I woke inside my own bed – at first very confused, before I recalled what happened.
It was just in time for diner, so I went quickly while I corrected my clothing.
'Xaeyera dear,' Frigga started when I sat down. 'I am afraid we will all be going away for some days.'
'All of you?' I squeaked. Just as I needed them, would they leave?
'Except you and Loki.'
'For how long?'
'We are not sure; It all depends on the mood of our host. Do you think you'll be okay?' she stroked the side of my face, pushing a little strand behind my ear.
'Sure,' I replied quickly, 'I will be fine.'
Frigga smiled. 'Forgive me for not telling sooner.'
'No forgiveness needed. However-' I turned to Thor, 'that doesn't go for you. You should have told me.'
He smiled apologetically. 'I did not know I would be going.' He smirked slightly, 'believe me, I would much rather stay home. But alas, I shall be king so I must carry the burden of immense boredom.' I couldn't help but laugh.

When it was time for them to leave, I watched them off at the Bifrost. I looked up at Thor, glaring.
'I am still angry.'
He sighed. 'Yes, I know but-' he stopped, and looked me deeply into my eyes. 'There is something wrong.'
Knowing denying it would not help, I sighed and nodded. At that moment Odin called.
'Tell me everything when I get back, I will make it right,' he promised. I smiled sadly. He pulled me into a warm hug, and I enjoined the safety as long as I could.
'Goodbye,' he kissed me on the forehead.
'Bye,' I mumbled. He then turned to Loki.
'Goodbye brother, take good care of her.'
'I will do my best, brother,' he answered. Then he smirked. 'I hope you do not expect any kisses from me.'
Thor laughed, and stumped his brother in the shoulder. Then he rustled my hair one last time, and turned around, following his parents. And gone they were - leaving me with Loki.

The next morning, we sat alone at the dinner table. I knew I looked terrible; my sleep had been haunted by nightmares, thus I hadn't rested very well. The dress I had put on was tousled, and my hair looked even worse.
The prince seemed almost as bad, with dark circles under his eyes, and his hair not its usual smooth black self.
We ate in silence, until, suddenly, to my utter surprise, the prince spoke up.
'If I didn't know better, I would think my brother had not left, or had returned only to tousle your hair.'
I looked up, surprised to find his gaze softer than usual. And more open.
I smiled carefully.
'Yeah, my night wasn't that good.'
'Sadly I cannot tell you my night was any different.'
I yawned covering my mouth with my hand. 'So I guess our …practise… should be postponed?'
'I am afraid so. We wouldn't want us falling asleep as the furniture is flying, do we?'
I laughed softly. 'No, that we don't want.'
Dreamily I looked at my cup, letting the liquid rise again, though I kept it circling just above it.
'Should I be afraid?' He was truly smiling now.
'Only if you are not nice to me,' I teased.
'I will watch my steps.' His eyes glittered.

After breakfast I let myself fall backwards on my bed. Sleepily, I started humming to myself, contemplating this morning's breakfast. The prince had been nice; he had talked to me! Could this be a step forwards? Was he letting me in?
Someone knocked at my door.
'O, hi,' I said surprised, seeing the one I had just been thinking about.
'Hello, I was wondering- Well, actually- after your first dinner you walked the gardens with Thor, and he… told me… I could maybe take you out sometimes if you would want some more information. So… I wondered if you would want to walk with me?'
I blushed happily. 'Of course!' I stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind me. 'I loved the gardens, but I am too afraid to get lost on my own.'
The prince smiled, reaching out his arm. 'Do not worry about that, I will not let that happen.'

'I actually got lost here sometimes when I was a child,' he told me some time later. After we had walked for a while, and he had proved how much he knew about literally everything.
'Really?'
'Yes, but then I found what one would call a secret garden. Sadly, I never found it again. However, when I came home for dinner later, and I really wanted tell everyone what I had found, they were all so mad at me. Apparently I had been gone for five hours, and they had all been looking for me.' He smiled at the memory.
'That sounds like a wonderful childhood.' The prince frowned lightly.
'Yes, yes it was - I have most certainly been lucky.'
We were quiet again, striding across the gardens. Then we reached the end of the gardens - and we didn't stop.
'We are leaving the gardens?' I glanced up to the prince.
'There is a place I would like to show you, if you do not mind.' There was an edge of insecurity in his voice, and even his face let it shimmer through.
I smiled. 'I don't really have somewhere else to be.'
He led me through the woods, a place I hadn't been for quite some time.
Finally, we entered a beautiful meadow, with the greenest grass and most stunning flowers.
'This is… amazing,' I said in awe.
'I thought you might like it.'
I turned to him, smiling. It was the most gorgeous place I had ever been.
'Do you come here often?'
Loki smiled quietly, looking at his hands. 'Quite. I find it can… calm me, when I need a place to collect my thoughts.'
My eyes widened when I heard the sincerity in his voice. 'It sounds like this is a very special place to you.'
He looked up again, his eyes bright and honest. 'It is, so I wanted to share it with someone.'
Blushing, I replied quietly. 'I am happy you let me be that person.'
Loki smiled warmly, and after taking off his mantel he spread it upon the grassy floor.
'Take a seat.'