Loki sat looking out at the morning, wondering how is curtains got opened and why there was breakfast waiting on his chest at the end of his bed. No, clothes were put out, but he could see the sun shine on top of his basin which was filled with steaming water. He got out of bed to look at the tray of food. A letter sat on top of it:

Good- morning my Lord, I know you haven't found a new chamber maid, yet so I got your breakfast and bath a wonderful morning. Faithfully, Dotta.

He shook his head. Just a few weeks and she already figured out when he woke up and what he liked in the first hour of him waking up. He pick up the flask of juice, walked to his wardrobe to pick out his daily attire. He had barely got his laces tied before someone knocked on his door. Strange that someone was calling at this time in the morning. Usually, no one was up when he was. Thor was even a late riser after late night festivities. He shrugged, went to open his door, only to find a buffy eyed Balder staring up at him.

"Brother, what are you doing up? Training is in two hours, yet."

Quickly he stepped inside and wrapped his arms around Loki's waist. "I'm sorry."

Only slightly stunned Loki patted his younger brother's dark hair. "No, matter brother, it was bound to happen one day."

Loki was very resigned to the fact that Balder would grow up to hate him. Or ignore him, which would be the politer action. Everyone ended up loathing him, for countless of things, even things he had nothing to do with. He was always the one blamed, but he could take it. Frigga and Odin still cared it seemed and now there was Dotta and his dwarf and elf friends he had made. Few people, but that gave him strength to carry on. Even his children gave him a reason not to let grief get to him.

"But, why, brother? I have never held anything against you. You have always been a great big brother. So, why?"

Loki smiled sadly, "Because everyone needs a scape goat. I am the only one for worlds around. It only makes sense."

He set his brother gently away. Gave him a hug before grabbing his shirt, it slid over his head to fit snug around the shoulders. Strange he would have to have the royal tailors fix that. He glanced at the door entry. Balder was still there watching him with watering eyes. A sigh escaped him.

"There is someone else you do need to apologize to though, and she will appreciate more than I would. It is not me you humiliated last night Balder."

Balder nodded. Shamed that he had treated a woman so poorly and worse so the shame, for it being in public. He saw the wisdom in going to apologize. "Where are her chambers?"

"A mere three corridors up," Loki directed and watched as Balder moped away.

Poor thing he thought. Never will he be as innocent as he was before getting into these kinds of emotions. He will find himself greedy and he will learn jealousy. Now the brotherhood will be broken, to be replaced by rivalry. And this is what Dotta had so hoped to avoid.

Dotta jumped from the sudden sound of a knock on her door. She had been to focused on a project she had been working on all night. Quickly she scrambled to the door, opened it to find Balder standing quietly before her. He had puffy red eyes. He must have been crying, she thought.

"Morning Balder, how about you come in and sit for a tick?"

Balder nodded before following. He casually looked up to look at her room and gasped. Hundreds of pages were floating mid-air, glue and scissors, needles and thread. A half sewn book was laying on her bed, beside another full book.

"What is all this?" He stared on in awh.

Dotta looked around with a smile, "It is a present for Busla, for his hard work for the feast last night."

Balder sat slowly, watching as she started sewing the pages together again. She looked over at him a few times with a smile, enjoying the amazement on his face with what she was doing. They stayed in silence for a bit while she worked. She realized he forgot what he had came there for.

"What can I do for you today, Lord Balder?"

Balder's eyes grew wide before he looked away shamefaced for what he had done. "I came here to apologize for last night, you did not deserve that."

She didn't look over instead she let silence fall again as she put another part of the book into it's bind.

"Are you sorry for causing a scene? Or for revealing your feelings for me?"

Balder thought for a bit, "Both I imagine." Dotta put down her needle and thread.

She turned to him with a sad smile. "I can only accept the first half of that apology then."

He almost jumped from the chair in panic, but she held up her hand. Before he could protest.

"I would never have you apologize for your feelings, no matter what you are feeling, you should never apologize for them."

"Oh," Balder breathed stunned. Everyone had reprimanded him for announcing his feelings, but the woman he had humiliated wasn't going to. And didn't expect for him to apologize. "

However, I advise to have more tact next time when you do go about saying them."

