Like a truant student returning to the dorms after curfew, Tony Stark found it surprisingly easy to sneak back behind the castle walls and towards his quarters with none the wiser. Was security always this lax? That thought didn't linger; instead of looking a gift horse in the mouth, Tony continues treading in the shadows until he reached the entrance to his room. Rather than hurried inside though, he pushed open just a tad to peak through the cracks and having found no traces of Tanna, immediately throws his weight forward than quickly back to close the double doors. Sagging with relief, he takes a moment for the sudden adrenaline rush to settle down.

He felt energized. Like he gotten away with something naughty, dangerous even. In a way, Tony supposed he did. The gossip columns on Alfheim (if they're anything like Earth's tabloids) would probably have a field day if they find out. He can see the headline now: 'Midgardian Prince Secret Rendezvous Revealed!' It wouldn't surprise him one bit and most of the time, Tony ignores them easily enough. After all he's been caught before doing much worse or at least what looks like much worse. But then again, instead of bailing him out, old Nicky would probably have his head on a platter this time for screwing up the Alliance Treaty at this juncture.

No matter, Tony left with anger at his wake and came back with feelings of…triumph? No, not quite. More like…liberated!

Yes, that!

Such a strange feeling it was. Not like Tony was a prisoner here on Alfheim or anything. However, his old therapist back on Earth would probably say otherwise given the dreams of being trapped, drowning, and falling he's been having for the past month or so. Almost always, two out of those three, he's in his Iron Man suit while in action. Only the dreams when he's drowning did he felt completely defenseless. Always in a dark cave somewhere, hands tied or held behind his back and forced head first into a trough of water. Sometimes he would break free and fight, but most times he would wake with his lungs on fire. Tony didn't need her interpretative skills to know what that meant. He's read enough on the subject on his own thanks. This was different though. He's made his choice in life and will forge his own path no matter where it takes him. It was time for his Betroth to meet Tony the Mechanic.

Thor would not know what hit him!

'No Alpha wants an overachieving Omega, Tony.'

Obadiah's words, always an echo of Howard's own, verve its ugly head and threaten to wash Tony's newfound resolve as waves on a sandcastle. Tony shook them off like a wet dog and readily aims his focus on other things.

Luckily, Tanna had been true to her word and heeded his request for more privacy once Thor and his pack mates had left. She had been through his room though, judging by the straightening of the beddings and the fresh selection of clothes spread out for him. The silky blue garment was similar to the one she'd chosen for Tony to meet Thor with.

Was there another official dining to be had? Once again, Tony shook his head of wandering thoughts in favor of more pressing matters. If he looks as bad as he smells, he's probably not fit to be seen by whatever panjandrum he was to attend to without Thor.

Tony toed off his muddy sneakers and eagerly began shucking his damp and dirtied garments on his way to the en suite bathroom. He'd been warding off chills for the past half hour and only the thought of a hot bath (in spite of the recent recall of drowning) was within reach kept him going. That whole fairytale experience should have been weird, but considering all that has happened to him in the past two weeks, that fits right in between goat drawn chariots and residing on an alien planet as far as Tony's concern. Other than initially being scared shitless and ending with treading through wet foliage in the cover of near blinding darkness, sure, he would definitely recommend Alfheim's woodland trails as a tourism package.

For the most part, Tony felt no trepidation with the wolf pair as escorts. Maybe it was foolhardy of him, or perhaps on an instinctually level, Tony somehow trusted Loki's Alpha assertion that these pet wolves will take care of him.

As playful as they were under Fenrir's watchful eyes, the pair had seem less so. Not a growl came from either of them when they pad along the makeshift trail quietly as could be. Every little sound seemed louder than it ought to; especially the occasional twig snapping under Tony's own weighted footsteps now and then. Tony even apologized (as a joke at one point) seeing how every time and again they would pause their trek to sample the suppose threat. In turn, he received a snort from one of them for his effort. He may not own or interact much with livestock for that matter, but Tony is fairly sure most animals aren't supposed to respond like that.

Slipping into the perpetual hot bath with a grimace, Tony let loose a string of curses that gradually grew in volume until all of his nearly numb skin is submerged into what felt like scalding water. After a few unbearable moments he sagged against the round river stones and sigh in appreciation.


