Haha it's before the end of November! So, Tom Hiddleston is awesome...just to let you know. This chapter is probably a filler, but it's filled with stuff there's a surprise toward the endish- maybe in the middle. Thanks to everyone who had read, reviewed, and added this fic to alerts and favorites! I do not own Marvel or any of the characters. I looked over the chapter, but if there are any mistakes that bug you-even if it's spelling- let me know :D
Livea: Haha that's awesome! I didn't exactly dress up because I didn't really have a party to go to. So, it was a tie between Supergirl and femThor if I was going to :) Thanks!
Lunar Radioactive: I can't make any promises with the dreams, but... we'll see. I would be an awful author to kill off my main character though. Thanks for the review!
The Queen of Confusion: Thank you! More is on the way!
Chapter Twenty-One
Willow woke the next morning, her head on the crook of Loki's arm. He smiled at her bent his head to kiss her forehead. There was a loud knock and Willow cursed under her breath as Sunhild entered.
"Pardon me, lady Willow, Prince Loki," Sunhild said instantly and left the room. Loki smiled as Willow groaned.
"She will not trouble you with impressing Thor anymore," Loki said and Willow sat up.
"You called for her to come in, didn't you?" Willow wondered. Loki merely smirked. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. With another, she held it over his face. He maneuvered to roll on top of Willow. She was breathing heavily and smiled.
"Perhaps I did," Loki mused and Willow kissed him.
Another knock made Willow groan. She pushed Loki and threw the covers off. Loki smiled as he watched Willow- clad in a short nightgown- walk over to the doors. When she opened them, Thor stood there.
"I apologize for waking you, Willow, but I cannot seem to find Loki," Thor stated and Willow bit her lip. Turning her head, she saw Loki laying back. Oh, this would be payback.
"Yes, he's in here," Willow replied and opened the doors completely for Thor to see Loki.
"Loki, father wishes to speak with us both," Thor said, entering the room. Loki's gaze fell on Willow, who was smirking in the background.
"Very well, I will be along shortly," Loki grumbled and motioned for Thor to leave. Willow closed the door and couldn't find Loki. Arms snaked around her waist and she smiled as she looked behind to see Loki holding her close.
"You should probably see what Odin wants," Willow figured and Loki released her. She gave him a soft smile and watched him leave her room.
As soon as Loki left, Willow searched through her wardrobe to find something suitable. Sunhild entered the room as soon as she was sure Loki wasn't around.
"Would you like some help with that, my lady?" Sunhild wondered and Willow nodded.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Willow smiled. Her hair was up intricately and the gown fit her perfectly. Sunhild walked down the hall with her and Thor noticed them both.
"You look beautiful today, Willow," Thor noted and Willow merely smiled. Sunhild was nervous at her side, averting her gaze.
"Thank you, Thor. Have you seen Loki anywhere?" Willow wondered.
"I believe he is in the library," Thor thought and Willow nodded.
As Thor walked away, Willow turned to Sunhild.
"Could you take me to the library?" Willow asked her.
"Yes, my lady," Sunhild said with a nod, and began walking down the hall in the opposite direction of Thor.
The way to the library confused Willow and she knew that she wouldn't be going there alone. When Sunhild opened the doors, they creaked and revealed an empty space. Willow walked further in the enormous room and finally spotted Loki sitting in a chair with his feet up, his eyes scanning the pages of a thick book.
"What might you be reading?" Willow asked suddenly and Loki smiled, not looking up from his reading.
"Nothing that you would be interested in," Loki replied and Willow narrowed her eyes. She walked around the chair and read over Loki's shoulder. The text was written in another language.
"If I look at that for too long, I will probably fall asleep," Willow admitted and rested her chin on Loki's shoulder. Loki closed the book and Willow walked around to sit next to him, "Does you being confined within the palace walls include riding to the rainbow bridge and back?"
"I suppose I could get away for a few hours," Loki mused and Willow grinned.
