AN: Hi everyone, sorry for this being late. I had been sick a lot lately. But still loving the fact that people are still into this story.

Chapter 11

Hermione found herself walking through the city streets of Asgard. A place that she had once would have called a myth. But before her very eyes, all she could say was breathtaking. A place so massive and magical, even more so than Hogwarts was when she was a child.

As she walked the stoned walkways, her hand was being held by the ever flirtatious Loki. Hermione never could put her finger on it. But his flirting has been enhanced since they had left the throne room. The only person not paying attention was Thor, who was leading them to a pub. That he and his friends enjoyed to gather at.

"Stop it Loki," Hermione whispered harshly. "We're getting married tomorrow, couldn't you show some restraint?"

"Why bother," he shrugged at her. "We have all of our lives to be with one another. Why can't we start tonight."

Thor grumbled, "Do you want to anger mother if she found out that you misstep in her plans of a perfect wedding?"

Loki let out a deep sigh, "No, we shouldn't anger mother." He glanced around, seeing that some of the merchants were still out and about. "Hermione, do tell if you find something that pleases you." His eyes found hers again, "I would like to get you something."

She nodded, while her eyes scanned through the stalls that were within her eyesight. It was when she noticed something that was different and likable in her eyes. Her feet carried her towards a place that was selling bracelets. Where she found a pair that she could not take her eyes from.

The merchant smirked. He studied Hermione before him until he noticed the two princes behind her. Causing the man to collect himself. "I see that you're interested in the bracelets of life."

Hermione glanced up with a thoughtful look on her face. "What do you mean, 'bracelets of life?' What do they do?"

Thor came towards the stall to look at the bracelets with a smile upon his face. "Magic essence that watches over us. Making sure that we have the breath of life. The very essence that made us of what we are today." One of his eyebrows raised up. "What are these made of?"

The merchant coughed, "Well, you remember the commit that bypassed here last year?" When the two princes nodded. "The silver came from that, while the gems are opals from the same source. I made these to make into a matching set for the one that they call too." The man smiled as he passed the bracelets to Hermione. "It looks like they called to you."

Loki was about the get his money pouch out to pay the man. But the merchant raised his hand. "Please Prince Loki, it's my pleasure to give them to her."

Loki shook his head, "She wouldn't dream of getting something free." He tossed some gold coins into the man's hand. "Plus, I know your wife and child would love to have some new clothes. Treat them."

"Thank you, Prince Loki."

Hermione latched the bracelets around her wrists before the group of three walked further down the street. Thor leading them to a spot that could only be described as a pub. Once inside, they found many men and women enjoying a loud night of merriment. Causing Hermione to stick close to Loki, seeing that he was not enjoying the loud sounds either.

"THOR," called out a group of four that were seated around a table with tankers in their hands.

The warrior woman of the group stood up with a glare within her eyes. "What are they doing here?" Her eyes wander towards Thor. "They wouldn't allow us to go after you."

Thor raised his hands. "Now Lady Sif, my father had pointed Lady Hermione to watch over the realm. In my father's eyes, she has passed." He walked towards Hermione and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Men and lady, I would like to introduce you to my new sister-in-law to be."

"WHAT!"

"WAIT A MINUTE!"

"IS THIS A JOKE?!"

Thor laughed, causing a sound of thunder to carry throughout the room. "You heard correctly. Lady Hermione will be marrying Loki tomorrow."

Hogan spoke up from where he sat. "Does she know what she's getting herself married to?"

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "What does that supposed to mean?"

Thor chuckled that sounded without any heart to it. "Don't mind Hogan, he didn't mean anything by it."

Loki sat down, singled for the bartender for his drink. Leaning back to see what the outcome that comes from the ordeal of Thor's friends.

"No," Hermione smiled calmly. "I would like to understand what your friend was saying, Thor."

Fandral chuckled from where he sat, with a blond woman within his lap. "What our Semira friend means milady, is that Loki is a trickster." His blue eyes sparkled. "I remembered one of our last off world battles is that he made a few doubles of himself. Causing many to fumble from their feet. Poor Thor, believing that he had lost a brother."

Hermione closed her eyes, "I know Loki can do magic and he uses it to confound the enemy. That is nothing new to me."

Sif numbered, "What about Thor's heartbreak?"

Thor jumped in, "I'm fine. I knew that double was nowhere close to my brother."

"Thanks, Thor."

"Plus;" the large brother went on to say, "he wasn't as ugly as you are, brother."

Hermione saw the built up anger from Loki and found herself sitting next to him. Leaning her body towards him to where she was able to whisper. "Remember who I'm marrying."

A chuckle came rolling out of Loki, "Well said, love."

Volstagg had put down his drink, which was nearly full. Causing many in the group to glance at the large man.

"What's wrong, you've never put down a drink before it's finished," stated Hogan.

"That's the thing. I've never seen nor heard Loki like this before," Volstagg pointed towards the dark prince. "You must have bewitched him, lass."

Hermione gave a charming smile. "I don't know about that." She turned her sight towards Loki. "But I think it has worked both ways if anyone had bewitched anyone that is."

Loki smirked at her answer. "Well said." He took a drink from his own tanker, once it had come to him. "I can tell that marriage with you will beyond the word dull, wouldn't it?"

"I don't know," she shrugged before taking his drink from him and took a sip from it. Then she gave it right back. "Wow! That is a drink."

Loki laughed wholeheartedly. "Don't tell me that Midgard doesn't produce anything close to this?" When he saw her shaking her head. "Or didn't ever step away from your rule biting ways to try something like this?"