He was probably late to whatever it was. One can never tell considering how much time the residents here spend in the dining hall, wherein one meal tends to blend into the next.

Freshly bathe and thoroughly scrubbed, Tony rushes down the corridor while straightening the pale blue Elvin tunic into place. Moments later, he slips into the dining hall and stands at the threshold to take in the proceedings. It has been awhile since the protocol was waived by Thor's escorting him throughout the day. Tonight was a different matter.

There sitting three seats left of King Frey, dressed in a simple white tunic and outer robe was a wizen looking elf with an equally as white and whimsy Fu Manchu. Ambassador Larien, the leading representative of the eight realms and the outer rim in the Alliance. Tony has never met him in person before, but he's resourceful enough to be privy beyond what old Nicky would tell him. The old elf looks twice older than King Frey who still has a mop full of gold ringlets like his sister. According to classified documents the Ambassador and his retinue should still be on Earth relaying plans and preparing for the next summit.

After receiving the prerequisite nod from King Frey, Tony took his usual seat next to Queen Frigga. She hugs him in greeting with whispered words of 'welcome, my son' to his ears before turning away, her trailing soft giggles the only indication of her mischief. Tony refused to acknowledge the blushing mark of her handiwork and wait for her to make the official introductions with their new addition. After exchanging nods and pleasantries, the Ambassador addressed a topic Tony was dreading.

"Prince Anthony, I understand congratulations are in order?"

Hoping to speak about that at the bare minimal Tony kept his response short, "Thank you, Ambassador."

Unfortunately, Queen Frigga was not deterred as she joined the conversation.

"Tis a formality but nonetheless, Thor should be in attendance instead of gallivanting across the realm with a mere rumor of marauders cited in Vanaheim. After all, there is much to discuss in regards to the wedding preparations."

Wedding plans?

Fuck the holy trinity of Physics! If there was ever a topic Tony wanted to talk less about other than his engagement and wedding night, it was wedding plans.

"Sister, take heart. If young men such as Thor, so full of vim and vigor, wishes to entertain such rumors, so be it. Our home world and Anthony should benefit all the more for it, what with Thor mellowed both in my court and in the marriage bower. Moreover, wedding preparations are the bride's concern."

Marriage bower!? Bride!? Tony was proud that the internal squeak he released was not audible to any other and attempted to change the subject a.s.a.p.

"So, Ambassador Larien… what brings you here to Alfheim?"

Okay. It wasn't his smoothest transition seeing as how both the Ambassador and Frigga raise their brows at him with varying degrees of amusement. Only King Frey chortle out loud at his expense, that old dog. Luckily without further comment, the King merely raised his golden goblet and took a sip. Tony took that as his lifeline to continue and smiled widely at the Ambassador in encouragement.

With a wry smirk beforehand, the Ambassador decided to play along, "My King has graciously permitted me to 'take a vacation' as you Midgardians would say. Now that the next phase in the Alliance has run along quite smoothly and has no further need of my machinations, I can finally be at ease knowing that that brat from Hammer Tech is no longer a valid candidate."

Tony can safely say, after a bit of coughing from his spit-take, that the Ambassador has really good timing. Tanna was quick to clean the mess and refill his goblet of bittersweet pick-me-up while Tony recovers.

The smile he flashed was all teeth before Tony remark back in kind, "Somehow I can't say I am relieved as well, in knowing that Justin Hammer is my immediate replacement should Thor and I not work out."

Returning with his own thoughtful look, the Ambassador states pointedly, "You and I both, Prince Anthony. And yet, your Army and Naval countrymen were his strongest advocates after that debacle with Obadiah Stane. Were it not for your recent innovations and heroic exploits, Odin All-father would not have approved you above all and allow none to oppose. You should feel honored, my lord."

Tony set his jaw firmly and gave the shrewd elf a much more in depth scrutiny. Old Nicky sure has been busy telling tales. Tony suppose it was nice to know that he had the All-daddy's approval all along, not that he needed it or want it. Howard and Odin can suck it, the decision was still his.

"As I would hope, my father-in-law should be honored with the higher probability of smarter and better looking grandchildren."

And naturally, Queen Frigga's interjection was spot on, "Aye, how Odin and I long for grandchildren! But first, we must make plans. Anthony, what say you to commencing the marriage ceremony here on Alfheim? It would be most romantic, would it not?"