Willow let Loki lead the way out of the library and to the stables. The horses were much larger than normal horses she had seen. In Willow's experience, she'd only ever seen horses, never ridden them. Loki approached a black stallion and placed a hand on its neck.
"I change my mind. These horses are bigger than I anticipated," Willow pointed out and Loki smiled.
"Are you afraid?" Loki inquired with a smirk.
"Of course I'm not," Willow denied immediately and walked up to one of the horses. Loki watched as she patted the horse's mane. He could tell she was apprehensive about it, but one of the stable hands saddled the white mare Willow stood before. Willow looked Loki in the eye and placed her foot in the stirrup. She tried to jump up, but failed, laughing as she did so. Removing her foot, she leaned against the horse and laughed more.
"Having fun?" Loki wondered and Willow rolled her eyes.
"I need a hand, actually. If you would be so kind as to help me," Willow suggested and Loki walked over. He lifted Willow suddenly onto the horse. When she was settled, she stuck her tongue out at him in response for his act.
"I was merely assisting you," Loki said in his defense as he got on his own horse. He urged the horse forward and Willow attempted to do the same, but her mare wouldn't comply. Loki looked back and then smiled.
"Perhaps I shouldn't be riding. I'm inexperienced," Willow pointed out. Loki turned his horse around and approached Willow.
"Dismount your horse," Loki stated and Willow did, with the help of the stable hand.
"Now what should I do?" Willow asked with her hands on her hips.
"Come here," Loki said and Willow reluctantly walked over to Loki was, atop his horse. He held out his hand for her and she took it. Willow was lifted up and sat behind Loki. She wrapped her hands around his waist and the horse sped off.
"This was a better idea," Willow admitted and she heard Loki laugh.
Loki stopped the horse and dismounted. He helped Willow down and she gazed across the landscape. She looked down from the cliff and watched water lap against the rock face. The breeze made Willow want to unfurl her wings and take off, but she didn't feel comfortable in Asgard. She figured that she'd stick out if she let her wings show and Willow didn't want to stick out at all.
"How far are we from the palace?" Willow wondered with her gaze set on the water.
"Why do you ask?" Loki wondered, standing beside Willow. She shrugged.
"I was just curious," Willow replied and unfurled her wings. It was slightly painful, but not as much as when she first began to use her wings.
"Ah, I see," Loki noticed and Willow nodded. The wind ruffled the feathers of her wings and she smiled.
"Why did we come to Asgard in the first place?" Willow asked, turning to Loki.
"I believe Thor had the idea to ask Odin about Thanos," Loki ruminated.
"I have a bad feeling that Thanos will attack and we won't be there to help," Willow said and folded her arms across her chest.
"Why would you return so easily? Fury is adamant about keeping you detained," Loki pointed out.
"He'd have to catch me first," Willow pointed out with a grin, meeting Loki's gaze. He reached for her left hand and took the ring off her finger. Then, giving Willow a quick glance, he placed it on her ring finger.
"Marry me," Loki stated and Willow stared at her hand. No, she wasn't dreaming. Was it a trick?
"Are you being serious?" Willow wondered cautiously.
"Of course I am serious," Loki stated.
"I don't understand," Willow pointed out, scanning Loki's face.
"Why must it matter? I care for you," Loki replied.
"Are you sure about this?" Willow wasn't sure about this.
"Yes, I am certain," Loki assured her and Willow let out a breath. She didn't think Loki would ask to marry her. In fact, Willow never assumed anything of Loki.
"So many people won't be very happy," Willow mused with a grin. She wanted to see how her brother would react.
"I suppose Agent Barton will be the most concerned," Loki speculated and Willow nodded.
"No worries, I'll set him straight. He doesn't have control over my life," Willow resolved, "should we get back?"
"Wait," Loki said and pulled Willow close. He kissed her possessively and Willow smiled.
Loki took them back to the palace and Willow noticed the Asgardians were uneasy. She had furled her wings before they left the cliff. Thor came out to greet them with a concerned look on his face.