Balder nodded eagerly. He wanted them to go back to being friends and enjoying each others company. "Yes, my lady!"

"Now, I need to finish this before I meet up with my parents," she said with subtly hint. Balder got it, jumped up from the chair, wished her a well day and left quietly.

Dotta sighed with a smile. Children and their quirks. She thought as she continued her sewing. As Dotta rounded the corner Busla burst out of the door, to sweep her into his arms with a tight squeeze.

"Oh, my girl, I heard all about yesterday and I was so worried." He carried her into the kitchen and set her on the counter.

"So what did you hear," she asked after she took the cake he offered her.

"Everything," he put emphasis on the every part.

She nibbled her cake, "Even about me being a princess?"

He nodded.

"Are you going to start treating me different?"

"Not unless you wish me too."

She smiled joyously, "Great! I brought you a present."

She swung the pack off of her back and brought forth a green velvet bound book.

Busla took it gently afraid he might destroy it. "What's it?"

"A thank you for the ham last night. I know you must have been busy. It's a book full of elf food, for if you ever need to cook for either elf."

He leaned in and kissed the top of her head. He held the book closer. No one had got him a present before, just for doing something he enjoyed. Yes, it was work and hard work if he was cooking part of a feast. He rarely did, unless his brother asked personally. But this was something he would treasure. It even look hand made. She must have spent all night working on it for him. Saying thank you would seem like a dismissal so he just held it for a long time looking over it's beauty. Then he snapped his attention to Dotta with a thought.

"So, what are you going to do about Balder?"

Dotta shrugged slowly, "He's a kid, I can't hold it against him. He has already apologized anyway."

"You're perfect."

"Pfft, not even," she laughed at the statement.

"You have got to be, I've never met anyone more understand, kind, and knowledgeable. You were a great servant, when you had been a princess all your life. How did you adapt so fast? You are getting better at cooking. You know magic, to the extent I don't know. And you are beautiful. So, how can you not think yourself perfect?"

Dotta shook her head, "Busla, I am an elf, it is how we are taught. Especially me I have both elf cultures. That doesn't make me perfect, trust me I am far from it. I have secrets, I'm selfish, and whether you believe it or not I have blood in my past, possibly in my future."

"Why tell me this, then?"

She smiled, "I trust you Busla, even if you end up betraying me, I trust you."

His eyes widened. He would not betray her, but it was such a shock that she would flat out tell him this.

"That doe not make sense, Dotta."

"See another flaw, told you I had them," she gave a chuckle as she slid from the counter top.

Before she left she gave Busla a big hug told him good day, and disappeared out the door. She had to meet up with her father and mother, before they left.

She found them packing both dressed in their finest armor. She found it odd that they were together. She figured she'd have to say good-bye to them separately. Dolyn was the first to notice Dotta. With a quick pace she lifted her daughter from the floor into a giant squeeze. Gently Dolyn set her down long enough for Almirage to give his daughter a loving pat and kiss.

"Now, remember we have coffers of clothes and books being sent here."

"Yes, father."

"And an allowance will be sent by both, so you can go to market." This was Dolyn. She raised her daughter on healthy trips to market.

"Thank you, maman."

Dolyn and Almirage looked at their daughter. It felt like they had sent her off again. Both leaned down for a group hug.

"Also, next time you want to see us, don't get hurt," Almirage whispered gently knowing she hadn't meant to set off the magical bond between elf parents and children, "just send us a letter."

He stroked her soft curly hair. The next time he saw her, he figured she'd be much different. Dotta took his hands and squeezed them.

"I'll be okay Father." They looked into each others eyes for a moment.

"Wait your majesties," a silky soft voice called behind Dotta. She turned around to face the Lady Frigga with Loki at her side.

They looked like a good pair; mother and son. Both regal in their rights.

"Oh, Lady Frigga." Dotta bowed.

Frigga chuckled as she patted her red curls. "No need to be so formal. I just came here too say farewell to our honored guests." With that she turned to Almirage and Dolyn.

