The day of the wedding arrived. Loki stood on the terrace just outside his bedroom. He looked out over the city. In a few hours, the ceremony would be held and he and Ava would be married. He heard his chamber door open and soon Thor was standing beside him.

"Good morning, Brother." Thor greeted him.

"You do realize that this is the last time you'll be able to just barge into my chambers like you own the place." Loki replied. "After my wedding tonight, I will no longer be alone in here."

Thor laughed. "That is true." He replied. He then clapped his hand on Loki's shoulder. "It is a wonderful day for you. I am very happy for you Loki."

"Thank you, Thor." Loki replied. "Did you come here to congratulate me or is there another purpose?"

"We have a pre-wedding feast with Father and Hagar to enjoy." Thor answered. "As well as getting you ready. There is apparently much to do."

Loki chuckled. "But not nearly as much for me as there is for Ava."

Thor laughed. "True. The women have much to do."

Ava...

Ava was escorted to the palace by her parents early in the morning. Once they were there, her mother led her in one direction, while her father went another. Ava knew that her father would be spending the day with Loki and the men. She also knew that her mother and Frigga would be helping her get ready through the day.

Ava was taken to a large room. Frigga and a few servant women were waiting. There was a large tub filled with water in the center of the room. Frigga walked over to them. She put both of her hands on either side of Ava's face. "My beautiful soon to be daughter-in-law." She said, kissing Ava on the forehead. "I am excited to have you in my family."

"Thank you." Ava said with a smile.

"We'd better hurry before the water gets cold." Gail said.

Ava was then stripped down and thrown in the tub of water. Thankfully, the water was very warm and felt relaxing. She then spent the next hour being meticulously scrubbed with special soaps and herbs. If I didn't know any better, I would think that I was being prepared for a sacrifice rather than my wedding. She thought to herself.

Once the bath was over, Ava was helped out of the tub, she was dried, and placed in a white silken robe that was trimmed in gold. Over the next few hours, Gail and Frigga with the help of a few servants, groomed Ava. The combed and brushed her hair. They pulled part of her hair back and left most of it hanging down. They curled it and strategically placed small glittering crystals in her hair.

Once her hair was finished, the women enjoyed a feast. Once the meal was over, they went back to getting Ava ready for the wedding. They put on soft make-up. "We have to hurry." Frigga said.

"It's almost time." Gail agreed.

The two women then helped Ava into her wedding dress. "Just beautiful." Frigga gushed, tears in her eyes.

"One final finishing touch." Gail said, as she walked over and hooked a veil in Ava's hair. She then pulled back and looked at her daughter. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I just can't believe it...my baby is getting married." The tears then began to spill over.

"I know." Frigga agreed. "And she's marrying my baby."

"Please, don't cry?" Ava asked, looking at both of them.

The two mothers did their best to dry their eyes. Gail walked over to her daughter and placed both of her hands on either side of her face. "It's an emotional and bitter sweet day for me." She told her. "But you are beautiful, my little one. Just look."

Ava smiled as she turned her head and looked in the mirror. Her dress had long lace sleeves that fell off her shoulders. It was made of white silk with a panel of gold down the front. The bodice fit snuggly down to her hips before flaring out the tiniest bit. Her veil was a beautiful sheer fabric trimmed in lace with gold thread woven through it.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Is my daughter ready for her wedding?" Hagar called from the other side.

"Come in, Hagar." Gail called.

"And that is my cue to leave." Frigga said. She looked at Ava with a soft smile. "Today I am happy to welcome you into my family."

"Thank you." Ava replied.

Frigga left and Hagar entered the room. He instantly looked at his daughter. "Oh my, you look so beautiful." He said, his eyes glistening.

"Father, please don't you start crying, too?"

Hagar laughed. "Of course, not." He said. "I just have so much fatherly pride in my daughter...who is no longer my little girl, but a beautiful young woman."

"No. No crying because then I'm going to start crying...and then...it will just be a mess." Ava said.

"The sun is about to set. Are you ready?" Hagar asked Ava.

Ava smiled. "Yes."

Loki...

Loki stood at the alter. Thor stood off to his side. His father and Mother sat to the side of the alter. There were chairs set up on the other side of the alter for Ava's parents after they escorted her down the aisle. The rest of the kingdom sat on either side of the aisle. "Are you getting nervous, Brother?" Thor asked, quietly.

"Of course not." Loki replied, just as quietly. "What do I have to be nervous about? I just have the entire kingdom here watching as I take my vows."

Thor chuckled. "I'm sure everything will be go just fine, Brother. Just be happy. You're marrying the woman you love."

The music started and two little girls started walking down the aisle, sprinkling flower petals. They came to the end, curtsied before the royal family and then took seats in the front row of chairs. The music changed.

"Here she comes, Brother." Thor said to Loki.

Everyone rose from their seats and all eyes turned to the end of the aisle. Gold curtains lifted and revealed Ava on her father's arm with her mother at her side. Instantly, all of Loki's anxieties disappeared as soon as he saw his bride. It was as if the entire world disappeared and only he and Ava existed.

Ava looked at him the entire walk down the aisle. A smile stretched across her lips, causing Loki to smile back at her. After what felt like an eternity, Ava arrived at the alter. She hugged both of her parents. Loki walked to them. Hagar took Ava's hand and placed a kiss on it. Loki held out his hand and Hagar placed Ava's in Loki's before he and Gail took their seats to the side of the alter.

Loki and Ava took their places at the alter and the ceremony began. The couple exchanged vows and sealed their love with a kiss.