Hi Everyone. I'm truly overwhelmed with the responses I've been getting to this story. Thank you so much to all of you who take the time to review, favourite, and follow. I really have no words. It's unbelievable.
Anyhoo…I've rewritten this chapter about four times now. If you would like me to continue right where Annika and Loki leave off, let me know or if you're thinking geez, get on with the plot already, let me know that too.
I guess the question is fluff or no fluff haha. Thanks again

"You're looking wonderfully well Mother." Annika sat on a step ladder and watched her mother happily chop carrots.

"Thank you Anni. I feel well."

Annika hopped down and picked away at some onion skins.

"So, who is he?" Annika asked with a knowing glance. Freya blushed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Freya met Annika's raised eyebrow and the pair broke into fits of giggles. It had been ages since Annika had heard her mother laugh. Freya stopped chopping and stared into blissful nothingness.

"Do you remember the guard who first greeted us when we arrived in Asgard?"

Annika's eyes widened. "Jens? You and Jens?" Annika wanted to dance with delight.

"How long has this been going on?"

Freya went back to her carrots. "Are you not being missed right now in court?"

Annika grabbed an apple from a large bowl and tossed it between her hands.

"I suppose you're right, but don't think for a moment that this interrogation is finished."

Freya smiled gently as Annika placed a kiss on her cheek and then ran out the door to make her way back to the throne room.


As Annika made her way to the main hall, she heard a sickening giggle and a lowered voice. Her heart tightened within her chest as she fought to keep her rage at bay. Turning the corner, Annika was completely struck dumb by the image presented. Odin was wondering the halls with Lorelei on his arm, the pair bantering as if she were a devoted daughter and he, the kindly old father. Annika crept just close enough to hear the conversation. Lorelei was flattering the old man by asking of battles gone by and feigning intense interest at the AllFather's responses. Annika pressed herself into the shadows, just as she did with Loki when they were children, hiding from the royal parents. If it were anyone but Lorelei on Odin's arm, Annika would have thought nothing of the encounter. It was surely innocent enough, but the sorcerous was far from.

Annika now doubted that her presence was needed in the throne room, but continued toward her destination nonetheless. As the large, metal door creaked open, Annika found herself alone, except for one figure in the centre of the room. Frigga stood by the throne, pacing back and forth, rubbing her hands to ease the tension. Annika cautiously approached and bowed her head.

"AllMother, you looked troubled."

Frigga smiled and moved swiftly to Annika. The two women greeted each other warmly.

"My dear Annika, I'm sorry, but Odin sent Loki away this morning. I understand he is to return this evening."

Annika nodded, feeling slightly disappointed she received this information second hand. "That is not what troubles you, is it?"

Frigga's smile became strained. "I'm sure you saw my husband's walking companion as you made your way here."

"You sense trouble from Lorelei?"

"There is always trouble and deviousness when that young woman is around. She should be banished for what she did to Fandral…yes, I heard. Odin has always had a soft spot for her. Poor man refuses to believe that women are capable of conniving and plotting."

"Is there nothing we can do AllMother?"

Frigga shook her head. "All we can hope to do is catch her in the act."

Annika turned to leave, but stopped. "AllMother, I believe that Lorelei will make a play for one of your sons. She tried to seduce Prince Loki at Fandral's party, but failed and I think as recompense, she tried to kill Fandral. I fear she may try for Prince Thor next and if she fails, the consequences could be dire."

Frigga held her forehead. "Her success would be much worse." Frigga smiled and took Annika's hands in her own. "My dear Annika, there are two kinds of magic wielders in this realm: sorcerers and witches. While it would be undignified for me to categorize Lorelei, can I trust that you will protect my sons to the best of your ability?"

Annika smiled and bowed her head. "My first duty will always be to Asgard and if that means knocking the teeth out of a witch or two, then so be it."

Frigga stifled a laugh and let Annika go.


Feeling she should spend her free time not letting the prince out of her sight, Annika spent the remainder of her day with Thor in his chambers, debriefing him on the Alfheim trade agreement. Annika only paused when she thought Thor might actually die of boredom. She folded her hands gently over the parchment.

"Shall we take a break?"

Thor's face lit up as he relaxed into his chair. "That's the most interesting thing you've said all day."

They sat in silence for a time before Annika broke it.

"So where has Loki gone today?"

"Father has sent him to Nidavellir. Apparently one of the Dwarven princesses has given birth and Loki was sent on behalf of the family to present a gift."