All three bowed to each other while Dotta and Loki stood outside the group. She tried hard not to look up at Loki, but eventually she couldn't help it. When their eyes met they couldn't help but smile at one another. They didn't talk they just let the ruling royalty talk. Pretty soon Dotta's parents waved as they rode away. She hadn't wanted them to go, however, she knew they had more important things to take care of. Frigga turned to Loki with a very strange look. He seemed to know what it meant, he excused himself and left Dotta and Frigga alone.

"Come walk with me." Frigga motioned Dotta to her side.

Dotta knew that the offer of a walk was not a request, so quickly she joined Frigga. They walked in silence for a bit. Taking in the beautiful morning.

"I must apologize for my son last night," the All-Mother started, Dotta tried to tell her that Balder had already apologized, but this was waved away. "You should know that I find this whole arrangement uncouth, but the All-Father decided it would be good for the boys. And it seems like two have stepped up to the challenge. However, this is pitting them against each other. Balder thinks you rightfully should be with him, since you two are closest in age. Loki, well I never know what that son of mine is thinking, but he fancies you for some reason. But I think you should really watch where you show your favor, I will not have you breaking any of my sons hearts."

Dotta stopped in her tracks. Was the Lady Frigga threatening her? She looked into the All-Mother's eyes. There was no hint of threat or menace in them. More worry than anything. She was really worried about her sons being hurt.

"My Lady, I would never purposely hurt your kin, I was unaware of this whole bargain. I will do my best not to lead them on."

Frigga nodded with a sad smiled. "Please see that you don't."

"However, my lady, I cannot choose who I want they must fight and I cannot choose who wins those battles either, so if I grow fonder of one and one of the others wins. I apologize in advance."

Frigga laid a hand on her shoulder. "You'll make a good honest wife to which ever one wins. Thank you for understanding a mother's worry."

Dotta just smiled as Frigga went her own way. Once she was gone Dotta sighed and leaned against the nearest wall. Why, must people insist that she is there to hurt someone? She stood there for a moment. Thinking. Waiting. Suddenly a thought came to her; what was she to do now? She was no longer a servant, so her days were free. However, she was still a stranger to most Asgardians and Aesir folk, so she was not really part of this realm. Loki, Balder, and Thor were all busy. She couldn't hang out with the warriors three or Sif. She gave up trying to figure out what to do and went back to Busla. Busla was making lunch. He was more than grateful for her help.

"What brought you back here?" Busla asked after they were done.

Dotta took a bite out of a carrot before answering, "I am a stranger here. Everyone besides you are busy with their daily routines, which I don't have yet. So, I thought you could use some help."

Busla thought for a moment. "Why don't you go visit the Aesir?"

"I do not know any of them. It is not even market yet so as I have no excuse to go visit."

"The Aesir are very friendly and they have very beautiful gardens, as an elf I'd think you'd enjoy gardens." Dotta smiled.

He was right she did like gardens. The ones back home had very colorful flowers. She figured she might as well go look. She left Busla with a wave and left out the servants door. It opened up to a winding dirt path leading through a meadow. The tall grass waved with the breeze. She liked the feel of it brushing against her fore arms. It was a quiet morning even the birds were quietly chirping. Eventually she came upon a garden with a gold bench. The garden was on a soft slope hill with the bench looking down the hill towards a bit of village. The flowers were in early bloom, none were fully open. She didn't mind as she sat to enjoy the view. She took a deep breath of fresh air. Hopefully nothing was going to go wrong from where she was now.

"Hello!" The sudden loud greeting nearly made Dotta fall off the bench. She looked up to see a beautiful woman with green eyes and long yellow hair, clothed in a green dress with a gold rope around her waist.

"Hello," she said softly.

The woman sat down grinning widely. "You must be new here."

Dotta nodded.

"Greetings my name is, Amora. I am the local dancer."

"Hello, Amora, I am Dotta."

She gave a chuckle, "You don't have to lie to me about your name."

Dotta raised an eyebrow. "I am not lying."

Amora took her hand, "You and I both know that all elf females have a naming ceremony after getting married."

"Yes, but I am not married." Dotta interjected.

"What? A pretty thing like you is not married yet? That goes against nature!"

"How do you know about the naming ceremony? People outside of the elf culture should not know that."

Amora winked, "I have a secret of my own that lets me know things."

