Ava walked out into the hall and was surprised to see her father dressed in his ceremonial armor. She could tell that he had already begun drinking, though he was not completely drunk, only slightly. He could after all still stand. "I…I didn't expect to see you here, Father." Ava said.

"Well…I am to give you away." Hagar replied, his tone cold as ice.

Ava nodded. Thinking about she realized her father was probably only there for the rest of his money...and to make sure Loki wouldn't change his mind and give her back. "Right."

Frigga gave Ava a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, as if reassuring her. "Everything will be alright." She whispered to her, before walking ahead to take her seat.

Ava walked over to her father and placed her hand in the crook of his arm. Neither of them said a word to each other as the music began. The doors opened and they began their walk down the aisle. At the end of the aisle, stood an old man in pale blue and silver robes, who would officiate the ceremony. Loki stood to the right.

Ava could feel Loki's eyes on her as she made her way to him. She looked at him, her eyes locking with his. She could see the worry and concern fro her and her feelings in his eyes. Why? Why does he care? Why does he love me? Ava thought to herself.

Soon, she and her father reached the end of the aisle. Hagar took her hand and placed it in Loki's before walking away to take his seat. Ava stood next to Loki, holding his hand. They faced the old man who would be officiating. The music stopped and the old man began the ceremony.

"We are gathered here today to join these two souls in the bonds of matrimony." The old man said. "Loki, Ava, turn to each other and join hands."

Loki and Ava turned to face each other, joining their four hands together between the two of them. "Loki, do you take Ava as your wife? Do you promise to honor, protect, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Loki replied, looking into Ava's eyes.

"Ava, do you take Loki as your husband? Do you promise to honor, obey, and keep him for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Ava said.

The man then held out two gold bands. "These rings will be an outward symbol of your union." He then handed the rings to Loki and Ava who placed them on each others' ring fingers. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Loki smiled at Ava before leaning down to gently press his lips to hers. He broke the kiss after a few moments and then they turned to face the crowd as husband and wife. The music started and they headed up the aisle towards the dining hall, where their wedding feast was being served.

Loki and Ava sat down side by side at the head of the table. Everyone else filed into the room, taking their seats. Ava was happy to see Frigga sitting not far from her. Loki reached his hand over and took Ava's hand and brought it to his lips.

The feast was served and music began to play. Everyone was drinking, dancing, and having a marvelous time. After eating, Loki rose from his seat and offered his wife his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Ava took his hand and allowed him to help her up. They headed out to the dance floor, Loki keeping one of Ava's hands in his and wrapping his other arm around her waist. Ava placed her free hand on his shoulder. "You look absolutely beautiful, tonight." Loki told his wife.

Ava gave him a small smile. "Thank you."

"I see you got my gift. Do you like it?" Loki asked, referring to the necklace.

"Yes...it is beautiful. You did not have to get this for me." Ava replied.

"A beautiful necklace for a beautiful lady." Loki replied, smiling.

"I don't know about all of that." Ava replied.

Loki kissed her forehead. "One of these days I will have you convinced of your beauty and your worth."

After dancing a while longer, they returned to their seats. Once they had sit down, Odin and Frigga stood up. "We would like to propose a toast to our son and our new daughter." Odin announced.

"We are happy to see our wonderful son married to an equally wonderful young woman. We welcome you into our family with open arms, Ava." Frigga continued.

"Bullocks!" Hagar shouted in a drunken slur, as he rose on shaky legs, spilling his drink slightly.

Everyone was shocked by his outburst. "I think you need to sit down, Lord Hagar." Odin said.

"No...I will not sit down! I will not be silent! Especially when you are speaking such...blatant lies. My daughter...is not wonderful. She is a horrid little monster who stole her mother's life!"

"Guards, remove this drunken fool." Odin ordered.

A group of guards then surrounded Hagar and removed him from the palace. Loki looked over at Ava. He could see her restraining her emotions. He reached a hand over and held her hand in his. "Are you alright, Darling?" He asked.

Ava nodded. "I'm used to it by now."

A short while later, a group of female servants took Ava to get her ready for the wedding night. Loki then headed to the honeymoon suite and changed into his night clothes. He knew that Ava would be brought in any time soon.

The doors opened and Ava was walking in the room. She was wearing a thin white night dress made of silk and lace. Loki could see fading bruises on her arms. He walked over to her and tenderly ran his fingers over the bruises on her arms.

He had known that Ava's father had been abusive to her, but it was different seeing the marks which confirmed it. He looked into her green eyes, which were glistening with unshed tears. "I am sorry, darling." Loki told her. "I shouldn't have allowed your father to come."

"It's not your fault...besides...I am used to his cruelty...that was just...the first time he has ever done so publicly." Ava replied.

Loki enfolded Ava into his arms. "You do not deserve what he has done to you. You do not deserve the way he has treated you." He told her kissing the top of her head and stroked her hair. "You are a beautiful, wonderful person. I will make sure no one ever treats you in this manner again."

Ava felt the tears flow down her cheeks. Though she knew she did not kill her mother, she was still hurt by her father's words. She thought she could handle his insults, taunts, and remarks, but she couldn't. She wasn't as numb as she had thought. She buried her face in Loki's chest and allowed him to hold her as she cried.

After a while, Ava dried her tears, but kept her head on Loki's chest. "Some wedding night this has turned out to be." She muttered.

Loki chuckled lightly and kissed the top of her head. "It is alright."

Ava pulled back and looked up at Loki. "I guess, we should..."

Loki shook his head. "We have to do nothing this night, Ava. Especially, with you still hurting from your father's outburst."

"But...we are married...and it is...my duty as your wife." Ava replied.

Loki shook his head once again. "Ava, we have to do nothing. I will be happy to sleep tonight with you at my side." He told her. "Besides, when we do come together as husband and wife, I want it to be because you feel something more for me than duty."

"You have high hopes for me." Ava replied.

"I just want to help you." Loki said, caressing her cheek with his fingertips. "I know that your life has been hard and that your father's actions have hurt you deeply, but I swear to you I will spend the rest of my life helping you to heal." He then gently kissed her lips before pulling her back into his embrace and just holding her.

Ava couldn't believe how gentle and kind Loki was being to her. It was something she was still not used to. Loki led her over to the bed, where they laid down, Loki still holding her. He began to hum a song to her, the same one Frigga had hummed the previous day and soon they both fell asleep.

Loki held Ava close as she slept. He stroked her long red locks and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Ava." He whispered just before falling asleep himself.