Annika giggled. "And we are all trusting him to give a proper gift and not something with which the infant can torture its parents? You remember that exploding noise maker he gave the young princess of Alfheim."

Thor nodded. "I raised my concerns and suggested you accompany him, but Loki insisted that you stay behind. He said he didn't want you getting any ideas of wanting children of your own."

Annika scoffed. "As if I would have time to raise my own children when I'm so busy looking after you two."

Thor frowned. "Annika, we are hardly children anymore and my brother and I are perfectly capable to caring for ourselves without your involvement."

Annika raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Remember when your grandmother came to visit, but you and Loki had dates with those twins you met at the orchard?"

Thor looked away innocently, knowing where this story was headed.

"So instead of welcoming your very elderly grandmother, you and Loki bolted and left me to cover for you. I had to tell your parents that a trade skirmish had erupted in town and you two had departed to settle it."

Thor chuckled at the memory. "Well as it turns out, you weren't too far off the mark."

Annika grew incredulous. "No I wasn't, since you two got into a brawl in town anyway."

"How were we supposed to know that the twins had brothers? Besides, Loki started that fight. He accused them of being illiterate ogres, then stepped aside and let me deal with the result."

Annika giggled. "That doesn't surprise me one bit. You two were the perfect tag team when we were younger. He kept the nine realms in line for millennia and it was having two sons that sent the AllFather's hair grey."

Thor laughed heartily. "Why don't we retire to the tavern and reminisce over a couple pints of ale?"

Annika smirked. "Nice try your Highness, but we have to finish with this trade agreement. Sit back down."

Thor slumped back into his chair and wished he had his brother's silver tongue, if only to get him out of this chamber.


Evening turned into nightfall and Annika stood, wrapped tightly in her robe and watched the skies from the library balcony. She had tried to read up on Nidavellir, but she kept imagining Loki having to interact with a baby and every time, it made her laugh and break her concentration. So, Annika had opted to stand outside, try not to freeze, and watch for her prince's return. Her patience soon paid off as she saw the Bifrost light up, bringing her beloved prince back home. She watched with keen eyes until she could see Loki riding up the main road towards the palace.

Annika felt shivers run up her back and her heart began to thump at seeing her Loki finally hers stride confidently up the stairs and into the gilded halls. Annika took her time returning her books to their homes before making her way to Loki's chambers.

As Annika reached Loki's door, she straightened her hair and her robe, then gently went in. Closing the door quietly behind her, Annika saw light coming from the bathing room. She leaned against the doorframe for a moment, taking in the vision of Loki in his oversized tub, relaxed and without care.

"Why didn't you come find me?"

Loki kept his head leaned back and his eyes closed. "I assumed you were asleep."

Annika smiled as she pushed herself off the doorframe. She gently knelt behind the tub and began to massage the knots out of Loki's neck and shoulders. He sighed in relief as each kink was worked out and smoothed over.

"How did it go? Are you struck with baby fever?"

Loki laughed sarcastically. "Oh, so my princess has become my jester. You know as well as I do that if one has even the slightest inkling of having children, one need only see a dwarven infant and all urges will cease."

Annika giggled softly and kissed Loki's hair gently. Loki leaned back and took Annika's lips with his own, albeit upside down. He hummed with contentment.

"So what have you been up to today my darling?"

Annika shifted to the side of the tub so she could see her prince. She tried to hide her flushed face at the sight of his bare form. Thinking for a moment, Annika decided to leave Lorelei out of her account.

"I spent most of the day helping your brother to understand what we did in Alfheim."

Loki opened one eye and looked at her suspiciously.

"The trade agreement…not…that part."

Loki closed his eyes and chuckled. "My poor darling spending all day in a battle of wits with my brother. You must need this hot water more than me."

Annika smirked as she dipped her hand in the water to hold Loki's hand.

"He got it all in the end."

Loki hummed and opened his eyes. Annika gasped as his hand gripped her wrist and his smile grew. She knew that look.

"No Loki…don't you dare…" SPLASH

Annika was soaked and looked in dismay as her silk robe was completely ruined. Loki chuckled in triumph.

"I hate you."

"No you don't." Loki turned and ran his hand through Annika's dampened hair. He pulled her closer and kissed her slowly. Annika quickly accepted her watery fate and wrapped her arms around her prince. The water stilled as the pair ceased to move. They held each other in their arms and kissed each other languidly, each kiss making up for a kiss not given in the past.

