Chapter 10

After she had been around a few more partners, Anya decided to take a rest, grabbing a goblet of wine and standing at the edge of the dance floor watching the rest of the couples. It wasn't long until Thor found her. "Are you enjoying the festivities, Lady Anya?"

"Always, Thor." She smiled up at him and took a sip of wine.

"Ah yes, the lady who brings the sun to any party." He beamed down at her and she quirked an eyebrow at his choice of words. "That is how my mother described you, before you arrived, and truer words were never spoken." He smiled at her sincerely.

She flashed a grin at his kind words. "Thank you, Thor."

"I must admit I did not believe her at first. You were always a shy child."

"Yes, but when one is thrust into the spotlight one must either flourish or shrivel. The former was much more appealing."

"Well it suits you. Someone as beautiful as you are should not hide in the shadows."

"I would never dream of it." She smirked. "And what of you, Prince Thor? You seem to enjoy the attention."

"Yes, well, the shadows are no place for a Prince of the Realm."

"It seems to suit Loki very well." She observed, taking a sip of her wine.

"It may suit his personality, but not his title." Thor quipped back immediately. "Father is keen for him to change. I think that is why he is glad of your presence. Loki is already much changed from your company." Anya smirked to herself, finally knowing the reason why the All Father had changed the way he looked at her, she now served a purpose for him. She was to bring his young son out into the limelight, so he had a chance of standing equal with Thor. Easy. She would be out of the All Father's scrutinising eye and straight into his favour in no time. Anya was shaken from her thoughts by Thor continuing his musings. "I am glad of your presence too, Lady Anya. Here in Asgard it is always the same, but in just a few days you have completely changed almost everything."

She smiled sincerely at him and replied. "Well then I'm sure you will be glad to hear that I am extending my stay here with your family."

"Really?" Thor looked at her, a beaming smile beginning to grow on his face.

"Really." She confirmed. "Just last night your mother invited me to stay for as long as I would like."

"That is most excellent news Anya!" The grin broke through and she couldn't help but return a wide smile. "And how long would you like to stay?"

"As long as I am not intruding on your Father's kind hospitality, I'm sure."

"I'm sure you could never intrude on us Lady Anya! And of course how your training will thrive! You'll be a warrior of Asgard in no time!" She could only laugh at his faith in her and just as she was about to reply their joy was interrupted. A young, golden haired girl approached the pair and curtsied low in front of the prince. She did not look at Anya. "Prince Thor, at the last feast you promised me a dance at the Solstice."

Thor looked as if he did not even recognise the girl and Anya couldn't help but snigger slightly at her boldness.

"I did?" It was the only sentence the Prince could come up with and the young girl nodded violently.

"Well you mustn't go back on a promise, Thor." Anya smirked, plucking the tankard from his hands and pushing him towards the girl. He stumbled forward and looked back towards Anya with a silent plea for help but she simply raised her eyebrows at him with an apologetic look as the girl eagerly stuffed her arm in his and practically dragged him to join the dance. Anya laughed to herself as she watched Thor reluctantly bow to his new partner and gently lead her around the floor, keeping as much distance from her as he could, which wasn't a lot given the way she tried to push her body flush against his. Anya's giggles were interrupted when a sultry voice sounded in the shadows behind her.

"It's very fortunate that you get along so well with my Brother." The Young Prince purred, stepping towards her and taking a sip of wine.

Anya didn't look at him as he settled in place next to her. "Do you always lurk in the corners at parties?" She challenged, dodging his statement.

"Not always." He shrugged. "Although I find that observing is always a lot more interesting than actually having to socialise."

"Knows so much and lets on so little." She mused to herself taking another sip of wine. Although he had not really understood what she had meant, he left the silence and waited for her to continue, knowing that she would eventually turn back to his first statement. "So tell me, why is it fortunate that I enjoy your brother's company?"

"Oh it's nothing." He smirked, wanting to tease her just a little while longer.

"No, what is it." She insisted. He looked down at her, the confusion in her eyes causing his smirk to widen. He let his eyes slowly scan the room and sipped his wine again, prolonging her anxiety, before nonchalantly saying. "Well it's just that you and my brother are betrothed."

"Excuse me?" She gasped, choking on her drink slightly.

"You heard me." He smiled, never taking his eyes from hers.

She finally narrowed her eyes and scoffed at him. "Very funny, Loki. But if I were betrothed to anyone I believe I would know about it."

"No one knows about it yet, other than our parents of course."

"Well then how do you know?" She asked, still sceptic.

"I just know." He smiled.

"My mother would never allow a marriage to be arranged without telling me." She protested. "Besides what good would it do, me being married to Thor?"

"A stronger bond between Asgard and Vanaheim of course. You seem to forget that your father is one of the highest ranking officials of your land, making you one of the most prominent ladies."

"You don't need to remind me." She sighed taking another sip of wine.

"So all in all your union with Prince Thor would be extremely beneficial for both parties."

"Both parties here meaning Asgard and Vanaheim. I see your point Loki, but I'm afraid for once that you are mistaken. My parents would never force me into an arranged marriage. Especially with someone I am not well suited too. Your brother is nice enough but he would never make me happy."

