied "its quite a way from here, almost a days ride."
"Ah yes, I know that town. Frigga, isn't that on Loki's monthly patrol route?"
"Why yes it is!" his wife replied turning her attentions to you.
"That's how i found her father." Loki smiled "I came across her in the wood by her village."
"Oh really?" his father inquired "What were you doing in the forest so late (YN)?" he continued. you opened your mouth to speak but then realized that it probably wasn't a good idea to tell them so you hung your head. "It's ok. I'm not going to arrest you!" Odin laughed.
"Father, I am afraid that is a very personal and rather traumatic subject for her. i think it would be best if we did not discuss it." Loki said protectively. Odin nodded appreciatively, as did Frigga.
"Why?" joked Thor "Someone try and shagg you?" he laughed. it was very clear at this point that Thor was so drunk that he probably couldn't stand if he tried. All eyes except your turned to him in disgust, Yours remained focused on the floor as a tear dropped from one of them. after a moment of silence the pain became too much to bear.
"Excuse me." you said fighting back the tears as you ran from the room.
"SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE BROTHER!" Loki yelled in anger.
"WELL MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T BRING WHORES HOME!" Thor argued back.
"Boys!" Frigga shouted.
"ENOUGH!" bellowed Odin "Now." he said calmly "Loki, go after her. make sure that she is alright. As for you Thor, you behavior is outrageous and for that you shall be without mead for 2 weeks."
As soon as Odin had finished his sentence Loki hastily ran from the room to find you. when he caught up to you on the stairs you were sobbing manically.
"Hey." Loki said sympathetically pulling you close with his arms wrapped around you "It's ok, I am so SO sorry." he apologized in tears of his own. he held you as you cried. "Would you like to sleep in my room tonight?" he asked. you nodded and followed him to his chambers.