Dotta was confused, but she figured it was a kind of magic. Which meant that this girl had magic. This interested Dotta, also Amora was a fellow dancer, she could make a friend out of Amora. Dotta sat quietly again as they looked out at the village.

Amora turned to her quickly, "Where do you live?"

"I live at the Asgard Castle."

Amora gasped, "You are the luckiest. You get to live that close to Loki!"

"Well," Dotta rubber her hands together nervously, "I live in the house of Loki."

"What?" Amora eyed her, "You cannot be his servant, the crown makes that obvious."

It was Dotta's turn to laugh. "That is a complicated story."

Amora smiled in returned. "What do you think of Prince Loki?"

Dotta paused. "That is complicated as well."

Amora pouted. "Well dang what can you tell me?"

"Well I am somewhat new here and I do like to dance."

Amora clapped in excitement. "That is splendid. You must dance with me at in the village."

She grabbed Dotta's hand and pulled her toward the village. They laughed as they ran down the hill.

Loki settled his staff to his side as he walked over to his fallen sibling. Balder hadn't been paying attention when the last blow hit, otherwise it would have been easy to block. Thor joined him.

"Brother, come back from the nether realm." Thor's voice thundered in the outside practice ring. Which was only a few meters from the Aether village.

"Thor, do you not hear it?"

Thor squinted. The three brother went quiet. Music drifted through the air. Loki looked at Thor. The sound of music outside of Market was strange. The sound of cheers followed. Balder dashed off towards the village. Loki and Thor trailed behind knowing that it was bad to show royalty rushing to anything. As they entered the boarders of the Aether village Loki noticed that the entire town must have been at the square. He was right. The circle around the spectacle was so thick Thor and himself could not see the show. Thor being his usual self decided to just push through. Loki shrugged and followed his lumbering brother. As Thor reached the front Loki heard his gasp.

"Thor what is the amazement for?" He asked just as he got through the last layer of people to come upon two beautiful girls dancing.

The way they moved entranced him...until his realization of just who one of the dancers were. Dotta! Both Thor and Balder's mouths hung open. Yet, Loki could even get his loose. Dotta was beautiful in see through turquoise pants and a shirt that jingled with little coins. She moved with such care and grace as if getting the dance wrong would have made it look any less graceful. Then a more busty beauty danced right in front of him. She had sparkling green eyes and flawless skin. She was dressed in green a skirt with the same jingling coins and almost nothing than a gold bosom cover. Suddenly his attention was drawn to her instead of Dotta. He had seen a flash of magic in her eyes, but that had meant little to the master of magic. No one could put a spell on him. This woman made Dotta look like just a pretty youth while this one was a gorgeous woman. Loki swallowed hard as the dance came to an end. Balder and Thor rushed to Dotta.

"My lady, you looked stunning," Thor greeted.

"You looked like a goddess, Dotta!" Balder couldn't keep his enthusiasm hidden as he jumped up and down.

Dotta blushed. "Thank you, both, very much." Thor patted Dotta's head.

"Well," Thor chuckled "if she marries one of us she will be, right Loki?"

He turned as if to his brother there. Loki's spot at his side was empty. "Loki?" He looked for his brother everywhere. He found Loki talking to a busty blond. Thor tried to hide the scene from Dotta, but one look on her blank face said it all. She had already seen it. Thor placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Dotta...I am..." Thor did not know what to say.

Dotta shook her head, then smiled up at him.

"No need, Thor. I do not mind. I am not his fiancee, or anything important."

Thor grew angry, "You are though, we are supposed to battle for your hand that does make us promised."

Dotta shook her head again, "Thor, that will not be for years ahead still. I cannot ask any of you to put your relationships on hold for that."

"But Dotta..." Thor stopped Balder before his younger brother could say anything.

He knew Dotta was hurting, but she was going to do it in her own way. No amount of comforting would help right now anyway. Just then Amora threw her arms around Dotta's shoulders.

"Oh, Dotta you were amazing, I have not seen such skill in a long time, you must join me at Market." Dotta huged back. She kind of needed it. She honestly did not blame Loki for liking Amora, she was filled out and a lot more beautiful than herself. She also had passion.

"I would enjoy that, greatly." She smiled as her knew friend clapped her hands. Then hooked her arm with hers and dragged her off.