Tony still had his eyes locked with the Ambassador when her words caught his attention. After receiving a slight nod from the old elf, Tony verves his gaze to meet the Queen's expecting ones.

"Um, the wedding… Here? But I thought… what of Asgard?"

The Queen's face lit up with enthusiasm and approval as she made sense of his jumbled question, "My dear, tis sweet of you to think of Asgard and her people. However, for the past thousands of years: as with Borr and Bestla, Thor's grandfather and grandmother and my own excellent father and mother, Njord and Noatun; as with Frey and Gerd, as with Odin and myself, there has been a precedence of royal marriages being conducted elsewhere. One can say: tis tradition even. So worry not, Asgard will have her fair share of celebration and merriment once the marriage has been blessed by the Norns."

Put it that way, Tony didn't really have any problems with her suggestion. He rather have the ceremony on Earth but that idea probably won't fly so might as well do it in a neutral and familiar setting like Gimlé.

"In that case, I have no objections except I like to request that my pack mates from Midgard be part of it. They are the only family I have left and I would love to have them here for support."

Tony decided to be blunt before shifting gear to temper tantrum. Thankfully, that was enough to convince Frigga, judging by how motherly her demeanor turned.

"Oh, Anthony. Of course, you shall have all the support you need."

Tony's beaming response was cut short when he noticed the Ambassador's disapproving headshake and just knew his parade was about to be rained on.

"Your Majesty, if I may advise on such?"

Queen Frigga turns to the Ambassador and gave him a nod in permission.

"The pack mates our young lord has allied with are called the Avengers. They are a special task force spearheaded by their commander supreme, Nick Fury."

"Oh, any shield brothers and sisters of Anthony are certainly welcome. Thor would be delighted by the addition."

With a forked piece of unknown meat dip in some unknown sauce held like a popsicle in his mouth as he chewed, Tony peaked out from Frigga's beautiful golden head and gave Ambassador Larien a warning glare in which the old elf looked right at him, winked, and commented rather dryly, "Aye, unfortunately, therein lies the problem. The Avengers consists entirely of a band of misfit Betas and Omegas and is led by an Omega captain. Tis unsupportable, your Majesty."

"Nonsense!"

Frigga's hackles were definitely raised judging by that tone as she turn towards King Frey and made her opinions known.

"Any warrior regardless of their distinction is welcome in the halls of Vahalla. I do not see why we should accept any less."

Wisely enough, Tony kept his mouth shut and continued chewing his food as he observed the political play, scanning from face to face to face. Even as the meat was swallowed and his goblet empty, when Tanna made a move to fill it he shooed her off for blocking his way.

If there ever was a beauty pageant for best poker face, King Frey has Nick Fury and Loki beat for the title. Tony understood the byplay all too well; these elves take their rules of engagement quite seriously judging by how he's been treated so far.

It didn't take long before the King said his piece.

"Tell me, Prince Anthony, are any of your pack mates bonded?"

"Yeth!"

Surprised by the direct formal address, Tony almost dropped his fork when he shot right off his seat and clumsily fumbled with the utensil before placing it next to his plate. Seeing as all eyes are now zone in on him as all conversations in the dining hall had stop, with stiff limbs, he sits back down and turn to address the King. Taking care to swallow whatever remains of food he had left in his mouth prior, Tony gulps down a nervous giggle threatening to burst forth and answers.

"Yes, sir. Hawkeye, a Beta archer has bonded recently to an Alpha-femme who has also joined the team."

"Does she now lead the pack?"

"No, your Highness."

That seemed to catch King Frey by surprise if his rounded eyes were an indication.

"She willingly follows an Omega?"

Never let it be known that Tony Stark doesn't think before he speaks, in this case, it only took a moment of hesitation right as he bit his lip when he go for broke.

"We all do, sir. Willingly that is, follow my Uncle Steve into battle. He is a capable leader and earned the title of Captain America by my kingdom. I do not know of any who would NOT stand with him on the front lines."

Yes, Tony Stark is capable of making a rousing speech since this immediately causes chatter to pick up at a heighten level of excitement. It also helped that Steve was nowhere near to hear his endorsement. However upon seeing the intrigued look on the King's face, with a sudden dread, Tony wondered briefly whether he's just thrown Steve under the bus again.