"If you're sure." Loki offered in a sing-song tone before sipping his wine once again.

"I am." She insisted, although he didn't miss when she took a bigger gulp of wine than normal.

"So tell me, dear Anya" he began, steering the conversation away from Thor, "what kind of man would make you happy?"

Anya surveyed the crowd as she contemplated the question. Finally she turned to look Loki straight in the eye. "Well he would have to be a gentleman who is intelligent, witty and compassionate. So it appears that I have no chance of ever becoming a Queen of Asgard." She smiled sarcastically and turned to walk away.

"Oh I wouldn't be a so sure, I think I know of a Prince who holds all those qualities."

She could hear the smirk in his voice before she turned to face him. She took two sultry strides towards him and slowly answered. "You lurk in corners and smirk at my potential misfortune. I hardly believe that that constitutes compassion. Although I suppose two out of three isn't bad." She grinned and held a hand out to him. "So would you care to join me for a dance, Prince Loki?"

Still smirking he delicately took her offered hand, placed it in the crook of his arm and slowly led her to join the other couples. Even though news of their friendship had already spread throughout Asgard, both of them revealed in the attention they were still getting, many of the guests still shocked that a bright young woman like Anya would choose to spend her visit to Asgard with someone like Prince Loki. As they made their way through the crowds Anya spotted two very important sets of eyes on them. Frigga's face still held the same soft smile that seemed to form every time she had seen the pair together, and the All Father's eyebrows seemed to be raised ever so slightly. As Anya locked eyes with him she bowed her head slightly and raised her glass in a salute, one that she hoped conveyed the message that she was happy to take on the job he had silently assigned to her, then placed her goblet on the tray of a passing servant and grinned up at Loki, the laughter that always seemed to form between the pair already bubbling up.

"So is it true, what you told my brother?" Loki asked as he began leading Anya in a light waltz. "Are you to be staying here with us?"

"Yes, apparently your mother and father have been discussing it for some days now."

"And how long do you intend to stay?"

"Oh you know I would stay forever if I could." She replied lightly as he spun her.

"There are not always parties like this you know." He laughed.

"Nonsense, we had a party like this just the first night I was here, dancing and feasting, it's all a girl could want. The people are fascinating. And of course the training! Why it's simply wonderful here!" She grinned as he pulled her in close.

"It is now." Had he spoken any softer she would not have heard him but she just about managed to catch what he said, and she definitely managed to to catch the sincerity of his eyes as they bore deep into hers. For a moment she was dumbstruck, finally lost for something to say. The steps of the dance were forgotten as couples continued to twirl around them and had they not been surrounded by people she would have been almost certain that he was about to kiss her. They stood in silence staring at each other for a minute more, neither daring to speak lest they break the spell. Finally Anya managed to stutter out a sentence. "I'm feeling very dizzy all of a sudden."

"I'll escort you back to your room." He said, holding her tighter, the worry clear in his voice.

"No, no." She managed to wave him off. "I think I just need some air. A short walk in the gardens maybe." A tight lipped smile forming on her face.

"I'll come with you."

"Nonsense, I wouldn't want to pull you away from the party, there is plenty more lurking to do." She managed to joke, not wanting to worry him further and truly feeling that she needed the time alone. Without waiting for him to reply she turned and forced her way through the crowd, only stopping to search out the nearest exit. When she found the doors she tumbled out into the grounds and gasped in a large breath of the fresh air. Holding the air in her lungs for a few seconds she closed her eyes and let her head fall back before letting out the breath slowly. When she opened her eyes again and looked up to the stars she felt hot tears beginning to well up. This was not part of the plan. When she had started spending time with Loki she had to admit it was because she was absolutely fascinated by him, but she had heard that he was so dark and calculating, he had seemed so quiet, she had never thought that they would become so close. When he had opened up to her she had been so surprised by the light trickster she had found behind the mask, and she had cracked the mask so easily too. She wasn't sure how she had managed it, and clearly, judging by the continued surprise of those around them, getting Loki to open up was a difficult task, yet here she was only having spent a week with him and feeling like she knew him better than anyone. Maybe it had all been because he felt the same way about her as she felt about him. A feeling that she had only just now realised. It had sprung on her so suddenly, maybe she had just been suppressing it, maybe she was willing it not to be so, maybe she was blind to it because he was so different from the people she had been drawn to in the past, but there was no denying that she had just been stood in the middle of the dance floor willing him to take her face in his hands and kiss her more passionately than she had ever been kissed before. Which would have been a disaster. Yes she enjoyed the parties and yes she enjoyed the attention, but the circles she moved in were already stuffy enough. To find herself in love with a prince would be more than she could handle. Either the relationship would have to be secret, which was not in her nature, or she would have to become the true lady that everyone expected to see in the royal family, which was also not in her nature. The idea of being forced into courtship with Thor had been bad enough, so to find herself in the same situation voluntarily was a nightmare. It was very clear that whatever she felt for Loki she could not act on it. No matter how close their friendship, no matter how much she enjoyed his company, no matter how much she knew he would make her happy, the partner of a Prince was simply not a life she could choose. Just as a tear began to roll down her cheek the sound of footsteps behind her broke Anya from her thoughts. She tensed at the interruption dreading the idea that Loki may have followed her out, so she let her shoulders drop dramatically when she heard a voice that was not his.