Hermione glared at him, "It would be the later." She grumbled. "I was too focused on surviving than drink away my brain cells."

Thor sighed, "This is going to be a short marriage." He grabbed his own drink and drank, once he was able to talk again. "Hermione; as warriors, we're allowed to kick back and have a few. Especially after a battle." He looked all over the tavern. "Some of these men need that time to talk with another warrior and let the battle wash away from our memories. Before we've made our way home."

He gave her a look. "You wouldn't want a warrior, who is high from battle to come home and hit his family?" Thor then glanced at his friends. "I know that these men wouldn't dream of doing something like that. But would want that cool down period between normal life and battle."

Hermione nodded, "I'm not condoning it, Thor. I'm just saying that it may not be my thing."

"Or not your type of drink," stated Loki with a smirk that streaked across his face. He turned his head towards the bar. "Mava, come and give my bride a fruity." The woman at the bar gave a glare before turning around and do what was asked of her.

"Loki, you really didn't have to get me a drink." Hermione shivered as she glanced around the tavern. "This place is loud."

Thor chuckled, "This is on a good day." He saw the surprised look. "It can get louder in here."

Hogan walked around the table and sat down next to Hermione, where he was able to see both her and Loki. "You do realize that she is going to have to eat one of those apples?"

"Already discussed," stated Loki with a warning in his eyes. "Father already told her about them."

"Good," stated Hogan with heat in his eyes. "What are you bringing into this marriage?"

Loki sighed, wrapping an arm around Hermione. "My love, protection, and the title for her to have as a princess."

Hogan then glanced towards Hermione. "What about you?"

"My love, knowledge, and my forgiving heart." Thor and each one of his friends gave Hermione a surprised look, even Loki was shocked by her statement. "I know that each one of you isn't perfect, but none of you never gave Loki any kind of praise. Other than being Thor's brother."

Fandral gasped, "Hey that isn't fair . . ."

Hogan turned to his friend, "She's right."

"Did any of you think that Loki would have been different if any of you gave him a bit more than what you give him?" Her drink came to her at that moment, allowing herself to take a drink. "Oh, wow. That was smooth. I like it."

Loki laughed, "Good to know what I can use to calm you down." He gave her a kiss on her cheek. "But don't ruffle up her temper on Thor's friends, love. They didn't know any different."

Thor huffed, "But I did." He lowered his head after taking another drink. "I really don't deserve to have a brother." His blue eyes became sad as he glanced towards Loki. "And for that, I'm sorry."

Sif sniffed, "You shouldn't be sorry, Thor. When was the last time that Loki had done anything that wasn't for himself?"

Thor gave her a glare, "This last time, while I was stuck on Midgard." This caused his friends to halt in their movements to look at him. "He had gotten those men to let me go when I had run into trouble."

Volstagg sighed, then turned his head towards Loki. "You did that for Thor?"

Loki nodded, "Yep."

The warriors three stood from their seats and raised their glasses. "To Loki, a man beyond the few words that we know him to be." They drank a gulp of their frosted drink. "And to Hermione, the woman who's marrying the man." Then they drank again before slamming their drinking upon the table.

Hermione's cheeks became pink from the spatial in front of her. But her heart skip when she noticed the angered look from Sif. Something told Hermione that Lady Sif is someone that must keep an eye on. 'I don't trust her.'

Thor chuckled, "I wish Jane was here to see this . . ."

This brought everyone's attention back towards the blond prince. "What? Who is this Jane?"

Loki smiled, "A mortal that caught my dear brother's, heart."

Fandral pushed the woman that was on his lap away. "Do tell."

"She's smart," Thor went on. "She has this way of wanting to understand the world before her. Having the essence of dragging you along for the ride of discovery." His eyes showed that he was lost in his mind. "Straw-colored hair, heart-shaped face, and a flower like a manner that I can't ignore."

Hermione leaned into Loki, smiling as she drank her drink. "Sound like I should meet her. At least I would like to pick her brain." She heard Loki grumbled next to her. "What," she asked as she looked at him. "I love knowledge and I get along with anyone that hungers for it."

"That's what I'm afraid of," he smiled sadly. "You forgetting all about me, because of that hunger for knowledge."

Volstagg chuckled, "Oh come off of it, Loki. She'll marry you for a lifetime. There is nothing for you to worry about."

Thor gave a glare towards his friend. "We may be able to live lifetimes upon lifetimes than mortals, Volstagg but our immortality isn't a given. For every day isn't promised."

"You can die then," asked Hermione.

Hogan sighed, "Yes but only during extreme circumstances that it could accrue." He gave Thor a glance. "If he was mortal for too long, he would have died on Midgard without any of us knowing about it."

Hermione gave Loki a worried look, she knew how precious life can be. She even witnessed many times that her friend could have died, but glad that never did. She just hoped that she would not have to live those same moment having to worry for Loki.

He gave a small smile. "Thoughts like those should wait for another time." His eyes lingered towards his brother. "The hour is getting beyond our reach."

Thor nodded before drinking the rest of his tanker. He stood up and helped Hermione to her feet. "Since the wedding is tomorrow. I shall walk you to your door." He glanced towards Loki. "Don't worry brother, I'll keep her safe. But you must get some sleep before the morrow."

"Will do," he called out, just as Hermione and Thor had left the tavern. Loki finished his own drink and left shortly after them. He knew that time was slipping before him, knowing that the wedding would shortly be upon him.