"What is it?" Loki asked, helping Willow dismount.
"Thanos has attacked Earth," Thor said and Willow ran a hand through her hair.
"What happened?" Willow wondered cautiously.
"He caught the Avengers off guard, though, they are well," Thor assured her and Willow bit her lip.
"We need to go back as soon as possible," Willow stated.
"I will discuss this with Odin," Thor said and walked back inside the palace. Willow watched as Thor went with a frown on her face.
"Come," Loki said and led Willow back to the palace as well. A stable hand took the horse and returned it.
Odin and Thor's voices could be heard from the entrance. Willow moved around Loki to see them discussing the issue. Loki guided her to her room and when they reached her room, Willow stopped at the door.
"We should get back to Earth," Willow pointed out.
"I am to remain at the palace, if you recall," Loki mentioned and Willow nodded with a sigh.
"No matter how much Odin wants you to stay here, the Avengers need your help," Willow replied.
"Thor will return to Earth at Odin's bidding. If I am to stay behind, would you stay as well?" Loki wondered and Willow was torn. Would she stay with Loki when her home was destroyed?
"I'd have to think about it, but I'm sure Thor won't go without you," Willow said, trying to avoid the decision.
"You are avoiding the question," Loki pointed out and Willow shrugged.
"I don't have to make up my mind now. Besides, you shouldn't worry. I've followed you this far, haven't I?" Willow wondered with a smirk and opened one of the doors. Loki watched as she entered the room and gave Loki a smile before shutting them.
After shutting the door, Willow exhaled. What would she do if it came down to it? She would have to choose. There was no doubt in her mind that she'd stay with Loki, but what if the Avengers were beaten by Thanos? It would be her fault. Putting those thoughts aside, Willow looted the wardrobe and found a pair of clothes she had packed. If they were going back to Earth, she needed to look like a human being.
There was a knock on her door after she dressed and Sunhild was standing there. When she met Willow's gaze, it was of confusion. Willow assumed it was because of her attire.
"Prince Thor and the All-father would like to speak with you," Sunhild stated and led Willow out of her room. Why was it so important that Willow be summoned?
As soon as she entered the main hall, she realized what it was about. Loki stood there, his gaze flickering. Thor wanted Loki to go back to Earth with them. Sunhild left Willow's side and disappeared. As Willow stood under Odin's careful gaze, she felt nervous.
"I have summoned you, Willow, to ask for your opinion on Loki's release. Thor believes he will help the Avengers," Odin stated and out of the corner of her eye, Willow could see Loki smirk. She could betray Loki and tell Odin that he would cause more problems, but Willow thought against it.
"He would be an asset to the Avengers. Thanos has grown powerful even without the infinity gems," Willow explained, meeting Odin's gaze.
"Very well, I will condone Loki's release," Odin agreed and Thor grinned.
"We will leave for Earth shortly," Thor stated and turned to Odin. Willow turned around and met Loki's gaze. He was smiling at her.
"I was considering telling Odin that you were going to cause trouble, but I thought against it. If Fury is angry at me, I don't think Thor will be enough to stop him," Willow explained and began walking out of the main hall with Loki at her side.
They stopped at Willow's door and she went inside, searching for her duffle bag. Loki wandered into the room and pulled it out from under the bed. Willow took it from him and began searching for the clothes she packed. Sunhild entered the room and eyed Loki carefully before placing some of her clothes on the dresser
"Prince Thor instructed me to locate your garments," Sunhild spoke up and Willow nodded.
"Thank you for finding them," Willow replied and watched Sunhild leave before turning to Loki, "She doesn't like you, does she?"
"She is apprehensive about me," Loki mused and Willow merely shrugged.
Was the proposal okay? I kind of rushed it, but I didn't exactly think it would be slow. If it's bad, just let me know. I'll see what I can do to fix it. Hope you enjoyed otherwise! If you love Lord of the Rings as much as I do and are excited about the Hobbit, get your behind to Empire's site and you can listen to the whole soundtrack!