Hi guys. Thankyou kathrynrose42, sarahmichellegellarfan1 and Guest for reviewing. This chapter takes place two months after the last one. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 14

Tari cowered away from Gorran's fists, her heart pounding in her chest. She stepped back, trying to avoid Gorran's fist. Instead, it hit her cheek. Gorran's face twisted with anger and he pushed Tari backwards before storming out. Tari stumbled but didn't fall. She stared after Gorran, glaring fiercely. She hadn't cried this time. She hadn't fallen either. That gave her satisfaction; she hadn't broken. She was getting stronger, perhaps. Braver.

Tari turned to her mirror. Her cheek was beginning to bruise. There wasn't much she could do about that and she was supposed to meet Loki in a few minutes. She pulled her hair forward, so that it covered part of her cheek. That would have to do. It wasn't like she still had to hide Gorran's abuse from Loki, anyway. She opened the door and began to make her way to the lake. It was fairly early in the morning, so not many people were around.

Loki was already at the lake when Tari arrived. He smiled when he saw her but his face fell when he saw the bruise on her face. He brushed Tari's hair out of the way.

"Did he do this to you?" he demanded, his voice bitter with barely contained anger.

"Yes. He did." Tari replied quietly. She could see how angry Loki was, and she knew that she never wanted to be the person Loki was angry with; he could be formidable when he wanted to be. He had that savageness. Tari hoped that he wouldn't do or say anything to Gorran.

"You already knew that he does this." She murmured.

"That doesn't mean that it doesn't anger me. I hate seeing you hurt." Loki said, taking Tari's hand. Tari, for the first time, noticed how cold his skin was. However, that thought was forgotten almost immediately when Loki pressed a kiss to Tari's lips. "Come on." He said. They began to walk around the lake, towards the emerald hills that arose from the forest.

They sat atop a hill, the sun bathing them in golden light. Tari could see the palace from there, and the city on the other side. It all shone gold in the sunlight. Despite the beauty in front of her, Tari's gaze was drawn to the green countryside on the horizon, where she had lived as a child. She missed the cottage she had lived in with her parents and she missed the three cows that had lived in a field just outside. She missed the children she had played with: two older boys and a girl her age. She had never seen them again after her mother had gotten engaged to Crane. Although his huge manor house wasn't very far away from Tari's old cottage, Crane had kept her inside, away from everyone. The only company she'd had was the servants and her governess who Crane had paid to teach her manners and how to behave as a lady should. Tari had never really spoken with any other children. She had amused herself with books and had pretended to herself that the characters were her friends. She remembered seeing other children out of her bedroom window and how she had envied their freedom. Tari stirred herself from her daydream. It was useless to think about the past. It wouldn't improve her present and future.

She sensed that Loki wasn't happy; his eyes were dull and his expression was far away.

"What troubles you?" Tari asked quietly. Loki sighed.

"Do you ever feel like you aren't good enough? Like everyone is judging you?" he murmured. Tari frowned. Did he feel that way?

"No. But you do, don't you?" she said softly. Loki nodded.

"I've never been good enough for… well, anyone really. My father wishes I was more like Thor. I think everyone does. I try not to care, but it's difficult when you feel like everyone wishes that you were someone else." His voice was vulnerable and lost. It made Tari want to cry. She couldn't imagine feeling that way, didn't want to imagine it.

"I don't wish that. I'd never want you to change, Loki. You're the best person I know and the only person who has shown me any kindness since I got here. You're the person I care about most in the nine realms." Tari said, trying to reassure him. Loki smiled wanly and pulled her closer.

"At least I have you." He said fondly. There was a pause.

"Thor's a stupid oaf anyway." Tari said and Loki chuckled.

"You could say that." He said. Tari smiled. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Loki began to speak.

"I should tell you- it is likely that I will have to go to Muspelheim. The fire demons are rebelling and we may have to go into battle." He said in a low voice. Fear spread through Tari's body. Fear of losing Loki. So many died in battle- he could too. Tari bit her lip, her heart heavy in her chest.

"Tari?" Loki asked, looking concerned. Tari realised that she had not spoken in a little while.

"I'll worry about you." She murmured.

"I'll be fine, Love. I've been in several battles before; I've always been fine."

"That doesn't mean I won't worry. I don't want to lose you." Tari said softly.

"I know, Love, but I promise you that I'll be fine. And so will you. Gorran will be coming too." Tari could barely register the last two sentences. Losing Loki would be the worst thing possible and there was no way he could know that it wouldn't happen.

"I'd rather you both stayed than you both went." Tari said.

"I'll be back before you know it. I promise." Loki reassured her.

"I'm going to miss you." Tari murmured. Loki pulled her closer. There was a long pause.

"Tari… you mean the world to me. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, so… will you marry me?" Tari felt a brief rush of joy before reality came crashing back.

"Loki, I'm engaged to Gorran- "she began but Loki cut her off.

"You're not going to marry him, we're going to find a way, I promise." His eyes were full of such sincerity that Tari had to believe him. She had full faith in him. "Marry me." Loki repeated.

"I will." Tari said, smiling joyfully. As Loki slipped the ring onto her finger she truly began to believe that they would find a way to end her engagement to Gorran, that a life with Loki was possible.

Tari stood, once again, at the end of the Rainbow Bridge. She was officially here to say goodbye to Gorran, but it was Loki she was truly there for. She was still worried for him, but his proposal had ignited new hope in her heart. As Loki rode away, he looked back at Tari, a hint of a smile lighting up his face. Tari just had to hope that he would be alright.

That's all for today, I hope you guys liked it! I will update by next Wednesday. Please review!

Kathrynrose42- Yay, you ship… whatever their ship name is. I'm glad you liked it!

Sarahmichellegellarfan1- Thanks!

Guest- Sorry, I don't speak very much Spanish but thank you very much for your review!