Loki slept fitfully that night, feeling confused and uncertain. He was able to sleep on his side at last so he spent most of the night looking out the window over the city. It was late when at last sleep overcame him and he closed his eyes, his dreams filled with Elva and many other things that kept it from being peaceful.

He awoke later the next morning and the sun was already shining over the city. Stretching, he rolled onto his front and pushed himself up onto his knees. With a sigh he ran his fingers through his hair and climbed off of the bed, standing and looking around for his clothes.

He gathered them then decided to wear fresh ones, putting on a heavier shirt and his leather trousers. He sighed in relief, glad to be back in more familiar attire. He combed his hair then took a glance in the mirror. He was glad all his injuries from the fight with the Avengers had healed and his face bore no scars of the event.

He shook his head, avoiding the poisonous thoughts and opened the door, slipping quietly into the corridor and heading towards the gardens. He passed many guards and watched as they bowed, inclining his head in response. He did not miss their slight glares. It would take a lot more than a few months before they would forgive him or put aside his misdeeds.

He sighed in relief as soon as he got to the peace of the gardens. There was little to be heard other than the faint whisper of conversation from people wandering through the grass and the calls of the birds as they flitted between the trees.

He smiled slightly and followed his usual path, wandering along a less used route. He looked along the long path that ran between two high hedges, hiding walkers from view. He smiled wider upon seeing that it was empty. Putting his hands behind his back he walked down the path, his head tilted back to look at the sky. Blue and clear with just a hint of the pale white of clouds.

Taking a deep breath Loki relaxed, his muscles easing out in the peace of the gardens. Besides the library they were his favourite place to be. He looked around as a faint sound interrupted his moment of peace. A voice, fresh and sweet, was singing one of Asgard's oldest laments.

Loki frowned. Not many people could sing that song well and with the emotion that should accompany it. He smiled slightly and stopped to listen, enjoying the complexity of the music and the beauty of the voice. Closing his eyes he lost himself to the song, listening until the end.

Once the song was finished, he walked forwards, curious as to who had been singing. He soon spotted a woman standing under a tree overlooking the stream that wound through the gardens and formed a waterfall at the bottom of the roots of the trees.

He smiled, seeing the familiar brown waves. Silently he walked forwards until he was standing just behind her. "You have a beautiful voice," he said softly.

Elva jumped and turned with a gasp. "Prince Loki, I had no idea you were listening. I, I, I," she blushed, caught off guard. "I, well thank you."

Loki chuckled. "I surprised you, I'm sorry. I hope I have not annoyed you by creeping up in such a manner. It was not my intention to make you jump. Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive your highness. I should not have been out here singing in such a manner. It was not my place to do so." Elva curtsied, lowering her head, trying to hide her blush.

Loki shook his head and lifted her chin. "Do not curtsy any more. You have done enough for me to earn that." He smiled and lifted her slightly so that she was standing straight once more. His eyes turned serious as they met hers, his hands resting lightly on her arms. "Why did you agree to tend me when no others would?" he asked quietly.

Elva looked back into his eyes and carefully reached up to put her hand on his cheek. "I did, because I saw a man that needed care. Not a fallen Prince or a devil as some others called you." She sighed quietly, secretly wondering at the warmth of his skin. "I do not fear you as others do, I felt sorry for you."

Loki rolled his eyes but smiled slightly. "Then you would be one of the first. I rarely get pitied, and it is rarer that someone has the nerve to tell me so. Thank you for being so honest."

Elva smiled slightly and nodded. "That is no problem my Prince. You deserve the truth." She caressed his cheek gently, her heart skipping a beat as she saw comfort flicker in his eyes, something she had never seen before. She smiled more, her eyes soft and warm.

Loki frowned slightly then relaxed into her touch, his eyes shutting for a moment before he opened them again, the bright green looking into Elva's hazel eyes. He took a slight breath and leaned towards her, their eyes locked together as Elva's breath caught. Loki watched as she leaned towards him, her eyes sliding closed.

Loki could feel her warm breath on his face and he lifted his hand to her cheek to bring her closer, taking a step towards her so that they were inches apart.

"Ah," a powerful voice interrupted. "Sorry."

Loki pulled back from Elva, just before their lips met. He shot a frustrated glare at Thor. "Yes brother? What is it?" he asked, his tone slightly icy. He was annoyed at being interrupted.

"Mother is looking for Elva," Thor said awkwardly, uncomfortable under Loki's intense gaze. "I didn't know she was with you otherwise I would have waited and told her I knew not where she was."

Elva pulled away from Loki, gently placing her hand over his and pulling it away. She looked up into his eyes and smiled apologetically before hurrying away, holding her skirts up to keep the fabric from getting stained on the grass.

Loki watched her go, left alone with his brother. He turned another glare on him then sighed and rolled his eyes, turning to continue his walk, leaving Thor standing alone, looking confused.

Thor had never seen Loki so close to a woman in public before, not that this area was very crowded. It had completely surprised him and he wasn't sure what to think. "Perhaps I will talk to mother about this," he muttered to himself before walking back towards the castle.