"Are you quite alright Lady Anya?" Fandral asked softly. She quickly wiped the tears away before turning to face him, managing to conjure a small smile. "No, I don't believe I am Fandral, but people like you and I don't get to cry do we?"

He laughed softly but his eyes still held great concern as he stepped closer to her. "Is it Prince Loki?"

"Is it that obvious?" Now she laughed as well.

"What has he done?"

"Nothing." She answered quickly. "Nothing. I am upset about him, not because of him." She left a small pause but he did not say anything. "I can't be in love with a Prince, Fandral."

"You are in love with him?" He placed a light hand on her arm.

"No, but I think I could be. He is very dear to me, and I know he would make me happy but..." She couldn't finish the sentence but she didn't have to.

"But you couldn't be a part of the royal family." He nodded gently.

"To live that sort of life... it's not in my nature. Hel, I find my current title stuffy enough, but Princess Anya of Asgard, I would not be able to live with the pressure."

"That's a shame because the name suits you." He tried to make her laugh, which worked for a moment but her face soon fell again.

"What would you do Fandral?"

"I don't think I could give you any advice in this situation Anya."

"But surely you must have loved a girl you weren't supposed to before."

"Yes, but she was never a Prince." At that she laughed and the smile did not fall this time. "You must follow your heart Lady Anya, do what will make you comfortable, but do not let a title stand in the way of your happiness." He looked at her sincerely, the comforting hand still resting on her arm. In the silence another tear began to roll down her face and he gently reached a hand up and wiped it away. "But come now, you can't let something like this ruin the best celebration of the year. Come back inside with me, I'll introduce you to some new friends, you will forget all about this little hiccup in no time." His face split into a wide grin as he tried to reassure her. She didn't say anything in return but she did let a small smile grace her lips and didn't protest when he began leading her back inside the palace.

As soon as they were in the great hall Anya took another goblet of wine and drank the whole thing in almost on gulp, the alcohol lifting her spirits slightly and at least helping her face to find her signature wide grin again. As promised Fandral led her over towards a group of warriors, most of whom she recognised from the training grounds and all of whom recognised her. "Lady Anya!" She heard a few shouts as many raised their tankards in her direction. As everyone else had seemed to do, they all instantly began asking about her training and a few even voiced how impressed they were by the fact that she had wanted to learn. They were even more impressed when Fandral shared how she had bested Loki just this morning, adding a few embellishments to a story Anya had not even told him yet, but she still laughed along none the less. Soon the tears that had fallen outside had been forgotten and, although she had spotted him several times lurking on the outskirts of the group and watching her, Loki had not approached Anya again. Soon Anya had resumed her favourite pastime of dancing, being passed around the different warriors in a string of lively jigs, her laughter quickly returning. Before she could get lost in the new group Fandral soon found her again and made sure that she was still enjoying herself. "I don't want to see anymore tears on the beautiful face." He whispered to her. "Especially not because of a man." She was touched by his concern for her and Anya found herself staying close to his side for the rest of the night. Finally, hours after all the older guests had left and only the young, spry ones remained, Anya felt her bed calling to her. Excusing herself from all her new found friends she headed towards the door, saying her various goodbyes on the way. "You're leaving Lady Anya?" She heard Fandral call out as she neared the door.

"Yes." She laughed. "I'm afraid that with all the dancing I have tuckered myself out!"

"Well let me escort you back to your chambers." He insisted and offered her an arm, which she took without complaint. The pair walked slowly in a silence that was not uncomfortable but both of them could feel the weight of the unasked question hanging in the air.

"Did you enjoy the feast?" Fandral managed to make small talk.

"Very much so!" Anya beamed. "There was one small hiccup in the middle, but I believe it was nothing." She joked.

He squeezed her hand softly in silent reassurance. "I meant what I said Lady Anya." He offered seriously. "The Young Prince is a good man and you should not let a title cloud your judgement. Your own happiness is more important than anything else the world may perceive. In the end we can not go against our heart's true wishes and come out better off. I hate to see you cry, do not make yourself miserable for the sake of what others might think."

She did not need to say anything in reply but a small squeeze on his arm let Fandral know that his message had been received loud and clear. When they reached her chambers it was now Anya's turn to be sincere. As she turned to face him she left a hand on his arm and looked him straight in the eyes. "Thank you Fandral, truly, you didn't have to come to my aid tonight."

"Well rescuing damsels in distress is what I do." The pair laughed softly. "I mean it Anya, no matter who or what the cause, I hate to see you cry. If you ever need me again I will always be here. I offer you my sincere friendship."

"Thank you Fandral, that means a lot."

"Well people like you and I need to stick together Anya. Now I will not keep you any longer, you need to rest. Goodnight, My Lady." He bowed slightly to her and turned on his heel before she replied.

"Goodnight Fandral." She called after him, a genuine smile finally finding its way back onto her face.