The cooling water against Annika's flushed skin made her shiver. Loki stood out of the tub and helped Annika to stand. Once he had wrapped a towel around his waist, Loki handed one to Annika. As she wrapped it around her shoulders, Loki moved to trap her against the sink.

"I have something for you…well, it's more for me really."

Annika smirked with a raised eyebrow. Loki grinned with mischief and kissed her forehead.

"It's sitting on the bed, which is where I expect you to be when I'm finished in here."

Loki's eyes darkened and filled Annika with a playful ache.

Annika entered the bedroom to find a green box sitting in the centre of the bed. She was amazed to find a deep purple garment made of the softest silk within. Annika held it up to the light. It seemed to glow, but Annika stared curiously.

"Where's the rest of it?" she wondered to herself. The nightgown was much shorter than anything Annika owned. She slipped out of her sodden silk and into her new wear. Annika stared at herself in the mirror, trying to arrange her hair as attractively as possible. The nightgown was impossibly short, stopping halfway up her thigh. Most nightgowns at highest stopped mid calf. Anything higher was obscene.

Annika tucked the box under a nearby chair, then situated herself on the bed as instructed. At first, Annika sat with her legs tucked under her. That didn't feel right. She sat up and dangled her legs over the side of the bed. Thinking that looked as sexually appealing as Volstagg on a hot day, Annika tried lying back against the pillows, but the silk quickly rode up far higher than Annika's legs, making her squeak and quickly sit up to rectify the problem. She was sat up, trying to adjust the hem of her gown when Annika heard the door open. Loki was leaning against the doorframe, which was fortunate since his knees buckled at the sight of the woman sitting on his bed. In a panic, Annika turned quickly and sank onto her hip. One of the thin straps fell off her shoulder and her hair had flipped over, covering half her face. Annika felt a complete mess.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't ready. I…"

Loki held a finger to his lips. "Don't move." Annika tried to remain still, but Loki's eyes were roaming over her, like a predator assessing its prey. It made Annika's heart quicken and her breathing become heavy. Loki approached the bed slowly, wearing only a black pair of leggings. Annika shyly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"What do you think?" she asked quietly. Loki leaned an arm against one of the tall bedposts. He could barely breathe. Every time Loki tried to form words, they would get tangled and lost in his grin. Annika smiled and bit her lip. With a curled finger, she beckoned him towards her. Loki crawled onto the bed. Annika draped her arms around his neck. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Show me."


Thor wondered the halls, searching for his brother. While he had already spoken of his escapades to his father, he wished to tell the same stories to his younger brother. Gaining Odin's approval was always a fairly straightforward task. So long as victory was reached, the AllFather was satisfied. Thor found it a much more rewarding challenge in trying to impress Loki with his achievements. Not that Loki wasn't always supportive, but it was difficult to hold his attention. Thor felt he had only really achieved greatness when Loki was stunned into silence or when Thor won his smile of approval.

Thor reached Loki's chamber door and was about to knock, then remembered the harsh greeting he received when he last knocked on Annika's door. Feeling the fatigue of battle and Annika's lessons weighing heavily on his joints, Thor retired to his chambers to shed his armour and soak his tired muscles. AS he entered, Thor was startled by the unexpected presence in his room.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see you of course, your Highness."

Thor eyed Lorelei suspiciously. "Shouldn't you be chasing after my brother?"

Lorelei strolled along the fireplace mantle, dragging a long finger behind her.

"Your brother bores me. I have decided to turn my attention to you," she purred with a sickly smile.

Thor nodded politely. "Forgive me my lady, but your attention is not something I particularly want turned my way."

Lorelei laughed lightly. "Oh my poor boy. You think you have a choice. That's cute."

Suddenly, Thor gripped his head in pain. Shocks were running through his brain, as if his nerves were being torn apart and sewn together again.

"What…what are you doing?"

Lorelei hovered over her victim, who had fallen to his knees.

"There are many paths to power in Asgard," she hissed, "But you Odinsons infuriate me."

Thor cried out as the pain blinded him, forcing him to sink further into the floor.

"You will put me on the throne Thor Odinson and you will be thrilled to do it."

Thor grunted his objection as the pain slowly subsided. He panted as his vision returned. On hands and knees, Thor slowly looked up towards his attacker, a green film covering his once blue eyes. Lorelei smiled and knelt beside the thunder god, holding his head gently in her hand.

"Are we in agreement?"

Thor's voice was a low whisper. "Yes, my love."