The night went on peacefully, and I awoke with the sun in the sky. Stretching, I looked towards the bed where Loki still lay. Rather ungracefully, I rose from the bed and walked towards the mirror over the basin. Just then I heard a low moan behind me, and I turned.
"How are you feeling today?" I asked, careful to keep my voice low in case he had a hangover.
"Eugh," He moaned, "My head does hurt." I nodded thoughtfully.
"And I don't remember how I got back to my room..." his voice trailed off.
I smiled, turning back to the basin to wash my face. "I believe I can help you there," I laughed softly, "I walked with you back to your room, and when you fell asleep, I helped you to your bed and stayed here to make sure you were okay."
I felt no need to tell him of what he said, or that the All-Father had asked me to stay with Loki all night. He nodded thoughtfully and then rose out of bed.
"I suppose I should thank you then," He said formally," so thank you." I nodded and turned to look at him. The god of mischief looked at his clothing and then at me. I realised neither of us looked our best, having slept in the clothes we were wearing last night.
"I'll leave you to get dressed," I walked towards the door.
"Thank you for your concern last night," he said quietly, "I'm glad someone cares for me and not just my station."
So he does remember some of last night, I mused as I slipped out of the door.

I spent the rest of the day in the gardens, hidden under a tree. I needed time to think, particularly about what had happened last night. I supposed that my feelings for Loki had always been there, hiding just below the surface. All the things I had done, out of friendship, I had tried to convince myself at the time, seemed maybe a bit more than that. There was a part of me that just felt at peace when I was with Loki. I could sit and talk to him about nothing all day, which reminded me a little of the lazy days in the TARDIS. Both my parents, while loving adventure, could spend days on end just sitting and talking, never seeming to tire others the others presence. At the same time, I didn't want to admit these feelings to myself. There was no point in letting myself fall for him, when Loki himself said that he had feelings for someone, someone who could never love him. I sighed softly, it would be just my luck to fall for a prince.

Late in the afternoon, as the sun was starting to set, I heard a mumbled voice heading towards me. Stiffly I stood up, brushing dirt off of my clothing. I turned, intending to head back to the castle without whoever it was seeing me. However, I misjudged the direction they were coming from and walked straight into the person talking. Mumbling an apology, I looked up and realised I'd walked straight into Loki.
"Oh, sorry," I said with a laugh, fighting the blush that was creeping up my cheeks.
"There is no need to apologise," He smiled at me, and offered his hand, "I was just looking for you." With a hint of trepidation, I took his hand, hoping that the colour that had risen on my cheeks was going down.
"What have you been doing today?" He asked curiously, "I have not seen you around the castle."
"I," my voice cracked from the lack of use, "I needed some time to think."
He nodded gravely, "I too have been thinking today." I turned slightly, seeing a strange look in his green eyes. I had seen that look before, but I couldn't place when.
"Could we," Loki began, and then paused, "Could we stop here for a minute?" I stopped.
"Are you ok?" I joked, "It's not like the Silvertongue to trip over his words." A smile broke across Loki's face and then it was replaced with a slightly nervous look.
"Yes, I am feeling okay," He said. "Just, hear me out?" He asked seriously.
"Sure," I agreed, now nervous as to where this conversation was going.
"I am not sure where to begin," He admitted, moving his hands nervously.
"I guess I should explain my actions on Vanirheim. I overreacted , I will admit. There was no need for me to behave so, strongly."
"I'm glad you did though," I replied.
He smiled grimly at me.
"I saw you in danger, and I had to do something. After all the things you have done to help me, I had to go to your aid." He took a breath before he continued. "You saved me so many times, saved me from my darkest thoughts when I was in prison. I had to save you, I wanted to save you."
My mind was spinning but I was still able to form words, "You did save me. You saved me from Surtr and his son, and you saved me from my nightmares. I will be eternally grateful." I said, gratitude welling up inside me.
"I believe Thor told you once that I had, as midgardians call it, a crush on you?" He said gently.
I nodded, hoping this wasn't going in the direction I thought it was. 'You got your hopes up didn't you,' my mind teased me. 'You thought you had a chance. How silly," it mocked, "He's a prince, a future king or advisor, you are nothing.' I took a breath and blocked out the mocking voices.
"He was wrong," Loki continued, and my heart sank.
"He said I HAD feelings for you," Loki continued on, blissfully ignorant of my heart breaking inside me, "That would imply that they have gone. I hope that I am not being too forward, Elise, but I love you."
I gasped, my mind going entirely blank. I must have been silent for far too long, as the trickster god spoke up again.
"I am sorry," He said, his voice breaking just slightly, "I understand. I will leave you in peace."
"No, no," I managed to splutter out. "Did you just say you loved me?"
The dark head bobbed slowly in affirmation, and a smile finally broke out across my face.
He took a step closer to me, "This is not one of my tricks," He said, "I vow that my feelings for you are true, and I do not make a vow that I do not intend to keep. I have not much to offer you, being but the second in line to the throne. Be that as it is, I offer what I have; this poor visage that I hope is pleasing enough." I stood gaping, not quite sure of what to say.
"What say you? And please, speak honestly," He began, "No, have pity on my heart, and speak fairly I beg of you." He was rambling, I realised.
"Has the sliver tongue finally lost its magic?" I asked, "You're rambling, Loki." He looked down at his shoes. I continued, "If this is one of your tricks," I paused, "I will kill you. Because I think I love you too."
He swiftly walked towards me and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him, my head resting on his chest, and his head resting lightly on my shoulder. I took a breath in, he smelt of leather and cloves and a smell all his own.
"You have no idea how long I have waited to do this," He mumbled softly into my hair.