Loki joined his brothers. "Was she not beautiful?"

Balder whirled on his heel. "Yes, Dotta!" He yelled then took off running.

Loki looked after Balder stunned. Then looked up at his elder brother.

"What is he talking about Thor?"

Thor just looked at his brother and shook his head. Then walked off toward the Castle. Loki stood alone, not understanding what just happened.

Thor stormed through his chamber doors. Loki on his heels.

"Thor speak to me." He had been demanding that Thor say what was on his mind all the way home.

This time Thor obliged him. "You sadden me, brother. Not just me, Balder and more importantly Dotta."

Loki paused. Saddened? Why would she have been saddened? "I do not comprehend, your complaint."

Thor grew angry then. "You broke Dotta's heart flirting with that Aether woman."

This hit Loki hard. Then he realized he did not care. "If Dotta had a problem she should have came to tell me."

His impassive tone irritated Thor. "Because she is a better woman than that, she did not even cry."

Loki crossed his arms. "Then how did you know, that she was upset?"

Thor stopped, realizing he had just backed himself into a corner. "Well, she did not exactly tell us."

"Oh? Then what did she say?"

Thor sighed. "That you were a grown male and that she would not have any of us put ourselves at discomfort for her."

Loki stepped forward. "So she really did not have a problem with it? What made you think she was not telling the truth?"

Thor stopped. So far what he had seen from Dotta, she probably really was okay with Loki carrying on relationships with other women. Thor sighed again, knowing he was defeated. Loki usually won the arguments between them. It was that silver tongue of his.

"Nothing. But I thought you liked this girl?"

Loki felt something mean in him stir. "That is right, girl. Dotta is still a girl, but Amora she is a real woman and until the battle I can have women. I do not have to be stuck waiting for a girl to battle for by myself. And until Dotta has filled out I do not think that I should give her my attention."

Thor's mouth gaped in shock, "Brother that is the most selfish declare I have ever heard from you."

Thor could not help what he did next. Quickly he strode over to Loki picked him up by the collar of his shirt and threw him out of his chamber doors onto his face. "And until you stop this madness I will not associate with you anymore."

Loki looked up with a split lip with a glare at Thor, but all he did was shake his head while closing his doors to his brother. Loki stormed down the hallway, blood trickling down his chin. Then he saw Dotta out of the corner of his eye. She was doing something curious, he tilted his head and walked towards her. As he neared he could see that she was digging through a trunk. Must have been some of the stuff her parents said they were going to send. Suddenly she pulled out a really heavy book, then held it up.

"Oh, Lord Loki, will enjoy this spell book! The All-Father's library does not even have it." Loki stopped mid-stride.

She was thinking about him, even now after he had flirted with another woman. Just then she turned to the side holding the book to her chest, just at such an angle that the light could reflect off of streams of tears. Yet, she was smiling. She was smiling so wide that she had her eyes squinted. His heart pulled, quickly he wiped the blood away before approaching.

"Dotta," he whispered.

She shot to her feet instantly, tears gone. Maybe it was a trick of the light. When she saw his lip a gasped escaped her, she pulled forth a handkerchief and rushed to his side, book tucked under an arm. As she got closer, so did her smell. His mind cleared. This was Dotta and she was whipping away his blood.

"My lord what happened, how did you get injured?"

Gently Loki grabbed Dotta's wrist and held it. "I got into an altercation with Thor, it happens."

"Oh," Dotta paused.

Was it because of her? Of the situation? She looked at him wanting to ask, but she figured that if it meant much to Loki that he would have said something. Dotta looked at his hand holding her wrist, with the bloody handkerchief.

"What is under your arm?"

"Oh!" She said with more conviction.

She held the book out to him. "It is a spell book that I thought you'd like to add to your collection."

Loki took it from her gently, looking it over. She was right his father did not have this one, neither did he. He brushed the cover almost lovingly.

"That is very thoughtful, Dotta, thank you."

She grinned doing her cute eye squint. Loki reached out and stroked her cheek, which was wet. She had been crying! He was about to say sorry when Amora suddenly popped up out of nowhere.

"Well, hello, my lord I did not know you were here!" She slung her arm around Dotta's shoulders.

Loki could smell Amora's heavy scent a cloud rolled across his mind. Amora saw the book in Loki's hand and gave an excited gasp. She quickly took it from Loki to look through it.

"Wow a spell book!"

She then turned to Loki running a finger up and down his arm. "Will you teach me how to do magic Loki?"

Dotta watched as a wicked grin spread across Loki's face. She had never seen this side of Loki. It was like a whole new Loki had been uncovered. Or maybe he was not being himself around her. That thought hurt her more than the thought of Loki having relations with Amora.

"Of course," Loki said as he turned on his heel with Amora hanging onto his arm.

Dotta watched as they both disappeared down the hall towards his room. She turned back to her trunk taking a deep breath. She could deal with this. She had said she could so she would. A thought about Fenris cheered her up. That is right she was going to go visit him again. That would make the day better. She looked back down at the chest that had arrived by magic from her mother. They had not reached home yet for sure, but her mother had probably meant to send it to her a while ago. Magic mail it takes a bit to transfer the different magic realms. She clicked her fingers. The chest instantly started floating. Sure she could lift it, but she had to keep her magic in practice just as much as keeping her physical strength up. The thought of seeing Fenris popped into her head again, she really should set that barrier before she takes Fenris out tonight.

It was still to early to be doing that, she thought as she set the books down by her bed. She looked at the dancing costume as she sat down on her bed. It was really cute. The fit was great and not too revealing. However, she did kind of miss the style of the light and dark elves dancers. Amora was so close to dancing a light elves style, but it seemed taught through something other than a light elf. Or dulled down by another dance style, lack of practice, lots of time away, or even magic. If an elf body was changed through magic it would dull anything that elf could do physically. Not by much, but enough for another elf to notice. Why would that be? Did Amora learn the style through someone else? She felt like she was close to something when suddenly she felt a sleepiness slide over her. Strange she had not even been drowsy. Maybe the emotional stress of the day had caught up to her. She laid down next to the dance costume for a little snooze. Little did she know that she would fall asleep for hours.

Loki sat next to his roaring hearth, the woman he had disheveled lounged on his bed. Her gold hair spread across his green sheets and as naked as a jay bird. As was he. His head felt so heavy.

"Loki what is on your mind?" Amora rolled onto her belly, she put her chin on her knuckles.

"You," he mumbled absent minded.

Amora grinned twirling her hair. "No, I meant what is on your real mind?"

As if on command, "Dotta."

Amora frowned at that. She gave a twirl of her hand. Loki felt his head get heavier.

"You should not think of her anymore. In fact, I want her to myself, got that Loki."

Loki slowly nodded. "I shall not think of Dotta anymore."

"Even if you do think of her or even let alone see her, I want you to get furious at her and lash out."

"If I do think of Dotta or even see her I will lash out." Loki repeated like a puppet.

Amora laughed kicking her feet then sat up and walked herself over to him. She slid into his lap.

"Plus does gold not suite green better than red or silver?"

Loki's head got even cloudier. "Yes, it does."

She smiled evilly. Everything is going according to plan, she thought as she got comfortable in her new pet's lap.

"Silly Prince Loki, very foolish of you to let down your guard. Thinking that no one could slip under your defenses and put a spell on you."

She paused giving herself enough time to have a long laugh. "And all you needed was one look. The great Prince Loki is now my slave! Ha!"

She grew serious and started petting Loki's hair. "Then again when I heard the princess of my home was coming here, I could not just let her go to anyone. She has to be mine and mine alone. And when I felt in her mind her love for you. I knew exactly what I was to do."She looked at Loki, "she does have amazing tastes though. And I know that I was kicked out of Alfheim for doing dark magic, when I was born light, but that is not her fault. Once the kingdom passes to her, she will invite me back."

Amora looked at Loki again pouting. "She will, right? After all I am her friend."

As if having a sense of clarity Loki look directly at Amora, "A friend that just took the man she loves."

Amora's head snapped around her green eyes blazing, "Are you back talking?"

A zap of pain went through Loki's skull. What was he doing back talking to his Enchantress? He scolded himself.

"I apologize, mistress."

Amora smiled relaxing again. "Good. I cannot wait to dance with her this coming Market." She laughed again.